Cats and Dogs Arrive, Weapons Dealings

Boom! Boom!

"This is so intense! I really want to fight them right now!"

Amidst the constant thunder and tremors outside, and the Haki force of the attack, Luffy, who had just endured the 'Thunder Bagua' Luffy, was already bouncing around energetically after only a few hours, having ripped off his straps, drawing the attention of the Bad People! That regenerative ability—

"Could your captain also be Zoan user? Perhaps Mythical Zoan...?"

"No, it's just the Paramecia 'Rubber-Rubber Fruit'."

?!

This recovery ability... you're telling me it's not an Awakening Mythical Zoan?

"To be honest, I'm more curious about your abilities..."

Faced with Roman's pointed words, the Bandaged Vice Commander remained silent. After all, Devil Fruit were rare, yet everyone in the 'Bad People' possessed one, inevitably sparking speculation. Especially:

Roman himself possesses the means to 'grant' abilities to others! This familiar sense of déjà vu makes the so-called Bad People seem like a group of people:

White Knight!

"Never mind, that's your secret Bad People."

Despite bearing the title of 'Great Leader,' Roman wasn't naive enough to believe that the Bad People would be completely open with him; that was simply unrealistic. As long as they were dedicated to defeating Kaido, Roman was satisfied. As for what secrets they might hold?

Everyone has secrets on this vast ocean; if you're too calculating, you might lose even your friends.

"Once we defeat Kaido, we'll leave Wano Country, and then you can do whatever you want. —Although I don't know if I, as the 'Great Leader,' have the authority to issue such an order."

Faced with Roman's teasing, the vice-coach, wearing a leash, remained silent for a long while:

"Rest assured, Commander-in-Chief, the entire Bad People will give their all in this battle!"

That's good, but—

"Luffy, Zoro, why aren't you two out for a stroll?"

If the aftermath of the distant battle kept Usopp and Chopper from going out and forcing them to stay obediently in the building Roman created, then how could Luffy and Zoro, who are fearless and always ready to fight wherever there's a battle, possibly stay here so quietly?

"What's so fun about that? Whether it's the neighboring village of bargain hunters or Boluo Town, nobody's happy there—"

Luffy's statement was already quite 'euphemistic,' after all, how could a village, covered in patches, emaciated, and forced to survive on the garbage of a big town, possibly be happy? And the most tragic thing about this world is:

Ordinary people don't even have a chance to resist!

In Roman's previous life, peasants who couldn't survive could rise up in rebellion and use sheer numbers to kill soldiers and generals. But in this world, for ordinary people who can't survive... the most realistic solution is to tie stones to themselves and jump into the sea, because most of the time they can't even manage to 'splash the other side with blood'.

Just like when Roman was a 'small boss' with a bounty of only 10 million in the in the East Blue, killing hundreds of ordinary people was a piece of cake. Now, ordinary people are like ants... no, even worse than ants! At least ants can bite, but ordinary people can't even break through the defenses of a master like Roman.

He fought alone across thousands of miles, his fists alone could withstand an army of ten thousand.

That's referring to a strong person like Roman.

Wano Country is like that; it's teeming with swordsmen worth tens of millions, many with sword masters approaching a hundred million, and some even reaching hundreds of millions. In such a situation, what can ordinary people use to fight back? Forget about learning martial arts for revenge; they can't even get enough to eat...

"I don't like it here either,"

Zoro, looking disappointed, raised his eyelids slightly.

"Whether it's a poisonous animal or contaminated water, at worst it'll just cause us an upset stomach. But..."

For ordinary people living here, it's a deadly poison! Over the past twenty years, the number of ordinary people who have died from hunger and thirst after consuming poisoned food and water is well over ten thousand...

So how could Luffy and Zoro possibly still be in the mood for 'adventure'?

"Just bear with it a little longer, this will all be over soon."

With Roman closing his eyes, his final reinforcements had arrived, and the battle was about to begin.

