"It seems the person the Nidai Kitetsu chose is you!" Tenguyama Hitetsu said, pointing at Yamato after a series of cryptic and seemingly mystical actions.
"Huh? Um... I don't usually use a sword..." Yamato a puzzled expression, thinking to himself: Did that shamanistic dance just now really have the effect of identifying the owner of the Nidai Kitetsu?
But the version of himself he chose doesn't even use a knife normally!
Sig watched the other person's performance with a blank expression, knowing that there was definitely more to come.
Upon hearing Yamato's words, Tenguyama Hitetsu visibly paused, though no one could see it as he was wearing a mask.
At this moment, Yasuie chimed in, "Shogun! Although it's not usually needed, a sword is still necessary for formal occasions when wearing Wano Country Shogun's armor!"
"This... does it really need to be so extravagant? Well then, since you've already said so..." Yamato agreed, and got up to take the Nidai Kitetsu.
However, Tenguyama Hitetsu did not let go at this moment, but continued, "But... the Nidai Kitetsu will bring misfortune to its master."
"Then... melt it down and recast it?" Yamato felt that both Tenguyama Hitetsu and the Yasuie today were strange.
One minute they insist they're the master of the Nidai Kitetsu, the next they say they're the master's nemesis... This is not what I wanted at all!
"No, there is a way to avoid this... As long as the general first bestows this sword upon a subordinate he doesn't trust, once it has harmed a master, it can naturally guarantee ten years of peace!" Tenguyama Hitetsu said in a serious tone.
Sig rolled his eyes, while Yamato angrily said, "I thought you were some real Famous Sword, but it turns out you only know how to come up with these crooked ideas... You should just take your sword and get out of here!"
Upon hearing this, Tenguyama Hitetsu laughed loudly, "Hahaha, good... I was originally worried about you becoming the general of our Kozuki Family, so I offered to give you a try."
"Your Kozuki Family?" Yamato was taken aback upon hearing this.
The other four members of the "Nine Swordsmen" also looked at Tenguyama Hitetsu with confusion—they had never heard of Oden having any family.
Yasuie immediately prostrated himself on the ground and said, "General! Please forgive my previous deception. This Mr. Tenguyama Hitetsu is actually..."
As the Yasuie spoke, Tenguyama Hitetsu had already removed his mask.
Unfortunately, Yamato still didn't recognize the face he saw.
However... the Nine Red Scabbards present were all shocked and exclaimed, "General? You're still alive?"
"General? You... you are?" Yamato realized something at that moment.
"No, only Kozuki Yamato is the shogun now. You are being extremely rude!" Kozuki Sukiyaki rebuked the Nine Red Scabbards.
"You... you're still alive? Back then..." Denjiro was also very surprised. Unlike Neko, Inu, and Kawamatsu, Denjiro was in the Flower Capital when Sukiyaki was murdered.
The cats and dogs were overseas at the time, while Kawamatsu, being an "outlier," did not go to the Flower Capital but stayed in Kuri.
Before the fake Sukiyaki announced Orochi as its successor, it was suspected that Sukiyaki had already poisoned the sukiyaki to death...
"I am indeed dead, but... the power of the Revive-Revive Fruit) allows me to remain in the human world," Sukiyaki explained.
At this moment, Sukiyaki looked at Yamato again. "Originally, it was because you are Kaido's daughter..."
"It's a son," Yamato corrected.
Sukiyaki's eyebrows twitched, but he didn't press the matter further and continued, "And you even said that you... inherited that brat's will, so I've always had my doubts about you. But now it seems that you are indeed a suitable candidate for the Shogun of Wano Country!"
Yamato's position as shogun became increasingly legitimate.
It's a pity that Sukiyaki can't be near most cities, including Oden Castle and the Flower Capital, because... the torii gates that exist everywhere in Wano Country are like a barrier between life and death!
Sukiyaki appears to be alive, but it can only wander in the realm of "death." Only during the Fire Festival, when the Kongming lanterns meant to comfort the dead illuminate the earth, can it disregard the boundary between life and death in the light.
It's clear that Sukiyaki knows a lot about the Revive-Revive Fruit), and the atmosphere of Wano Country is very much like "Yomi" (the underworld). It would be a waste for the Revive-Revive Fruit no Mi not to be in Wano Country.
But...
In contrast, Brook, who didn't understand the true use of the "Revive-Revive Fruit," was the one who gained more freedom.
Although Brook is completely dead, his soul can wander freely in the mortal world, and "luck" and "obsession" play a significant role in this.
But with a legitimate shogun present, Sig immediately perked up. Just as Kozuki Sukiyaki was earnestly encouraging, inspiring, and even acknowledging Yamato, Sig suddenly stood up and declared, "I will not accept Yamato the shogun of Wano Country!"
Everyone:???
Everyone present looked at Sig with an expression that said, "Who do you think you are?"—whoever the Tom, Dick, or Harry is, has more right to say who should be the shogun of Wano Country than you, okay?
"How can someone who can't even read and write Ancient Script be the shogun of Wano Country?" Sig said confidently.
Sukiyaki:...
Sukiyaki understands now!
"That's right, our Kozuki Family has always been a family of stonemasons. The engraving of Poneglyph inscriptions and the deciphering of Ancient Script are essential skills for every general. That brat used to know them too, but unfortunately..."
"Alright! Today, I will teach you how to decipher Ancient Script and how to carve Poneglyph on stone tablets. Then you will be the rightful shogun of the Kozuki Family!" said Kozuki Sukiyaki.
Then Sukiyaki glanced at Sig, who wasn't from Wano Country, and then instructed Yamato, "But remember, the stonemason's legacy must never be passed on to anyone else."
"Don't worry! I will only teach it to my and Hiyori's child!" Yamato said confidently.
Sukiyaki:...
Kozuki Sukiyaki genuinely acknowledged Yamato, but also harbored some selfish motives—at least Yamato was now "Kozuki Yamato." His son was dead, and it was uncertain whether his grandson would return. At least Yamato, having inherited the position of shogun, was still a member of the Kozuki Family.
It's just a pity that Yamato... wasn't a man after all, and she and her granddaughter...
Thinking about this gives me a Sukiyaki, so I can only put it off for now and attribute it to the idea that "children and grandchildren have their own blessings"!
Sig's wish came true—after the Yamato deciphered the Ancient Script, it was as if he could do it himself.
Robin is really patient; she hasn't looked at the Poneglyph in her dream for so long.
Sukiyaki was to be taught to Yamato, a "skill" only the Shogun possessed. Naturally, everyone else stepped aside. Sig took this opportunity to try his hand at traveling between the mortal world and the Underworld Town...