Toki was busy handling the affairs of Wano, and the Red Scabbards stood firmly at her side. Unlike the ruined future Ren remembered, this Wano was still strong. Many great families remained active, their influence intact.
Oden's last words had carried weight beyond death. Because of them, the people accepted Ren as the first King of Wano, though the country had only ever known Shoguns before. Some doubted him at first, but when they heard the stories—how he flew across the sky, how trees grew beneath him, how rain fell at his command—those doubts dissolved.
"He is blessed by the heavens," villagers whispered.
"No… he blesses the heavens," others corrected.
Ren and Yamato, meanwhile, sat comfortably inside the Shogun Castle, utterly detached from politics. An illusion screen shimmered before them as Ren continued Pokémon from Season 1, Episode 48 to 60.
Yamato leaned forward eagerly. "Hurry up! Start it already!"
Ren smirked. "Patience. The Indigo Plateau is coming soon."
As the episodes played, Yamato's emotions fluctuated wildly. When Ash struggled during battles, she clenched her fists. "Come on! Don't give up!"
When Team Rocket blasted off again, she burst into laughter. "They never learn!"
During intense moments, she would glance at Ren suspiciously. "You already know what happens next, don't you?"
Ren raised his hands innocently. "Maybe."
When a Pokémon showed loyalty or growth, Yamato's expression softened. "They trust him… even when he's weak."
"That's why they grow strong," Ren replied quietly.
By the time the episodes ended, Yamato was yawning but still trying to keep her eyes open. "One more," she muttered stubbornly.
Ren chuckled. "Tomorrow."
She grumbled but eventually stumbled to bed. Within minutes, she was asleep, clutching a pillow like a warrior who had fought a long battle.
Ren lay back with a sigh. Toki was still buried in paperwork and reconstruction efforts. No intimacy tonight. He missed Shakky; if she were here, Toki's burden would have been much lighter.
"Guess I'm sleeping alone," he muttered before drifting off.
---
The next morning, Ren washed up and headed toward the prison where Kaido and King were held. The heavy doors creaked open as he entered, hands casually in his pockets.
"Yooo, you fine now?" Ren asked lightly.
Kaido sat chained but unbowed, his laughter booming. "Wororororoorororo. You think that was enough to kill me?"
King remained silent, watching Ren carefully through his mask.
Ren didn't waste time. "Let's make a deal, Kaido."
Kaido tilted his head. "Worororo… and what's this deal about?"
"I'll give you five chances," Ren said calmly. "Five chances to defeat me. I'll train you in advanced Haki. Until you defeat me, I'll be your captain."
King's eyes narrowed slightly.
Kaido's grin sharpened. "Worororoo. You think I would submit to you? Why not just kill me?"
Ren's tone softened slightly. "Because I don't want to make Yamato cry. Just knowing that you lost made her cry. So no, I'm not killing you."
Kaido fell silent at that.
"What did you do to Yamato?" he asked quietly, his voice calm but dangerously cold.
Ren chuckled. "Relax. I'm not the kind to touch kids. She's sleeping in the Shogun Castle. Perfectly fine. Heck, she even found a Mythical Zoan during our journey through Wano. Quite the lucky girl."
Kaido's chest rose slowly before he burst into laughter. "Wororororo! Of course she did. She's my daughter after all."
His body visibly relaxed.
"So?" Ren pressed. "Join me."
Kaido hummed thoughtfully. "If I defeat you, I'm free to go?"
"Yap. But only five chances."
Kaido smirked. "Fine. Deal."
Ren grinned. "Then welcome aboard, Kaido. Your first task is to help purify Wano's rivers and lakes. Bring your crew."
"You bastard," Kaido muttered. "You planned this."
"Hehehe. Of course," Ren replied.
He unlocked both Kaido and King. "I'll send samurai to release your crew. You have a scientist, right? Ask him to find solutions for pollution."
Kaido cracked his neck. "Just you wait. I'm going to kick your ass one day."
Ren laughed. "I'll be waiting. You can stay in Onigashima… or I can move it closer to Wano?"
"No need. It's fine there."
"Good. Then you're responsible for guarding Wano from pirates."
"Fine."
Kaido and King walked out without looking back.
---
Ren summoned Kin'emon and the others immediately.
"Release all Beast Pirates," Ren ordered.
"My lord, but Kaido—" Kin'emon began.
"And announce to Wano that from now on, the Beast Pirates will protect the country and assist in land and water purification," Ren continued calmly.
The Scabbards stared at him, stunned.
"You made Kaido submit in a single day?" one whispered.
Ren shrugged. "If you don't trust them, keep an eye on them. Shinobu, help Toki with paperwork."
They bowed, still bewildered.
---
Within days, the Beast Pirates began integrating into Wano.
At first, villagers trembled at the sight of them. But Kaido himself carried massive debris from destroyed factories, tossing them aside like pebbles.
"Oi, Dragon!" a child shouted nervously one day. "Can I ride you?"
Kaido grumbled. "Brats…"
King sighed. "Just do it."
Kaido transformed partially and allowed the children a short ride through the air. Their laughter echoed across the fields.
Queen worked grudgingly in a laboratory set up near the polluted rivers. "This place stinks!" he complained loudly. "Why am I fixing mud when I could be building plague weapons?"
"Because you'll die if you don't," King replied flatly.
"Ugh. Fine."
Jack and Kawamatsu worked side by side clearing rivers, their Fishman strength invaluable underwater. The Numbers lifted enormous stone slabs to rebuild roads and irrigation systems.
Black Maria assisted Toki and Shinobu with administrative duties, proving surprisingly competent with logistics.
"Your handwriting is terrible," Shinobu told her bluntly.
"It's stylish," Maria retorted lazily.
Any Beast Pirate who tried causing trouble was dealt with immediately. King personally eliminated dissenters.
"Kaido-sama gave his word," King said coldly. "We follow it."
Gradually, fear turned into cautious acceptance.
Then acceptance turned into cooperation.
Wano flourished faster than anyone imagined.
---
Inside the castle, Ren stretched lazily as Yamato tugged at his sleeve.
"Start the next episode!"
Ren laughed. "You're obsessed."
"You started this!"
As Pokémon played once more, the sounds of rebuilding echoed faintly outside. A dragon emperor protected the borders. A time-traveling governor ran the nation. Samurai trained under renewed purpose.
And the so-called King of Wano sat cross-legged on the floor watching cartoons with a Mythical Wolf child.
Wano had never known such peace.
And Ren, for once, allowed himself to simply enjoy it.