The battle had ended, but its echoes still trembled through the air. As Kai finished what he had come to do, he turned from the fading golden light of the magic circle and looked ahead calmly. The ritual's glow had already vanished, leaving no trace for prying eyes.
Yamato stood a few steps away, staring at him as if she had just witnessed a legend step out of a storybook. Stars shimmered in her wide eyes, reflecting both the fading light and the awe blooming in her heart. She had been close enough to see everything.
They had hidden themselves well, concealed from the chaos below. No one else had noticed the magic circle or the golden wings that had flared briefly behind him. But Yamato had seen it all, and she hadn't blinked once.
Kai shrugged lightly and stepped toward her, tapping her forehead with a soft flick. "I will come to see you soon. I have some people to save."
He glanced toward Kaido's retreating figure in the distance, then toward Orochi gathering his samurai like scavengers circling a corpse. Time was slipping through his fingers.
Yamato grabbed his sleeve before he could summon his wings again. "Wait! Take me with you. I wanna go too!"
Kai was ready to refuse. He opened his mouth to decline, to say it was too dangerous, that she should stay away from what was coming. But when he looked into her pleading eyes, shining with excitement and trust, the words refused to come out.
Inside, he screamed silently. I'm not a lolicon. I'm not a lolicon. I like older Yamato. Mature Yamato. Calm down.
With a resigned sigh, he bent down and lifted her in a princess carry. "Fine. But you stay quiet and don't interfere. If something goes wrong, I'll be the one in trouble."
Yamato gasped in delight as golden flaming wings burst from his back. "We're flying?! Really flying?!"
"Obviously," Kai muttered. "What did you think these wings were for? Decoration?"
He shot toward Oden Castle at full speed, the wind roaring past them like a dragon's breath. Yamato cheered without restraint, her laughter ringing through the night as they soared high above Wano.
Kai adjusted his grip slightly so she could see the land below. The rivers shimmered under moonlight, the mountains stood like silent guardians, and the capital glowed faintly in the distance.
He flew high, far higher than necessary. Not just for the view.
The real reason was simple. His golden flaming wings would attract far too much attention if he flew low. Even Kaido might notice something unusual in the sky.
They landed behind a small mountain ridge overlooking Oden Castle. Smoke already curled upward like a funeral offering to the heavens. From their vantage point, they could clearly see Kaido gripping Momonosuke by the collar.
And yes—Momo was wailing and crying loudly.
Kai's mouth twitched. "For f**k's sake… even Hiyori isn't crying."
Below them, little Hiyori trembled in Kawamatsu's arms. Fear shimmered in her eyes, sadness shadowed her small face—but she did not cry. Her lips were pressed tight, her gaze locked on Kaido with something deeper.
Rage.
That final emotion surprised Kai. Then a slow smile spread across his face. Oh… this girl is going to become a monster in the future. With a little guidance, she'll be terrifying.
Beside him, Yamato watched silently. She didn't move, didn't speak. Kai had told her not to interfere, and she obeyed.
Kai was already her first friend. The first person who treated her like Yamato, not "Kaido's daughter." There was no way she would cause him trouble.
Below, Kaido stared at Momonosuke with visible disappointment. "So you are Oden's son?" he asked, voice heavy with disdain.
Momo trembled violently. "I-I am Kozuki Momonosuke!"
Kaido's eyes narrowed. He had hoped Oden's son would carry the same monstrous will, the same indomitable spirit. But this child… this child was breaking before him.
"Pathetic," Kaido muttered. "No king's spirit. No conqueror's will."
Kai exhaled softly. Zero percent chance of awakening Conqueror's Haki at this rate.
Without another word, Kaido dropped him and turned away. "He is not worth waiting for."
As Kaido left, Toki moved swiftly. She gathered Momonosuke, Kin'emon, Raizo, Kikunojo, and Kanjuro around her. Her face was pale but resolute.
"Hiyori…" she whispered, embracing her daughter tightly before handing her to Kawamatsu. "Protect her. No matter what."
Kawamatsu bowed deeply. "With my life."
The castle was already engulfed in flames. Orochi's samurai and ninjas had surrounded it completely. Escape was impossible.
Toki stepped forward, blood staining her kimono, the fire reflecting in her determined eyes. She stood before the people of the Flower Capital, refusing to fall quietly into history.
"Like the Moon, you are ignorant of the Dawn!" she cried, her voice echoing over the chaos. "If there is one ardent wish that must be fulfilled, it will be when nine shadows are cast woven together through twenty years of moonlit nights!"
Her voice did not tremble.
"Only then shall you understand the radiance of the Dawn!"
Orochi's face turned ashen with fear. "S-stop her!" he screeched. "Kill her now!"
An arrow flew.
It struck her shoulder.
She staggered backward into the burning castle, collapsing amid flame and smoke.
Cries erupted from the crowd. Some wept. Others cursed Orochi. The fire roared louder, swallowing her figure completely.
But just before her body hit the ground, a small golden blur shot through the smoke.
Kai expanded from ant-size to normal in midair, catching her effortlessly. Without pausing, he shot straight upward, hidden by thick smoke and chaos.
No one saw.
Everyone believed Kozuki Toki had died that night.
Kai landed back on the small hill where Yamato waited anxiously. He gently laid Toki down and removed the arrow carefully.
"Hold still," he murmured, though she was barely conscious.
Golden light enveloped his hands as he used purification. The wound closed slowly, the bleeding stopped—but her breathing was still weak.
"That's fine," Kai whispered. "You just need time."
He placed his palm over her heart.
A pair of glowing golden wing marks formed on her chest, burning gently before fading into her skin. The Seraph Contract was complete.
Her breathing steadied.
Yamato exhaled in relief. "She's alive?"
"Yes," Kai replied. "But she'll sleep for a while."
Suddenly Yamato jolted upright. "Ah! I have to go back! If Father finds out, he'll beat me up—"
She instantly covered her mouth, eyes widening in panic as she looked at Kai.
Kai smiled gently. "Hey. No need to be afraid. I already know you're Kaido's daughter. And that doesn't make me hate you."
He flicked her forehead lightly.
She puffed her cheeks, rubbing the spot. "That hurt! Baka!"
"But you're smiling," Kai teased.
She froze, then turned away awkwardly. "Tch. Don't get cocky."
He ruffled her hair softly. "You should go. I'll take her somewhere safe."
She huffed, crossing her arms. "Who do you think I am? I am Yamato!"
"Yes, yes. Future Oni Princess of Wano," he replied lazily.
She started walking away, then stopped and turned back. Her voice was smaller this time.
"...When can we meet again?"
Kai smiled warmly. "When I'm done with a few things, I'll come visit you. I promise."
Her face brightened instantly. "You better not lie!"
"I don't break promises."
She ran off into the night.
Kai lifted Toki again and flew toward his hidden safe house. It had changed since the last time—walls reinforced, rooms expanded, furniture arranged carefully. It was modest, but comfortable.
He placed Toki gently on the bed and covered her with a blanket.
"Rest," he murmured. "You've carried Wano long enough."
He stepped outside briefly, washing his face in cool water before returning inside. Exhaustion crept into his bones.
He had flown at high speed while carrying Yamato. He had saved Toki from death. And Oden's talent, skills, and haki were still fusing within him, strengthening his young body.
But he was still only eight years old.
As he lay down on the floor beside the bed, staring at the wooden ceiling, he let out a quiet breath.
"Wano won't fall," he whispered to himself. "Not on my watch."
Within minutes, sleep claimed him.
Outside, the fire of Oden Castle burned bright against the moonlit sky.
And somewhere far away, destiny shifted its course.