The change in Yamato's attitude caught Caesar off guard.
He had thought that given Yamato's single-minded nature and her years of admiration for Oden, it would take several years to subtly correct her mindset.
Caesar had originally planned to take her to the Revolutionary Army's territory to help her understand what class struggle was, and then criticize the feudal system of Wano Country.
But to his surprise, the girl had awakened on her own!
Caesar's recent proposal to Kaidou had two purposes: one was to facilitate the future occupation of Wano Country, and the other was to force Yamato to choose between the Kozuki Clan and the people of Wano Country.
The Kozuki Clan is the legitimate ruler of Wano Country?
What a joke! If the people don't recognize you, what kind of legitimacy do you have?
In the original story, the Kozuki Clan was almost entirely bound to the people of Wano Country, which gave them the moral high ground.
What Caesar wanted to do was to completely separate the two, stripping the already weakened Kozuki Clan of their last remaining support!
Kaidou's flaw is that he turns a blind eye to crises, is arrogant, too rough, and too reckless.
There are some things he doesn't fail to understand—he just doesn't care!
He places too much faith in his own strength. While he is indeed strong, unfortunately, he hasn't reached the point where he can completely dominate everything.
If Caesar hadn't used wealth and the development of the Pirate Crew as bargaining chips, Kaidou, with his temperament, wouldn't have cared about the lives of the people.
But Caesar wouldn't make such a mistake!
In Caesar's view, the education he had received might be the greatest advantage he had as a transmigrator.
Foreigners wouldn't understand the concept of "uprooting the grass to eliminate the roots," wouldn't understand the "Thirty-Six Stratagems," wouldn't understand how "a single spark can start a prairie fire," and wouldn't understand the phrase "Are kings, lords, and generals born to their stations?"
The entire theme of Pirate King, when translated into Chinese, could be summed up in one sentence: "We are born free, who dares to stand above us?"
This method of winning over the people to weaken the influence of the former rulers is something any Chinese person would see through at a glance, but unless they are in a related field, foreigners generally lack this political sensitivity.
Here's an interesting phenomenon: put a Chinese person among a group of foreigners, and you'll find that they seem to know a little bit about everything. Their expertise might be lacking, but their knowledge is broad and varied. No matter the industry, with a bit of training, they can quickly get up to speed.
This isn't to say that Chinese people are inherently smarter—it's entirely due to the comprehensive education system that instills the essence of five thousand years of Chinese thought.
The very exam-oriented education that once made Caesar complain the most has now become his greatest asset in navigating this new world after transmigration!
Separating the Kozuki Clan from the people of Wano Country is a straightforward, open strategy, much like the concept of "nine turns of the large intestine."
Without separation, the people would starve.
With separation, the Kozuki Clan would lose all hope of resistance.
Kaidou realized this, but as mentioned earlier, he didn't care!
Yamato, on the other hand, didn't realize it and was forced to choose between the two.
This single-minded girl could only vaguely sense that she had been tricked, but she couldn't figure out where the problem lay. This was also why she felt inexplicably annoyed and wanted to punch Caesar.
"9998…"
"9999…"
"10000!"
Evening, Oni Island, by the sea.
Caesar was carrying a massive barbell on his shoulders, performing deep squats.
Half a month had passed, and he still hadn't mastered Armament Haki, but his physical strength had improved by leaps and bounds.
The same weighted squats that he could only do a little over nine thousand yesterday had already surpassed ten thousand today.
Every time he pushed past his limits, it was a qualitative leap.
Thud!
The barbell was casually dropped to the ground, emitting a dull thud.
Caesar stood up, breathing lightly, sweat gliding along the lines of his muscles on his bare upper body, shimmering with a healthy glow under the sunlight.
His thigh muscles were somewhat sore and swollen, but fortunately, it didn't affect his walking.
Now, he could use Conqueror's Haki Infusion to face King head-on in terms of strength without falling behind, and his Conqueror's Haki Infusion had become increasingly proficient through numerous battles.
Then King banned his use of Conqueror's Haki Infusion, demanding that he not use it again until he had learned Armament Haki, otherwise, he would use Observation Haki to beat him up like a child.
Returning to his residence, in the tatami room, Yamato was sprawled on the floor, eating potato chips and reading manga.
The girl's red dress was spread out, one hand propping up her chin, the other flipping through the manga, occasionally reaching into the bag of potato chips beside her. Her jade-like bare feet, white with a hint of pink, were crossed and propped up, exuding youthful energy.
