Tenma had once made her a promise: the power that belonged to her would come eventually.
Hancock had never doubted that for a moment.
What filled her mind right now was how to squeeze every last bit of Baccarat's luck, dig out that vicious Devil Fruit known as the Yami Yami no Mi, and make Tenma even happier.
Feeling that gaze—like a predator locking onto its prey—Baccarat felt a chill run down her spine. In her heart, she was a hundred times unwilling.
She had joined the Oniwabanshu, and she considered herself one of Tenma's retainers. If it was work for Tenma, she would never say no.
But the problem was—she hadn't even been here for a full year!
The time she'd spent living peacefully in Wano didn't even add up to three months. Even a draft animal in a production team wouldn't be driven this hard, right?
Especially since she'd just spent more than half a year drifting across the seas with Gion—her bones were practically falling apart.
Yet she didn't dare offend this favored confidante by Tenma's side. After all, Hancock had risen to fame in a single battle at last year's Fire Festival, and now she was the unrivaled Empress of the Kuja, basking in the limelight.
And since this time it wasn't a private getaway with Tenma either, Baccarat's eyes rolled. She could only pull over Kozuki Toki—the chief steward who symbolized "gentleness"—as a human shield, and indirectly plead for help from Tenma.
Listening to Baccarat's tearful complaints, Tenma couldn't help but laugh.
This domineering, unreasonable style of doing things really did suit Hancock's proud personality.
In that Empress's eyes, as long as it made Tenma happy, the lives or opinions of others simply didn't matter.
Still, Baccarat was already a core member of the Oniwabanshu. Tenma wasn't heartless enough to drain the pond to catch the fish.
He wasn't some devil boss who squeezed his employees dry.
After sending Robin to have a "heart-to-heart talk" with the willful Empress, Tenma fell into contemplation.
Watching Gion adapt to her new abilities, his thoughts drifted to Hancock and Yamato, whose mastery of Conqueror's Haki coating had grown increasingly refined.
Today's Wano was no longer what it once had been.
After eight years of accumulation and tempering, its foundations in every aspect had become as solid as an iron barrel.
Whether it was the army's murderous aura, the reserves of top-tier combat power, the iteration of weapons technology, or innovations in medical energy—everything was growing explosively.
The time had come.
The plan to completely swallow up Totto Land and devour this massive slice of the New World cake in one bite could officially be put on the agenda.
Compared to relying on something as illusory as luck to hunt for treasure, Tenma's appetite had long since locked onto that fertile sea.
Not just to plunder resources to feed Wano.
When he walked out of the research base and looked at the electromagnetic cannon mechanized legions rolling off the assembly lines, as well as the second batch of even more fully featured combat suits, Tenma felt utterly confident.
With these war machines as backing, secret pre-war economic control orders began circulating quietly throughout Wano.
As a nation already exporting weapons and grain, stockpiling war supplies was child's play for Wano.
At the same time, in terms of medical support, Tenma ordered Mansherry to cultivate large quantities of the long-term storable "Blood-Offering Dandelions" inside the military bases.
All preparations advanced in an orderly fashion beneath the seemingly prosperous, peaceful borders.
Although most of the major activity was concentrated at Blade Harbor, which leaned heavily toward military industry, material throughput and transportation on such a scale were still hard to fully conceal.
Many sharp-nosed residents vaguely sensed something—perhaps the Shogun was preparing another expedition.
Curiosity clawed at them like a cat, but everyone tacitly maintained silence, continuing their daily lives, unwilling to cause trouble for the Shogun.
As a result, Wano's interior was strangely calm, without any major ripples.
However, for those information brokers who could seep through any crack, the faintest scent of blood was enough to draw them like flies.
Deep within Wano's pleasure district lay a street of ambiguous hues, perpetually drenched in pink atmosphere.
Neon lights blazed, and the air was thick with cheap perfume mixed with expensive alcohol.
This was the Wano outpost of the underground queen Stussy—the Pleasure Street branch, and also a breeding ground where countless spies hid filth and secrets.
Though Wano's native courtesan alleys had their own charm, this was, after all, a long-established money pit of the New World.
Aside from the currently explosive Mermaid Cove and the man-forbidden land of Amazon Lily, this place remained the most beloved paradise for Wano's men.
Bars and dance halls were always where information flowed fastest.
Under the numbing haze of alcohol and the soft whispers of hostesses, many secrets leaked straight from drunken mouths.
Bit by bit, Stussy's planted eyes pieced together the truth behind Wano's sudden shift in direction.
Soon, far away at Pleasure Street's New World headquarters, Stussy received this weighty intelligence report.
A trace of gravity flashed across that exquisitely painted face and impossibly seductive figure.
Wano's resources were being gathered and concentrated like crazy—this was clearly the prelude to a major military action.
As the queen of the underworld and a top CP0 agent, Stussy's mind raced.
