This storyline has nothing to do with Kaidou. Except for character design and abilities, the story background is completely forced together.
But this is the situation in Wano Kuni now. Kozuki Hiyori is the General, but aside from those who have no interest in politics, anyone with a bit of political awareness can sense the situation in Wano Kuni.
In terms of military strength, they have no capability to oppose Kaidou. In name, Kozuki Hiyori's position as General is extremely stable. The assassination of Kozuki Sukiyaki back then could never happen again.
Every year, Kozuki Hiyori goes abroad once. As the leader of a puppet regime, she has everything except real power.
Even ordinary people are the vested interests under the rule of the Hundred Beasts. It's hard for those who want to overthrow the Hundred Beasts to win the people's hearts. Even the old-fashioned members of the Kozuki Family now find no appropriate reason.
Under such conditions, the newly staged plays praising the true ruler are quite harmless.
Moreover, Kaidou originally has some interest in theatre, so this is to his liking. However, due to his personality, theatre actors have worked much harder, especially with his high demands for battle scenes.
With a new mount, Kaidou didn't stay in Wano Kuni but rode the eight-headed dragon to seek trouble. With such a fierce mount, not making it widely known would be out of character for him.
The eight-headed dragon transformed from a Devil Fruit, but the Devil Fruit is just the seed. It has now sprouted and evolved into a new creature. A seed can be roasted and eaten, but once it becomes a big tree, it's not something normal people can chew on.
Even chewing on the bark, most of it can't be digested.
In short, it has become an independent kind of Pokemon, no longer possessing the Devil Fruit properties of the original Yamato no Orochi Fruit.
As for Kaidou's "swaggering" behavior outside, no one in the Hundred Beasts cares anymore. Even if they saw him captured in the newspaper, they wouldn't be too shocked, except Yamato remains excited.
As long as Kaidou is away, it doesn't matter what happens, it's a good thing for her.
Among everyone, only Queen is an exception. Watching Kaidou riding the eight-headed dragon out, he wanted to stop him, but was powerless, and could only quicken his population information registration.
He has a premonition that sooner or later he'll suffer a big misfortune because of Kaidou.
The days without Kaidou allow many to feel relieved. For Yamato, it's a rare time of freedom.
"Miss Yamato, is there anything you need here?"
On the giant tree above the Flower Capital Palace, King discovered Yamato in a daze. At that moment, she was with Diancie, looking towards the far horizon.
During the great war in Wano Kuni, this tree collapsed during the battle between Kaidou and Kozuki Oden, but after restoration, it has regained its former appearance.
"Watching the sunrise, I heard the angle here is really nice. I suddenly remembered, every morning I used to be tormented by Father, never having appreciated the sunrise properly."
"I understand, as you wish, I'll leave you be."
He just noticed someone on the roof, so he came up to check. The defense work here is his responsibility, and since it's Yamato, there's no need to worry about anything.
"Wait a moment, Uncle King, why is it you who came up? Where is Drake?"
Drake's clairvoyance ability is perfect for surveillance. Walls can't block her sight. Normally, a glance would reveal the situation on the roof.
"She and Iscariot went out for quite some time. Her temperament isn't like an ordinary woman; lately, she's been itching for action."
Wano Kuni is vast. If people who aren't around every day leave, it doesn't attract much attention, even if Drake is a deputy, she has her own life.
"Has someone invaded our territory again?"
"There have been, but it hasn't reached the point needing support. This time, she went to a competition."
....
In the New World, on a certain island, a large number of strong individuals from all over the world are gathered here. Although not the very top tier, the average strength of these people far exceeds that of ordinary people. The island is divided into several parts, each zone a different arena.
The New World Central Tournament, a private event, but it is widely known throughout the New World and even heard of in other seas.
Each year, it attracts many martial artists, pirates, bounty hunters, civilians, and even some navy personnel participate in the battles.
For Kaidou and Yamato, such contests hold no significance anymore, but for others, it still serves as excellent training.
"Sister Drake, is this place... really okay?"
"Of course, it's fine. Although I don't know who organized this, whoever it is has considerable influence. There's a rule against killing here, at least in the arenas, deaths won't occur – so it's quite a decent place.
See that kid over there? Destruction Cannon Ideo, a newcomer in last year's event, has also made quite a name for himself."
"Is that a member of the Long-armed Race?"
"Yes, but don't worry about him for now, he's not related to us. We're headed to the semi-unlimited fighting competition."
The New World Central Tournament doesn't divide competitors by weight class but rather by different types of competition, splitting them into several zones. The semi-unlimited competition, as the name suggests, has few restrictions. Abilities, Haki, armor, swords – they're all allowed.
But firearms and other ranged attack methods, along with grenades and similar throwables, are explicitly banned.
After all, it's a fighting competition, and situations where two people exchange long-distance attacks must be avoided.
Drake is a regular here, having won the unrestricted fighting competition three times in a row since acquiring her abilities.
In unrestricted fights, opponents often come with all sorts of bizarre weapons, potentially affecting the competition outcome, but her clairvoyance ability perfectly circumvents these issues.
She brought Iscariot here mainly to experience different battles and provide her with more combat experience.
In the semi-unlimited competition, things get wild, starting off as a massive brawl that eliminates many contestants. As the defending champion, Drake attracted a lot of attention, but Iscariot noticed a peculiar individual.
"Sister Drake, look at that man over there..."
"Don't worry, those group-up guys aren't any strong... wait! That thing..."
Here, armor is allowed, so you see many people dressed as Michelin tire men, their target being the high prize at the end. However, on the chest of that one man's armor, they saw a very uniquely-shaped stone.