Wano Country, the Heedless Banquet of Peace

The Shogun's enthronement ceremony in Wano Country.

After three consecutive days of distributing porridge from the granaries, the commoners gathered in the Capital of Flowers finally regained some color in their faces. Of course, this couldn't continue indefinitely; it was time to decide the future of this nation.

"Everyone, I've made two good friends—"

Standing in front of the Castle Keep, facing tens of thousands of civilians and samurai from Wano Country, Yamato opened his arms without any fear.

"They are Ace and Luffy, and they shared their adventure stories with me. On the open sea, most countries aren't separated by cliffs and waterfalls, allowing for free travel, communication, and exchange of goods by ship..."

"There are also Sky Island that fly in the sky, located above the clouds; there are dragon palaces located in the deep sea, tens of thousands of meters below; there are sand kingdoms dozens of times larger than our Wano Country; and there are icy islands where snow and wind prevail all year round..."

Of course, these words will only attract those with an adventurous spirit and strong will; for ordinary people:

For ordinary people who have never left their hometown in their entire lives and only talk about other parts of Wano Country, what does the outside world have to do with them, no matter how wonderful it is?

Yes, they are related!

"The outside world is developing rapidly. Not only are all kinds of steel behemoths cutting through the waves, but even Sea Train that speed across the sea are beginning to be laid everywhere. Hot air balloons flying in the air, submarines diving in the sea... I believe that before long, the 'natural barriers' of our Wano Country will not be enough to stop the pace of the people from the outer sea."

Wow~~~

This put pressure on even ordinary people. If people from the outer seas could freely reach Wano Country, wouldn't the so-called 'closed-door policy' be a joke? Besides, even now:

"Kaido was able to wreak havoc in Wano Country for twenty years, and other forces in the outer seas that covet our territory can do the same. If we simply shut ourselves off and ignore them, we'll be caught off guard when the enemy comes knocking!"

Yamato's words made anyone with a modicum of judgment nod in agreement. Twenty years ago, the Beasts Pirates and the Moonlight Pirates —yes, Moria's crew—were able to reach Wano Country and fight a major battle. There was no reason why other pirate crews couldn't come. Moreover:

Most eyes were fixed on Ace, Luffy, Roman, and the others atop the Castle Keep. These 'samurai' from the outer seas were all incredibly powerful, almost monstrous! Many of the great swordsmen revered in Wano Country were also among these outer sea warriors...

If the people on the open sea are this strong, then the so-called "closed-door policy" is nothing more than an ostrich burying its head in the sand and waiting to die.

Therefore, we should open our eyes and see the world clearly!

Yamato clenched his fist tightly, as if to unite the will of everyone.

"Our Seastone is an expensive strategic resource in the open sea, which can be exchanged for large quantities of food and daily necessities... Furthermore, if we had sufficient knowledge of the open sea, we would have united to drive Kaido away when he first landed in Wano Country twenty years ago! We wouldn't have allowed this tragedy of the past twenty years to repeat itself..."

However, Oden should take the Oden for most of this. As the Second Division Commander of the Whitebeard Pirates and someone who had traveled the Grand Line with Roger, he didn't even know what kind of person Kaido was, or what kind of people pirates were.

Is all you know how to do is kill people and go on your honeymoon?

It can only be said that Oden was very lucky to encounter two pirate crews that were rare "good people" among pirates; it can also be said that Oden was very unlucky to be influenced by two righteous pirate crews and believe that all pirates in the world are heroes who keep their word.

The best way to deal with a crisis is not to run away, but to face it bravely! On this point:

"I agree Yamato General Yamato,"

Hiyori Kozuki, representing the samurai of Wano Country, stepped forward. To maintain her dignity, she always wore a magnificent traditional armor and even a demon mask.

"Even after we open our country to the world, Wano Country has no need to fear other countries on the sea, because we have samurai!"

"When friends come, we treat them to fine wine; when enemies come, we let them taste the sharpness of samurai swords!"

"I support the founding of the nation!"

As Hiyori Kozuki finished speaking, Flower Capital Hyogoro stepped forward. As a legendary figure from twenty years ago, most of the samurai of Wano Country gave him face.

"I also support the founding of the nation!"

