Infinite Anime [143-145] (Patreon)

Chapter 143: Kaido Watching the Livestream

At this moment, far away on Onigashima, Kaido was watching the conversation between Gusion and Yamato through the screen.

Hearing Gusion say that Kaido was too brutal and didn't understand management, which led to Wano becoming what it is now, Kaido was quite dissatisfied. "And what's wrong with things now? Our income keeps increasing every year, and the pirate crew keeps growing stronger."

Simple-minded Kaido's proudest achievement over the years was occupying Wano. He felt that, without this decision, he and King might still be drifting at sea together.

It was precisely because he had Wano as a base that he gradually got money, recruited troops, and built up the massive Beasts Pirates.

So when Gusion said he didn’t understand management, Kaido felt insulted.

"Hahaha, young men love to talk big. In reality, he probably hasn’t managed a country before, so he says things like that," Black Maria laughed at the side. She didn’t care about Gusion calling Kaido brutal—among pirates, that was practically a compliment.

As for management, she didn’t agree with Gusion either. Over the years, the people actually managing Wano weren’t brute Kaido, but the brains under him, who discussed and decided on management plans.

As for the rebels who followed Oden back then—that’s not even worth mentioning. They were all sent to Udon Prison for life, laboring and mining every day.

But those working in the SMILE factory, the seastone factory, and the weapons factories in Wano? They actually got paid.

From the perspective of these pirates, not killing you and even paying you wages is a huge kindness. How could that be called poor management?

Kaido and Maria watched as, on the screen, Yamato in Udon Prison spoke angrily, "What kind of achievement is that? The rivers are polluted, people on the outskirts don’t have clean water, and many have died from sickness."

Gusion smirked, "Oh, looks like you actually pay attention to the people's living conditions in this country."

Yamato puffed her cheeks, "Don’t underestimate me, okay?"

Gusion nodded with a smile, "So you’re also aware that the country’s environment has been ruined by the factories. But environmental pollution can be solved with proper waste management. Kaido didn’t consider these problems, so I say he only knows how to fish for quick gains, not sustainable development."

"So what contribution has he made? I only feel like the people of Wano are living worse and worse every day."

Yamato said, "At this rate, in ten years the rivers will be completely polluted, and people won’t even be able to drink the water."

"Well, putting aside the environmental issues, haven’t all these factories solved a lot of employment problems? These basic industries will be the foundation for Wano’s future prosperity," Gusion explained.

He gave an example: "Remember the story I told you before, about a country called Japan? They once closed themselves off, but were forced open by cannons and bullied. But that also pushed them into industrialization early, and they developed rapidly to become a world power. Everything has two sides, and fortune and misfortune are interdependent."

He picked up Oden’s diary that Yamato had dropped. "But what did Oden do? He didn’t cause much damage to the country, but he also didn’t bring any progress or improve people’s lives. He was truly hands-off but had the power to do something. That’s why I don’t like him."

It’s easy to imagine: without Oden’s strength, if Wano was just guarded by an ordinary shogun, in a resource-rich place like the New World, even without Kaido, another pirate group would have come to seize it.

If it was a dumber, less visionary pirate crew, Wano might be worse off than now. With Kaido sitting in Wano, at least no small fry dare cause trouble—there’s at least surface peace.

Of course, Kaido really does bad things too. That's due to his upbringing and worldview; he never cared about ruling a country, just about gaining enough profits to make himself stronger.

Kaido does have a grand ambition: to overthrow the world’s rulers and create a new, more reasonable world. But his means are wrong.

A person who achieves things by any means can never truly earn the people's heartfelt support.

"I… so should I start doing something now?" Yamato looked at Gusion in confusion. She felt that, as someone who wants to liberate Wano and be its hero, she should do something for the people, so they would love her and she could open Wano to the world.

But in the diary, the real Kozuki Oden didn’t seem to do such things… so she felt she should follow her idol’s will.

"When you ask me this question, haven’t you already found your own answer?" Gusion said with a smile.

Like a ray of light in the darkness, Yamato suddenly understood. She realized that, by asking Gusion, she was already doubting Oden’s actions and wanted to help the suffering people.

"But if I do this… am I really still Kozuki Oden?"

Yamato had a new doubt.

Gusion looked at her seriously. "In my eyes, you’ve always been Yamato. My friend isn’t Kozuki Oden, it’s Yamato."

Yamato hesitated, then acted instead of continuing the conversation.

She got up, exchanged her remaining food coupons for a pile of pancakes, and wandered around the quarry, distributing them to the old and weak prisoners who couldn’t get enough to eat.

