Dan didn't intend to become the shogun of this country to bring about some new era of change. His goal was simply to rule. However, compared to the current state of affairs, he would at least ensure that the impoverished people at the bottom could live without starvation and that refugees wouldn't be scattered everywhere. Achieving this wasn't difficult. Once he opened the country to the outside world, he could obtain resources and profits through foreign trade.
Whether it was exporting seastone products or weapons, items from the Land of Wano were highly sought after in the world. He wasn't worried about finding buyers.
Of course, to achieve this, he first needed the capability to stand firm in this world. Otherwise, the pirates and the World Government wouldn't simply agree to trade with him.
As for liberating the country, that wasn't his goal. Who would willingly overthrow their own rule?
Moreover, even that straw-hat-wearing guy, the so-called "chosen one" who inherited the will of the liberation warriors from 800 years ago, didn't fundamentally change the country's system, did he?
He merely replaced the rule of Kurozumi and Kaido with that of the Kozuki family. But under the Kozuki's rule, what was the state of the country now? Kuri, a lawless land for centuries, was like a living hell. The nobles in the Flower Capital couldn't see this tragic reality.
Even Kozuki Sukiyaki had no intention of pacifying Kuri.
It was no wonder. No matter how bad Kuri became, it didn't affect his enjoyment in the castle or his indulgence in the company of courtesans.
Thinking about this, Dan continued walking with Yukiko.
Kuri was vast, covering almost the entire western part of the Land of Wano. It occupied nearly a quarter of the country's land, almost twice the size of the Flower Capital.
Dan had been walking for a long time but hadn't encountered any living souls.
Well, to be precise, he hadn't encountered any living people. Dead bodies, however, were everywhere.
"It's so desolate..." Yukiko murmured, her voice tinged with an indescribable emotion.
How could it not be desolate? The land beneath their feet had been stripped bare, with even the roots of grass dug up and eaten as food. When the wind blew, the two of them looked like they were walking through a desert, their figures flickering in and out of view amidst the sand.
Dan didn't respond. He was thinking about what would come after he pacified Kuri. The beginning was always the hardest. Kuri was destitute, and even the bandit leaders in the mountains probably didn't have much in the way of resources. He wasn't sure how to proceed.
Orochi had managed to accumulate some wealth through theft, embezzlement, and his own wages, but it was a drop in the bucket.
"Forget it, let's take a step and see what happens." Dan sighed.
He remembered that in the original story, Oden often faced financial crises. The Kozuki family had lent him money several times, but it was later swindled away by Orochi. As a result, Oden's retainers even resorted to stealing from the Kozuki family. It seemed like they were constantly taking advantage of the Kozuki's generosity.
Thinking about it, Oden's situation back then probably wasn't much better than his own.
"Given the circumstances, I could also borrow money from other daimyos or even the Flower Capital," Dan thought. Although he might not have the same influence as Oden, once he became a daimyo, he should be able to borrow some funds.
Others might be hesitant, but the Kozuki family, seeing the plight of the poor in Kuri, probably wouldn't remain indifferent.
As for the Flower Capital, it would be even easier. After all, Sukiyaki wouldn't be shogun for much longer. Dan could simply promise to provide more tribute from Kuri once it was developed.
Besides these options, Dan could also seek funds overseas.
Although the Land of Wano was isolated, its coastline wasn't heavily guarded. The natural barriers made it nearly impossible for ships to pass through, but someone with sufficient strength could easily leave by jumping into the sea.
Oden, that fool, had tried several times but failed because he didn't know navigation. Dan, however, wasn't worried. The Yamata no Orochi spirit allowed him to fly on clouds, and if he got tired, he could use the Okuchi no Makami's power to freeze a small patch of sea to rest on. For him, leaving and returning to the country was effortless.
The only issue was that once he left, it would be difficult to return quickly. He needed someone to manage Kuri in his absence.
At this thought, Dan glanced at Yukiko behind him.
Currently, the only person he could rely on was Yukiko. Orochi had learned a lot during his year and a half with the Kozuki family, but he still had uses there and couldn't be brought over.
So, over the past six months, Dan had Orochi teach Yukiko everything he had learned from the Kozuki family. Now, Yukiko could barely manage as a temporary administrator.
The only problem was her lack of strength. Currently, Yukiko's combat ability was roughly on par with Tashigi during the Loguetown arc.
This level of strength wasn't enough to maintain order in Kuri, but that wasn't a major concern. Once Dan recruited Ashura Doji, the combat power issue would be resolved.
Ashura Doji, in forty years, would have strength comparable to Jack of the Beasts Pirates. But now, he was only in his teens and not yet at his peak. Recruiting him wouldn't be difficult.
If he willingly followed Dan, that would be ideal. If not, Dan planned to use the Serpent Mark on him.
Dan didn't believe that subordinates needed to willingly submit. If they did, great. If not, they could simply be used as tools.
Speaking of which, I could just sneak into the Flower Capital and place the Serpent Mark on Kozuki Sukiyaki right now.
But after some thought, Dan decided against it.
Orochi had a personal grudge against the Kozuki family. How he sought revenge was his own business.
The outcome would be the same either way.
Just as he was thinking this, Yukiko tugged at his sleeve.
"Dan-sama, someone's approaching us."
"Hmm?"
Dan looked up and saw faint figures moving toward them in the distance.
Compared to his Armament Haki, his Observation Haki wasn't particularly strong. The main issue was that no one in the Kurozumi family dared to attack him, especially when he was blindfolded.
"Looks like wandering criminal samurai, possibly even murderers from other regions. They've already set their sights on us."
Although the figures were still far away, Dan could roughly gauge their strength. They weren't worth his time.
"You handle them, Yukiko."
"Me?!" Yukiko tensed up. Although she had trained during this time, her combat skills were still lacking. Sparring was one thing, but an actual life-or-death battle...
She took a few deep breaths, her chest rising and falling rapidly.
'Come on, Yukiko, you can do this. You can't trouble Lord Dan to draw his sword for such weak enemies.'
She mentally encouraged herself.