After Ulti and Page One consumed their Devil Fruits, not only did their physical capabilities improve significantly, but their courage grew as well. Perhaps it was also due to being around the fearsome Beasts Pirates daily that they no longer fainted in the presence of Jack's Conqueror's Haki, unlike before.
However, unshackling Yamato was no easy task.
The Seastone cuffs on Yamato were crafted by Kaido himself to imprison Jack, made from the purest material. Even Jack, with his awakened Devil Fruit powers, was rendered powerless when he first encountered them. Now, Yamato could still muster enough strength to struggle and shout only because Jack, behind Kaido's back, occasionally used her as a punching bag to secretly exact revenge.
With a sharp tug, Jack yanked Yamato's head from the dirt, the rough motion making Ulti and Page One wince instinctively. Once he removed her cuffs, Yamato immediately transformed into her beast form and bolted in the direction the giant wolf had fled.
Ulti and Page One exchanged excited glances and eagerly followed, their earlier terror all but forgotten.
"Kids really are amusing, don't you think, Jack-sama?"
Jack gave a sidelong glance at Master, whose expression was filled with doting affection, and replied casually,
"I've already sent people to search for that... but they still haven't found this so-called Okama King. If it doesn't work out, why not just stay a man for now and leave an heir? It'd be harder to have kids when you're older. After that, you can turn into a woman and have another. That way, you'd be both the father and the mother."
With a smirk, Jack added, "By the way, I've always been curious—do you even have that kind of functionality?"
Master's face darkened at the question. Without saying a word, he picked up an unconscious wild wolf nearby and hurled it at Jack, then turned and walked off.
"Tsk, tsk. Getting mad, are we? No sense of humor!" Jack called after him. "I was only trying to help!"
By the time Yamato and the siblings returned to Pleasure District riding the giant wolf, it was already afternoon.
The silvery-white wolf, with its sleek and powerful form and wild, untamed demeanor, drew both fear and awe from the pirates. They looked on with envy at Yamato seated atop the beast.
Yamato and Ulti wore expressions of smug satisfaction, in stark contrast to Page One, who kept his face hidden beneath his hat.
A week later, the wolf finally got a name: Two-Ha.
Compared to Yamato's unimaginative choices of "Wolfie" or "Silver," and Ulti's equally bland "Pup" or "Fluffy," Page One supported Jack's pick, Two-Ha—a decision that nearly cost him his life at his sister's hands.
Jack didn't name it Two-Ha without reason. Although the giant wolf initially seemed aloof and unapproachable, its behavior in the following days betrayed its true nature. It wagged its tail at everyone, repeatedly bounded from the first floor to the rooftop, and even chewed up the stairs. Its fur shed everywhere, covering the entire building.
If not for its tail pointing downward, Jack might've mistaken it for an overgrown dog.
Seasons changed, and time flew by.
During this period, Jack's plans proceeded smoothly. The vast wastelands behind Takegasa Mura Village were fenced off and purified by Master, transformed into fertile farmland. Livestock facilities and distilleries were also constructed elsewhere, and the once barren region began to thrive.
The people of Kuri no longer had to survive on meager harvests or go hungry. They could now exchange labor for food and clean water. Those who worked diligently were even rewarded with luxuries like warm baths or fine food and wine. For households with elderly or children, Jack ensured provisions were delivered to sustain them.
Dormitories, soccer fields, recreational activities, and medical facilities—everything was available to those who worked hard.
Initially, the people, long accustomed to oppression, were wary of this new way of life, suspecting it to be another cruel trick by the Beasts Pirates. But after tasting real food and hearing Jack's charismatic speeches, they began to believe that their suffering had finally ended. Gratitude toward Jack grew.
When slaves and pirates from the Ailen Island were brought to Wano, and the civilians enslaved in weapon factories were set free, this gratitude reached its peak.
Only those who have starved understand the true value of food.
Only those who've endured separation truly appreciate the luxury of reunion.
Jack deftly manipulated public perception, spreading stories that shifted all blame onto Kurozumi Orochi and Kozuki Oden, absolving the Beasts Pirates of guilt. The pirates were painted as victims coerced by Orochi to oppress the people.
The samurai didn't buy it, but the common folk did. And that was enough.
Most civilians were gullible, even the flimsiest lies could be convincing. And those wise enough to see through the deception had no choice but to keep silent. After all, who would believe them?
Speaking out only led to one outcome: death.
Now, anyone who dared badmouth the Beasts Pirates found their information on Rim's desk the very next day.
With their children educated in pirate-run schools and their livelihoods tied to pirate-controlled industries, hatred became nothing more than a fleeting thought after a full meal.
True warriors, who resisted without compromise, who had no vulnerabilities, were long since digested in the bellies of beasts, their remains nourishing the earth.
"Jack, you've done a remarkable job!"
Black Maria leaned against Jack on the rooftop, her gaze sweeping over the bustling streets of Kuri, which now bore the first signs of prosperity. Resting her head on his shoulder, she asked with a hint of doubt,
"But do you really think they can just let go of such deep hatred? Why go to such lengths?"
"If they rebel, just kill them."
Jack wrapped an arm around Maria's shoulders and replied softly,
"Habits are powerful things. All those rules I've imposed? They have one purpose: to redirect their hatred toward Kurozumi Orochi."
"They eat our food, live in our homes, and work tirelessly for us. Once they grow accustomed to this, hatred becomes irrelevant."
"Humans are naturally weak-willed creatures, and the people of Wano have perfected this trait."
"Kaido is the type to solve problems with fists, avoiding brainwork because he finds it troublesome. But me? I hate trouble even more. That's why I want to resolve everything in one go. Otherwise, prolonged oppression will inevitably lead to rebellion."
"We're not like Kurozumi Orochi. We want control of this nation, and for that, the people's hearts are crucial."
Maria giggled, covering her mouth.
"I'll never understand you men and your obsession with schemes. But people are saying your actions are kinder than those of the so-called righteous Marines."
"Righteous Marines?" Jack scoffed, his eyes narrowing as he looked at the laborers below.
"Righteousness and evil are just labels the victors or the powerful impose on themselves. Behind the light, there's always darkness."
"How can you be so sure that one day the roles of Marines and pirates won't be reversed?"
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+165 chapters on p@treon/tambeerg