The soft evening light of Wano filtered through the open veranda, painting the wooden floor in warm golden hues.
The distant sounds of the capital drifted faintly through the air with the quiet hum of life continuing as if nothing dangerous loomed over the horizon.
Yet inside the residence, the atmosphere was anything but relaxed.
Kozuki Hiyori stood gracefully near the center of the room, her delicate brows slightly furrowed as she looked at the young man sitting casually before her. Despite his relaxed posture and easy smile, she could not shake the unease in her heart.
"…Do you really think this is the best decision?" She asked softly. Her voice was calm, but the concern within it was unmistakable.
"I'm not questioning you," She added quickly, "but sending all of your friends away from Wano…"
She paused for a brief moment, gathering her thoughts. "The strength of the Beast Pirates is not simple."
Behind her, Denjiro stood with his arms crossed, his tall frame radiating tension. His sharp eyes remained fixed on Luffy as he gave a slow nod.
"I know you're very strong, Vice Admiral Luffy-san," Denjiro said in a deep, steady voice. "But even you cannot take on the entire Beast Pirates alone."
The room fell quiet after his words.
Both of them watched Luffy carefully, waiting for his response.
Luffy, however, remained completely at ease. He leaned back slightly, resting one arm over the back of his chair, and a faint smile appeared on his face.
There was no irritation, mockery, or arrogance on his face, but a calm confidence.
He understood their concern, and because of that, he chose not to joke around.
"I have never done anything that I'm not confident in," Luffy said simply. His voice was steady, carrying a quiet certainty that made both Hiyori and Denjiro pause. He continued, tilting his head slightly, "Also, I'm not the type of person to put thousands of innocent lives at stake just to show off."
The sincerity in his tone was unmistakable.
"You guys should relax a little and have more faith in me." He smiled lightly. "And don't just assume that whatever you've seen till now is my full strength."
Those words lingered in the air.
Denjiro's brows furrowed even deeper, clearly still unconvinced.
However, before he could speak again, Luffy added one more sentence.
"And if you're still feeling skeptical…" His gaze shifted briefly toward the side. "…then have more faith in the two descendants of your country's Sword God."
The words caused both Hiyori and Denjiro to instinctively glance toward the corner of the room.
There, leaning lazily against the wall with his head slightly lowered, sat Roronoa Zoro, appearing as though he had been asleep the entire time.
Beside him, seated calmly with a cloth in her hand, Kuina carefully polished the blade of her sword, her movements slow and precise.
Even without saying anything, their presence alone carried an undeniable pressure.
Denjiro exhaled slowly as he was still skeptical and worried for the lives of hundreds of people in Wano. But at the same time, he could not completely dismiss Luffy's words.
Hiyori closed her eyes for a brief moment before taking a deep breath.
When she opened them again, the hesitation within them had softened.
"I understand," She said gently and gave a small nod, choosing to place her faith in him.
The conversation shifted slightly after that, the tension easing as they spoke a little more about the preparations within the capital and the safety of the citizens. Though the concern never fully disappeared, there was now a sense of trust beneath it.
After a few minutes, Hiyori slowly stood up.
"Then we will leave the rest to you," She said.
Denjiro also straightened, giving Luffy one last serious look before nodding.
"Please… do not die," He said quietly.
Without waiting for a reply, the two of them turned and walked out together, their footsteps fading gradually into the distance.
Luffy watched their retreating figures in silence, let out a small chuckle, and shook his head.
"They're not wrong, though," He muttered softly as a faint smile lingered on his lips.
After all, a ruler who did not worry for their people was not worthy of leading them.
From the side, Yamato grumbled loudly.
"They're worrying for nothing," She said with clear annoyance. She crossed her arms, her lips curling in frustration. "If they knew what I know, they would just relax and enjoy themselves instead of stressing over this."
Her gaze shifted toward Luffy. "They should just leave everything to you."
Luffy glanced at her and smiled lightly.
