Three Nuclear Explosions (4)

Wano Country was a kingdom of swordsmen that had closed itself off from the world. Its military might had made it famous throughout the New World.

Wano Country was ruled by the shogun Kurozumi Orochi, an ally of Kaido.

A few days earlier, a nation had launched a war against the Beasts Sea. King of the Three Calamities had requested Wano Country's support, but just as Kurozumi Orochi was preparing to dispatch his swordsmen, a warship carrying that nation's troops attacked. The ensuing battle ended with all thirty thousand troops wiped out.

The Flower Capital stood at the heart of Wano Country's vast island. It was also Kurozumi Orochi's home.

A banquet filled a luxurious hall, where a meeting appeared to be underway.

"Shogun, according to the latest reports, Kaido may be dead. The Beasts Pirates have been destroyed, and various powers have divided up the entire Beasts Sea."

A cross-legged samurai with a long sword at his waist looked up at Kurozumi Orochi, who sat at the head of the room.

"We wiped out thirty thousand of their troops. Will that bring trouble down on us? It is their nation, after all."

One samurai sounded uneasy.

"Hmph. It's only one nation." Another samurai looked utterly dismissive.

But as they held their meeting, dark clouds gathered over Wano Country's once-clear sky.

Crack!

Clouds rolled across the heavens, and lightning flashed without end. An immense pressure descended upon the Flower Capital, drawing civilians throughout its streets to look up.

"That presence..."

The entire meeting room was thrown into alarm. Led by Kurozumi Orochi, Wano Country's samurai stepped outside and stared at the roiling sky.

"What is that presence?" A samurai in the street broke into a sweat. His hand closed around his sword without thinking, but he could not stop trembling.