Opening the Country

Is this really a good idea?

Sirius leaned against the ship's railing, watching the Red Scabbards still arguing on the ice not far away and Dragon smiling and explaining, and said with a laugh, "A family fortune passed down through generations is gone just like that?"

"Family property?"

Hiyori gently tucked a strand of hair that had been ruffled by the wind. "Wasn't it gone a long time ago?"

"I'm not a father, forced to shoulder the responsibility of the entire nation even if I'm unwilling. This country doesn't need me, and I don't want to," she said with a smile. "I've done what I could for this country. What it becomes next depends on the choices of the people living in this country."

"Isn't that a pity?" Rado said from the side. "Wano Country is, after all, a world-renowned country of samurai."

"But so what? I just don't want to do things I don't want to do," Hiyori and said softly and comfortably, "Right now, I just want to do what I want to do."

The things that had bound her for so long have completely vanished; she must be feeling an unprecedented sense of relaxation and joy now.

Hiyori had already made arrangements with Dragon beforehand.

After winning the war and liberating Wano Country, she will not become the new shogun, nor will Wano Country produce a new shogun.

The era of dictatorial rule based on bloodline succession is over.

Hiyori hopes Dragon will help Wano Country establish a more progressive system.

This was exactly what Dragon had hoped for.

The aristocracy has always stood in opposition to the people.

This is not a difficult thing for revolutionaries.

There are countless countries and regions on the high seas without King or nobles; by simply copying their models, a suitable political system could be created for Wano Country.

Dragon was very enthusiastic; after all, from now on, Wano Country would be an ally of the revolutionaries.

"I don't need to worry about this country anymore, although I haven't really worried about it much in the first place."

Hiyori smiled and said, "Right now, I am just Kozuki Hiyori of the Sirius Pirates."

"Welcome back, Hiyori." Sirius gave her a gentle hug.

Hiyori nodded gently. "I'm back, Captain."

Starting today, everything is finally over.

"Oh, right,"

Sirius said, "Wano Country at its current state is probably incapable of supporting a more advanced social system."

Although Sirius was not very old before his transmigration, he had heard the saying that the economic base determines the superstructure.

Given Wano Country's current state of devastation, where it can barely function as a small-scale agricultural economy, how can it possibly support a modern political system?

"So, Black,"

Sirius looked at his strategist and transformation device, "Do you have technology suitable for this country?"

"Very much," Black did not disappoint Sirius. "This country is rich in Seastone and has a lot of mineral resources. The mining and processing industries are already well-established. We can develop along this path first, and then seek transformation."

"Very good."

Sirius nodded in satisfaction.

If we're talking about reliable people, it has to be Black.

"Sounds good," Hiyori chuckled.

He was neither overly happy nor indifferent.

"Well then, that's all over. Let's start the banquet!" Sirius shouted.

After the victory, of course, comes a joyous and exhilarating banquet!

This is a truth that applies everywhere!

Even the samurai who were arguing with the Revolutionary Army immediately responded with excitement.

Onigashima was not yet destroyed, Beasts Pirates had not had time to move most of the supplies on it. Thus, a grand feast began on the ruined Onigashima.

Meanwhile, news of the outcome of this battle spread rapidly throughout every corner of Wano Country.

"Kaido, he's been driven away?"

"Is it finally over? Are we finally free from the fear of sudden disasters?"

"The Sirius Pirates defeated the Beasts Pirates! Black Wolf Sirius defeated Kaido!"

"Long Lord Sirius! Long Sirius Pirates!"

"And Hiyori! She brought the Sirius Pirates!"

"The Kozuki Family has saved this country once again!"

"Long Princess Hiyori!"

And so, naturally, almost hysterical cheers erupted throughout Wano Country.

On this day, countless people in this country, which has already suffered a long period of hardship, wept with joy.

On Onigashima, a grand banquet is underway.

"How long has it been since we had a party here?" Jack asked, raising his glass and looking at the ruined Onigashima with a sudden sigh.

"It's been four years, hasn't it?"

Maria smiled and said, "Ever since that banquet."

The day we left Onigashima happened to be at a banquet—a victory celebration after rescuing Kaido.

"Four years have passed already?"

Sirius chuckled softly, "It's been that long already?"

It feels like the days of laughter on Onigashima were just yesterday.

So much time has passed, and so many things have happened.

"Not at all," Yamato leaned against him, slightly tipsy, her face a little flushed, and looked up at him with a silly grin. "Time flies."

"Because I'm happy every day."

Sirius laughed and said, "Times of laughter always pass quickly."

"Um!"

Yamato and said with a grin, "I'm happy every day!"

She felt a warm sensation in her chest, as if something was rising up, causing the corners of her mouth to involuntarily turn up in a smile.

I have a lot of fun every day I spend with my friends.

However, I'm happier when I'm with Sirius.

"Hey-hey."

Yamato lowered her head and rubbed her little head against Sirius's shoulder.

"Ara ara," Maria said with a smile, "Which will come first, love or Laugh Tale?"

"It's hard to say for sure. They're already very close."

Hiyori chuckled in agreement, "But which one should come first depends on who the person in question is more eager to see arrive first, right?"

Sirius glanced at them sideways.

My mouth is a bit chatty.

"Mr. Sirius! Nice to meet you. My name is Sabo."

A boy wearing a hat approached, his smile bright. "I've wanted to meet you for a long time."

"Sabo?"

Yamato looked up, her face lighting up with surprise, and exclaimed, "Is that Sabo, Luffy and Ace's brother?"

"That's right."

Sabo nodded heavily, remembering everything. "Luffy and the others, are they alright?"

"He was full of energy the last time we met,"

"In a few months," Sirius. "Ace should be setting sail too."

"Yes,"

Sabo beamed, "I really can't wait to see them again."

"It won't be long." Silius also sighed.

In the original work, Ace never knew that Sabo was still alive until his death, Sabo only remembered Ace's existence after Ace's death.

Now, the tragedy is finally over, right?

While Sabo was exchanging pleasantries, Denjiro and the others also came over.

They came before Hiyori.

"We understand your intentions, Your Princess Hiyori. Therefore, please do whatever you wish to do."

Denjiro said earnestly, "Next, we will open Wano Country to the world!"