William’s Cane

(KaiShin) Kaitou KID no Shoushitsu -Zenpen- by Kamishita (RK-KAN)

Happy First Encounter Anniversary! I hope you enjoy.

So here’s 1151 words on it that cover at least a little of what I think everyone wanted. No, it’s not under a read-more; what do you think I am, considerate?

The newest chapter of YuuMori was far from uneventful, but at the end of it, all I can think about is Louis (okay, and William, a bit, I’m worried about Liam). A lot of time was spent establishing the new normal for House Moriarty in light of William and Albert being removed from the game board, and oh.

Leadership looks good on Louis.

In a way it did not on either of his brothers.

Not that William (or Albert) were bad leaders, because they were not. They were entirely competent. But I don’t think either of them especially enjoyed it. Albert performed that role because he was expected to and it was his obligation as a member of the nobility, but he fell in line with whatever William or even Mycroft wanted him to do exceedingly easily and typically looked for William to give him orders or advice. He had absolutely no initiative whatsoever.

William was very, very good at the role, and William is a possessive mastermind with goals and a plan, who takes people’s loyalty with pleasure, but I still don’t think he actually wanted to be a cult leader. As soon as Sherlock showed up, all he wanted to do was run away from that entire mess because he found someone who could be his equal partner and he wouldn’t have to keep giving instructions and taking charge of everything. The entire thing was a burden he really did not handle well emotionally. William was a very good leader, but leadership was not good for him. And that’s kind of a sticking point.

Louis wears it so naturally.

See, the thing that’s becoming very apparent about Louis now is that he is far healthier and more stable and better equipped to handle the burdens and responsibility of leadership of a New World Order than William or Albert ever were. He is not going to shatter into pieces like William did. He is not so shapeless that he needs someone else to give him strength and direction like Albert did.

He is everything his brothers could not be.

But you know, Louis has on the surface absolutely no reason to be stable and secure and capable. The way you get stable, secure, capable adults is primarily by raising children with love and stability and security and trust in their abilities. Louis was raised a food-insecure orphan who lost his home, who nearly died of illness, who suffered abuse and child labor. That environment fractured William.

Louis is older now than William was (and I would kill to see a more direct comparison of what William would’ve been able to manage with another two years of some kind of maturity that Louis now has, but frankly I don’t think it matters to the narrative, so we won’t), and him being older is maybe part of it.

But I think mostly it’s that Louis had a William to give him love and stability and security and to trust in his abilities.

William turned himself into a lightning rod for abuse to ensure Louis had a figure he could always trust and rely on, so Louis could how to trust other people, so he could delegate and so he could learn to reach out and connect with others. William’s sort of shitty at all of those things.

But Louis listened to and relied on his older brother, trusted his older brother more than himself for a long time, although William certainly encouraged Louis to grow his own spine and confidence in himself and his abilities—William gave him that, too.

William gave more than ever should’ve given to Louis, since he was still protecting Louis even as fully grown adults, trying so hard to keep Louis safe. But when it became apparent that Louis was ready to take on more responsibility, more tasks, and took the initiative to demand he be given them, William conceded and trusted his brother and gave him more.

Moneypenny has this bit where she is musing about Louis that echoes Mycroft last chapter—Louis was always as capable of as William ever was, but he hid in William’s shadow so thoroughly, no one could see his potential. But it was always there, ready and waiting.

And, well.

William could see it. William always did. Louis was always who William intended to leave his world to. Louis was the seed he protected and preserved and nurtured so it could bloom after he razed the world down. Like those giant sequoia trees that need forest fires in order to reproduce and grow because their seeds don’t release otherwise. Like the humans that repopulate the world after the death of the gods in Ragnarok. Like a phoenix rising from William’s ashes (I’m sorry the phoenix thing really kills me on account of all the fire in this series and most especially how they were reborn in fire as Moriartys all the way back in chapter one).

(I could very seriously keep going on and on like this, but I will leave it there for now)

William grew up strong but inelastic and brittle as hell. Louis is tougher than that. He can handle the work required of him now. William served the purpose he intended and handed everything to his brother to inherit, everything his brother was always intended for.

And I hope he gets to see that, one day. But I’m intensely curious as to how that’s going to work out, and it depends a lot on what’s been going on with Liam for the last three years. Liam has spent his entire life destroying himself for others, but…

No one (with the possible exception of Moran, given the fact that Moran is Weird and didn’t quite match up with anyone else, and also plot reasons) needs Liam anymore.

Not that they wouldn’t let him have a role in their lives; they’re all quite fond of him. But they don’t even really know him because he would never let them. And they have Louis now to give them direction and purpose.

