"Michael… no, Vice Admiral Michael, although I may look like just a crazed fan, in reality, I also want to escape my father's control and cruelty…"
Michael was sitting in the meeting room of the Revolutionary Army's Rescue Station, across from Yamato, Ulti, and Page One.
The youngest was ten, the oldest sixteen. Relying on nothing but a pain ship stuffed with fan merchandise, they crossed from the perilous New World, through the terrifying Calm Belt, and finally arrived safely in the East Blue?
This was not only because Yamato herself was strong, but also because the three of them had extraordinary luck.
But… thinking about it, it was also quite desperate.
The internal environment of the Beasts Pirates was the so-called "survival of the fittest."
What Kaido did to his own daughter Yamato in the original story could absolutely be described with the word "cruel."
If that's how he treated his own daughter, needless to say, it was even worse for adopted children.
If Ulti and Page One hadn't stolen and eaten two Ancient Zoan Fruits, they probably wouldn't have even survived in the Beasts Pirates.
In the end, they came to a consensus: under the guise of "chasing a star," they escaped from the Beasts Pirates. In a sense, it was indeed an act of self-rescue.
Unexpected, but reasonable.
"So, you essentially went out to sea to escape 'Beasts' Kaido?"
"That's right. I'm Kaido's daughter, and these two are my younger sister and brother."
Yamato didn't hide her identity.
Even though she might hate her father, she wasn't ashamed of her bloodline.
"Kaido's daughter!?" Ginny suddenly stood up. "You're talking about that Kaido of the New World? The one called the 'Strongest Creature,' that great pirate!?"
"Uh… my father's reputation… is really that big?" Yamato scratched her face awkwardly. "I'm only interested in manga… so I don't really know much about other things… I just know my father is strong. Very strong."
"Well, a bit naïve… but you did catch the main point." Michael smiled and nodded. "You only need to know your father is strong. If you really want to oppose him, then keep working hard to become stronger."
Though he said this, Michael had a different thought in his heart.
Because Kozuki Oden hadn't been executed by Kaido and Orochi, the relationship between Kaido and Yamato wasn't as irreconcilable as in the original story.
After all, she hadn't been beaten or imprisoned since childhood, nor had she been chained with explosive shackles for years.
The current Yamato was more disgusted with the Beasts Pirates as a whole.
Just the fact that she still called Kaido "father" showed that, purely in terms of father-daughter ties, there wasn't much deep conflict.
In the original, she always called him by name… even calling Kaido "bull-gorilla" at times.
…Though admittedly, it was pretty accurate.
"You… you won't arrest us, will you?" Yamato finally showed a trace of unease. "After all, you're Navy, and we're children of pirates…"
"Children of pirates, so what? Do you consider yourselves pirates? Or do you have names and bounties on wanted posters?" Michael rolled his eyes. "If not, then you're just civilians… and since you're civilians, why would I arrest you? Do I look that bored?"
Michael's attitude was very clear: whether "pirate" or "Navy," these identities were personal choices, not something passed on through "bloodline."
Otherwise, Garp's son should've been a pillar of the Navy.
"Who your father is, that means nothing."
"Who you are—that's what matters."
After Michael finished speaking, he turned and walked toward the door.
And the moment Michael pushed the door open, he heard a loud "thud" behind him.
Yamato was kneeling on the ground, tears streaming down her face.
"Vice Admiral Michael, I want to join the Navy!"
"I want to join the Navy!"
Ginny looked at this scene and whispered to Michael:
"Why does watching this suddenly make strong music play in my head… also, what's basketball?"
"Ahem… that's not something you should be touching!"
...
New World, Raijin Island.
"What did you say!? Yamato took Ulti and Page One and ran away!?"
Hearing King's report, Kaido abruptly stood up.
"Those are my children! More importantly… they carry one Mythical Zoan Fruit and two Ancient Zoan Fruits!"
Kaido's voice rose with fury.
He truly had feelings for his daughter, as well as for his adopted son and daughter…
But he also truly intended to use them as a powerful future force.
Kaido's contradictions lay right there.
At this moment, as King was reporting, a bead of cold sweat rolled down his forehead.
He could feel the overwhelming, violent Conqueror's Haki suddenly erupting from Kaido.
"Find them. You must bring Yamato back!"
"… if it's those guys below, they might not be a match for Yamato…"
"Then have them gather information. Once her location is found… I'll personally drag this unfilial daughter back!"
"…Fine." King nodded, then turned to leave.
The room was left with only Kaido.
He exhaled deeply…
"That's right!"
"Yamato must've gone chasing some star! That damned Michael or whatever…"
"Hmph! Navy Chief Inspector, huh? The moment I get the chance, I'll tear you to pieces!"
"How dare you seduce my daughter!"
...
Michael didn't stay long in Loguetown after that. He returned to Shimotsuki Village.
But since Yamato stubbornly insisted on following him, he had no choice but to bring the three siblings back with him.
"You… you're so shameless. What do you mean she insisted on following you? You agreed faster than anyone!"
"Ahem… see through but don't call it out, we're still good friends, Ginny." Michael coughed lightly.
"Such good seedlings falling into my lap… how could I not take them in? Besides, this weakens the pirates' strength! Definitely a great merit!"
"You trying so hard to cover it up… you look pathetic."
Michael and Ginny walked ahead, speaking in low voices.
Yamato, Ulti, and Page One were curiously looking around.
They had either lived on Onigashima or Raijin Island, almost never seeing a normal environment.
Arriving in Shimotsuki Village, they were naturally curious.
Michael glanced back at them—only for Yamato to sharply catch his look.
Then, she gave him a sunny, honest smile.
"Ginny…"
"What?"
"This time… for the first time, I actually feel a tiny bit guilty about tricking kids."
"Wait… you're only feeling guilty now? Just how heartless were you before!?"
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