He almost called Kaidou “father-in-law” on the spot.
Of course, it was only a momentary temptation.
Factions locked in struggle were a matter of life and death—it wasn’t something to joke around with lightly.
“Forget it, let me not dwell on this…” Caesar shook his head.
“Mr.
Kaidou, what did you call me over for?
Was it just to check on my cultivation progress?” “Hmph…
Arrogant brat.” Kaidou glared, quite displeased with Caesar’s refusal.
“No matter what you’re thinking in that head of yours, for now, you’re still my subordinate.
Calculating the time, it’s about time you went out to make a name for yourself.” Caesar suddenly grew interested.
“Setting sail?
Fighting, or plundering?” Kaidou sneered.
“Is there a difference?
You’re a pirate.” “There’s a huge difference.
After all, I used to be a big boss.
Setting out to sea just to rob scraps and pennies?
I can’t afford to lose face like that…” When it came to money, Caesar instantly adopted a high-and-mighty posture, spreading his hands with elegant indifference.
“I remember there’s a branch of the World Bank in Dressrosa.
How about I personally sponsor the crew eighty to one hundred billion?
That’s much faster than robbing people.” Hearing this, Kaidou was utterly baffled.
“Aren’t your businesses being transferred to me?
Where is this money coming from?” “Businesses are businesses; savings are savings.” Caesar shook his head slightly.
“Like I said, money is a means, not an end.
Its greatest use is exchanging for resources and investing in a cycle—that’s the fundamental reason why the rich stay rich and the poor stay poor.” “Keep it simple.
I don’t understand that jargon,” Kaidou grunted.
Smart as he was, asking a club-wielding brute to understand economics was asking a bit much.
“To give an example: with a hundred million Berries, you’d throw a party, while I’d use it to do business.
Then I’d take the profits from that business to make investments.
Slowly, that money snowballs.
Even if I do nothing, a steady stream of wealth will flow into my pocket.” “You might say, ‘If you don’t have money, just rob someone.’ But human labor is ultimately limited.
As you keep plundering, more and more merchants will avoid this unstable sea area, so the money you can plunder will naturally shrink.” “Do you know why the World Government is never worried about threats from pirates?” Caesar chuckled softly and raised an index finger, pointing at Kaidou.
“Because pirates pose no threat to them at all.
Even if they let you reign supreme in the New World as kings, within a few decades, you’d collapse from within.
They wouldn’t even need to lift a finger.
On the contrary, it’s precisely because the Four Emperors exist that they help the Government maintain the stability of their rule.” “Is that so…” Hearing Caesar’s words, Kaidou was surprisingly calm.
“So you’re saying…
economics is very important?” Caesar smiled.
“Of course!
To put it simply: the richer the people, the higher the tax revenue; the higher the tax revenue, the richer the nation, and the richer the nation, the richer the people.
It’s a virtuous cycle.” “Suppose you go kill Kurozumi Orochi right now, Captain, announce that you were previously bewitched by Orochi’s sorcery, shut down those meaningless Sea Prism Stone processing factories, and then declare that this country is henceforth under the protection of the Beasts Pirates—that you’ll let everyone live in peace and prosperity, encourage citizens to engage in maritime trade, and vigorously develop agricultural resources.” “With the financial backing of an entire nation, the wealth could multiply several times over in less than two years.
At that point, even if Kozuki Oden came back from the dead, the citizens of Wano would only ask him to die all over again.” “Oh?” A sharp glint flashed in Kaidou’s eyes upon hearing this, seeming slightly moved.
Were the Beasts Pirates poor?
To be honest, with Kurozumi Orochi’s support, their living conditions were quite comfortable, but that was limited to keeping operations running.
Big money?
They had none!
If he really had serious money, Kaidou wouldn’t have spent so much effort hunting down Devil Fruits; he could just throw out ten billion, and even if he couldn’t get Ancient Types or Mythical Zoans, he could easily snap up a few regular Zoans.
Caesar’s words struck right at his heart.
“Hey, wait a second, Caesar, this isn’t right!” On the side, Yamato felt more and more off the more she listened.
“The Kozuki Clan are the legitimate heirs to Wano!” “Whoever lets the people live good lives is the legitimate heir,” Caesar scoffed softly.
“Which regime on these seas wasn’t established through violent means?
Who ruled that only members of the Kozuki Clan can sit on that throne?” “Worororo!
Well said, kid!” Kaidou burst out laughing.
“According to my original plan, I intended to let Yamato be the Shogun.
Unfortunately, this fool is single-mindedly set on becoming Kozuki Oden…” “Hey—Caesar!” Yamato pulled Caesar aside.
“In that case, what about the old retainers of the Kozuki Clan?” “What about them?” Caesar feigned ignorance.
“Isn’t their goal to let the people live good lives?