The prisoners who got the pancakes were grateful to Yamato, though a few, knowing her identity as Kaido’s daughter, refused her charity.

Openly distributing food in Udon Prison was unheard of. But no guards stopped her; one reason was that there was no explicit rule against sharing your own food, and the other was that Yamato was the Beasts Pirates’ young master—no ordinary guard would dare provoke her over something like this.

After her rounds, Yamato came back beaming with happiness. Clearly, the feeling of being thanked and respected made her feel elated.

"How does it feel?" Gusion asked with a smile, taking a bite of his own pancake.

"It feels amazing! I’ve never experienced this before. When I used to call myself Oden, no one cared. But now, without saying anything, I just gave them pancakes and they thanked me—it’s so strange," Yamato said, her excitement fading as she became confused again.

"This is normal. People don’t thank others for no reason; only when they genuinely receive kindness do they thank you from the heart," Gusion explained. "And just now, they weren't thanking Kozuki Oden—they were thanking you, Yamato."

Yamato was stunned. "They were… thanking me?"

"Of course. Even though many of those who accepted your pancakes know you’re Kaido’s daughter, they still thanked you," Gusion said, looking into her eyes. "Do you know why?"

"Why?"

Yamato was puzzled. If she’s Kaido’s daughter in their eyes, shouldn’t they hate her?

"While some proud samurai refused you, those who accepted your food aren’t cowards. They thank you because they felt your sincerity," Gusion explained. "You really understood their hardships. When someone genuinely wants to help, that kindness shows in their eyes."

At least, Yamato had basic empathy, Gusion thought—that was good. At heart, Yamato was a straightforward and simple girl; if she could live as herself, she could become a normal person.

"I see… but I wanted to help them because I want to become Kozuki Oden and liberate Wano, not just because I pity them. Is that okay?" Yamato asked in confusion.

Gusion shrugged, "Why not? You’ll come to understand, you’re not Kozuki Oden. If you accomplish great things, the people will thank Yamato, not Kozuki Oden."

Yamato fell into deep thought. Meanwhile, back on Onigashima, Kaido burst out laughing, thoroughly pleased.

"Maria, that kid really knows how to talk! Yamato is starting to question her own identity!"

Kaido laughed heartily, staring at the monitor. Gusion didn’t disappoint him; the lunchtime discipline session made him very happy. This time, Yamato stopped calling herself Oden and started saying "I want to become" instead.

He could feel that the idol aura of Oden in Yamato’s heart was fading. Maybe after a few more days with Gusion, she really wouldn’t want to be Oden anymore.

"Even if Young Master Yamato is changing for the better, don’t you think Gusion is guiding her in a dangerous direction? She still wants to rebel," Maria reminded him. Meaning: don’t be too happy—your daughter might stop being Oden, but she’ll still rebel against you.

Gusion was guiding Yamato toward true revolution, which Maria found worrying.

Before, Yamato just called herself Oden and did nothing; she was just playing house. But if she started actually helping people and gathering loyal followers, she might really become a threat to Kaido.

"Hahaha, what’s there to worry about?" Kaido waved his hand, laughing boldly. "Let her come! I’ll be waiting for her on the throne!"

In his eyes, his daughter was still too weak. Every time she challenged him, he had to hold back.

Would Kaido be afraid of rebellion? He never feared a challenge.

If he couldn’t fulfill his dream in this life, his pirate empire would eventually be handed down to Yamato anyway.

If Yamato had the strength to win it herself, Kaido wouldn’t be angry—instead, he’d be proud of her strength and courage.

Chapter 144: Enlightenment

"But what if Young Master Yamato listens to Gusion and really tries to push some management reforms in Wano?" Black Maria worried. "That might affect our Beasts Pirates' income."

Kaido frowned. "I don’t think so. That kid doesn’t seem like he knows much about management, and Yamato’s clueless too. They shouldn’t come up with anything crazy together."

If Yamato found herself and was willing to return to him, she’d become the Oni Princess of the Beasts Pirates again—with the power to actually do things.

Kaido, wanting to train his daughter’s abilities, couldn’t deny her every opportunity; that would kill her motivation.

"Let's hope so," Maria said, glancing back at the screen, ready to keep watching.

…

Gusion stretched. "That’s all for today. Yamato, you really have a lot of energy."

After the day’s lessons, Gusion naturally wanted to reward Yamato. So he told her stories while they exercised until night.

Yamato was like a child addicted to stories—one chapter after another, never getting bored, urging Gusion to continue.

