"The meal's ready~"
Caramen lifted the pot lid, and instantly, a rich, tantalizing aroma wafted out.
Gurgle~
Gurgle~
Accompanied by the sound of swallowed saliva, the stomachs of the grandpa and granddaughter duo betrayed them once more.
"This is braised pork ribs, twice-cooked pork, red-braised pork, mapo tofu, stir-fried three vegetables…" Caramen listed off the dish names like counting treasures, opening all the lids in turn. These were all specialties from Leo's original hometown. Not only were they less cumbersome to prepare, their flavor was in no way inferior to those lavish dishes. Made by a master chef like Caramen, the taste was exquisite.
"I've never heard of these dishes, but they smell amazing~" Tama sniffed the air, drool escaping the corner of her mouth.
The women looked at her with smiling eyes, speaking softly, "Tama, eat up. Sister Caramen's skills are top-notch."
"Mhmm… I'll dig in!"
"Master, you eat too."
After calling out to Sukiyaki, Tama immediately began devouring the food.
"Wow~ It's so delicious!!"
"Sister Caramen, you're amazing~"
As a piece of red, tender, and melt-in-your-mouth braised pork entered her mouth, the rich flavor instantly spread across her palate. An enraptured expression gradually appeared on Tama's little face.
"It really is very good." Sukiyaki nodded slightly, also giving high praise to Caramen's cooking.
Caramen simply smiled at their compliments without a word. Different skills for different trades.
Everyone served themselves a bowl of rice, and the everyday family meal began amidst cheerful chatter and laughter.
"Burp I'm full" Tama rubbed her round little belly and let out a comfortable burp. After eating and drinking her fill, she recalled her earlier lack of decorum and couldn't help but blush.
"Tama, if you follow Brother Leo, you can eat Sister Caramen's cooking every day~" Robin stroked Tama's forehead, saying with a smile.
"Really??" Tama's gem-like eyes sparkled brilliantly. Caramen's cooking was the most delicious she'd ever eaten. To be able to eat it every day…
Gurgle~
"But… Master…" Thinking of something, Tama looked at Sukiyaki with some difficulty. Following Leo meant leaving her master, didn't it?
"Tama…" Sukiyaki looked at her with complex eyes.
"Sukiyaki, consider my proposal. Tama following me is the best choice for her." Leo wiped the grease from his lips and advised again.
Sukiyaki pondered for a moment. After a good while, he finally nodded. "You can take Tama. But you must treat her well." In truth, he didn't want Leo to take Tama. But he understood perfectly that Leo was only saying this much out of consideration for Tama's feelings. Otherwise, with the other's power, there was no need to seek his opinion.
"And the swords." Leo added. Did he think he'd forgotten?
"Sigh~" Sukiyaki let out a long sigh, his face full of bitterness. He painstakingly walked on his geta toward the room. The short distance of a few steps took him over a full minute to cover.
Sukiyaki placed the swords before Leo with a pained expression, then turned and hugged a tree, wailing loudly.
Leo smiled and ignored him. Before him now were three swords.
The first sword:
Its guard was cross-shaped, the blade long with a significant curve, no blood groove, the hamon a typical flame-grain pattern.
One of the 21 Great Grade Swords: Sandai Kitetsu. A legendary cursed sword.
The second sword:
Its scabbard had floral carvings, the guard three-petaled.
One of the 21 Great Grade Swords: Ame no Habakiri.
One of Kozuki Oden's former swords, a famous blade said to be able to "cut even the sky."
The third sword:
Similar in style to Ame no Habakiri, also a Great Grade.
Another of Kozuki Oden's swords, said to be able to "destroy even hell."
Unlike the former, Enma voluntarily releases the user's Haki, unleashing immense power. If the user cannot control Enma, they will be drained of Haki and die. But if mastered, it becomes an extremely powerful famous blade. Years ago, Kozuki Oden used Enma to leave the X-shaped scar on Kaido's stomach that persists to this day.
"Tashigi, they're yours." Leo glanced at them, then casually handed the three famous swords to Tashigi beside him.
To date, he had acquired twelve famous swords/cursed blades!
Wado Ichimonji, Shusui, Enma, Ame no Habakiri, Sandai Kitetsu, Demon Slayer Thousand Blades, Seven-Star Sword, Chamberlain Armament: Ichimonji, Kogarashi, Sakura Jū, Flower Province, and Funkfreed (the elephant sword).
His personal blades were Demon Slayer Thousand Blades, Seven-Star Sword, and Chamberlain Armament: Ichimonji. As for the other famous swords, Leo had given them all to Tashigi. Who else had her little hobby of collecting them?