When everyone can eat their fill and live a prosperous life with plenty of food and clothing, what won’t they be satisfied with?” “History already gave the Kozuki Clan a chance.
Oden was the one who didn’t cherish it.
Are they going to let the people repeat the same mistake?
Or do they not care about the people’s lives at all, and only care about competing for control?
But that kind of behavior isn’t any different from Kurozumi Orochi’s, is it?” “This…” Yamato felt something was off.
“Wait, hold on, but Kaidou didn’t do those things because he was bewitched by Kurozumi Orochi!” “Who cares whether he was or not!” Caesar looked at Yamato like she was beyond hope.
“Wano is currently ruled by Kurozumi Orochi, and the citizens can’t even get food.
Neither you nor I have the power to change the status quo right now.
Are we supposed to just let them starve to death?
If it were Oden, whom you admire so much, do you think he’d just stand by and watch the people starve?” Yamato froze instantly, not knowing what to say for a moment.
Would Oden watch the people starve to death?
No!
Although she had realized that Kozuki Oden was not a qualified ruler—naive to the point of being foolish—he at least still possessed benevolence and justice!
Yamato tried to convince herself.
However, thinking about what Caesar had said earlier about Oden abandoning his country to go to sea regardless of everything, and how Wano’s citizens had struggled to survive over these years, she suddenly felt uncertain.
Yamato pursed her lips and ultimately refrained from refuting further.
Noticing her reaction, the corners of Caesar’s lips curled up slightly into a secret smile.
He didn’t think much of the Kozuki Clan at all.
Kozuki Oden—user of the Moved-to-Tears Fruit, with a bunch of useless bums under him who could do nothing except be grateful for Oden’s kindness, weeping eight hundred times whenever Oden was brought up!
As for his son Momonosuke…
Momonosuke must die.
There was nothing more to be said about that.
Cowardly, perverted…
If not for the concern that someone might make a fuss over his status as the Kozuki heir, a piece of trash like him wouldn’t even be worth killing…
The Kozuki Clan must be wiped out!
Of course, this couldn’t be done by him, or it would create a rift between him and Yamato.
This silly girl was stubborn and simple-minded; her views couldn’t be reversed in a short time, but had to be shifted bit by bit through subtle influence.
Having Kaidou do it was perfect!
When Kaidou had developed Wano enough, Caesar would defeat Kaidou and harvest the ripe fruit of Wano…
“You two brats!
Do you think my Observation Haki is just for show?!” On the soft couch, Kaidou saw the two whispering to each other and shouted unhappily.
No matter how overbearing he was, he was still human after all.
When it came to his daughter Yamato, it was impossible for him to have no affection for her in his heart.
Now, Caesar, this blonde-haired kid, had suddenly popped out of nowhere, and watching his daughter get completely duped by him made his heart feel a little sour.
Of course, sour as he felt, Kaidou would never show such useless emotions on his face.
“Brat Caesar, you haven’t finished speaking!” “The current Wano is a complete wasteland.
It’s impossible to farm at all.
Are you telling me to throw my own money into subsidizing those people?” “Subsidize?
Why throw your own money in?
Doesn’t Kurozumi Orochi have money?
Just kill him directly and distribute his money to the citizens.” Caesar sneered.
“Isn’t Queen a scientist?
Leave the problem of soil pollution to him to solve.
If he can’t solve it, get Vegapunk to find a way.
If Vegapunk can’t find a way, restrict Sea Prism Stone exports.
Believe me, the World Government will be even more anxious than you by then.” Hearing this, Kaidou’s eyes lit up.
“Throwing the problem onto someone else to solve?
You brat are truly insidious!” “So, what does Mr.
Kaidou think of this plan?” “Worororo…
Not bad!
I called you over originally wanting you to go out and make a name for yourself, but I didn’t expect such a pleasant surprise…” Kaidou burst into laughter.
Though he didn’t know economics, he was by no means a fool.
This plan from Caesar was highly feasible!
Agriculture, trade, Sea Prism Stone processing, and tax support from all over Wano—one could imagine how vast those resources would be.
Comparing it to his original idea of completely enslaving Wano, he had to admit that his long-schemed ambition lacked quite a few details compared to this plan Caesar casually tossed out.
No wonder this brat could make big money…
Pausing, Kaidou swept his gaze over the two of them.
Not knowing what he was thinking, he waved his hand lightly, his tone carrying an imperceptible hint of warmth.
“Let me not dwell on this for now.
You two, sit down and have a drink with me?” “Who wants to drink with you!” Before Caesar could react, Yamato suddenly grabbed him and spun around, rushing out of the room.
“Hey, hey, what are you doing?” Caesar was dragged behind Yamato, swung back and forth like a ragdoll.
Yamato didn’t say a word, running all the way to the coast before slowly coming to a halt.
Clutching the oni horns on her head, she let out a frantic roar.