Denjiro, whose disguise of a pompadour had been removed but whose appearance remained unchanged, stepped forward. Compared to Hyogoro, who was already a 'legend,' the current biggest 'yakuza boss' in the Capital of Flowers had much stronger prestige among the common people.

"I support the founding of the nation!"

"The Imperial Court also supports the opening of the country!"

The ninjas led by Shinobu also followed suit and expressed their opinions.

"Found the nation!"

"Found the nation!"

·····

"Very good. The opening of Wano Country is a done deal. Everything else can proceed according to the established plan."

Yamato is Yamato appointed as the 'Shogun,' but in reality, official duties are handled by Hiyori Kozuki. After all, in this world, unless it's a peaceful place like the East Blue, a king is unlikely to be someone who's weak and adept at internal strife. Otherwise:

Alabasta 'Vivi father, Cobra, was a muscular man who could easily take on a dozen strong men. King Neptune of Fish-Man Island was once known as the "Great Knight of the Sea." And in the New World—

The kings of each country are basically the highest fighting force of their respective countries!

The reason is actually quite simple. Just like in Roman's previous life, if every Middle Eastern warrior could dismantle a tank with their bare hands, then to run for president of America, one would at least have to be able to withstand bullets with their bare body, right?

Therefore, under Roman's mediation, the result was that Yamato, as the apparent 'shogun,' would defend against all enemy assassinations, while the Red Scabbards, led by Hiyori Kozuki, would manage Wano Country. Meanwhile, the Whitebeard Pirates would be stationed in the Wano Country Sea as a transit point.

Arms trade!

It has a bit of the meaning of 'separation of powers'.

Without Roman, the fate of so many weapons manufacturing plants in Wano Country would probably have been to be smashed to pieces. Roman viewed this as follows:

Are you out of your mind? Do you really want to regress from an industrial society to an agricultural one? Turning back the clock of history? Are you out of your mind?! While Kaido and Kurozumi Orochi's brutal rule may have caused widespread suffering, however:

Undeniably, they still have some 'positive' effects.

First: The entire Wano Country has been forcibly 'unified'. Although there used to be the title of 'Shogun', the daimyo in various regions didn't care who was the Shogun at all. The Shogun's orders could only be effectively carried out in the Capital of Flowers. Outside of the Capital of Flowers... well, hehe.

Second: the large number of weapons factories built. Regardless, this is industrialization, a hundred times better than the agricultural Wano Country of the past. As for environmental pollution, it's not an insurmountable problem. In fact, if Orochi hadn't monopolized Wano Country's food production, things wouldn't be like this.

Moreover, even if the factory stops producing weapons in the future, manufacturing other metal items will still drive social development.

"Kurozumi Orochi left behind a large amount of food, Kaido left behind a large amount of weapons, which can help Wano Country transition smoothly. Of course, we will also help move Onigashima to the coast of Kuri as the Whitebeard Pirates' base."

After the grand ceremony, at the banquet held in the Castle Keep, Roman, as the Straw Hat crew's 'plenipotentiary representative,' presided over the meeting and spoke eloquently. After all, expecting Luffy, who was busy fighting for food nearby, Luffy use his brain was simply unrealistic.

"And then what?"

Located next to Hyogoro, the Omasa of the Udon region, Blood Letter, finally asked the question that Wano Country was most concerned about!

Many samurai knew the reason why Kaido's daughter Yamato identified as a man and called herself "Yamato Kozuki," after all, it was Kaido's "family education"... he would throw his daughter and weapons to a group of captured samurai, specifically providing food for one person.

The original intention was to incite Yamato's hostility towards the samurai through hunger and hatred, but who knew that the samurai would rather starve to death than harm Yamato. Instead, they turned Yamato into someone of Wano Country.

Furthermore, considering Oden's diary and witnessing his heroic act of carrying his comrade through an Oden of boiling oil, Yamato could practically be considered one of Wano Country's own. Besides, she doesn't manage affairs; that's handled by Hiyori Kozuki, the Gunko, making it an acceptable outcome for the samurai. However:

What about the Straw Hat crew?

