At the same time in the Flower Capital
Within a courtyard less than a kilometer from the temporary city hall, Kozuki Hiyori, Denjiro, Ashura Doji, and several samurai loyal to the Kozuki family—who sought to aid Hiyori in restoring their nation—gathered beneath a tree in the yard.
Tomorrow, they were set to depart for Onigashima to participate in the construction of a Marine base.
A samurai clad in a kimono hurried into the courtyard and bowed before them.
"Lady Hiyori, Boss Denjiro, Ashura-sama!"
Denjiro was the first to speak. "What's the situation outside?"
The samurai wasted no time in relaying the intelligence he had gathered.
"After confining you all here, the Marines opened their granaries to distribute food. Every region outside the Flower Capital has received aid. Additionally, the Marines have issued a conscription order—anyone who passes the interview and background check can enlist as a soldier for the future Marine base in Wano. Not only will they receive a decent monthly salary, but they'll also get a year-end bonus."
"Furthermore, Fleet Admiral Orion instructed Mayor Crocodile to enact a land reform bill. From now on, all land in Wano will be directly managed and allocated by the Marines. Distribution will be based on household size and the people won't have to pay a single coin.
They'll only need to contribute a minimal portion of their harvest next year as tax to maintain the Marine base. There's also talk that Mayor Crocodile will announce Wano's opening to foreign trade in a week, inviting merchants from other nations to collaborate on developing areas ravaged by the Beasts Pirates!"
"Amazing!"
One samurai, thrilled by the news of the Marines' relief efforts and the series of beneficial policies, jumped to his feet.
"Land allocated by household size with no cost? That means my family could—" He abruptly cut himself off, realizing his outburst was inappropriate and quickly sat back down.
Hiyori paid no mind to his reaction and pressed the messenger.
"Anything else?"
The samurai nodded and recounted the events that had just unfolded at the city hall.
"What did you say?" Denjiro shot to his feet in disbelief.
"Crocodile summoned the nobles and wealthy merchants to the city hall—not for a meeting, but to execute them all?"
"Yes, my lord. As I was returning, I saw their bodies being dragged out of the building."
Denjiro's expression darkened as he stared toward the city hall.
"First, the sword ban. Then, food distribution, conscription, land reform… and now, a ruthless purge of the Flower Capital's elite. Crocodile would never devise this on his own—this is the Fleet Admiral's doing."
A bewildered samurai spoke up. "Boss, their policies seem to benefit Wano's people. Are there any negative consequences?"
A shadow of resignation flickered in Denjiro's eyes as he turned to Hiyori.
"Lady Hiyori, once these policies take full effect, even if Kin'emon and the others return now… Wano's restoration will be beyond hope."
Ashura Doji let out a heavy sigh. "Lady Toki's prophecy not only came true but also arrived ahead of time. However, what changed everything wasn't Kin'emon and the others! Denjiro was right—I know Crocodile well enough to say he'd never conceive such policies. This must be the work of that Fleet Admiral!"
"Especially the land reforms and conscription policies—these are absolutely not something a former pirate like Crocodile could have devised."
Ashura Doji glanced at Kozuki Hiyori.
"As long as this Fleet Admiral remains in power, there's no hope for Wano's restoration. His strength isn't just martial prowess—his governance is unparalleled.
My instincts tell me his influence won't stop at Wano. Even the World Government may undergo earth-shaking changes under his leadership. We must mentally prepare for this new era that belongs to him!"
Hearing this, Hiyori fell silent.
She wasn't some naive woman.
The Marine's policies brought countless benefits to Wano's people without any drawbacks.
But their implementation meant the Kozuki clan would have to relinquish their centuries-old status as rulers and live as equals among the citizens.
She didn't mind.
If Wano's people could find happiness under the Marine's protection, she'd gladly shed her princess title.
Truthfully, she'd already abandoned that identity years ago—surviving as the famed courtesan Komurasaki, though secretly protected by Denjiro from ever being defiled.
To the public, she was merely an entertainer, not royalty.
No—she'd truly let go of that identity when Kawamatsu saved her as a child, fleeing through the waterways.
Should Wano find rebirth from despair under Marine's rule, her personal status mattered little.
Her silence stemmed from concern for her brother Momonosuke and the retainers like Kin'emon, whom her mother had sent into the future using the Time-Time Fruit's power.
By her calculations, they'd reappear within several years.
She needed to find them immediately and explain Wano's new reality.
Otherwise, Kin'emon's faction would undoubtedly launch a reckless restoration attempt for Momonosuke.
Given current circumstances, any attempt would meet bloodier suppression than Crocodile's executions of Flower Capital's nobles.
Worse—it might trigger mass reprisals against all involved.
Fleet Admiral Orion had already given them one chance...
Noticing Hiyori's prolonged silence, a samurai misinterpreting her hesitation blurted.
"Actually, the Kozuki clan still has a path to reclaim past glory!"
"What method?" two others exclaimed simultaneously.
Ashura Doji and Denjiro immediately furrowed their brows.
However, before they could speak up to stop him, the samurai turned his gaze to Kozuki Hiyori with full confidence and declared.
"From what I've learned, that Marine Fleet Admiral is still single to this day!"
"Over these years, countless wealthy merchants and nobles have fallen for Lady Hiyori beauty—even Kurozumi Orochi—"
"How dare you!"
Before the samurai could finish his sentence, Denjiro abruptly stood up, instinctively reaching for the katana at his waist only to grasp empty air.
Remembering that his sword had been confiscated due to the sword ban, he instead seized the samurai by his collar and growled.
"If you keep spouting such nonsense here, I'll twist your head off!"
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