There was no doubt about it. At this critical juncture, for Tenma—already seated on the throne of the New World's emperors—to stir up such a massive operation, there was only one explanation.
War.
And speaking of war, Stussy immediately thought of the recent tension between Wano and the Whitebeard Pirates over the Fish-Man Island flag.
That general who could fly and move mountains—could he really be preparing to declare war on the "Strongest Man in the World," Whitebeard?
If two forces capable of destroying the world collided…
Just imagining it made Stussy tremble all over—fear, and excitement intertwined.
Though this was only speculation based on the situation, without hard evidence, Whitebeard was indeed the most likely target.
Stussy dared not delay. She immediately rushed the intelligence—"The Flying General is suspected of preparing a large-scale expedition"—to the World Government.
The message hit like a heavy bombshell, instantly making the lofty Five Elders restless.
A full-scale war initiated by one of the Four Emperors would absolutely shatter and reshape the New World's balance that had been stable for years.
Of course, shock was one thing.
If Tenma truly pointed his spear at another Emperor, a dog-eat-dog scenario like that would have the World Government laughing themselves awake in their dreams.
The focus returned to the much-watched Wano.
At noon, the blazing sun hung high in the sky, golden light spilling over the sea like it cost nothing.
The vast ocean shimmered, every wave crest seeming plated in fragmented gold.
This broad coastline, though located inland within Wano, boasted scenery no less magnificent than the open sea.
It was an artificial miracle—Tenma had used godlike power to move mountains and seas, forcibly transporting islands and seawater to build it.
Not only was it a top-tier private resort for Oniwabanshu members, it was also a specially constructed training ground to help the mermaid princess Shirahoshi adapt to deep-sea environments.
This was an absolute forbidden zone. Only core members with special permission could step into this paradise.
Connected internally to the Rainbow Coast, every inch of scenery here was breathtaking, even if it was ostensibly for training.
Silver-bell laughter rang across the golden sands.
Young, beautiful girls in cool swimsuits darted between various attractions, their overflowing vitality seeming capable of melting steel.
Snow-white arms slapped the water, splashing crystal-clear droplets that refracted rainbow halos under the sun.
Beach volleyball—a sport brimming with summer vibes—was in full swing.
Except… the style of play here was a bit off.
Especially the match led by Hancock and Yamato—it was practically a clash of gods.
Not only were flashy Devil Fruit abilities used, but even blatantly foul tactics like spider webs and ghost bombs appeared one after another.
The volleyball roared through the air with wind and thunder, carving deadly arcs across the sky.
Watching this turbulent yet stunning scene, Tenma lounged comfortably on a beach chair, feeling it was a hundred times more pleasing to the eye than any so-called golden coast.
Because he'd been unanimously labeled a "cheating dog," Law—the man who could freely cut space—was directly stripped of his eligibility to compete.
He could only gloomily follow Kuina and Zoro under a coconut tree in the distance, miserably undergoing Gion's swordsmanship training.
Though the clouds of war were closing in, Tenma appeared exceptionally relaxed.
He had even deliberately given the Oniwabanshu a holiday, letting everyone enjoy this last moment of peace before the war.
Taking the iced juice Robin handed him, condensation sliding down the glass and across his fingers with refreshing coolness, Tenma took a sip and smiled.
"Pleasure Street's branch—those little mice should've started moving by now, right?"
"Everything is under control."
Robin crossed her arms gracefully, activating the power of the Hana Hana no Mi.
Countless arms bloomed from thin air, lifting trays of exquisite chilled fruit drinks and precisely delivering them to Oniwabanshu members playing wildly by the shore.
"Our shadow guards in the dark have already intercepted several of Stussy's informants secretly reporting out via Den Den Mushi."
"Let them be. A battle on this scale can't be hidden anyway."
Tenma gazed at the distant horizon, his eyes playful. "Besides, Big Mom has World Government eyes planted on her side too. Since that's the case, we might as well draw our swords openly."
With the number of trump cards he held now, he feared no covetous gaze from any power.
Robin nodded slightly, saying nothing more.
As the chief steward, she understood his style best—seemingly arrogant, yet every step was calculated down to the bone.
"Perfect timing. We'll toss a few unstable pieces out and let them self-destruct over on Cake Island—consider it an appetizer for Big Mom."
Tenma casually decided the fates of a few unlucky souls, then turned his gaze back to the sea.
There, Shirahoshi was having the time of her life with Nami and Hiyori.
With massive splashes, five or six Sea Kings as large as mountains burst from the water.
These deep-sea behemoths, which could normally crush massive warships with ease, were as docile as house pets before Shirahoshi.
They willingly served as water buses, carrying the girls as they rode the waves.
In less than a year, the power of the ancient weapon Poseidon had finally begun to reveal its edge…
Night fell.
Moonlight washed the land, stars glittered across the sky.
Even in a state of war readiness, the annual Fire Festival was still held as usual.
Fireworks filled the sky, illuminating all of Wano as bright as day.
