Chapter 451: After the Dawn! The First Step of the Kozuki Clan
After dawn, makeshift wooden carts drove from the wilderness of Onigashima toward the Flower Capital.
On the carts lay heavily injured samurai and some wounded members of the Beasts Pirates who had already lost the ability to resist.
The escorting samurai walked silently on both sides, their armor and scabbards still stained with fresh blood.
The streets of the Flower Capital were already crowded with commoners.
They already knew that Kaido had been defeated, and they knew that Onigashima had nearly fallen last night.
But it was only when the blood-stained stretchers passed before their eyes that they truly understood what this dawn had been exchanged for.
No one organized any cheers for the victory.
The commoners voluntarily cleared the way, sending bedding, hot water, and food to the temporary medical stations.
Some waited for their scarred relatives, while others only waited for a broken sword and a wooden plaque with a name written on it.
The Flower Capital had just welcomed the dawn, but joy and sorrow enveloped the entire city simultaneously.
A temple near the Shogun's castle was quickly converted into a temporary medical station.
Luffy and Zoro were still unconscious, and Sanji was also forcibly pinned to a hospital bed by Chopper. The temple was filled with the smell of medicine, the scent of blood, and the sound of hushed weeping.
Victor's condition had stabilized slightly, but he still could not get up for long periods.
Nami sat by the bed, and she placed Shusui within reach, clearly to prevent a certain Vice Captain from secretly leaving again while leaning on his sword.
As soon as Victor braced his upper body, Nami's gaze swept over immediately.
"Where are you planning to go?"
"I just want to see the situation outside."
"Lie down."
"I am already—"
"Lie down."
Victor was silent for a moment, then leaned back against the pillow.
Robin was helping Chopper organize medicine and casualty records. When she returned, she happened to see this scene and couldn't help but smile, saying:
"It seems that this time, I don't need to remind you."
"Are you on her side too?"
Robin placed a cup of warm water by the bed. "Of course."
On the other side, Momonosuke entered the Flower Capital accompanied by Kin'emon.
When the crest of the Kozuki Clan reappeared on the streets, the commoners along the way knelt down one after another, calling him the heir of the Kozuki Clan, and some even excitedly begged him to succeed as Shogun immediately.
Momonosuke, however, did not feel proud.
He saw that beneath the prosperity of the Flower Capital, many people were still sallow and emaciated.
Commoners who had fled from other towns stood barefoot on the side of the street, the children in their arms crying weakly.
In the past, Momonosuke only knew that Kaido and Orochi had taken over Wano Country.
Now he truly understood that what had been taken away was far more than just the position of Shogun.
The land, rivers, food, and countless families had been destroyed; what the commoners had lost was not only their homes, but also the dignity to live.
"Lord Momonosuke, please succeed as Shogun!"
An old man knelt on the side of the road, his forehead pressed tightly against the ground.
More calls followed.
Momonosuke looked at those expectant faces, but did not respond for a long time.
For the first time, he felt that the title of "Shogun" was heavier than Onigashima, which had almost fallen last night.
Meanwhile, Hiyori entered the Shogun's granary.
After the warehouse doors opened, mountains of polished rice, fine wine, and dried meat appeared before everyone.
Orochi and Kaido had stored enough food in the Flower Capital to feed many people for months, but they had always forbidden these supplies from being transported to impoverished towns.
Hiyori immediately ordered people to take inventory of the grain, send a portion to the temporary medical station, and prioritize sending the rest to the areas most in need of food.
The old official in charge of the granary changed color and hurriedly stepped forward to stop her.
"Lady Hiyori, these supplies belong to the Shogun's castle."
"A formal succession ceremony has not yet been held, and without the Shogun's order, no one can use them without authorization."
Hiyori glanced at him, her tone calm.
"Was the food in the Shogun's castle not collected from the hands of the people of Wano Country?"
The old official opened his mouth, unable to speak for a long time.
"The commoners have been hungry for twenty years, and the wounded are also waiting to be saved."
"If rules can only protect the granary but cannot protect people, then such rules have no need to continue existing."
"Likewise, neither do you."
Hiyori did not immediately dispose of the old official, only letting Denjiro take over the account books and warehouse keys.
She knew very well that although Kaido and Orochi had fallen, the interest system that had relied on them for twenty years still existed, and changing the country could never be achieved just by saying "The Kozuki Clan has returned."
At the same time, the first batch of Beasts Pirates prisoners were escorted into the Flower Capital.
When the commoners saw those familiar faces, their emotions instantly spiraled out of control.
Some recognized pirates who had massacred their villages, others saw guards from the quarry, and they immediately picked up stones and threw them at the formation.
"Kill them!"
"Pay with your lives for those who died!"
Denjiro likewise believed that pirates who participated in village massacres and the suppression of resistance did not deserve to be forgiven.
But when the angry crowd tried to rush into the temporary medical station to drag out the wounded on the hospital beds, Chopper stood directly in front of the door.
"People who are receiving treatment cannot be taken away!"
"They are the Beasts Pirates!"
"On the hospital bed, they are just patients!"
Chopper spread his arms, not taking a step back even when facing hundreds of angry commoners.
Law also reminded everyone that among the Beasts Pirates, there were those who were forced to join, and some who defected after the Ice Oni incident.
If they were all executed without investigating their identities and crimes, it would be no different from Kaido deciding life and death based on fear.
The argument lasted for a long time, and finally, Hiyori made a temporary decision.
All prisoners were to be detained uniformly, and their names, units, and crimes they had participated in were to be recorded one by one.
Those who voluntarily rescued the wounded, assisted in extinguishing fires, or provided information on weapons factories could be used as grounds for lenient treatment.
As for those who had truly committed massacres, they would have to face a public trial.
This was not forgiveness.
It was the first real problem the Kozuki Clan faced after regaining power.
Before night fell, Momonosuke came alone to the Shogun's castle that had once belonged to Orochi.
The Kurozumi family crests were still hanging in the empty hall, and the golden screens and luxurious decorations had not yet been removed.
Momonosuke stood at the highest point, looking at the seat that symbolized the Shogun's power, but he did not sit on it for a long time.
"Kin'emon."
"I am here."
"Can I really become Shogun?"
Momonosuke looked down at his own hands.
"I don't know how to distribute food, and I don't know whether those prisoners should be killed or released."
Kin'emon wanted to use Oden's name to encourage him, but when the words reached his lips, he ultimately stopped.
"Lord Oden didn't know how to govern a country from birth either."
Momonosuke raised his head.
"You don't have to become Lord Oden right now, and you don't have to pretend you know everything."
"A true Shogun is not someone who never makes mistakes, but someone who is willing to admit they don't know, and then goes to learn."