Since they had met, this girl had been living with Caesar. Apart from training, she was like an overly lively big dog, pestering Caesar with endless questions, curious about the world beyond the seas.
To be honest, it was a bit clingy.
So Caesar brought out his secret weapon to entertain children: manga, snacks, and ice-cold cola.
And then the girl became utterly addicted.
The manga Yamato was reading was called "Warriors of the Sea: Sky," a creation of the World Economic News based on the Navy heroes and the Germa 66, which had gained considerable fame worldwide, especially in the North Blue.
Because the North Blue really had the Germa 66...
For Caesar, who had read quite a bit of manga, the story was just average, but for the entertainment-starved pirate world, it was nothing short of a masterpiece.
No child wouldn't want a set of Germa 66 transformation suits, even if they were the villains!
Even someone as aloof as Trafalgar Law couldn't hold back when he saw Sanji's Stealth Black, even giving an impromptu commentary on the spot, showing just how popular this manga was.
For Yamato, who had never been to sea, the impact of this manga was nuclear-level!
The good news was that since she started reading this manga, Yamato hardly touched Oden's Voyage Log anymore.
The bad news was that she wanted a set of Germa battle suits...
"Hey, Yamato, you've been reading manga since I left this morning, haven't you?"
"Huh? Yeah..."
Yamato responded unconsciously, completely unaware that Caesar had entered the room.
After a few seconds, as if realizing something was off, she looked up at Caesar: "Ha! Caesar, you're back!"
"What do you mean: Ha~ you're back~"
Caesar mimicked Yamato's silly grin, then suddenly straightened his face, grabbing her smooth and tender ankle, dragging her away from the manga.
"Aren't you going to train? Reading manga every day won't help you defeat Kaidou."
Yamato chuckled sheepishly: "Sorry, I've never seen anything so interesting before, I got a little carried away, hahaha..."
Caesar couldn't help but sigh; Yamato's silly demeanor made it impossible for him to stay angry.
Moreover, I've never seen anything so interesting... It's no wonder she got brainwashed just by picking up a tattered notebook, given how pitifully she spoke.
"Don't get too obsessed, or I won't give you the follow-up plot."
This manga is serialized in the World Economic News, but you can also buy complete sets in bookstores.
The snacks and cola were all part of his past collection. Since time stands still in the collection, there's no concept of expiration, so Caesar could even serve a steaming bowl of ramen at any moment.
"Got it!"
After a quick shower, Caesar changed his clothes and returned to the room.
Seeing that Yamato was still engrossed in the manga, Caesar didn't disturb her. He sat cross-legged and began to meditate.
Among the three types of Haki, he had already awakened Conqueror's Haki and could use it in combat to some extent.
As for the other two types of Haki, although he hadn't mastered them yet, through the battles of recent days, Caesar had vaguely grasped some clues.
During combat, he occasionally felt a surge of power that seemed desperate to burst forth but had nowhere to go.
And there were those moments of sudden insight, where he could intuitively predict King's next moves, but it was hazy, like seeing through a veil.
This feeling was maddening.
It was like trying to see flowers through fog, or being on the verge of a breakthrough but unable to make it.
It made him restless and hard to calm down.
But Caesar wasn't in a hurry. After all, Monkey D. Luffy trained for half a year before his Armament Haki became somewhat reliable. He had only been training for a month, so being able to vaguely sense it was already quite good.
It's worth mentioning that since Haki is an innate potential everyone possesses, sometimes people who haven't learned Haki can accidentally unleash its power.
However, most people, unaware of this, never realize the existence of this power.
What Caesar needed to do now was to find these two forces and draw them out!
Every day when he returned, he would sit in meditation to calm his mind. Although he hadn't succeeded yet, Caesar could vaguely feel that his five senses and six perceptions seemed to have become sharper!
He closed his eyes, his mind continuously emptying, his thoughts as calm as a lake.
For a moment, the only sounds in the room were those made by Yamato.
The rustling of manga pages, the crisp crunch of potato chips, the bubbling of cola, Yamato's cheers when she got excited...
And the sound of the girl's skirt brushing against the tatami, the thumping of her heart, the flow of blood, and the breathing that symbolized the continuation of life.
Caesar listened quietly, motionless, like an old monk in deep meditation.
Then, for a fleeting moment.
The sensory field centered around him seemed to ripple, like a drop of water falling on a calm lake, creating faint ripples.
Vaguely, Caesar heard it!
He tried to stir the ripples, using their force to push the lake water to extend further.
