As Michael's most steadfast supporter, Yamato's political awareness was absolutely unquestionable.
Moreover, whenever she followed Michael to inspect major bases, she was always at the forefront, taking the lead on the front lines.
Whether it was fighting others or helping locals with infrastructure upgrades.
In fact, over these past few years, the majority of her tasks were infrastructure-related.
Why should those who live honestly and work hard be dominated by those so-called "nobles" with dirty hearts and rotten guts, who only know scheming and plotting?
Whether it was Higurashi before her, or her own father, "Beast" Kaido.
To the current Yamato, it was all the same…
All of it was the part of the future sea that was unnecessary.
If it weren't for her remaining rationality, knowing that Kurozumi Higurashi still had some life left, this spiked club wouldn't just have knocked him to the ground—it would have smashed his head to pieces.
"W-wait, those devil horns and white hair… You're Yamato, aren't you? We've met before!"
"Of course I remember you, Kurozumi Higurashi. You colluded with my father to invade Wano, incited Kurozumi Orochi's revenge, cooperated with Kaido… and you were the one who turned Wano into a full-blown weapon factory!" Yamato looked down at Higurashi from above. "You should have died long ago… I spared you just now not out of mercy, but because you still needed some torment before dying."
After saying this, she raised her kanabo "Takeru" and casually smashed Higurashi's two legs.
Although Higurashi was still vigorous for his age… facing Yamato, who had just entered her peak years, he was weak.
The sickening sound of cracking bones and agonized screams rang out simultaneously.
But the ones who entered through the door were not the staff from the Overseas Trade Promotion Association who had been drawn by the noise.
"Mm, yes, it's nothing. Chairman Nichimura just accidentally hit her little toe on the table corner…" Momonosuke said as he was about to walk in, persuading the staff who had rushed over because of the sound, "It's nothing serious."
If someone else said this, the staff might still take a glance to feel reassured.
But Momonosuke before them was the son of Kozuki Oden and Kozuki Toki, heir to Wano's shogunate…
So they left without worry.
"Chairman Nichimura, you really made us worry a lot," Momonosuke crouched, expressionless, looking at Kurozumi Higurashi.
"No, I mean Kurozumi Higurashi? I did see your face back then…"
"Kozuki Momonosuke… Since you're already here, does that mean Kozuki Oden and Kozuki Toki, those two idiots, also know of my existence now?"
Momonosuke's face darkened at the parents being called "idiots," just as he was about to speak. Suddenly, Kozuki Hiyori stepped back, ran, and then charged forward.
This girl, who didn't know what fighting was, with a cold, hard expression, executed an instinctive soccer kick that struck Higurashi's head.
This was a textbook hospital kick—unmatched.
Having been hit by Yamato's kanabo and then having both legs broken, Higurashi, after all, was a ninety-something-year-old old man. No matter how strong his will for revenge, he completely fainted.
After taking two deep breaths, Kozuki Hiyori looked at the unconscious Higurashi and finally felt the intense electrical signal that traveled from her foot to his head when she had kicked him…
A sensation called "pain."
After all, the skull is the hardest bone in the human body. Someone unskilled in fighting, suddenly striking it with such force, would likely get injured themselves.
After all, force acts reciprocally.
"Ahhhh! My foot!"
Kozuki Hiyori flopped to the ground, ignoring all dignity, clutching her little foot, tears spilling everywhere.
As if she hadn't been the one to just kick a head.
Yamato quickly extended her hand, lifting Kozuki Hiyori and placing her on the nearby sofa.
"Is this… my little sister?" Momonosuke inhaled sharply.
He couldn't help but be shocked by Hiyori just now.
Her expression was exactly like their mother's when she was stern.
Momonosuke couldn't help but think…
Perhaps Hiyori is truly the most suitable heir to Wano's shogunate?
As for Wano never having a female shogun in its history… that didn't matter.
They had a grandfather who was overwhelmingly formidable.
"That's right, your little sister's kick just now was truly mighty and majestic," Jack said, looking at Kurozumi Higurashi on the ground, with a disdainful smile.
"A scumbag like her, in a country liberated by our Revolutionary Army, would have long been sent to the guillotine… yet she managed to survive in your Wano… to such an old age."
Momonosuke could not refute the sarcasm in Jack's words.
There was no way—the facts were what they were.
If Wano's great families had truly eradicated the Kurozumi clan instead of leaving remnants after defeating them…
Perhaps Kaido wouldn't have invaded and enslaved Wano in the first place.
After all, there are not few countries suitable for weapon factories.
Without Higurashi inside and outside coordination, Kaido probably wouldn't have made Wano his first target…
After all, the existence of the samurai and the unity of a closed country were difficult obstacles.
Simply put, all of this was the sin the Wano great families had brought upon themselves.
A sun that cannot rise, a dusk that cannot fall.
Goodness impure, evil incomplete.
It was nothing but a consequence of their own making.
…
After the meeting, Michael did not go directly to the Overseas Trade Promotion Association.
Instead, he found Kozuki Oden and Kozuki Toki alone.
He then told them everything he had just arranged with Yamato and Jack.
He thought the couple might have questions, but surprisingly, they nodded in perfect unison.
"I see!"
"No, did you two even listen to me? I just sent someone to capture your most capable subordinates!"
"But Michael, you must have a reason, right?" Kozuki Oden smiled as if his brain had never been tainted by any knowledge. "After all, back then you could drive Kaido out of Wano with just a single letter!"
"I will, of course, firmly stand by your side… Father."
Michael twitched at the corner of his mouth.
Wano encountering you two… truly a blessing accumulated over eight generations.
"Alright, now that Yamato and Jack should be finished… Why don't you come with me and see if my judgment was wrong?"
Saying this, he strode out.
Kozuki Toki looked at Michael, then back at Kozuki Oden.
"You… actually trust Father this much?"
"Even though his sword has changed form, I can still feel a familiar aura… Ace from Roger." Kozuki Oden smiled.
"This is the man Roger entrusted everything to! How could I not believe him!"
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Fanfic is finished. 583 chapters in total on p@treon/tambeerg