Hearing Shanks's words, the executives were stunned.
"Shanks, what about Luffy then?"
Their sole purpose for coming this time was to save Luffy. He was their junior, someone they had placed great hopes upon.
Yasopp was especially worried, as his own son, Usopp, was part of the Straw Hat crew. He couldn't just stand by and watch his child fall into danger.
Shanks spoke calmly. "Rest assured, that lord will release them later."
He didn't feel like he was being deceived; the Emperor had no reason to lie.
Hearing this, the executives breathed a sigh of relief. As long as the kids were let go, there was no need to continue this fight.
It was a battle they simply couldn't win. The entire crew had been knocked unconscious, and even Shanks had been beaten to such a state. The Red Hair Pirates had never suffered a defeat like this before.
Not to mention, the other two Emperors hadn't even made a move. Of course, there was no need for them to intervene anyway; the crew was already utterly defeated.
Given the circumstances, they could only follow Shanks's orders and retreat.
Benn Beckman hurriedly called for the ship's doctor to carefully carry Shanks aboard on a stretcher. The rest of the crew retreated, casting fearful glances back at the Emperor.
Aboard the ship, Shanks lay on the stretcher as the doctor carefully examined his shocking injuries. Having never seen his captain suffer such severe wounds, the doctor treated him with the utmost caution.
Shanks looked at Benn Beckman and spoke slowly. "Once we get back, have someone deliver Uta's ashes to that Emperor."
Benn Beckman's eyes instantly widened in horror. "Do we really have to do this?"
He assumed Shanks had submitted, which was why that lord was letting them off the hook. Why else would he let them go? He also knew Uta's place in Shanks's heart; she was no less important to him than Luffy.
Seeing Benn Beckman's reaction, Shanks smiled. "Don't look like that. That lord might actually be able to resurrect Uta. Who knows, the next time we visit the Empire on Which the Sun Never Sets, we might just see her again."
Benn Beckman was greatly shocked. *So that was how it was?*
It seemed Shanks truly believed the Emperor. He wondered what the two had discussed while he was trapped in that bizarre space.
But recalling the god-like power they had just witnessed, it wasn't entirely impossible for this Emperor to resurrect Uta. Of course, he hoped it wouldn't be through some dark, cult-like method, but a true resurrection.
Back on the shore, Ryōsuke watched the Red Hair Pirates depart. Now, he just had to wait for Uta's ashes to be delivered so he could resurrect her.
However, that might take some time. For now, he needed to focus on his wedding.
Looking at Big Mom and Kaido, he ordered, "You may both return."
With that, he opened a spatial portal and left.
Big Mom and Kaido also departed; since Red Hair had retreated, there was naturally no need for them to stay.
Over the next half month, twelve weddings were held in succession.
This was a grand event for the empire, and banquets were held across the entire nation in celebration.
This served to strengthen the cohesion of the Empire on Which the Sun Never Sets, as well as the Emperor's prestige. After all, it would take some time for the Empire to completely assimilate the former Wano Country, and such measures greatly accelerated the process.
The commoners of Wano Country had previously been living in an abyss of suffering. Their current happy lives felt like heaven, and all of this was bestowed upon them by their new Emperor.
To them, simply being able to live in peace was the greatest happiness. They didn't care whether the country was called Wano or the Empire on Which the Sun Never Sets, especially after enduring twenty long years of agony.
They held absolutely no nostalgia for the old Wano Country.
This time, Ryōsuke took a total of twelve consorts.
The First Imperial Consort was naturally Yamato.
The Second Imperial Consort was Ulti.
The Third Imperial Consort was Kozuki Hiyori.
The Fourth Imperial Consort was Robin.
The Fifth Imperial Consort was Nami.
The Sixth Imperial Consort was the Pirate Empress.
The Seventh Imperial Consort was Princess Vivi.
The Eighth Imperial Consort was Reiju.
The Ninth Imperial Consort was Princess Shirahoshi.
The Tenth Imperial Consort was Rebecca.
The Eleventh Imperial Consort was Kalifa.
The Twelfth Imperial Consort was Stussy.
Of course, there was also Olvia, but she had no desire to become an Imperial Consort and remained Ryōsuke's lover. Although she had no official title, Ryōsuke treated her equally, as they were all his women.
Naturally, there was also Kuina, who was still growing up, and Uta, who would join them in the near future.
Coming to the pirate world had truly yielded a massive harvest.
Now, he was preparing to deal with Momonosuke.
In the courtyard, Ryōsuke and Kozuki Hiyori were drinking and enjoying themselves.
"Hiyori, I will fulfill the promise I made to you. I will now have Momonosuke safely released from prison."
"Yes, Emperor."
Kozuki Hiyori was overjoyed. The Emperor truly kept his promises. Even though her brother was a disappointment, she still wanted him to live safely.
Ryōsuke then ordered his subordinates to bring Kozuki Momonosuke over, along with a woman he had carefully selected for him.
He wasn't cruel enough to chop Momonosuke into eight pieces; instead, he intended to bestow upon him the greatest happiness in the world.
Soon, Kozuki Momonosuke was brought in. His heart was filled with apprehension, completely unaware of what awaited him.
He deeply regretted his actions; he never should have returned to this country.
He should have been more resolute.
*How could Luffy and the others possibly be a match for a man who could make Kaido submit?*
Upon entering the courtyard, he saw the terrifying man, and of course, his now grown-up sister.
Seeing her disappointing brother, Hiyori immediately scolded him.
"Kozuki Momonosuke, do you realize your mistakes?"
"To actually bring a group of pirates to overthrow this country."
"Plunging a hard-won peaceful nation back into disaster!"
Wearing a terrified expression, Kozuki Momonosuke could only repeatedly apologize.
"I know I was wrong."
Although he considered the Straw Hat Pirates to be good people, he didn't dare anger his sister right now. He could sense that her bond with this lord was much deeper than their own sibling relationship.
Hearing Momonosuke's words, Kozuki Hiyori's expression softened.
"It's good that you know you were wrong."
"This lord has already spared you. Hurry up and thank the Emperor."
A relieved smile appeared on Kozuki Momonosuke's face. He didn't have to die after all.
"Thank you, Emperor."
Ryōsuke waved his hand dismissively.
"It's just a small matter."
Right at that moment, a woman of massive tonnage, heavy-jowled and large-eared, walked in.
She was roughly the size of a dozen Kozuki Momonosukes combined, making the ground tremble with every step she took.