Momonosuke was silent for a long time.
This time, he did not ask what his father would choose, but asked:
"Where is Hiyori now?"
He finally found his sister in the deliberation room next to the granary.
Hiyori had been busy for most of the day, and the desk was piled with records of food, wounded, missing persons, and factories sent from various towns.
Momonosuke originally wanted to say that he would not succeed as Shogun for the time being, but after seeing this scene, he suddenly realized that avoiding it would only push all the pressure onto Hiyori.
"I don't know anything."
Momonosuke sat across from her and confessed his fear for the first time.
"I am afraid of disappointing the commoners, and I am afraid of making the wrong decision."
Hiyori did not deny his shortcomings.
"Brother has been away from Wano Country for twenty years, and although I stayed here, I have never truly governed a country."
"So, we both need to learn."
She proposed establishing a temporary deliberative body in the name of the Kozuki Clan before the official succession.
The brother and sister, the Akazaya Nine, representatives from various towns, and people who were truly familiar with the people's livelihood would handle post-war affairs together.
After the wounded, food, and public order stabilized, they would then openly discuss the position of Shogun and the future of Wano Country.
Momonosuke finally nodded.
This was not avoiding succession, but the first time he cautiously faced his responsibilities.
That night, the siblings signed three temporary orders together.
First, continue to open Orochi's granary, prioritizing aid to the wounded, orphans, and towns lacking food.
Second, stop all forced labor and pause the production of weapons factories, but temporarily keep the craftsmen and equipment, arranging new work for those who lost their livelihoods.
Third, unify the detention of Beasts Pirates prisoners; no one is allowed to execute them by lynching, waiting for identity verification and public trial.
The three orders could not solve all problems immediately.
But at least from today on, no one would be executed for stealing a bowl of rice, nor would they be forcibly dragged into factories.
Momonosuke and Hiyori stamped the seal of the Kozuki Clan on the orders together.
Hiyori looked at her brother.
"We still have many things to do."
Momonosuke clenched his fists and answered earnestly:
"Then let's start learning from today."
After late night, the Flower Capital gradually quieted down.
In a remote area of the Shogun's castle, an ordinary official responsible for transporting supplies avoided the patrolling samurai and quietly entered a basement that had been unused for years.
He closed the wooden door tightly and, confirming there was no aura around, took out a specially camouflaged small Den Den Mushi from the interlayer of the wall.
After the number was connected, a low voice came from the other end of the line.
"This is Marineford."
The official lowered his voice and reported:
"The Beasts Pirates have been defeated by the Straw Hat Pirates, Kaido is confirmed to be defeated, and his life or death is currently unknown."
"Straw Hat Luffy, Crimson Lotus Victor, and most members of the Straw Hat Pirates are seriously injured."
"The Kozuki Clan has begun to take over the Flower Capital, but a formal succession ceremony has not yet been held."
The other end of the line was silent for a moment, requesting him to continue lurking and not to act without authorization.
When the official was about to end the call, he suddenly remembered the phenomenon he saw last night.
"There is one more thing."
"Straw Hat Luffy once lost his life aura, and then reappeared in an abnormal white form."
"His hair and clothes have changed, and his heartbeat... is like some kind of drum sound."
The other end of the Den Den Mushi went abruptly quiet.
After a few breaths, a voice even more serious than before took over the call.
"Explain in detail."
"Do not leave out anything you saw last nightChapter 452: Navy Shock! The Awakened Sun God
New Marine Headquarters.
Late at night, an urgent intelligence report marked "Top Secret" was delivered to the Fleet Admiral's office.
The naval officer responsible for delivering the document kept his head down, even consciously softening his breathing.
The intelligence was only a few pages long, but its contents were enough to shake the existing structure of the New World.
Kaido of the Beasts has been defeated.
The primary Victors of the Onigashima war were the Straw Hat Pirates and the re-emerged Kozuki Clan.
During the battle, Straw Hat Luffy completed his Devil Fruit awakening, allowing him to turn himself and his surroundings into rubber; his hair and clothes turned white, and his heartbeat sounded like some kind of drum.
As for Crimson Lotus Victor, the description in the intelligence was even more shocking.
When Onigashima was about to crash into the Flower Capital, he released a Nine-Tailed monster to hold up the entire island and fired an energy attack towards the open sea that was enough to tear the ocean surface apart.
After reading it, Akainu did not fly into a rage; he simply placed the document on the table, his fingertips lingering for a moment on the phrases "White Form" and "Nine-Tailed monster."
"Convene a top-level meeting tonight."
"All officers of Vice Admiral rank and above, as well as the heads of the Intelligence, Science, and Bounty departments, must all be present."
The officer saluted immediately and left.
In less than half an hour, the top-level conference room at the new Marineford was already filled with naval officers.
The first point of contention was whether Kaido had truly been defeated.
"The intelligence only states defeat; it does not confirm death."
A Vice Admiral frowned and said: "The World Government has arrested Kaido many times and even executed him, but not once have we truly managed to kill that monster."
"Just because he is temporarily missing, it cannot be proven that Kaido has exited the seas."
The head of the Intelligence Department opened another report.
"The Beasts Pirates have ceased organized resistance."
"King and Queen are confirmed to have lost their combat capabilities, and the Kozuki Clan is openly taking over the Flower Capital."
"If Kaido still had the ability to return to the battlefield, those pirates who have followed him for years would not surrender so quickly."
Low murmurs echoed through the conference room.
Akainu raised his eyes and delivered his judgment in a deep voice.
"Regardless of whether Kaido is dead or not, the Beasts Pirates have already been defeated."
"From today on, no one is allowed to regard the Straw Hat Pirates as mere young pirates who stumbled into the New World by luck."
"They have head-on destroyed two Four Emperors organizations."
Big Mom was defeated at the hands of the Straw Hat Pirates, and the legacy of Totto Land subsequently fell into the hands of Blackbeard.
Now Kaido has also been defeated in Wano Country; the old Four Emperors structure has been completely torn apart.
Subsequently, the record of Luffy's white form was placed on the table separately.
Most naval officers only assumed that it was a special state after the Gum-Gum Fruit awakened.
Paramecia-type awakenings affecting the environment are not rare; what was truly abnormal was that the enemy's body also briefly turned into rubber.
Just as the Science Department was preparing to analyze the principles of the ability, the dedicated Den Den Mushi in the center of the conference table suddenly opened its eyes.
"Sakazuki."
The deep voice of the Gorosei came from the other end of the call.
The conference room went silent instantly.
The Gorosei did not explain the true name of Luffy's fruit, only issuing a very clear order.
"Immediately seal off all news regarding Straw Hat Luffy's white form during the battle in Wano Country."