Plus, she dug more ore than Gusion and never seemed tired. That’s the difference in physical stats—Yamato had 60 points in constitution; mining in Udon was like playing for her.

"Aw, one more chapter," Yamato said, disappointed, wanting to hear more.

Gusion smiled helplessly and changed the subject: "Since you like the story so much, why don’t I quiz you to see if you’ve really listened?"

Yamato perked up. "Go ahead!"

Gusion grinned, "I’ve told you a lot of chapters. Did you notice how Sun Wukong is different on the pilgrimage compared to when he caused havoc in Heaven?"

Yamato thought for a moment. "I feel like the Great Sage isn’t as wild as before—he’s humbler, less reckless. Honestly, it feels a bit stifling."

"I thought so as a kid too. Maybe that's the price of growing up," Gusion said. "Did you notice how Sun Wukong treats monsters differently?"

Yamato frowned and thought. "Is there a difference?"

"Think about the Unicorn Rhino King I just mentioned."

Yamato’s eyes lit up. "I get it! The green bull wasn’t killed by the Great Sage, but some monsters were!"

"And why do you think that is?"

Yamato quickly answered, "Because the green bull had an owner—Taishang Laojun, a big deity."

Gusion nodded. "In short, the monkey never kills monsters with a powerful backer. If they have no background and provoke him, he kills them all."

Yamato shivered. She’d thought it was a pure adventure story, but realized there was so much more beneath the surface.

"So having connections is important. If someone’s weak and arrogant, they’ll die miserably."

Gusion smiled at her. "So, Yamato, why do you think you’ve been able to act out in Onigashima and Wano and still survive?"

Yamato was stunned, then smiled wryly. "Gusion-dono, I knew your questions wouldn’t be simple."

After days of questioning, she was starting to doubt Oden’s correctness. She hadn’t called herself Oden once while mining that afternoon.

Gusion’s point was clear. She realized she couldn’t beat the Calamities or the Tobi Roppo, yet, no matter how many times she escaped or fought, she was never killed or seriously hurt.

It couldn’t be Oden’s protection—no one in the Beasts Pirates worshipped Oden. Oden was dead.

Her only background was her father, Yonko Kaido.

Because her father was the leader, the officers couldn’t kill her even if she attacked.

"Looks like you’ve been thinking. I won’t say more," Gusion said, seeing Yamato’s expression.

At dinner, he patted Yamato’s stomach, already understanding how "Seimei Kikan" worked—it just took a few more days to master.

Once he did, he could work out and eat like crazy in Udon Prison, and his stats would improve quickly.

After a while, Yamato came back to herself and sat next to Gusion. "Gusion-dono, I feel conflicted lately."

"In what way?" Gusion asked knowingly.

Yamato frowned. "I wonder if I’m really Oden, and if Oden’s actions were right. What should I do to be right?"

"That’s a philosophical question, hard to answer," Gusion replied. "But I think your confusion comes from not knowing who you are."

"Yeah… who am I?" Yamato said blankly.

"I’d like to just tell you that you’re Yamato, but that would be wrong," Gusion said, making Yamato even more confused.

"What do you mean? Didn’t you always call me by my real name?" Yamato asked.

Gusion looked up at her. "You know that’s your real name. But what decides who you are isn’t your name, or what others say or think."

"Then what does decide who I am? Who decides?"

Gusion sat up and looked her in the eyes. "Only you can decide who you are. It’s your heart that decides."

"My heart…?" Yamato murmured, placing her hand on her chest. "Will it tell me who I am?"

"Back to the original question: if you think you’re Oden, I won’t say anything more, because that’s your decision. If you think you’re Yamato, maybe you still haven’t found the real answer," Gusion said seriously. He felt Yamato was close to enlightenment, so he pushed a bit further.

Yamato looked troubled, hugging her head. "I think I’m Oden, but now I feel some of Oden’s actions weren’t right. But if I say I’m Yamato, that doesn’t feel quite right either."

"Why not?" Gusion asked.

"Because Yamato is Kaido’s daughter, the Oni Princess of the Beasts Pirates, an enemy of Wano’s people. That’s not the justice I’m starting to understand," Yamato said, her eyes growing clearer. "So I’m not 'Yamato' either."

"So, you still believe that liberating Wano and opposing Kaido’s tyranny is right, right?" Gusion smiled.

Yamato nodded firmly. "I’ve seen the true spirit and character of samurai. They saw me as Wano’s hope, and I really do think my father is wrong. I want to set things right."

"Isn't that good?" Gusion nodded.

