"Boss Denjiro, don't misunderstand!"
The samurai hastily explained.
"I'm not suggesting Lady Hiyori should serve that Fleet Admiral. What I propose is a political marriage between Lady Hiyori and the Fleet Admiral. As the noble princess of Wano, only a man of his stature would be worthy of her! Moreover, that Fleet Admiral is truly remarkable—not only did he prevent Admiral Sakazuki from executing you, but he immediately implemented policies benefiting Wano's people!"
"If Lady Hiyori could marry him—"
Before the samurai could finish, Denjiro seized him by the throat and lifted him off the ground, his voice dripping with killing intent.
"You dare overstep your rank and meddle in Lady Hiyori's marital affairs? You're asking for death!"
"Denjiro, release him!"
Just as Denjiro was about to snap the man's neck, Kozuki Hiyori intervened.
What she said next left both Denjiro and Ashura Doji stunned.
"I think his proposal has merit."
"Lady Hiyori?"
The two men exchanged bewildered glances as Hiyori continued calmly.
"Though he's not entirely correct. You may see me as Wano's princess, fit only for someone of noble birth or great power. But to that Fleet Admiral, I'm no different from any ordinary citizen of Wano."
"If the Marine's governance can lead Wano to a brighter future, I'll prevent Kin'emon and the others—who Mother sent to the future—from attempting to restore our nation. Since we don't know when or where they'll reappear, the surest way to stop them is to remain by the Fleet Admiral's side."
With a sigh of relief, as if unburdened, Hiyori added softly.
"It's late. Tomorrow we accompany the Marine to Onigashima for the base construction. Everyone should rest."
****
The night passed without incident.
At dawn, Hiyori's group followed Marine soldiers to Onigashima.
With Crocodile serving as Wano's first mayor, Sakazuki wasted no time in the capital, leading his fleet's vice and rear admirals straight to Onigashima to begin constructing the marine base.
As Hiyori's party trailed at the rear of the procession past the temporary government building, she suddenly halted and gazed upward at the third-floor corridor.
There stood Orion with hands clasped behind his back, giving instructions to Gion.
Beside him floated a little girl holding a red umbrella.
At the sight of Orion, Hiyori's cheeks burned as she recalled last night proposal.
Yet soon, a flicker of unspoken insecurity crossed her eyes.
For reasons she couldn't explain, from the moment she'd met the young Marshal, she'd been unable to meet his gaze—an instinctive reverence rooted deep within.
Still, she steeled herself and called out towards the corridor.
"Marshal Orion, I have a request."
The moment the words left her lips, Hiyori's heart clenched tight.
Holding her breath, Kozuki Hiyori hoped Orion would turn around, yet feared facing this young Marshal who single-handedly commanded the Marine's might, earning respect from both Admirals and the Shichibukai alike.
"Speak."
To Hiyori's delight, Orion responded before she could voice her request.
Yet her joy was tinged with disappointment—the young Marshal didn't turn to face her.
Caught off guard by his directness, Hiyori hesitated briefly before cautiously saying.
"This humble one wishes to visit several regions of Wano before departing for Onigashima to assist in constructing the marine base. If the Marshal is concerned, you may assign soldiers to accompany me!"
Hearing this, Orion finally turned, looking down at Hiyori standing in the street below.
Meeting his gaze for only a moment, Kozuki Hiyori quickly averted her eyes, bowing her head in respect.
"Granted."
After studying her for two seconds, Orion gave a slight nod.
"You may bring one attendant. You have ten days. Report to Onigashima afterward."
With that, he turned away decisively, leading Gion and the umbrella-bearing little girl down the corridor until they vanished from sight.
****
In a heavily guarded prison cell, Yamato sat rigidly, her seastone shackles clinking as she glared fiercely at the Marine soldiers standing watch.
But soon, a loud growl erupted from her stomach, shattering her intimidating demeanor as she blinked awkwardly.
Having rushed from Onigashima to the Flower Capital without eating, then enduring beatings from both Sakazuki and Orion before being locked up overnight, she was starving.
If not for pride, she'd have collapsed already.
"Marine! I'm hungry!"
Noticing every soldier's eyes on her, Yamato dropped the act, marching to the bars and shouting.
"I need food and water!"
A soldier struck her ruthlessly with his rifle butt.
"Quiet!"
Unflinching, Yamato took the hit and yelled louder.
"Give me food, damn it!"
As more soldiers moved in to discipline her, the prison door swung open—Orion, Gion and Perona entered.
Snapping to attention, the soldiers saluted in unison.
"Marshal!"
"At ease." Orion smiled warmly. "You're dismissed."
"Yes, sir!"
With crisp salutes, the soldiers filed out.
"Orion! I'm starving!"
Forgetting her pride, Yamato pleaded urgently.
"Feed me!"
"Giving up already?"
Seated on a chair brought by Perona, Orion crossed his legs as he smile kindly.
"Kozuki Oden danced in the streets for five years. You're causing a scene on your first day. How will you uphold his will and protect Wano?"
Hearing Orion mention Kozuki Oden dancing in the streets again, Yamato immediately flared up.
"Don't you dare speak ill of Kozuki Oden! He danced in the streets to protect the people of Wano Country! And to carry on his will, I need to fill my stomach first!"
Before Orion could respond, the little girl floating beside him suddenly spoke up, her big eyes filled with confusion.
"Marshal, is this big breast woman out of her mind?"
"She actually worships that good-for-nothing called Ko-something Oden. That Ko-something Oden was nothing but trash! Not only did he let his country be taken over, but he also ended up with his family destroyed!
He's not even fit to lick the Marshal's boots, let alone compare to Moria-sama. At least Moria-sama fought Kaido for his comrades back in the day, but what did he do? Even though he had the power to leave Kaido with permanent scars, he chose to jump into a boiling pot of oil instead!"
"If he had the courage to jump into boiling oil, why couldn't he fight Kaido to the death?"
"Hey hey hey, who the hell are you?!"
Hearing the little girl's scathing remarks about Kozuki Oden, Yamato, despite wearing seastone handcuffs, gnashed her teeth in fury.
"Come here, I'll tear your mouth apart!"
"How dare you disrespect this princess!"
The little girl showed no fear and immediately floated over, releasing her special Horo-Horo Fruit powers.
A giant Negative Hollow appeared out of thin air and instantly merged into Yamato's body.
The next second, Yamato fell to her knees with a thud, her face filled with utter despair.
"I'm sorry, a worthless failure like me shouldn't have been born into this world!"
"Please let a stray dog trample me to death!"
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