"Hmm, Sakura-nee?"
A questioning voice sounded. The black-haired, freckled boy watched as the girl tossed the Shogun of Wano into the ferry's cabin like a dead dog.
"Oh, Tama, you're awake too? Perfect. I have someone to hand over to you."
Sakura raised her hand to greet them, using her foot to push the prone Orochi, flipping him over.
"Pirate, I don't know why you saved me."
"But if you're willing to help me restore my country, I can appoint you as the new Guardian Deity King!" Struggling to his feet, Orochi's face once again showed a cunning smile.
Having served as Shogun of Wano and cooperating with Kaido for nearly eighteen years, he knew all too well what these pirates wanted.
Essentially, there was no real difference between these pirates and himself, the Shogun. Everyone was a puppet driven by desire. The things they craved were nothing more than a few: fame, treasure, power, women...
Since these pirates hadn't killed him, they must still want to squeeze the remaining benefits out of him. So, realizing that the law of benefit was in effect, Orochi regained his usual cunning.
Making money~ nothing embarrassing about it!
"You are... Kurozumi Orochi!"
Seeing his face, the now-awake Tama fearfully hid behind Ace.
"You bastard! You're the one who turned Wano into this?"
The sheath of the Supreme Grade blade struck the ground. A fierce glint of light shone from beneath Ace's hanging hair.
Dark thunder shadows swirled in his pupils. The overlord's will began to distort the surrounding air.
"Harm? I established weapons factories and sold weapons around the world, bringing immense wealth and higher status to Wano."
Seeing that Sakura, the one in charge, hadn't spoken, Orochi rubbed his hands together, grinning and showing his square, canine teeth. "In all of history, no shogun from the other five renowned families has achieved what I have. What right do you, an overseas person, have to criticize me!"
"So many people have died from starvation and poisoning, and you have the nerve to call this prosperity!"
The sound of the sheath falling to the ground rang out. Unable to hold back, Ace drew his black blade and placed it against Orochi's neck.
"Th-this isn't my fault! It's clearly... they're the ones who didn't work hard!"
Orochi, startled, fell to the ground, speaking haltingly. "Be-besides, these people brought it upon themselves. Do you know how the people of Wano used to persecute us Kurozumi..."
"Liar!"
Orochi's words were cut off by the girl's clear, resonant voice. Her gaze was clear, her courage like layers sweeping across a green prairie, swirling in her eyes.
Tama stepped out from behind Ace and walked before Orochi, facing him. "Before they died, Father and Mother said that the Kurozumi fell to this state because they did wrong things."
"You're also a member of the Kurozumi Family? Then you should understand me!!!"
Forced to raise his head by Ace's blade, Orochi's eyes, filled with anger and fear, still turned to Tama. The raised blood vessels were clearly visible.
"Every one of us was born destined for a life of luxury. It was the people of Wano who made us fall to begging on the streets. So what's wrong with me taking revenge on them?"
"We were the ones who made the first mistake!" Tama faced Orochi's madness calmly with her young, innocent eyes. "You always refuse to repent, and that's why you're heading toward destruction!"
"You! Say! What!"
Gasping desperately, Orochi lunged toward Tama.
But Ace's Observation Haki had already sensed his intention to attack. His blade swung out without reservation.
How could Orochi's body, neglected from training all year round, soaked in wine and women, be faster than Ace's sharp blade?
Accompanied by the scorching sound of the blade, the pitch-black blade coated in Haki left a scorching red trail in the void.
The giant purple bald head flew through the air, tumbled a few times, and crashed to the ground, rolling to Sakura's feet.
Ace twirled his blade and sheathed it, apologizing to Sakura in a cool voice: "Sorry, Sakura-nee, but this guy was really infuriating... ow!"
Unable to stay cool for even three seconds, Ace was hit on the head by Sakura's fist, and the rest of his words were swallowed back down.
"This guy is a Mythical Zoan, Yamata no Orochi user. He's not so easy to kill."
Sakura kicked Orochi's head away, then stepped on his stomach, rotating her foot.
"Damn! How did you find out?" Gritting his teeth, Orochi regenerated a new head and threatened, his bluster hiding his cowardice. "Now that you know how powerful my ability is, you'd better let me go. Otherwise, with this immortality, I'll make those around you pay!"
"Quit pretending. Even ability users have limits to their regeneration. Do you want me to help you find yours right now?"
Sakura's gaze was cold as she drew Ace's blade. With a flash of the blade, she severed Orochi's limbs.
The pitch-black blade coated in Conqueror's Haki rested beside his neck. The surging ability gradually emitted a sense of decay.
"I'm sorry! I was wrong! Please, command me!"
Sensing death, Orochi instantly groveled. His limbless body wriggled to Sakura and pressed his head into the ground.
Sakura ignored him, turning her head to Ace and returning the blade. "Ace, take this guy back to the Leviathan. Have him write an abdication edict to Tama. If Shiki is already awake, give him all the men. He'll know what to do."
"Okay... wait. Sakura-nee, you're not coming with us?"
Ace used the same rope he had tied Tama with earlier to give Orochi a turtle shell binding.
Then, like picking up a full vegetable basket, he lifted Orochi, his other hand dragging Tama.
"No. This is, after all, a territory contest. Someone needs to make some noise on the surface!"
Sakura drew her cloud rope and swung it hard, shattering the entire ferry and blowing away the Homies soldiers that had somehow surrounded them.
"Run! Remember to tell Shiki that I'll lure Charlotte Linlin here to deal with her. He'll handle the Flower Capital!"
The pink-haired girl raised her sword and walked toward the overwhelming tide of Homies, while Ace sprinted along the shore with his two burdens.
The paper crane Homies in the sky dove down, dropping pitch-black bombs ahead of Ace's path.
"Hahahaha! I'm your opponent!"
Sakura laughed as she drew her cloud rope greatsword. Coated in two types of Haki, she swung out a long, narrow sword wave. The impact wreathed in black-red lightning nearly enveloped the entire sky.
Boom! Boom! Boom!...
In the blink of an eye, the explosions of shells were endless.
Rolling smoke rose skyward. The deafening sounds and waves instantly enveloped the entire Udon riverbank. The smell of gunpowder smoke filled the girl's nostrils.
Numerous footsteps weaved through the black smoke. Sakura spread out her Observation Haki. As the rainbow light flickered, she showed a surprised expression.
"So there's this kind of play too?"
Sakura slammed her greatsword into the ground, musing, "Speaking of which, the people of Wano really have an endless amount of kindness to repay, having ended up with such a shogun!"