Chapter 37: 37. The Sneaky Yamato

Check out advanced chapters on P@treon: [email protected]/CosmicKaminari ---------- Among the three key divisions under Alex's command, each has a distinct role: The Guard Division, the newly reformed Oniwabanshu, is no longer limited to just nine members. Instead, anyone who meets Alex's standards of strength and loyalty may join. Under this division, the coordination of Wanokuni's ninja, samurai, and other military forces is unified, with Guard Division members authorized to oversee and deploy combat power as needed. However, the former ninjas, whom Alex found lacking, have been relegated to a secondary team under the main force. The General Manager position serves as the essential link between each governance, acting as a direct channel under Alex. This role involves relaying orders from the shogun to key officials in each division and compiling mission reports, ensuring a smooth flow of information and command across the organization. Finally, there's the Reconnaissance Division, now known as the "Shadow Guard," where Shinobu currently serves. This unit is composed of skilled agents adept at stealth and intelligence-gathering, handling sensitive tasks to keep Alex well-informed. Previously, Shadow Guard reports were submitted weekly, but now, with the other two divisions still in formation, it's only been a day since their last report. Seeing Alex's attention on her, Shinobu quickly explained her visit. "There's a girl who wants to see you." Alex raised an eyebrow in surprise, though he refrained from commenting. Given his position, it wasn't unusual for him to have admirers—he was well aware of his popularity. Yet, Shinobu wouldn't report just anyone, which hinted that this visitor was special. Sure enough, Shinobu's expression grew serious as she added, "She claims to be Kaido's son." Despite his outward calm, Alex couldn't help but react. Kaido doesn't have a son, he thought, but rather... 'Yamato'. He had even considered luring Yamato over with the promise of powers like the artificial Devil Fruits in the future—after all, Yamato was destined to be both exceptionally strong and strikingly beautiful. But to think Yamato had approached him voluntarily so soon after Kaido's departure was beyond his expectations. "Where is she now?" Alex asked, intrigued. "I've asked your head maid to welcome her first," Shinobu replied. "I came to report right away. It won't be long before she's brought here." She glanced toward the door, and Alex nodded, understanding her unspoken caution. He was well aware that Wanokuni's citizens didn't know about his agreement with Kaido, so the sudden appearance of Kaido's "son" might provoke a dangerous reaction from the populace. Even if she were only a young, spirited girl, her connection to Kaido would make her a target. "She's been waiting for several days just to see you," Shinobu added thoughtfully. "She's a clever one." "After seeing me come and go from the castle multiple times, she eventually approached me, asking about my role here," Shinobu explained with a hint of amusement in her voice. "She seemed genuinely impressed by you and had nothing but admiration in her tone." "Looks like she slipped away from Kaido just to come to the Flower Capital," Shinobu added, her expression shifting into something half-amused, half-bewildered. Even without Observation Haki, Alex could tell what she was thinking. "Ah, the burden of my own charm," Alex sighed, feigning exasperation. "Sometimes it's just so... exhausting." Shinobu rolled her eyes. "Shogun, you're impossibly full of yourself." She leaned slightly, her stance turning flirtatious. "But, I understand. Some of us just have that kind of magnetism. They even call me 'Men Buster,' you know." Alex chuckled, appreciating her humor. True, Shinobu was confident in her appeal, but her "Men Buster" title only reminded him of her infamous "Ninja Art: Ball-Crusher"—a rather comical yet effective move in her ninja repertoire. Just then, a light knock came at the door. "Master Alex, a guest is here," announced Lilith, one of the head maids, her voice polite. At that, Shinobu gave Alex a quick nod and disappeared into the shadows, slipping through the large French window like a wisp of smoke. "Let the guest in," Alex called. As the door opened, a young girl's face peeked in. The moment her eyes met Alex's, her expression lit up with pure excitement. Without hesitation, she dashed forward. "Alex!" Alex caught Yamato as she barreled into him, her enthusiasm so genuine it left him momentarily perplexed. All he'd done was share some tales of magical islands beyond the sea, hoping to pique her curiosity. But now, her admiration felt stronger than he'd anticipated. What Alex didn't realize was that witnessing his confrontation with Kaido and his responsiveness to the people of Wanokuni had made him an idealized hero in Yamato's eyes. In the world of One Piece, idol worship could drive even the most steadfast to defy the odds—Yamato defied Kaido, and Bartolomeo once dared to challenge Red-Haired Shanks in support of Luffy's legacy. With a faint smile, Alex gently tousled Yamato's hair. "You came all the way here just to find me? Kaido's going to storm the gates any minute." Yamato blinked innocently. "I left him a letter in my room, and I still have a Den Den Mushi on me. He hasn't called in days, so he must've agreed that I could come see you!" Alex thought it over, piecing together Shinobu's observations with Yamato's story. It seemed she had left Onigashima with a plan, likely after learning that the island would be relocated. Since it had been several days since Kaido's departure, even if he hadn't noticed, one of his subordinates would have by now. Perhaps Kaido had allowed her departure, likely anticipating some future benefit from her interactions with Alex. Trust Kaido to even leverage his own child, Alex mused. If that's his game, then he had no reason to hold back either. "Hey, Alex," Yamato said, looking up at him with a slightly pleading expression. "Do you have any food? I'm so hungry!" Alex looked at her curiously, his gaze resting on the red oni horns atop her head. Even without Kaido's influence, she would've likely struggled to fit in among the rigid culture of Wanokuni, where those different from the norm were often feared or rejected. This solidified his resolve to open Wanokuni to more diverse perspectives. He planned to bring in skilled foreigners in the future, but he couldn't afford to have rumors of "monsters" stir up resentment or discord among the people. "I'll have a big meal prepared for you right away," he said, gesturing to Lilith. He then turned back to Yamato. "Have you been starving all this time?" Yamato nodded, then shook her head. "Not all the time. I met a girl with horns like mine. She shared some food with me."