The sound of helpless sobbing echoed across the grassland, lingering in the air.
Kozuki Hiyori, usually as resilient and sharp as a thorned rose, now wept openly, her face streaked with tears.
Kyoshiro stood frozen.
What had sustained him all these years—his sense of duty, his silent endurance, and the towering image of Kozuki Oden—collapsed in an instant.
Everything Luo Yu had said rang painfully true.
If Oden had done even one of the things Luo Yu mentioned back then…
Would Wano's fate have been different?
Could Wano have become one of the greatest military powers on the seas?
After all, Kyoshiro knew firsthand how many powerful warriors lived in Wano. The former daimyos, the yakuza bosses—each one a master of swordsmanship and Haki.
Tens of thousands of samurai, led by the Nine Red Scabbards and Oden himself…
That battle years ago had nearly brought Kaido to his knees.
If Oden had prepared in advance, Wano might be thriving today. They wouldn't have had to endure years of humiliation, watching their homeland poisoned.
"Admiral Luo Yu," Tenguyama Hitetsu stepped up behind him and sighed,
"Your words hurt more than any blade. They strike the heart."
"But I can't refute them. Even back then, I knew Oden wasn't suited to be shogun."
Luo Yu chuckled.
"Lord Sukiyaki, you even went so far as to sever ties with your son, and yet… he still turned out like that."
He tossed over a bottle of earthy liquor.
"A ruler must be firm in war and wise with resources. Oden failed on both counts."
"You know who I am?"
Sukiyaki was momentarily stunned, but didn't press the matter.
Anyone who could speak so clearly about Wano's hidden truths was clearly no ordinary man.
Perhaps it was only someone like this who could truly help Wano open its borders.
He looked at the slender figure before him, eyes flickering with thought.
The next day, the group returned to the Flower Capital.
With the titles of Komurasaki and Kyoshiro, their journey was surprisingly smooth.
Luo Yu didn't stand on ceremony—he dove into the feast before him.
After several rounds of drinks, Hiyori, who had remained silent, suddenly knelt down and spoke urgently:
"Admiral Luo Yu, I, Kozuki Hiyori, have made up my mind. If you are willing to help Wano open its borders, I will pay any price."
"Even if it means offering myself."
Kyoshiro and Sukiyaki remained silent.
They knew that in Wano's current state—impoverished and desperate—Hiyori herself was the most valuable bargaining chip they had.
They exchanged a glance and quietly left the room.
Luo Yu rolled his eyes.
"Seriously? Selling off your own daughter now?"
It seemed Sukiyaki had already revealed his identity to Hiyori and Kyoshiro on the way back.
And both had been completely convinced by her.
Otherwise, they wouldn't have left so easily in the face of her bold declaration.
The doors closed behind them.
The surrounding attendants quietly withdrew.
Luo Yu rubbed his nose, a bit exasperated.
"Are they really going through with this?"
Hiyori slowly stood.
As Wano's most celebrated courtesan, she had always kept her dignity—selling art, not herself.
Even Orochi, the shogun, had never laid a hand on her.
Now, for the sake of Wano, she had made this offer.
Her cheeks burned like fire.
She looked at Luo Yu, still seated calmly, and bit her lip.
Then, with trembling hands, she loosened the sash of her kimono.
The delicate fabric slipped from her shoulders, revealing her pale skin.
A graceful, breathtaking image unfolded before Luo Yu.
He finally understood why she was called the goddess of Wano.
She had everything—and more.
Framed by the soft glow of the night, the sight was undeniably captivating.
Feeling his gaze, Hiyori's face turned crimson, her body flushed with heat.
Without another word, she turned and slipped into the futon that had been prepared.
"I'm ready," she said, voice trembling.
"Tonight… you can do as you wish."
Luo Yu blinked, then sighed and looked away.
"Forget it. I have my principles. I'm not interested in taking advantage of others."
"I came to Wano with a sense of duty."
"If, after everything, you still want to offer yourself, I won't refuse."
"But for now, let's just get some sleep."
"Though… it is a bit cold. Sharing a bed doesn't sound so bad."
Hiyori was stunned.
By the time she processed his words, Luo Yu was already lying beside her—fast asleep.
She stared at him in disbelief.
This was supposed to be a night of passion.
And yet… he really just went to sleep?
Not even a single move?
Her mind, usually sharp, couldn't make sense of it.
She peeked under the blanket at her own body.
Was she… not enough?
Why didn't he want her?
And what if Kyoshiro and Sukiyaki were outside, waiting for a "result"?
Her face darkened.
Should she… pretend something happened?
Make some noise for a few hours just to save face?
But then she chuckled softly and let the thought go.
She curled up under the blanket and watched Luo Yu sleep.
When she made this decision, she had felt conflicted—forced by duty.
But now, seeing how Luo Yu had no desire for her beauty, the unease in her heart quietly melted away.
And strangely… she found herself looking forward to the next time.
Luo Yu glanced at the girl beside him, her face glowing with a soft smile.
He rubbed his nose with a sigh.
"Women really do want what they can't have."
"This whole 'gentlemanly restraint' thing… might just be their greatest weakness."
Then another thought crossed his mind:
"Wait… does this count as overtime in the system's eyes?"