"Related footage and eyewitness accounts must not reach the newspapers."
"Everyone involved in compiling this intelligence must be placed on the top-secret list."
Akainu stared at the Den Den Mushi.
"Is a mere Devil Fruit awakening worth you being this nervous?"
The other end of the call was silent for a moment, not answering the question.
"Execute the order."
The Gorosei quickly turned the topic to Victor.
Compared to Luffy, the intelligence the Navy possessed on Victor was even more chaotic.
Sharingan, Rinnegan, Susanoo, elemental attacks, genjutsu, and swordsmanship—it was almost impossible to categorize them into any known system.
Now, a Nine-Tailed monster capable of holding up Onigashima and tearing apart the ocean had been added to the list of his abilities.
A Vice Admiral couldn't help but ask: "Why is someone possessing this kind of power still just a Vice Captain until now?"
Akainu looked at him coldly.
"Because Straw Hat Luffy has the ability to make him willingly stand in the position of Vice Captain."
The conference room fell silent again.
This was the truly dangerous part of the Straw Hat Pirates.
Victor possessed the power to independently establish an Emperor-level force, yet he had no ambition to vie for the Captain's position.
Luffy likewise never feared his Vice Captain's strength; instead, he entrusted his most important back to him.
Two Emperors on one ship.
This was the fundamental reason they were able to crush Four Emperors' forces one after another.
The Gorosei then clearly issued three objectives.
First: Confirm the physical state of Straw Hat Luffy after his awakening, and eliminate him directly if necessary.
Second: Capture Crimson Lotus Victor. If he cannot be taken alive, bring back his corpse and his eyes.
Third: Nico Robin must be brought back to the World Government.
Mentioning Robin, the Intelligence Department quickly pulled up relevant records on the road poneglyphs.
According to existing intelligence, the Straw Hat Pirates had obtained one road poneglyph in Dressrosa and acquired a second one in Zou.
The third one that Kaido held in Wano Country had very likely already fallen into their hands.
As for the final one that originally belonged to Big Mom, it had now fallen into the hands of the Blackbeard Pirates following the fall of Totto Land.
This meant that the conflict between Straw Hat Luffy and Blackbeard was no longer just a struggle for the throne.
Either side wanting to reach Laugh Tale must obtain the final set of coordinates from the other.
Nico Robin was also no longer just an archaeologist who could read history.
She had become the key that determined who could reach the final island.
Akainu's expression grew increasingly grim.
"You demand the Navy capture three targets capable of triggering an Emperor-level war simultaneously, yet you don't even know the detailed intelligence on Wano Country."
"If you are so certain, send your own dogs to do it."
The atmosphere on the other end of the Den Den Mushi turned noticeably cold.
But before the Gorosei could respond, someone in the meeting had already proposed taking advantage of the situation.
"The entire Straw Hat Pirates are heavily injured, the Kozuki samurai have also gone through a great battle, and the defense system Kaido left behind has collapsed."
"Sending troops now is the best opportunity to capture them."
Another Vice Admiral immediately retorted.
"Wano Country has waterfalls and natural barriers; ordinary warships cannot enter directly."
"The Kozuki Clan still has thousands of samurai; they still have the capability to resist."
"More importantly, we cannot confirm the status of the Straw Hat Pirates... or whether that Nine-Tailed monster can appear again."
If the Straw Hat Pirates recovered their combat strength before the battle, the naval fleet forcing a landing would likely face a second Marineford War.
The difference was that this time, the Navy had not prepared execution platforms, encirclement walls, or their full main force in advance, nor did they have the terrain advantage.
This would be even more brutal than the Marineford War.
Just as the debate was becoming heated, the Intelligence Department sent over another piece of news.
The Whitebeard Pirates have recently been moving within the New World, and their course has not yet been confirmed.
Ace and Straw Hat Luffy are sworn brothers.
Once Whitebeard learns that the Navy is preparing to capture the Straw Hat Pirates after the war, he will likely intervene directly.
The conference room went completely quiet.
The Marineford War remains a wound that the Navy cannot ignore to this day.
Although Whitebeard suffered heavy injuries, he did not die, and his main forces remain intact.
If the Navy were to storm Wano Country and draw in the Whitebeard Pirates, the situation would inevitably spiral out of control.
Akainu did not cancel the operation, but he also refused to let the main fleet land immediately according to the Gorosei's demands.
"Have Kizaru lead a mobile fleet to the waters off Wano Country."
"The mission is not to launch an immediate full-scale attack, but to blockade the nearby shipping lanes, prevent the Straw Hat Pirates from leaving, and intercept any poneglyphs that might be moved."
The fleet needs to confirm three things.
Whether Kaido is truly dead or alive.
To what extent Straw Hat Luffy and Victor have recovered.
Whether the Whitebeard Pirates are approaching Wano Country.
As for the surviving CP0 personnel, they will secretly enter the country, locate undercover spies, and investigate the location of the road poneglyphs.
If there is an opportunity, they must seize them before the Straw Hat Pirates finish moving them.
Akainu emphasized to Kizaru via the dedicated line:
"Do not land on the island without confirming all their combat capabilities."
The Den Den Mushi mimicked Kizaru's lazy expression. "The young people who defeated Kaido, how truly terrifying."
Before the meeting ended, the Bounty Department began to re-evaluate the participants of the Wano Country battle.
Luffy already possessed the record of defeating Kaido independently and had awakened the ability the World Government feared most.
His danger level must be raised to the level of a true Emperor of the Sea.
Victor participated in the frontal assault against Kaido, single-handedly stopped Onigashima from crashing, and even possessed unknown power like the Nine-Tailed monster.
Even if he is not the Captain, his bounty can no longer be determined as a regular subordinate.
The bounties for Law, Zoro, Sanji, and Robin also need to be significantly increased.
The Gorosei intervened again, demanding that the bounty and news suppress the surface gap between Luffy and Victor.
The news cannot describe the process of Luffy finally defeating Kaido in detail, nor can it reveal the true scale of the Nine-Tailed monster.
Akainu looked at those orders attempting to manipulate public opinion and sneered.
"Tens of thousands of people participated in the Onigashima war."
"Do you really think this kind of news can still be completely covered up?"
"Execute the order."
...
At dawn, the horn for departure sounded at the new Marineford port.
Several naval warships finished resupplying; they were loaded with a large amount of Sea Stone weapons, and several special researchers sent by the World Government appeared on board.
They were clearly not just preparing to capture pirates.
The lineage factor, weapon technology, and Devil Fruit research data left behind by Kaido.
And the unknown power displayed by Victor were all on the World Government's looting list.
Kizaru stood on the deck of the flagship, the "Justice" coat behind him blowing high in the sea breeze.
