Three days had passed in the blink of an eye since the explosion at the Shogun Palace in the Flower Capital.
During these three days, the entire Wano Country had received news of the collective deaths of daimyos from other regions and Kaidou becoming the Nation-Protecting King of Wano Country.
While other regions had yet to react, the people of the Flower Capital had already accepted this reality.
After all, this was personally announced by Wano Country's Shogun Sukiyaki himself, with witnesses like Hyougoro present.
The Shogun Palace now showed almost no traces of the explosion from three days ago, with most of the affected rooms already restored.
At the highest point of the Shogun Palace, Kaidou stood on the attic admiring the view of the entire Flower Capital.
"Brother Kaidou, Sukiyaki has now translated all the ancient texts into modern script," King reported from behind Kaidou.
"Well done, King. Without your abilities, we might not have been able to conquer all of Wano Country," Kaidou said as he took the translated texts from King.
Back when the Beasts Pirates were still in the West Sea, King had suddenly informed Kaidou that he had developed a new ability from his Zoan-Type Mythical Beast Bat-Bat Fruit Vampire Form.
Besides bloodsucking, it was well known that vampires possessed another ability - the power to transform others into vampire subordinates.
This was precisely the ability King had developed, though it came with significant limitations.
First, the target couldn't offer much resistance during the transformation process. Second, the target couldn't possess powerful Haki - neither Armament nor Conqueror's Haki would work.
Powerful Haki could directly negate Devil Fruit abilities.
After transforming a target into a vampire, the vampire would become bloodthirsty and lose interest in regular food. If they went without drinking blood for a period, their body would gradually stiffen and eventually die. Additionally, vampires would develop an aversion to sunlight and become weakened by seawater.
However, vampires would unconditionally obey King's commands.
When Kurozumi Higurashi first invited Kaidou to Wano Country, Kaidou had already formulated a general plan. He intended to use King's ability to control Wano Country's Shogun Sukiyaki, then legitimately seize control of the country.
During Kaidou's first visit to the Flower Capital, King had memorized the scent of Sukiyaki's blood when he saw him. That night, King transformed into a bat and silently converted Sukiyaki into a vampire.
So far, everything had basically proceeded according to Kaidou's plan. The smooth execution without any obstacles surprised even Kaidou himself.
But considering this was the pirate world, it made sense. After all, Kaidou's plan was infinitely more sophisticated than Doflamingo's scheme to usurp a country.
Compared to Doflamingo's crude methods - where a previously benevolent king suddenly started borrowing money from citizens before personally slaughtering them, yet still being accepted by the populace - Kaidou's approach was far superior.
"This is all thanks to you, Brother Kaidou. Everything started with the Devil Fruit you gave me. Without the Zoan-Type Mythical Beast Bat-Bat Fruit Vampire Form, I wouldn't possess this ability," King said to Kaidou.
"By the way, Kaidou, many people have been coming to the Shogun Palace these past few days wanting to see Sukiyaki," King suddenly said to Kaidou.
"Just have them stopped at the gate. Tell them the Shogun is gravely ill and needs complete rest. Sukiyaki said everything that needed to be said that day. King, arrange things on Sukiyaki's end - start spreading rumors that he's on his last legs, then make him completely disappear within the next couple of days. Eliminate this final threat," Kaidou commanded directly.
Kaidou didn't have the perverse habit of keeping important royal family members around for amusement after seizing their country.
"Understood, Kaidou," King nodded to him.
"King, keep this translation safe - it will be very useful in the future. Also, there's no need to inform anyone else about this matter," Kaidou told King.
Kaidou had always maintained strict confidentiality about major pirate crew matters through a top-down chain of command. For instance, regarding the takeover of Wano Country, only a few Executives knew the truth at present. The lower-ranking pirates remained completely unaware of the actual situation, genuinely believing that Kouzuki Oden had initially invited Kaidou to become Kuri Lord, and that Sukiyaki had now requested Kaidou to become Flower Country's Nation-Protecting King.
"Understood," King nodded upon hearing this, then carefully stored the notebook containing the translation.
The night over Flower Capital was shrouded in gloom.
In a secret underworld stronghold, dozens of gang members gathered under dim lighting, the atmosphere heavy and oppressive.
"Hyougoro-sama," a subordinate in black kimono respectfully knelt on one knee, "we sent three groups to request an audience at the Shogun Palace today, but the guards insisted that Sukiyaki-sama's condition has worsened and he needs complete rest."
A cold snort came from the corner: "Hmph! The Shogun Palace is now full of Kaidou's lackeys. They can say whatever they want."
A burly man with a fierce face slammed the table and stood up: "I think they'd be happy if Sukiyaki-sama never recovers! That way Kaidou can legitimately control all of Wano Country!"
"Well said!" several voices echoed simultaneously, as the room's temperature seemed to drop further.
