Using his Observation Haki, Tenma precisely captured the fear in Kozuki Sukiyaki's heart.
Every single sentence landed like a sledgehammer, smashing straight into the old man's mental defenses.
In the dim light, Tenma looked like a demon god descended upon the world.
Crushed by that overwhelming presence, Sukiyaki found it hard to breathe. He opened his mouth, wanting to speak, but no sound came out. He could only stagger backward.
"L-Lord Tenma! Don't listen to him!"
Sensing death closing in, Kurozumi Orochi immediately groveled like a lapdog.
"I—I'm the current shogun! That old man's already dead! As long as you want it, I'll issue a proclamation right now and abdicate in your favor!"
But the more he said, the more it reminded Sukiyaki of a brutal truth.
The so-called ancestral laws had already become a joke the moment Orochi usurped the throne.
And compared to the hellish future Orochi described, the powerful man before him might truly be Wano's only hope.
Add to that the blood debt of a murdered son—
the last trace of hesitation vanished from Sukiyaki's eyes.
He tightened his grip on the short blade and stepped forward, one step at a time.
This time, Tenma did not stop him. He merely watched coldly.
Orochi turned desperately toward Sukiyaki, begging for mercy—but that only fueled more hatred.
A flash of steel. No hesitation.
Slash!!!
Blood sprayed into the air. A head filled with terror and unwillingness rolled across the floor.
Kurozumi Orochi's sinful life came to a complete end.
"Looks like you've made the wise choice."
Tenma snapped his fingers. Snap.
The ropes binding the Oniwabanshu instantly fell away.
Fukurokuju, ever the survivor, hit the ground and immediately dropped to his knees with a thud.
"Oniwabanshu leader Fukurokuju greets Shogun Tenma!"
With someone taking the lead, the remaining ninjas all knelt as well, shouting in unison.
Sukiyaki looked at them with complicated emotions. There were many unfamiliar faces, but Fukurokuju was an old acquaintance.
The situation was already decided. Even Kaido couldn't suppress this man—what could a retired shogun like him possibly do?
With a dejected sigh, Sukiyaki turned to Tenma.
"What do you need me to do next?"
Tenma sheathed his blade and smiled faintly.
"Simple. You'll stage a show of 'returning from the dead,' then, in front of the entire nation, pass the position of shogun to me."
"After that, you retire peacefully. Wano's future will no longer have anything to do with the Kozuki clan."
"Relax—I'm not interested in ruling through tyranny. That's something only idiots do."
Though it sounded reasonable, Sukiyaki still collapsed onto the ground, staring at his blood-stained hands, his heart filled with regret.
It was the pain of watching centuries of family legacy end in his hands.
Tenma couldn't be bothered with his self-pity. The world was full of pitiful people.
He walked up to the massive red Road Poneglyph and gently placed his palm on it.
The power of the Float-Float Fruit activated.
Turning toward the stone gate, Tenma walked away without looking back.
"Everything's ready. Time for the coronation."
In just half a day—
Thanks to the Oniwabanshu's efficient operations, a bombshell of news exploded across all of Wano.
Kurozumi Orochi is dead! Shogun Kozuki Sukiyaki has returned!
Broadcast through information Den-Den Mushi, the news spread like wildfire to every corner of the country.
The few surviving daimyō were so shocked they dropped their teacups. Forgetting everything else, they mounted their horses and raced madly toward the Flower Capital.
Across the villages, commoners stared at the projected images of the shogun's residence, hearts long silent beginning to pound once more.
In the plaza before the shogun's palace in the Flower Capital, a sea of people gathered, their shouts rising wave after wave.
"Is Shogun Sukiyaki really alive?!"
"That demon Orochi is finally dead?!"
"We want to see the shogun!!"
High within the palace, Tenma could feel the volcanic emotions below even through thick walls.
Hope—born from utter despair.
"The stage is set. Time for the protagonist to appear."
Tenma glanced back at the silent Sukiyaki.
"Let's hope you keep your promise."
Sukiyaki took a deep breath, straightened his clothes, and walked toward the balcony with heavy steps.
When his figure appeared on the massive projected screen, all of Wano erupted.
"My heavens! It really is Shogun Sukiyaki!"
"W-we're saved…!"
People wept with joy, cheers shaking the heavens.
Looking at the countless hopeful eyes below, Sukiyaki felt a swirl of emotions.
He knew the cheers weren't because he had ruled so well in the past—it was simply because his successor had been so abysmal.
For a fleeting moment, he wanted to reclaim that seat.
But reason told him it was nothing more than a delusion.
Suppressing the turmoil in his heart, Sukiyaki began to speak.
He told of being framed, of faking his death, of living in hiding—every word gripping the listeners' hearts.
Then his tone shifted, growing firm.
"Today, I must announce a major decision. I do not intend to return to the throne."
The plaza erupted in shock, cries of disbelief and pleas rising everywhere.
Sukiyaki raised a hand to quiet them and continued.
"In truth, it was a hero who saved me—he is the one who eradicated Kurozumi Orochi."
"He is my benefactor, and the savior of Wano! Only he possesses the strength to free this country from Kaido's grasp!"
"He is not of the Kozuki clan, nor of any other daimyō family—but today, I choose to break tradition!"
"As the last shogun of the Kozuki clan, I hereby declare that the man standing behind me—Lord Tenma—will be the new shogun of Wano!"
At that moment, every gaze locked onto the young figure stepping forward.
Tenma.
The new ruler of Wano.
With the endorsement of a legitimate shogun, and the promise to drive out Kaido—the ultimate selling point—he almost instantly gained the people's recognition.
"Shogun Tenma, can you really drive that monster away?!"
"Please… save this country!"
Heart-rending cries erupted from the crowd.
In a nation ravaged by Orochi's cruelty, in a land where Kozuki Oden had left only disappointment behind, the people desperately longed for a powerful leader.
Tenma stood atop the platform, gazing down at the masses packed like ants below.
His expression was solemn as his voice, amplified by Den-Den Mushi, echoed throughout the city.
"I swear in the name of the shogun—I will drive out all foreign enemies and bring Wano a brand-new, prosperous future!"
The vow struck like thunder, igniting everyone's passion.
"Long live Shogun Tenma!"
"Shogun Tenma!!"
Cheers roared into the sky.
At this moment, a new king was born.
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