Pirate: It’s not a phantom beast, it’s a phantom god!

Chapter 286

"Um……"

After listening to everyone's opinions, Kaido nodded noncommittally.

To be honest, he was a little surprised that the people present all held a conservative attitude towards settling in Wano Country... This was somewhat unexpected.

He had heard some rumors about Wano Country back when he was with the Rocks Pirates. Although that country had always been closed off, it seemed to be hiding a secret that could influence the course of the world.

"Mr. Kaido, you mean..."

Seeing that Kaido remained silent with his arms crossed, King and the others stopped their conversation and looked at him.

All they're saying now is just offering their suggestions; the final decision rests with Kaido himself, since he's the captain.

"..."

"Let's leave it at that for now. I'll think about it some more."

Kaido frowned, but unexpectedly did not make a decision on the spot as usual. Instead, he waited until everyone had left before going to Ra's residence alone.

It's still that ordinary detached house with a large backyard.

Compared to the luxurious private residences that other mid-level officers arbitrarily built on their respective territories, the true core members of the Beasts, including Kaido, actually lived quite simply, or rather... casually, in their daily lives.

It's not that they deliberately acted that way, but rather that they were simply too lazy to spend time on it. After all, pirates don't need to cultivate a persona of integrity and incorruptibility.

Compared to being preoccupied with the mundane desires of daily life like food, clothing, shelter, and transportation, Kaido and his crew prefer to pursue something grander.

Arriving at Ra's door, Kaido looked at the two-story building that was only slightly taller than himself. Instead of knocking, he walked around the building and headed towards the backyard.

After walking several dozen steps and crossing the low wall that was less than two meters high, Kaido finally saw Ra standing in the courtyard with his back to him.

Today, instead of her usual plain white dress, she wore a simpler, more pastoral-style dress, the same kind that Kaido occasionally glimpsed on the island wearing while the girls were harvesting wheat in the fields.

A wide-brimmed straw hat covered most of her profile, with her upper face shrouded in shadow. Her long, shimmering golden hair was casually draped behind her, tied back only near the ends with a golden hairband.

Compared to four years ago, La's figure is now more slender and mature, and she has completely transformed into a young girl.

However, her temperament has not changed much. Even if it is just a simple back view, even if she is dressed as plainly as a village girl, she can still attract all eyes like a black hole just by standing there.

"Captain Kaido, please come in through the door this time."

The ethereal voice finally shed its last trace of childishness. Compared to the strange voices of Ossie and the others who were still in the process of puberty, the voice that La was now producing was a voice that could completely cleanse the soul.

Even Kaido was momentarily stunned upon hearing the voice of the elf... In recent years, Ra had almost completely relinquished control of the pirate crew, immersing himself in his own leisurely world, which reduced the frequency of his meetings with Kaido and the others.

It had been several months since they last met.

I came to her to discuss a private matter, but when I stepped over the two-meter-high wall in front of me, I accidentally trampled several orchids that she had carefully tended to.

Then he went to sea under the pretext of going on an inspection trip and hid for several months.

"cough~"

Kaido coughed awkwardly, then obediently pushed open the iron gate in the center of the courtyard wall and squeezed into the yard.

Stepping onto the shallow grass, Kaido looked around curiously.

He found that the scene here was completely different from when he last came. The colorful flowers had been completely removed and replaced with all kinds of fruits and vegetables.

This unremarkable courtyard seems to have its own seasons; no matter what the season is outside, the land here always grows all kinds of crops according to the owner's wishes.

"Judging by the time, it should still be a few months before that child is born."

"So, what other reason have you come here this time?"

La stopped picking tea leaves by the tea tree, loosened her skirt, and poured the tea leaves inside into an iron pot next to her.

Instead of immediately starting a fire to stir-fry the tea, she picked up a small pinch of freshly picked tea leaves and brewed a cup for Kaido.

"Tell me what it is."

A large white porcelain teacup was placed on the stone table in front of Kaido, who was sitting on the ground. Raven then took off his straw hat and sat down on the wicker chair opposite him...

