A New Flag over the Ruins, Taking Over Wano Country

Wano Country, the Flower Capital, the top floor of the Castle.

The morning of the second day after the war ended.

The clouds parted, letting sunlight stream down onto the ruined square below. Pebbles were scattered everywhere, and people rummaged through the rubble, searching for belongings. Oniwabanshu ninjas carried stretchers back and forth, busy transporting the last batch of wounded out of the city. Orochi's banner lay scattered on the ground, its surface covered in footprints, crumpled and disheveled in the mud, a picture of utter disarray.

Lin Yuan leaned against the balcony railing, holding a glass of cold water. The glass was new, but he had long been used to the refreshing coolness.

Suddenly, the Den Den Mushi beside me started wriggling and making a hoarse sound.

"Lin Yuan, the casualty count is complete." Ginny's voice, hoarse with exhaustion from staying up all night, said, "The allied forces suffered 213 wounded or killed, Orochi lost over 1,800 men, and 300 innocent civilians also perished. The compensation will proceed as agreed, drawn from Orochi's treasury. I've already had the Caimi reconcile the accounts."

"The compensation for the fallen will be doubled, and all expenses for the wounded will be fully covered." Lin Yuan said calmly, without the slightest hesitation.

"Understood. There's one more thing. There are still seven spies lurking in Wano Country that haven't been caught. Kurozumi Semimaru, Oniwabanshu's deputy Tetsumaru, three CP5 spies, and two liaisons mixed in with the caravans."

Lin Yuan took a sip of cool water and glanced down at the chaotic square below.

"Catch them all today."

Beneath the Castle, deep within the treasure vault.

The Caimi and the Lecher stared at the mountain of documents before them, their heads throbbing. Ledgers stretched from the floor to the ceiling, three large iron chests were crammed with trade contracts made of Seastone, and the entire wall was covered with densely packed maps of Wano Country's defenses. The Caimi picked up a yellowed page, his fingers trembling uncontrollably.

"This... this is the Seastone smuggling agreement signed between Orochi and the Rosward family, the Celestial Dragons! It has his signature on it, and the Rosward Family crest on it!"

The Lecher leaned closer, squinted at it, and grinned, "Heh heh, how many beautiful women can this thing be exchanged for?"

Lin Yuan stepped into the treasure vault, took the contract, flipped through two pages, and carefully tucked it into his pocket.

"Keep it. We can use it to settle scores with the Celestial Dragons later; it'll be solid leverage."

The Den Den Mushi rang again, and Ginny's voice came through. "Pack up all the documents and ship them back to Hachinosu for filing tomorrow. Don't forget the gold, silver, weapons, or Devil Fruits from the treasury."

The Caimi stared at the countless treasures before him, swallowed hard, and sighed with a crestfallen face, "With so much stuff, when will we ever finish moving it all?"

"Until I'm too tired to move anymore."

"Oh, Ginny, you're so cruel... But I like it," the Caimi muttered with a bitter face.

Simultaneous arrest operations were carried out Flower Capital.

Fukurokuju arrived at Kurozumi Semimaru's residence with his men. The courtyard was secluded, with two ancient pine trees standing at the entrance. Pushing open the door, they saw Kurozumi Semimaru kneeling on the tatami mat, a short sword lying horizontally in front of him, its tip pointing directly at his abdomen. His hands trembled uncontrollably, and the blade barely grazed his flesh; in the end, he didn't dare to bring himself to stab him.

"Lord Chanmaru," Fukurokuju said calmly from the doorway, "Captain Lin Yuan wants to see you. You must come with us alive."

Kurozumi Semimaru suddenly looked up, his eyes bloodshot, his voice hoarse. "Orochi is dead, what's the point of my life?"

"He used you for twenty years; you were nothing more than a pawn in his game. What does his life or death have to do with you?"

Fukurokuju slowly stepped forward and reached out to take the short knife.

"From this day forward, your fate is in your own hands. Captain Lin Yuan, do not kill those who surrender."

