The gap is just too big.
Many feats she used to think were impressive and great, compared to the legendary experiences of the man in front of her, don't even count as small waves.
It even makes her feel, as her mind has gradually matured over the past few years...
Kozuki Oden was really too foolish.
How could there be such a foolish man?
Clearly the legitimate general of Wano Country, with enough strength and prestige to defeat foreign enemies, yet he naively believed enemy promises, handing over the position of general and the prestige of the Kozuki clan;
Clearly he was also an important cadre of the Roger Pirates and the Whitebeard Pirates, able to easily find strong external support;
Yet for five years, he naively danced naked while the situation worsened step by step, allowing Orochi and Kaido to grow stronger, completely controlling this country.
Speaking of which...
The reason Wano Country became hell, why the people suffered in misery for decades.
Isn't it all thanks to this guy!!
And Lord Shano?
Born humble, in poverty, nothing comparable to Oden's start as a general.
But since setting sail, he took less than two years to grow from a nobody in the East Sea to a world-shocking king.
Not only defeating the Four Emperors and the Navy Headquarters in succession but also expanding his influence throughout the New World, pulling the Heavenly Celestial Dragons down from their lofty clouds!
Changing the fate of Wano Country, in his hands, was as simple as eating and drinking!
"Thinking about it now, it's really laughable."
Yamato scratched her head, laughing a little awkwardly:
"So later, I took Oden's diary as reverse material, carrying it as a reminder to give up fantasies, give up compromising with Kaido and Orochi, never to be as foolish as him."
Shano unexpectedly looked at the girl a couple more times.
Her insight seemed deeper than he previously predicted?
"In any case, only one point from Oden's diary is worthy of my agreement—that Wano Country must open to the sea."
Yamato handed the notebook sincerely to Shano, "But besides that, it does contain a lot of information about Wano Country which might be useful. If you need it, I'll gift this diary to you!"
"Thanks."
Shano took the diary, casually flipping through a few pages, his gaze sweeping over the messy scrawls.
"Indeed there are quite a few valuable contents, so I'll take it."
"Great! Hehe, it's wonderful to help you just after joining!"
Yamato giggled, happily rubbing her hands, like a dog recently praised by its owner.
Shano, observing her demeanor, couldn't help but smile, closing the diary, placing it away.
His words were naturally a lie.
Oden's diary?
Since Yamato no longer needs it.
That waste paper is too coarse even for wiping.
Its greatest use, is as a sacrifice to exchange for points, and then be drawn by some unlucky fellow to...
Cough cough.
Perhaps they won't be an unlucky fellow.
Who knows, maybe some colleague arriving in another world, just like the past Yamato, a big fan of Oden, would cherish it?
"I'm going first then, my lord?"
"Mm, go."
"Mr. Jack! Mr. Jack!"
Yamato shouted with joy, running out the door, "I apologize! Please let me work with you and Lady Kuina!"
As long as this mission is completed, she would officially become a cadre of the Endgame!
If completed beautifully enough, perhaps Lord Shano might look favorably upon her and keep her by his side!
Charge, Yamato!
Watching the girl's distant figure riding off, Aokiji and Shano felt a sense of unease.
"Ah la."
Aokiji spoke softly: "If I recall correctly, there's only one corridor in that direction, very narrow, and at this speed, it'd be hard to stop."
"Uh, Jack didn't walk far; he's guarding the door at the end of that corridor, waiting for us?" Shano replied uncertainly.
Almost the next second.
In the distance came Jack's desperate, hopeless shout:
"You! Don't! Come! Ah!!!!"
Boom!
A loud bang.
The huge and burly figure, under the astonished gaze of Shano and Aokiji, flew high into the air, like a meteor shooting into the sky...
......
Meanwhile.
At the gate of the Governor's residence, Kuina stood with hands behind her back, glancing back at the courtyard inside.
Two squads of the Combat Corps have completely taken control here, tallying the inventory of the storeroom inside.
Hundreds of large boxes fill the open courtyard space, stretching out of sight.
Kurozumi Orochi, whether out of revenge against Wano Country or his innate tyrannical nature.
What he implemented on Wano Country was indeed a desolate and fish-without-water tyranny, completely ignoring future generations, the future of the clan.
Therefore.
The wealth this country could generate over decades, excluding the share for the Hundred Beasts, has almost all been accumulated here.
Ten times richer than anticipated.
Hmm?
Kuina suddenly seemed to notice something, raising her head, looking to the right.
There at the side door.
A samurai with narrow eyes and a strange appearance, along with a strikingly beautiful, well-dressed girl, squeezed through the messy courtyard, struggling through the crowd, wanting to approach Kuina.
But they were detected by several Combat Corps members, who drew their swords to block:
"Stop!"
Those two mentioned by Lord Shano?
Kuina squinted her eyes.
"Let them pass." She commanded.
"Yes!"
"This lord."
Kyoshiro looked gratefully at Kuina, speaking respectfully, "I am Kyoshiro, and this is Miss Kozuki Hiyori, daughter of Lord Kozuki Oden."
"Oh?"
Kuina's gaze lightly swept over them, lingering an extra second on Kozuki Hiyori's face, then raising an eyebrow slightly:
"So?"
"We heard that Kurozumi Orochi has been executed, and the Hundred Beasts Pirates along with Kaido have been defeated, so we came specially to visit."
Kyoshiro spoke sincerely, bowing deeply:
"Thanks to the Endgame for clearing these two great calamities from Wano Country, granting us and this land a chance to finally see daylight!"
"Yes, it's wonderful!"
Kozuki Hiyori also quickly echoed, gracefully bowing, then raising her pitiful face:
"We wonder, how do the lords plan to arrange Wano Country's future? There's rumor that the Endgame plans to open Wano up, and that's wonderful, my father devoted himself to opening up Wano during his lifetime. If possible, the Kozuki clan hopes to inherit his will and assist you…"
"Assist?"
Kuina couldn't help but chuckle, extending her hand to interrupt her words: "How many of you Kozuki clan members are there now?"
Kozuki Hiyori was taken aback, instinctively looking at Kyoshiro.
"This..."
Kyoshiro showed a troubled expression: "Besides Miss Hiyori, a few retainers are still alive, and Lord Momonosuke will return within a few years..."
"Then there aren't many at all."
Kuina stated calmly, "A thoroughly faded old nobility, even calling it a small force is flattery, what use can they offer? Since that's the case, don't mention assistance, Wano Country's future is arranged by Lord Shano, no need for outsiders to interfere."
"Outsiders?"
Kozuki Hiyori, somewhat embarrassed and offended, raised her voice: "How can we be outsiders? My father was this country's..."
"Criminal?"
Kuina coldly said, "A man whose foolishness and naivety buried the entire nation, wronged all its people, a criminal?"
Kozuki Hiyori was shocked.
Kyoshiro's face drastically changed!
Clang!
His previously somewhat accommodating hunched body suddenly straightened, drawing half his sword, squinting at Kuina, speaking coldly:
"Milady, Lord Oden is my master, absolutely no standing idly by while he is insulted, reclaim your statement!"