He glanced at the researchers boarding the ship and then looked toward the direction of Wano Country.
"How truly greedy~"Chapter 453: Three Days After the War! The Waking Captain of the Straw Hat Pirates
Three days after Kaido's defeat, the Flower Capital had already undergone many changes unseen in the past twenty years.
The flags belonging to Orochi were being taken down one by one from the castle towers, streets, and government offices.
In their place, temporary decrees issued by the Kozuki Clan were posted.
The granaries, which had been sealed for years, remained open. Every day, vehicles loaded with polished rice and medicine drove out of the city gates, heading toward Udon, Kibi, and other towns suffering from food shortages.
The weapons factories outside the city had all ceased production.
For the first time, workers who had been forced into labor for years could leave the factories and return to their hometowns.
Some of the well-preserved factories were not directly demolished; instead, at the suggestion of the craftsmen, they began converting tools and building materials to rebuild houses for the various towns.
The Flower Capital did not hold a grand celebration.
On the streets, one could still see commoners dressed in mourning clothes.
There were also many people gathered in front of the casualty lists posted by the Shoguns Castle, searching for the names of missing loved ones.
But even though the sorrow had not yet dissipated, the sounds of ordinary people began to reappear in the city.
Children dared to chase and run on the streets, and merchants could openly complain about food prices and the weather.
They no longer had to worry about being arrested by Orochi's officials for a single word of dissatisfaction.
Those who had been forced to wear smiles could finally weep loudly before the spirit tablets of their loved ones.
The Flower Capital had not yet completely emerged from the war.
But at least from this day on, people no longer had to feel fear even when crying.
Time continued to move forward.
By the third day after the war, the temporary infirmary near the Shoguns Castle had regained some semblance of order.
And Victor had been watched over in turns by Nami and Robin for three whole days.
After the completion level of his Six Paths Sage body increased, his recovery speed far exceeded that of an ordinary person.
The damage caused by the overuse of the Rinnegan had basically stabilized, and his fractured bones and damaged internal organs were also healing rapidly.
After repeated check-ups, Chopper finally allowed him to get out of bed for short periods, but with one strict condition.
He was strictly forbidden from using any abilities.
Victor had just put on his coat and was preparing to push open the door when he saw Nami standing at the doorway with her arms crossed.
"Where are you planning to go?"
"Just going out for a walk."
"Alone?"
"The Flower Capital is very safe now, and Kaido cannot possibly return."
Nami did not pick up on this topic at all; she simply moved half a step to the side, blocking the doorway even more firmly.
"If you want to go out, you can, but either I or Robin will accompany you."
Victor looked to the other side.
Robin was sitting by the window organizing the list of wounded. Sensing his gaze, she looked up and revealed a gentle smile.
"I agree with Nami."
"You two are restricting a patient's freedom."
"It is to prevent a certain patient from going missing again."
Robin closed the record book in her hands and added in a soft tone:
"It is to prevent a certain patient from going missing again."
Victor was silent for a moment and could only sit back down on the edge of the bed.
"Then I'll lie down a little longer."
Nami snorted, but handed him the cup of warm water she was holding.
The other members of the Straw Hat Pirates had already awakened one after another.
Although Sanji still had bandages wrapped around his body, he had long since occupied the kitchen at the back of the infirmary.
He believed that the thin porridge and herbal medicine provided by the temple could not help the wounded recover, so he insisted on preparing nutritious meals himself.
Usopp told everyone he met about the thrilling events during the fall of Onigashima.
In his version, the reason the Nine-Tailed could hold up Onigashima was largely due to the spiritual encouragement of the 'Brave Warrior of the Sea, Usopp'.
Brook's bones had been re-fixed, though every time he walked, it made a strange friction sound.
Franky was busy checking the thousand sunny and discussing with the craftsmen of Wano Country how to repair the mechanical parts he had damaged during the war.
Zoro remained unconscious.
He had suffered too severe injuries after defeating King.
Even with the joint treatment from Chopper and Law, he could only rely on his body to recover slowly.
The one that truly made everyone unable to rest easy was Luffy.
His bones, muscles, and internal organs were all recovering, and his heartbeat had stabilized, but three whole days had passed, and he still hadn't opened his eyes.
Nami would occasionally leave Victor's room and sit by Luffy's bedside for a while.
Even though Chopper and the doctors of Wano Country repeatedly guaranteed that Luffy was not in life-threatening danger, the Straw Hat Pirates still could not truly relax.
That guy usually slept like the dead, but as long as someone was cooking nearby, he should have climbed up long ago.
Near noon, Hiyori came to the infirmary with a batch of fresh ingredients and medicine.
Over the past few days, she had been almost constantly dealing with reports sent from the granaries, refugees, and various towns, and there was an unconcealable exhaustion in her eyes.
She first visited Luffy and Zoro, confirming that their conditions had not worsened, before coming to the room where Victor was staying.
"Lord Victor."
"How is your recovery?"
Hiyori stood at the doorway, her expression looking no different from usual.
"It's no longer a serious issue."
Just as Victor finished speaking, Nami immediately corrected him:
"Chopper said you could get out of bed for a short time, not that it's not a serious issue."
Hiyori was stunned for a moment, then couldn't help but chuckle.
"It seems Lord Victor really needs someone to watch over him."
She only handed the medicine she brought to Robin and asked about the condition of some of the wounded.
Before leaving, Hiyori seemed to suddenly remember something and turned back to say:
"Many commoners in the Flower Capital now know that it was a giant fox with nine tails that held up Onigashima last night."
"Some people in the city have started drawing the 'Nine-Tailed Heaven-Lifting Portrait', and several craftsmen have proposed building a statue outside the city."
"Is Lord Victor interested?"
The smile on Victor's face instantly froze.
"There is no need."
"Wano Country has many things that need to be built; there is no need to waste manpower building a statue for me."
Hiyori nodded and did not insist.
But just after she left, the Nine-Tailed in the sealing space suddenly made a sound.
"The statue doesn't have to be built, but the portrait cannot be too ugly."
Victor's consciousness sank slightly, entering the sealing space.
The Nine-Tailed was lying behind the huge cage, appearing as indifferent as ever on the surface, but its nine tails were clearly more active than usual.
"You seem very interested?"
"The old man just thinks that those humans should respect the facts."
The Nine-Tailed opened its crimson eyes and said matter-of-factly:
"The one who truly held up Onigashima was my nine tails."
"As for you, you just provided a little insignificant help on the side."
Victor did not argue with it, but instead reminded it:
"Your so-called insignificant help was preventing you from blasting the Straw Hat Pirates and the samurai to death with a Tailed Beast Bomb."