Yamato was confused. "You’re not against me? Isn't this following Oden’s will?"

"Why would I oppose you? I never said Oden’s will was all wrong, nor did I tell you not to liberate Wano," Gusion shrugged.

"But… what I want to do next goes against Oden’s prophecy and his way of doing things. I won’t be Oden anymore…"

Yamato looked distressed. "But at the same time, since I’m opposing Kaido, I’m not 'Yamato' either. So who am I?"

Gusion clapped his hands. "Congratulations, Yamato. You’ve found yourself."

Yamato was a bit lost at his congratulations. She looked at Gusion, confusion in her eyes. "I… am 'Yamato'?"

"A name is just a label. Once you know your stance and what you want to do, you have a self. Whether you call yourself Oden or Yamato, you’re just you—a friend I acknowledge."

Gusion smiled.

Yamato seemed to get it, but also didn’t. "So… should I call myself Yamato?"

Gusion nodded. "That’s best. At least, that’s the name your parents gave you. You’ll gradually discover that the bond between parent and child isn’t so easily cut."

He had basically completed Yamato’s ideological reform. She realized she wasn’t Oden or the Oni Princess of the Beasts Pirates. Her life was just beginning.

She was like a sheet of paper, half white and half gray, ready to be painted with her own story.

Whether it would turn black or white depended on what happened next.

"If what you said is all true… no," Yamato shook her head, "logically, your reasoning is probably right. My father has been very lenient with me all these years because he cares."

Gusion said nothing, just watching her.

After a moment, Yamato’s eyes became clear. "Though I feel guilty for hurting my father, I don’t think my desire to rebel is wrong. I want to correct this country’s problems."

Chapter 145: Gusion Really Is Smart

Gusion was gratified by Yamato’s words. She realized her excesses and unfilial behavior, but didn’t swing all the way to Kaido’s side either, showing she was really thinking for herself.

Inside, Yamato probably really did feel guilty for opposing her father so much, since he’d always cared for her. She knew her behavior hurt someone who loved her.

But she had independent thought, and recognized that Kaido’s rule over Wano was wrong and needed to change.

But a new problem appeared: Yamato realized that, for the past eight years, she’d been living in a muddled state, never rationally considering the country.

Besides eating, hiding, and challenging her father, she’d just trained herself without much education, not knowing how to actually improve Wano.

She only knew one thing for sure: Wano’s problems couldn’t be solved by just defeating Kaido. And she wasn’t strong enough to beat him, even with Gusion’s help.

"Gusion-dono…" Yamato asked expectantly, "What should I do to improve Wano?"

To her, Gusion was the embodiment of wisdom. He’d helped her find her true self, open her eyes to the world, and must be learned and well-traveled.

Gusion was stunned. He thought, why are you asking me? I can chat and guide you, but you really expect me to teach you how to rebel, manage, and rule a country?

Am I that kind of strategist?

Gusion knew he wasn’t ignorant—he’d studied history under his master and understood how companies came to rule the world in his own time. But he’d never been interested in it.

He’d learned history because his master didn’t want him to be a fool, and he’d studied companies to get revenge and know his enemies.

But really, he had no interest in such things. They were boring—nothing like fighting.

His principle was to use force whenever possible. He’d lost a lot of brain cells tracking down his enemies and eventually had to let himself be captured to lure out the mastermind.

So when Yamato asked for advice, Gusion felt a headache. He really didn’t want to think about it.

He’d planned to finish guiding Yamato, give her a proper direction, and then use her to find a way out of Wano.

"Yamato, do you really think I’d know these things?" Gusion asked seriously.

Yamato looked at him with innocent admiration. "I think you’re really knowledgeable, Gusion-dono. You know all kinds of stories, you’ve traveled to many countries—you must know about governing a nation!"

Gusion was exasperated by her look.

Me, knowledgeable? That’s just from reading a lot of comics and novels!

But after calming down, he realized that if he didn’t give Yamato any guidance, she might end up following Kaido and become a tyrant herself.

So, he decided to try a little harder for Wano’s sake.

"Yamato, it’s late," Gusion said seriously.

"So? What should I do next?" Yamato pressed.

"So… I’m going to sleep," Gusion said, lying down to end the conversation.

He wasn’t that smart, so he’d sleep on it and come up with a plan tomorrow.

If it were someone like Sosuke Aizen, he could probably reprogram Yamato in a day and give her a plan right away.

But Gusion wasn’t that smart, so he’d have to think it through.

"You’re sleeping already? Didn’t you say we’d train Haki together tonight?" Yamato was puzzled, but seeing Gusion already lying down, she didn’t disturb him and found a corner to sleep.

