Momonosuke shook his head helplessly and sighed softly, though a barely perceptible smile flickered in his expression.
Hiyori covered her mouth with her sleeve as she chuckled softly.
Even the usually stern Denjiro couldn't help curling the corners of his mouth upward, the slight smile softening his typically severe features.
Ashura looked around blankly at the smiling faces surrounding him, his brow gradually furrowing as he suddenly realized something.
His rough face instantly flushed crimson, like burning flames.
"Wait... don't tell me you're all..." His voice trembled slightly, as if unable to believe what he was guessing.
"Exactly!" Yamato threw an arm around his shoulder, her smile so bright it reached her eyes. "We're all 'subordinates' of the Eternal Divine Kingdom's Child of Prophecy, Ron now!"
Ashura Doji stood rooted to the spot, his entire body rigid.
After a long pause, he slowly forced out the words: "...So I was the clown all along?!"
The moment he said this, it ignited another wave of laughter across the room.
Amidst this long-lost mirth, the Red Scabbards seemed to transcend time, rediscovering the tacit understanding they had shared twenty years ago when fighting side by side.
That tacit understanding, like aged fine wine, grew richer and more mellow with the passage of time.
Hope and fighting spirit were rekindled in their eyes, and the bond between them deepened profoundly in this moment.
At this moment, through this special connection and shared belief, Momonosuke successfully won over the Nine Red Scabbards of the Land of Wano!
...
In the Land of Wano,
Momonosuke wore a general's haori bearing the Kozuki family crest, its exquisite patterns recounting the past glory of the Kozuki clan.
Yet prominently displayed on his chest was the red will of the Eternal Divine Kingdom - a gleaming golden star emblem!
He stood quietly atop the highest castle tower in the Flower Capital, with the reassembled Red Scabbards behind him.
Each wore solemn expressions, yet couldn't conceal the fervor and determination in their eyes.
Kin'emon, Denjiro, Kikunojo, and Ashura - all radiated an untamed aura, the emblems on their armor clearly demonstrating their loyalty and faith in the Eternal Divine Kingdom.
Though Kawamatsu's whereabouts remained unknown, they were relieved to know he wasn't in mortal danger.
Now they could wait no longer.
Every passing moment meant more citizens of Wano were falling under the enslavement of the Beasts Pirates, enduring endless suffering and torment.
The heart-wrenching cries still seemed to echo in their ears, urging them to act swiftly.
"For the future of Wano!"
Momonosuke suddenly drew his sword, its sharp blade glinting coldly in the sunlight, as if to cleave a path of light through this dark age.
"Move out!"
As he raised his arm and shouted, his impassioned voice sounded like a battle horn.
The Red Scabbards immediately sprang into action, dividing into multiple forces like surging torrents advancing across the nation.
Kin'emon led one group, marching resolutely toward Kuri.
They traversed mountains and forests, crossed rivers, without a moment's pause.
Denjiro hurried toward White Dance with his samurai contingent.
Mounted on horseback, his posture agile as he tightly gripped the reins, the samurai followed closely behind, their synchronized steps kicking up clouds of dust.
Their hearts held but one belief - to reach White Dance quickly and sweep away the remnants of the Beasts Pirates.
Ashura returned to his territory in Ringo, his rugged face showing a trace of gravity.
He knew well the severity of the situation here - the remnants of the Beasts Pirates lurked like venomous snakes in the shadows, ready to strike at any moment.
But without the slightest fear, he immediately began purging the remnants, his figure darting through streets and alleys, fighting fiercely!
...
In the Kibi region, when villagers saw Kikunojo raising high the golden banner of the Eternal Divine Kingdom, they were initially stunned.
Their eyes widened in disbelief as they stared at the banner, time seeming to freeze in that moment.
Yet after a brief silence, their hearts were ignited by a powerful emotion, erupting into thunderous cheers.
An elderly man with white hair slowly knelt among the crowd.
Tears streamed down his wrinkled face, the marks of time carved deep furrows across his features, and now those furrows flowed with tears of excitement and relief.
"Even the Kozuki family's samurai lords believe in the Eternal Divine Kingdom... then what reason do we have to hesitate!"
"Hahaha, never thought we'd be the ones lagging behind." Some young people exchanged smiles, their expressions mingling self-mockery with anticipation for new hope.
"I knew this sudden incident wasn't that simple!" someone remarked thoughtfully, a glimmer of wisdom shining in their eyes.
"So the Eternal Divine Kingdom is the force led by the prophesied child!" This news spread through the crowd as if on wings, triggering waves of astonishment and discussion.
"No wonder!"
Everyone nodded in agreement, finding in that moment a power they could truly trust and rely upon.
The most shocking scene unfolded at the Flower Capital square.
Once a symbol of Orochi's rule, this place was now on the verge of complete transformation.
When Momonosuke personally lowered the tattered skull flag of the Beasts Pirates, letting it flutter weakly in the wind, and then slowly raised the crimson banner of will with its gleaming golden stars - the flag of the Eternal Divine Kingdom - the entire square erupted in a frenzy!
Merchants discarded goods stamped with Orochi's family crest without hesitation, casting aside these former symbols of oppression and fear.
Their faces radiated joy and hope, finally liberated from heavy shackles.
Geishas swiftly changed into new garments embroidered with the Divine Kingdom's emblem, their smiles blooming like flowers - beautiful and moving.
Even children were chanting nursery rhymes praising the Eternal Divine Kingdom, their clear voices echoing across the square, full of longing for a brighter future.
"If even Lord Momonosuke believes in the Divine Kingdom, what reservations should we have!" exclaimed a farmer's wife who had once suffered from hunger, holding rations distributed by the Divine Kingdom with eyes full of gratitude and devotion.
She slowly knelt beneath the Divine Kingdom's flag, her figure appearing both small and magnificent under its shadow.
In the slums, Ashura personally distributed the Divine Kingdom's medical kits to residents, moving between dilapidated houses.
Watching villagers receive treatment for their illnesses, this rugged man's voice choked with emotion.
"Twenty years... What we couldn't accomplish, the Divine Kingdom has achieved."