The Black Hand Stirring the Vortex

"Hiss! Why would such a monster come to Wano Country?"

"Are all the oceans outside this terrifying? No wonder Wano Country has always pursued a policy of isolationism!"

"Even the two strongest powers in Wano Country have been reduced to background, is this... 'the world'?"

"Now I finally understand why even the shogun of Wano Country had to feign compliance with Kaido, and why the Kozuki Family, who had ruled Wano Country for hundreds of years, was wiped out in just half a day after facing Nightmare!"

"Could it be that the strength of Wano Country is merely superficial, and that we only have that illusory arrogance because the truly powerful forces disdain to attack us?"

Seeing the horrified expressions of the Master Swordsman around him, especially the lost and dejected look on the face of the Great Sword Master in front of him, Johnson felt a secret sense of superiority, like a civilized society looking down on a primitive tribe.

"On the vast ocean, there are pirates known as the Four Emperors. Each of them is a true emperor of the sea, reigning over the New World, the latter half of the Grand Line, like an emperor. Any force that dares to resist them will only face annihilation. Kaido is one of the Four Emperors, known as the World's Strongest Creature of sea, land, and air. He is an unkillable monster. Legend has it that the only thing that might defeat Kaido is time."

"Can't be killed? Is this kind of monster even human?"

"That's right. I've heard that even with the combined attacks of the two strongest swordsmen in Wano Country, Lord Shogun and Oden-sama, they couldn't inflict any real damage on Kaido. He's a monster that no human can match!"

"There are actually three such monsters in the outer ocean! The outside world is just too dangerous!"

Satisfied with his vanity, Johnson continued, "The seven great pirates recognized by the World Government, possessing catastrophic destructive power and immense fighting strength comparable to that of a nation, are known as the Shichibukai. Nightmare Roy is one of the Shichibukai, and is even considered the strongest among Shichibukai. He has a series of titles such Calamity Bringer Great Sword Master Roy and the Doomsday Messenger, because countless islands and countries have been destroyed by him."

Perhaps feeling that the information given was not shocking enough, Johnson continued, "The World's Greatest Swordsman, Hawkeye, who stands at the pinnacle of swordsmanship and surpasses all swordsmen, is also one of the Shichibukai. He is also considered to be the only one among the Shichibukai who might be able to rival Nightmare in terms of top-tier combat power. Now, you should understand what kind of people have come to Wano Country!"

"The world's greatest swordsman? What an honorable title!"

"So that Nightmare was actually a monster that could rival the world's greatest swordsman. No wonder Oden-sama, the greatest swordsman of Wano Country, was no match for it."

"Was the policy of isolationism right or wrong? If it weren't for Kozuki Oden's voyage, we wouldn't have attracted such a terrifying enemy. But if it weren't for the arrival of the Beasts Pirates and Nightmare, we would never have realized the vastness of the world!"

"I never imagined the outside world would be so wonderful. Gentlemen, after today, I may also embark on a journey to the sea, broaden my horizons, increase my knowledge, hone my swordsmanship, and one day become a sword saint!"

The old man looked solemn. "I originally thought it was absurd to let two foreign pirates decide the fate of Wano Country. Now it seems that I was being presumptuous. The monsters that can defeat the two strongest forces in Wano Country cannot be dealt with by sheer numbers."

"After today, the question we need to think about is where to go from here. Those who stick to the old ways will only be eliminated by this era."

Johnson frowned slightly, wondering if it was just his imagination, but he seemed to have noticed a seven-colored light flash in the eyes of this so- Kamiizumi Sword Saint. However, he quickly shook his head and thought to himself, "It seems that he is about to see the Nightmare and the psychological pressure is too great, causing him to hallucinate?"

"Kamiizumi Sword Saint, what do you mean?" a Master Swordsman asked doubtfully.

"Do you think they released this information about the decisive battle so publicly just to make a fool of us? If I'm not mistaken, their purpose is to intimidate us and show us the absolute power gap between Wano Country and them. After today's battle, regardless of who the victor is, we must make a choice, or annihilation awaits us!"

"What? They actually want to recruit us? How ridiculous! Aren't we all powerful figures in Wano Country? Why would we give up being decent people and become their dogs!"

"I'm afraid we won't even be able to be dogs then!" a Master Swordsman said quietly in the crowd, his eyes also flashing with a seven-colored light.

"You..." The previously indignant Master Swordsman glared angrily at the ronin Master Swordsman, showing signs of a fight breaking out at the slightest provocation.

"Hmph, I am a retainer of Kurozumi Orochi, and I have far more authority to speak on this matter than you do. You must have heard about the alliance between Kurozumi Orochi and Kaido, right? Heh, the so-called alliance is nothing but a joke. Kurozumi Orochi is at best Kaido's puppet. In the past six months, countless retainers have been executed by Kurozumi Orochi for offending Kaido. It was precisely to avoid following in their footsteps that I chose to flee and become a ronin."

"I had long heard that Kaido was cruel by nature, and that he would kill his subordinates at will. Now it seems that he was right."

"Then what should we do? As far as I know, Roy doesn't seem to be a good guy either. Kuri Castle was completely destroyed by him."

Another "insider" with a glint of multicolored light in his eyes stepped forward and said, "No, the destruction of Kuri in Wano Country was entirely due to Kozuki Oden's conspiracy. If anyone here knows me, they should know that I was originally a retainer of the Oda Family. After the Oda Family was destroyed, there were rumors that Kurozumi Orochi was behind it. In order to avenge my lord, I chose to join the Kozuki Family's camp."

"However, just three days ago, the Oda Young Master, who had become a retainer of Lord Roy, suddenly appeared before Kozuki Oden and exposed the conspiracy of Kozuki Oden to attack the Oda Family and shift the blame to Kurozumi Orochi."

"That's why Kozuki Oden went berserk and wanted to destroy Kuri Castle to protect this secret. Lord Roy, who was originally preparing to avenge Oda Young Master, turned the tide and saved the day, ultimately eliminating the hypocrite Kozuki Oden. He even planned to pacify Tokugawa internally and drive away the Beasts Pirates externally, restoring peace to Wano Country. He's practically the savior of Wano Country!"

Watching the man before them put on a tearful "performance," the group of Master Swordsman felt a pang of sympathy and couldn't help but feel a deep respect for Nightmare Roy. They thought that this man named Nightmare was indeed a righteous and heroic figure.

Johnson felt increasingly uneasy, a chill running down his spine. How could a normal person describe that devil in such a way? He vaguely guessed the shadow behind the vortex.

The highly respected Kamiizumi Sword Saint made the final decision. "Now it seems that Dream-Enter's ranks may not be such an unacceptable choice. However, let's wait and see. Perhaps they don't have the power we imagine."