Their captain not only defeated Kaido, but their strategist is also the leader of the Bad People. If they were to rally their forces, Wano Country might once again fall under the control of the Outer Seas. And if their adversaries are as ambitious as Kaido ...

"And then? Luffy ~~"

Roman turned to look at the captain, who was shoveling food down his throat.

What are our plans after this?

"Huh? Why do you ask that? Of course it's because—"

It's here!

Amidst the tense muscles of a group of samurai, Luffy grinned.

"Setting sail for the sea!"

?

"Our goal is to become the King of the Pirates, how can we linger here?"

?!

Hahaha~~

Kibi's leader, 'Serpent Eye' Mitahei, smiled with relief, then drew a short sword from his waist—a weapon called 'Wakizashi' in Wano Country.

Tear

The kimono at his chest was suddenly pulled open, and to the bewilderment of the Straw Hat crew, the burly man respectfully prostrated himself before them.

"Sorry, the previous rumors were spread by our people."

"Huh? Huh, what rumor..."

Luffy completely bewildered, Luffy had Roman rub his temples. "The way you're acting not only makes your stupidity written all over your face, but it also makes others think you're stupid too, you know that..."

"Your Excellency and your companions are true heroes and chivalrous men. You have done great favors for our Wano Country and have not taken a single penny from us."

"But I have acted like a petty person, and I am truly ashamed. Only—"

After explaining the reason, before anyone could react, Mi Taiping on the other side swiftly stabbed his own stomach with an Inazuma sword! The short sword was even covered with Armament Haki, as if he were facing a mortal enemy with unwavering resolve!

?!

This is absolutely not the kind of suicide performance that Lion Kanshō play, secretly using a 'Tekkai' to block its own way; it is a real ritual disembowelment to atone for its sins!

Clang—

However, with a metallic scraping sound, the dagger in his hand stopped in front of his stomach, stunning the three other underworld bosses who had also drawn their daggers. It wasn't that this boss of Kibi, 'Serpent Eye' Mi Taiping, was afraid of death, but rather:

"I don't know what you're talking about, but cutting your own stomach open at a banquet is really unappetizing, isn't it?"

Luffy stretched out his arm across the hall and grasped the other's short sword, Luffy disgusted. Only someone with the ability to Future Sight could prevent a swordsman's suicide, which made Roman's eyes flicker.

Strangeness,

Just a moment ago, I seemed to have already seen the scene of blood and intestines spilling out on the ground after the other side had been disemboweled.

"Luffy, please don't stop this lowly person."

"You saved our country without asking for anything in return. Yet we judge you with our own petty minds; it's truly..."

Facing the three other resolute-looking leaders, and the other ashamed-looking samurai, Luffy stood up and adjusted his Straw Hat.

"No, we have already obtained the most precious thing in Wano Country!"

?!

What is that? Does Wano Country something like that? Wait! I think Kaido said it does exist, but... isn't that the Bad People's secret treasure?

"Of course, it's reuniting with Ace! And the great adventure of fighting side by side!! That's the best, hahaha~~"

???

In an instant, the group of mindless samurai stared dumbfounded at Luffy, who was laughing heartily with his hands on his hips, and the Straw Hat crew, who had a knowing look on their faces. They all felt that compared to him:

Thump, thump, thump, thump!

A group of proud warriors prostrated themselves, bowing their heads deeply, their foreheads hitting the floor.

"Luffy... compared to you, we are simply..."

"From now on, whatever your command is, we will gladly accept it, even if it means facing mountains of knives, seas of fire, or the deepest hell!!"

"If we do this, we will not be able to repay your kindness and magnanimity!"

???

"What are you talking about? A banquet should be a fun and happy occasion! Making it so serious makes even the drinks less enjoyable!"

Faced with a sulking Luffy, the group of samurai looked up at each other and then...

"Hahaha!!!"

"That's right, Luffy... the captain is right!"

"This is a victory celebration, a time for joyous cheers and hearty drinks! We've spoiled the atmosphere, so I'll punish myself with three drinks!"

"Haha, I think you just want to drink..."

"Damn it, Tsunagoro! I'll never forgive you!"

Looking at the samurai in front of him who had put aside their scheming and status and were fighting together, Luffy chuckled.

"This is what a banquet should be like! Let us—"

"Cheers!!"