One Piece : Winged Dragons of the Beast Pirates

Leaving Kaido, Ian was still pondering this question.

Does it mean I should make any demands I want? 

Just then, Yamato, who had been crouching in the corner counting ants, turned around in surprise, "Ian! Did you finish talking with Dad already?"

Although this girl had become quite close to Kaido, she wasn't very interested in discussing serious matters.

"Hmm."

Ian nodded. "Have you decided where you want to go for fun?"

They had agreed to go out after finishing their important tasks.

"Maria said there's a fireworks festival at Hanazono tonight! Let's go watch it together!" Yahiko's eyes sparkled with excitement. "I've never seen fireworks before!"

A fireworks festival?

Ian knew about it. Fukurokuju and Shushō had informed him.

After all, this festival was to celebrate the new king's ascension and the victory in the war.

"Sure."

Ian readily agreed.

Speaking of which, he hadn't seen fireworks in a long time.

He wondered how the fireworks in this other world would differ.

Night soon fell.

In the southern part of Wano Country, at the Mogura Port.

Though this country was isolated from the world, it still had channels for external contact. Otherwise, the Beasts Pirates wouldn't be able to trade with the World Government.

Mogura Port was one such channel.

This port connected to a massive underground cavern beneath Wano Country, with waterways leading directly outside the high walls surrounding Wano.

One could easily move between the country's interior and the open sea via a giant lift, though changing ships could be a bit troublesome.

This port had been occupied by the Beasts Pirates many years ago. Now, taking advantage of the Beasts Pirates' reduced forces and their ongoing battle with the Kozuki clan, a group of samurai had taken over.

The samurai waited under the night sky until a woman arrived.

"Lady Kozuki! You're finally here. Princess Hiyori is already asleep on the ship; she kept crying out for you to return."

"Thank you."

Under the moonlight, Kozuki Toki solemnly bowed to the samurai. "For fulfilling my unreasonable request."

The samurai shook their heads. "This is Lord Yasuie's order. We are loyal to him."

One samurai asked, "Lady Toki, how are Lord Ushimaru and the others?"

Kozuki Toki was silent for a moment before shaking her head. "I don't know, but the results should come soon."

The samurai nodded. "Then we wish you a safe journey."

Kozuki Toki's expression was somewhat bitter. She could sense a hint of disdain on the samurai's faces.

She could understand, given that she was about to leave this country.

"What are you planning to do?"

Kozuki Toki asked solemnly.

The samurai answered calmly, "Lord Yasuie is still imprisoned in the Flower Capital. As his samurai, we cannot ignore this."

"We've disbanded the army but have gathered all the samurai from Hakumai. We are only waiting to ascertain Lord Yasuie's exact location before we take action."

Toki fell silent.

What could she say?

How could she tell the samurai that going to the Flower Capital would be like seeking their own doom?

Facing these brave samurais who were already prepared to face death, how could she bring herself to say such words?

In the end, she said nothing.

Kozuki Toki simply entered the hidden harbor, took the massive lift down to the port below, and boarded the ship prepared for her by the samurai.

She was about to leave Wano Country.

To save this country, relying solely on the people of Wano was no longer enough.

Though it was immensely shameful and regretful, it was time to seek help from others.

The Kozuki family had harmed this country, so no matter what, they had to save it!

Kozuki set sail under the moonlit night, heading toward the sea.

---

Under the same moonlit sky.

Flower Capital.

Boom!

A muffled sound, a spark flew up into the sky, and then exploded into countless stars.

These countless stars continued to bloom, and in an instant, the sky was filled with sparkling starlight.

The stars were not confined to just one area; above the entire Flower Capital, numerous sparks shot into the sky, blossoming into dazzling fireworks.

Countless stars dimmed and then immediately exploded into new stars, creating a brilliant and breathtaking spectacle.

"Beautiful! So beautiful!!"

High above the Tenshu Castle, on a large tree branch, Yamato jumped up excitedly.

This was the highest point in the Flower Capital, offering the best vantage point for the city's fireworks display.

Indeed, it was beautiful, the entire city adorned in splendor, as if a dream had descended.

However.

Ian thought to himself, the Flower Capital is full of wooden buildings; if a fire breaks out, who would put it out?

Yamato, of course, did not share Ian's concerns. The young girl looked up with her face turned toward the sky, her round face illuminated by the glittering stars.

It wasn't until the fireworks ended that she finally relaxed, satisfied with the view.

"I'll never forget this day!"

Yamato declared loudly, clenching her small fists.

"If you like it so much, we can do it a few more times."

Ian replied casually.

You're kidding, right? 

Ian, you're now the second most important person in Wano Country. Organizing a fireworks festival is just a matter of saying the word!

"No way."

But Yamato stuck out her tongue at Ian. "If we do it often, it won't be special anymore!"

Oh, so you understand delayed gratification, huh? I underestimated you.

"I really want to grow up fast!"

Yamato said, hugging her head with both hands, and sighed rarely, "That way I can do so many things I want to do! Go to all the places I want to visit!"

"Grow up?"

Ian, with his hands in his pockets, responded calmly, "That's not always a good thing."

"How so?"

Yamato looked at Ian in surprise. "Once you're grown up, you can do whatever you want! Ian, don't you have things you want to do?"

Things I want to do?

**********

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