Speaking of Doflamingo, I've already been here once. But these past three or four days have gone by—where are Crocodile and the others? Vane had instructed him and his people to enter Wano.
One good thing about Wano is that its land area is much larger than Alabasta. Alabasta may be vast, but it has more sand than soil. In that desert kingdom, water is even more valuable than food. Vane suspected Crocodile wanted to meddle with Pluton there, but that wasn't something he could truly manage.
"They should arrive in Wano within the next two days. But what will they do once they're here?" Vane mused to himself. "There's a Poneglyph on Onigashima. Robin can study it. She's the only one left who can read those ancient texts."
Of course, the Kozuki family once had that ability too, passing the knowledge down through the bloodline. But Kozuki Oden had been the last of his family who could read them. His son, Momonosuke… could that brat really do it? Vane scoffed at the thought.
That boy had been sent forward in time by Toki. When the time came, Vane would have him eliminated along with his retainers. Some of them might be loyal to the Kozuki family, but if they resisted Wano's new order, they would have to be crushed.
The nobles of the Flower Capital had already learned this lesson. Most who tried to defy Vane's rule had been wiped out. Their titles were stripped, their families left with nothing, their property seized. None were spared exile—they were eliminated outright. With the wealth he confiscated, Vane began reshaping Wano in his own vision.
Wealth itself didn't matter to him, but the stability of the land did.
"Momonosuke must die," Vane muttered coldly. "That pathetic brat disgusts me."
And as for Kozuki Hiyori? Well, that was another matter entirely.
Even if Oden himself still lived, if he stood in Vane's way, Vane wouldn't hesitate. If hell was where he belonged, Vane would make sure he never touched heaven.
"Recently, a group arrived, calling themselves the Baroque Works. Their leader, Crocodile, is among them…"
Only then did Vane mention it to Hiyori, though he hadn't yet decided what to do with Crocodile. The man was strong, one of the more dangerous figures in the New World. Wasting talent like his seemed foolish.
"Yes, Vane sama," Hiyori replied softly.
She relished the rare moments walking beside him. Usually, she was the one seeking him out, waiting in his residence. But now, being seen in public by his side—this was different.
Rumors said she was his secretary, and indeed, her beauty made her stand apart from anyone else in the world. Even Gion, famed among the Navy for her elegance and strength, could not compare. Hiyori held pride in that, though Vane himself seemed indifferent.
It left her both proud and helpless.
Recently, she had learned of Kuja Island, deep in the Calm Belt. Its ruler, the Pirate Empress Boa Hancock, was said to possess a beauty that could enchant all living beings. For the first time, Hiyori felt genuine insecurity. Hancock wasn't just beautiful—she was powerful, wielding Haki that shattered armies.
That was something Hiyori lacked, something she secretly longed for. Beauty alone would never be enough in a world where women could either stand as flowers in a vase—or as queens.
She couldn't allow herself to lose. Not to another woman.
And worse, she had heard whispers that Vane's relationship with Hancock wasn't simple.
The thought made her restless.
"Vane sama," she asked suddenly, "do you know the woman called Hancock?"
"I know her. Nine Snakes Island is under my protection. She is its empress."
"Then tell me… who is more beautiful, her or me?"
Vane frowned at her question.
"There's no difference. But the biggest contrast between you and her… is that she is simple, while you are skilled at scheming."
"Simple… while I scheme?"
Hiyori couldn't tell if he was praising her or mocking her. Did he want her to be less calculating? More naive, like Hancock?
Wasn't it said that men preferred women who were beautiful but foolish, rather than clever? Even in Wano's noble circles, the most sought-after women were those who were lovely but easily controlled.
Could that be what Vane wanted?
For a moment, Hiyori found herself shaken.
"Hiyori," Vane's voice cut through her doubt. "I expect honesty from you. Never use tricks against me. With others, do as you like—even with Gion or anyone else. But with me… don't. I've given you a position where you stand above thousands, second only to me. Do not disappoint me."
Hiyori's lips curved into a determined smile. She bowed her head slightly.
"Hiyori will never let you down, Vane sama."
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