"Flame Emperor, Heavenly Fire Great Flame Commandment!!!"
Ace casually gave his new move a name, Ace with his hair standing on end in a blaze, it coalesced into a gigantic fireball beside him.
The fireball was extremely hot, far exceeding the normal temperature, and directly scorched the ground beneath his feet into flowing lava!
As for Prometheus, he lay on Ace's back, excitedly pondering.
They are truly destined partners; they don't even need to communicate to use their unique skills!
On the other side, seeing Ace's flames growing increasingly intense, Jack unleashed a powerful burst of air from his trunk.
"Hmph, useless thing, flames cannot harm my body, brat!"
Let me show you the power that comes from the past, from ancient times!
Watch me approach!!!
As soon as he finished speaking, Jack, holding his ivory, charged towards Ace, recklessly rushing into the scorching flames.
In the distance, no one could see Jack and Ace clearly anymore; all they could see were shockwaves constantly escaping from the center of the flames!
On the other hand, there's the Underworld of the Flower Capital.
After viewing the Poneglyph and the underwater world, and noting down the general location of the core point where Dark King buried his tomb.
Robin was silent for a moment, then gave Kozuki Sukiyaki a slight bow.
"Thank you so much, Mr. Sukiyaki. Your guidance and help have enriched my understanding of the history of Wano Country."
"No, no need to thank me, young lady."
I was just doing what I was supposed to do.
The world is facing a crisis, with countless islands facing encroachment from the sea.
Sigh, I should have told everyone about the future sooner, even if it caused some turmoil. But turmoil can also serve as a wake-up call for wise people all over the world.
And also, sigh...
Actually, I know that Oden really wanted to make the grand plan of opening Wano Country a reality in his generation.
I even know they were right to do it.
But... I still managed to stop him, and the conflict between us contributed to all the suffering Wano Country has faced over the past few decades.
Kurozumi Orochi, I should have eliminated him completely. Letting him grow around me was truly a sin of vanity.
It was my fault that Kurozumi Orochi was able to rise from the ashes!
If I were a little more resolute...
Whether it's a more resolute support for Oden's policy of opening the country to the outside world.
They were more determined to leave Oden in Wano Country.
The tragedies we see today will not happen.
I really am... really a cowardly leader..."
At this point, Kozuki Sukiyaki sighed softly, then turned around and walked back towards the stairs she had come from.
Robin followed behind Sukiyaki, offering quiet words of advice.
Wise people do not regret what has happened in the past, and tomorrow is more worthy of our appreciation than yesterday.
This is a proverb often circulated at sea, and it's something Gawain often says. I think they're both right. What do you think, sir?"
"I...?"
Hearing Robin's words, Sukiyaki a wry smile and shook his head.
"I don't want to think about those things, because thinking about them will only make me suffer, whether it's suffering about the present or suffering about the past."
Instead of futile thinking, an old man like me would rather find a peaceful place and spend the rest of my life with a few like-minded children.
Now that I've told you everything I know, I hope you can place this information in the appropriate place.
That's settled then. I'm going to find a place to live in seclusion. Seeing that your lord is engaged in a fierce battle, I suppose the war will come to an end soon.
While your officers are mostly unharmed, many of your soldiers have perished. Having already felt the pain, you can no longer afford to give up this lucrative prize of Wano Country.
I am no longer a general, and my future self doesn't even want to see my granddaughter again.
"If you are still merciful, then let this old man die in obscurity as Tenguyama Hitetsu, in a hometown that may still be called Wano Country, or perhaps whose name will be changed."
As soon as he finished speaking, Tenguyama Hitetsu suddenly turned around.
Although he was short, standing on the higher steps, he appeared to be the same height as Robin.
Tenguyama Hitetsu bowed deeply to Robin, then raised his head and grinned.
"Could you, on behalf of your superior, make a grateful arrangement for this old man like me?"
After saying that, Tenguyama Hitetsu looked at Robin with a smile.
Meeting Tenguyama Hitetsu's gaze, Robin's pupils contracted slightly, but she continued speaking calmly.
"Gawain certainly possesses the qualities of a hegemon; his decisiveness in killing is the best description of him."
But believe me, as long as we give him enough to satisfy him, we will always be under his protection!
At this point, Robin looked intently at Tenguyama Hitetsu and asked.
"So, Mr. Sukiyaki, are you sure what you've given is enough to satisfy the adults?"
If you're not entirely sure, you'd better think carefully about whether you've truly lived a life without regrets.