And then the lake water truly seemed to be stimulated, surging and spreading out in all directions!
...
"The kitchen has prepared the midnight snack! The master and the young lady should be ready to eat soon!"
"Miss A-yun... By the way, are those two in love?"
"Hey, hey, if you want to die, don't drag me into it! How can we discuss such beings?"
"What's the big deal? It's all over the island..."
"Focus on your cooking and stop prying!"
...
"Ara, Lord Blissgla, long time no see! Please come in quickly, it's been so long since you last visited me~"
"Ohahaha, I've been too busy lately, my apologies, little beauty~"
"Eh? Many guests haven't come recently, is there a battle going on?"
"I don't know, but I heard there will be a big move at this year's Fire Festival. Let's not talk about that, have you missed me, beauty?"
"Giggle, you're so annoying~"
...
"Lord Queen, Lord Kaidou asked me to inquire about the progress of your land purification research. We're pressed for time. If there's no result soon, he'll have to contact the World Government and seek Vegapunk's help. But before that, he'll dismantle your lab."
"Shut up, you royalist! Give me more time! And what do you mean by that? I'm no worse than that Vegapunk guy, you bastard!"
"This is Lord Kaidou's intention…"
"Ha! He's so self-centered! That damn boss! Do you know who caused the land pollution in the first place? Damn it! It's all that bat brat's fault!"
"Caesar? That guy's quite handsome, he's my type!"
"Eh?! You like that type? Wait! Who cares about you, you little brat! Don't bother me!"
...
For a moment, countless chaotic voices flooded Caesar's mind, leaving him dizzy and disoriented.
In the room, Yamato, who was reading a manga, seemed to sense something and paused slightly, turning her gaze toward Caesar.
Seeing Caesar's furrowed brows, Yamato silently stood up and walked behind him.
She then sat cross-legged, opened her arms, and pulled Caesar into her embrace, gently massaging his head with her soft hands.
Caesar, who was immersed in his first experience of spreading Observation Haki, felt his body lighten, and the back of his head sank into an indescribable softness.
What a move—the Twin Peaks Embrace!
Caesar closed his eyes, continuing to use Observation Haki to sense the surroundings.
This was his first successful use of Observation Haki. Although the overwhelming information made him dizzy, Caesar didn't want to miss this opportunity.
After a while, Caesar slowly opened his eyes.
At this moment, his head was nestled between two enormous virtues, with dazzling holy light radiating from both sides of his cheeks!
"How does it feel?"
Yamato's voice came from above.
Caesar looked up at her beautiful face and replied seriously, "Very soft!"
Yamato's face darkened, "I meant how it feels to use Observation Haki for the first time! Who asked you about that, you idiot!"
"It feels… quite amazing."
Caesar sat up and gestured to Yamato, "Come on, hit me."
Bam!
As soon as he finished speaking, a pitch-black Armament Haki fist slammed heavily into Caesar's chest and abdomen.
Caesar's back arched sharply, and he spat out a mouthful of blood!
His crimson pupils contracted violently, and Caesar stared at Yamato in shock.
It seemed as if she would innocently say in the next second: "I'm just a farmer!"
"Hey, hey, Caesar, are you okay?"
Seeing this, Yamato's face turned pale, and she quickly supported Caesar.
"I just wasn't ready…"
"Oh, should we try again then?"
"…Never mind, I'm fine now."
Hmm, Zoan types are great!
Zoan types have strong vitality. A little injury like this can be healed with a good meal.
But if it were in the past, Caesar had no doubt that the punch just now could have killed him before he ate the Devil Fruit.
Falling back into Yamato's arms, Caesar looked up at that beautiful face.
Yamato's big eyes didn't blink, her gaze was very clear.
"By the way, didn't you go back to being a girl?"
"Ah, that's right!"
"Is it okay for me to lie like this?"
"Ah, no problem!"
"You—"
Caesar opened his mouth, but in the end, he didn't say anything.
With her carefree nature, she probably wouldn't take such things to heart.
"If it's Caesar, then it's absolutely no problem!"
Behind him, Yamato suddenly grinned, her smile full of energy.
"Huh? So, others wouldn't be okay?"
"Of course! I'm a girl! What are you thinking, you idiot!"
"Then why is it okay for me?"
"Hmm—"
Yamato thought carefully for a moment, then suddenly laughed again, a simple smile with a faint blush on her face.
"I don't know, but if it's Caesar, then it's no problem. After all, it's Caesar, haha..."
(End of Chapter)