Of course, it wasn't his turn to worry about such things. Anyway, there were reasons for doing so.
It was just that he didn't care. In this world, aside from Navy Headquarters and Mary Geoise, there were few places he truly wished to avoid. Was there anywhere he wouldn't go?
Even Impel Down, the undersea prison!
And so, Caesar remained here in 2009.
During this time, he encountered a man well-known in the Flower Capital—a legendary figure.
Strong muscles, cherry blossom tattoos on his shoulders over a deep blue background, and his iconic, flaming blue hair and beard!
That's right—this man was the underworld boss of the Flower Capital, known as Hyogoro of the Flower.
Caesar was deeply impressed. After all, this was the very man who later taught Luffy the advanced form of Ryuo (Wano's version of Haki) in the original story.
Hyogoro wasn't just bold and righteous—he was a formidable swordsman. His combat power was at least on par with an elite Marine vice admiral!
After all, even Kaido himself once admitted that if Kozuki Oden had joined forces with Hyogoro upon returning to Wano, it would have been a serious problem.
Whether Kaido was referring to Hyogoro's personal strength or the hundreds of samurai and yakuza under his command, one thing was clear—his power was extraordinary.
Otherwise, Kaido wouldn't have tried multiple times to recruit him into the Beasts Pirates.
Hyogoro also commanded the utmost loyalty from his subordinates. Even after years of imprisonment, those who once followed him continued to revere him.
Moreover, when he briefly regained his strength during the Onigashima Raid, even the younger generation of Supernovas, who had never seen him in his prime, were astonished by his abilities.
This only proved how powerful Hyogoro must have been in his youth.
Coincidentally, Caesar was looking for a strong swordsman to test himself against, and Hyogoro was the perfect candidate.
---
"What are the countries outside Wano like? Are they all like you?"
When Hyogoro learned that Caesar and his crew were from the outside world, he was immediately curious.
"Of course not. There are many different countries, many different people."
"The world is filled with strong warriors. Every place is unique and colorful."
Hearing this, Hyogoro's expression was filled with anticipation. He had always known the world was vast, but now he realized it was also incredibly exciting.
From Caesar and his companions, Hyogoro heard countless tales of the outside world. For the first time, he truly longed to see it for himself.
However, Wano had always maintained its closed borders policy, and he had neither hope nor opportunity to leave.
Seeing the desire in Hyogoro's eyes, Caesar made sure to talk with him every day.
It wasn't just for conversation—his goal was obvious. He wanted to recruit him.
Hyogoro wasn't just strong. He was a leader, admired by the common people and followed by over two hundred loyal warriors known as the "Chivalrous Knights."
Even Kozuki Oden deeply respected him, and Hyogoro had helped Oden on multiple occasions.
It was no exaggeration to say that he possessed both great strength and great character. He was fearless, charismatic, and had excellent leadership skills.
Caesar wanted him on his crew, not just for his potential. Hyogoro's combat power was already impressive, and given a few years at sea, he could possibly reach the level of a great swordsman on par with an admiral.
Even if he didn't reach that level, he would at least be as strong as a Rear Admiral or Vice Admiral.
And so, every day, Caesar continued to tell Hyogoro about the world outside Wano—how thrilling it was, how grand.
---
"Hahaha, yes, the world is truly vast!"
"There are so many wonders, even islands in the sky."
"The sky?" Hyogoro was startled.
He had heard many strange things recently, but when Caesar mentioned Sky Islands, he looked intrigued.
"Yes! We've been there before. There are entire lands floating above the clouds!"
"The roads are made of soft cloud-like material, and the people there have small wings on their backs!"
Caesar spared no detail, painting a vivid picture to capture Hyogoro's imagination.
If he could use his experiences to recruit such a powerful ally, it would be a great success.
And what he spoke of was the truth—no exaggeration necessary.
"I'd love to see that for myself…"
"Are there really gods in the sky?"
People often believed that deities resided above the world, descending to Earth only on rare occasions.
Hearing about Sky Island only reinforced that belief for Hyogoro.
"Yes, there is indeed a 'god' on Sky Island," Caesar said, thinking of Gan Fall, the kind-hearted ruler of Upper Yard.
With Enel likely still undiscovered at that point, Caesar had inadvertently prevented the birth of a major threat.
"What!? A real god?"
Hyogoro was astonished. He had asked casually, not expecting such an answer.
"Then… have you seen this god?" He looked at Caesar nervously.
"Of course!" Caesar laughed.
"What does a god look like?" Hyogoro furrowed his brow, his words tinged with awe.
"Actually, 'god' is just a title. The ruler of Sky Island is called 'God,' but they're simply the leader of their people."
"In other words, think of it like a general or a daimyo, but for the sky."
After hearing this explanation, Hyogoro nodded, deep in thought.
---
Caesar then told him about the Sabaody Archipelago, Fish-Man Island, Raijin Island, and Whole Cake Island.
Hyogoro listened with fascination, asking questions from time to time.
"Are all mermaids really at Fish-Man Island?"
"Yes, and there are also different types of fish-men and mermaids living there."
"Why is there an island with constant lightning?"
"What about Sabaody? Where do the bubbles come from?"
"The bubbles are a natural resin secreted by the mangrove trees there. It's one of the island's unique wonders."
"But actually, I have a mangrove tree planted on my ship, so I can generate those bubbles myself!"
Caesar could talk about the outside world for days, but his goal was clear—he wanted to win over Hyogoro.
And after a month of building their friendship, it was time to leave Wano.
But before that, Caesar had one last thing to do—make his final offer.
---
When he met Hyogoro again, he didn't waste time.
"We're setting sail, Hyogoro."
"Come with me—experience the vast world!"
"A strong man like you shouldn't be confined here. Even Oden, the rightful heir to Wano, left because he longed for adventure."
Hyogoro didn't answer immediately. He wasn't the type to make impulsive decisions.
Going to sea was an enticing idea, but he had responsibilities in Wano.
Seeing his hesitation, Caesar leaned in and whispered:
"Think of all the strange islands…"
"The powerful warriors you could face…"
"Your swordsmanship still has room to grow!"
"You really don't want to see the world for yourself?"
Hyogoro sighed, closing his eyes. He could feel Caesar's sincerity.
After a long internal struggle, he finally relented.
He decided—he would go to sea.
However, before leaving, he had to make the proper arrangements.
As the leader of the yakuza, he had hundreds of subordinates. If he simply vanished, chaos would follow.
That night, he appointed a trusted successor to manage the yakuza in his absence.
Then, with his belongings packed, he boarded Caesar's ship under the cover of darkness—leaving Wano behind.
His heart was filled with excitement.
And for Caesar?
This trip to Wano had been worth it.
Not only had he gained three Devil Fruits and improved his swordsmanship…
But he had also gained a powerful new ally.
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