I don’t think Liam being needed was good for him. He gave and gave and gave when he was needed until there was nothing left for him. It would be dangerous for him to go back. But he also devoted his entire life to that dynamic and refused to allow anything else to grow. What would he even do there?

I don’t know. I have a lot of trouble imagining what would happen if he threw himself into that group again. Too much has changed, and it’s better for all of them. All three Moriarty brothers are in much healthier places with environments they need to grow and stretch into themselves and their potentials, now.

But Liam’s life is going to have to be something very different.

Besides.

Louis saw Liam burn himself out for years and realized that this model is not sustainable. That it did not matter, for Liam, how much support he received in his endeavors because he was a) determined to martyr himself anyway and b) was being supported in the wrong way and for the wrong thing. Liam needed someone to get him out, not propel him forward towards his doom.

Liam was also a perfectionistic puppeteer, which does not actually lend itself to very good team-building. Knowing where people fit best does not inherently mean you know how to listen to them when they tell you something, though i think in Liam’s case it was more that people trusted he knew better in every possible circumstance, but there isn’t really much of a difference in what Louis would have learned from that:

Listen to your subordinates. Invite their feedback and questions. Change your plans if necessary.

I’m veeery curious to see what Louis will take away from Albert’s flaws. I think its interesting that he’s adopted some of his optics (the hair really, really looks like Albert’s) but my prediction is that he will have seen what Albert’s more malicious tendencies wrought and will make a conscious effort to put that aside. In fact, I think he already has done that with the change in his stance toward Sherlock Holmes.

(I’m also super curious to see how Albert’s getting on tbh)

(And yes, Liam was absolutely supported in the wrong things and absolutely failed by everyone around him up until a point where it was too late. People weren’t paying enough attention and he was hiding himself inside a shell from even the people closest to him so it was difficult for them to see what was happening)

Albert was also absent from this most recent chapter, except in Louis’s musings. He’s still in jail, and I think he really needs somewhere to sit quietly and not really interact with anyone for a while. One of my friends pointed out he might be able to send letters, but I don’t actually think that one to Sherlock was from him.

I think Louis’s hair, alongside the removal of the glasses he clearly did not need, is mostly that you can see his whole face now and he’s not hiding behind anything. Sometimes it makes him look like Albert, sometimes it makes him look like William With His Hair All Fancy. Frankly, I think he needs someone to clean it up because it’s spiking and flyaway everywhere but anyway.

Chapter 57 felt like a spy movie. It really, really felt like a spy movie. That said, I don’t think it’s going to become more episodic because that chapter as was was not episodic in any way, this arc isn’t over, and I still don’t know how much longer the series is going to run, after this arc. This one might be the last, or it might not, and it’s way too early to predict that right now.

It was episodic in the beginning, but it’s digging too deeply into things for that now, I think.

We still dunno anything at all about Mystery Man. I absolutely refuse to believe it’s OG William as similar as they look, but they haven’t actually said as much.

But they also haven’t said that, IDK, London isn’t on the moon.

Being one of the world’s largest powers is a huge responsibility. What made America’s ascension into this position all the more difficult was that it was quick. After WW2, the Western half of Europe relied on America to help rebuild their economies and infrastructure. That’s a huge change from their isolationist and non-interventionist policies from before, where they didn’t intervene and entangle themselves in foreign affairs.

What you’ll see in the series is that America is often referred to as a “child” or “brat.” He’s also been judged by the other nations as “immature” and “spoiled.” How I interpret this is that it stems from his isolation and lack of interaction with the other nations post-Revolution. When he grew up and became independent, England wasn’t there to teach him the ropes of politics.

In isolation, America only thought in terms of himself, which would explain that when he finally did enter the world’s stage, he came off as self-centered. ‘Children’ are inherently egotistical, and it’s only until they mature that they begin thinking outside of their own little bubble.

For example, he thinks a world map is that of his own country.

In other words, America simply wasn’t used to putting others first and lacked experience in socialization. He didn’t know any better. However, what I’ll be arguing is that once America got used to his position as a leading power, he was no longer unaware of the repercussions of his actions. He grew up fast.

Indeed, it’s canon that he chooses not to read the atmosphere, something I believe originates from the negative reactions directed at him by the other nations.

He’s not oblivious. In fact, it’s all a pretense if you dig deep enough to find the brief moments in the strips where America reveals his vulnerabilities and ridden insecurities. Instead of being ignorant, America consciously makes the decision to ignore things; most often enough, it’s to avoid criticism.

