Hiyori's delicate body suddenly stiffened.
Her eyes widened to an almost impossible extent.
The sound of the shamisen had completely stopped.
Luffy simply watched.
Then Luffy smiled faintly.
"What will happen to this country in the future?"
He tilted his head slightly.
"If you want to know… I can tell you."
Hiyori was completely stunned.
"Y-you…"
Her voice trembled.
"You… can hear my… thoughts?"
She was completely out of control.
Even the refined tone she used as a courtesan had almost disappeared.
Luffy answered naturally:
"I'm going to appoint someone as the Shogun of this country."
He continued calmly:
"Kaido wanted to turn this place into a weapons factory."
He shrugged.
"But I have no interest in that."
In fact, he didn't have much interest in Wano itself.
Then Luffy added:
"I also don't intend to return the position of Shogun to the Kozuki family."
Those words fell like a blade.
"Anyway…"
He spoke without the slightest trace of mercy.
"The Kozuki family won't regain the position of Shogun. You don't deserve it."
Hiyori clenched her hands tightly.
That man was terrifying.
He could read the thoughts in her heart.
Her mind began to race again.
'The Kozuki family… doesn't deserve it?'
'Then who will become the Shogun?'
'What will happen to the people of this country?'
'Will the suffering continue?'
Luffy simply smiled.
"The country will return to normal."
He spoke calmly.
"I guarantee that for Wano."
Then he added:
"To be honest… I'm still thinking about who the next Shogun should be."
Then he asked:
"If you had to choose… who would you choose?"
Hiyori froze.
'He… is asking me to choose?'
'Is he joking?'
Her eyes gradually darkened.
Suddenly, she thought of her brother.
Kozuki Momonosuke.
Momonosuke…
She didn't know what had happened to him.
According to her mother's prophecy, he should return after twenty years.
Counting the time…
There were still two years left.
But after everything that had happened today…
Perhaps that prophecy would never come true.
Perhaps Momonosuke was already dead.
The Kozuki family had reached her generation.
And now…
Perhaps she was the only one left.
Suddenly, Hiyori let go of the broken shamisen.
She prostrated herself on the ground in a dogeza.
"Lord Luffy!"
She made a deep bow.
"No matter who you choose as Shogun…"
Her voice trembled.
"Please… treat this country well."
She continued:
"It has been many years under oppression. This country can no longer endure such suffering."
Then she added:
"This is my only request. So…"
She lowered her head even further.
"I am willing to do anything."
At that moment, a voice came from outside.
"Luffy."
The door to the Japanese-style room opened, and Robin entered.
"Kaido's subordinates have arrived."
She explained calmly:
"They are fighting Zoro and the others."
Luffy simply nodded.
"I know."
His Observation Haki had already detected them long ago.
There weren't many enemies.
Among them…
Only Jack was somewhat troublesome.
But with Zoro, Marco, and Yamato…
It would be resolved easily.
Robin glanced at Hiyori.
Then she smiled slightly, with a teasing tone.
"Perhaps I arrived at a bad time?"
Luffy immediately replied:
"You came at the perfect time."
He pointed to the table.
"Come serve the wine."
Robin sighed.
She approached and knelt beside him.
While pouring the wine, she mimicked Hiyori's tone:
"Is the wine to your liking?"
She even gave a playful wink.
Luffy rolled his eyes, but smiled.
Then he took a large sip.
"About the Shogun candidate…"
He asked:
"Do you have any ideas?"
Robin continued pouring the wine.
Then she smiled.
"Luffy… it seems you have an unusual dislike for the Kozuki family."
Luffy thought for a moment, then smiled.
"How about you become the Shogun?"
Robin froze.
Still holding the wine bottle.
"No."
She refused immediately.
"That sounds too troublesome."
Luffy asked:
"What's troublesome about it?"
Robin answered without hesitation:
"Everything."
She continued:
"Did you forget I once managed Baroque Works? I'm fully capable. But even so…"
She crossed her arms.
"I don't want to do it."
After that…
A clone of Robin appeared.
It knelt behind Luffy and began massaging his shoulders.
Speaking in a strange tone:
"Lord Luffy… I'll do anything as long as I don't have to become the Shogun."
Luffy felt completely helpless.
Everyone was trying their best to please him…
But clearly, no one wanted that responsibility.
After thinking briefly…
He realized something.
Among all the people around him…
There was actually no one truly suited for governance.
So his gaze returned to Hiyori.
She was still kneeling silently on the floor.
Luffy finally said:
"We'll talk about the Shogun later."
He continued:
"Hiyori, this country is in chaos right now. You need to help calm things down."
Then he added:
"Oh, and have someone send plenty of food to Amigasa Village."
The young princess of the Kozuki family still had influence.
That status wasn't useless.
Luffy then said:
"Robin. Take her and help stabilize the situation outside."
Robin replied:
"Yes."
She stood up.
Then walked over to Hiyori.
With a gentle smile, she said:
"You don't need to suffer so much. This country will return to normal soon."
Hiyori replied softly:
"I understand."
She made another deep bow to Luffy.
Then left the room with Robin.
---
Some time later…
Ace, who had been lying nearby, finally woke up.
Sukiyaki and the young O-Tama entered with him.
Ace didn't bother with formalities.
He sat beside Luffy and immediately started eating and drinking.
His body was covered in bandages.
Especially his head.
Only his mouth and nose were visible.
He sighed.
"I'm still too weak…"
He complained:
"Kaido knocked me unconscious so easily."
Then he looked at Luffy.
"How did you become so strong?"
Luffy didn't answer directly.
He called out:
"Tama."
The little girl ran over obediently.
Then sat beside him.
"Master Luffy!"
She said cheerfully:
"Thank you for liberating this country!"
She paused for a moment.
"In the future… do you think I'll be able to make a lot of money?"
Luffy laughed.
Then gently patted her head.
Among all the people in Wano…
This little girl was his favorite.
"Of course."
He said with a smile.
"You can try starting now."
"Big Brother Luffy!"
"Hey! That's not fair! I got here first!" Ace complained.
"Big Brother Ace!"
Tama called out again.
Ace laughed.
But soon winced in pain from his injuries.
Luffy continued stroking the girl's head.
Then suddenly…
He said something shocking:
"Tama. I want you to become the Shogun of Wano."
"What?!"
The three people in the room were completely stunned.
Tama's eyes widened.
"Me… Shogun?"
Her full name was Kurozumi Tama.
The Kurozumi family had been destroyed because of Orochi.
But she was innocent.
She was just a child.
Tama placed her hands on her hips and said:
"But I'm only six years old!"
She continued:
"I don't understand anything about being a Shogun! And I'm a girl! Wano has never had a female Shogun!"
Luffy laughed.
"What girl?"
He pointed at her.
"You're just a little kid. A six-year-old Shogun is perfect!"
He continued:
"If you don't know how to rule, you can learn little by little."
Then he said seriously:
"You couldn't even eat properly before, right?"
He looked at her.
"Many children like you didn't have enough food or proper clothes."
Then Luffy said:
"Use your own hands to build a place where everyone can eat their fill."
He added casually:
"Don't worry. I'll bring in reliable people to help you."
Luffy was completely serious.
This was not a childish joke.
Tama stared at him.
At that "Big Brother Luffy" she had just met.
And she was deeply shaken by his words.
---
(End of Chapter)