“Worororo…
Now that’s more like it!” Seeing Caesar finish off Orochi with a few Shigan strikes, Kaidou gave a grim laugh.
“That’s how it should be—crushing the enemy head-on without hesitation, right?
Fukurokuju?” As Kaidou’s murder-laden gaze swept over to him, Fukurokuju trembled violently inside.
“This is a massive misunderstanding, Lord Kaidou!” Fukurokuju immediately threw himself to the ground, quavering.
“Orochi was treacherous and deceitful; I truly had no idea he possessed such a bizarre ability!” “Oh?” Kaidou turned his head slightly, shooting a glance at Caesar.
The meaning was obvious: keep them or kill them, it was his call.
Considering they would be taking over Wano later, the forces originally under Kurozumi Orochi were a non-negligible faction; absorbing them would naturally be ideal.
However, since Caesar would be the one managing people, Kaidou left the decision to him.
Noticing Kaidou’s reaction, Fukurokuju quickly turned a hopeful look toward Caesar.
Caesar said nothing.
He merely offered a bright smile, his tongue lightly tracing his sharp canine teeth as he drew a thumb across his throat.
*Pfft—* In an instant, blood spurted from the necks of the entire Oniwabanshu, Fukurokuju included, as they collapsed one after another.
Caesar reached out a hand.
Wisps of blood mist gathered into a crimson stream, slowly seeping into his palm under the terrified, despairing eyes of Fukurokuju and the others.
This was an ability he had developed building upon the trick he had used to blindside Who’s-Who last time.
The principle was to assimilate and control a portion of the enemy’s blood once they inhaled the blood mist, and after inflicting damage, absorb their blood from a distance.
While siphoning blood from afar lost more than half of its vital essence, it was an area-of-effect ability.
If there was one thing a battlefield never lacked, it was human lives.
Just like with thralls, powerful Haki and isolation by seawater would render this technique useless.
Additionally, fire could effectively disperse the mist, provided it hadn’t already been inhaled.
“Hey, hey!
You killed them all?” Ulti stood with hands on her hips, lightly kicking Fukurokuju’s shriveled corpse with her high heel.
“What a despicable trick!
I’m warning you, don’t you dare use that on me or Pay-Pay!” “Too late.
You’ve already fallen for it,” Caesar said, his voice dropping into a sinister murmur.
“Though…
if you take off your clothes in time, you might just save your life!” “Eh?!” Queen instantly panicked.
“Does that mean everyone is going to see my voluptuous body?
That’s terrible!” “Shut up, you idiot!” Ulti’s face darkened, pointing an accusing finger at Caesar.
“You bastard, do you take me for Yamato?” Hearing this, Yamato paused her hands, which were just about to untie her sash, and looked surprised.
“Nani?
You were lying?” “For an ability like this, a nice dip in seawater should cure it,” Black Maria said, smoothing out Yamato’s outfit with a chuckle.
“Would you like to go together, Young Lady?
I can teach you a few secrets unique to women…
such as how to quickly capture a man’s…
heart~” At those words, Yamato’s cheeks flushed red.
Her hands fidgeted, index fingers poking together awkwardly, leaving her momentarily speechless.
“A dummy like you shouldn’t try learning how to seduce men!” Resting the Hassaikai on his shoulder, Kaidou lost his previous icy demeanor now that Kurozumi Orochi was dead.
He simply asked, puzzled, “Why kill these guys?” “It’s best to purge all of Kurozumi Orochi’s direct subordinates.
These guys acted as tyrants’ lackeys in peaceful times and are nothing but fair-weather fence-sitters.
Keeping them won’t add much to our strength, but eliminating them will quickly win over the public’s hearts and allow us to rapidly roll out our plans.” Caesar swept his gaze over the others.
“Listen up, everyone.
Don’t look down on the citizens just because they’re helpless civilians.
In truth, the common people at the bottom are the vital bedrock of governance.
Once we win the hearts of the people, control over Wano will fall entirely into our hands!
“Unlike ordinary pirate wars, what we are doing this time is taking over a sovereign realm.
Once this succeeds, the Beasts Pirates will never again be constrained by resources.
Therefore, you must strictly discipline the subordinates below—no one is permitted to act like pirates anymore!
Transgressors will be executed!” “Ooh!” Everyone nodded in agreement.
*Boom—* In the sky, thunder roared, and a biting wind howled.
Amid surging waves, dozens of warships sailed grandly toward Wano.
In the heavens, a giant dragon soared; on the shores, beasts landed.
