Chapter 36 – Calm Before the Storm
Morning arrived quietly over Wano Country. Soft sunlight spread across the mountains and rivers as Ren flew high above the borders of the country on a drifting flame cloud.
Beside him, Yamato struggled to stay awake.
"Hey Ren… why are we patrolling so early?" she yawned, rubbing her sleepy eyes while swaying slightly from exhaustion.
Ren sighed and gently pulled her down so her head rested comfortably in his lap.
"Who asked you to come?" he muttered. "You should be sleeping. You're still tired."
Yamato ignored him and curled up comfortably.
"I can sleep here too," she mumbled. "Besides… what if you ran off and did something fun without me?"
Ren snorted softly.
"When have I ever done that?" he said. "I always take you on all the fun adventures."
He flicked her nose lightly.
"Oiiii… don't do that," Yamato groaned, swatting weakly at his hand.
"Just let me sleep."
Ren shook his head helplessly as he gently stroked her white-and-green hair while the flame cloud continued drifting along Wano's coastline.
Below them the country looked peaceful.
Villages were waking up, fishermen prepared their boats, and farmers moved through green rice fields as the morning breeze flowed through the valleys.
Ren watched everything quietly.
'Garp should be arriving today,' he thought with a small chuckle.
'I can't wait to see whose fists are stronger.'
---
Inside Shogun Castle in the Flower Capital, work had already begun for the day.
Toki, Shinobu, and Black Maria sat surrounded by mountains of documents and reports.
Trade agreements, agricultural reports, and construction plans covered the desks.
---
Not far from the capital, under a massive cherry blossom tree overlooking the city, Edward Newgate sat quietly.
The petals drifted around him as he watched the peaceful country below.
"Gurarararara… this land has completely changed," Whitebeard said softly.
He rested his massive hand on his knee while observing the city with his Kenbunshoku Haki.
Humans, samurai, and members of the Tontatta Tribe moved through the streets together.
They worked, laughed, and helped one another naturally.
Whitebeard sighed quietly.
"If Ren had taken this land ten years ago… it truly would have become paradise sooner."
He looked at the sky thoughtfully.
"A land where every race can live together, huh…"
---
Far away across the sea, inside a bar on Sabaody Archipelago, Shakuyaku leaned against the counter while reading a newspaper.
Beside her sat Gloriosa, her expression dark.
Shakky placed the paper down slowly.
"It seems there will be a major slave auction next week," she said calmly.
Gloriosa frowned.
"Some Kuja slaves will be sold there."
She crossed her arms tightly.
"Troublesome," Gloriosa muttered.
"There will be more than one Celestial Dragons attending that grand auction."
Shakky's lips curved into a small smile.
"Well," she said casually, reaching for a Den Den Mushi.
"Looks like we'll need to call for backup."
"Moshi moshi."
---
Back near Wano's shores, a large ship slowly approached the waterfall entrance to the country.
Standing proudly on the deck were Inuarashi and Nekomamushi.
Behind them stood dozens of Mink warriors and families.
"Mark my words," Nekomamushi said confidently.
"You're all going to love living in Wano, nya!"
The ship finally reached the inland sea and docked safely at the port.
As the Minks stepped onto land, Inuarashi suddenly froze.
His eyes widened when he saw a massive familiar ship nearby.
"That ship…"
He pointed toward it in shock.
"The Moby Dick!"
Nekomamushi's eyes nearly popped out of his head.
"Pops is here?!!!"
The two rulers immediately grinned like excited children.
"Let's go meet Pops!" Nekomamushi shouted.
"It's been ages since we last saw him!"
Both Mink leaders immediately sprinted toward the capital at full speed, leaving the confused Mink settlers behind.
---
Inside Shogun Castle, chaos was unfolding for a completely different reason.
Ulti was currently shaking Page One violently by the collar.
"Damn it, Pay-Pay!" Ulti shouted angrily.
"Why didn't you wake me up?!"
Page One looked like he was about to cry.
"S-stop shaking me!"
Ulti continued ranting furiously.
"That Yamato ran off with Ren again!"
Her cheeks puffed in frustration.
"I wanted to go too!"
Page One struggled desperately in her grip.
"I was asleep too!" he complained helplessly.
"How was I supposed to wake you up if I didn't even know Ren-sama left?"
Ulti froze for a moment.
Then she snorted loudly.
"Hmph!"
"You should've woken up when Ren left."
Page One stared at her in disbelief.
'That makes absolutely no sense…' he thought miserably.
Ulti suddenly grabbed his collar again and began dragging him away.
"Forget it," she said firmly.
"I'm going to train."
Page One's feet scraped helplessly across the floor as she pulled him along.
"S-stop dragging me, please!"
Ulti ignored him completely.
The unfortunate dinosaur boy could only accept his fate.