After speaking, Robin Sukiyaki, then smiled and walked forward.
She stepped past the Sukiyaki and walked out of the secret passage first.
Behind her, watching Robin's retreating figure, Sukiyaki pursed her lips thoughtfully.
Only when Robin was about to leave did he finally ask in a soft voice.
"Miss Robin, perhaps neither you nor I know whether that man will ever be satisfied."
But I have a few words to say, and I hope you can convey them to him for me.
I am no longer the shogun of Wano Country. My life, like the news of my death, ended in the mouths of all the common people of Wano Country.
Now, this old man doesn't even want to see his own granddaughter again, let alone the ridiculous prophecy left by his son and daughter-in-law, and his grandson who has disappeared without a trace, perhaps already perished at sea, making it unbearable for him to outlive his Sun Tzu!
At this point, Kozuki Sukiyaki tears, his face looking sincere and sorrowful.
While crying, he glanced back at Tama, who seemed inexplicably sad, and continued speaking.
"My dream now is simply to watch this child grow up and to hope that he will become even more outstanding."
Please convey my message to Lord Gawain: I should have been a withered skeleton long ago, and I am destined to die by the roadside in the future.
Such an old man as myself is truly unworthy of the attention of a great figure like him!
After saying that, Sukiyaki looked at Robin with utmost sincerity.
Robin, however, remained silent for a long time with her back to the Sukiyaki, a hint of reluctance showing on her face.
Robin gently pursed his lips, shook his head, and sighed.
"I will convey your words to the adults, and perhaps they will agree. After all, we on the Dark Bird Ship rarely make things difficult for ordinary elderly people."
Because from beginning to end, our enemies on the Dark Bird Ship have always been those who harbor ambitions, and some have even already realized those ambitions!
Of course you have no ambition; you just want to see your lovely child, Tama, grow up.
But..."
She paused slightly, and Robin's reluctance grew stronger. She remained silent for a long time with her back to Sukiyaki, and then she couldn't help but speak to Sukiyaki.
"However, I think if you really want Tama to grow up, you might as well send this child into my arms."
I will give her a good life and a good education. She will have the opportunity to become my disciple and the next successor of Ohara.
Besides that...
Mr. Kozuki Sukiyaki, I can't possibly grasp the thoughts of Mr. Gawain, but I might know a little about his little hobbies.
He really likes Famous Sword!
Did you know that, just like the Shusui sword he holds in his hand, he also greatly admires two other interesting and Famous Sword?
I heard that one of them is called Enma, and the other is called...
Ame no Habakiri!!!"
The moment Robin finished speaking, Sukiyaki's expression changed completely. In just a split second, he abruptly removed the Tama from his body!
"Ouch, Grandpa Tengu Mountain, you're hurting me!"
Tama looked at Sukiyaki with confusion, because Sukiyaki was gripping his arm as tightly as steel bars!
Sukiyaki Tama's cries, he turned and spoke to Robin in a trembling voice.
"I get it! I finally understand! Hahahaha!"
"Robin, Miss Robin, for reminding me. Otherwise, Tama might have stayed with me..."
Sukiyaki paused for a moment, his lips trembling, then swallowed hard. He stopped himself from saying what he was about to say, and after a brief moment of thought, continued speaking to Robin.
"Otherwise, this child might miss out on the opportunity to grow up, haha!"
Come here, Tama, stop calling the kind Miss Robin" Master." She's far more trustworthy than I am!
As soon as he finished speaking, Sukiyaki seemed to have come to a realization. He laughed loudly and placed the bewildered Tama into Robin's unspeakable embrace.
Gently holding the child in her arms, who didn't understand what was happening, she saw a slender hand grow out of Tama's shoulder, and that hand soothingly rubbed Tama's head.
"See? Your grandfather agrees with me too. It seems you're the most suitable person to follow me."
From today onwards, you will call me teacher, Tama!
After saying that, Robin ignored Tama's crying and slowly walked away with the child in his arms.
Behind her, Sukiyaki watched from afar as Tama kept turning back to look at her, waving her arms incessantly.
"Did you hear that, Tama? You must listen to your teacher from now on!"
And also, thank you, Robin!
Thanks a lot, hahaha!!!
Amidst a series of loud laughs, Sukiyaki strode towards the direction where Robin's back was turned.
The two figures gradually disappeared into the distance on the street.
Gradually, after the two could no longer see each other...
Robin, who was holding Tama, suddenly noticed something.
Meanwhile, in the distance...
