In Wano Country, Kozuki Sukiyaki was talking with Kin'emon in a secret room.
"Lord Shogun, do you really not want to reveal your identity? I think the Young Lord would surely be happy," Kin'emon said.
"No need. Wano needs a monarch without any stains, and Momonosuke is perfectly suited for that. As for me, I am not fit to appear in public," Kozuki Sukiyaki said.
The twenty years of Wano's suffering needed an object for venting. Since Oden was hailed as a hero, the "deceased" Kozuki Sukiyaki was the perfect candidate for that role.
"Lord Shogun has sacrificed too much for this country." Kin'emon wept bitterly. "Those commoners don't know that you've been giving so much in secret..."
"This is the duty of the Shogun of Wano." Kozuki Sukiyaki said with a solemn face. "Also, do not call me Shogun from now on. The current Shogun of Wano is Momonosuke."
Although he had only been making beautiful girl dolls all these years, he still believed he had contributed a lot to the country.
"Then, Lord Sukiyaki, why won't you allow us to help the Straw Hat Pirates?" Kin'emon voiced the doubt in his heart.
"The person who took that Robin was Admiral Ryokugyu. He didn't know my identity, so he didn't bother with me." Kozuki Sukiyaki still felt a lingering fear thinking about it.
"Once we help Straw Hat and the others, it's equivalent to standing on the opposite side of the World Government. You simply cannot imagine how powerful they are..."
"It's just that I feel a bit sorry for Luffy and the others." Kin'emon still felt somewhat embarrassed.
"Pirates are pirates. They are actually no different from Kaido." Kozuki Sukiyaki snorted coldly. "We are nobles; we are not in the same class as them."
"Next, we must continue the isolationist policy. Momonosuke has done very well in this regard, much better than his father." Kozuki Sukiyaki was very gratified.
"If we were to open the country as Oden said, Wano would be in even greater danger. Only isolation can allow the Kozuki Clan to pass down through generations."
"I will work hard to assist the Young Lord. Kin'emon is willing to serve the Kozuki Clan for generations to come." Kin'emon hurriedly expressed his loyalty.
"I know your loyalty. The primary issue now is continuing the Kozuki bloodline," Kozuki Sukiyaki said.
"Ah... isn't it a bit early? The Young Lord is only 8 years old..." Kin'emon was also stunned by Kozuki Sukiyaki's train of thought.
"Does he look 8 years old to you? Besides, Oden was already frequenting the Pleasure District and squandering money at age 6. The men of the Kozuki Clan only get stronger with each generation!" Kozuki Sukiyaki was very excited.
"Then I'll find some daughters from Daimyo families for the Young Lord to choose from... I know the Young Lord's preferences; he likes them big~" Kin'emon suddenly became lewd.
"No need, I've already chosen a candidate: Tama," Kozuki Sukiyaki said.
"But Tama is still a child?" Kin'emon hadn't expected to hear this answer.
"Just have Shinobu use the Juku Juku no Mi to age Tama up. Although Tama is just a commoner, her Devil Fruit Ability is too strong; she'll be a good assistant for Momonosuke," Kozuki Sukiyaki said.
"Shouldn't we ask for Tama's opinion?" Kin'emon still felt it was somewhat inappropriate.
"No need. I am Tama's guardian; I can make decisions for her. It's a pity Kaido's daughter lef;, otherwise, she would have been quite suitable for Momonosuke as well." Kozuki Sukiyaki still felt some regret.
If the bloodline of the Kozuki Clan merged with the bloodline of Kaido's Oni race, they would surely give birth to an invincible heir.
By then, it wouldn't be too late to open the country... Oden, why didn't you understand how to endure? If you were like me, you would have survived, and the Kozuki Clan might even have been able to join the ranks of the Celestial Dragons.
While Kozuki Sukiyaki was dreaming of the Kozuki Clan's glorious future, an earth-shattering roar came from outside.
"What happened?" Kozuki Sukiyaki was startled.
"Lord Sukiyaki, please wait a moment. I'll go out and take a look right now." Kin'emon hurriedly rushed out of the secret room.
When he got outside, he found the other Nine Red Scabbards drawn by the sound.
When Kin'emon saw the place where the loud noise originated, a chill surged up from the soles of his feet.
In a pit about two meters wide, a man dressed in black leather was standing. The devil wings behind him, and the flames circling the back of his head revealed his identity.
"King the Conflagration... King... Why are you here..." Kin'emon's voice was trembling.
Weren't they captured together by the Marines?
King ignored Kin'emon and took out a transponder snail. "Captain Buggy, I have landed safely. No need for flight abilities. As for the location..."
King looked at the surrounding Nine Red Scabbards, a cruel smile appearing at the corner of his mouth. "Bullseye!"
"That's good, we'll be there soon. Your body hasn't fully recovered yet, so be careful." Buggy's voice came from the transponder snail.
"Don't worry, Captain Buggy. Even if I'm not in my prime,thise trash can't break my defense," King said confidently.
As long as his flames were still burning, he didn't fear the siege of the Nine Red Scabbards.
"Who are you looking down on, you bastard? You're clearly just a guy who's already been defeated..." The Nine Red Scabbards drew their weapons one after another.
"I just look down on you. The Beasts Pirates were defeated by the Straw Hat Pirates. How much did you rats of Wano actually contribute?"
King raised the giant long sword in his hand, with Armament Haki and flames wrapping around it together.
"What exactly are you here for, King...?" Kin'emon said. "No matter what, the Beasts Pirates have already failed. Whatever you do now is meaningless."
Kin'emon still wanted to avoid unnecessary conflict; this guy was the strongest in the Beasts Pirates besides Kaido.
"How could it be meaningless? Our Pirate Crew is coming to take over this country," King said. "Wano will also welcome its true master."
"Kaido is still alive?" Kin'emon almost wet himself in fear. "That's impossible..."
The Nine Red Scabbards also showed looks of fear one after another. The psychological shadow Kaido had cast on them was too deep.
"Look at your terrified faces. If the Straw Hat Pirates hadn't helped, you wouldn't have dared to resist at all," King mocked. "The so-called samurai spirit is truly a joke."
"Foxfire Style: Flame Split!" Kin'emon suddenly drew his weapon, slashing out a powerful shockwave from the blade.
At the same time, Kin'emon shouted, "Everyone, attack together! No matter what, take him down first!"
Denjiro, Kiku, Raizo, Kawamatsu, Inuarashi, Nekomamushi, and the others nearby hesitated for a moment before they all made their moves.
Anyway, the Nine Red Scabbards were a single entity; it was only reasonable to attack together.
But the attacks hit King without causing any damage.
"Don't worry." Kin'emon encouraged his companions. "His attacks aren't strong in this state either."
"That's right, but you're not the only one with companions..." A smile appeared on King's cold face.
A pink, bear-paw-shaped transparent bubble appeared in mid-air, with a figure inside the bubble.
The bear-paw transparent bubble hit the ground at extreme speed, triggering another loud explosion.
Crocodile's figure appeared before the Nine Red Scabbards.
"Are these all enemies, King?" Crocodile looked around. "They don't look very strong..."
The ground beneath his feet instantly turned into sand. "Should I take care of them before the Captain arrives?"
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