The Collapse of Kozuki Toki!

Rumble!

The massive Snail Fleet began its ascent up the towering mountain walls.

At this moment, the structure on the snail's back had deformed and changed direction to adapt to its current straight upward orientation.

On the head of the leading Giant Snail, Kozuki Toki Shi's fair hand had already subconsciously grabbed Roa's sleeve beside her.

Although it's different from the Wano Country my parents told me about, I'm finally going to Wano Country, which I've been longing for, right?

The twenty-six-year-old woman's face revealed a childlike, innocent anticipation.

Compared to her, the other executives at the Calamity Company reacted much more calmly.

Just kidding, they stayed in Wano Country for over a year. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to call this country their second base.

However, there are exceptions.

In a room of the Grand Fleet, Teach, his body wrapped in bandages and his left arm and right leg in Teach, stood in astonishment at the window, watching the Giant Snail climbing up the steep mountainside outside.

Wano Country?

He had also heard of this country.

The legendary land of samurai, a country that has closed its doors and refused to allow anyone to visit!

I can't help but feel a sense of anticipation; what will this country be like?

Despite his ambitions, Teach was indeed a country boy leaving his hometown for the first time.

Knock, knock, knock.

Just then, there was a knock on the door.

Teach turned around in surprise.

Who would come looking for him at this time?

"Who?"

Since Roa didn't want to see his pretense, Teach simply stopped pretending and raised his voice, his tone anything but polite.

"Hey hey, it's me, Teach."

Accompanied by a strange, low laugh, the door was pushed open, and a person walked in.

Teach looked the guy, who was also wrapped in bandages, up and down with surprise. "Zehahaha! Bege, right? You can't wait to get revenge on me, can you?"

Bege jumped, waving her hands frantically, "Don't misunderstand, I'm here to seek reconciliation!"

"Reconciliation?"

Teach's smile, hidden beneath his bandages, grew even more unrestrained. "Right now, you and me? You're not kidding, are you!"

Having shed his nonsensical pretense, Teach's malice and audacity began to surface.

Reconciliation?

You two bastards almost ruined my plans, and you still have the nerve to talk about reconciliation!

Teach selectively forgot that his pretense was meaningless in the first place.

"I was forced into this situation!"

Bege immediately began to complain, "That bastard Doflamingo forced me to be his underling because of my strength. If I disobey his will, he beats me up!"

"Teach, we're in the same boat, we should be on the same side!"

Teach paused for a moment, then her eyes suddenly turned playful. "So, what are you trying to say?"

"Hey-hey,"

Bege chuckled, "I'm no match for Doflamingo, but you're different, Teach! You're much stronger than him! From now on, I'll stick with you! We'll teach that idiot Doflamingo a lesson together!"

"Hahaha!"

As the despicable deal was struck, the rumbling Snail Fleet had already slowly climbed to the top of the high wall.

"This is Wano Country!"

Kozuki Toki looked ahead with almost greedy eyes, eager to take in the sights of Wano Country.

"The sea on the sea?"

The unique geographical environment of Wano Country greatly surprised Kozuki Toki.

Eight hundred years have passed, and this country is completely different from what my parents described.

Not only are there high walls surrounding the entire country, but inside those walls lies a vast inland sea.

And in the distance, surrounded by the Inland Sea, is that the land of present-day Wano Country?

"Um?"

Kozuki Toki suddenly froze as she saw several thick plumes of black smoke rising from the land of Wano Country in the distance.

That is--

Kozuki Toki was somewhat stunned.

"Oh, you mean those? The factories I invested in."

Beside him, Roa said casually.

"Factory?"

Kozuki Toki nodded knowingly.

Although, according to their parents, Wano Country is a country that values the harmonious coexistence of humans and nature and is relatively resistant to foreign technology.

But after eight hundred years, this country has indeed changed.

The Giant Snail quickly crossed the inland sea and once again traversed the vast lands of Wano Country.

It's raining!

Kozuki Toki looked up and saw thick dark clouds in the sky, with raindrops falling in a light drizzle.

"What bad luck!"

Roa frowned slightly. "Right now, it's best not to get wet in the rain."

Kozuki Toki could even understand what he meant, he saw him raise his head and give an order to the sky.

Let the weather clear up.

Suddenly, all the dark clouds in the sky vanished, and the sky became clear and cloudless.

"What?"

Kozuki Toki was shocked. "This... Roa, what did you do?"

Is it Roa's ability?

"Don't let my appearance fool you, I'm actually quite strong."

Roa said with a grin.

That's really hard to tell!

Kozuki Toki couldn't help but glance at Roa a few more times.

The only thing you can tell is that he's handsome!

Then.

Um?

Kozuki Toki saw something out of the corner of her eye, she subconsciously looked down and saw that the sleeves of her once clean kimono were now covered in stains.

Where did it come from?

Doubt arose in her mind.

Until she saw another surviving raindrop land on the back of her hand, instantly leaving a small stain.

Is it raining?

Kozuki Toki looked up in surprise.