There’s plenty of hints in the strips to support this too. In Chapter 23 of World Stars, England tells America that he’s “far too removed from reality.”

What’s worth questioning is perhaps England doesn’t realize that America’s cheerfulness and whacky ideas potentially serves as a mask to hide from his problems. Instead of confronting them, America invents wild schemes such as aliens or spies as an unhealthy escapist mechanism…a distraction.

You see this again in Chapter 25, where America presents a ridiculous Earth-defense plan that involves the use of Power Rangers.

On the other hand, what America pulls off next is childish and selfish, but also a fully conscious and calculated tactic. To intimidate other countries into complying with him, he crushes a bundle of spoons.

This is the move of someone who wants power and knows how to get it. You can also say that this is the behaviour of someone who’s afraid of receiving criticism, and uses force to suppress it.

England’s reaction to this reinforces the idea of America’s childish behaviour.

That said, England will scold America at every opportunity, to the point of excess.

In particular, England likes to criticize America’s movies. It happens so much that America has normalized it.

Now, I’m going to take you through two mixed reactions. Here, America doesn’t seem to be bothered by the fact that England hates his movies, even going so far as to compliment his own works as a hasty pick-me-up.

In Chapter 34, however, we see the potential negative effects that England’s put-downs has had on America. To compensate for these criticisms, America makes parody award shows for the worst of his movies. This a very different reaction from the first one I mentioned, as here America is openly recognizing that his movies are not all that good.

At the same time, he’s also putting up a front by scrambling to make something positive out of something negative. It would seem that this is how he copes with criticism; by not addressing it at all.

Lastly, America has been shown to be painfully aware that he’s not well-liked.

Overall, how I interpret this is that America’s big and larger than life smiles, grand schemes, and supposed obliviousness is all an act. It helps him hide from acknowledging how low his self-esteem is. He’s unable to handle criticism from others because it shatters this facade. 

Added to my request list! You’ll see that he’s a very sore loser, especially since the fall of his empire. He was a global superpower, after all. If you’re looking for quickreferences, here ya go:

England’s plan to bethe strongest – Involves England training to be more fit and, well,stronger in comparison to the other nations.

The Anglo-Japanese Alliance between two lonely people – Takes place during the Splendid Isolation time era. It involvesEngland trying to better his position by making global alliances despite beingrejected by everyone except for Japan.

Comic Diary 6 – Refusesto admit that he “leaves all the cooking to France.”

England’s Hair Style– Young England striving to be unique and the “shiniest in the world”. He endsup copying France’s hairstyle. He feels down for being “unrefined”, and takesFrance’s teasing to heart.

2007 Christmas Events–It’s hinted that England still hasn’t been able to get over what happenedin the American revolution, as he’s stated to have suffered from 100 years ofheartbreak.

World Stars Chapter26 – England puts down America’s movies so much that America doesn’t evenbother showing them to him anymore. People who insult others are often insecurethemselves.

World Stars Chapter 57,60, 67 – Takes place during the Industrial revolutions. At first Englandleads the world with top engineering but is quickly overshadowed by othercountries such as Germany and America. At first, he refuses to use foreign machineryand sticks to his own traditions, but soon realizes that if he wants to be ontop, he needs to rely on others in order to improve his designs.

Being one of the world’s largest powers is a huge responsibility. What made America’s ascension into this position all the more difficult was that it was quick. After WW2, the Western half of Europe relied on America to help rebuild their economies and infrastructure. That’s a huge change from their isolationist and non-interventionist policies from before, where they didn’t intervene and entangle themselves in foreign affairs.

What you’ll see in the series is that America is often referred to as a “child” or “brat.” He’s also been judged by the other nations as “immature” and “spoiled.” How I interpret this is that it stems from his isolation and lack of interaction with the other nations post-Revolution. When he grew up and became independent, England wasn’t there to teach him the ropes of politics.

In isolation, America only thought in terms of himself, which would explain that when he finally did enter the world’s stage, he came off as self-centered. ‘Children’ are inherently egotistical, and it’s only until they mature that they begin thinking outside of their own little bubble.

For example, he thinks a world map is that of his own country.

In other words, America simply wasn’t used to putting others first and lacked experience in socialization. He didn’t know any better. However, what I’ll be arguing is that once America got used to his position as a leading power, he was no longer unaware of the repercussions of his actions. He grew up fast.

Indeed, it’s canon that he chooses not to read the atmosphere, something I believe originates from the negative reactions directed at him by the other nations.