"That was just an accident!"
The Nine-Tailed was instantly annoyed and ashamed, its tails slamming heavily against the ground.
"In any case, I saved the whole island. From now on, prepare enough roast meat every day as an offering."
"You are a Chakra life form; you don't need to eat at all."
"Whether I can eat is one thing, whether there is an offering is another!"
The two argued for a while and finally reached an agreement.
When Luffy wakes up and the Straw Hat Pirates hold a formal banquet, they will specially prepare a symbolic portion of roast meat for the Nine-Tailed.
This was also the first time the Nine-Tailed had actively proposed to participate in the Straw Hat Pirates' celebration.
Near noon, Sanji finally sent the prepared meat out of the kitchen.
The rich aroma drifted along the corridor and into the ward.
Chopper was checking Luffy's heartbeat when he suddenly saw his nose twitch slightly.
"Luffy?"
Before Chopper could get close, an arm suddenly stretched out from the hospital bed, passed through the window, and reached straight toward the kitchen.
In the next second, Luffy, who had been asleep for seven days, sat up abruptly.
"Meat!"
The room was quiet for a moment.
Chopper's eyes widened, and then he pounced directly onto Luffy's face, tears instantly welling up.
"You bastard, you're finally awake!"
While crying, he frantically checked Luffy's pupils, heartbeat, and breathing.
Hearing the commotion, Victor, Nami, and Robin also rushed to the doorway.
Luffy saw his familiar companions all standing there, was stunned for a moment, and then grinned, revealing a smile.
"Everyone is here!"
"What about Kaido? Did I beat him away?"
"Did the Flower Capital get hit by Onigashima?"
Victor leaned against the doorframe and replied calmly:
"Kaido will not return again."
"Onigashima also fell outside the city; the Flower Capital is very safe."
Luffy laughed heartily.
He only knew that he had won, his companions were alive, and the people of that country had not been crushed to death by Onigashima.
So, he immediately raised his hands.
"Then let's have a banquet!"
Chopper punched him on the head.
"You just woke up, hey!"
Not long after, Luffy finished the first pot of meat after waking up and finally noticed that Victor was also covered in bandages.
"Victor, how are your injuries?"
"Much better than yours."
Luffy did not doubt it at all and excitedly asked:
"How was my last punch? Wasn't it super powerful?"
Victor thought seriously.
"Barely qualified."
"What do you mean barely qualified! That was the greatest punch I've ever thrown!"
"If it weren't for me and the Nine-Tailed holding up Onigashima, that punch of yours might have smashed the whole island into the Flower Capital."
"But it didn't smash down in the end!"
"That's because the Vice Captain helped you deal with the consequences."
The two began to argue as usual.
Nami stood on the side and listened for a while, the veins on her forehead finally unable to stop throbbing, and she raised her hand to punch both of them on the head.
"Two people who just came back from the gates of hell have no right to discuss who is more powerful!"
The familiar noisy sounds of the Straw Hat Pirates finally reappeared in the infirmary.
Sanji soon moved lunch to the infirmary courtyard.
Luffy couldn't leave his hospital bed too far, so everyone set the table directly outside his room.
Zoro had not yet awakened, but Usopp, Franky, and Brook arrived one after another.
Chopper finally allowed himself to pause his work and sat next to Luffy holding a juice.
Victor sat between Nami and Robin, while Luffy was tied to a chair to prevent him from tearing his wounds again while grabbing meat.
Everyone told each other about things they hadn't seen with their own eyes during the war.
Usopp added a lot to his own achievements, while Sanji and Franky unceremoniously exposed his lies.
Laughter gradually spread out of the courtyard.
The passing Wano Country doctors found it hard to believe that this group of people, who had just defeated Kaido and changed the landscape of the New World, were no different from ordinary adventurers in private.
The meat on the table was soon eaten by Luffy.
Nami tried to limit his food intake, but was told by Sanji that eating a lot would indeed help this guy recover.
After getting the chef's permission, Luffy immediately became even more unscrupulous.
He stuffed his mouth with meat and raised the glass of juice.
"Everyone!"
"We really won this time!"
Everyone raised their glasses in response.
This was not a formal victory banquet, nor was there cheering from the entire Wano Country.
It was just the Straw Hat Pirates, after the great war ended, finally sitting at the same table again, confirming that the companions beside them were still alive.
The sunlight outside the window crossed the eaves and fell into the quiet courtyard.
And that ship, which had experienced countless storms, had finally waited for its Captain to open his eyes again.Chapter 454: Two Shoguns Ascend! The New Wano Country of the Kozuki Siblings
Six days after Kaido of the Beasts' defeat, all the gates of the Flower Capital opened simultaneously.
The inauguration ceremony was originally scheduled for the fourth day.
However, the wounded from Onigashima had not yet been fully transferred, and the food and medicine for the various regions had not been properly arranged.
After consulting with Hiyori, Momonosuke voluntarily postponed the ceremony, only resetting the date once the situation stabilized.
Before the sun had fully risen, the people from Kuri, Udon, Ringo, and Kibi began to enter the capital one after another.
Many were dressed in tattered clothes, their straw sandals worn through to the soles.
Most of them had never been to the Flower Capital in their lives, yet they still wanted to witness with their own eyes the Kozuki Clan taking control of Wano Country once again.
There were no luxurious gold and silver decorations in front of the Shogun's castle, like in the era of Orochi.
The wooden platform, banners, and the crest of the Kozuki Clan used for the ceremony had all been handcrafted by the people and artisans of the Flower Capital over the past few days.
You could even see unpolished splinters on the edges of the wooden platform.
The hanging banners were of different sizes, yet they snapped and fluttered in the morning breeze.
Someone had suggested that the distribution of food and medical aid should be paused during the inauguration ceremony to avoid disrupting the solemnity.
Hiyori flatly refused.
"The inauguration ceremony can start a little later."
"But we cannot let the people go hungry for another day just to watch the Kozuki Clan return to power."
Therefore, even though tens of thousands of people had gathered in front of the Shogun's castle, food carts and medical wagons continued to pass through the paths cleared by the crowd.
It was not until the heavy sound of drums rang out from the castle tower that the entire Flower Capital gradually fell silent.
Countless eyes turned toward the high platform in front of the Shogun's castle.
Kin'emon, Denjiro, Kawamatsu, and the others stood in rows on both sides.
The samurai who had survived the war on Onigashima had also changed into relatively clean clothes.
They did not hide their wounds.
The bandages and the cracks in their armor were also part of this ceremony.
A moment later, Momonosuke slowly walked out from within the Shogun's castle.
He wore formal attire embroidered with the crest of the Kozuki Clan, with his father's famous sword, Tianyu, at his waist.
