One Piece: Rayquaza of the Beasts Pirates

Undeniably, the Kozuki clan, which ruled Wano Country for hundreds of years, remains a symbol of legitimacy in the hearts of the people.

But he appeared ten years later.

Kane was confident that he could completely eliminate Kozuki's prestige within the next ten years.

The common people are not blindly loyal fools. Having grown accustomed to the good life brought to them by Kane and Yamato, they are more likely to have doubts when faced with the return of the Kozuki clan.

The beasts were ruling just fine, why change the general?

What if life gets worse?

Throughout history, no well-fed and well-clothed populace has ever voluntarily embraced change.

Faced with Kane's questioning, Xiao Zi felt weak and powerless, but she already knew the answer in her heart.

The Kozuki clan may never return.

"So, Lord Kane, that's why you didn't bother to capture us?"

"Yes, as long as you don't disrupt my plans, I won't bother dealing with you."

Kane bluntly stated, "Like Kyoshiro, I've always known his identity, but since he can be used by me, why should I expose everything and lose a talented person for nothing?"

Like many spies in history, Kyoshiro is exceptionally capable.

After being assigned the task of catching criminals and maintaining public order, whether out of his own conscience or to please himself, Kyoshiro worked with great enthusiasm, leaving early and returning late every day, and voluntarily working overtime.

All I had to give was a few words of praise and a normal salary.

Such a useful ox or horse, wouldn't it be better to get it for free?

Seeing Kane's smug expression, Xiao Zi couldn't help but smile wryly, recalling Denjiro's increasingly dark circles under his eyes.

I wonder what his expression will be when he finds out all this.

"And there's Ashura Doji hiding on Tou Mountain, and Shimotsuki Yasuie hiding in Caishin Town..."

Amidst Xiao Zi's terrified gaze, Kane revealed a string of names and locations of the remnants of the Kozuki clan.

"Now you understand my attitude towards Kozuki, right?"

Little Purple nodded silently, then suddenly bowed her head to the ground: "Lord Kane, forgive my rudeness, but since you don't care about us losers, could you please pardon the prisoners in the rabbit bowl? I'm willing to give anything for this!"

I am willing to serve you for the rest of my life, never to leave you, and to follow you to the death!

"Hey, you're dreaming! You want to eat and take everything?" Kane laughed in exasperation.

Who really lost out in this deal?

"No, no!"

Xiao Zi blushed and waved her hands repeatedly. She suddenly remembered that even without this deal, she was still serving Kane.

She seems to be pushing her luck a bit.

"Lord Kane, my father's sword Enma is in my hands. I am willing to give it to you, in exchange for better treatment of the prisoners in Udon."

Xiao Zi used her last trump card.

"Yama?" Kane stroked his chin, deep in thought.

As one of the famous swords among the 21 Great Swords, it's impossible not to be envious. Although I don't use a sword myself, it would be nice to have it as a decorative piece.

It's just a matter of giving prisoners some extra treatment anyway.

Chapter 45 Complete Subjugation

"I promise you."

Kane's answer was concise and to the point, and what he said next delighted Little Purple.

"I will design a point system in Rabbit Bowl. You will get basic points for completing the mining tasks we assign. If you exceed the task requirements, you will get extra points."

"Points can be redeemed for rewards, such as food, wine, or even vacation."

"In addition to that, I will have an ultimate reward—freedom!"

The points system was not a whim of Kane's.

The prisoners in Rabbit Bowl are now doing the hardest and most tiring work: mining iron ore, which is an excellent material for forging weapons.

Because of the hard work and the lack of food, the mining efficiency in Tuwan is not high. Apart from being able to get free labor, it does not bring any real benefits.

Now, the weapons factory's production capacity is gradually increasing, and the supply of ore is starting to become tight.

Kane then turned his attention to the prisoners in Udon.

This is a perfect opportunity to explain the points system, killing two birds with one stone.

He plans to set the points required to redeem the freedom reward at a level that would take ten years of hard work to accumulate.