"I understand their worry," He replied calmly. He stood up from the floor and stretched his arms, his muscles tightening and relaxing with a soft pop.
"After all, the lives of Wano's people are at stake." His expression sharpened slightly. "I just have to prove them right… with results."
The casual tone carried an unshakable resolve.
Luffy rolled his shoulders once before turning his head. His gaze landed on the two figures waiting nearby as a grin slowly spread across his face.
"Alright, guys…" His voice carried a hint of excitement now. "Are you ready for the best fight of your lives?"
The words had barely left his mouth when Zoro's eyes snapped open.
The lazy aura around him vanished instantly, and his hand moved without hesitation, gripping the hilt of his sword as a wide grin spread across his face.
"So he's finally here?" Roronoa Zoro asked, his tone filled with anticipation. "I was getting bored already."
At the same time, Kuina lifted her blade slightly, her sharp eyes gazing at her own reflection on the polished steel.
A faint smile curved her lips.
"So the Strongest Creature is finally back," Kuina said softly as her grip on the sword tightened just a little. "I can feel my blade trembling in excitement."
The air in the room seemed to grow heavier.
"Ehh? That bull bastard is really back…?" Yamato's eyes lit up, and she reached down to grab her massive studded kanabō, effortlessly lifting it onto her shoulder.
Her lips curled into a fierce grin, and her voice dropped, filled with burning intent. "Finally… I'm going to kill that bastard…"
Her grip tightened over her weapon. "…and end our cursed relationship."
Luffy just smiled at their reactions.
------
The seas surrounding Wano Country churned restlessly under the fading light of the evening sky. The dark clouds loomed in the distance, gathering slowly as if drawn by an invisible force, and the winds carried a strange heaviness that made even the waves seem uneasy.
Cutting through those turbulent waters was a massive warship.
Its hull was dark and imposing, reinforced with heavy iron plating that gleamed faintly under the dim light. At its mast, a large black flag fluttered violently in the wind.
It was the unmistakable emblem of the Beast Pirates.
Behind the leading ship, three more warships followed in formation.
Each one was equally grand and intimidating, their cannons aligned along the sides like the fangs of a beast ready to devour anything in its path. The synchronized movement of the fleet created a powerful presence, as though the ocean itself was being claimed under their authority.
The waterfall leading into Wano rose ahead like a towering wall of water, crashing down with thunderous force.
On the deck of the leading warship, a pirate stood near the railing, his eyes wide as he looked toward the massive waterfall growing closer.
"We're almost there…" He muttered under his breath.
Without wasting another second, he turned and sprinted across the deck as he rushed toward the interior of the ship.
He pushed open the heavy doors and hurried inside.
The atmosphere within the ship was thick with the smell of alcohol and sweat.
Loud laughter echoed from deeper within, accompanied by the clinking of bottles and the occasional crash of something breaking.
The pirate moved quickly, not daring to slow down until he reached the central chamber.
Seated at the head of the room like an immovable mountain was a towering figure.
The man's massive frame dominated the space, his presence alone suffocating the air around him. His skin was tanned, his body covered in scars that told countless stories of battle, and from his head curved two enormous horns that gave him the appearance of a demon.
It was Kaido, the strongest creature in the world.
The pirate immediately dropped to one knee, lowering his head deeply.
"Kaido-sama!" His voice trembled slightly despite his attempt to sound steady. "We've arrived at Wano!!"
"Wororororo…"
A deep, rumbling laugh filled the chamber.
Kaido tilted his head back slightly, raising a massive jug of sake before pouring it straight into his mouth. The liquid spilled over the corners of his lips, dripping down his chin as he drank without restraint. He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, his lips curling into a cruel grin. "Finally… It feels good to be back home."
The words carried a dangerous satisfaction.
Around him, several high-ranking members of the crew shifted slightly, their expressions reflecting a mixture of excitement and anticipation.
--- ✦ ✦ ✦ ---
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