Kurozumi Semimaru remained silent for a long time before slowly supporting himself to stand up. His legs were still trembling slightly, but he stood firmly on the spot.

On the other side of the Training Arena, Tetsumaru put up a stubborn resistance. He swung his broadsword wildly, hacking and slashing, and felled two ninjas who came forward one after another. Fukurokuju put his hand on the hilt of his sword, did not draw it, and calmly approached step by step.

Tetsumaru's eyes widened in fury as he roared and swung his sword fiercely. Fukurokuju easily dodged to the side and then struck Iron Ball's wrist with a precise palm strike.

Clang--

The longsword slipped from his hand and fell to the ground. A palm strike followed immediately, slamming heavily into his chest. Tetsumaru was sent flying like a kite with a broken string, crashing heavily into the stone wall and spitting out a mouthful of blood.

"Tie him up and take him to Hachinosu."

Outside the north gate of the capital, three CP5 spies disguised as merchants were driving a carriage, hoping to slip away during the chaos in the city. But as soon as the wheels left the city gate, the ground beneath their feet suddenly turned into a thick black shadow, instantly entangling the entire carriage. The horses were startled, rearing up and neighing loudly, and the coachman fell to the ground.

"Hehehe... Trying to run away? You're not getting away now."

Moonlight Moria slowly emerged from behind the tree, his giant scissors gleaming coldly. Countless shadows converged like a spiderweb, completely sealing off all escape routes.

A dark figure darted out, flicking his fingertips. Several fine threads, as thin as hair, shot out, instantly severing the weapons of the men. In less than three breaths, the three CP5 spies were pinned to the ground, their mouths gagged with strips of cloth.

Ginny's voice came through the Den Den Mushi again. "All seven have been captured. What do you plan to do with the CP5 members?"

Lin Yuan stood in front of the Castle gate, looking at the prisoners being escorted over.

"Lock them up for now, to be used in a future hostage exchange with the World Government. Send Kurozumi Semimaru and Tetsumaru to Hachinosu and place them under Caesar's care."

"Caesar? Aren't you afraid that guy will kidnap people and experiment on them?"

"He wouldn't dare," Lin Yuan said firmly.

After a brief silence, Ginny replied, "Okay, I'll have Kuma keep an eye on him."

The main hall on the first floor of the Castle.

Kaido lay on a makeshift, large couch, his body wrapped in bandages, only his eyes and mouth visible. The Iron Club beside him had been moved to the side; he didn't even have the strength to lift his hand. The backlash from the Devil Fruit Awakening left his muscles weak and sore, but his consciousness remained clear, and the bleeding from his wounds had long since stopped.

Oh, lol--

A muffled, hoarse laugh escaped from beneath layers of bandages.

"I never imagined I'd fall so low, unable to even crush an ant."

Bullet sat on the steps to the side, holding a piece of glistening roasted meat in his hand. He deliberately moved closer to Kaido and chewed it noisily.

"You were clamoring for meat before, but now that it's right in front of you, why aren't you eating it?"

"Go eat somewhere else." Kaido snorted irritably.

"These steps aren't your territory. I can't just sit wherever I want."

The two of them started arguing back and forth, oblivious to everyone else.

Just then, King and Huijin passed by the door. Huijin stopped and his gaze fell on Kaido wounds.

I can heal his wounds.

Jin turned to look at her and asked in a deep voice, "Does your fire healing spell have any side effects?"

"No."

Huijin crouched down, and a ball of gray flame rose from his palm.

"This is our clan's Ashen Flame, which can burn away the residual poison left by the backlash of power, without harming the opponent's life force. At most, it will consume a little of my own strength, which I can recover after a night's sleep."

As she finished speaking, she gently placed her palm on Kaido's chest. The Ashen Flames slowly seeped into his body, coursing through his damaged meridians and muscles. Kaido's breathing gradually became steady, and beneath the bandages, his torn flesh and damaged bones were healing rapidly.

A moment later, Huijin withdrew his hand. Kaido's complexion had clearly improved, and his eyes had brightened again.