Mr. 1, who was leading his men to confiscate the nobles' property, suddenly stood up straight with a tense expression.
Before him, an arm as white as jade was growing out, and in the palm of that hand, sensual lips were slowly emerging.
After a moment, the lips moved slightly, and a soft voice was heard.
"Mr. 1, follow Kozuki Sukiyaki to Udon's Amigasa Village."
"Receive!"
Mr. 1 nodded and immediately rushed into the distance, while at the same time, the arm slowly disappeared.
Not long after, in the ruins near the Kozuki Sukiyaki House in Amigasa Village.
Sukiyaki was using tools to dig through the soil and rubble.
In the distance, Mr. 1 sat indifferently on a high place, silently observing Sukiyaki's every move.
This excavation continued for a long time, only barely ending when Starlight appeared.
In Mr. 1's eyes, Sukiyaki had crawled into the tunnel he had dug.
At the same time, Mr. 1 clearly saw that the excavated tunnel connected to a basement that was neither too big nor too small.
After using Observation Haki to confirm that there were no living beings other than Sukiyaki in the surrounding area, and no secret passage leading to other locations.
Mr. 1 jumped to the ground and slowly walked towards the secret passage where Kozuki Sukiyaki was located.
Meanwhile, in the basement, Sukiyaki walked with a smile to a wall that was still intact, and then pressed a mechanism.
As the mechanism continued to operate, a crack appeared in the wall, which was still relatively intact.
In that gap, two interlocking swords appeared in Sukiyaki's eyes like stars, briefly bringing a look of excitement to his face.
But only for a moment, he became dejected again.
"Why..."
After letting out a long sigh, Sukiyaki reached out and took the two swords in his hands.
Holding his sword, Sukiyaki sat on the ground and gave a bitter smile.
"I pride myself on having seen through everything, but in reality, I can't let go at all."
I'm truly a failure; even now, I still habitually make wavering choices!
This choice may not be wrong, but it is definitely wrong; I have tasted the bitter fruit time and time again.
Thankfully, it won't happen again, it won't happen again!!!
As soon as he finished speaking, Sukiyaki suddenly drew his Ame no Habakiri no Habakiri, a sword that held great significance for him, and his face was reflected in it.
Looking at his reflection in the sword, Sukiyaki grinned, then sheathed his sword.
Holding his two swords, he smiled wryly.
"What am I thinking? I was once the shogun of Wano Country. The moment the future ruler of Wano Country learned of my identity, wasn't I already utterly defeated?"
Moreover, what that ruler clearly wanted was not the Wano Country of the past. He let Kurozumi live and put my granddaughter on the stage. What he wanted was clearly a resolution between the two of them!
Most importantly, if Kurozumi were to win, Kurozumi atrocities would make it impossible for him to hold the position of general.
Perhaps once Gawain makes enough changes to Wano Country and stirs up enough public outrage, he can use Kurozumi's life to make the people accept all those changes!
As for my granddaughter, well...
If she is the victor, then her status as a woman means she is destined not to receive everyone's support. After all, my Wano Country is so stubborn.
Gawain is destined to become Hiyori's only political support. Under this support, Hiyori can only survive by pushing forward Gawain's policies with all her might and bearing the consequences of those policies!
And the name of Kozuki, along with those bitter fruits, will be buried at the hands of a female general...
Yes, the future of Wano Country is bleak; it is destined to be painted by Gawain's brush. But what makes me think I can erase it all?
He even knows that I have these two knives hidden away. My foolish actions now... still clinging to hope for the future, have betrayed me and the last hope in my heart!
I'm actually still ambitious, huh!
I deserve to die!!!
I'm so sorry, my lovely Sun Tzu, my... Momonosuke!!!
After a while, just after Robin had settled Tama in.
Robin's Den Den Mushi suddenly rang.
Robin casually pulled the sweltering Den Den Mushi from his chest, took the phone, and asked softly.
"Just tell me the result, I don't want to hear... about the process!"
"Yes, sir Robin!"
On the other end of the Den Den Mushi, Mr. 1 spoke indifferently.
"Kozuki Sukiyaki is dead. Cause of death... seppuku!"
"I see!"
Having received the answer he wanted, Robin nodded and then pondered for a moment.
A moment later, Mr. 1 heard the Den Den Mushi speak.
"Alright, that's enough. Lay his body in peace."
As for his tombstone, let it read... The last shogun of Wano Country!
Also, bring back those two knives!
Be sure!"