"The third step of the plan can be summarized in two words—replacement."
"After we thoroughly purge Hakumai—kill all the men, spare only the women who submit, and execute those who resist—"
"The surviving women can be rewarded to lower-ranking members of the Beasts Pirates who have rendered meritorious service."
"At the same time, Hakumai's land must not lie idle. Its usage rights can also be distributed as rewards to the lower ranks."
"This solves marriage issues. It solves land ownership issues. And alongside that, we introduce systems for retirement in old age, as well as compensation for injury or disability."
"In this way, Hakumai will be completely and utterly absorbed into our rule."
"All of its production will belong entirely to us."
"And the members of the Beast Pirates will become absolutely loyal to Captain Kaido."
At the appropriate moment, Bai Feng bowed slightly toward Kaido—mimicking the future image of countless pirates swearing fealty before him.
Seated at the head of the hall, Kaido narrowed his dragon-like eyes. Though his expression didn't change much, the faint satisfaction in his gaze was unmistakable.
"Don't stop. Continue."
Bai Feng smiled faintly and resumed.
"Step Four is called gradual erosion."
"After we fully secure Hakumai and consolidate internal loyalty within the crew, we begin replicating the Hakumai model across the rest of Wano."
"However, during this process, there are two additional actions we must take."
"First—level all ancestral graves in Wano. Every region we seize, we flatten its burial grounds."
"The purpose is to completely destroy the Wano people's ancestral faith—cut off their rites and traditions."
"Second—abolish Wano's native writing system and enforce the use of the world's common script."
"The purpose is to sever their historical inheritance. Make them forget who their ancestors were."
"Even if, in the future, they learn from books that Wano once existed, they will see it as nothing more than a speck of dust in history—with no connection to themselves."
"Exterminate their clan. Eradicate their bloodline. End their rites. Serve their legacy."
"If we accomplish these four, the people of Wano will vanish completely from this world. In their place will stand the descendants of the Beast Pirates."
Bai Feng's voice dripped with killing intent—especially when he spoke the four phrases: exterminate, eradicate, end, sever. His teeth nearly ground together.
This was not mere bloodlust.
In his previous life—two lives ago—he had borne a deep-seated hatred toward the people of another Wano from another world.
Those very same acts—exterminate, eradicate, end, sever—had once been attempted against his own ancestors.
Though they ultimately failed, hatred did not simply vanish.
Now, having crossed into the world of pirates as a world invader—
Even if these Wano people were not the same as those from his former world, venting his vengeance upon them made no difference to him.
Yes—it was displaced rage.
Yes—it was irrational revenge.
So what?
The intensity of Bai Feng's hatred was palpable, even to Kaido, King, and Queen.
But none of them cared why he hated Wano.
They only cared whether his plan was feasible.
After brief contemplation, all three arrived at nearly the same conclusion.
They exchanged subtle glances—silently confirming mutual agreement.
"Once Step Four is complete," Bai Feng continued, "Step Five is simply the closing act."
"Kill Kurozumi Orochi. Fully occupy Wano. That concludes the plan."
Having vented some of his emotions, Bai Feng quickly regained composure. His tone returned to calm neutrality.
"After that, Wano becomes our template."
"We can apply the same model to other islands we conquer."
"Of course, by then, we won't need to be as ruthless as we are with Wano."
"With an established core territory and foundational population, any island willing to submit won't require total slaughter. Just eliminate the old aristocracy that monopolizes vast lands."
"The commoners can remain. They will become our new subjects—providing population, taxes, and soldiers."
With that, Bai Feng fell silent.
After a short pause, he looked toward Kaido.
"Captain Kaido—what is your opinion of my plan?"
Kaido remained seated at the head, his dragon eyes fixed on Bai Feng's small frame.
Instead of directly answering, he asked:
"Brat. Who exactly are you?"
"This plan is not something a normal child could conceive."
Bai Feng stood in silence.
He had considered playing dumb—but saw no point.
Even if he told the truth, would Kaido discard him because of it?
He doubted it.
After a moment, he answered calmly:
"I'm actually someone who has been reborn. I retain the memories of my previous life."
"So although I appear to be a child, my true age is greater than the three of you."
Silence filled the hall.
Yet—
Kaido, King, and Queen did not appear overly shocked.
Not entirely unsurprised, either—his claim was outrageous.
But Bai Feng himself was outrageous.
They had already mentally prepared for something abnormal.
Hearing this explanation, they merely thought: So that's it. Slightly different from what we imagined—but close enough.
Kaido even proposed his own theory:
"Were you turned into a child by someone else's ability? Or something like that old hag Big Mom—did someone transfer your soul into a child's body?"
Bai Feng blinked. He hadn't expected Kaido's imagination to go there.
But this worked in his favor. Less explaining required.
"Something like that. If that's how you want to see it, then sure."
Silence settled once more.
But this time, the atmosphere was noticeably lighter.
If Bai Feng's state resulted from some Devil Fruit ability, then it wasn't so unbelievable.
Otherwise, if a naturally born monster-child like this truly existed, even Kaido and King might find their worldviews shaken.
With the "affected by someone's Devil Fruit ability" explanation, things felt at least somewhat grounded.
After some thought, Kaido finally spoke:
"Your plan is excellent. But as you said, Kouzuki Oden is not currently in Wano."
"As long as Wano's strongest warrior and its resistance leader remain alive, your plan cannot be fully implemented."
"I'll have the Queen record it. But when we begin depends on how events unfold."
Bai Feng nodded.
Today, Kaido had only just received news of Roger becoming Pirate King.
The dissolution of the Roger Pirates was not far off—but still some time away.
Before Kouzuki Oden returned, confident he could resolve Wano's crisis alone, variables remained.
From Kaido's perspective, Oden was the ultimate uncertainty.
What was currently known:
Oden's wife and children, along with two Mink retainers, had returned to Kuri—and showed no overt rebellion.
And when the Roger Pirates escorted them back previously, they had not interfered in Wano's internal affairs.
Kaido did not know whether that would remain true.
Based on Orochi's intelligence, Kouzuki Oden was arrogant, reckless, selfish, self-serving—and foolish.
If Oden and Roger had ignored Wano's turmoil once, perhaps they would do so again.
So Kaido was gambling.
Gambling that Oden truly was a selfish fool.
Gambling that he lacked sufficient attachment to Wano to beg Roger for help.
Or gambling that Oden believed he alone could resolve everything.
…
In the original timeline, Kaido undoubtedly won that gamble.
In this life, though Bai Feng's presence introduced a variable, even he could not be certain whether Oden might act outside the known script.
Thus, for now—
Both Kaido and Bai Feng could only wait.
Quietly.
Patiently.
Awaiting the day when fate would make its move.