On the rooftop of a distant grand mansion, Kozuki Toki held Hiyori tightly in her arms, her gaze complicated as she watched that figure basking in the cheers of the masses.
In just a single day, this man had accomplished all of this.
The wager was already half won. What remained was that seemingly impossible task—driving Kaido away.
If you can truly do it… even if I must give up everything, I would do so willingly.
Kozuki Toki prayed silently in her heart.
Meanwhile, far away on Onigashima.
Inside the enormous banquet hall, the pirates were reveling wildly.
The projection screens there were also broadcasting the grand spectacle in the Flower Capital.
"Tch, this really pisses me off."
"Clearly we're cooperating, yet he gets to steal all the limelight."
Queen clenched his cigar between his teeth, his face full of displeasure.
"This is a necessary move."
King remained calm, but there was now a hint of wariness in his eyes. "This Tenma isn't simple. He gathered popular support this quickly and formed a force that can't be ignored."
"Waaah… Orochi, my little brother! You really died just like that!"
Kaido chugged his booze while bawling, then suddenly burst into loud laughter.
"But that Tenma brat did a fine job! Wororororo!"
After venting his emotions, a sharp glint flashed through Kaido's eyes.
"Since the play's over, let's get down to business. Bring me the Den Den Mushi—I want to have a talk with him."
Thinking of the Road Poneglyph that would soon be in his hands, as well as the long-coveted army of ability users, the last trace of displeasure in Kaido's heart vanished into thin air.
Off to the side, Yamato's eyes sparkled as she stared at the screen, her face full of admiration. "So… so cool! This is what a real samurai looks like! I want to become someone like Tenma too!"
…
After the coronation ceremony ended, all of Wano fell into celebration.
The Flower Capital was ablaze with lights as people sang and danced, celebrating the hope of rebirth.
Inside Orochi Castle, which had just changed hands, Tenma was receiving two daimyō who had hurried over.
Shimotsuki Yasuie, Daimyō of Hakumai.
Fūgetsu Omusubi, Daimyō of Kibi.
"General Tenma, we've heard you intend to subjugate Kaido. We are willing to lead our samurai and follow you to the death!"
Shimotsuki Yasuie knelt on one knee, his tone impassioned.
This steady, experienced daimyō, upon seeing hope at last, chose loyalty without hesitation.
With legitimacy on his side, once Tenma raised his banner, samurai from across the country would swarm to him.
This was the power of "righteous cause."
However, Tenma had no intention of launching a full-scale war—that would not serve his interests.
"Lord Yasuie, please rise. I accept your goodwill."
Tenma stepped forward to help him up, his expression humble and respectful.
"But you need only guard your respective territories. As for Kaido, I have my own plan."
"You mustn't underestimate him!"
Shimotsuki Yasuie grew anxious. "Lord Oden suffered terribly because of that!"
Just then, a nimble figure dropped down from the ceiling.
"That's right! General Tenma, Kaido's terror far exceeds your imagination!"
The newcomer was the kunoichi who had long since left the Oniwabanshu—Shinobu.
She knelt on the ground, her face filled with urgency. "I personally witnessed that crushing defeat. The strength of the Beasts Pirates is unfathomable. You must not act rashly!"
Looking at these fiercely loyal people, Tenma felt a stir in his heart.
"Don't worry. I'm not an idiot with muscles for brains like Oden."
Tenma smiled faintly. "Behind me stand millions of citizens. Without absolute certainty, how could I gamble with their lives?"
As he spoke, he lightly curled his finger.
Suddenly, the ground trembled.
Before Shimotsuki Yasuie and the others could react, they discovered that the floor beneath them was slowly floating upward along with them!
"T-This… what kind of sorcery is this?!"
Their faces went pale as they hastily jumped off the floating floor, staring in terror at the teacups and tables suspended in midair.
"As you can see, this is my ability."
Tenma casually patted Shinobu on the shoulder. She cried out in surprise as her entire body rose uncontrollably into the air.
"I can make all things fly—whether it's people, or even an entire island. All it takes is a thought."
"And your new general's strength goes far beyond this."
The moment his words fell, an overwhelming pressure erupted from Tenma's body.
Shimotsuki Yasuie, a master swordsman, instantly felt as if a sharp blade were pressed against his throat. Cold sweat soaked through his clothes.
"In this game, all you need to do is prepare the victory wine and wait for good news."
Tenma's voice brimmed with absolute confidence.
This display completely stunned the daimyō.
If the new general truly possessed such heaven-defying methods, perhaps a miracle really was possible.
Though he verbally agreed to remain idle, after returning home Shimotsuki Yasuie still secretly mobilized his forces, preparing for the worst.
At the same time, undercurrents began to surge throughout Wano.
Countless samurai living in obscurity heard the rumors and began wiping the dust from their long-sheathed blades, ready to face the final battle.
Yet just as everyone believed war was about to erupt—
Tenma went alone to Onigashima.
There was no drawn swords or tense standoff here. Instead, it felt more like a party.
"So this is the Road Poneglyph!"
Kaido stared at the massive red stone monument Tenma had brought, his breathing growing heavy with excitement.
The hall had already been cleared. Only those at the core of this transaction remained.
"I've brought what you wanted. Now it's your turn."
Tenma casually set the enormous stone down, making the ground quake.
"No problem! King!"
Kaido laughed loudly, in an excellent mood.
King the Wildfire immediately took out a Den Den Mushi he had prepared in advance and issued the order to withdraw.
This was a transaction where both sides got what they wanted.
Kaido obtained the key to becoming Pirate King, as well as the promise of that future, invincible army of artificial Devil Fruit users.
As for this territory? Since the Float-Float Fruit was already there, living on an island that could fly away at any moment didn't sit well with Kaido anyway.
"I never expected you'd even prepare the recording of that battle in advance."
Kaido looked at Tenma, a trace of admiration appearing in his eyes.
"Tenma, you're far more calculating than that fool Oden. Maybe one day, you really will have a place on these seas."
Tenma shrugged, noncommittal. "Since the deal is done, you can all get lost."
"Wororororo! No need for you to chase us off!"
In high spirits, Kaido tossed a direct-line Den Den Mushi to Tenma.
"For future fruit trades, wait for my message!"
With that, Kaido's body suddenly swelled, his skin rapidly transforming into azure dragon scales.
In an instant, a sky-covering blue dragon burst through the roof and coiled above Onigashima.
Flame clouds roiled as the entire island began to shake violently, slowly lifting into the air.
Kaido was actually moving his entire base away!
Watching the distant dragon, Tenma took a deep breath.
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