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Hyogoro of the Flowers, the top boss in Wano Country twenty years ago, was highly respected and deeply trusted by bosses from various regions.
Upon hearing Hyogoro's name, the four bosses immediately lost control of their emotions, drew their weapons, and rushed toward Daichi.
"You damn pirate, Boss Hyogoro died fifteen years ago!"
"Are you trying to trick us!"
"How dare you threaten us with our boss, don't think we're afraid of you!"
"Let's fight to the death!"
Boss Hyogoro was the man they respected most, even willing to die for him. How could they not be enraged upon hearing Daichi's words?
Daichi looked directly at the four, calmly asking, "Do you four really wish Hyogoro were dead?"
"..."
The four's breathing stopped.
Of course not!
Daichi spoke again. "Did you personally see Hyogoro die? Or did someone in Wano Country witness Hyogoro's death?"
"This..."
The four exchanged glances.
They had only heard rumors of Boss Hyogoro's death, supposedly killed by the Beast Pirates, but no one knew the details.
Daichi snorted coldly.
"I can tell you clearly, Hyogoro is not dead. I know where he is, and I can control his life and death."
"Do you understand?"
"Now, sit down!"
After a moment of silence.
The four obediently sat down.
Daichi crossed his legs, looking at the much more obedient four bosses, and nodded with satisfaction.
That's more like it!
Currently, the Beast Pirates' forces remaining in Wano Country are very few and are all in fixed positions, unable to be freely commanded.
And he needs to undertake major construction, severely lacking manpower. Looking across Wano Country, only these bosses can be reluctantly used.
"Any other questions, speak up."
"..."
The four exchanged glances.
Omasa was the most impatient.
"Boss Hyogoro is really not dead?"
"Don't make me repeat myself!"
Daichi frowned, no longer wasting words.
"Now Hyogoro's life and death are in your hands. I can promise you that as long as you work hard for me for five years, I will release Hyogoro."
"Five years..."
The four looked at each other.
If they could rescue Boss Hyogoro, let alone a mere five years, they would be willing to give their lives.
But there was one point: how to ensure the other party would truly keep his promise.
Cho took a deep breath, looking directly into Daichi's eyes. "Mr. Daichi, how can we trust you? You should know that we can't just stake our lives on a promise!"
"That's simple."
Daichi stroked his chin.
"I can take you to see him."
"Is that true?!"
The four were overjoyed.
"Who do you think I am?!"
Daichi snorted. "You few aren't worth me going back on my word. If there are no other issues, sign the contract quickly. I don't have much time to waste with you."
"Also, don't forget to get yourselves some decent clothes and control your murderous aura. Don't look like mere thugs."
–––––––––––––––
Early the next morning.
Cho and the four stood outside the hot spring shop in new clothes, waiting. Although their behavior was much more controlled, their stern faces still looked fierce.
They didn't wait long.
Daichi appeared with Yamato.
The four tried hard to calm themselves, awkwardly bowing in greeting.
"Daichi-sama!"
"Not bad."
Daichi nodded slightly.
"Let's go."
Half a day later, Prisoner Mine.
"It's Yamato-sama and Daichi-sama!"
"Open the gate quickly!"
The jailers dared not delay, quickly opening the heavy steel gate and at the same time notifying Babanuki, the head warden stationed at Prisoner Mine.
A moment later, in the head warden's office.
Babanuki looked at Yamato and Daichi, muttering to himself, unable to figure out what these two were doing here.
But one thing was certain: he couldn't afford to offend either of them.
Leaving aside Yamato-sama, Daichi's display of power at the Onigashima banquet hall had largely established his position within the crew, not to mention that Kaido held Daichi in high regard.
A future Tobi Roppo member!
And he was just an ordinary head warden. Within the Beast Pirates, there were five or six other head wardens like him.
Babanuki first looked at Yamato, asking in a muffled voice, "Yamato-sama, may I ask what brings you to the mine?"
