"Prison Dragon Blast," this is a move of the Sou'unga from the movie InuYasha: Swords of an Honorable Ruler.
Dan wasn't actually performing this move; he simply used the name to describe the slash released by the Ame no Murakumo no Tsurugi. In the future, if he obtained other abilities, such as the Goro Goro no Mi, he might even be able to execute moves similar to the Blue Dragon Blast or the Musou no Hitotachi.
After the strike, the Ame no Murakumo no Tsurugi in Dan's hand dissipated, revealing a blade with a noticeable chip.
By now, the mist atop Mount Atama had also cleared. Dan had held back and hadn't used his full strength, but the bandit stronghold had already been flattened by the previous attack. Shutenmaru, covered in wounds, lay on the ground as if dead.
However, he was still barely alive, lifting his head to look at Dan.
"I never... expected you to possess such terrifying power," Shutenmaru coughed up blood as he spoke. "I've lost. Do as you will..."
His willingness to accept death made Dan view him in a new light. It seemed this man wasn't afraid to die.
"I want to end the chaos in Kuri and turn this place into one where people can live in peace," Dan said, looking at him. "What do you think? You bandits are all deserving of death, but why not take this chance to use your tainted lives to do something useful?"
"Turn Kuri... into a place where people can live in peace?" Shutenmaru's eyes widened, blood flowing into them, dyeing his irises red. These words struck a deep chord within him.
Unlike the criminals who had fled to Kuri, Shutenmaru had been born into this hellish place. To him, the world Dan described was like a dream from his childhood.
"Can such a thing... really be done?"
"Why not?" Dan retorted. With enough power, it was possible to make others live according to his vision. Kaido had oppressed Wano Country for years, so if Dan wanted to turn Kuri into a prosperous nation, it shouldn't be impossible.
"In that case, count me in," Shutenmaru nodded.
Dan hadn't expected him to agree so easily. He wasn't Kozuki Oden, after all. With the Kozuki name, anything one did in this country seemed to gain understanding and support, even acts of evil.
At that moment, the heavily wounded Shutenmaru planted his sword into the ground, using it to support himself as he stood up.
"Everyone who has come to Kuri before has never had such thoughts."
"This hellish Kuri feels like it's been abandoned by the country. So... I'm willing to follow you and give it a try," Shutenmaru said. His appearance was somewhat comical—a round body with thick, sausage-like lips—but now, Dan saw a certain dignity in him.
"In that case, once your injuries heal, gather the other scattered bandits with me," Dan said. "Those willing to submit will be recruited. Those who still think Kuri is a paradise for crime will be killed outright."
Dan showed no mercy.
Many of the bandits in Kuri didn't deserve to live, including those under Shutenmaru's command.
Dan needed the strength of these warriors, which was why he spared them, but he wouldn't grant them high authority. If they worked diligently, they could keep their lives. But if they thought they could act as they pleased, they were sorely mistaken.
"I understand..."
Three days later, though still bandaged, Shutenmaru and his men were able to move without issue.
As the strongest force in Kuri, subduing the bandits of Mount Atama meant Dan had already achieved 60% of his goal. The next step was to either recruit or eliminate the remaining scattered bandit groups.
This task didn't even require his direct involvement. The bandits of Mount Atama had now become his sword and shield.
However, despite their submission, Dan decided to mark them with the Serpent Mark, including Shutenmaru. These were, after all, criminals, and Dan saw no need to treat them with undue courtesy.
The bandits acted quickly, soon wiping out the other bandit groups. Those willing to submit were brought before Dan.
Dan was still on Mount Atama, which had undergone some changes over the past few days. Some of the bandits had left, while others had volunteered to stay and help Dan build the Daimyo's residence.
"Lord Dan, we've dealt with the larger bandit groups. However, some have fled into the southern forests and are untraceable," one man reported, kneeling on the ground.
Dan nodded.
"Those ones won't cause much trouble. They might not even survive in the mountains," Shutenmaru said. In the world of pirates, wild beasts were extremely ferocious, especially in the New World, where powerful creatures were everywhere.
"Don't worry about them," Dan said. "Shutenmaru, organize the remaining bandits into an army. From now on, maintaining order in Kuri will be your responsibility. However, I won't pay you. You were once the disruptors of order; now, this is your chance to atone for your past sins."
Shutenmaru nodded without objection.
This wasn't just because of the Serpent Mark, which made him unconditionally obedient to Dan. Even without the Mark, he wouldn't have disagreed. Having decided to follow Dan in changing Kuri, this was the least he could do.
"In that case, it's no longer appropriate to call you bandits. From now on, you'll be known as the Tenryou-bugyou (Military Commission)," Dan declared.
He had already planned to rename the country Inazuma once he took control of Wano. Now, establishing the Military Commission as a military force was a fitting step.
"From this day forward, you are forbidden from pillaging. Return all the women you've abducted. Additionally, spread the news of the Daimyo's residence being established to every corner of Kuri."
Shutenmaru knelt on the ground. "Understood."
"Also, inform the villagers that the Daimyo's residence is under construction. Anyone willing to help will be provided with food in exchange for their labor."
Dan ordered.
Using work as a form of relief was a good approach. He didn't actually expect the villagers to contribute much labor—they were too weak for that. The key was to prevent them from developing a mindset of expecting handouts.
As he watched Shutenmaru prepare to depart, Dan also planned to have these men help the villagers cultivate wasteland once the Daimyo's residence was completed.