His adult body was tall and straight, his broad shoulders and back bearing a striking resemblance to the Kozuki Oden of the past.
In the crowd, many elders who had once seen Oden felt their eyes turn red instantly.
"Lord Oden..."
Someone subconsciously called out the name, then hurriedly wiped away their tears.
But only Kin'emon, standing nearby, could see that Momonosuke's fingers, hidden within his sleeves, were trembling slightly.
Last night, he had barely slept.
When facing Kaido, he knew that if he retreated, Onigashima would crash into the Flower Capital, so he had no choice.
But now, standing before tens of thousands of people, he was more afraid than he had been that night.
These people were not waiting for him to turn into a dragon, nor were they waiting for him to shout heroic slogans like his father.
They were waiting for their new Shogun to tell them what to eat tomorrow, where to live after losing their homes, and when the poisoned land would be able to grow crops again.
Kin'emon stood in the back, neither reminding Momonosuke to imitate Oden nor preparing any exaggerated opening for him.
Momonosuke took a deep breath and walked alone to the center of the high platform.
He did not open his arms to strike the heroic pose his father once did.
Nor did he loudly declare that he would become an unparalleled, great Shogun.
Under everyone's gaze, Momonosuke first bowed deeply to the people below the high platform.
A stir immediately rippled through the crowd.
The previous Shogun would never bow his head to commoners.
Momonosuke maintained his bowing posture, his voice slightly stiff from nervousness, yet it still carried clearly to those below the platform.
"I am Kozuki Momonosuke."
"Twenty years ago, my mother used her ability to send me into the future."
"So, for all of you, it has been a long and painful twenty years, but in my life, only a few months have passed."
"I have not gone hungry in the quarries of Udon, nor have I seen with my own eyes the weapons factories polluting the rivers."
"And I have not lived for twenty years under the nose of Orochi, like Hiyori."
Momonosuke raised his head, facing the astonished gazes in the crowd with composure.
"Even though I now possess an adult body, in my heart, I am still just a child who does not understand state affairs."
The expressions of several old retainers changed.
They had not expected Momonosuke to publicly admit his shortcomings at the inauguration ceremony.
For someone about to become Shogun, such honesty seemed too weak.
Momonosuke, however, continued:
"Precisely because of this, I will not pretend that I have already become the person my father was."
"I will learn, and I will definitely make mistakes."
"I may not be able to fix all the houses immediately, nor can I make the polluted land grow rice again within a day."
His fingers stopped trembling.
"But no matter what happens, I will never abandon this country and run away again."
The crowd gradually quieted down.
Momonosuke did not attribute Kaido's defeat to the credit of the Kozuki Clan, nor did he take all the glory for himself.
"It was not I who defeated Kaido."
"The ones who won this war were those who never stopped resisting over the past twenty years."
"It was the samurai and the commoners who picked up weapons and boarded Onigashima, even knowing they might die."
"It was also a group of friends who came from overseas, yet were willing to bet their lives for Wano Country."
"Without them, the Kozuki Clan would not be standing here today."
This speech was not majestic, nor did it contain flowery language worthy of being repeated by historians.
But the people below the high platform, who were initially uneasy because of his admission of inadequacy, gradually calmed down.
They did not see another high-and-mighty Shogun.
Instead, they saw someone who was equally afraid, yet willing to admit his fear and take responsibility.
After finishing his speech, Momonosuke did not immediately take the seal symbolizing the Shogun's power.
He turned around and looked toward the back of the high platform.
Hiyori, wearing a white and red kimono embroidered with the Kozuki Clan crest, walked slowly onto the wooden platform.
Many in the Flower Capital had seen Komurasaki before.
Only at this moment did they truly connect that famous oiran of the capital with Kozuki Hiyori, daughter of Oden.
Momonosuke looked at his sister, then faced all the people.
"I have inherited the name of the Kozuki Clan."
"But the one who truly accompanied Wano Country through these twenty years, and who has seen with her own eyes the suffering you have endured, is Hiyori."
"Therefore, the future of this country should not be decided by me alone."
More distinct discussions broke out in the crowd.
Momonosuke clenched his fists and solemnly announced:
"From today on, Kozuki Hiyori will inherit the position of Shogun together with me."
"Wano Country, will have two Shoguns."
The area below the high platform fell into instant silence.
There had never been a precedent in Wano Country for two Shoguns to rule together.
Furthermore, there was no tradition of a woman formally becoming Shogun.
Several old retainers who had served the Kozuki Clan subconsciously prepared to speak, but Denjiro had already knelt on one knee first.
"Denjiro, pays respects to Shogun Momonosuke and Shogun Hiyori."
Kin'emon followed suit and knelt.
Kawamatsu, Hyogoro, and the remaining samurai also bowed their heads in turn.
More and more people realized what was happening and bowed to the Kozuki siblings standing in the center of the high platform.
Hiyori did not decline.
She stepped forward, her voice steady as she explained the siblings' future duties.
Momonosuke would be mainly responsible for the samurai, national defense, and the Kozuki Clan's foreign affairs.
Hiyori would be responsible for food, finance, the management of the Flower Capital, and the reconstruction of the various regions.
Major decisions involving war, taxes, and land must be signed by both siblings.
If the two had a disagreement, it would be handed over to the Akazaya Nine, representatives of the various regions, and those familiar with the relevant matters to discuss, rather than one of them making a forced decision based on their status.
This was not just about two Shoguns.
It was also Wano Country's first attempt to stop placing the fate of the entire nation in the hands of a single person.
Under everyone's gaze, Tenguyama Hitetsu walked slowly onto the high platform.
He removed his mask and revealed his identity as Kozuki Sukiyaki.
A massive shock immediately rippled through the crowd and the retainers.
But Sukiyaki did not take the opportunity to return to the center of power; instead, he bowed his head to all the people.
"Back then, I failed to protect this country well."
"I have neither the qualification nor the face to take back the position of Shogun."
He held up the seal symbolizing the Kozuki Clan's power with both hands and walked in front of Momonosuke and Hiyori.
"The future of Wano Country should be handed to those who are truly willing to bear it."
Momonosuke and Hiyori reached out at the same time, grasping the seal from the left and right.
The siblings turned to face the tens of thousands of people in front of the Shogun's castle.
Momonosuke announced loudly:
"From today on, Wano Country no longer belongs to Orochi, nor does it belong to Kaido of the Beasts!"
Hiyori took over his words.
"It belongs to every single person living on this land."
After the words fell, a brief silence enveloped the entire Flower Capital.
The next moment, cheers erupted like a tidal wave from the front of the crowd, spreading all the way outside the city gates.
Some shouted Momonosuke's name, while others shouted "Shogun Hiyori" for the first time.
