However.
That had all happened ten years ago. Kurozumi Orochi had only managed to rule Wano Country for so long because of his allies, Kaido and the Beasts Pirates.
Once Noah wiped out the Beasts Pirates, the dark cloud hanging over the people of Wano Country would naturally disperse.
"Across the Flower Capital region, roughly how many people are there like you, forced into the mountains because they can't survive the heavy taxes?"
Noah suddenly asked the teenage bandit leader.
"My lord," the boy answered shakily, "there have been quite a few more these past two years. Right now, probably... probably three or four thousand..."
Three or four thousand.
Noah fell silent in thought and set down his teacup.
The Flower Capital was already the wealthiest, most prosperous part of Wano Country, yet even here, so many ordinary people had been reduced to banditry.
It was easy to imagine how terrible things were in poorer, more chaotic regions like Kuri, Udon, and Ringo.
And the bandit problem was merely one small reflection of Wano Country's plight under the Beasts Pirates' oppressive rule.
Noah looked at O-Tsuru. She pressed her palms together again and gave him a pleading look. He sighed and finally gave her a small nod.
A smile immediately bloomed on O-Tsuru's face, while Noah turned his gaze toward the bandits beside them.
"Put all the tables and chairs you knocked over back in order, then leave."
The bandits, still kneeling anxiously on the ground, suddenly looked up in delighted surprise, hardly able to believe their ears.
"Be quick about it, before I change my mind," Noah added coolly.
"Y-yes, my lord!"
Not daring to delay, the bandits scrambled to their feet and hurriedly restored the wrecked tea stall to its original state.
A moment later, led by the