He’s not oblivious. In fact, it’s all a pretense if you dig deep enough to find the brief moments in the strips where America reveals his vulnerabilities and ridden insecurities. Instead of being ignorant, America consciously makes the decision to ignore things; most often enough, it’s to avoid criticism.

There’s plenty of hints in the strips to support this too. In Chapter 23 of World Stars, England tells America that he’s “far too removed from reality.”

What’s worth questioning is perhaps England doesn’t realize that America’s cheerfulness and whacky ideas potentially serves as a mask to hide from his problems. Instead of confronting them, America invents wild schemes such as aliens or spies as an unhealthy escapist mechanism…a distraction.

You see this again in Chapter 25, where America presents a ridiculous Earth-defense plan that involves the use of Power Rangers.

On the other hand, what America pulls off next is childish and selfish, but also a fully conscious and calculated tactic. To intimidate other countries into complying with him, he crushes a bundle of spoons.

This is the move of someone who wants power and knows how to get it. You can also say that this is the behaviour of someone who’s afraid of receiving criticism, and uses force to suppress it.

England’s reaction to this reinforces the idea of America’s childish behaviour.

That said, England will scold America at every opportunity, to the point of excess.

In particular, England likes to criticize America’s movies. It happens so much that America has normalized it.

Now, I’m going to take you through two mixed reactions. Here, America doesn’t seem to be bothered by the fact that England hates his movies, even going so far as to compliment his own works as a hasty pick-me-up.

In Chapter 34, however, we see the potential negative effects that England’s put-downs has had on America. To compensate for these criticisms, America makes parody award shows for the worst of his movies. This a very different reaction from the first one I mentioned, as here America is openly recognizing that his movies are not all that good.

At the same time, he’s also putting up a front by scrambling to make something positive out of something negative. It would seem that this is how he copes with criticism; by not addressing it at all.

Lastly, America has been shown to be painfully aware that he’s not well-liked.

Overall, how I interpret this is that America’s big and larger than life smiles, grand schemes, and supposed obliviousness is all an act. It helps him hide from acknowledging how low his self-esteem is. He’s unable to handle criticism from others because it shatters this facade. 

We began scanlating Gangsta after Chapter 540. Links before that will take you to @keiksycake, where previous chapters are posted and reblogged from other scanlators, named below. They are posted in batches to prevent going over Tumblr's link limit and to make future edits easier. New chapters (558+) will be posted both individually then in batches.

Veruslation: 511-512 (Gangsta Ch 1), 513-515, 516-518, 519-520, 521-524, 525-526, 527 & 529

WithNoFreeTime: 528, 530

Veruslation: 531-533, 534-535, 536-539

King of Hetalia: 540-543

Veruslation: 544-545

King of Hetalia: 546-548, 549-550

Cardverse is the Kingdom of Cards, bascially when Hetalia characters are based on a deck of cards. 

The Kings role is the commander of the army and bascially in charge of the whole kingdom. The Queen is like the secretary of state and handles foreign relations and trade in the kingdom. The Jack is in charge of finaces and policies in the kingdome. While the Ace’s are thought to be either Assassins or high priests. The jokers (Prussia and Sealand) don’t really have a role, though the black joker (Prussia) sees the past while the red joker (Sealand) see’s the future. 

The kingdom of hearts royalty is Germany (king), Japan (queen), and Italy (jack). Hearts is know for love and it’s many inventions, it is also the most populaous. Though it’s not canon the Ace of Hearts is thought to be Romano.It’s unknown why Japan is the queen and not jack of hearts. 

Diamond’s royalty are France (king), Lichtenstein (queen), and Switzerland (jack). Diamonds is known for textiles and it’s fashion culture. Diamonds is the richest kingdom. The Ace of Diamonds is thought to be Spain…. I have no idea why they put Lich. and Switzerland with France.

The kingdom of Clubs royalty is Russia (king) , Hungary (queen), and Austria (jack). Clubs is known for luck like a four leaf clover. Clubs also has the most land in all of the Kingdom of cards, though it is not the most powerful, also many famous businessman come from Clubs. The Ace of Clubs is Belarus. In most fanfiction the author puts Austria and Hungary together because the title queen and king are just roles and the king and queen  are not forced to marry. (this includes all kingdom’s)

The kingdom of Spades is what everyone talks about because of USUK, America is the king of Spades while England is the queen, also China is the Jack. With these three together it is quite possible they can talk over the world, which is why Spades is the most powerful country in all of  Cards. Spades is known for it’s Universites and huge cities. The Ace of Spades is Canada.

Pixiv ID is 86183009

Cleaned Version (w/o the text)