Despite many opponents, Kurozumi Orochi still succeeded as shogun.
This was where his cleverness showed. He didn't rush to display his desire to become shogun—instead, he began to decline.
"Although Sukiyaki-sama has passed the position of shogun to me, I truly don't have the ability to shoulder this responsibility. In my heart, I'm actually very resistant to this matter. Now that Oden-sama, the rightful heir, exists, how could I occupy this position so shamelessly?"
"However, since Oden-sama is still overseas, and this country cannot go a single day without a shogun, I am willing to temporarily assume the role as acting shogun, handling national affairs for Oden-sama. When Oden-sama returns, I will return the position to its rightful owner!"
With things said to this extent, no one would be tactless enough to cause trouble. Orochi was, after all, Sukiyaki's named successor, and they couldn't make him look too bad.
That Orochi was willing to voluntarily step aside was already enough.
Thus, as acting shogun, Orochi finally stood at the pinnacle. However, now was not yet the time for him to act recklessly—he hadn't gained control of the country's core power, so he couldn't openly show his true colors yet.
On his first day in office, Orochi strengthened the isolation policy!
"All ships are forbidden from leaving or entering Wano, except for vessels going out to search for Oden-sama!"
This order unsurprisingly received everyone's approval, with only Shimotsuki Yasuie having a different opinion. Since the opening of the hidden port, he had witnessed the changes in Kuri. In his view, at least opening this one hidden port had been greatly beneficial.
"Yasuie-san, I, Orochi, may not have great boldness or ability, but the isolation policy has been Wano's tradition for centuries. Regardless, at least doing so won't lead to any major mistakes, right?"
"If there are to be changes, let's wait until Oden-sama returns. I believe only Oden-sama can decide whether to lift the isolation order."
Orochi spoke solemnly, appearing humble, but he was actually just trying to prevent people like Shimotsuki Yasuie from privately going out to find Oden.
"Given your previous actions, I must temporarily take control of the hidden port," Orochi declared.
Shimotsuki Yasuie had no choice. Strictly speaking, his previous actions had indeed violated the country's laws. Although the former shogun hadn't pursued his responsibility, now that Orochi had said this, he had to agree.
Only someone as honest as Yasuie would comply so easily. Any other daimyo would never let someone else interfere with their region's affairs so simply—even if that person was Wano's acting shogun.
After Kurozumi Orochi departed, Shimotsuki Yasuie thought it over and sought out Toki, who was preparing to return to Kuri.
"Toki-san, now that the hidden port is being closed again... regarding the rent previously agreed upon with Ren-sama, I'll find a time to return it to Kuri," Shimotsuki Yasuie said reluctantly. It was clear he was quite reluctant to let it go.
It made sense—Ren had signed a ten-year contract with him, with annual rent of twelve thousand gold. Ten years would be one hundred twenty thousand gold! But now, not even five years had passed, and he suddenly had to return sixty to seventy thousand gold.
"About that—it's fine. Ren-sama says to consider those funds as a gift to you," Toki replied graciously. Sixty thousand gold was now virtually nothing to Kuri. Even a single Ruin Guard sold for more than that.
Besides, the hidden port was now under Orochi's control, which meant it was still effectively within Kuri's influence. They just needed to be more careful when transporting goods.
In truth, the first batch of Ruin Guard orders had already accumulated massive wealth for the overseas "Inazuma"—so much so that Ren didn't even need to focus on Wano's overseas trade route.
Shimotsuki Yasuie hadn't expected Ren to be so generous.
Sixty thousand gold wasn't much on a regional scale, but for his personal wealth, it was substantial. The rent he had previously received had long been spent. If he needed to return it now, he'd have to take it from his own treasury.
Shimotsuki Yasuie took a sip of tea and asked, "Has Ren-sama not returned yet?"
He knew Ren had received the message sent from Wano and thought Ren would be on his way back. In reality, Ren had no such intention.
Given the current situation on the seas, the overseas "Inazuma" couldn't be without him. Although the previous battle with the Golden Lion had established "Inazuma's" reputation, without him there to maintain control, no one knew what might happen.
"Ren-sama doesn't plan to return for now," Toki explained.
"Not planning to return?" Shimotsuki Yasuie asked in surprise. "But with the isolation order..."
"It's precisely because of this that Ren-sama decided not to return for now."
"I suppose the profits that can be made overseas are indeed substantial," Shimotsuki Yasuie quickly understood. Ren's decision must be supported by sufficient interests.
However, his perspective was still too narrow—he knew the profits were great, but he had no idea just how great!
Other weapons and products had become mere extras. The deposit alone for purchasing Ruin Guards was enough to buy several countries!
The conversation between the two ended there. Toki and Ayame, accompanied by their attendants, returned to Kuri. On the way, a small incident occurred—a group that appeared to be thugs or yakuza from some faction had set their sights on them.
These people were likely from another region. They had seen Toki's beauty during the funeral and formed designs. So they set an ambush, preparing to strike.
Unfortunately, even without Ayame, Toki herself was no ordinary woman now.
Ayame naturally didn't let Toki lift a finger. Instead, she subdued these people with thunderous efficiency. The silver blade passed through their bodies without even being stained with blood.
All of them had their limbs severed.
Ayame still wore her mask—no one recognized her. But she recognized these people.
"They're yakuza from Ringo. Formerly under a low-ranking subordinate of Suzuki Kaido. I didn't expect him to become one of the yakuza leaders now," Ayame remarked.
After extracting information, she casually severed the man's head.
"Yakuza?" Toki reclined on her palanquin, lowering her head in thought. "This is also a force that cannot be underestimated."
After a moment, she looked up and said, "The Flower Capital's army and ninja—given Oden's long absence, Orochi won't have much trouble controlling them. Instead, these yakuza and the power held by some nobles will become obstacles."
"It would be best to find an opportunity to bring the yakuza leaders from other regions to our side."
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