"Your abilities are quite impressive."

"Your physique is truly impressive; your recovery speed far exceeds my expectations."

"Oh ho ho--that's for sure! I'm a member of the Oni!" Kaido laughed loudly, his voice regaining some of its former ruggedness and boldness.

Huijin turned and walked back to Ash's side.

Jin looked at her and asked, "You said before that you had nowhere to stay?"

Huijin looked up, his gray eyes reflecting the first rays of dawn on the horizon.

"Now I have somewhere to go."

Ember didn't speak, but Huijin clearly saw the corner of his mouth twitch very slightly. It wasn't a hearty laugh, but it was genuine and gentle.

Bullet tore off a large piece of roasted meat and stuffed it directly into Kaido's mouth.

"Eat up, eat more, it'll help you recover faster."

Kaido chewed the piece of meat with difficulty, muttering under his breath, "... Thanks."

Wano Country, Kuri border.

Fukurokuju, accompanied by two ninjas, walked for two full hours along the mountain path before finally arriving at the Kuri Pass. The pass was constructed of massive piles of rocks, and a burly figure stood in the center of it—it was Ashura Doji, the strongest samurai under Kozuki Oden.

"Fukurokuju, and Longevity." The Ashura Doji, his hand on the hilt of his sword, looked wary. "The Orochi has been slain. What are you doing here in Kuri?"

"Captain Lin Yuan cordially invites Oden to the Flower Capital for a discussion."

"Oden will not go."

"Captain Lin Yuan said that everything is negotiable. The autonomy of Kuri, the trade in Seastone, and the livelihoods of the people—all of these are open to discussion."

Ashura Doji pondered for a moment, then nodded and said, "You wait here, I will go and inform them."

The Flower Capital, the Castle Council Chamber.

The evening sun slanted through the window, casting long shadows on the wooden floor.

Kozuki Oden arrived alone, carrying only a sword and a dagger, and sat opposite Lin Yuan. The Nine Red Scabbards guarded the Castle gate, at Oden's special instruction, as he believed Lin Yuan had no intention of harming him.

The two stared at each other for a moment, then Oden spoke first, his tone frank. "Orochi has committed countless evils and deserves to die. But I'm curious, what is it that you've traveled all this way to Wano Country for?"

Lin Yuan picked up his water glass and took a sip.

"Seastone, and the uniquely advantageous terrain of Wano Country. You can send someone to inquire; my people have never disturbed ordinary people."

Oden remained silent. After the war, he had already sent people to investigate everywhere. When the Allied forces were clearing the battlefield, they took good care of even the wounded civilians and did not harm a single person.

"I have three conditions," Oden said seriously. "First, Kuri must be autonomous, and no one from Hachinosu may set foot there. Second, the Seastone business will be managed by you, but the pricing must be fair and reasonable. Third, taxes cannot be higher than when Orochi was in power."

"Haha, it's a deal."

Oden observed him, and after a long while, he smiled and said, "You're much easier to deal with than Orochi."

"The Orochi never understood negotiation; all he knew was how to give orders."

Oden got up and walked to the window, looking at the setting sun on the horizon. The golden rays of the setting sun shone on the ruins, while in the distance, fertile fields stretched out, mountains and forests were vast, and the sea surged with ceaseless waves.

Lin Yuan.

"Um?"

"If one day I set sail, what will Wano Country look like?"

Lin Yuan walked to his side, and together they looked into the distance.

"Wano Country is Wano Country after all; others may come and go, but their roots remain unchanged."

Oden turned his head and laughed helplessly, "You really have absolutely no sense of romance."

Romantic pleasures cannot save people living in chaotic times.

Oden was taken aback for a moment, then burst into laughter, his hearty laughter echoing throughout the council hall.

"Interesting! You're much more interesting than the treacherous Orochi!"

He turned and walked towards the palace gate, but paused at the entrance without looking back.

"Don't let Wano Country fall into war and chaos again."

I promise you.