"Thank you, Captain~" Tashigi's beautiful eyes curved, her voice sickly sweet. Her expression upon seeing famous swords was as exaggerated as Nami's upon seeing money.
"Waaah~"
Right then, another old man's wail came from nearby. The women glanced at Sukiyaki, who was sneaking peeks their way, and covered their mouths, giggling.
Tashigi accepted the three Great Grade Swords, unable to put them down as she admired them.
In this world, swords had a clear hierarchy.
The rarest were the 12 Supreme Grade Swords: like Mihawk's Yoru, Shanks's Gryphon, the Gorosei elder's Shodai Kitetsu, and Fujitora's unnamed blade.
Next were the 21 Great Grade Swords: like Enma and Ame no Habakiri. Tashigi now possessed five of this grade.
Below those were the 50 Skillful Grade Swords: like Tashigi's Flower Province.
Further down were various other 'Great Swords', cursed blades, rapiers, etc.: like Shiki's Kogarashi and Sakura Jū, Law's cursed blade Kikoku, Vista's and Cavendish's rapiers, and so on.
Finally, there were various famous blades. In Leo's understanding, these were simply swords with names, like the Shigure Tashigi originally used.
Beyond these, there were some special exceptions in this world, like the elephant sword Funkfreed (originally Spandam's sword that ate the Zoan, Elephant-Elephant Fruit) and Figarland Garling's (Shanks's blood brother) rapier, which ate the Mythical Zoan, Dog-Dog Fruit, Model: Cerberus. Talk about Celestial Dragons being filthy rich—even their sidearms ate Mythical Zoans.
"Stop crying. I'm not taking them for free." Leo looked speechlessly at Sukiyaki hugging the tree and wailing. How old was he, crying like a child? He just took his swords and was taking Tama. Did he have to cry so heart-wrenchingly?
Leo walked up to Sukiyaki and casually waved a hand. The next second, dazzling golden light illuminated half the area. Before Sukiyaki was piled with gold. Converted to Beri, it was worth roughly 100 million.
"Hiss~" Sukiyaki sucked in a cold breath, staring dumbfounded at the gold before him. Even if he wasn't a greedy person, with this much gold laid before him, saying he wasn't tempted would be a lie.
Gulp~
"Ahem…" Sukiyaki cleared his throat and asked tentatively, "Leo, is all this gold… for me?"
"Of course." Leo shrugged. The other had parted with three Great Grade Swords and Tama. This gold wasn't much.
"Well then, I'll accept it." Sukiyaki said as a matter of fact. Fearing Leo might change his mind, he quickly gathered all the gold and took it inside.
"Leo, you truly intend to take on Kaido?" After stashing the gold, Sukiyaki collected himself and got down to business.
"Correct. One of my goals in coming to Wano is to defeat Kaido." Leo nodded slightly.
"You… are you confident you can defeat him?" Sukiyaki hesitated for a long time before continuing. He'd read the reports, knew Leo was powerful. But Kaido's title was 'World's Strongest Creature.' And unlike Whitebeard, who was aged and plagued with old injuries, the current Kaido was genuinely in his prime! A Mythical Zoan, top-tier Haki in all three colors, top-tier defense and recovery… a true all-rounder!
"Our Captain never fights a battle he isn't sure of winning~" Regarding Sukiyaki's doubt, Stussy chuckled and shook her head. While she didn't know the full extent of Leo's power, she was certain that if a fight broke out, the loser would be Kaido.
"That's right, Brother Leo is the most awesome~" Beside them, Shirahoshi, coiled on her tail, puffed her cheeks and clenched her dainty fists in affirmation.
"See? That's your answer." Leo cast a light glance at Sukiyaki, then returned a gentle smile to the women.
"Alright then." Seeing this, Sukiyaki didn't ask further. He naturally hoped in his heart Leo could defeat Kaido and liberate Wano. At least from their contact so far, he felt Leo wasn't as despicable as the rumors made him out to be.
"Don't worry. Before long, someone will reorganize Wano. A continuous supply of food will arrive. All of Wano's residents will no longer have to worry about food or water. Your good days aren't far off." As he spoke, Leo had already stood up. Swords taken, person recruited. Time to go to the Flower Capital and meet that ugly Kurozumi Orochi. And, of course, to recruit the last of the world's Three Great Beauties.
Kozuki Hiyori.
"Master, I'm leaving~" Tama was reluctant to part, looking back every few steps. The smile on her face had vanished without a trace due to the separation from Sukiyaki, her voice even carrying a hint of tears.
"Tama~" Sukiyaki tears streamed down his old face.
Smack
Leo lightly slapped his own forehead. Another touching grandparent-grandchild scene was about to unfold.