But unlike previous years, this year's festival canceled the blood-pumping tournament and issued no invitations to the outside world.
This abnormal move was like the suffocating low pressure before a storm, letting the underworld and even the World Government sense something unusual.
Though there was no tournament, bonfires still blazed throughout the country.
Residents sat around the flames, devouring meat, guzzling wine, watching splendid song and dance performances on stage, releasing the joy of the festival to their hearts' content.
Yet beneath this nationwide celebration, a few sneaky rats, harboring ulterior motives, quietly slipped away from the crowd.
Taking advantage of loosened security, they crept like ghosts toward the research base, designated an absolute forbidden zone.
According to the costly intelligence they'd purchased, security here was weakest on Fire Festival night every year.
In the shadows, someone was already waiting to receive them.
A guard in a special military uniform—looking very much like a bribed insider.
After a furtive exchange of glances, the guard took the heavy pouch of money, pretended to scan the surroundings, and after confirming no one was nearby, tossed them several sets of guard uniforms and quietly let them pass.
Only after the four figures vanished into the depths of the corridor did the "greedy" guard calmly pull out a Den Den Mushi and report respectfully:
"Lady Robin, the fish are in the net."
The four intruders had no idea they were already trapped.
After changing into the guard uniforms, they stared wide-eyed at the sci-fi-like equipment and instruments around them, like bumpkins entering a grand garden.
Beyond curiosity, there was wild joy.
The intel was right—those scientists who were usually nailed to this place had all gone out to celebrate!
The entire base was empty, so quiet they could hear their own ragged breathing.
"Stop dawdling! We don't have much time!"
One of them hissed urgently. "We must find that treasure now! If we're discovered, the General will skin us alive!"
At the word "General," the other three shuddered involuntarily. Their movements immediately quickened as they rummaged frantically through the equipment.
"Idiot! How could something that grants immortality be stored in an outer room like this?"
The small leader cursed, his gaze suddenly locking onto a half-open double-layer alloy door ahead.
Driven by monstrous greed, they threw even basic caution to the winds and rushed in headlong.
But when they turned the corner, the sight before them froze them solid, and they let out pig-slaughter screams.
"Th-this… what kind of monster is this?! A giant?!"
At the center of the room stood a massive glass cultivation tank.
Submerged in eerie green liquid was a green-haired woman nearly ten meters tall, like a slumbering Titan deity.
An electronic display before the instruments flickered with cold blue light. Trembling, two of them leaned in and stammered out the words:
"Human gigantification experiment… cultivating normal humans into giant-sized bodies…"
Before they could finish reading, their legs gave out.
The overwhelming visual shock, combined with the terrifying information, triggered a primal urge to flee.
Knowing a secret like this—they'd definitely be silenced, right?!
Just as they staggered back in terror, excited shrieks from the other two companions suddenly rang out:
"Come quick! We found it! The pure gold is really here!"
Thud!
A dull impact shattered the silence.
The two who were still ecstatic over the gold spun around—only to see their companions, who had been gawking at the giant moments ago, collapsed on the ground like puddles of mud, life or death unknown.
The surroundings were empty. Not a single shadow in sight.
Whoosh!
A violent tearing of air suddenly sounded by their ears.
The next instant, their skulls felt like they'd been smashed by iron hammers. Darkness swallowed them as they followed their companions into oblivion.
As all four fell, the empty air rippled like disturbed water.
Camouflage faded, and Baby 5, dressed in a black-and-white maid outfit, appeared out of thin air.
Holding a heavy weapon, she glanced at the unconscious "salted fish" on the ground and curled her lip disdainfully.
After dealing with the trash, Baby 5 walked straight to the giant cultivation tank and shut it down.
With a mechanical hum, the liquid drained rapidly, and the thick alloy glass slid open to both sides.
The giant woman inside snapped her eyes open, tore off the breathing mask on her face, and stepped out of the tank.
With a series of crackling bone sounds, her nearly ten-meter body rapidly shrank, returning in the blink of an eye to a normal height of two to three meters.
"Sandersonia, how does it feel?" Baby 5 asked with a mischievous grin, schadenfreude written all over her face.
"Ah… what misery. Soaking in that crappy tank for an hour or two—my bones almost rusted."
Sandersonia rubbed her sore shoulders and complained.
Ever since their eldest sister Hancock had ascended as Empress, she and Marigold, the pair of sisters, had never rested, relentlessly pushing themselves to grow stronger.
The humiliation of being kidnapped by the Celestial Dragons due to their weakness had become their greatest motivation.
Under Wano's hellish militarized training system, their current strength was worlds apart from before, far surpassing ordinary Akazaya samurai.
Especially Sandersonia—thanks to her outstanding physical skills and Armament Haki, she had won the championship reward of the first tournament—
The Human-Human Fruit, Mythical Zoan: Daidarabocchi Form, brought back by Koshiro.
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