Kurozumi Higurashi stood before Kaidou, her wrinkled face etched with determination. She tilted her head slightly upward, meeting the gaze of the towering man before her, her voice hoarse yet filled with strength. "Kaidou, my plan has been meticulously crafted over many years, with every detail carefully considered. If we follow this plan, we can take Wano Country with minimal cost."
Kaidou lounged lazily on a large rock, casually picking up his Wine Gourd and taking a large swig of liquor. Amber liquid trickled from the corner of his mouth, dripping onto the front of his garment. He wiped his mouth carelessly, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes. "Is that so?" He set down the Wine Gourd, his thick fingers lightly tapping on the table. "We can generally follow your plan, but..."
"But what?" Kurozumi Higurashi's brow immediately furrowed, clear displeasure appearing on her wrinkled face. She instinctively took half a step forward before forcing herself to stop, her grip tightening unconsciously on the snake-shaped cane in her hand.
Kaidou grinned, revealing stark white teeth that appeared particularly menacing in the sunlight. "Helping you eliminate Kouzuki Oden isn't a problem," he said slowly, his voice low and filled with pressure. "But after it's done, you'll need to transform into his appearance and hand over the daimyo position of Kuri to me."
"That's impossible!" Kurozumi Higurashi blurted out almost immediately, her voice trembling slightly with agitation. She instinctively touched the cane hidden in her sleeve, her knuckles turning white from the force of her grip. "Although my Imitation Fruit allows me to transform into anyone, I'll eventually be discovered if it goes on too long. Once exposed, decades of planning by our Kurozumi family will be completely ruined!"
Kaidou waved his hand dismissively, the Wine Gourd swaying in his grasp with a dull sound. "Then we'll make it quick." Calculation gleamed in his eyes. "From what you just told me about Kouzuki Oden, that guy follows his whims." He paused, revealing a meaningful smile. "Someone like that could completely become 'good friends' with me after a fight, then hand Kuri over to me while he goes off to sea with a few people to enjoy himself. That kind of thing would be completely normal for him."
Kurozumi Higurashi fell silent, her wrinkled fingers unconsciously stroking the snake-shaped ornament atop her cane. Her gaze shifted uncertainly, clearly engaged in intense internal conflict. Seeing this, Kaidou took another swig of liquor, his Adam's apple bobbing with the swallowing motion.
"This way we won't raise too much suspicion, and we can smoothly take over Kuri," Kaidou continued, his voice filled with undeniable confidence. "Wasn't it you who said earlier that you wanted to find a base for my Beasts Pirates to use as headquarters? I think Kuri is just the place." He stood up, his tall figure casting a long shadow. "Afterward, I can build an arms factory in Kuri."
"But..." Kurozumi Higurashi still hesitated, unease evident in her voice. "I'm still worried about being discovered."
"Wororororo!" Kaidou suddenly burst into laughter, the sound shaking dust from the rafters. "Don't worry, old woman." He leaned down, bringing his face close to Kurozumi Higurashi's, his eyes gleaming with dangerous light. "So what if we're discovered? By then Kouzuki Oden will already be dead. Even if discovered, only his retainers would find out." He straightened up, his tone turning casual. "We can just eliminate them when the time comes. The plan will proceed as scheduled."
Kaidou spread his arms wide as if painting a grand blueprint: "I'll get the weapons factory in Kuri and the Sea Stone business in Wano. Your Kurozumi family gets the entire country of Wano, allowing your clan to fully restore its glory." His voice dripped with temptation. "Isn't this what you've always wanted?"
Kurozumi Higurashi's eyes gradually hardened. She took a deep breath, seeming to reach a decision. "Fine," she gritted her teeth, her voice low and resolute. "Let's do it."
"Wororororo!" Kaidou laughed heartily at her response, the sound echoing through the empty hall. "Then here's to our cooperation!"
At that moment, Sebastian and Gavin immediately brought two bowls of sake, handing them to Kaidou and Kurozumi Higurashi respectively. The liquid in the bowls shimmered with amber light under the sun, emitting a strong aroma of alcohol.
Kaidou took the bowl and raised it high above his head with gusto: "After drinking this Alliance Sake, we'll seize Wano together! Wororororo!" His deafening voice brimmed with ambition.
"Good." Kurozumi Higurashi also raised her bowl, a flash of determination in her eyes. She tilted her head back and drained the bowl in one gulp. The sake trickled down her wrinkled chin, dripping onto the floor with soft splashes.
Kaidou watched this scene with satisfaction, then smashed his empty bowl heavily on the ground, producing a sharp shattering sound. "From today onward," his deep voice carried undeniable power, "Wano belongs to us."
Afterward, Kaidou and Kurozumi Higurashi discussed some details - when to land in Wano, when to eliminate Kouzuki Oden.
As night fell, Kaidou stood alone on the deck of the Beasts Pirates' ship, letting the biting sea wind whip against his face. Under the moonlight, his towering figure appeared particularly sinister and terrifying.
Suddenly, a strong gust of wind swept through as King descended from the sky with his black wings spread, landing steadily beside Kaidou. He lowered his voice and asked: "Big Brother Kaidou, are we really going to cooperate with that old fox Kurozumi Higurashi?" His tone carried obvious doubt.
The atmosphere on the deck instantly grew tense. Queen puffed on his cigar, Bullet polished his weapons, while Urouge and Moria and others stopped what they were doing - all eyes focused on Kaidou, awaiting his response.
Kaidou grinned widely, revealing a ferocious smile: "Of course we'll cooperate. We've already drunk the Alliance Sake - can we go back on our word now?" His laughter echoed through the night sky, yet carried no warmth.
King silently watched Kaidou's profile. As the subordinate who understood Kaidou best, he knew perfectly well things weren't that simple.
Sure enough, Kaidou suddenly suppressed his smile, his gaze turning sinister as he looked toward the dark sea in the distance: "Once we establish a foothold in Kuri..." A flash of ferocity crossed his eyes, "How could a mere Kuri be enough? Do those small fries deserve to stand on equal footing with me? What does the Kurozumi Family amount to!"
"Wororororo!" Kaidou suddenly burst into maniacal laughter, shaking the deck with its intensity, "King, Queen, I already have a complete plan. As long as the plan goes smoothly, the entire Wano Country will fall into my hands!"
King nodded slightly, a knowing smile appearing at the corner of his mouth. This was the ambitious Kaidou he followed—a hegemon forever unsatisfied.
Under the moonlight, the flag of the Beasts Pirates fluttered loudly in the sea breeze, as if foretelling the storm of bloodshed to come.
-Support me in Patreon for more chapters 40+ chapters in there
patreon.com/LegendaryTL
Thanks!