"Alright, enough hugging. After I defeat Kaido, I'll have Tama live in the Shogun's estate. If you want to see her, you can move to the Flower Capital then." Leo really couldn't stand the current waterworks.
"Huh???" Sukiyaki was first stunned, then overjoyed. "Hahahaha… If that's the case, then this old man won't stand on ceremony. Tama, you go obediently with Leo. Once Master hears the good news in a few days, I'll come find you in the Flower Capital immediately." The old man's expression changed swiftly.
"Mhmm, mhmm." Tama nodded hurriedly.
"Tama, let's go." Shirahoshi carefully placed Tama within the hollow of her collarbone, then boarded the ship.
Watching the ship depart, Sukiyaki rubbed his old hands together excitedly and turned toward the room. With so many people earlier, he hadn't had the chance to count properly. Now…
Wano Country, as a highly unique region in the New World, had no outer coast, only sheer cliff waterfalls surrounding it. Past them lay the inland sea, composed of Onigashima and Wano's main island. The main island was divided into six regions: Kuri, Kibi, Udon, Ringo, Hakumai, and the Flower Capital. This was the capital of Wano and where Shogun Kurozumi Orochi resided. The most prosperous area was the Flower Capital.
When the flying ship landed and Leo led the women out one after another, countless curious gazes shot their way. The next second, everyone's pupils suddenly constricted.
"Leo! It's Leo!!"
"Holy crap! Why is the Leo Pirates here?!"
"This is bad! Inform the Shogun immediately!!"
"Leo is attacking Wano!"
Leo's appearance immediately caused an uproar. Compared to other regions, information flowed especially freely in the Flower Capital. Plus, the people living here were either wealthy or noble. They often paid attention to outside news. So upon first glance at Leo, they recognized him. The ingrained labels associated with Leo instantly surfaced in their minds. The residents shouted loudly and fled in panic.
Leo looked helplessly at the scattering residents. Was he really that terrifying? It seemed he'd have to ask Morgans to publish a separate article to salvage his image.
"Captain, you're really loathed, huh."
"Hahaha… Leo, did you see that? Those vendors abandoned their stalls."
"That's what you call reputation."
Looking at the deserted streets, the women all teased him with laughter. Right then, a very well-timed lonely, chilly wind swept through. Leo's face was immediately lined with black streaks.
"To the Shogun's estate!!" He said expressionlessly and walked straight in a certain direction.
The Shogun's estate, residence of Wano's Shogun, Kurozumi Orochi.
Inside the main hall at this moment.
Wispy incense smoke drifted from the incense burner. Around it, several graceful figures followed the rhythm of string music, swaying in captivating dances.
On the left, closest to the main seat.
Sat a tall samurai with slender eyes and long ears. He wore a dark blue kimono and sported a pompadour hairstyle.
Kyoshiro!
Orochi's bodyguard.
His true identity was one of Kozuki Oden's retainers, the second-in-command of the Nine Red Scabbards: Denjiro! After Oden's death, he concealed his identity and infiltrated Orochi's side. At the moment, he lay casually to one side, eyes narrowed as if half-asleep.
On the right, closest to the main seat.
Sat a bald man wearing square sunglasses and a purple kimono. Most striking were his extremely long earlobes and the shape of his skull.
Fukurokuju.
Captain of the Oniwabanshu.
Tasked specifically with protecting Orochi's safety, utterly loyal to him.
The person on the main seat.
This man had a burly build, a square face, a bald head with a crown on the left side and a topknot on the right. He wore a yellow kimono with black crescent-shaped pentagram patterns and a black cloak over his shoulders.
He was the current Shogun of Wano, Kurozumi Orochi.
A brutal, dictatorial ruler.
Owner of the Zoan-type, Snake-Snake Fruit, Mythical Zoan Model: Yamata no Orochi.
At this moment.
Orochi wore a lecherous expression as he stared fixedly at the slender, beautiful figure in the center, obscenely swallowing his saliva. She was his most obsessed-with courtesan, Komurasaki. Every time he held a banquet, he would invite Komurasaki to perform a song for him.
Orochi was in a pleasant mood, his fingers tapping rhythmically on the armrest beside him.
Right then, came the sudden sound of hurried, disorderly footsteps from outside.
Twang~
The sound of the koto strings ceased abruptly.
The man napping to the side opened his eyes instantly.
"Bastard!!" Orochi flew into a rage, his mood completely ruined. He had strictly forbidden anyone from disturbing him during Komurasaki's performances. Who had eaten the heart of a bear and leopard, daring to defy his orders?
"Lord Shogun! Something terrible has happened!!" Soon, a samurai rushed in with a panicked expression.
Orochi's face completely darkened. ..! Execute this impertinent fool immediately!"
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T/N :
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