“Ahhh!
So frustrating, damn it!!!” “What on earth are you frustrated about?” Caesar sat cross-legged, flipping his hand to produce two unopened bottles of liquor and casually tossing one to Yamato.
“Still obsessing over the Kozuki Clan?” “I just don’t understand…” Yamato caught the bottle and said in a muffled voice, “If Kaidou can really let everyone in Wano eat their fill, then what was Oden’s sacrifice for?” “It just means he was stupid…” Caesar snorted a laugh.
“Besides…
sacrifice?
Dancing naked for five years, causing the deaths of so many citizens—who was actually making the sacrifice?
Don’t get it wrong, Yamato.
Oden himself was part of the ruling class, no different from Kurozumi Orochi.” “Strictly speaking, including Kaidou and those samurai under Oden, they all belong to that class.
If there’s any difference, it’s merely their attitude toward the common people.” “But to the lower-class citizens, it doesn’t matter who the ruler is at all, so long as they can eat their fill.
If Kaidou can truly accomplish that, the Kozuki Clan will instantly become rebellious traitors.
When the time comes, in order to reclaim power, their methods won’t necessarily be any nobler than Kurozumi Orochi’s back in the day.” Yamato shook her head.
“No, I believe they aren’t those kinds of people!” Caesar chuckled softly.
“Then they should uphold Kaidou’s rule all the more.” Yamato was rendered speechless.
After a long silence, she downed the alcohol in her hand, casually tossed the bottle aside, and looked at Caesar with burning eyes.
“Hey, Caesar, come fight me!” “What?
Not confused anymore?” Yamato grinned, showing her teeth.
“Having doubts in my heart just means I’m not strong enough, doesn’t it?” “Then bring it!” Caesar laughed cheerfully, threw away his bottle, and unfolded a pair of pitch-black giant wings.
BOOM— Along the coast, two violent bursts of Conqueror’s Haki suddenly erupted!
Yamato unslung the spiked club, Takeru, from her back, spun around abruptly, and smashed the club toward Caesar.
“Thunder—Bagua!” “Opening up with a finisher right away?” Seeing the club smashing toward him with unstoppable force, Caesar’s eye twitched slightly.
He flew backward to open up some distance.
“Don’t run, damn it!
Take my Thunder Bagua!” “You look like you’re trying to smash me to death…” “Ah, I don’t know why, but even though what you said was totally right, I’m just really pissed off and want to beat you up!” Yamato laughed aloud.
“Take this!” “How did you become so unreasonable right after changing back to a woman?
Isn’t this transition a bit too thorough?” Caesar darted left and right, dodging Yamato’s spiked club, yet showing no panic.
Boom!
The spiked club coated in Armament Haki collided at a distance with a fist wrapped in Conqueror’s Haki.
Amidst exploding lightning, Caesar flew backward, flipping twice in midair to discharge the force.
His bat wings flapped, and he landed gracefully on the ground.
Yamato took two heavy steps back, her gaze toward Caesar growing hotter, burning with fierce battle intent.
Soon, the horn of battle sounded again.
From day to night, and from moonlight to morning sun.
An entire night passed, and the coast looked as if it had been ravaged by war, strewn with shattered trees and sunken craters everywhere.
Caesar lay quietly on the ground while Yamato sat cross-legged beside him, holding a bottle of liquor and gulping it down.
“Ha—much better!” With a bottle of alcohol down her throat, Yamato wiped her mouth with a refreshed expression.
Caesar looked up at the sky, unable to rise again.
“As expected of Kaidou’s daughter.
Her physical stamina is as bottomless as that monster’s…” “Heh heh, Caesar, you’re not bad either.
You haven’t even learned Ryou, yet you managed to hold out for so long.” Yamato grinned.
“That way, once you master Armament Haki, the two of us joining forces will definitely be able to contend with Kaidou!” Caesar raised an eyebrow slightly.
“What?
No longer upset?” “Mm…
actually…
thinking carefully, Caesar, you were right.
I just felt a bit unwilling.” Yamato nodded heavily, her tone carrying an indescribable annoyance.
“Setting aside not being able to go to sea, I didn’t even truly understand the things right in front of my eyes.
Doesn’t that make me look like a total idiot?” Caesar nodded in deep agreement.
“Mm, looks like you’ve gained some self-awareness!” “Damn it, don’t say that!” Yamato’s cheeks flushed slightly as she shouted in embarrassment and anger, “I’m just not good at thinking, okay?
Besides, back then I saw Oden killed by Kaidou with my own eyes.
That scene has indeed been unforgettable to me to this day…
but I’ve thought it through!” “Caesar!
I don’t want to be Kozuki Oden anymore!” “I am Yamato!
I’m a woman who is stronger and better than any real man!” “Whether it’s Kaidou or Kozuki Oden, I’m going to—surpass them both!”