"Lady Hiyori!"
"Princess!"
"Are you alright?!"
Just as Sherwin and the Felynes were gathered around that massive Oni horn, heatedly discussing what weapons to craft from it, the samurai who had seen the Dodo Advance landing came rushing in from other regions of Wano.
Among them, Sherwin spotted the Pirate World premier practitioner of gender-fluidity, Kikunojo, who appeared even more feminine than his older brother Izo.
The group of samurai was immediately struck with awe by the sight of the newly formed "inland sea" before them.
After struggling to calm their racing hearts, they caught sight of the trophy resting at Sherwin feet...
"C-could it be... Lord Sherwin, has Kaido already been dealt with?!"
Denjiro asked, his voice trembling and his expression filled with excitement.
While it felt somewhat unrealistic, considering the explosion whose power could be felt even from a great distance and the fact that a portion of the Ringo region had simply vanished, the idea of Kaido being blown to bits didn't seem entirely impossible.
Even the samurai who had been dissatisfied with Sherwin attitude toward Kozuki Oden were now looking at him with faces full of anticipation.
"Don't get ahead of yourselves Kaido isn't going to die that easily."
Sherwin curled his lip and threw a bucket of cold water on their hopes, leaving Denjiro and the others deeply disappointed.
However, amidst that disappointment, Denjiro and the rest instinctively turned their gazes toward the sea, which had yet to settle...
Could a destruction of this scale really be described as "easy"?
"In any case, we must thank you for repelling that villain Kaido on behalf of Wano Country."
Denjiro composed himself, approached Sherwin, and bowed ninety degrees.
"We must inform the people of Wano of this good news. Please head to the Flower Capital to rest first. Once I have handled everything, I will return to repay your kindness and... discuss who should take up the position of Shogun of Wano."
These words were half-true.
Informing the public wasn't an immediate priority Denjiro primary goal was to consult with the others first. He was also worried that after driving away the Beasts, a Hunter had simply taken their place.
Although the other party performance suggested they were not like Kaido, the two sides had no prior relationship, so being on guard was only natural...
Furthermore, Sherwin attitude toward Kozuki Oden was not particularly favorable.
Denjiro final sentence was actually a test of Sherwin stance. If the other party truly showed interest, they would likely have to prepare for a fight against an enemy whose strength was no less than Kaido, and perhaps even greater...
He glanced at the nearby "Ringo Inland Sea," his heart filled with anxiety.
Even if Sherwin was usually slow to pick up on such things, he could hear the insincerity in Denjiro voice after all, the probing intent in that last sentence was quite obvious.
The always-steady Sherwin could understand him, so he didn't find anything wrong with it. He simply waved his hand dismissively and said impatiently,
"Choose whoever you want as the Shogun of Wano. Once I've finished traveling through the country and received the 'Enma' Hiyori promised me, I will leave this place. So, there no need to worry about me becoming the next Kaido."
Denjiro, having had his hidden motives laid bare, let out a sheepish laugh, but at the same time, the heavy stone that had been weighing on his heart finally settled.
"My deepest apologies!" Denjiro decisively demonstrated his "bowing craftsmanship," offering Sherwin another ninety-degree bow. "It was I who misunderstood you, sir!"
While Sherwin could understand his caution, a portion of the samurai did not see it that way.
In the eyes of these straightforward samurai, the Hunter had not only informed Issho of the peril facing his homeland but had also traveled a great distance to help them drive away Kaido.
Yet, the moment the enemy retreated, Denjiro, a retainer of the Kozuki Clan, jumped out trying to pluck the fruits of victory...
Just as Sherwin had evaluated, with the vermin of the Kozuki Clan around, how could Wano Country ever be governed properly?!
Hantaro and the others, whose hearts had originally begun to lean back toward the clan due to Kozuki Hiyori performance, once again felt doubts arise regarding the Kozuki family inheriting the position of Shogun.