Oden strode out of the Castle, the setting sun casting a long shadow of him. The Nine Red Scabbards immediately came to greet him. Ashura Doji glanced at his lord's expression, then looked up at the Hachinosu Flag fluttering in the wind atop the Castle, and finally just pursed his lips, remaining silent.

"Oden, how did the talks go?"

"Things went fairly smoothly." Oden smiled. "That person isn't unpleasant."

Flower Capital, Central Square.

Kaido was carried up the stone steps, covered with a thin blanket, only his head was exposed. Bullet sat to the side, happily munching on a piece of roasted meat.

"You just ate lunch, why are you eating again?"

"That was lunchtime; it's almost dinnertime now."

"... Are you a pig reincarnated?"

"Same to you."

Without a word, Bullet tore off another piece of meat and stuffed it into Kaido's mouth. Kaido chewed a few times and mumbled, "The taste... is alright."

By the city wall, Ember and Huijin stood side by side. Huijin gazed at the afterglow of the setting sun, but Ember's gaze quietly fell on the person beside him.

You've been spying on me.

Jin hurriedly turned to look at the horizon, forcing himself to remain calm. "I'm watching the sunset."

"He's clearly looking at me."

"... This sunset is truly beautiful."

Huijin smiled faintly and stopped joking.

Kuma leaned against a stone pillar, Den Den Mushi resting on his lap. Ginny's voice came through the phone incessantly, rambling on about the daily life on Hachinosu: Caesar had blown the lab up again, Zephyr was scolding his men in the Training Ground, and even that mischievous blue Nezumi had secretly gnawed all the oranges she had stored. Kuma occasionally responded with a low murmur, a faint smile appearing on his usually indifferent face.

On the other side of the square, Moria and Inazuma were having a blast. Moria manipulated his shadow to create a kitten, Inazuma swung his scissors, quickly cutting the shadow into a rabbit. The two played back and forth, thoroughly enjoying themselves.

"Aren't you annoying?!"

"You were the one who started this!"

The rooftop terrace of the Castle.

Lin Yuan still held the glass of cold water. Through the Den Den Mushi, Ginny's voice, relaxed and weary, came through the device.

"Lin Yuan, the entire territory of Wano Country has been successfully taken over. Kuri operating autonomously as agreed, and personnel have been arranged for the other Four Territories. All the spies have been captured and brought to justice, and the treasures and documents from Orochi's Treasury have been packed up and will be transported back to Hachinosu first thing tomorrow morning."

"Thanks a lot."

When do you plan to come back?

Lin Yuan looked down at the entire city. The setting sun dyed the broken walls and ruins a warm gold, and the Hachinosu Flag on the Castle top fluttered in the evening breeze. In the distance, Oden and his party walked towards Kuri, their figures gradually disappearing into the twilight.

"I'll stay a few more days to completely stabilize the situation here."

Ginny was silent for a moment, then smiled and said, "Okay. By the way, give me a smile."

"What are you laughing at for no reason?"

"We won!"

Lin Yuan's lips slowly curved upwards; it wasn't a calculating sneer, but a genuine, relaxed laugh. The evening breeze carried the warmth of the setting sun, and two hearty laughs echoed through the Den Den Mushi.

"Ha ha."

On the other end of the Den Den Mushi, Ginny burst into laughter.

"That's more like it."

The smile gradually faded, and Lin Yuan took out a scroll from his robes, filled with ancient characters containing Poneglyph. Night slowly enveloped the sea, and moonlight shone down, making the obscure characters appear hazy and indistinct in the twilight.

"Ginny, how do I get to Zou?"

Ginny immediately dropped her joke, her tone becoming sharp and efficient. "Zou is a moving island floating on the back of a giant elephant. To get there, you either need a Vivre Card to guide you, or you need to know the precise coordinates to open the door. You've never been to that area before, and the Door-Door Fruit can't locate you out of thin air."

"What should we do?"

"Let's go back to Hachinosu first. I'll go check the ancient books; Caesar might still have Vegapunk's research records from Zou."

"Alright, we'll set off in three days."

(End of Chapter 85)