More people simply hugged their loved ones beside them, letting their tears fall freely.
Only at this moment did they truly believe that the Kozuki Clan had returned.
That long night that had lasted for twenty years would not descend again.
After the inauguration was completed, the Kozuki siblings did not announce the construction of a new palace, nor did they demand that the whole country celebrate for days.
They jointly issued their first official proclamation after becoming Shoguns.
The previously temporarily opened granaries would remain open.
All forced labor was permanently abolished.
The weapons factories would stop producing arms and would be gradually converted into workshops for manufacturing farming tools, building materials, and daily necessities.
Members of the Beasts Pirates would be subject to public trial based on their respective crimes, and no one was allowed to take the law into their own hands.
For those who sacrificed their lives in the Onigashima war, Wano Country would hold a unified funeral before reconstruction began, recording every name that could be confirmed.
Hiyori finally looked at the people below the high platform.
"Today's inauguration does not mean that Wano Country has recovered."
"Real change is not about changing the flags on the castle tower."
"It is about being able to let the people eat their fill and let the children drink clean water tomorrow, the day after, and every day from now on."
Cheers rang out again.
This time, it was not just because of the name of the Kozuki Clan.
It was because people heard for the first time someone standing in the position of Shogun publicly promise to return food, land, and livelihood to them.
The ceremony lasted until evening.
Returning to the private courtyard behind the Shogun's castle, Momonosuke lost the composure he had on the high platform as soon as he left the sight of outsiders.
He took off his heavy ceremonial robes and flopped onto the wooden corridor, exhaling a long breath.
"The Shogun's clothes are heavier than Onigashima..."
Hiyori sat to the side, unable to help but chuckle.
She was equally exhausted, yet she did not mock her brother for not being majestic enough in front of the people.
Momonosuke rolled over and asked after a moment of hesitation:
"Hiyori, did I... act like a Shogun today?"
Hiyori thought seriously for a while. "Brother, you were not like Father today."
The anticipation on Momonosuke's face vanished instantly, and his shoulders slumped.
Hiyori continued, however:
"But you were like Kozuki Momonosuke."
"That is enough."
Momonosuke was stunned for a moment, then finally revealed a relieved smile.
After the courtyard quieted down, he suddenly remembered the Straw Hat Pirates who were still recuperating in the temporary infirmary.
"How are Luffy and the others?"
"Luffy has already woken up, and Lord Victor is also able to get out of bed for a short while."
"The others' injuries are basically stable, only Zoro has not woken up yet."
Momonosuke sat up immediately after hearing this.
At the inauguration ceremony, he had already publicly thanked all the participants on behalf of Wano Country.
But that gratitude belonged to the Shogun and the allies, which was not what he really wanted to say.
"Do not hold a grand banquet."
Momonosuke said seriously:
"There are still many people starving, and many families are preparing for funerals."
"Just prepare a small banquet here, so Luffy and the others can eat their fill."
"I want to thank them as a friend."
Hiyori nodded in agreement.
Momonosuke immediately summoned Kin'emon and Denjiro.
"Please go to the temporary infirmary."
"Tell Luffy and the others —"
Momonosuke paused for a moment, a smile belonging to a child appearing on his face.
"It is not the two Shoguns summoning the Straw Hat Pirates."
"It is Momonosuke and Hiyori, who want to invite their friends to come over for a meal."Chapter 455: The Kozuki Clan's Private Banquet! A Belated Thank You
In the evening, Kin'emon and Denjiro arrived at the temporary infirmary to convey the invitation from the Kozuki siblings.
"It is not the two generals summoning the Straw Hat Pirates."
Kin'emon specifically repeated Momonosuke's exact words.
"It is Lord Momonosuke and Lady Hiyori who wish to invite you friends to their home for a meal."
Luffy, who was gnawing on meat on his hospital bed, instantly lit up.
"A banquet?!"
He threw off his blanket and leaped out of bed.
"My injuries are all healed, let's go now!"
Before Chopper could even stop him, Luffy had already rushed to the door.
But after taking only two steps, his legs suddenly lost strength, and he fell face-first onto the floor.
Thud!
There was a brief silence in the infirmary.
Luffy lay on the floor, still stubbornly raising one hand.
"The floor just ambushed me..."
"Get back in bed!"
Chopper roared as he pounced over, using his antlers to nudge him back onto the hospital bed.
Victor, who had just put on his coat, stood up as if nothing had happened.
"I can move normally."
Nami and Robin looked at him simultaneously.
Victor fell silent for a moment before voluntarily adding:
"As long as I do not use my abilities."
Chopper glared at his two most difficult patients and finally had to set conditions.
Luffy, Victor, Zoro, and Sanji were not allowed to drink excessive alcohol, nor were they permitted to engage in any strenuous activity.
Luffy had to travel by carriage, and someone had to keep an eye on Victor.
As for Zoro, who had only recently regained consciousness, he simply turned over upon hearing he could not drink.
"Then I'm not going."
"None of that!"
Usopp and Franky lifted the stretcher from both sides, carrying him and his swords out of the ward.
Zoro tried to resist, but having been tied to the stretcher by Chopper in advance, he could only watch helplessly as his sake flask was confiscated.
After the group arrived at the Shogun's castle, they were not taken to the great hall where the enthronement ceremony was held earlier, but instead passed through several quiet corridors to reach the private garden behind the Kozuki Clan's estate.
There were no gorgeous red carpets here, nor were there crowds of officials and samurai in attendance.
Only a few long tables were set up in the center of the garden.
Aside from the Straw Hat Pirates, the only people attending the banquet were Law and a few members of the Heart Pirates, as well as a few remaining Akazaya Nine members like Kin'emon, Denjiro, and Kawamatsu.
Momonosuke had already changed out of his heavy Shogun ceremonial robes and was wearing only a simple kimono.
Hiyori had also removed her formal attire and simply tied her long hair behind her back.
At this moment, they did not look like two newly enthroned Shoguns, but rather like siblings finally able to host friends at home.
Momonosuke had clearly prepared a formal speech of thanks in advance.
He stood in front of everyone, tried to straighten his back, and spoke solemnly:
"For the great kindness of you all in saving Wano Country, the Kozuki Clan and—"
Before he could finish, Luffy's arm suddenly stretched from the other end of the table, dragging the largest plate of roasted meat directly in front of him.
"This looks like the best one!"
Thud!
Nami punched him into the floor.
"Don't steal the meat when others are talking!"
The solemn atmosphere instantly vanished.
Momonosuke was stunned for a moment, then looked at Luffy, whose head was stuck in the floor, and couldn't help but laugh out loud.