"Don't we need to catch carp?"

White Dove shook her head in response to Duke Inuarashi's words.

"Unnecessary,"

"Furthermore, because the BIG MOM Pirates just forcibly broke through, each waterfall entrance is heavily guarded..."

Wano Country is said to be a closed-off country, with natural barriers making it difficult to traverse. However, in the 'original work', aside from the BIG MOM Pirates' visit and subsequent battle with the Beasts Pirates, the Straw Hat crew, Zou, Trafalgar Law, Little Marco... basically come and go as they please. Their infiltration is incredibly easy, leaving Roman speechless.

So, aside from the BIG MOM Pirates seems to have the 'Suke Suke no Mi'?

"We'll enter from this side,"

"This·····"

Looking up at the increasingly imminent cliffs, even the elite warriors of the Mink Tribe felt a stir. However, being elite, no one spoke, even as their ships were about to crash straight into the precipice. White Dove nodded—

As expected of Zou, a nation where everyone is a soldier, these countries become increasingly powerful the closer they get to the end of the Grand Voyage! So:

Splash splash~~

The white dove swelled up into Roman, squatted on the deck, and clapped its hands.

"Paper Dance: Light and Heavy Rock Technique!"

Boom,

As Roman activated his ability, the ship beneath his feet floated into the air, arcing as it flew towards the inland sea of Wano Country, leaving Inuarashi and Nekomamushi in awe.

As skilled individuals who had served on Whitebeard and Roger's ships, making a mere ship fly wouldn't be enough to cause them any alarm. However, this ability—

"Is this the effect of that old Golden Lion's 'Float-Float Fruit'?"

Compared to the composed Duke Inuarashi, Master Nekomamushi was much more carefree, expressing his likes and dislikes directly. The cold-blooded and ruthless Golden Lion was, of course, someone he disliked.

"Yes, this is just a simulation I created using my own abilities."

As the Zou-go soared over the inland sea of Wano Country, Duke Inuarashi and Master Nekomamushi simultaneously turned their heads sharply to look south.

"That place is..."

"Oh, it's Kaido 'warming up' with Big Mom."

Upon hearing Roman's answer, both the cat and the dog twitched their lips.

"Mr. Roman, is the plan to wait until Kaido and Big Mom are both weakened before we suddenly attack..."

"No,"

As Roman stood up, the 'spaceship' beneath his feet slowly sank into the sea.

"When the 'Fire Festival' arrives, we will defeat Kurozumi Orochi, the Beasts Pirates, and the BIG MOM Pirates have gathered on Onigashima!"

?!

"Little Roman, does that mean we're going to face two Four Emperors crews at the same time?"

Even the generous Master Nekomamushi couldn't help but pick his ear. To be honest, although Jack finally defeated Zou by poisoning him, he had already withstood the combined attack of the cat and dog before that. In terms of strength, he was a level above Duke Inuarashi and Master Nekomamushi alone.

Even with Jack's strength, he's merely the 'little brother' among the All-Stars. Add to that Kaido's known as the 'Strongest Creature'...

If Duke Inuarashi and Master Nekomamushi still harbored thoughts of a 'fight to the death' before, now that they've joined the BIG MOM Pirates... what's the point of fighting anymore!

It's not that they lack courage, but fighting and dying are two completely different things!

"Don't panic. There's an old saying: 'A scholar should be looked at with new eyes after three days of separation.'"

"We've been away from Zou for a week now, so of course we're no longer the fighting force we used to be."

········

Not to mention the other Zou warriors, even the leaders Duke Inuarashi and Master Nekomamushi, remained expressionless. Roman shook his head.

Vision, oh vision!

How can the Straw Hat crew be viewed with ordinary eyes?

After leaving Zou, the Straw Hat crew first disrupted Big Mom's wedding, defeated Katakuri and Smoothie in one-on-one battles, and obtained the imprints of three Poneglyph. Then they encountered the Red Earl, and after separating, each faced their former formidable enemies. Through these two high-level battles, everyone experienced significant improvement!