Gunfire and crashing waves painted tonight’s ukiyo-e…
*** “Long ago, Orochi of the Kurozumi family rebelled, using despicable means to usurp the throne of Shogun.
He then used wicked words and sorcery to bewitch our Beasts Pirates, inciting us to slaughter the Kozuki clan…
“Fortuitously, Kaidou’s daughter, Yamato, carried on the legacy of Kozuki, helping us break free from the sorcery, execute Orochi, and purge the imperial court…” Early the next morning, Flower Capital.
Yamato sat clad in ceremonial robes atop a high platform.
Caesar stood in front of her, reading aloud the draft he had prepared.
Below the platform, Ulti, Maria, and the others led their subordinate pirates in maintaining order, while the surrounding streets were packed shoulder-to-shoulder with the populace of Wano.
Hearing Caesar’s proclamation, a commotion immediately broke out among the crowd.
“Is that for real?
That guy Orochi got killed?” “Kaidou’s daughter?
Carrying on the Kozuki legacy?
Is this the latest joke?” “Keep your voice down!
If you want to die, don’t drag me with you!” “So in other words, the ruler of this country went from Orochi to Kaidou, huh?” “Sigh…
either way, it’s all the same.” “It won’t be the same at all!
Don’t compare us to that bastard Kurozumi Orochi!” Hearing the chatter around her, Ulti—already impatient from the tedious ceremony—shouted crossly.
“We’re pirates, alright?
We couldn’t possibly be more despicable than that jerk Kurozumi Orochi!” “Eh?!
Do you even hear what you’re saying?!” The man who had just spoken bulged his eyes in shock, as if he had heard something that shattered his entire worldview.
“Um…
excuse me, sir!” In the crowd, a woman wearing a kimono looked timidly at Caesar and plucked up the courage to call out softly.
“My name is Caesar.” Caesar held his hands behind his back and offered a gentle smile.
His handsome face brought a rosy blush to the woman’s cheeks.
“Lord Caesar…
Does this mean Wano will be ruled by pirates from now on?” Caesar said calmly, “By decree, the Beasts Pirates will continue to exist as the Realm-Protecting Fleet.
Kaidou, former captain of the Beasts Pirates and Guardian Wisdom King, will serve as Governor-General, responsible for national defense and armed forces.
Subordinates are strictly forbidden from plundering or harassing the populace—transgressors will be executed!” “Did you hear that, bastard?!” Ulti immediately yelled at the man who had questioned her earlier.
“We’re here to maintain order!” “So…
Lord Kaidou is in charge of this country from now on?” “Correct.” “Then…
was Lord Kaidou really bewitched by sorcery?” The woman’s voice trembled slightly, but she summoned her courage to ask.
“Does that matter?” Caesar withdrew his smile.
“Once, Kozuki Oden went to sea for his own selfish desires, leaving Wano to fall into the hands of Kurozumi Orochi.
Then, by foolishly believing the enemy’s lies, he subjected the people to years of suffering.
Now Oden is dead and Orochi has been executed.
The only force with the strength to rule this country is our Beasts Pirates.” “But isn’t this just rule by violence, no different from that bastard Kurozumi Orochi?!” someone in the crowd shouted indignantly.
“Did the Daimyo get their positions by dancing naked?
What do you think those foolishly loyal samurai were for?” Caesar sneered.
“So what if it’s rule by violence?
Wano has been isolated for centuries, leaving the people impoverished and the economy ruined.
Even if the land hadn’t been polluted, would the people at the bottom have enough to eat?
“You should consider yourselves fortunate.
Kozuki Oden was an idiot, but his intent was not malicious.
It was precisely because of this that we were moved by his legacy.
“From this day forth, Wano’s polluted lands will be restored!
The people of Wano will suffer from hunger no longer!
And everyone will have the freedom to take to the seas!
“My words today will be broadcast to every corner of Wano!
This is the promise that your new Shogun—Kaidou’s daughter, Yamato—makes to this nation!” Caesar’s voice reached every corner of Wano via broadcast.
People everywhere turned their gazes toward the beautiful woman seated behind him.
“The new Shogun is…
a woman?” “Ooh!
She’s gorgeous!
I want to be the Shogun’s dog!” “Your allegiance is way too flimsy, man!” “A woman as Shogun?
What a joke…
Even if she’s a puppet, at least pick a man!” Yamato sat nervously on the high platform.
Beneath her wide sleeves, her fingers tightly gripped the fabric, her heart pounding wildly as her Observation Haki took in everyone’s reactions.
It wasn’t until she saw Caesar turn sideways and shoot her an encouraging look that her heart settled.
Slowly, she stood up.
“My name is Yamato, daughter of Kaidou!
