Olivia and Kujaku, ever the mischievous duo, rushed over to Violet, calling her "good sister" with exaggerated enthusiasm. Their playful antics earned a few chuckles, even from the usually stoic Hancock and Hina.
Seeing Violet's earnest efforts to locate pure gold, the rest of the crew began pitching in to help. Even the reluctant Hancock eventually joined, her disdain replaced by quiet determination. Gradually, Violet's favorability among the group soared.
Nami and Koala worked quickly to ensure Violet was as comfortable as possible. They set up tables and chairs and brought drinks, their attentiveness earning grateful smiles from Violet. Ain, Kalifa, and the others gathered around as well, their expressions hopeful as they awaited any progress.
Luffy observed the scene with a knowing smirk. "Just as I expected," he thought, shaking his head in amusement. He stepped over to Violet, gently poked Mansherry's cheek, and leaned in with a serious expression.
"Sherry," he said in a low voice, "from now on, no matter who it is—even if they're our friends or family—you must never reveal anything about pure gold. Do you understand?"
Mansherry nodded earnestly, her small face solemn. But Luffy, still worried, repeated the warning several times, his tone growing firmer with each reminder.
He couldn't help but feel uneasy. The Tontatta dwarves were notoriously naive and trusting—qualities that could easily lead to trouble if someone tricked Mansherry into divulging their secrets.
However, after Luffy's persistent reminders, Mansherry took the warning to heart. Her steadfast nature as a healer and her strong sense of responsibility reassured him. For now, she seemed determined to keep her promise.
Meanwhile, in the Land of Flowers, the capital of Wano Country, the atmosphere had changed drastically. Once the most vibrant and prosperous region in the land, it now felt subdued and cautious.
After the Beasts Pirates, led by Kaido, were driven out of Wano and the corrupt shogun Kurozumi Orochi was killed, the city fell under the temporary control of the Marines. An outsider, a Marine New World Rear Admiral named Darius, had taken charge of the region.
Despite their initial fears, the residents quickly realized the Marines meant no harm. The forces frequently provided aid and relief, a stark contrast to Orochi's oppressive reign. Still, the locals remained wary. Their mistrust of outsiders kept them confined to their homes, unwilling to test the boundaries of this newfound peace.
Amid this uneasy calm, a lone figure stood in the shadows of the city. His broad-brimmed hat cast a shadow over his face, but beneath it, his eyes gleamed with suppressed excitement. Tenguyama Hitetsu, as he was known to most, couldn't help the flicker of hope that ignited in his chest.
"The rumors were true," he muttered to himself. "Kaido has been expelled, and Orochi is dead. At long last, Wano Country can return to its rightful rulers."
In truth, Tenguyama Hitetsu was none other than Kozuki Sukiyaki, the former shogun of Wano Country and father to Kozuki Oden. Years ago, he had been betrayed by Kurozumi Orochi and imprisoned, forced to witness his son's tragic demise from afar. Powerless against Kaido and Orochi's forces, Sukiyaki had gone into hiding, adopting the guise of a tengu and living in seclusion.
He had resigned himself to waiting—waiting for the prophesied "returning samurai" to overthrow Orochi and Kaido and restore Wano to its former glory. But fate had taken an unexpected turn. An outsider had clashed with Kaido, driving him out of Wano and killing Orochi in the process.
Now, with Wano free from Kaido's grip, Sukiyaki saw a glimmer of opportunity. "Perhaps," he mused, "I don't have to wait any longer. I can reclaim Wano myself."
His eyes darkened as years of pent-up frustration bubbled to the surface. "When I become shogun again," he thought bitterly, "I'll ensure that every last member of the Kurozumi family pays for their treachery. Those who supported Orochi's tyranny—they're not worthy of being called samurai. They'll face justice too."
Sukiyaki clenched his fists, the long-suppressed anger fueling his resolve. For the first time in years, he allowed himself to dream of a Wano free from corruption, one where the Kozuki family could reign once more.
But he knew he couldn't do it alone. He needed allies. "I heard the Marines released Hyōgorō and his men," he thought. "Perhaps I can persuade them to lend their strength."
With his plan forming, Sukiyaki pulled his hat lower, shielding his face from view. He carefully scanned the area before slipping into a narrow alleyway. His destination was clear: he would seek out the underworld leaders, including the formidable Hyōgorō, and rally them to his cause.
However, his cautious movements didn't go unnoticed. A patrol of Marine soldiers passed through the area, their leader—a sharp-eyed lieutenant—spotting the cloaked figure.
"Who goes there?! Stop!" the lieutenant barked, his voice laced with suspicion.
Sukiyaki froze for a split second, his instincts screaming at him to flee. Despite no longer being a fugitive, his years in hiding had conditioned him to avoid any confrontation. Without thinking, he bolted deeper into the alley.
The lieutenant's suspicion only deepened. "After him!" he ordered, leading his squad of ten Marines in pursuit. The sound of their boots echoed through the narrow passageways as Sukiyaki darted through the maze of alleys.
As he ran, the lieutenant grabbed his transponder snail, issuing a call for reinforcements. "We've got a runner near the west district. Send backup immediately!"
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