Hiyori also covered her mouth and chuckled, then signaled the servants to remove the strictly arranged seating.
"Since it is a banquet among friends, there is no need to distinguish between Shogun, samurai, and pirates."
Everyone sat down casually.
Before the banquet officially began, Momonosuke and Hiyori still insisted on raising their glasses and coming before the Straw Hat Pirates.
Momonosuke took a deep breath.
"Luffy, thank you for keeping your promise and defeating Kaido."
"And thank you, Victor, Nami, Robin, and everyone, for bringing me back to Wano Country from overseas."
"Without you, I might never have had the courage to stand here again."
Hiyori took over, not using the phrase "the Kozuki Clan's successful revenge" to describe the war.
"What you all brought to Wano Country is not just the defeat of Kaido."
"You gave the people here the right to eat their fill and laugh freely, and you allowed my brother and me to reunite after twenty years."
Luffy's mouth was stuffed with roasted meat, and after listening, he just said matter-of-factly:
"We didn't come because you owed us anything."
He swallowed the food and grinned.
"Momonosuke is our friend."
Momonosuke's eyes instantly turned red.
Having just completed his enthronement in front of tens of thousands of people, he didn't want to cry again so soon, so he could only lower his head and stuff food into his mouth to hide his emotions.
Victor raised his glass and gestured slightly toward the Kozuki siblings.
"The enemy of Wano Country has vanished."
"What happens next and what you can turn this place into depends on you yourselves."
Momonosuke and Hiyori nodded solemnly.
They both understood that the Straw Hat Pirates had brought the dawn, but they would not stay in Wano Country forever to govern the country for the Kozuki Clan.
The truly long road ahead had to be walked by them and their people.
Halfway through the banquet, Hiyori ordered someone to bring a shamisen.
She sat down under the garden corridor and gently plucked the strings with her fingertips.
Momonosuke watched his sister quietly.
The twenty years he had missed were all hidden in this melody.
As the song continued, the low rhythm gradually became cheerful.
The sound of the music crossed the garden, as if morning light were piercing through dark clouds, dispelling the remaining shadows bit by bit.
Luffy was the first to tap his cup to the beat.
Usopp didn't know the lyrics, but he started singing along loudly and randomly.
Brook also took out his violin and joined the performance, the two completely different instruments gradually intertwining, turning the originally sorrowful tune into a lively banquet movement.
After the song ended, applause rang out in the garden.
Hiyori looked up at the noisy crowd before her and finally revealed a smile without any burden.
After the performance, she personally poured drinks for everyone.
Luffy was poured juice to prevent him from getting drunk right after waking up.
Nami, Robin, and the others were served Wano Country's sake.
When she came to Victor, Hiyori's movements paused briefly.
She filled his glass, leaned in slightly, and said in a voice only the two of them could hear:
"Please rest assured."
"This time it is normal sake."
Victor's hand holding the glass paused slightly.
Hiyori remained composed on the surface, but a faint, imperceptible red flush appeared on her ears.
"This kind of thing is not worth mentioning."
"Yes, Lord Victor."
Hiyori replied softly, then returned to calm and continued to pour drinks for others, as if it were just the most ordinary conversation.
But Nami was sitting right next to Victor.
She didn't hear exactly what the two said, but she noticed the look Hiyori gave Victor before leaving, which didn't look like she was just facing a savior.
Nami didn't ask on the spot, but quietly took away the wine glass in front of Victor and replaced it with a cup of hot tea.
"Chopper said you can't drink."
Victor glanced at his now-empty hand and did not refute.
Robin, sitting on the other side, heard Hiyori's words clearly.
"This time" and "normal sake."
She quickly realized that there was clearly an unknown experience behind that glass of wine.
Robin didn't expose them, just raised her glass and gave Victor a smile that was a bit dangerously gentle.
The corner of Victor's eye twitched imperceptibly.
He knew that Robin had probably guessed something.
The chaos at the banquet soon caused this small episode to be temporarily covered up.
After Luffy ate most of the roasted meat, he started arguing with Momonosuke over the last piece.
Momonosuke relied on his adult body to hold the plate above his head, but Luffy simply stretched his neck and swallowed the meat in one bite.
Zoro, despite still lying on the stretcher, refused to admit defeat in terms of drinking.
He had just secretly reached for the sake jar when Chopper knocked over his cup with his antlers.
In the sealing space, the Nine-Tailed had also been urging Victor to fulfill his promise.
"Where is this old man's offering?"
"What about the promised roasted meat?"
Victor was pestered to the point of having no choice but to ask Sanji to roast an extra portion, which he symbolically placed in the corner of the garden.
As soon as Sanji turned around, Luffy quietly stretched his arm and stuffed the entire plate of meat into his mouth.
The sealing space went instantly quiet.
The next moment, the Nine-Tailed's angry roar nearly gave Victor a headache.
"That Straw Hat brat!"
"I want to duel him!"
Victor pressed his temples.
"When my injuries are healed, I will tell him that you want to challenge him."
As the banquet neared its end, Momonosuke and Hiyori came before the Straw Hat Pirates again.
Just as the siblings were preparing to bow formally, Luffy stretched out his arms and pressed a hand on each of their shoulders.
"Don't thank us anymore."
"I don't like it when people keep mentioning thanks."
Luffy pointed to the Flower Capital outside the garden.
"When you grow food here again and everyone can eat their fill, just invite us back for a real big banquet!"
Momonosuke nodded vigorously at once.
"At that time, I will definitely prepare ten times the meat as today!"
Nami reminded him earnestly from the side: "We are going to charge a banquet fee next time we come."
Momonosuke panicked immediately.
"How much? Wano Country's finances haven't recovered yet, can I owe it for now?"
The heavy thanks finally turned into a noisy argument again.
Hiyori looked at the people before her and finally let go of the idea that she had to repay the debt of gratitude.
The Straw Hat Pirates didn't need the Kozuki Clan to worship them as heroes.
They only needed this friendship to be remembered.
The banquet lasted until late at night.
Luffy fell asleep in the center of the garden after eating his fill, and Usopp and Brook were sprawled out in the corridor.
The injuries of the group had not fully recovered, so it was inconvenient to return to the temporary infirmary.
Hiyori ordered the guest rooms in the garden to be opened, letting the Straw Hat Pirates stay at the Shogun's castle for the night.
Nami and Robin watched Victor from both sides, clearly not intending to give him any chance to act alone.
Victor could only walk toward the guest room accompanied by the two.
At the other end of the corridor, after Hiyori finished arranging the last batch of rooms, she looked back at the lights lit up in Victor's room.
She paused for a moment, then withdrew her gaze and turned to disappear into the night.
The garden gradually quieted down.
But for the Victors, the night had only just begun.