The Holy Land, Flower Room.
Im stood by the study window, her dark red eyes fixed on the box placed atop the desk, a faint trace of unwillingness flickering in her gaze.
Im, who had always regarded herself as a god, was genuinely shaken.
The Conqueror's Haki sealing the box's surface had already been broken by the unlucky Five Elders.
But when Gunko unwrapped the red cloth covering the box, what greeted their eyes was a lidless, completely sealed transparent container.
Inside the box were clusters of energy-infused Devil Fruits, layered so densely that it was impossible to tell just how many had been sealed within.
Gunko stood dejectedly beside the desk.
After hesitating for a moment, she mustered her courage and spoke, "Im-sama, I am incompetent. I truly cannot find a way to open it!"
"We've been tricked by Orion!"
Im nodded, the words practically forced through clenched teeth.
Beneath her robes, her fists tightened unconsciously.
When they had witnessed Orion infusing the box with Conqueror's Haki to seal it, the deliberate misdirection had given everyone present the illusion that the box could be opened.
However, after days of research and countless failed attempts, Im and Gunko gradually realized something was amiss.
The box's construction was far beyond human capability.
In this world, the only one who could open it was likely Orion himself.
And precisely because of this, Orion had confidently left the box—packed with so many Devil Fruit energy clusters—in the Flower Room.
When Orion had entrusted the box to be kept at Flower room, Im had naively believed it was an act of trust, even secretly feeling a flicker of delight.
Yet now, it was clear that Orion's move wasn't about trust—it was absolute confidence in the box's security.
After a brief silence, Im suddenly raised her head and looked at Gunko, her voice was low and heavy.
"Set out for Wano Country immediately. I want to ask him face-to-face how to open this box! I gave him the treasury key, and he dares play games with me? Mu is furious!"
****
Wano Country, Flower Capital.
"HAHAHA, I'm finally free!"
A burst of laughter abruptly rang out from the prison.
Moments later, Yamato sprinted excitedly out of the prison gates, not bothering to check if anyone was outside before shouting at the top of her lungs.
"FLEET ADMIRAL—huh?"
Her voice trailed off as she froze mid-step, stunned by the sight before her.
The area outside the prison was eerily quiet.
There was no sign of Orion, nor the infuriating little girl with her red umbrella.
The only person present was a burly Marine captain—Morgan.
Yamato blinked in confusion, scanning her surroundings before turning to Morgan.
"Where's the Fleet Admiral? If he released me, why didn't he come to meet me?"
"Who do you think you are? Expecting the Fleet Admiral to personally greet you?" Morgan casually tossed a bundle of fresh clothes at her.
"The Fleet Admiral has a message for you. You're free to move around Wano, but you can't leave the country!"
"Really?"
Yamato's eyes lit up—this was exactly what she had wanted most after leaving prison.
From the Marines guarding her, she'd heard plenty about Wano.
Now that she was free, she was eager to see it all for herself.
Look..... she just want to look at how Wano Country has undergone earth-shaking changes.
Morgan glared and snapped, "The Fleet Admiral's word is law! How could he possibly joke with a fool like you?"
"Are you coming with me?" Yamato blinked.
"Of course!" Morgana grumbled. "But not by choice—it's the Fleet Admiral's orders!"
"Then let's go!" Without hesitation, Yamato threw on the coat Morgan tossed her and eagerly strode outside.
****
The temporary government building bustled with activity as officials hurried in and out.
The entrance was even livelier.
With the provisional government needing a large number of local staff, the citizens of the Flower Capital, after two days of adjustment—and realizing that this new administration truly worked for the people mustered their courage to apply for jobs.
Many who passed the interviews were so overwhelmed by their sudden good fortune that they burst into tears on the spot.
Those who didn't succeed weren't disheartened either, as Wano's reconstruction required a massive workforce.
While applicants flocked to the goverment building in the Flower Capital, recruitment for the military was in full swing across Wano.
Those who passed the interviews and background checks to become fresh recruits in the Marine immediately rushed home to share the joyous news with their families.
Not only that—they also received a month's salary in advance and various essential supplies.
****
Kuri, the Amigasa Village.
Nearly all the village elders had gathered at the entrance, eagerly watching the country road opposite them.
The young men who had passed the Marine interviews each carried a set of uniforms and bundles of supplies as they sprinted down the path.
Soon, a group of eight arrived at the village entrance.
The fastest among them was clutching his supplies, knelt before a middle-aged woman with a thud and choked out, "Mother… I was chosen!"
Before she could react, he quickly set down the supplies, pulled out a pristine Marine uniform he had carefully guarded and put it on.
Standing straight, he saluted her—though his form was still unpolished.
"Mother, we'll never have to worry about survival again!"
After saluting, the young man pulled out a stack of crisp new bills and pressed them into her hands.
"All successful recruits received a month's pay in advance! Mother, our lives will only get better from now on!"
"Good, good…" The woman nodded repeatedly, tears in her eyes. "Has Kozuki-sama retaken the country? Thank heavens—the Kozuki clan never abandoned us!"
Hearing her mistake, the young man quickly corrected her.
"Mother, Wano no longer has a shogunate—nor will there ever be 'lords' like the Kozuki again. From now on, everyone is equal. The one reforming Wano is the Marine's Fleet Admiral!"
"The Fleet Admiral?" The middle-aged woman blinked in confusion and asked.
"This new uniform and your salary—were they all given to you by that Fleet Admiral Orion?"
"Yes, Mother!"
The young man straightened his marine uniform with practiced movements, mimicking the veterans from the barracks as he stood at attention and saluted, declaring with perfect form.
"Loyalty!"
His shout triggered a chain reaction.
Several other fresh recruits, who had been excitedly explaining the recent changes in Wano Country to their families, immediately snapped to attention and echoed the slogan in unison, their voices ringing loud and clear.
Meanwhile...
At the crossroads of another country path in the Amigasa Village, Kozuki Hiyori stood quietly beneath two large trees.
Watching the distant figures saluting and shouting their pledge, an unconscious smile of relief graced her lips.
She turned to her attendant and said softly, "Let's go. We're heading to Onigashima."
"Right now?" The attendant blinked in bewilderment. "Fleet Admiral Orion granted Lady Hiyori ten days' time..."
With a radiant smile, Kozuki Hiyori parted her vermilion lips and replied.
"There's no need. I've already seen Wano Country's future."
-----------------------------
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