Was there something wrong with the rain just now? So, this is why Roa said not to get wet in the rain --

Before they could recover from their astonishment, the Snail Fleet had already passed through the edge of the forest and officially entered the interior of Wano Country.

Then.

Kozuki Toki's beautiful eyes slowly widened as she looked at everything before her in disbelief.

Ahead lay a plain.

It should have been farmland.

However, it had long been abandoned.

The earth seemed to have been repeatedly ravaged by a giant iron plow and then drenched with poisonous water. The land had a nauseatingly filthy color, with not a blade of grass growing and sewage overflowing everywhere.

The earth's surface was cracked into jagged lines, the rivers had dried up to their bottoms, and the riverbeds were no longer mud but covered with a strange layer of sediment, occasionally revealing corroded and pitted metal scraps.

The earth was completely silent, devoid of any sign of life.

This lifeless stillness stretched to the horizon, as if the entire earth had died.

In this dead world, only a few huge factories in the distance still seem alive, with thick smoke billowing from their towering chimneys that seem to pierce the sky.

"What... what is this...?"

Kozuki Toki's body trembled; at this moment, the woman's slender body seemed as fragile as glass.

This shouldn't be happening!

The Wano Country my parents described shouldn't be like this!

"Roa, what exactly happened?!"

His voice trembled as if it were about to shatter.

Why has this country become like this?

What exactly happened in the last eight hundred years?

"There's nothing we can do about it."

Roa sighed, "Development always requires some sacrifices."

"Huh?"

Kozuki Toki turned around blankly, her eyes filled with a daze.

"What an awful place!"

Roa suddenly covered his nose, saying with some disgust, "Speed up, speed up, let's get through this area quickly."

It stinks!

Although I like the dark aura emanating from this environment, the area itself is truly quite unpleasant.

It doesn't suit my refined young man appearance at all.

Kozuki Toki could react, a shadow was rapidly approaching over the distant wilderness.

"Lord Roa! Is that you?"

A mixture of surprise and respect filled the newcomer, who shouted loudly.

Following the sound, Kozuki Toki looked over and saw a group of knights riding on the backs of some strange-looking animals.

They were all dressed in fur clothing that was completely out of place in the Wano Country their parents had described, and they wore double-horned helmets.

But most importantly, behind those knights, a rope connected a group of ragged, emaciated commoners.

These people are dressed like typical residents of Wano Country!

After the knights rushed to the front of the snail swarm, they dismounted—well, dismounted—and bowed down in worship.

"Boss Kaido will be overjoyed to hear that you've arrived!"

They were all members of the Beasts Pirates, so they were naturally familiar with Roa.

"Um,"

Roa nodded slightly, glancing up at the bound civilians. "And what's wrong with these guys?"

"Lord Roa, they are workers who escaped from the factory!"

The lead knight quickly replied, "We're out chasing them!"

"Oh! Is that so? Well done!"

Roa sincerely praised, "A person's value lies in labor; escaping labor is unacceptable. However, let's not be too cruel; let them atone for their sins through labor."

"Yes!"

The knights nodded respectfully.

"Alright, go about your business. Production comes first."

"Yes!"

Kozuki Toki just stared blankly at Roa, then looked down at the civilians being taken away by the knights. Everyone's face was expressionless; their last bit of courage had been exhausted in the escape, leaving only numbness.

"Roa, are those factories yours?"

The sound was difficult to make Kozuki Toki.

She remembered what Roa had just said.

So, all these factories that pollute this land belong to him?

"Yes, didn't we just say that?"

Roa's face still wore that warm, gentle smile. "The weapons produced here are sold Four Seas; they have an excellent reputation worldwide."

"..."

But when Kozuki Toki looked at Roa's face again, she no longer felt the blush and heartbeat she had felt before.

"Why?"

The woman's voice trembled.

Why do this to this country? Why treat the people of this country like this?

Why do you think so?

Roa asked, somewhat bewildered, "Of course it's because this country has abundant and cheap mineral resources, and a plentiful and even cheaper labor force, making it a great place to set up a factory."

The body stiffens Kozuki Toki.

Is that why this country has become like this?

Wrong!

Subconsciously, Kozuki Toki wanted to defend her savior.

Roa merely opened factories; the one who truly transformed this country into what it is today is undoubtedly its ruler!

That was her subconscious thought.

Otherwise, could her savior, Roa, who treated her so gently, really be a wicked and utterly evil person?

No, I need to find out the current situation in Wano Country immediately!

While Kozuki Toki was pondering, the Snail Fleet never stopped, continuing its rumbling forward.

This is the Kuri region of Wano Country, the area originally ruled by Kozuki Oden.

On the hilltop not far away lies the site of Kozuki Oden's former castle, now transformed into a factory.

Below the hilltop lies a dilapidated town.

As the snail herd passed through the town, Kozuki Toki, who had prepared herself mentally, was about to ask a question.

"May the wicked be punished by Heaven!"

A roar suddenly came from the direction of the town.

