Robin adapted to life in Wano very quickly.
Or rather, for someone who had spent years navigating the underworld with constant vigilance and sharp instincts, she could adapt to virtually any environment in short order.
“Miss Veya, here is today’s report.
The growth-promoting drug developed by Mr.
Queen has already shown initial results.
Crop growth speed is roughly three times higher than before, and farming has resumed in several regions.
We should be able to harvest the first batch of grain in about two months.” Inside the Shogun’s palace, Kozuki Hiyori was reporting her work to Robin.
In just half a month, Robin had fully taken over Caesar’s administrative duties.
With her tactful and refined manners, she perfectly understood and executed his decisions.
Her meticulous feminine attention to detail even allowed her to handle nuances far better than Caesar ever had.
“Three times the growth speed…
To think he could actually develop a drug like that is truly incredible.” Robin pondered for a moment.
“However, such rapid growth will likely damage soil fertility.
We need to carefully consider the next crop selection to ensure we can harvest another batch before winter.” Kozuki Hiyori looked puzzled.
“Soil fertility?” “It’s nothing.
I’ll discuss it with Mr.
Queen.” Robin shook her head gently.
At a glance, Hiyori was clearly a pampered young lady.
Though reasonably intelligent, her scope of knowledge was far too narrow.
During this period, Robin had gained a solid understanding of Wano.
A feudal, isolated country—ignorant and backward.
Even during its most prosperous era, the common people could barely make ends meet.
After Kurozumi Orochi usurped the nation and Kaidou set up weapon factories, countless people had starved to death.
It was no wonder that Caesar was revered simply for filling their bellies.
In present-day Wano, wherever Caesar went, people recognized him instantly.
Even the former Kozuki retainers serving under Hiyori, as well as the samurai who had fought against Orochi for years, did not dare show Caesar the slightest disrespect.
Beyond the deep affection of the populace, another reason for this respect was that Caesar had raised the banner of “Oden’s Last Wishes.” By criticizing Oden’s political missteps while praising his benevolence, Caesar established the legitimacy of the Shogun’s position…
Her new boss possessed remarkable vision and political intellect, but above all, he understood the human heart.
Robin realized she and Caesar were quite similar—both could grasp a person’s nature in the shortest time possible.
The difference was that she usually catered to desires or exploited weaknesses, whereas Caesar created an emotional resonance in their hearts, winning their approval almost instantly and imparting his own philosophy to them.
Of course, he did not possess such patience for everyone.
“Miss Veya…
are you Mr.
Caesar’s woman?” Looking at the beautiful woman with striking features before her, Hiyori asked out of curiosity.
She had been curious about Robin’s identity for many days.
The woman had suddenly appeared at Caesar’s side two weeks ago, exuding an unhurried, composure-laden “big sister” aura that put considerable pressure on her.
“You seem quite interested in him?” Robin asked, eyeing the young girl with amusement.
“N-No, not really…
My feelings are just complicated…” Hiyori said with a touch of bashfulness, “Mr.
Caesar is extraordinary.
Not only can he handle a dangerous figure like Kaidou, but he can also ensure everyone has enough to eat.
He’s friendly and easygoing toward the common people as well.
Such charisma naturally commands admiration.
I even wondered if I should attach myself to Lord Caesar…
but he is ultimately a member of the Beasts Pirates, and I am the daughter of Kozuki Oden…” “You are overthinking things,” Robin said flatly.
“He has no such intentions toward you whatsoever.” Hiyori blinked, caught off guard.
“Eh?” “Fufu…” Seeing Hiyori’s stunned expression, Robin covered her mouth and let out a soft chuckle.
From Caesar’s words and actions, though she wasn’t sure why, he seemed thoroughly disgusted by the Kozuki clan.
In fact, Caesar’s attitude toward the boisterous young girl Ulti was countless times better than his attitude toward Hiyori.
Robin had initially been somewhat puzzled, until Caesar recounted Kozuki Oden’s life story to her.
Because Caesar narrated Oden’s actions entirely from a rational perspective, Robin wasn’t swept up in emotional romanticization.
Instead, she thought Oden was quite foolish, throwing away an overwhelmingly winning hand.
As for Kozuki Hiyori…
in Caesar’s words, she was a manipulative “green tea” type.
While Robin didn’t entirely understand the modern slang, she could tell it wasn’t a compliment.
As her boss’s secretary, Robin naturally stood firmly on Caesar’s side.
She could see that present-day Wano was undergoing a silent revolution.
The gun barrel of pragmatism was already trained on feudalism and lineage.
At this stage, Hiyori’s presence was indeed important, as it served to legitimize Yamato’s position as Shogun.
But what about afterward?
Caesar wouldn’t even need to persecute them.
As long as he managed the country better than the Kozuki clan ever had, plenty of sharp subordinates would eagerly step forward to label the Kozuki family as “feudal oppressors of the old era.” Hiyori probably hadn’t fully realized this, but judging by her behavior, she faintly sensed this creeping anxiety—which was the root cause of her attempt to cling to Caesar.
So what would her new boss do?
Take the opportunity to wipe out the Kozuki clan entirely?
Or step forward to bestow grace, completely absorbing the Kozuki legacy?
Unfortunately, she likely wouldn’t see the outcome anytime soon…
Robin shook her head gently and stood up to leave the room.
Aside from secretarial duties, Caesar had arranged another task for her: training her Haki.
Her physical foundation was quite solid, but her martial arts skills were unrefined.
Caesar didn’t expect Robin to become a frontline powerhouse; he only required her martial arts to reach a competent level and her Observation Haki to become proficient, ensuring she could protect herself in dangerous situations.
To that end, Caesar had even appointed Yamato to act as Robin’s instructor.
Her days were now intensely fulfilling.
Mornings were spent assisting Caesar with administrative affairs, and afternoons were dedicated to training martial arts and Observation Haki with Yamato.
Yet Robin’s ambitions didn’t stop there.
When she saw Caesar blindfolding himself every day to immerse himself entirely in training, earning equal respect even from Kaidou’s top commanders, she realized with total clarity what true power meant on these seas.
“All suffering in this world ultimately stems from a lack of strength.” Those were the words Caesar had spoken when ordering her to train, and Robin agreed with them from the bottom of her heart.
Regardless of whatever motives Caesar held toward her, at the very least, she was genuinely grateful to him for having Yamato guide her path forward.
*** Meanwhile, in Amigasa Village.
After half a month, Caesar returned once again.
Unlike two weeks ago, there was no one standing around at the entrance of the village.
As expected, the villagers were all working in the fields, with even the children helping the adults.
In present-day Wano, having land to farm and the strength to work it was undoubtedly the greatest blessing.
Before long, Caesar arrived at the entrance of Hitetsu’s small treehouse.
The old wooden door creaked open as Caesar pushed it lightly and stepped inside.
Silence filled the room.
Hitetsu sat cross-legged with his hands resting on his knees, his eyes burning with intensity as he stared at the black long sword resting horizontally on the blade rack before him.