Hey, amazing readers!
To celebrate the holiday season and show my appreciation for your fantastic support, I'm excited to announce a Christmas Giveaway with 5 lucky winners! Here's what you can win:
✨ 4 Winners will receive the Astral Bolt Tier on Patreon, which includes 35 advanced chapters!
What are advanced chapters? If there are already 20 public chapters, you get 55 advanced chapters before anyone else to bring your total count up to 75 chapters to read immediately! And the beauty of it all? The number of advanced chapters will increase over time as the public chapters increase. Thus, if there are 30 public chapters later on, you will still be ahead by 55 chapters.
✨ 1 Grand Winner will receive the Supernova Charge Tier, including 75 advanced chapters and early access to my latest book!
How to Enter: It's super simple! Just be among the Top 100 fans of the book by Christmas. (Hint: Supporting the book with Power Stones, gifts, or comments can help boost your rank!)
Winners Announcement: The lucky winners will be revealed on Christmas Day!
Don't miss this opportunity to enjoy these exclusive benefits and dive deeper into my stories. Thank you so much, incredible support! You totally make this journey special! ❤️
Good luck, may the odds be ever in your favour!
Check out advanced chapters on P@treon: p@treon.com/CosmicKaminari
Also more 50 ps for bonus chapter
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"The entire Onigashima has vanished from the sea!"
"Wanokuni is finally free from those pirates!"
"Our country is liberated from Kaido and Orochi's grasp!"
"It's all thanks to our Shogun! He saved us all!"
The samurai who had returned to their hometowns spread the news across Wanokuni, recounting the liberation that had just unfolded. Soon, this information swept through the land like wildfire, igniting an unparalleled wave of celebration.
Unlike the announcement days prior, this time the joy was greater and deeper—the fear of Orochi and Kaido was truly gone. The entire nation felt a lightness it hadn't known in years. Almost every person in Wanokuni, from craftsmen to geisha to samurai, joined in the festivities, dancing and celebrating across every town and village.
Days passed, and Wanokuni declared a National Celebration Ceremony in Alex's honor. People spoke of him alongside Shimotsuki Ryuma, the legendary "Sword God" who once slew a dragon. Although Alex hadn't slain a dragon in the same way, he had freed Wanokuni from the clutches of both a dragon and a serpent. His deeds had elevated him to a status akin to a myth, and the people regarded him as the most revered shogun in their history.
Around the Shogun's Castle, the people prostrated themselves, offering their respects and gratitude. Reverence, relief, and hope poured out toward Alex.
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In the shogun's quarters, Alex lay bandaged from head to toe, despite only suffering minor injuries. Important figures from all over Wanokuni had gathered in the room, where they quietly observed the new shogun.
Present were the daimyo of Ringo, Kiri, Udon, Hakumai , Hyogoro, the underground leader of the Flower Capital, and Kozuki Sukiyaki himself, who had also come to witness the aftermath. The four daimyo had traveled to the capital not only to visit their "injured" shogun but also to learn the specifics of the agreement Alex had reached with Kaido.
Hyogoro finally broke the silence, his voice tinged with both curiosity and concern. "Alex-sama, what exactly was the agreement you reached with Kaido?"
Alex responded, his tone calm. "The arms deal with Wanokuni will continue. In exchange, Kaido and his forces have fully withdrawn from our borders."
Shimotsuki Yasuie nodded thoughtfully. "So that's why there was no all-out war. The costs of such a battle would have been tremendous. This condition is… understandable."
But Kozuki Toki, who had been listening intently, voiced her unease. "But those weapons… they're contaminating our lands. The soil becomes barren, and the water turns poisonous. These consequences could devastate us over time."
Yasuie, now firmly loyal to Alex, instinctively moved to defend his shogun's decision. He had already shifted from seeing himself as a Kozuki vassal to an Alex loyalist. He opened his mouth to argue, but Alex raised a hand, silencing him gently.
Alex nodded approvingly, his gaze thoughtful as he replied, "You're right. I don't plan to continue building weapon factories on Wanokuni's soil. Instead, I'll establish them on other islands beyond our borders."
He glanced around the room. "Remember, I can bring any island here with my ability—it's no trouble."
Since Alex's battle against Kaido was broadcast, his Float-Float ability had come to be seen almost as a divine power by the people of Wanokuni. There were no whispers of suspicion about dark magic, only admiration.
He continued, "And to be frank, Wanokuni's territory isn't limited to just this land. In time, I intend to expand our borders, adding new islands under Wanokuni's influence."
Alex made no attempt to hide his ambitions, speaking openly with those loyal to him.
This bold declaration was met with eager agreement. "Your vision is Wanokuni's wish, Shogun Alex!" they exclaimed, bowing with admiration. As Wanokuni's most revered figure, Alex's word was law.
With the arrangement with Kaido clarified and Alex's injuries confirmed to be minor, the four leaders prepared to depart. Hyogoro, with a history of friendship with Kozuki Oden, glanced at Hiyori and her mother, Lady Toki. Turning to Toki, he said, "Now that Wanokuni is free, if you need a safe place, I'd be honored to offer refuge for you both."
He refrained from mentioning Kuri, as Oden Castle was no longer standing.
Lady Toki, however, shook her head. "Shogun Alex has generously allowed us to stay here, and Hiyori can live openly as a princess."
Hearing this, Alex nodded and added, "It's only fitting. My position as shogun was given with the Kozuki family's blessing. With Sukiyaki choosing a quiet life of seclusion, it's only right that I look after Lady Toki and Hiyori in return for their support."
This statement moved everyone present. Alex's respect for the Kozuki legacy only solidified his position as the best shogun Wanokuni had ever seen. Here he was, treating the widow and child of Oden with such respect and sincerity—a rare honor among leaders.
The daimyos felt both respect and gratitude, their loyalty to Alex cemented even further.
As they departed, Alex thought of his journey till now, from a small jailer, killing Golden Lion Shiki and World for their devil fruits, awakening his observation haki with the special ability of sensing the other party's thoughts, now to a shogun of unprecedented stature.
When the others had gone, Alex turned to Lady Toki and said, "I'm very satisfied with your answer just now."
Lady Toki, her eyes softening as she took in Alex's bandaged form, replied, "You've done all of this for Wanokuni, even at great personal risk. What is my freedom compared to the joy our country is celebrating?"
Alex chuckled. "You make it sound like I took these wounds for Wanokuni itself. But you know I only began this journey to win our bet."
His tone was teasing, yet Toki picked up on the deeper meaning, a warmth creeping over her face as she blushed. His words hinted at a more personal motivation, as though Wanokuni's liberation wasn't as important as she herself was.
Flustered, Toki averted her gaze. "Such casual talk… I'd expect it on the streets, but you're a respected shogun now. You can't just speak so lightly."
Alex gave a small, unbothered shrug. "I'm no stiff-backed shogun, and there's no law against a shogun enjoying a walk down Pleasure district."
Something then crossed his mind. During his visit to Kaido's base, he had noticed that certain members of the Beast Pirates—like Black Maria—were absent. He remembered that Black Maria had roots in Wanokuni and seemed connected to it.
"It seems there's good reason to visit that place after all," he said thoughtfully, a slight grin spreading across his face.