Thinking about the torture she had gone through before, those irritating oiran rules, Yamato simply couldn't stand it anymore.
Just remembering it made her want to explode.
Waking up in the morning… and having five or six people around helping her get dressed—just that alone took three hours!
Three whole hours just to put on clothes!
And that wasn't all.
Walking had rules.
Eating had rules.
Speaking had rules.
Smiling, looking, sitting… everything was controlled.
Everything was rehearsed.
Everything was suffocating.
"Who can live like this!?" Yamato practically growled, clearly traumatized.
Ace couldn't hold back his laughter.
"Is being an oiran really that complicated?"
Beside them, Black Maria smiled gently, as if she were talking about something completely trivial.
"What you experienced was only a temporary introduction," she said, slightly opening her fan. "A true oiran must master all kinds of skills."
She crossed her legs elegantly.
"Etiquette, dance, music, conversation, emotional awareness—everything."
Her eyes rested on Yamato.
"And that training starts from a young age. It can take years… sometimes more than a decade."
Yamato made a face.
"I don't want to learn any of that!"
She immediately turned to Ace, her eyes shining with determination.
"Ace! Let me join your crew! I want to go out to sea and see the world!"
Ace scratched his head awkwardly.
"You'll need to talk to Luffy," he replied. "I'm part of his fleet now… and besides, I've got a lot to deal with after all this."
He gave Yamato a quick look.
"And… you're not exactly someone who can just show up on my ship like that…"
"I'm a man!" Yamato shot back immediately, puffing out her chest with pride.
Even so, she failed to convince Ace—especially considering her appearance, it was hard to take that claim at face value.
She spun on her heel and went straight to Luffy.
"Luffy! Let me join your crew! Please!"
Luffy didn't hesitate at all.
"No."
The answer was blunt and direct, leaving no room for negotiation.
"Why!?" Yamato protested immediately.
Luffy took a sip of wine before answering.
"No, Kozuki Oden isn't welcome on my crew."
He rested his chin on his hand.
"If you want to go out to sea… build your own crew."
Yamato froze for a second.
"…I don't know how to navigate," she admitted, surprisingly calmly.
Then she leaned forward slightly.
"Please, Luffy!"
But Luffy simply ignored her.
He poured another glass of wine and drank as if nothing was happening.
Seeing this, Black Maria took the opportunity to intervene again, maintaining her soft and calculated tone.
"Master Luffy… may I ask about Kaido-sama's condition?"
Luffy didn't take his eyes off his drink.
"He's in prison." Another simple and direct answer.
"And what do you intend to do with him?" she continued, still smiling.
This time, Luffy stopped drinking and looked up.
"Wano is my territory now."
His words were calm, but carried absolute authority.
Black Maria nodded slightly.
"That is only natural. The victor takes everything."
She tilted her head.
"By the way… you seem interested in X-Drake. He was captured and is being held in Onigashima."
A faint smile appeared on her lips.
"If you wish, I can arrange for him to be brought here."
She paused briefly.
"As well as other… subordinates who may interest you."
Luffy shook his head.
"He's just a Marine infiltrator."
He took another sip.
"Do whatever you want with him."
For a brief moment, his gaze grew slightly more serious.
He simply didn't want X Drake leaking certain information… such as the existence of Pluton.
Black Maria noticed the subtext.
But she didn't comment.
Instead, she lowered her posture slightly, adopting a more respectful tone.
"Then… please, state your conditions."
Her voice was soft, but there was tension beneath it.
"As long as the Beasts Pirates are able to comply… we will do our best to satisfy them."
This wasn't a negotiation—it was a plea for mercy.
Luffy rested his arm on the back of his seat.
"Your fate depends on your captain."
He looked directly at her.
"When Kaido wakes up… his answer will decide everything. You have two paths." he said, raising two fingers.
"First: the Beasts Pirates become subordinates of the Straw Hat crew." he said, lowering one finger.
"Second: they cease to exist." he lowered the other.
Absolute silence filled the room.
The meaning of his words was clear.
This wasn't "letting them go."
It was total annihilation.
No survivors.
No exceptions.
Except, perhaps, a few useful ones who could be controlled and used as tools.
Kaido, however, was not someone who could be controlled.
If necessary, he would be eliminated.
Black Maria felt a chill run down her spine.
That was pure killing intent, completely undisguised.
"As expected of someone capable of becoming one of the Four Emperors…" she thought.
If he decided to act, there would be no mercy.
They would truly disappear.
Even so, she maintained her composure.
"I would like to visit those prisoners… if permitted."
Luffy answered without hesitation:
"Hand me your heart, and I'll allow it."
Then he sent a mental message.
"Law. Come here."
Moments later, Law entered the room.
Black Maria watched the scene… and nodded.
"Very well. Please… take care of my heart."
Soon after, a new heart appeared before Luffy.
It was the first time someone had voluntarily handed over their own heart.
Kaido truly had loyal subordinates.
Under Law's supervision, Black Maria was taken to the prison.
As soon as she left, Yamato immediately stood up.
She ran to Luffy and dropped into a perfect dogeza.
"Luffy! Please let me join your crew!"
Luffy rolled his eyes.
"This is getting annoying…"
Before he could say anything else, the Den Den Mushi began to ring.
He answered.
On the other end, Garp's voice echoed.
"Hey, Luffy! Everything alright over there?"
Luffy replied without enthusiasm:
"Old man… did you run out of money again? What do you want this time?"
"Hahaha!"
On the other side of the line, in Water 7—
Garp laughed carefree.
"I'm in the Water Capital. I've already bought the warship."
He paused.
"Did you really move Fish-Man Island?"
"So what?" Luffy replied.
"If that island disappears… the route between Paradise and the New World will be cut off!"
Garp sighed.
"Without magnetic guidance… no ordinary person will be able to cross!"
Luffy shrugged.
"Edward Newgate's words created a new era of pirates."
He took another sip.
"If fewer people reach the New World… isn't that a good thing?"
"Maybe," Garp replied. "But we're stuck too!"
He snorted.
"Do you think the World Government will let us use a shortcut like that?"
Luffy thought for a moment.
"…I see."
He nodded.
"I'll head to Water 7."
They talked a bit more.
Garp explained the situation of the so-called "New Navy."
It was still small and had few members.
And it only had one ship—which, incidentally, had originally been commissioned by the World Government.
As soon as the call ended, the Den Den Mushi rang again.
Luffy frowned.
"That old man forgot something again?"
He answered, but this time, a different voice came through.
"Fufufufu… Luffy."
It was Doflamingo.
"I have good news and bad news."
"Get to the point."
"Don't worry… I'm using an anti-surveillance Den Den Mushi."
He let out a low chuckle.
"The bad news… is that the World Government has assembled a large army."
A brief pause.
"They intend to launch a surprise attack… during your subordinate's wedding with Big Mom's daughter."
"The good news…"
His voice turned darker.
"One of the Five Elders will personally lead the fleet."
Luffy raised an eyebrow.
"Which one?"
"The 'War God of Finance'… Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro."
"An opportunity like this… is rare. If you manage to kill one of the Five Elders—"
Luffy didn't let him finish.
"I get it."
Impatient, he hung up and remained silent for a moment.
Then a faint smile appeared on his face.
"The Five Elders are coming in person…? Then let them come."
A dangerous aura filled the room.
"If they truly dare to show themselves… I'll kill them."
---
(End of Chapter)