Especially since Luffy has mastered two incredible techniques, 'Future Sight' and ' Conqueror's Haki Entwine that of Four Emperors! Such a reasonable rate of advancement is normal for Roman, but it would be quite surprising for others. Therefore:

"Don't worry, we'll handle Kaido and Big Mom. You can go and take revenge on Jack without worry—I believe that's what you all want too, isn't it?"

"Certainly!"

If it were a fair and square battle, then there's really nothing to complain about in terms of winning or losing. However, Jack's act of using poison... the strong and healthy warriors survived until the Straw Hat crew came to their rescue, but the old, weak, and disabled...

The warriors of Zou will never forget this debt!

Very good. Compared to the unknown "Bad People," the Zou warriors, whose backgrounds are well-known, are definitely more reassuring. So:

The rest is:

Capital of Flowers

Inside a secret room in the towering Castle Keep.

"Hehehe, buy weapons from pirates, then use them to fight pirates..."

"The middleman 'Joker'... that Doflamingo has fallen, you guys must be having a headache too, right?"

The speaker was an ugly man with a burly build, a broad face and wide mouth, protruding teeth, a bald head, a crooked crown, a yellow kimono with many black crescent-shaped five-pointed patterns, and a patterned black cloak draped over his back.

Kurozumi Orochi, the 'Shogun' of Wano Country.

The user of the Snake-Snake Fruit, Mythical Zoan, Yamata no Orochi Form, is probably the weakest Mythical Zoan user in the world. However:

As the ruler of a 'peaceful country,' he doesn't need to use much force, because his loyal subordinates and powerful backers are enough to keep him at ease.

"Having lost your 'White Gloves,' you have no choice but to negotiate with me, but now it's a seller's market—"

Although Kurozumi Orochi is despicable, shameless, a drunkard, lecherous, ugly, and weak, at least his intelligence is not questionable. After all, he was able to manipulate the Yonko-level Oden to death as a seemingly powerless servant. Aside from Oden's utter stupidity, his political skills were also quite impressive.

"My Wano Country is self-sufficient and has no need to trade with you."

At the negotiating table, whoever gets impatient first loses.

"Right now I only ask for the latest 'warships,' but next time my request will be for 'Vegapunk'!"

"This is impossible—"

The CP0 leader, wearing a black and white double-eyed mask, immediately objected, and his response was:

Bang!

With a gunshot, the Longarm Tribe man wearing a white mask and a black-and-white double-eyed mask behind the CP0 leader was shot between the eyebrows, his red and white striped top hat flying to the ground! Of course, a CP0 elite wouldn't be taken down by a single shot, but:

"I'm not asking for your opinions!"

The shifty-eyed Kurozumi Orochi arrogantly looked at the three agents representing the highest authority of the World Government in front of him, showing them no respect whatsoever.

"Celestial Dragons? Marines?"

"I'm not afraid of you at all! Even if you join forces, you can't do anything to me!"

"My Wano Country is a blessed land. Even your 'gods' can't do anything about the chaotic seas outside. Besides, I have Kaido behind me!"

·······

"Sigh, I wonder if 'Joker's' downfall is a blessing or a curse..."

The three CP0s, who parted on bad terms, talked quietly as the guests left.

"Stop complaining. Our mission is to finalize this deal and continue supplying weapons to the seas. As for the 'Joker,' it's only temporary. I'm sure a new ambitious person will soon take his place. Compared to the harm he could cause to the adults—?!"

"Who!"

As the masked man with Byakugan suddenly flung open the guest room door, a figure stood in their room, holding their secret Den Den Mushi).

?!

"Your CP0 is still so incompetent, you've really disgraced us."

Amidst the familiar, condescending voice, the figure Guotou, revealing a handsome face:

Roman.