"Well, ask Daichi."
Yamato pointed to Daichi beside her.
As an exclusive accessory who was too stupid to solve anything other than fighting, she was very self-aware.
Daichi also showed no stage fright, directly asking, "Babanuki, I want to know how many prisoners are currently held in Prisoner Mine?"
"About 3,000 people."
Babanuki answered truthfully.
Daichi thought for a moment. Given the scale of Prisoner Mine, leaving 2,000 people should barely be manageable.
"Lend me a thousand people!"
"Huh?"
Babanuki was stunned.
Just open your mouth and ask to borrow a thousand prisoners?
Did he think it was like buying vegetables?
Babanuki nervously wiped his sweat. "Daichi, I can't make that decision. I need to ask Queen-sama!"
"Queen isn't in Wano Country!"
Daichi looked calm.
The three All-Stars have clear divisions of labor.
King is responsible for guarding Onigashima and finances, Queen is responsible for all weapon factories, and Jack is responsible for suppressing Wano Country.
The Headliners stationed at the weapon factories are all Queen's direct subordinates, and they must consult Queen for any major matters.
But the situation was different now.
Daichi reached out and grabbed Babanuki's collar, pulling his head close to him, unceremoniously threatening him in a cold voice.
"Kaido entrusted Wano Country to me in front of everyone, so everyone in Wano Country must listen to me now, understand?"
"This..."
Babanuki broke out in a cold sweat.
How did he remember that Kaido only mentioned Onigashima?
Daichi snorted coldly.
"Yamato."
"Oh!"
Yamato pulled out her club, aiming it at Babanuki's head!
Daichi showed a "kind" smile, his voice soft. "Babanuki, listen up. If you're unwilling to cooperate, I don't mind replacing the head warden. Even if Queen comes to your aid later, you won't be around to see it."
"Daichi, let's talk this out!"
Babanuki was scared out of his wits.
What exactly was going on?
Was he not afraid of Queen-sama?
If Governor Kaido knew, he wouldn't allow it either!
"I'll give you 10 seconds to think!"
Daichi started the countdown.
"10—321!"
In less than two seconds, the countdown ended, and Babanuki hadn't even reacted.
Daichi released Babanuki, quickly retreating to create distance.
"Yamato, do it!"
"Understood!"
The girl immediately burst with power, emitting a terrifying pressure throughout her body, and the club in her hand struck toward Babanuki's face like lightning.
"Thunder Bagua!"
"Borrow!!!"
A bloodcurdling scream almost shattered the glass.
Babanuki knelt on the ground, looking at the club right before him, so frightened he almost wet his pants.
He... he almost died!
The man shed tears of pain.
"Daichi, no, Daichi-sama, I'll lend them, I'll lend them, isn't that enough? You can have as many people as you want, I'll lend them all to you!"
"Oh, you should have said so earlier!"
Daichi quickly helped Babanuki up, beaming. "Why are you kneeling? Get up quickly, we're all brothers, no need to be strangers."
"Yes, yes, we're all brothers!"
Who's your brother?!
Babanuki painfully echoed.
Damn it, when Queen-sama returns, I'm definitely going to complain about you!
"By the way, old friend."
Daichi pulled Babanuki aside.
"Don't worry, once I'm done with the prisoners, I'll return them. I just want to remind you, with so many prisoners leaving the mine, if the higher-ups really investigate, you, as the head warden, probably won't escape blame!"
"...."
Babanuki felt a chill down his spine.
He was right!
If this got out, regardless of what happened to Daichi, he, as the head warden, would definitely suffer too!
Daichi's smile blossomed, and he deliberately lowered his voice. "Brother Babanuki, I'm sure you'll cover this up, right? You wouldn't want Queen to discover your neglect of duty, would you?"
"...."
Babanuki nodded with difficulty.
Devil, this guy is definitely a devil!