In the ever-changing land of Wano, whether in the Kuri region, Udon, Kibi, or other areas, military camps sprang up one after another, each training newly conscripted recruits.
Outside the camps, cities, villages and ports bustled with activity.
The construction of Wano's naval bases required a massive workforce and building materials, with waves of workers continuously flowing in and out of Onigashima.
Ships carrying construction materials came and went without end.
Whether they were shipbuilders, construction workers, or laborers, everyone wore bright smiles.
The reason was simple—the Marine never delayed their wages.
Payment was settled daily, with more work meaning more pay.
Similarly, the land distributed to the people under the Marine's unified planning was thriving.
Once-barren fields were reclaimed by villagers who had received their plots, while existing farmland was packed with laborers—nearly all women had stepped out of their homes to toil in the fields, sweating for a brighter future.
During this time, gangs and underworld organizations lurking in Wano's regions were swiftly purged by the Marines.
Those who had committed capital crimes were executed without exception, while lesser offenders were sent to labor camps for reform.
Under the governance of Crocodile, Wano's first mayor and with the strategic guidance of the Marine's supreme leader, alongside the Marine's unparalleled efficiency, Wano who once ravaged by Kurozumi Orochi and Kaido, was recovering at an astonishing pace and charging towards a glorious future.
It was no exaggeration to say that in Wano at this time, from Orion—the supreme leader who held absolute authority within the Marine—and the first mayor, Crocodile, down to the common folk, no one was idle.
Even the children of Wano were not left to laze at home or wander the streets.
Because among the laws enacted by Mayor Crocodile was one addressing the education of Wano's youth.
Under Orion's directive, schools were rapidly established by repurposing existing buildings and the construction of elementary schools in villages and towns was prioritized.
Orion's handwritten versions of Three Character Classic, and Thousand Character Classic were printed en masse and distributed as foundational texts for all Wano children.
In less than two days, the streets and alleys echoed with children reciting lines like.
"At the beginning of life, nature is good,"
"To raise without teaching is the father's fault,"
The minds of Wano's people had to be changed and the next generation had to develop morally, intellectually, physically, aesthetically and through labor—comprehensively.
****
Amids all this, Crocodile found himself overwhelmed, suddenly nostalgic for the carefree days of his pirate life.
At first, he had relished the role—after all, he was Wano's first mayor.
Most importantly, the Fleet Admiral had not given this position to Gion, Mihawk, or Jinbei, which meant his abilities were truly recognized!
But as time passed, Orion—who had promised not to interfere—kept piling on the pressure.
And he couldn't even complain, because Orion was busier than anyone else.
Besides...
Orion personally took charge of compiling a set of exemplary textbooks for the schools established in Wano Country, including foundational readings like the Three Character Classic, Standards for Students and Thousand Character Classic.
Not stopping there, Orion also had Gion record the Eighth Set of Radio Calisthenics for use during school morning exercises and breaks.
While Orion himself was unfazed by the workload, his subordinates were practically run off their feet.
Not just the goverment team—even Perona was assigned a suitable role as a courier, floating in and out of Orion's office one moment and the mayor's office the next.
Because Orion stayed up late drafting various teaching materials and planning Wano's future, the night-shift staff at the goverment building would occasionally spot a 'ghost' drifting up and down the halls, scaring some newly hires so badly they wanted to go home to their mothers.
****
In the Fleet Admiral's office, Orion casually picked up a neatly handwritten biography he had just finished organizing.
"Fleet Admiral, I'm here!"
Before Orion could speak, Perona floated over to the desk and took the biography with a serious expression.
"There's new intel—those so-called Underworld Emperors will arrive in Wano tomorrow morning. Also, Admiral Gion says you should get some rest."
"I'm just about done anyway."
Orion smiled and nodded. "Go ahead and deliver this biography to Crocodile."
"Got it~"
Perona chirped obediently, hugging the biography to her chest before floating out.
Soon, she arrived at the mayor's office.
"And what's this now?"
Crocodile's lips twitched as he stared at the handwritten biography Perona had placed on his desk.
"The Fleet Admiral still isn't resting?"
Perona blinked. "He said he's just about done!"
Hearing this, Crocodile slumped in exhaustion, unable to hold back a grumble.
"He's said that at least ten times today!"
Grumbling aside, he dutifully picked up the biography and began reading.
"Huh? What is this?"
To his surprise, the biography Perona had delivered had nothing to do with work.
Crocodile froze in confusion. Puzzled, he flipped open the first page.
Only a few words were written there:
—The People's War.
"Did the Fleet Admiral grab the wrong thing?"
Staring at the words before him, Crocodile blinked blankly before picking up the cigar resting on the ashtray and clamping it between his teeth.
Though baffled, he figured taking a break wasn't a bad idea.
With that thought, he turned to the second page.
As he read on, the cigar in his mouth forgotten, Crocodile found himself unable to look away, gradually engrossed—as if some long-dormant conviction had been reignited, filling him with an inexplicable surge of fervor.
"Purupurupuru…"
Just then, the Den Den Mushi beside him rang.
"Crocodile?"
Before Crocodile could react, Orion's voice came through.
"Finished reading the biography?"
Taking a deep breath, Crocodile set the cigar back in the ashtray, straightened his posture, and ventured cautiously.
"The protagonist in this biography… is he a king from one of the affiliated nations, or…?"
"It's not some king of an allied nation," Orion explained. "He doesn't even exist in this world, but that doesn't matter—because he once said we young people are the sun at eight in the morning."
"And you are no exception."
"So, I want you to use the Land of Wano as a testing ground—to ignite this spark of revolution and join me in changing the future."
"With your full support, I believe this single spark will surely start a prairie fire and the sun's light will eventually illuminate the entire world."
Though the voice coming through the Den Den Mushi was calm and gentle, its impact was like a sudden clap of thunder, causing Crocodile's pupils to involuntarily constrict.
There was an inexplicable magic in those words, making it impossible for Crocodile to resist—goosebumps rising on his skin without reason.
After a brief silence, Crocodile took a deep drag from his cigar and asked.
"Why did you choose me as the mayor?"
"Because you are Sir Crocodile!"
-----------------------------
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