Looking at the tea leaves in the cup, which had been fully steeped using some unknown method, Kaido first took a small sip. Only after the fragrant and bitter taste of the tea calmed his complicated emotions did he speak:

"I'm thinking about Wano Country."

"Ah."

La nodded, quietly waiting for Kaido's next explanation.

"Today, people from Wano Country came over, saying they hope to have the Beasts stationed there to become a force supporting their new shogun and suppress the restless 'samurai' within the country."

"In contrast, we can freely mine ore, set up factories, and capture laborers within Wano Country..." This is already a level of lenient conditions that is tantamount to selling out the country. From this, Kaido probably guessed how unstable the foundation of the new general named "Kurozumi" was at this moment.

"As far as I know, there are quite a few skilled craftsmen in Wano Country, as well as many rare minerals, including Seastone... just as you joked back then."

"If we capture that place, our plans will definitely take another big step forward."

"..."

"So the reason you're still hesitating is?"

After listening to Kaido's explanation, Raiya roughly guessed why he had come to find her, but she still wanted Kaido to say it himself.

"Um……"

"I'm thinking that if what they say is true, we'll most likely have to fight the local 'samurai' after entering Wano Country, and those 'samurai' are not to be underestimated."

Kaido had met several samurai who left Wano Country when he was with the Rocks Pirates. Almost all of them were swordsmen, and their Haki was also quite well-developed.

"Of course, with our current strength, we are not afraid of those guys, but I am wondering if it is worth it for Wano Country."

"And even if we succeed, what should we do with Fenrir?"

"Wano Country is surrounded by natural barriers, and once a pirate crew moves in, it won't be so easy for them to come out in large numbers. At that time, the defense here will definitely be weakened."

"Not only that, we can't completely trust what that old woman says; she's probably hiding something from us that we don't know."

Just like real estate agents selling houses, the salesperson will only say the good things, and you can only know the intricacies of the situation after you've actually been there.

"In comparison, we've been operating in Fenrir for many years, and our facilities are complete. It's not necessarily much worse than Wano Country."

"Once all the beasts set out, regardless of the outcome, it will require a great deal of manpower and resources, and may even impact the current favorable situation..."

Having said a lot in one breath, Kaido, feeling a bit thirsty, downed the tea in front of him in one gulp and then pushed the teacup in front of Rai, indicating that he wanted a refill.

Gululu~
The second batch of tea was refilled, the kettle was pulled down, and the tea, which was noticeably paler in color, was returned to Kaido before he sat down again.

"Hmm~"

After listening silently to Kaido recount everything he had been thinking, she became even more certain of Kaido's purpose in coming to her.

"These last few words must have been what Wright and the others used to persuade you, right?"

He opened his mouth and said.

"Yes."

Kaido nodded in agreement, then added:
"But their concerns are not unfounded. After all, we are no longer the small pirate crew of a few hundred people we used to be. We need to consider these things carefully..."

"Do not."

La shook his head upon hearing this.

"Captain Kaido, that's not the point."

“To meticulously calculate gains and losses, to explain the advantages and disadvantages in every detail… that’s what Wright and his colleagues should do, it’s their duty.”

"Just listen to these things; you don't need to try to follow their line of thinking."

"As a captain, there is only one thing you need to do, and that is to know what you want."

"What do I want...?"

"Correct."

Raa averted her languid gaze and instead stared directly into Kaido's eyes with her crimson pupils.

It was only then that Kaido noticed a faint golden eyeshadow around the other person's eyes.

La never wore makeup, so this eyeshadow must have been natural... as if it were a sign of adulthood, the gold at the corner of her eye made her gaze and demeanor more sacred and dignified than before.

"You want Wano Country, don't you?"

"If you want it, then go and get it."

Looking into Kaido's eyes, Ra spoke calmly:

"Samurai, intrigue, concealment... none of these matter."

"In the end, it's just a country. If you want it, just reach out and take it. If there's resistance, just crush it with your strength. It's that simple."

……

(End of this chapter)