As of today, I succeed to the title of Shogun of Wano!” Planting her mace, Takeru, heavily onto the platform, Yamato swept a spirited gaze in all directions.
“What Caesar said is my promise to you all!” “Look at that idiot, talking big…” Ulti curled her lip.
“Aren’t those all Caesar’s ideas anyway?” Maria covered her mouth with a light chuckle.
“Well, they do have a close relationship.
Jealous?” Ulti huffed.
“Who would be jealous of that dummy?
I don’t want to be Shogun anyway.” Across Wano, people buzzed with discussion.
“Restoring the land, freedom to go to sea, and enough food to eat?” “Can they really pull that off?” “Since she said it publicly, even if they can’t do it completely, they should at least try their best, right?” “Who knows?
Maybe it’s just another plot…” “Hey…
look over there!
What is that?” *Rumble…* The ground beneath their feet vibrated violently as fleets of massive treasure ships were transported to various parts of Wano, each overflowing with mountains of food.
Flower Capital, Kuri, Udon…
even dilapidated little places like Amigasa Village saw treasure ships sail in.
“It’s food…” “It’s food!” Throughout Wano, people grew excited, gathering around the treasure ships with fervent eyes.
Beside the treasure ships, the pirates maintained order.
Even when shoved or knocked down, none lost their temper—after all, this was an ironclad order issued personally by Kaidou.
“All this food was taken from Kurozumi Orochi and the mob forces under his command!
Shogun Yamato has decided to return all these resources—extracted from the people—back to her subjects!” Atop the high platform, Caesar waved his hand grandly.
“Starting today, Queen will lead the research division to restore the land with maximum efficiency and shut down most of the polluting factory sources!” “Is this real, Mommy?” In an impoverished little village, villagers gathered around the screen set up by the treasure ship.
A little girl gently tugged at her mother’s sleeve.
“Since they said so, it must be true…” Compared to the relatively healthy-looking girl, her mother looked extremely emaciated, her kimono covered in patches.
“Sir Pirate…” The elderly village chief leaned on his cane, tentatively looking at the pirate leader.
“Is this food really for us?” “Tsk, didn’t Lord Caesar already say so?
Listen up, old man!” The pirate leader waved his hand impatiently.
“But listen up, you bastards!
This food is to be divided equally among every household!
Lord Kaidou gave orders not to harm civilians, but if anyone tries to take more than their share, I’ll cut off his head!
Got that?!” “We understand!
We understand, sir!” “Hmph.
Open up the treasure ship and distribute the food!” As food was handed out to each household, the doubts on people’s faces gradually melted away.
“It really is true!” “They’re actually giving out food!” “Hooray!
Mommy, look, we have food!
Just this oshiruko alone will last us a long time!” “Mm…” The woman stroked her daughter’s hair with one hand and covered her mouth with the other, tears as large as beans rolling down her cheeks.
“Sir Pirate…” The village chief held his food in trembling hands and stepped forward shakily.
The pirate leader sounded impatient: “What now?
Didn’t you get your food?” “You gentlemen took the trouble to distribute food for us…
Please allow this old man to offer you some hospitality…” “Aah—?!
What did you say?!
You’re making me tear up, you bastard!” Similar scenes played out across Wano.
On the streets of the Flower Capital, more and more people poured into the avenues, looking toward the Shogun’s palace in disbelief.
“It’s actually true?
They really distributed food!” “Are these really pirates?” “Who cares!” “Hey, look!
More people arrived outside, saying they’re responsible for the Land Improvement Unit!” “What a rushed name…” It was like a carnival.
As food was distributed, more and more laughter and cheering resonated across Wano.
Caesar’s voice echoed through the broadcasting snails across the land.
“From this day forth, Wano’s land shall be arable, sailing to sea shall be permitted, and beneath the Shogun, all people are equal!” “The only thing you need to do is fill your bellies, work hard, and live well!
Offer your loyalty to Shogun Yamato!” “OOOOOHHH!!!” In an instant, the crowd erupted.
Deafening cheers threatened to blow the roof off all of Wano!
“Offer our loyalty to the Shogun!” People shouted one after another, and those who had suffered long from hunger wept tears of joy.
Seeing this, Caesar seemed to recall something and raised his hand with playful malice, his voice booming across the heavens: “Loyalty!!” “LOYALTY!!!” “Shogun Yamato!” “Female Shogun!” “Lord Shogun!” Yamato struggled to hold back her laughter, her face flushed red with excitement.
Suddenly, she reached out, pulled Caesar over, and planted a kiss on his cheek.
“Caesar!
You’re amazing!” “Hey, hey!”