"Finally… I'm free!"
Yamato felt a happiness that came from the depths of her heart.
For years she had lived under the shadow of her own father.
Now, in this moment, that sense of freedom was so intense it almost felt unreal.
Meanwhile, Zoro and the others approached one after another.
They looked around the surroundings.
But there was hardly a single intact place within their field of vision.
Everything had been destroyed by the battle between those two monsters.
Zoro then asked:
"Luffy… what are you going to do now?"
As soon as she heard the question, Yamato immediately added:
"The Beast Pirates are coming here."
But Luffy simply shook his head.
He turned and began walking toward the Flower Capital.
His answer was simple:
"Let them surrender."
He took a few more steps.
"If they don't surrender… then kill them."
When a Yonko falls, the commanders and officers of their crew quickly lose all usefulness.
Without the leader, the rest of the group rarely manages to maintain its structure.
Meanwhile, the residents of the Flower Capital slowly began to come out of their houses.
One after another.
The sound of battle that had echoed throughout the city had finally ceased.
When they looked up at the sky…
Everyone was stunned.
Kaido was sealed inside that enormous sphere.
Motionless and unable to move.
Some people also noticed Luffy.
Frightened, they quickly hid again.
No one had any idea what had really happened.
To them…
It looked as if a group of people had suddenly appeared, killed Kurozumi Orochi…
And then suppressed Kaido himself.
---
When Luffy returned to the Shogun's Castle, Orochi's corpse was still hanging in front of the main gate.
He didn't even glance at the body.
He simply walked inside.
---
Some time later.
Inside the castle's resting room.
Law asked:
"Should I remove Kaido's heart?"
Luffy was sitting cross-legged.
He shook his head.
"It's useless."
Then he explained:
"Kaido isn't someone who can be controlled that way."
Controlling Kaido through his heart?
That simply wouldn't work.
Even if his heart were crushed…
That man would never surrender.
"But he can be defeated again if necessary," Luffy continued.
He thought for a moment.
"I'm not sure exactly what state he's in right now. Anyway… leave him frozen for a few days."
Law understood what that meant.
Kaido had lost.
And with that…
Donquixote Doflamingo had also lost his greatest supporter.
Law then said slowly:
"Now that the Straw Hats are in control… I want to settle my score."
Luffy replied:
"Wait a little."
Then he briefly explained everything that had happened in Dressrosa.
After hearing everything, Law remained silent for a few seconds.
"I understand."
He nodded.
"Then I'll wait."
As long as Luffy didn't stop him from taking revenge in the future.
For now, Doflamingo still had some use.
And after all…
Law had already waited many years.
Waiting a little longer wouldn't make any difference.
Luffy then turned his head.
"Sanji."
Sanji replied:
"What is it?"
Luffy said:
"Go back to Elegia and bring Nami and the others."
He added:
"And don't forget to bring Franky."
The plan to activate Pluton had already begun.
They would need a real shipwright to understand how to activate the ancient weapon.
If energy were lacking…
Perhaps the electricity from Nami's thunder fruit could power the system.
If everything worked out…
They would finally have enough power to confront the World Government.
Sanji immediately nodded.
"Got it. I'll go right away."
He left without wasting time.
His body transformed into a pink dragon, and he flew straight toward Elegia.
The distance between the two places was short.
An Eternal Pose wasn't even necessary.
As long as someone could fly, finding the way was easy.
As soon as Sanji departed, Luffy casually said:
"Tell someone to prepare food."
He sighed.
"I fought Kaido for a long time. I'm hungry."
His stamina could be restored with his special ability.
---
—xXx—
The Shogun's Castle was already completely under control.
The ninjas and servants who had once obeyed Orochi now bowed before Luffy.
No one dared to resist.
Kaido was still frozen outside.
Who would dare challenge someone who had defeated Kaido?
It would be suicide.
Soon food and wine were served.
Luffy began eating quietly by himself.
After some time…
A male voice came from outside.
"Luffy, someone wants to see you."
Law entered.
Behind him stood a man and a woman.
They were Kozuki Hiyori and Kyoshiro.
As soon as he entered, Kyoshiro immediately knelt in a dogeza position.
He declared respectfully:
"Master Luffy. I am the owner of the largest brothel in the Flower Capital and the leader of the local yakuza."
He continued:
"Before that… I served as Orochi's guard. My name is Kyoshiro."
That name was only a pseudonym.
His real name was Denjiro.
Long ago he had been one of the retainers of Kozuki Oden.
After Oden's death…
His face had changed because of the suffering.
He spent years hiding in the Flower Capital.
Running a brothel and living beside the enemy.
Luffy did not reveal that he already knew everything.
He simply asked:
"What do you need?"
Kyoshiro replied respectfully:
"Orochi relied on Kaido's power to oppress this country for many years. Today he died by your hand."
"It is a great joy for the people of Wano."
He pointed to the woman beside him.
"This is the most beautiful woman in Wano. The oiran Komurasaki."
"Please allow her to play a piece of music to express the gratitude of the people of Wano."
Luffy answered casually:
"Go ahead."
Hiyori sat down.
Before beginning, she lowered her head in greeting.
"This is our first meeting, Master Luffy."
"It is an honor to perform for you."
Her way of speaking was that of a typical courtesan.
But in truth…
She was the former princess of Wano.
An oiran, physician, and highly skilled artist.
Unlike ordinary courtesans.
She lived from her artistic talents.
But she was also famous for her beauty.
That was why she was known as the most beautiful woman in Wano.
Many wealthy men had tried to spend fortunes to buy her.
Even Orochi had been obsessed with her.
At the same time…
She had also deceived many of those men.
After driving them into bankruptcy…
She secretly distributed the money to the poor.
From Luffy's point of view…
She had a kind heart.
But compared to Nefertari Vivi…
She still seemed slightly inferior as a princess.
Even so…
She had survived for many years hidden within the Flower Capital.
Growing from a little girl into a great beauty.
Without revealing her identity.
The sound of the shamisen began to echo through the room.
Her skill was truly impressive.
She had clearly trained for many years.
While she played…
Hiyori also observed Luffy.
But her mind was completely distracted.
Law left the room with Kyoshiro.
The two of them stood guard outside.
As he ate calmly, Luffy activated his Observation Haki.
He could hear the thoughts of the people around him.
Inside Hiyori's mind there was complete chaos.
"Kaido lost… what will happen to this country now?"
"Everything that happened today is completely different from what my mother predicted…"
"Will this man become the new ruler?"
"He's also a pirate…"
"A Yonko even stronger than Kaido…"
"No… maybe not…"
"Hiyori, calm down… after all, he is also Wano's benefactor…"
"But I can't calm down…"
Because of the confusion in her thoughts…
She began to miss notes while playing.
Then Luffy casually spoke:
"Kozuki Hiyori. You don't need to be so nervous."
At that very moment—
TANG!
The strings of the shamisen suddenly snapped.
(End of Chapter)