Weeks passed, and Wano began its slow but steady recovery. The rivers no longer carried poison, the smoke from the weapon factories had vanished, and green slowly reclaimed what had once been ash. Ren often visited the farms in his Solar Kitsune form, scattering glowing embers of life across the fields.
Wherever those golden sparks fell, rice sprouted faster, vegetables ripened sooner, and barren soil softened into fertile earth. Farmers would bow deeply as he passed overhead, their eyes shining with gratitude rather than fear. Even so, Ren knew this was only a temporary solution.
One evening, he stretched lazily in the Shogun Castle while Toki examined reports from various regions. "Don't worry about food," Ren said casually. "I'll take care of it. Just bring Wano back on track so it can function normally."
Toki looked up slowly. "And how exactly do you plan to 'take care of it'?"
Ren grinned. "I'll go bring some Tontatta tribe members for farming… and maybe a small island for agriculture."
Toki's mouth twitched. The Red Scabbards nearby stared at him in disbelief.
"Who just goes and brings back an island like a souvenir?" Kin'emon muttered under his breath.
Toki sighed deeply. "Do whatever you want. We will keep Wano together until you return."
Ren laughed. "No need to worry so much. Once Shakky comes back, we'll start using Berries properly and trade with the outside world. If we start now, you guys might not survive the political backlash."
Toki studied him for a moment before nodding. "Come back safely."
"Always," Ren replied lightly.
---
He walked straight into Yamato's room without knocking. She was in the middle of shadowboxing, practicing her new Devil Fruit control.
Without warning, Ren grabbed her by the back of her clothes like a kitten and bolted out of the castle.
"Hey! What are you doing? Put me down!" Yamato shouted, kicking her legs.
Ren set her down outside and summoned a flame cloud beneath his feet. He jumped onto it smoothly and looked down at her.
"What are you waiting for? Jump, or I'll leave you behind."
Yamato blinked in confusion before leaping onto the cloud. "Where are we going?"
They soared upward as Ren replied casually, "To the sea."
It took Yamato several seconds to process his words. Then her eyes widened impossibly. "The sea?!"
She lunged forward and hugged him tightly. "The sea?! Really?!"
Ren burst into laughter. "Hahaha, yep. To the sea. We need to ask the Tontatta tribe for help. They're called fairies—tiny little people. Then we'll bring back an island for farming."
Yamato pulled back, staring at him like he had grown another head. "You're serious about the island part?"
"Completely."
Her grin slowly spread. "You're insane."
"Probably."
---
As they left Wano's borders, Yamato experienced the New World for the first time. The sky shifted unpredictably from clear blue to swirling storm clouds within minutes. Waves towered like moving mountains before calming into glittering sheets of sapphire.
Yamato clutched Ren's fur as wind whipped past her face. "The weather changes so fast!"
"That's the New World," Ren replied. "Unpredictable and beautiful."
She pointed downward excitedly. "Fish! They're huge!"
Massive schools of shimmering fish darted beneath them, and occasionally the shadow of a Sea King passed below. Yamato stiffened the first time she saw one.
"Is that a monster?" she whispered.
Ren glanced down. "Sea King. Big, but harmless if you don't annoy it."
The Sea King briefly lifted its enormous head above the water, golden eyes observing them before sinking back down.
Yamato's heart pounded with exhilaration. "The world is so big…"
Ren smiled softly. "And you've only seen one country."
They encountered strange weather patterns—fire rain that Ren dispersed with a wave of his hand, lightning storms that he redirected into the sea, and thick fog that glowed faintly at night.
"Are you scared?" Ren asked teasingly.
Yamato shook her head firmly. "No. As long as you're here."
Ren looked forward quietly, oddly touched.
---
They took their time traveling. Ren wasn't in a hurry; this journey was as much for Yamato as it was for Wano.
After several weeks of steady travel, they finally reached Dressrosa. This was years before Doflamingo would ever seize control, and the kingdom thrived under bright skies and laughter.
Yamato's jaw dropped as they descended near the port. Colorful buildings with curved rooftops lined cobblestone streets. Music drifted through the air, lively and joyful.
"It's so different from Wano," Yamato whispered.
Ren stretched. "Welcome to Dressrosa."
They spent their first day exploring the markets. Yamato tugged Ren from stall to stall, staring at dresses, trinkets, toys, and sweets.
"Ren! Look at this!" she said, holding up a bright red dress with frills.
Ren tilted his head. "You want it?"
She hesitated. "Is it okay?"
Ren tossed a pouch of gold casually to the merchant. "Wrap it."
They bought new clothes—soft dresses, sturdy boots, ribbons for her hair. Yamato twirled in the street after changing into one outfit, her laughter ringing clear.
"You look happy," Ren observed.
"I've never worn anything like this before," she admitted quietly.
They sampled local foods—fresh seafood paella, sweet pastries dusted with sugar, and fruit drinks bursting with flavor. Yamato stuffed her cheeks at one point.
"Slow down," Ren laughed. "You'll choke."
A street band began playing lively music, and without hesitation, Yamato ran into the open square and started dancing awkwardly but enthusiastically.
Ren leaned against a pillar, watching with amusement. "You have no rhythm."
"Shut up!" she shouted back, laughing.
Soon other children joined her, and the square filled with spinning skirts and clapping hands. For the first time, Yamato blended into a crowd not as Kaido's daughter—but simply as a child.
As night fell, lanterns lit up the streets in warm golden hues. Yamato walked beside Ren, holding a small bag of sweets.
"Can we stay here a little longer?" she asked softly.
"We will," Ren replied. "No rush."
She looked up at him. "The sea is amazing. The world is amazing."
Ren nodded. "And you're just getting started."
Dressrosa's music echoed into the night as Ren watched Yamato take in everything with wide, shining eyes. For now, the weight of kingship, emperors, and destiny could wait.
They were just travelers.
And the sea stretched endlessly before them.