"Belle-Mere Yamato, huh?"
Yamato scratched her head and laughed happily:
"That's your mother's surname, right? It took me quite a lot of effort to find out, because I really admire you. But that guy Kaido wouldn't let me go out to sea to find you, so this was the only way... Anyway, I wanted to be closer to you!"
"If you feel offended, I can change it! After all, now I can see you in person, hehe, just thinking about it makes me so happy..."
"?"
Aokiji couldn't help but poke his head in from outside the door, his expression strange.
Looking at the white-haired girl in front of him laughing foolishly like a husky, Shano also held his forehead with one hand, sighed, and for a moment felt both amused and exasperated.
He knew it was because of this reason that she changed her surname.
Just like you, Yamato.
But this situation seems to be a good thing?
At least it seems that way.
Because of his sudden appearance, this fellow truly cured herself of the disease and didn't turn into that possessed soul overrun by Kozuki Oden.
"I don't feel offended."
Shano shook his head slightly, speaking softly:
"But my mother was already an orphan before she could remember anything, so she didn't know her own surname. Belle-Mere was just her name, and I'm not called Belle-Mere Shano."
"So it's better to change it. It sounds weird... You have a deep grudge against Kaido, huh? If you don't want to inherit his name, you could just go by Yamato, why add a surname at all?"
"Understood!"
Yamato replied without hesitation, "From now on, I'll just be Yamato, whatever you wish!"
"By the way, Lord Shano! I have been striving to get stronger over the past two years, just so one day I can follow you! Now that you're here..."
Suddenly she remembered something and eagerly added:
"Can I... can I join the Endgame? I really, really want to be under your command and fight beside you! Plus, I'm very familiar with Ghost Island, if you're going to battle Kaido, I can guide you! Lead the charge!"
"?"
Aokiji's face was full of confusion as he peeked in for the second time.
Did he hear that right?
That guy Kaido, what a failure, how on earth did he raise his daughter like this?
"No need."
Shano was dumbfounded, "Didn't Jack mention it to you? Seems like you didn't listen carefully before. The Hundred Beasts Pirates were defeated last night, and Wano Country has been taken over by us."
"What?!"
Yamato finally remembered, her expression shifting, "Then, what about Kaido?"
"He's dead."
Shano said calmly, "One-on-one, he died by my hand. Before I came to see you, I had just buried him myself."
"Dead, huh?"
Yamato was momentarily dazed, but her eyes quickly brightened. She put her hands on her hips and grinned widely, laughing, "Of course, I knew that guy could never be a match for you! Hey, Kaido! You got what you deserve today!"
"..."
Shano waited a moment before softly adding:
"Before he died, he specifically asked me not to harm you, saying that you still retained a kind heart, unlike him, whose sins were beyond count, and he asked me to take care of you."
Yamato's laughter came to an abrupt stop.
"That guy was indeed a villain, and as a father, even more incompetent."
Shano said indifferently, "But in his heart, you were indeed very important. For the sake of this dying wish, when you have the time, go and pay your respects to him."
Outside the window, cherry blossoms were carried by the wind into the room, landing lightly on the girl's shoulder.
Finally, the girl, who had been in a daze, came back to her senses.
"Okay."
She bit her lower lip and nodded vigorously.
Shano didn't say much more.
There's no need to say more at this point.
After all, the reason Yamato became so devoted to a father figure is partly due to Oden's influence since childhood, but ultimately, it was Teacher Kai's lack of proper conduct.
His way of managing Wano Country was abstract, and his way of educating his daughter was even more abstract.
In this regard, compared to Kaido, even the intermittently erratic BIGMOM seemed like a saint.
"Speaking of which, you mentioned earlier about wanting to follow me and join the Endgame?"
Shano changed the subject directly.
"Yes!" Yamato immediately lifted her head, her eyes rekindled with excitement, "Is it possible, Lord Shano?"
"Of course, it is."
Shano smiled slightly, "You grew up in this country and are quite familiar with Wano Country. In the coming period, I plan to have Kuina and Jack stay in Wano Country to assist in the rebuilding and opening preparations, you can help them too, and by the way, properly apologize to Jack."
"What? Really, really?"
Yamato was surprised and delighted, her eyes widened as if she could jump up at any moment.
After fighting that big dumb elephant, happiness came so suddenly!
Not only can she join the Endgame;
But also become an officer and personally participate in the rebuilding of Wano Country, witnessing the country's opening to the sea?
Two major wishes fulfilled all at once!
"I'll get ready to set off immediately!"
Yamato could hardly contain herself, full of fighting spirit as she stood up, "Rest assured, I, Yamato, will surely complete the tasks you assign, and won't let you down!"
"Very well."
Shano nodded satisfactorily, then seemed to remember something else, "That Oden diary you found back then, do you still have it?"
"I do!"
Yamato hurriedly nodded, pulling out a worn-out diary, caressing the cover with a sentimental smile, "I've always carried it with me, my lord. Now looking back, perhaps it was through the filter of childhood that I viewed Oden as an idol, but ever since having you for comparison, that guy doesn't seem so remarkable anymore."