One Piece: Rayquaza of the Beasts Pirates

This time, the team is still led by CP0 Joker, just like last time.

"Mr. Kane, what's going on?"

The Joker stared at Kane, who was wrapped in bandages all over his body except for his eyes, and his lips twitched.

I haven't heard that the Beasts have had a major conflict with anyone recently.

"It's nothing serious, it'll be fine in a couple of days."

Kane waved his hand dismissively. He had become quite adept at treating illness over this period of time, and he and Yamato always had to apply the Supreme Bandage after each of Kane's lessons.

Fortunately, Teacher Kai was right: the fastest way to improve is through fierce battles with strong opponents.

Every time Kaido mercilessly beats him up, he can sense that his control over Haki has taken another step forward.

This teaching method, where you learn something every time, is fantastic.

It hurts a bit.

After an hour of work, the World Government staff finished inspecting the cargo and came to report to the Joker.

Upon learning that the goods were fine, the Joker nodded and waved for another CP0 to come forward.

The man was carrying a small box.

Oh? You're here?

Kane was secretly delighted, but remained outwardly calm.

However, he doesn't actually need to act. With him wrapped up like that, who can see his face?

The Joker was also a little helpless; he hadn't expected Kane to look like this when he saw him again.

This time, I couldn't even secretly observe his expression.

"This is the artificial Azure Dragon Fruit we promised you."

The clown gestured for his men to open the small box and show it to Kane.

Kane picked it up casually; it was a pink fruit covered with layers of dragon-scale-like skin.

"That's right, that's it."

After Kane confirmed that it was correct, he casually tossed it to Speed ​​for safekeeping and didn't look at it again.

"The other item in our deal, the failed experiment of the ancient giants, is on that ship."

The clown pointed to an exceptionally large ship and kindly reminded him, "The anesthetic we gave you is wearing off soon, so you should take it as soon as possible. They're not exactly peaceful creatures."

The deal was done, and the Joker led the team away.

Kane didn't linger either, taking the artificial Azure Dragon Fruit with him and leaving first.

As for the tyrants, others will arrange for their reception.

Back to Ghost Island.

Kane found Komurasaki, who was learning to play the shamisen, and tossed the Devil Fruit into her arms, getting straight to the point: "This is an artificial Blue Dragon Fruit. It can grant you the same abilities as Mr. Kaido, but whether it can awaken is unknown. Do you want to eat it?"

"what?!"

In her surprise, Xiao Zi accidentally snapped one of the strings of her shamisen.

A Devil Fruit with the same power as Kaido?

Xiao Zi looked at the pink Devil Fruit in her arms in disbelief.

She had personally witnessed Kaido's immense power.

Now, if she just nods, will she get it?

Xiao Zi's heart was melting.

"Lord Kane, is this true?" Little Purple's eyes welled up with tears.

"Of course, you're my woman. Isn't it only natural for me to treat you well?"

Kane chuckled and reached out to wipe away the tears from the corner of her eyes.

Giving the artificial Azure Dragon Fruit to Xiao Zi was a well-thought-out decision.

Over the course of their time together, Kane could sense that Komurasaki's attachment to him was genuine, especially after seeing how well he managed Wano Country.

The little details of living together day and night cannot be hidden from others.

Moreover, ever since he started Xiao Zi exercising, she has never stopped for a single day, often leaving herself covered in injuries.

Now, the bloodline of the Kozuki family is beginning to awaken within her.

Xiao Zi's progress is far faster than Violet's.

Kane isn't worried about the fruit being buried if he creates an artificial Azure Dragon Fruit for her.

As for keeping the fruit?

What a joke! Such a powerful fruit, if we don't eat it immediately, what if something goes wrong...?

Kane must be devastated.

After all, Zoan-type Devil Fruits possess self-awareness, although Kane wasn't sure if man-made ones would...

But what if?

Chapter 44 Xiao Zi's Confession

"I refuse!"

"Okay, then you... what did you say?"

