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"It seems you've already made your choice," Alex remarked, snapping his fingers with a sharp "click." Instantly, the chains restraining the court officials fell away, allowing them to collapse to the ground, free at last.
Recognizing the shift in power, Fukurokuju quickly bowed low before Alex. "Fukurokuju pays homage to Shogun Alex!"
His swift obedience set the example for the rest of the officials, who followed suit without hesitation.
Kozuki Sukiyaki watched the ninjas with conflicted eyes. Many of the officials were recent recruits, but he'd known Fukurokuju as a loyal retainer for years. Yet, given the current circumstances, Sukiyaki knew he had no way of reclaiming his position. Kaido alone was enough to prevent that—never mind the looming figure of Alex, now in control.
All he could do was look up at Alex and ask, "What do I do next?"
"Simple," Alex explained. "I want you to 'come back from the dead' and announce the new rightful shogun to the entire nation."
"Then, you'll retire peacefully, and the Kozuki legacy will no longer have ties to Wanokuni's governance."
"Consider yourself lucky," he added. "I'm not like Kurozumi Orochi, ruling through fear and cruelty."
The words sounded almost comforting, yet Sukiyaki knew there was no real choice in this. He sank to the ground, staring at his hands with an expression of deep regret and sorrow. Centuries of tradition, the legacy of the Kozuki, slipping from his grasp.
But Alex gave him only a passing glance. To him, Sukiyaki's fate was of little consequence—there would always be the unfortunate in this world.
Afterward, Alex approached the Grand Line road sign and placed his hand on it, activating his Float-Float ability to raise it. Then, without a second look, he turned and walked out through the stone gate.
With everything set, it was time to proceed with the final steps toward claiming the title of shogun.
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Half a day later.
The court officials, under Alex's orders, quickly spread the news: Kurozumi Orochi was dead, and Kozuki Sukiyaki had returned.
Using the ninja forces under Fukurokuju command and the information relay of Den Den Mushi, the message circulated swiftly throughout the closed-off nation. Within mere hours, all of Wanokuni had heard the news.
The remaining daimyo, shocked by the sudden announcement, immediately dropped whatever they were doing, ordering their retainers to prepare horses and rushing toward the capital of Wanokuni.
Across the regions, people gazed at the projection from the Den Den Mushi, hearts swelling with excitement and anticipation.
In the bustling Flower Capital, crowds gathered beneath the shogun's mansion, voices rising in a crescendo.
"Is Shogun Sukiyaki really alive?!"
"Can the announcement be true?"
"Shogun Sukiyaki!!"
Even from inside the mansion, Alex could sense the intense emotion radiating from the crowd below. The air was thick with expectation.
"The stage is set," Alex said, turning to Sukiyaki, who had remained silent. "It's time for you to perform."
"I trust you'll keep your word," Sukiyaki replied, taking a deep breath before walking toward the square outside the mansion.
With the entire area blanketed in projections from the Den Den Mushi, all eyes across Wanokuni were fixed on the screens as Kozuki Sukiyaki appeared before them.
Instantly, the Flower Capital and every corner of Wanokuni erupted in cheers.
"It's truly Shogun Sukiyaki!"
"Shogun Sukiyaki has returned! That means Orochi's reign is truly over!"
The crowd erupted in cheers, their joy spilling over as tears of relief streamed down their faces. Hope swelled among the people, but Kozuki Sukiyaki understood that this moment wasn't truly about his past as shogun.
Wanokuni had endured terrible devastation, first under Kozuki Oden's tragic fate and then under Kurozumi Orochi's tyranny. In comparison, Sukiyaki's return represented a glimmer of something better.
For a brief moment, he felt the urge to reclaim his title and answer the people's fervent hopes. But he knew it was nothing more than a fleeting dream; stepping back into the role would ultimately harm Wanokuni.
Steadying himself, Sukiyaki spoke to the expectant crowd, revealing everything that had happened—from his framing and faked death to his eventual escape.
Finally, as he recounted Orochi's downfall, he took a deep breath and made his decision: "Today, I have a major announcement for the entire nation—I will not be resuming my role as Shogun of Wanokuni."
The reaction was immediate and intense, with cries of disbelief and pleas echoing across the square.
Sukiyaki continued, undeterred, "In truth, one person made it possible for Orochi to be defeated and for me to stand before you once again."
"He is my savior and can be the savior of Wanokuni! He possesses the power to free this land from Kaido once and for all!"
"He is neither of the Kozuki line nor from the four noble families, yet today I break tradition and inheritance to declare this: as the shogun of the Kozuki family, I proclaim Alex, the one behind me, as the new Shogun of Wanokuni!"
The atmosphere exploded with even greater intensity, as the people's attention instantly shifted to Alex.
Designated by the Kozuki family themselves, Alex's legitimacy was immediately accepted by much of the nation, particularly in light of the looming threat of Kaido.
"Shogun Alex, will you truly drive away Kaido and bring freedom to Wanokuni?"
"Shogun Alex, please guide Wanokuni to a brighter future!"
Cries from the crowd grew louder, all directed toward their new leader, each one bearing the weight of hope and expectation.
In a land where the title of shogun carried unmatched importance, the people understood that a capable and wise shogun could lead Wanokuni to prosperity, while a tyrant would only bring ruin. With Orochi's reign of terror as a recent memory and Oden's tragic story still fresh, the people looked to Alex as the one to restore Wanokuni's future.
Meeting their gaze, Alex felt the strength of their faith in him. With firm resolve, he addressed the crowd, "As Shogun of Wanokuni, I vow to drive out all foreign invaders and to lead Wanokuni toward a future of freedom and beauty!"
The crowd's cheers reverberated throughout the Flower Capital.
"Shogun Alex!"
One person's cry was soon echoed by others, growing louder and louder.
"Shogun Alex! Shogun Alex!"
The chant spread like wildfire across the Flower Capital, until the entire nation seemed to pulse with the name of their new shogun.
Hearing Alex's words, the people sensed that he was no mere puppet like Orochi or a naive idealist like Oden; this was a leader they could truly rely on.
And so, a new era dawned with the birth of Wanokuni's new shogun, Alex.