For Elior, even if he could build a cooperative relationship with Kaido, he would rather use force to deceive and extort him whenever possible. That was just who he was.
In the end, Kaido had no choice but to ignore Yamato's abnormal behavior. He couldn't figure out why she suddenly changed, but eventually chalked it up to one of her usual impulsive fits.
But that worked just fine for him.
With Yamato no longer standing in his way, Kaido could act more freely — and that very night, he unleashed war upon the Flower Capital with no restraint.
Overnight, all remnants of Orochi's forces in the Flower Capital were wiped out. Kaido showed no mercy. He didn't bother with negotiations or mercy.
Several samurai leaders who had long dabbled in corruption and schemes were captured and publicly executed.
Elior didn't concern himself with any of it—he had no real interest in Wano.
But on a broader scale, the moment Elior proclaimed himself King of the World, then everything—including Wano—was already his by right.
To him, Wano was already in his pocket.
While Kaido still believed conquering Wano was as simple as claiming a lost treasure, he didn't realize that he'd already fallen for Elior's trap. And he wasn't the only one—his daughter had been deceived too.
As the Flower Capital—and all of Wano—shook under the weight of sudden upheaval, Hiyori knelt before Elior, trembling with fear.
"Where are the swords Ame no Habakiri and Enma?"
Elior stood over her, eyes sharp. Hiyori looked up at him, her body quaking involuntarily.
For the first time in her life, Hiyori experienced the terror of true domination.
Once, she had wrapped noblemen and rich merchants around her finger, ruined them for sport, turned men into fools and beggars.
But those were just ordinary men.
The one in front of her now was a monster, someone who stood on equal footing with the likes of Kaido.
She couldn't begin to comprehend how terrifying he was.
Now he wanted her father's two legendary blades?
Though gripped with fear, Hiyori thought of her father. She bit her lip and swore silently not to let those swords fall into evil hands.
But in the end, Elior still found out where they were. It was Hiyori herself who told him.
What happened in that room — only Hiyori would ever know.
Before Elior, she was nothing more than an ant.
And those two swords? They were just what Elior needed at the moment. Maybe not the greatest in the world—but far from weak.
Ame no Habakiri — the blade said to be able to cleave the heavens.
Enma — the sword known for having wounded Kaido, slicing through even his legendary durability.
Elior needed swords, and these two would more than suffice.
The next day, Elior obtained both legendary swords. He also dealt with the Nine Red Scabbards, the last remaining retainers of the Kozuki clan. He didn't go looking for them — they came to him, trying to rescue Hiyori.
They came straight to his door, so Elior had no qualms about sending them to the afterlife.
To Elior, they were enemies — pests at best. And those were the most annoying kind.
Naturally, Elior had no intention of leaving any of them alive.
As for Hiyori — besides her beauty, she was utterly powerless. To Elior, she was nothing but a decorative vase.
Still, her father was Oden—a man of kingly will, conqueror's haki, and the Voice of All Things. Perhaps Hiyori had hidden potential.
If the opportunity arose, Elior figured he might even grant her a Devil Fruit one day.
On the third day, Elior acquired Wano's Poneglyph — a Road Poneglyph, no less.
"That makes three Road Poneglyphs now…"
Holding the third Road Poneglyph in his hand, Elior couldn't help but feel satisfied.
Even the World Government didn't have this much.
"The key location mentioned in this one... is the Island of Evil."
"And there's another route as well…"
Soon, Elior returned to his base with the third stone in tow.
"We've got the third one too!"
Crocodile looked visibly excited. To reach Laugh Tale, every pirate dreams of it — but to get there, one must either possess a permanent Log Pose to the island (which doesn't exist)… or collect all four Road Poneglyphs.
Now, they had three.
Everything was falling into place.
And that was thanks to Elior's unmatched strength.
"By the way, Captain" Crocodile asked, "what's Kaido up to now?"
"They're working on transforming the Land of Wano into a new Onigashima. So they're pretty tied up right now."
Crocodile frowned. "Kaido really gave up the Road Poneglyph that easily? That bastard won't just give up on becoming the Pirate King. Otherwise, why would he keep expanding his forces?"
Elior shook his head.
"He knows I can beat him. And more importantly—Kaido doesn't dare go all-out against us."
Kaido might be known as the man who seeks death, always throwing himself into danger.
But truthfully? Kaido feared death.
His stunts were just recklessness backed by an indestructible body. If he truly wanted to die, he would've let Oden finish the job years ago.
Against Elior — even Kaido dared not act rashly.
Especially after last time, when Elior left him gravely wounded… That memory still haunted him.
"Captain, who's this woman?"
Cavendish pointed to the tall woman standing behind Elior.
It was Yamato, Kaido's daughter. Towering over three meters, she was still dwarfed by her ten-meter-tall father.
"Huh? Captain, is she…"
Yamato had removed her mask, revealing her face. She was beautiful — and instantly, Crocodile put the pieces together.
Two days ago, Elior captured Hiyori. Now he had another woman?
But Crocodile also sensed something different.
This woman was powerful — perhaps even stronger than him.
"Almost forgot to mention. She's our new crew member. Kaido's daughter."
"Kaido's what?!"
Everyone froze in disbelief.
First reaction: Kaido had a daughter?
Second reaction: She's actually this beautiful? Are we sure that's his biological child?
Third reaction: Did Elior just kidnap Kaido's daughter? Was this even legal?
In that moment, Yamato stepped forward:
"It's an honor to serve Captain Elior! Kaido has no control over me anymore!"
Her hatred for Kaido hadn't changed — she still despised him.
But her loyalty now belonged entirely to Elior. That allegiance came from nothing — and formed in an instant.