Luffy's gaze remained cold as he spoke to Hiyori. "You heard what I said earlier. The Kozuki family is expelled from Wano Country. From now on, you can call yourself Hiyori, Komurasaiki, or whatever name you like. But I don't want to hear the name Kozuki spoken again by you or anyone else. Do you understand?"
Hiyori opened her mouth, wanting to respond, but the weight of the moment left her hesitant. Relief at being spared mixed uneasily with resentment. Her pride as the daughter of the Kozuki family bristled at Luffy's dismissal, yet her survival instinct kept her silent. Finally, she bowed deeply and said, "I understand."
Luffy didn't soften at her compliance. Turning to Gavin, he ordered, "Get some gold from the treasury and give it to her. Then let her go, but she's not allowed to leave the Flower Capital."
After issuing the command, Luffy looked back at Hiyori. "Whether you want to continue as an oiran or marry someone is none of my concern. But if you dare think about restoring the Kozuki name or plotting against the Marines, you'll regret it. We'll come for you."
With that, Luffy turned and walked away with Gavin in tow. Watching him leave, Hiyori felt a wave of relief, but it was short-lived. Anxiety crept in as the reality of her situation set in.
What now? she thought bitterly. The Kozuki name is disgraced, and I've been cast aside like a remnant of a fallen kingdom. Am I supposed to go back to being an oiran? No brothel would dare take me now, not after everything that's happened.
The idea of marriage offered no solace. Who would want to marry someone like me? A princess without a kingdom, a prostitute in the eyes of the world. Fear of being exploited for her status or used in political schemes gnawed at her.
Her gaze lingered on Luffy's retreating figure, and a glimmer of determination sparked in her eyes. I'll survive, no matter what.
Hours Later
The Shogun's Castle was a hive of activity. Marines moved swiftly through the halls, securing rooms and taking inventory of the Kozuki family's former wealth. In the main hall, Luffy sat at a hastily assembled table, conducting a post-disaster meeting with his officers.
Gavin reported the situation. "Vice Admiral Luffy, the Flower Capital is under our full control. Lord Fujitora has locked down the outer districts, and Ain's team is handling the merchants and nobles who supported the Kozuki family. The Shogun's Castle is secure."
Luffy nodded. "Good. What about the other regions?"
"Captain Cook, Binz, Zoro, and Sanji are working with Rear Admiral Darius to suppress resistance in the surrounding areas," Gavin continued. "The most violent rebels are being detained and sent for labor in the seastone factories. Civilians are being left unharmed."
"Excellent," Luffy said. "Make sure the civilians are treated fairly. We need their support if we're going to stabilize Wano Country."
The officers nodded in agreement. Luffy's strategy was clear: show mercy to civilians while cracking down hard on rebels. It was a delicate balance, but necessary for long-term stability.
Darius raised a hand. "Vice Admiral Luffy, with the country under control, shouldn't we begin construction of a Marine base? The G66 branch could serve as a permanent presence in Wano. Have you considered where it should be located?"
Luffy leaned back in his chair, considering the question. "We'll address that once the situation stabilizes. But if I had to choose, the Flower Capital is the most logical location. It's centrally located, has a large population, and is perfect for managing the surrounding regions."
The officers nodded, but Luffy's next words caught them off guard. "That said, I have a different plan for Onigashima."
Darius blinked. "Onigashima?"
Luffy smiled. "I want to move it down from its current position and turn it into a tourist hub."
The room fell silent. The officers exchanged bewildered glances, unsure if they had heard correctly.
Hina, unable to contain herself, stood up abruptly. "You're joking, right? You can't seriously mean to move Onigashima!"
Even Gavin and Ain looked skeptical, while Koala and Binz stared at Luffy in stunned silence.
Luffy remained calm. "I'm completely serious."
"Move it where, exactly?" Cook asked, his voice tinged with disbelief. "Are you just going to pick it up and toss it somewhere?"
Luffy crossed his arms and gave Cook a confident smirk. "I plan to move it to the harbor entrance at the base of the mountain. It'll serve as a hub for trade and communication between Wano Country and the outside world. We'll open a port and let people enter and leave freely for business."
The room erupted into murmurs. While the idea had merit, the logistics seemed impossible.
Hina frowned, still unconvinced. "Luffy, moving an entire island isn't something you just do. How do you plan to pull this off?"
Luffy's smirk widened. "You'll see when the time comes."
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