Because Lao Cai chose to stall the arranged marriage, Arashi's mission naturally couldn't be completed smoothly.
So, Arashi decided it was necessary to have a proper talk with him.
After drinking with Chinjao for most of the night, Arashi slept straight through until noon.
Perona, clearly curious about Kano Country, had dragged Robin out early in the morning to explore.
Arashi, enjoying the rare peace, leisurely made his way to the main hall.
Since he and Chinjao had hit it off so well over drinks—practically becoming sworn brothers overnight—the members of the Happo Navy no longer dared to call him "brother," and had all switched to respectfully addressing him as "Mr. Arashi."
"Mr. Arashi, you're awake!"
As soon as Arashi stepped into the hall, Lao Cai—who had been drinking alone in gloom—quickly stood up and instructed a servant,
"Go prepare food and wine for Mr. Arashi. Hurry!"
"Come, Mr. Arashi, please sit."
After the servant left, Lao Cai eagerly pulled him over to sit.
"Still troubled about the marriage?"
Arashi asked first with a smile. "You refused to marry Huo Lisha—was it because she's ugly, or something else?"
"Well…"
Lao Cai hesitated, clearly embarrassed.
"It's… not really because she's ugly. I mean… she is like that, but I could actually accept it."
"Accept it?"
Arashi's eyes widened in shock.
He absolutely did not expect this answer.
So it wasn't about her looks? He could accept that?!
What kind of taste is this…
"Yes!"
Lao Cai nodded seriously.
"The reason I refused is because she's way too violent. Her previous husbands were either beaten to death or beaten into running away!"
"Don't tell me you can't beat her?"
Arashi narrowed his eyes.
As long as it wasn't about her appearance, this mission might still be salvageable.
"I can't!"
Lao Cai shook his head vigorously, still visibly traumatized.
"I really can't! Her Hasshoken is too overbearing—I just can't handle it!"
"If that's all, it's easy."
Arashi patted his shoulder and smiled.
"After we eat, we'll go find her. I'll teach you how to deal with her—make her understand how to be a proper wife."
"Really?"
Lao Cai looked up, a bit excited.
Alright…
This guy really doesn't care about her looks at all.
"Absolutely."
Lao Cai had clearly been drinking to build up courage—he was already a bit unsteady on his feet.
During their conversation, he ended up spilling his entire childhood trauma.
Through his story, Arashi finally understood why Lao Cai feared Huo Lisha so much.
According to him, Huo Lisha had been a "gorilla Barbie" since birth—absurdly strong, even beating herself up when angry.
The two had played together since they were three or four years old, and from that point on…
She became his nightmare.
Whenever she got angry, she took it out on him.
Several times, he was beaten so badly he was practically deformed.
Eventually, unable to endure her violence, Lao Cai started avoiding her altogether.
In short—
His childhood was a tragic saga of being brutally abused by Huo Lisha.
Even Arashi, just listening, felt a bit moved.
It was that miserable.
But the most fatal point wasn't that—
It was that Lao Cai never thought she was ugly.
Only violent!!!
"Alright, alright—enough reminiscing."
Seeing Lao Cai getting stuck in his memories, Arashi cut him off.
"So as long as she stops being violent toward you, you'll accept the marriage, right? Let's go find her now."
"Alright!"
Lao Cai agreed without hesitation and stood up.
Kano Country's capital was far livelier than Ilusia's.
But the atmosphere was… different.
Within just a couple hundred meters, Arashi had already seen several groups of young people either dueling or outright brawling.
And the passersby?
Not only were they not avoiding it—they gathered around to cheer.
Such a fierce and unruly culture even made Arashi take notice.
Of course, it made sense.
In a way, Kano Country was essentially a nation of bandits.
The fact that piracy was institutionalized said everything.
You could even say—
This was a country where everyone was a criminal.
And precisely because of that, it was the only place in West Blue untouched by mafia influence—
Because they themselves were the biggest mafia.
Especially with the Eight Treasures Navy controlling the underworld, no outside gang would dare cause trouble.
Walking beside Arashi, Lao Cai swayed slightly as he went, occasionally nodding at the people around him.
Clearly, as the future leader of the Happo Navy, he was extremely popular.
"Boss Cai!"
"Hey Lao Cai, heard you're getting married to that she-demon from the Second Navy—is it true?"
"Hahaha, wonder if you can handle her!"
"Of course he can! He's the future leader of the Happo Navy!"
"Pfft, don't joke. You clearly haven't experienced her 'gentleness'!"
Hearing the chatter, Lao Cai's face darkened.
He leaned closer to Arashi and whispered,
"Mr. Arashi… are you sure your method works? If it doesn't, I won't be able to survive in this capital anymore…"
Arashi waved it off confidently.
"Relax. Just do exactly as I say."
"Even ten Huo Lishas would end up walking away clutching the wall."
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