Then came the crackling of gunfire and the muffled thuds of rocket launchers.

"Roa, the Ferocious Tiger! Prepare to die!"

"Oh!"

Roa immediately raised the corners of his mouth and smiled with great interest, "How nostalgic!"

It's been so long, haven't the anti-foreign faction been dealt with yet?

Big Brother Kaido, to be honest, your efficiency is a bit low.

Behind him, Dylan had already transformed into a pterosaur and soared away.

With just a flick of its wings in mid-air, its soaring Flying Slash shattered all the cannonballs and bullets.

As he began his descent, a series of screams echoed from afar.

Kozuki Toki could even react to what had happened, Dylan had already returned with two men.

"Boss, there are still two alive."

Dylan calmly tossed the two audacious fellows to Roa's feet.

"Roa, who are they?"

Things happened too fast and too much, and Kozuki Toki's mind couldn't process it all at once. She just stared blankly at the two men whose limbs had been cruelly broken, yet they were still struggling desperately.

"They're just remnants of the old era, unwilling to integrate into the New World."

Roa said calmly.

"Pah!!"

One of the two anti-foreign activists angrily spat at Roa.

But before he could vomit, Bullet stepped forward and kicked the man's head, sending it spinning three times.

Kozuki Toki was so frightened that his body trembled.

"Roa!!"

The remaining patriot, filled with grief and indignation, roared hoarsely.

"Kill them all! You can't kill them all!"

"You killed Lord Oden and forced the Shogun to abdicate! You kidnapped all the Daimyo and forced them all to obey that villain Orochi!"

"You have turned this country into your factory, and everyone into your slaves!!"

"But this will never end, you and Kaido! A ferocious tiger and Arlong! Sooner or later, someone will stand up, bearing all the hatred and anger, and drive you out of this country completely—"

With a flick of his finger, Roa created a hole in the man's forehead, and as blood splattered, the man collapsed to the ground.

"It's so noisy."

Then.

He took a deep breath.

Oh my god!!

Here it comes! Here it comes!

Roa turned his head eagerly and met a pair of trembling eyes.

"Roa,"

Kozuki Toki's already fair face was now as pale as paper, and the brokenness in his voice made one worry that he might shatter at any moment.

"What exactly have you done to this country?"

Who exactly is the friend that Roa is searching for in Wano Country, the one he speaks of?

"At that time, you need to understand one thing."

Roa raised his hand and patted the woman, who was about his height, on the shoulder, his voice suddenly turning cold, "Human civilization has always been built on exploitation."

"The strong oppressing the weak is the most fundamental rule of this world!"

Almost instinctively, Kozuki Toki's slender body staggered backward.

That guy!

Roa, what exactly is he?

But.

Roa suddenly chuckled. He couldn't help but laugh. Although the quantity wasn't much, the quality was exceptionally high, and the deliciousness was beyond imagination!

"Just kidding, did I scare you?"

Kozuki Toki, but inexplicably felt a sense of relief.

Sure enough, with Roa being so kind, how could he--

"None of that matters. Conquer this country, kill all the rebels, and force the general to abdicate."

Roa laughed and said, "It's just because I want to do it. I'm naturally more fond of tragic stories, isn't it interesting?"

"Just like I've been waiting for your reaction."

The woman's beautiful face seemed to have all its vitality drained away in that instant.

Those eyes, which always concealed warmth, were now completely frozen, empty, reflecting Roa's handsome face.

Roa's smile remained unchanged, but at this moment Kozuki Toki could only feel an icy chill.

"Oh! Yes, yes, yes! That's it!"

Roa pinched Kozuki Toki's delicate chin, his face full of admiration, "This is the expression I've been waiting for!"

"It's truly refreshing!"

Super delicious!

He's not human!

He's a demon from hell!

The woman's lips trembled silently, but she couldn't utter a single syllable.

How could such a person exist in the world?!

Run!

We have to run!

An indescribable fear had robbed Kozuki Toki of all courage.

Her only instinct was to escape! To flee to a future that Roa could never reach!

Once the Time-Time Fruit's power is activated, everything will be alright!

But.

"Don't even think about running away, Shi,"

Roa casually remarked, "You can escape to the future, but Wano Country will be doomed."

"You wouldn't want to see Wano Country completely destroyed because of you, would you?"

Kozuki Toki's body suddenly stiffened, he looked like a statue!

He knows!

He even knew his own abilities!

If I run away, Wano Country be destroyed because of me?

The ability, which had become second nature, could no longer be activated.

Kozuki Toki is a very kind woman.

That's right.

Roa caressed the woman's face; the smooth, delicate feel was like touching a piece of beautiful jade. He smiled and said...

"Our meeting was guided by fate. God's arrangement is the greatest. We must cherish this fate."

Destiny?

The woman's eyes were extremely empty.

Having traveled through eight hundred years, is this the fate that awaits me?

"Well, we still need to add some insurance for you."

Roa raised the corners of his mouth. "I see, your fear."

"Aaaaaaah!!"

Screams spread.