Make Tama the Shogun of Wano?
A girl… only six years old?
Even Ace couldn't hold himself back.
He slowly turned his head, staring at Luffy as if trying to confirm whether this was really happening.
"Luffy… are you serious?"
Luffy didn't hesitate at all.
He raised his hand casually and replied with a relaxed smile:
"I'm serious."
Then he tilted his head slightly.
"Is there a problem with that?"
Ace opened his mouth.
"I… this…"
But no words came out.
It was too absurd.
So absurd… that he didn't even know where to begin complaining.
On the other hand, Luffy looked completely convinced.
"Tama will be the best Shogun Wano has ever had."
He crossed his arms confidently.
"And she'll also be the first woman to hold that position!"
Ace's eyes widened.
"Why?"
He couldn't understand.
"Why are you so sure about that?"
Luffy simply replied:
"Because I decided it."
For a moment…
Silence filled the room.
Then Luffy couldn't help but laugh.
His laughter echoed lightly, as if that decision was the most natural thing in the world.
If Kozuki Momonosuke could become a "great Shogun" in the future…
Then Tama was no inferior to him.
On the contrary.
If one carefully analyzed the events of the original story…
The difference between the two was obvious.
During the battle against Kaido…
Momonosuke, at only eight years old, despite being a key figure and having eaten a replica of Kaido's Devil Fruit…
Still…
He hesitated.
He thought about giving up.
He thought about surrendering.
His heart wavered under the weight of responsibility.
But Tama…
At the same age…
Never once thought about surrendering.
Never once thought about giving up.
Even while starving…
Even while living in misery…
She chose to fight.
She used the power of her Devil Fruit to help the Straw Hat Pirates.
And not only did she help…
She played an important role in the battle.
At the same age…
Regardless of strength or achievements…
Momonosuke couldn't compare to her.
Luffy then looked directly at the girl.
"Tama…"
He smiled faintly.
"Do you want to become the Shogun?"
The little girl blinked in surprise.
But soon asked the most important question to her:
"Big Brother Luffy…"
She clenched her hands.
"If I become Shogun… will everyone have enough food?"
Luffy didn't answer immediately.
His expression became a little more serious.
"That will depend on you."
He continued:
"If you work hard toward that goal, sooner or later this country will become a place where everyone can live in peace."
Tama was still young.
She didn't understand the weight of those words.
Nor the effort required to make that a reality.
But even so…
She nodded firmly.
"I understand!"
She lifted her face with determination.
"Big Brother Luffy… I will make sure everyone has food!"
Then she tilted her head, confused.
"But… what should I do?"
Luffy couldn't help it.
"Hahahaha!"
He laughed out loud.
That little girl was truly interesting.
At that moment…
Sukiyaki, who had remained silent until then, stepped forward.
Without hesitation…
He knelt down.
"Lord Luffy!"
His voice was serious.
"Please allow me to help her!"
He continued:
"If you can trust me, I will train her to become a qualified Shogun!"
The room fell silent once again.
Luffy's laughter stopped.
Internally…
He couldn't help but think with a hint of sarcasm.
'You couldn't even properly raise your own son… and now you want to teach Tama?'
After all…
What was Kozuki Oden like as a child?
Luffy recalled:
At age 4, he killed a bear by throwing a stone.
At age 6, he frequented pleasure districts.
At age 8, he drank alcohol and fought adults.
At age 9, he was blacklisted by criminals and arrested.
At age 10, he was already working in quarries.
At age 14, he caused floods by altering river courses.
At age 15, he kidnapped women to build a harem.
At age 18, he completely broke ties with his father.
And only at age 20…
Did he finally gather loyal subordinates and turn Kuri into a livable land.
Thinking about that…
Luffy listened again to Sukiyaki's sincere voice.
This time…
He paid closer attention.
There was no deception.
No hidden ambition to restore the Kozuki family.
There was only a genuine desire to help Tama.
For the past twenty years…
Since Kurozumi Orochi took power…
Sukiyaki had completely withdrawn from the world.
He had nothing left.
But people change.
And Luffy knew that.
If Momonosuke were to appear in the future…
Would Sukiyaki keep the same resolve?
To him, Tama was just a child he had taken in.
Almost like an adopted daughter.
But Momonosuke was his real grandson.
Luffy fell silent for a few seconds.
In the end, he made a decision.
If necessary, he would eliminate any instability at its root.
So what was the difference between an adopted child… and a legitimate heir?
As for the influence of the Kozuki family…
Even if Momonosuke didn't want the position…
Others would push him to take it.
Luffy frowned slightly.
'Would that be too cruel…?'
But then he thought of Hiyori.
She was still alive.
The Kozuki bloodline would not end.
So there was no problem.
If, in the future, people tried to restore Momonosuke…
He would simply eliminate that threat.
Before it could even grow.
If Momonosuke never appeared…
Everyone would believe he had died long ago.
With that in mind…
Luffy nodded.
"I'll send my men to help."
Sukiyaki lowered his head deeply.
"Thank you very much!"
Luffy then added:
"Your granddaughter is outside."
He looked at him.
"The oiran known as Komurasaki… is Kozuki Hiyori."
Sukiyaki fell silent for a moment.
Then he sighed.
"After everything that has happened…"
He lowered his head.
"I no longer have the right to face her."
Then he said:
"Lord Luffy… please keep this a secret. From now on… Kozuki Sukiyaki no longer exists. I will only be Tenguyama Hitetsu."
Luffy shrugged.
"Whatever."
---
The next day…
Kaido's subordinates were completely defeated.
Jack, one of the Three Calamities, fell at Zoro's hands.
Ulti and Page One were defeated by Yamato.
Sasaki and Who's Who were defeated by Marco.
Law removed the hearts of the five and handed them to Luffy.
At that moment, the five hearts were beating in Luffy's hands.
The prisoners were surrounded by the Straw Hat Pirates.
Their expressions were tense.
Luffy observed calmly.
"One is missing."
He said.
"Where is Black Maria?"
Jack replied in a deep voice:
"Someone had to stay on Onigashima."
He stared at Luffy.
"Straw Hat… what are you planning to do?"
Luffy lightly squeezed one of the hearts.
Instantly…
Jack dropped to his knees.
A groan of pain escaped his mouth.
Luffy spoke coldly:
"Just because I didn't kill you now… doesn't mean I won't kill you later."
His gaze sharpened.
"So don't be so arrogant."
He raised his index finger and tore open space in front of him.
Five hearts were pushed into the spatial rift…
Disappearing into the void.
---
(End of Chapter)