Hyougoro sat upright in the main position, lightly tapping the table with his fingers. He asked in a deep voice: "Did you mention that I want to meet with Kaidou?"
"Hyougoro-sama, we did. But they directly responded that the Nation-Protecting King is currently handling Wano Country affairs and has no time," the gang member reported.
"Hyougoro-dono," a middle-aged man with a vicious scar across his face said through gritted teeth, "Kaidou is clearly showing a guilty conscience!"
"That's right, sir!" a younger member added urgently, "These past few days, Kaidou's men have been targeting our businesses under the pretext of reorganizing Flower Capital. If this continues, we'll all be starving soon!"
Hyougoro nodded slowly, his brow furrowed: "Indeed, it's time to meet with Kaidou, and with Sukiyaki-sama."
"But Kaidou refuses to see us!" someone said dejectedly.
"Refuses?" the burly man declared directly, "Then let's gather everyone and go straight to the Shogun Palace gates. With over a hundred people standing at the entrance, I don't believe he can keep hiding!"
"But..." an older member hesitated, "Kaidou is after all the Kuri Lord and the Nation-Protecting King. Wouldn't this be..."
"Then do you have a better idea?" the burly man retorted.
The room fell into silence, with only the candle flame flickering uneasily.
Just then, a deep voice broke the stillness: "I actually have an idea."
Everyone turned to look and saw the speaker was a bald, muscular man named Murakatsu. Though he had only joined last year and was relatively new, he had already secured his position in the gang through his exceptional strength.
"Murakatsu, what's your idea?" Hyougoro cast an inquiring gaze.
"Lord Hyougoro, from what I know, that fellow Kaidou has been collecting Wizard Fruits ever since he became the Kuri Lord. If Lord Hyougoro were to visit Kaidou with a Wizard Fruit, I believe Kaidou would definitely agree," Murakatsu said to Hyougoro.
"Murakatsu, do you have a Wizard Fruit?" Hyougoro's eyes gleamed sharply as he addressed Murakatsu.
"I do not," Murakatsu shook his head directly, then added under everyone's disappointed gazes, "But I know who has a Wizard Fruit."
"Who has it?" Hyougoro looked at Murakatsu.
All eyes followed Murakatsu's gaze to the corner of the room.
There sat a thin man, glaring fiercely at Murakatsu, his eyes almost spitting fire.
"Kidota, do you have a Wizard Fruit?" Hyougoro said to Kidota.
"Hmph." Kidota first snorted coldly at Murakatsu, then immediately switched to a respectful expression when turning to Hyougoro: "Lord Hyougoro, I do indeed have a Wizard Fruit in my possession. I found it at a fruit stall three days ago, and this guy Murakatsu tried to snatch it at the time."
Hearing this, Hyougoro immediately understood. Ever since Kaidou placed a bounty on Wizard Fruits, their appearance had become clearly remembered among some people in Wano Country, all fantasizing about obtaining one to exchange with Kaidou for the reward. After all, the price of Wizard Fruits was incredibly tempting - even the lowest grade Wizard Fruit was worth at least one hundred Platinum, enough for someone to live comfortably for a lifetime.
Kidota and Murakatsu must have had quite a conflict over this Wizard Fruit, with Murakatsu coming out worse, which was why he had now come up with this scheme to use someone else to do his dirty work.
"Kidota, let me help you exchange the Wizard Fruit for the bounty. I swear on my name Hyougoro that all the reward money will be given to you," Hyougoro said to Kidota.
"Not at all, not at all. Since Lord Hyougoro needs it, I would give you the Wizard Fruit even without the reward," Kidota immediately said with a smile, not forgetting to cast a challenging glance at Murakatsu.
Seeing this, Murakatsu didn't get angry, because when he first saw the Wizard Fruit, what he had in mind wasn't exchanging it for the bounty, but using it as a credential to pledge allegiance to Kaidou.
Early the next morning, the sky of Flower Capital was dyed golden by the rising sun.
Inside Hyougoro's residence, Kidota carefully carried an exquisite wooden box into the room.
"Lord Hyougoro, this is the Wizard Fruit I found at a fruit stall in Flower Capital three days ago," Kidota gently placed the wooden box on the table and opened the lid. Inside lay a purple fruit shaped like a pineapple, with six rounded triangular stem leaves circling the top, shimmering with a strange luster in the morning light.
Hyougoro gazed for a moment before reaching out to close the box lid. "Kidota, I will give you the full bounty obtained from this fruit. I only wish to use it to meet with Sukiyaki."
"You jest, sir," Kidota bowed respectfully. "Everyone in the Flower Capital knows your character. I naturally trust you completely."
Hyougoro gave a slight nod, picked up the wooden box, and strode out of the room.
The morning breeze brushed against his clothes as he walked alone toward the Shogun Palace.
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