Denjiro had no idea that a single probing sentence from him had already put Kozuki Momonosuke position as Shogun in jeopardy once again.
Furthermore, at that very moment, Ashura Doji—also one of the Nine Red Scabbards, though one who preferred to call himself a "retainer of Oden" rather than a "retainer of Kozuki"—immediately jumped out in dissatisfaction upon hearing that Kozuki Hiyori intended to hand over Enma.
"Wait a moment! Is Enma not Lord Oden personal blade? How can it just be handed over to an outsider like this!"
Hantaro and the others grew even more disdainful...
To say nothing of the fact that Sherwin had already helped them drive Kaido away, even if he hadn't succeeded, was the kindness of his willingness to help not worth a single blade from the Kozuki family?!
What more...
Kawamatsu of your Kozuki family was digging up graves in the northern cemetery years ago, collecting a vast amount of swords from deceased samurai to fight Kaido.
Hantaro and the others naturally saw no issue with this, and even those departed samurai would surely not begrudge lending their buried weapons...
But why is it that when it comes to others taking a weapon from your Kozuki family, it becomes unacceptable?!
Denjiro frowned. He didn't actually see a problem with it. If anything, giving up Enma to have Sherwin help defeat Kaido was a massive bargain for them.
However, out of respect for their long-standing friendship, Denjiro found it difficult to rebut him directly.
Kawamatsu and Kikunojo shared similar thoughts, and Kawamatsu, having previously dug up those graves himself, actually felt a deeper emotional resonance with Ashura Doji perspective.
Just as Denjiro was hesitating on how to tactfully persuade Ashura Doji, Kozuki Hiyori spoke up from the side.
"Enma was left to me by my father. I believe I should have the right to decide how it is used!"
"But..."
"Enough! Would you have Lady Hiyori go back on her word?"
Ashura Doji wanted to argue further but was yanked back by Denjiro... who had finally noticed the brewing resentment among that faction of samurai.
Sherwin had no interest in getting involved in their bickering and occupied himself by playing with his Felynes.
However, Issho let out a heavy sigh. "Sigh... I originally felt your assessment of Oden and his subordinates was somewhat biased, Sherwin, but it seems they truly do have some issues."
"What? Planning to compete for the position of Shogun?" Sherwin teased while scratching Klee Meow chin.
"If it were you, I doubt there would be many many people opposed to it."
"Hehe, I am accustomed to a life of freedom. I think I'll pass on being a Shogun."
Issho waved his hand, looking as if he couldn't get away fast enough. He then let out a soft sigh and said,
"Although this is my hometown, I do not intend to stay here forever. Once I am certain that Kaido will not return, I shall also be leaving."
The position of Shogun, so highly valued by the Akazaya Nine, was not worth mentioning in the eyes of Sherwin and Issho.
However...
In addition to Kaido, the World Government was also secretly keeping an eye on Wano Country.
Fortunately, the reason the World Government had its sights on Wano Country was not because of the Ancient Weapon "Pluton" hidden here, but rather the Sake-Iron Ore and Sea Prism Stone that the land produced.
Otherwise, even Kaido could not have stopped the World Government determination to bring Wano Country under its rule.
If it were Denjiro and the others, Sherwin probably wouldn't have bothered to give a reminder.
But Issho relationship with them was quite good, and his role in arriving first to wear down Kaido was a crucial part of defeating him this time.
Additionally, Kozuki Hiyori performance had earned her quite a few points in Sherwin book...
Therefore, regardless of what Issho final decision might be, Sherwin felt it was necessary to discuss the potential crises Wano Country might face in the future with him.
"Well... in any case, let find a place to settle down first. The Flower Capital that Denjiro mentioned earlier seems quite nice."
Sherwin looked around there were too many eyes and ears here, making it an unsuitable place for conversation.
Moreover, he planned to use this opportunity to head to the Flower Capital and search for the location of that Road Poneglyph.