…

Meanwhile, on Onigashima…

Kaido drank from his sake barrel, laughing boisterously. "Hahahaha, this kid really did it. Yamato’s finally awakened. She probably won’t call herself Oden anymore!"

Black Maria, serving Kaido, was both happy and worried. "It’s good that Yamato’s awakened, but she still seems determined to start a liberation movement."

Kaido seemed not to hear, or maybe he was tipsy and excited. He waved at the screen. "Maria, did you hear? She just called me 'father'!"

Maria was helpless. The boss was drunk and happy that his daughter had finally awakened.

Yamato had just admitted she felt guilty toward her father, and Kaido was over the moon. Maria realized nothing she said would get through.

After a while, when Kaido calmed down, Maria hesitated. "Now that Young Master Yamato is awakened and knows who she is, should we take care of Gusion?"

"Huh? Why get rid of Gusion? I like this kid," Kaido smiled. Watching the sleeping Gusion on the screen, he liked him more and more—after all, the kid solved his biggest headache in under a week.

He was already thinking: if Gusion would join the Beasts Pirates, he’d make him a Tobi Roppo.

Plus, Gusion was young and close to Yamato, a perfect future right-hand man.

"Kaido-sama… Yamato and Gusion want to rebel, and Gusion might even help her plan. Is that really okay?" Maria worried. She thought it was good Yamato had found herself, but if she used her own will to rebel against the Beasts Pirates, wouldn’t that be worse?

"What’s the problem? You think I’m afraid of rebellion?" Kaido laughed. "I’m actually curious about what plans Gusion will come up with for her."

Maria was speechless, but she knew her Captain’s personality—he feared nothing and was indulgent with people he liked.

Plus, Yamato was still young, and Gusion’s strength was average. Together, they couldn't stir up much trouble—Kaido could crush them with one hand.

She reassured herself and yawned. Unlike Kaido, she wasn’t so energetic. After days of watching the livestream, she was tired and needed beauty sleep.

…

Clang—clang—clang—!

The sound of pickaxes rang through the quarry. Another beautiful morning and healthy mining workout.

"Gusion-dono, have you thought it over? What should I do next?" Yamato had been asking since breakfast, making Gusion frown.

"Yamato, didn’t you decide to be yourself? How can you ask others about everything?" Gusion said seriously—he just hadn’t figured it out yet.

Yamato puffed her cheeks. "You weren’t like this last night. You said you’d give me advice! And it’s not blind obedience—I just don’t have any good ideas and want to hear your opinion."

Gusion rubbed his brow, resigned. If nothing else, he’d have to spill what little he knew for her reference.

He composed himself. "Yamato, if you really want to do something for this country, you need to apologize to your father and take back your Oni Princess status."

"Huh?"

Yamato was stunned. "Are you serious, Gusion-dono? We’re supposed to be revolutionaries overthrowing my father! Are you switching sides?"

Gusion was exasperated. "You wanted my advice, didn’t you? Let me finish before saying I’ve betrayed you."

Yamato smiled sheepishly. "Go ahead, Gusion-dono. I’m listening."

"We talked about this before—Oden’s biggest problem was not doing anything. I don’t like him because he had the power and position to act, but did nothing," Gusion explained. "In other words, to do something meaningful in this country, you need both strength and status—and status is a form of strength."

"What do you mean?" Yamato was confused. She stopped working and sat on a rock to listen.

"Basically, both of us are too weak. Any Tobi Roppo could handle us. If we tried to rebel, you’d be fine, but I’d be sleeping with the fishes by tomorrow!" Gusion said.

"Mm… you’re right. So my status just keeps me alive?" Yamato reasoned.

Gusion shook his head. "It’s not that simple. My point is, if brute force won’t work, you should use your status, regain your rightful position and authority, and use that power to do good. Isn’t that better than banging your head against the wall?"

Yamato’s eyes lit up. "That makes sense!"

"Of course. Think about it: if you challenge Kaido, you’ll just end up unconscious in prison again, helping no one. But if you’re the Oni Princess, you can use your authority to allocate food to poor areas and help people," Gusion said. "As long as you don’t hurt the Beasts Pirates’ main business, Kaido won’t care."

"Gusion-dono, you really are smart!" Yamato clapped delightedly. "Now I see—I’ve been wasting my time. If I’d done this earlier, I could have saved so many people in Wano."

She looked at Gusion with excitement. "What’s next?"

Gusion froze. "Let’s focus on the first step for now."