Mist swirled along the riverbank as Yamato stood there, dazed and lost. She vaguely saw a figure across the river beckoning to her.
"Yamato, come here, I'm your mother…"
"Mother?"
Yamato stepped into the water in a daze, the icy cold river soaking her calves and making her shiver.
As she reached the center of the river, the figure on the bank became clearer, and the voice even gentler. But she suddenly stopped, a question mark popping up over her head.
Wait a second… Does she even have a mother?
She didn't!
The girl suddenly grew furious.
"You're not my mom!"
"Hehehe… I am—"
The moment the lie was exposed, the shadow dropped its disguise and revealed its true burly form. It lunged at Yamato with a wicked grin and outstretched arms.
"Waaaaaah!!!"
Onigashima – Dungeon.
"Waaaah! Stay away!"
Yamato shot up with a scream, flailing in panic. Only after realizing she was in the familiar cave did she calm down.
Thank goodness—it was just the dungeon!
The dark, damp dungeon felt as warm as home right now.
That scene… it had been a dream.
It scared her half to death.
"I got caught…"
Yamato hugged her knees and curled into a pitiful little ball.
Being in the dungeon meant she'd been captured by her father's men. She'd have to wait until she regained her strength to force her way out again.
"Ugh… I've got no energy left…"
"My back hurts, my neck hurts, even my butt…"
"My whole body hurts!"
Gururu~
"(╥_╥) I'm so hungry…"
"I want sashimi… slurp…"
The hunger numbed the pain.
"Sniff sniff… smells good!"
Yamato closed her eyes and sniffed. A delicious meaty aroma wafted in from a distance, making her gulp unconsciously. Instinct kicked in, and she followed the scent.
Bonk!
Her forehead slammed into the iron bars.
"Ow!"
The girl clutched her head and crouched down, even dropping a few beads from her hair.
When she opened her eyes again, she was stunned to see that the area outside her cell was packed with steaming food—various delicious meats and even her absolute favorite: salmon.
Her drool flowed like a waterfall.
Yamato's eyes locked onto the salmon, watching helplessly as it was skewered and placed over the fire for grilling.
"Nooo!"
She reached through the bars, trying to stop the horror.
She liked it raw!
But… her arms weren't long enough.
Soon, the salmon sizzled over the coals, its oils dripping, the smell of grilled fish flooding the dungeon.
Clutching the bars, Yamato whimpered as her heart broke.
Why? Why must this happen?
Salmon is only at its best when eaten raw!
Sizzle~ sizzle~
Rogan sat by the fire, sprinkling spices over the fish with practiced ease. Once both sides were perfectly golden, he took a big bite.
Ahh… just right!
He'd done plenty of outdoor cooking in his past life. Grilling was a must-have skill. Nothing too difficult—now that he was stuck guarding the dungeon alone, he might as well eat well.
After finishing the grilled fish, Rogan quickly began roasting skewers.
Slurp… slurp…
The sound of someone swallowing saliva echoed non-stop.
Rogan turned toward the cell.
The white-haired girl was clutching the bars, eyes locked on his skewers, drooling like crazy.
How pitiful.
Noticing he was looking at her, Yamato's expression instantly turned bright, filled with desperation and eagerness.
Like a puppy.
If she had a tail, it'd probably be spinning like a propeller.
Kinda cute, actually.
Rogan chuckled, then held up a juicy meat skewer in front of her. As Yamato's gaze grew more desperate and hopeful…
He shoved the whole thing into his mouth.
"Mmm, delicious!"
"…"
Yamato collapsed into a heap, completely drained.
Ugh… ughhhhh…
She bit her lip, desperately holding back tears.
She! Was! NOT! Hungry!
Plop.
Just then, a bowl of steaming white rice appeared just outside the cell—close enough to reach.
So fragrant!
Her eyes lit up again as she stared hungrily at the rice.
A devilish voice whispered in her ears…
"Wanna eat?"
"Yes!" she nodded frantically like a pecking chick.
"Then eat."
To her surprise, the man actually pushed the rice toward her.
Yamato froze.
Was he… really giving it to her?
Every time she'd been imprisoned before, the guards were too afraid to feed her. If her bastard of a father found out, he'd kill them.
This guy must know that.
As the rice's aroma tugged at her, she swallowed hard, battling her thoughts, then turned away in tears.
"I'm not hungry!"
"…"
Rogan blinked, then chuckled softly.
She was actually kinda cute.
He couldn't say he liked or disliked Yamato.
In terms of strength, appearance, figure, and even her bold personality—she was practically flawless.
He did kinda like her.
But the problem was… she was delusional. She believed herself to be Kozuki Oden, constantly butting heads with her father.
That part annoyed him.
Where you stood decided how you thought—and right now, he was a member of the Beasts Pirates. He'd be relying on them for survival for a long while. Naturally, he wasn't fond of rebellious types.
Still…
His trip to the Flower Capital had taught him something important.
Right now, he didn't hold much status or power, which made things inconvenient. But once he tied himself to Kyoshiro, everything had gone smoothly.
That's the power of having status.
He needed a real backer—someone intimidating enough to give him clout. Relying on Runtii alone wasn't going to cut it. But this girl?
She was perfect.
In Wano, aside from Kaidou himself, who dared disrespect the Oni's daughter?
Even Shōgun Orochi had to give her face.
The key was how to manipulate her—and how to ensure she was treated with the status and respect the Oni's child deserved. Only then could he start waving that banner.
Gururu~
The girl's stomach growled again.
Rogan grinned and scooped up a big spoonful of rice.
"Still not hungry? I guess I'll eat it then."
"…"
Her starving gaze immediately snapped back to him.
Slurp…
Yamato swallowed hard.
At that moment, that single bowl of white rice looked like the most delicious treasure in the world.
Then—munch!—he stuffed a spoonful into her mouth.
"Mmfff!!"
Explosion of flavor!
Yamato involuntarily squeezed her thighs together, her eyes misting over.
Oishiiiii~
More. She needed more!
"Here, eat up."
The rice was passed to her.
This time, Yamato didn't hesitate. Like a starving ghost reborn, she devoured the bowl, even licking it spotless.
"You've got a grain on your face."
Hearing his reminder, the girl quickly stuffed the rice grain in her mouth and even sucked her fingers clean.
This is happiness…
After a long while, Yamato looked up at Rogan—her shiny eyes filled with trust and affection, like she was staring at a dear family member.
But also a hint of worry.
"Thank you, but… if Father finds out you fed me—"
"Just don't tell him."
Rogan smiled.
It was just the two of them in this dungeon. Whatever happened in here, no one would know—unless they talked.
And he trusted the girl.
"Mm! I promise I won't tell anyone!"
Yamato nodded earnestly.
Her stomach wasn't full, but she'd never felt so satisfied. For the first time, she finally looked at Rogan closely.
A hulking frame… that shiny bald head… and that fierce face…
He looked familiar.
Her mind suddenly flashed through scenes of being beaten up brutally by a certain man.
Yamato blinked.
As realization hit, a cold sweat instantly broke out across her face. Her eyes bulged in shock. Her tongue wiggled like a cartoon squiggle.
"WAAAHHHHHH!!!"
Her scream echoed through the dungeon.
"It's YOU!"
"…"
Rogan covered his ears, veins popping on his forehead.
She's only realizing that now?!
(End of Chapter)
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