Orion did not interfere with Crocodile's sweeping reforms in Wano Country.
While Crocodile issued a series of new policies, a temporary municipal team, selected from Marine officers of various ranks, was quickly assembled.
As the saying goes, a new broom sweeps clean.
Barely taking a moment to rest after assuming the role of Wano's first mayor, Crocodile immediately led the hastily formed municipal team in holding a crucial meeting.
Using the list submitted by Denjiro, Crocodile wasted no time in dispatching officials to "invite" all the nobles and wealthy elites of the Flower Capital to the temporary municipal office.
Orion stayed out of Crocodile's work.
After visiting soldiers injured in the earlier suppression of the riots—accompanied by Gion, Perona, and Morgan—he returned to a courtyard arranged for them by Crocodile.
As dusk fell, the streets gradually emptied.
Though Crocodile had enacted a series of policies highly favorable to the people, the citizens—still shaken by the riots incited by the samurai of the Kozuki Family earlier that day—retreated to their homes and locked their doors as night descended.
Yet while the people of the Flower Capital remained uneasy, news of Crocodile's policies soon spread beyond the capital, reaching regions like Kuri, Udon, and Habu.
The citizens, long oppressed by the Beasts Pirates and Kurozumi Orochi, were overjoyed.
Many wept with happiness upon learning that the noble class system had been abolished, ensuring equality for all residents of Wano.
Most importantly, as Crocodile's policies arrived, the Marine soldiers stationed in these regions immediately opened the granaries to distribute food, bringing tears to the eyes of those who had suffered years of hunger and thirst.
In less than a single day, the entire country—save for the Flower Capital—was enveloped in unexpected joy.
Children who's initially fearful, gradually warmed up and even began greeting Marine soldiers patrolling the streets.
The Marine troops stationed across Wano didn't remain idle either.
While distributing supplies, they informed the people of recent events and with their superiors' approval, issued recruitment notices.
Upon hearing that joining the Marine came with a salary, young men who had once been hesitant now clamored to enlist.
Even ronin and samurai who had hidden their blades due to the sword ban, moved by the Marine's actions, mustered the courage to enter military camps.
They surrendered their swords and, after interviews and background checks, became the first batch of new recruits.
***
Night quietly fell.
In a temporary Marine camp east of the Flower Capital, two severely wounded soldiers—Douglas and Luke—lay silently in their beds.
The noise outside the tent roused Douglas, who had passed out upon returning to camp.
Soon after, Luke also opened his eyes.
The moment he did, his pupils contracted sharply before he abruptly sat up, disbelief written across his face—
Looking at the thick stack of Berries placed beside his pillow, Luke was stunned by the pile that towered higher than the pillow itself.
He grabbed the Berries in excitement and shouted.
"Douglas, what... what's with all these Berries?"
"What Berries?" Douglas, still groggy from being woken up, hadn't noticed the equally thick stack of Berries by his own pillow.
"You've got some too!" Luke pointed excitedly at Douglas's side.
"Judging by the thickness, there must be at least a million here!"
Hearing this, Douglas quickly turned his head.
The moment he did, the thick pile of Berries blocked his view, making his eyes widen in shock.
The next second, ignoring his injuries, he sat up abruptly and hugged the Berries tightly while exclaiming.
"We're rich! This is a gift from the heavens!"
No sooner had Douglas spoken than a figure appeared at the tent entrance.
A captain lifted the flap with a smile and explained.
"This isn't some heavenly gift! It's a reward prepared for you by the Fleet Admiral himself!"
"Huh?" Douglas and Luke froze in unison, turning to the captain.
"The Fleet Admiral came to Wano Country?"
The captain nodded. "Not only did he come to Wano, but after hearing how you two took down six samurai, he personally visited the camp and left this money for you!"
The news that the Fleet Admiral had visited them in camp nearly brought Douglas and Luke to tears.
But then they suddenly realized something, both widening their eyes at the captain.
"Captain, why didn't you wake us up?!"
The captain shrugged slightly. "No choice. The Fleet Admiral saw you sleeping soundly and forbade me from waking you."
Hearing this, Douglas and Luke were moved to tears again, this time literally crying rivers.
Luke was especially dramatic, bawling loudly while clutching the Berries and wailing "Fleet Admiral!"—so much so that the captain had to intervene.
"Enough already! With such generous rewards, you should be celebrating!"
"What do you know?" Luke wiped his tears, sniffling.
"If you'd woken us up to speak with the Fleet Admiral for just two minutes, we'd have gladly given up this money, you idiot captain!"
The captain's mouth twitched slightly, momentarily speechless.
"What's all the commotion outside?" Douglas, having calmed down first, glanced curiously towards the tent entrance.
"With all that noise, are they fighting over military merits?"
"Medals were awarded long ago!" The captain pulled two medals from his pocket and placed them on the table between the two.
"These are yours. The Fleet Admiral didn't just leave you money—he also promoted you both to Ensign!"
"As for the noise outside, it's because we're establishing a Marine base in Wano. We'll need a large garrison here, so recruitment is underway locally. Our area is actually quiet since the Flower Capital's citizens are still hesitant to go out after the riots. But places like Udon and Kibi are reportedly swarming with over a thousand new recruits already!"
Hearing this, Douglas and Luke's eyes practically sparkled in unison.
"Since we're now Ensign, we should be qualified to train these rookies, right?"
"Of course, you're both on the instructor list!"
"Really?" Douglas excitedly tossed the Berries from his arms onto the bed, then swiftly picked up his military medal and pinned it on with practiced ease.
After straightening his wrinkled uniform, he stood at attention with a solemn expression.
"Rest assured, Captain! Your subordinate will ensure these rookies are properly disciplined for the Fleet Admiral!"
Before the words had even faded, Douglas and Luke simultaneously snapped to attention, shouting in unison.
"Loyalty!"
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