And there, just beyond the crowd, Luffy's gaze caught a small, painfully thin figure.
A little girl, perhaps four years old, whose big violet eyes seemed too heavy for her wan face. Her dark-violet hair was pinned in a Shimada style, though the comb was cracked and the pink kanzashi drooped sadly.
A villager handed her a piece of roasted meat, still steaming.
She devoured it in two quick bites, crumbs tumbling from her lips, her small hands shaking with desperation.
Luffy's grin faded.
Starving children... Because an ugly snake gorges himself while the land rots…
A flicker of cold rage passed through his dark eyes, but he let it settle beneath his calm smile.
Before, Wano wasn't my problem... But now… it is. If this land is to wear my mark, no child will starve beneath my flag.
His hand clenched, making a crackling sound.
Kaido... Orochi... You've had your time.
Hina watched Luffy, something tightening deep in her chest.
He smiles like a rogue… but there's kindness in that grin... so dangerous...
Gion's gaze softened. She murmured, so low only Hina heard.
"He'll never change. Just like his grandpa... Food is the most important."
Ain, arms folded, nodded faintly. "Yeah... but isn't that make him so damn cute?"
Even Issho felt the innate kindness of Luffy and his raging fury at the state of the village.
The elder woman who had spoken earlier stepped closer, bowing so low her forehead nearly touched the dust.
"Thank you for giving us your food," She rasped, voice shaking, "We can't offer anything in return... except for a place to sleep."
Luffy chuckled, voice warm as summer thunder.
"We don't need payment," He said. "We just want to learn more about this place... so please tell us your stories. Tell us what happened to your land."
The woman's lips trembled. "You… you would hear such things?"
"We'd listen," Kuina added softly.
The Children crowded around the Marines now, curiosity battling fear.
A small boy tugged at Zoro's coat, wide-eyed at the swords.
Zoro scowled. "Oi, kid, don't touch—"
Kuina smirked, nudging him lightly. "Scary as always, Zoro."
Nearby, Hina knelt, letting a little girl touch the Justice kanji on her coat.
"Hina's coat is heavier than you think," She teased gently.
Gion sat cross-legged, sharing a few rice balls with two hungry boys, her stern face softening.
Issho stood on the side with Prince Grus and Chiton.
And at the center of it all, Luffy stood with hands on his hips, grin cocky yet strangely tender.
As the sun dipped lower, staining the bamboo roofs gold and blood-red, the Marines stood together.
The villagers ate and cried, and hope rose like smoke over dying embers.
Luffy's gaze turned toward the distant volcanic peak, shadows lengthening across his face.
Kaido... Orochi... You've ruled long enough. It's time to throw you out of Wano and make it my territory!
He tilted his cap lower, his grin sharpening.
------
Later, at the Village Center
The villagers had guided them to a long wooden platform beneath a willow tree. It served as the village's gathering space. They brought out whatever cushions they could offer and asked them to sit.
An old man approached slowly. He was a large man of slightly above average height. He had long, white hair that reached down to his back and wore a red tengu mask, which featured an extremely long nose that grew and shrank constantly, along with additional white wings reminiscent of those of an angel.
He was also wearing a black jacket with green poofs along its inner edges over a light gray kimono with purple spots on the bottom. He also wore dark blue puffy trousers and extremely tall geta sandals on his feet.
"I am Tenguyama Hitetsu," He introduced, bowing. "Swordsmith and guardian of Wano's traditions."
He sat before them with a deep sigh. "Allow me to tell you how our beautiful land… became this."
...
Hitetsu's tale unfolded like a scroll of despair.
He spoke of the once-flourishing Flower Capital, the proud samurai, and the honorable Kozuki Oden.
How Oden once journeyed with the Pirate King, only to return and find his home hijacked by Orochi and Kaido.
He described Orochi's schemes... how he used deception, murder, and the backing of Kaido to usurp the Shogunate.
How Kaido built weapon factories, poisoned rivers, and crushed any rebellion with fire and thunder.
And finally… how Oden danced like a fool for five years, trying to save lives with secret negotiations, only to be betrayed and executed in a boiling pot.
The villagers had heard this tale many times before. But as Hitetsu told it to these strangers from the sea, his voice cracked in places. His hands trembled.
When he finished, there was silence.
Luffy's face remained unreadable. His lips were pursed, and his hand rested on his thigh, tapping rhythmically.
A quiet rage built within him, but he didn't let it explode.
Gion broke the silence. "That's… beyond tragic."
Kuina's eyes were stormy. "And Orochi's still ruling?"
Ain gritted her teeth. "And Kaido too…"
Issho remained quiet, his blind gaze fixed on nothing and everything.
Ain turned toward Hitetsu. "But… if Orochi became Shogun, why is he still torturing people? What's the point?"
Luffy finally spoke, his voice icy cold. "Because he never considered them his people."
The girls turned to him.
"Orochi's not a leader," Luffy continued, his tone sharper. "He's a rat pretending to wear a crown. He's doing this out of pure spite. Wano today? It's his revenge against Kozuki's legacy. Every starving child, every poisoned river, every burned village… is him laughing at a dead man."
His words hit like thunder.
Hitetsu's shoulders trembled. "You… you understand this better than most."
Luffy stood up, cracking his neck again. "Good. Then let him laugh. I'll make him cry."
He turned to the villagers and spoke slowly. "I'm not here to be your savior. I'm not some noble hero. But I don't like weaklings being crushed by cowards."
Then, he flashed his same trademark grin.
"I just came to Wano to fight with Kaido and grow stronger, but it seems Wano needs me... no, it needs us more than just for defeating Kaido... Well then... let's deal with this Orochi too then... isn't this our job anyway..."
Kuina shook her head. "You never say it outright, but you always sound like a King…"
Ain smirked. "More like a devil disguised as one."
Issei laughed and said. "I totally agree with Luffy-san."
---- ✦ ✦ ✦ ----
Spoilers for the next five chapters!
Chapter 171: Captain's Promise
Chapter 172: Paradise Farm
Chapter 173: Change of Plans
Chapter 174: Playful Kujaku
Chapter 175: Playful Kujaku (2)
--- ✦ ✦ ✦ ---
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