Wano Country's weapons factory was located in Habu Port Town.
This sprawling industrial complex, backed by the massive Mount Atama and bordered by the sea on one side, boasted dozens of thick chimneys towering into the sky, constantly belching thick smoke.
"Reporting, sir! The final batch of weapons will be completed tonight. Once done, we'll have fulfilled the first production quota ordered by Lord Caesar. Here's the inventory list for your review."
A black-stockinged gazelle Gifter, panting heavily with a hand on his waist, handed a stack of papers to Kiku, who stood at the factory entrance gazing into the distance.
Kiku nodded, took the list, skimmed through it briefly, then handed it back.
"The weapon count checks out. Once production is complete, arrange for immediate packing tonight. Our overseas contacts have been pressing us repeatedly. Any further delays, and that person will lose their temper."
The gazelle man shuddered at the mere thought of "that person's" terrifying wrath.
Without another word, he turned and scurried back to prepare for the remaining tasks.
As Kiku stared at the vast expanse of the open sea beyond, a deep sense of uncertainty clouded his mind.
"Has Wano Country truly changed... or has nothing changed at all?"
The unchanged reality was that this land remained under the control of powerful pirate crews, forced to serve them endlessly in weapons production.
Kozuki Oden's grand vision for the future—the prophecy of the "Nine Shadows" descending from the heavens and Wano's rebirth—had lasted mere days before being ruthlessly crushed by the even more formidable Caesar.
As for the legacy of the Kozuki family, Oden's son, the destined ruler of Wano Country, Kozuki Momonosuke, was crushed into a bloody pulp by that demon.
Looking out from the entrance of this weapons factory, not far ahead along the shoreline, was the place where Momonosuke had met his end.
There stood a small mound of earth, secretly arranged by Hiyori with Kiku and Shinobu, hidden from the members of the Beast God Pirates.
For this reason, the few of them wept for a long time at Momonosuke's grave.
"The changes..."
Kiku watched the busy blacksmiths inside the factory and the laborers of Wano Country transporting weapons.
The temperature inside the processing plant was high, with steam rising everywhere.
The workers were all drenched in sweat from their labor.
Yet Kiku could see that despite their exhaustion, the workers' faces carried a sense of fulfillment and a yearning for a new life.
The work system established by Caesar and Hiyori didn't pay much, but it gave everyone hope for a better future.
Now, Wano Country no longer faced rebellion.
The Beast God Pirates, as its rulers, were not as tyrannical as the former Beasts Pirates had been.
Instead, they implemented benevolent governance.
The remaining members of the Beast God Pirates not only actively helped the people of Wano with infrastructure but also carried themselves without arrogance, standing guard for remote villages plagued by wild beasts.
They gathered samurai, armed them, and allowed them to protect their own villages and towns.
Whenever an emergency arose, members of the Beast God Pirates would arrive promptly to handle it.
In just over a month, the people of Wano had drastically changed their perception of the Beast God Pirates.
From hostility to acceptance and recognition.
Even the passionate samurai began to aspire to join the Beast God Pirates and see the world beyond the seas.
Kiku remembered that day when Hiyori, along with the two of them, had wept as they piled a small mound of earth where Momonosuke's remains had vanished without a trace.
With tears on her face, Hiyori had spoken to him and Shinobu.
"Kiku, Shinobu, you don't actually need to pledge loyalty to me. Your allegiance has always been misplaced."
Hiyori pointed to Habu Town as she spoke: "Your loyalty should belong to the people here. Over these days, while living alone, I've thought deeply about many things. I should hate Caesar, hate Kaido and the others. They were the ones who killed my parents, my brother, and Kin'emon and the rest."
"But for some reason, I've come to believe that the true culprit behind Wano's twenty years of suffering was my father—the so-called hero of Wano, Kozuki Oden."
"If he had wanted to, he could have resolved the threat of Kaido and the others twenty years ago, ending this long period of suffering. Instead, he allowed our enemies to ravage our land. My father, Oden, chose to die in such a humiliating way—for reasons I still don't understand."
"Once, I thought he was a towering hero. Later, I saw him as a clown, dying with an exaggerated, deliberate smile—a tragic and meaningless death that condemned a nation to decades of humiliation and suffering."
"He once said that his and my mother's mission was to bring light to the world. Yet he left this small country in darkness."
"The position of ruler should belong to the wise, not be passed down through generations. When unworthy successors inherit power, the nation faces disaster."
"I will be grateful to Caesar for giving me a chance to atone by governing Wano. From now on, I, Hiyori, will lead the people here toward happiness. Kiku, Shinobu, join me in protecting the people of this land. Forget the so-called samurai spirit. Keep the memories of the past and those we've lost buried deep in your hearts."
Just as Kiku was lost in thought, a woman's urgent voice suddenly came from behind—it was Shinobu.
"Kiku, something terrible has happened! Princess Hiyori... Her Majesty seems to be in trouble. Her Den Den Mushi isn't answering, and that never happens."
Shinobu appeared short and stout but moved with surprising agility, darting out of the factory in just a few steps.
Kiku sprang to his feet, gripping the long sword at his waist.
"That can't be! This is Wano Country. Aside from the Beast God Pirates, what other force would dare interfere? Besides, Her Majesty has three of the Flying Six by her side!"
Shinobu's face remained tense with worry as she handed over a Den Den Mushi.
"If you don't believe me, try calling her yourself."
"Could the Den Den Mushi be broken?" Kiku muttered, examining the device but finding nothing wrong.
Immediately, he prepared to dial Hiyori's number.
BOOM!
Suddenly, a deafening explosion echoed from the direction of Habu Port Town.
Then, right before Kiku and Shinobu's eyes, a large section of buildings collapsed, sending clouds of dust billowing into the sky.
Their expressions instantly darkened.
"Enemies!"
Without hesitation, Kiku charged toward the source of the disturbance.
"Kiku!" Shinobu stomped her foot in frustration before rushing after her.
"It might be enemies of the Beast God Pirates. We don't necessarily have to oppose them. If possible, we might even have a chance to avenge Kin'emon and the others. Kiku, don't act recklessly!" Shinobu caught up and shouted.
Kiku's grip on her sword tightened. She whipped around, glaring at Shinobu with fury in her eyes.
"Shinobu, I want to avenge Kin'emon more than anyone!
But if these enemies threaten the lives of Wano Country's people, I don't care why they're here—I'll fight them with everything I have!
Hiyori was right.
We samurai must not only fight for our lord but also for this country!"
-----------------------------
Read 45 chapters ahead and support me on patreon.
patreon (.)com/Newbietranslator