Ten years later, the prisoners who meet the requirements will likely have had their rough edges smoothed out.

Even if they remain incorrigible, by then Wano Country would no longer have the conditions for their rebellion.

"really?"

Xiao Zi held her breath, overwhelmed by the immense happiness that left her in disbelief.

“Of course.” Kane nodded, but his tone suddenly turned cold: “But the reward of freedom is definitely not allowed for important prisoners like Hana no Hyōgoro, Kawamatsu, and A-Chou.”

If he opens this door, it's obvious that with Hyogoro and his gang's prestige, plenty of prisoners will train for them.

Only the best-behaved prisoners, whose strength and status posed no threat, were granted freedom.

"That's enough... Thank you, Lord Kane."

Xiao Zi covered her face, tears of gratitude sliding down her cheeks.

This was almost the best outcome she could imagine.

"This preferential treatment is not free."

Kane said calmly, "Besides your sincerity, I also need your unconditional cooperation."

"Cooperate?"

"I want to hold a knife offering ceremony."

Kane's gaze was sharp as a knife. "You must publicly swear allegiance to me as Princess Guangyue. This will reassure the people and allow them to accept our rule."

He wanted to extinguish the last embers of hope of the remnants of the Kozuki clan and accelerate the assimilation of Wano Country.

Even Princess Kozuki has submitted, so what's the point of you struggling?

"I understand."

Xiao Zi agreed without much hesitation.

Even though she knew that after the sword-offering ceremony, the prestige of the Kozuki clan would probably plummet.

But since the people of Wano Country under Kane's rule are not doing badly, why should she go against the tide?

Besides seeking revenge against Kaido, all she wanted was for the people of Wano to live a better life; whether the Kozuki clan could continue to rule Wano was secondary.

With the dust settled, Kane handed the artificial Azure Dragon Fruit back to Little Purple.

"Lord Kane?"

"Eat up! Now that you belong to me completely, I won't be stingy!"

A blush rose on Xiao Zi's face, which was a mix of youthful innocence and alluring charm. She obediently took the fruit and took a bite.

"Ugh~"

A wave of indescribable nausea, emanating from the depths of my soul, surged up from my stomach and rushed to my throat.

"Let's continue. Although it seems like I can gain power by eating just one bite, I'm not sure about artificial Devil Fruits."

Kane shrugged. This is the inevitable path for all those with abilities.

"Yes, Lord Kane."

While gagging, Xiao Zi finished the entire artificial Azure Dragon Fruit.

Soon, a strange power surged from her body, and her brain naturally knew how to use the ability.

When Xiao Zi came to her senses and looked at her hands, she was immediately startled.

"I...I...I did it!"

Her once fair and delicate hands were now a pair of dragon claws covered with pink scales.

“Here, take a look.” Kane kindly handed over a mirror.

"what!"

Xiao Zi was startled. If she hadn't been mentally prepared, she would have thrown the mirror away.

He saw himself in the mirror with a head like a camel, antlers like a deer, eyes like a rabbit, and ears like a cow. Except for the different colors, he looked exactly like a mini Kaido.

"Hmm, much cuter than Mr. Kaido's beast form."

Kane smiled and gently stroked the small, delicate dragon horns on Little Purple's head.

Compared to Kaido's ferocious appearance, the pink dragon that Komurasaki transforms into has much softer lines in its body parts, making it look kind and approachable.

"Oh, Lord Kane. No, don't touch there!"

The strange sensation from the dragon horn made Xiao Zi tremble, and her voice even carried a hint of coquettishness.

Did I accidentally touch Xiao Zi's sensitive spot?

This little purple one is quite fun, isn't it?

Kane's lips curled into a playful smile.

He released his hand: "Hahahaha, you'll have to get used to it."

"Now, let's go to Udon. I'm going to keep my promise to you."

Xiao Zi was overjoyed: "So fast?!"

Kane: "I have no interest in deceiving my own people."

He led Xiao Zi to the window.