Kane was taken aback; he couldn't believe his ears.

Xiao Zi picked up the artificial Azure Dragon Fruit and placed it in front of Kane, then performed a standard dogeko (bowing kowtow).

“Lord Kane, now that things have come to this, I no longer wish to deceive you.”

Komurasaki raised her head, her eyes brimming with tears: "My real name is Kozuki Hiyori, and I am the daughter of Kozuki Oden."

"Ah~"

Kane sighed and shook his head: "Silly girl, do you think I don't know? You underestimate me."

what? !

Lord Kane already knew?

Xiao Zi's heart skipped a beat, and her beautiful eyes widened instantly.

"Then why..."

She is the daughter of the Kozuki clan, and by all accounts, she should be the number one wanted criminal of the Beasts Pirates.

"Your status is worthless to me."

Kane explained, "The one who has been hunting you down in Wano Country is Orochi, not Kaido.

This is the truth.

As long as they can contribute to Kaido's dream, that future great war, Kaido doesn't care about the origins of his crew members.

Even when it comes to Kid and Luffy, who have repeatedly opposed him, Kaido's first thought is still to subdue them, not to kill them all.

In this respect, Kaido is comparable to Whitebeard.

"Is that right?"

Xiao Zi thought about it carefully and realized that there were no wanted posters for the Kozuki clan and their retainers on Onigashima, which meant that Kaido didn't care much about them.

After Kane came to power, even the Imperial Guards and the samurai forces stopped searching for them and instead focused on maintaining order.

Kaido didn't seem to say anything about it.

Kane asked, "Little Purple, why did you confess again today? You could have easily kept it from me and eaten the Devil Fruit. Whether it was to escape Onigashima or to prepare for Momonosuke's future return, it would have been an excellent choice for you."

"Maybe so, but I can no longer deceive someone who truly cares about me."

Xiao Zi smiled sadly: "Lord Kane, now that you know my identity, Hiyori is willing to bear any consequences."

Now that Kane knew about her mother Kozuki Toki's prophecy, she naturally had no reason to let the Kozuki clan go.

"In the darkness of the world, the moon shines like a beautiful woman, embracing its imperfections until dawn. The clear light willingly carries my longing gaze, as nine shadows are cast as the sun rises in the east."

Kane recited the prophecy from the time of Kozuki, and said disdainfully, "Perhaps your brother will return in ten years, but only defeat awaits him!"

"Impossible!" Xiao Zi blurted out.

Instead of directly refuting the claim, Kane changed his approach: "What do you think of Wano Country now?"

Xiao Zi fell silent.

To be fair, the lives of the people in Wano Country under Kane's rule were even better than when his father was alive.

Although the factory work was hard, the wages earned by one person were enough to support a family of four.

Samurai and gangsters who were loitering and causing trouble on the streets were also brought under Kane's iron fist and were directly arrested and sent to labor camps.

While the people's lives weren't exactly characterized by leaving their doors unlocked at night, they could still be described as living in peace and contentment.

In terms of food, thanks to Yamato's vigorous land reclamation and Kane's control over the weather, the land ushered in its first bumper harvest.

On the day of the harvest, Wano Country was filled with laughter and joy, as if a fire festival had arrived.

This is something that the Kozuki clan could not achieve during their rule.

When Denjiro told her this information, Denjiro's expression was a mixture of joy and resentment.

The good news is that after Wano Country sent away Kurozumi Orochi, it finally welcomed a wise ruler, allowing the people to live a peaceful life.

This is exactly what they have been hoping for.

The injustice is that it wasn't them who did all this, but the Beast Pirates, whom they always considered symbols of tyranny.

The beloved Kogetsu in the hearts of the people is gradually being replaced by Kane and Yamato.

Kane pressed further, "Do you think the people of Wano Country today still expect the Kozuki clan? Expect an eight-year-old shogun to rule them?"

If Momonosuke were to appear now, there might still be a chance.