Werther lay on the beach, basking in the bright sunshine.
The war was over. Wano Country had fallen quiet, with none of the fighting that had once filled it.
A wisp of smoke rose from the island, making it look especially desolate.
Buildings had collapsed across the island, and the Daimyo's Residence at its center was burning. Wano Country was about to be erased from the charts. From now on, it would be nothing more than a deserted island.
Werther took out his Pocket Watch. After a moment's hesitation, he drew a bottle of fine liquor from it: Bronx Tide, a top-quality rum.
He had bought it at auction aboard the Ark Maxim. He had two bottles, and today he decided to drink one to celebrate the fall of Wano Country.
Two months of war had left Werther exhausted.
During the war, Werther had done more than give orders. He had to contend with the Red Hair Pirates' strongest fighters, including Red-Haired himself.
On Werther's side, only he and Kaido could hold Red-Haired back.
Jack and the others might have managed it for a moment, but before long, someone would have been collecting Jack's corpse.
Pop.
Werther pulled the cork from the bottle and took a long drink of rum.
A slightly sweet, spicy flavor spread across his tongue. He smiled. He liked it very much.
Just as Werther was enjoying his drink, a scream rang out.
He could guess what was happening. Kaido and the others were probably interrogating Kozuki Oden.
"Where is that Poneglyph? What did you see at Laugh Tale?"
"Talk, or we'll cut off your other leg."
"Move aside. I brought a whip from the ship."
Then came a sustained crack of lashes and Kozuki Oden's muffled groans as he tried to suppress them.
Werther sighed.