Chapter 243: Usurping the State
Day 2: Flower Capital.
After an entire day and night of battle, the once-beautiful Flower Capital lay in ruins. The city suffered massive destruction—deep cracks split the ground, and countless bodies littered the streets.
Kurozumi Chanmaru led a group of Wano citizens through the streets, collecting corpses. Meanwhile, the Beasts Pirates and the Kurozumi clan celebrated in the former shogun's mansion, drinking and feasting.
"Hahahaha! Mr. Kaido, let me introduce you! This is Kurozumi Orochi, the current daimyo of our Kurozumi family!"
"Master, this is Mr. Kaido, the famous warrior from the outer seas!"
Kurozumi Murasaki moved between the two groups, enthusiastically making introductions.
Kurozumi Orochi, a wretched-looking man, trembled slightly as he looked up at Kaido's towering, muscular figure.
"H-hello, Mr. Kaido!"
It was the first time Orochi had seen Kaido up close. His fear was evident.
He vividly remembered yesterday's battle—Kaido had single-handedly massacred the samurai.
Such overwhelming power... He had only ever seen it in Kozuki Oden.
"Mm."
Kaido casually picked up his drink and nodded.
Seeing the awkward atmosphere, Kurozumi Murasaki quickly stepped in.
"Hahahaha! With Kozuki Sukiyaki captured, Wano Country is already within our grasp. However, to prevent an uprising among the people, we must create a legitimate reason for this transition!"
Kaido and Orochi turned to him.
"What do you suggest?" Orochi asked eagerly.
"Simple! We'll have Kozuki Sukiyaki officially appoint you as the new shogun. That way, you'll rule Wano Country rightfully!"
Murasaki looked at Orochi and smirked.
"Impossible! That old man is stubborn and fearless. He would never agree to that!"
Orochi immediately shook his head, rejecting the idea.
"Who said we needed Kozuki Sukiyaki's permission? Have you forgotten my abilities?"
Murasaki chuckled before his body morphed, transforming into the exact likeness of Kozuki Sukiyaki.
Gasps of shock filled the room.
Those unfamiliar with Murasaki's Devil Fruit ability were astonished.
"I, Kozuki Sukiyaki, hereby appoint Kurozumi Orochi as the new Shogun of Wano Country, and I declare Mr. Kaido the protector of Wano!"
Standing in the center of the banquet, Murasaki spoke in Sukiyaki's voice, imitating his every mannerism perfectly.
Silence filled the room.
A moment later…
"Good! Good! Good!"
Orochi repeated the word "good" three times, his excitement overflowing.
"We must gather the people of Wano as soon as possible to announce this appointment!"
He could barely contain his glee.
The Kurozumi clan members cheered, while the Beasts Pirates simply observed the scene with indifference.
Murasaki was an intelligent strategist.
Seeing Kaido's men remain silent, he quickly stepped forward.
"Mr. Kaido, as promised, the Kurozumi family will never forget your assistance. You are our ally! As a token of our gratitude, we grant you full control over Wano's seastone trade."
At these words, the Beasts Pirates turned their eyes to Kaido.
"Fine. I accept!"
Kaido smirked and took a deep gulp of sake.
Relief washed over the room.
Their coup had succeeded.
"What about Kozuki Sukiyaki?" Orochi suddenly asked, making a throat-slitting gesture.
His hatred for the Kozuki clan burned deep—he wanted the old man dead immediately.
But Murasaki shook his head.
"Not yet. Remember, Sukiyaki has a son out at sea. Kozuki Oden could return at any time. Sukiyaki is a valuable bargaining chip. If we keep him alive, we can use him against Oden."
Orochi hesitated but eventually nodded in agreement.
The banquet continued.
A few days later…
A decree from the shogunate summoned all daimyos, samurai, and influential figures in Wano Country.
On the day of the announcement, Kurozumi Murasaki, still disguised as Kozuki Sukiyaki, stood atop the grand stage.
With a solemn expression, he proclaimed that Kurozumi Orochi would be the new shogun of Wano Country.
The declaration sent shockwaves through Wano.
The people and nobles alike were stunned.
However, no one objected.
The Kurozumi family was one of Wano's five great families, meaning Orochi was technically eligible to become shogun.
No one dared to break Wano's long-standing rules.
Thus, the transition proceeded smoothly.
Kurozumi Orochi officially took power, stepping into the role of shogun with a smug grin.
The Kurozumi clan had seized control of Wano.
Meanwhile, Kaido was declared the "King of Wano," establishing his rule over the land.
With his newfound authority, Kaido immediately began recruiting subordinates.
Countless ambitious individuals, eager to venture beyond Wano, joined the Beasts Pirates, replenishing Kaido's forces.
Additionally, the mining of seastone began in Udon.
Though some samurai resisted, they were quickly suppressed and sent to the Udon Quarry to work as prisoners.
While the Beasts Pirates solidified their rule…
An unexpected guest approached Wano.
"Is that Wano Country?"
Toki stood at the bow of the ship, marveling at the distant island surrounded by towering cliffs.
Beside her, Charlotte observed the land with an intrigued expression.
"Yes, that's Wano."
Charlotte nodded, his golden hair swaying in the sea breeze.
He wondered whether Kaido had already taken full control of Wano.
According to what he remembered, Kaido seized Wano after Kozuki Oden left.
Not that it mattered much to him.
Unlike others, Charlotte had no interest in ruling Wano.
There were only two things in Wano that interested him:
Devil Fruits.
And seastone.
Seastone was an invaluable resource, capable of restraining even the strongest Devil Fruit users.
Whether used for weapons, tools, or research, it was a material worth acquiring.
That was his purpose for coming here.
He had no plans to conquer Wano.
For one, Wano was too far from Kami Island, making it impractical to govern.
Second, something about Wano Country unsettled him—a deep-rooted aversion, perhaps tied to memories of another life.
Even if he took over Wano, he had no intention of ruling its people. That was not his way.
This trip was purely for business.
He needed Devil Fruits and seastone.
If anyone tried to stop him…
Well, he wasn't called the world's greatest swordsman for nothing.
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