The doors stood wide open, and a pungent stench of chemical reagents rushed out to meet them.
Dozens of scientists in white lab coats were huddled together, shivering like lambs awaiting slaughter.
These research types were sharp-minded—after the apocalyptic commotion outside, none of them needed an explanation of what it meant.
Standing at the center of the crowd was a man in a gas coat, wearing an infuriatingly punchable expression. He was the primary target of Tenma's trip—Caesar Clown.
The blade Hongying in Tenma's hand was still dripping with blood, its edge not yet sheathed.
An oppressive aura of Conqueror's Haki was restrained yet omnipresent, crushing down on everyone so hard that breathing became difficult, as if an invisible hand were gripping their hearts.
"You've all seen the situation. I don't like wasting words."
Tenma's gaze swept over them, his voice icy to the bone.
"Submit—or die."
Faced with such a brutally simple multiple-choice question, the answers were usually unanimous.
"We're willing to swear loyalty! Please don't kill us!"
The scientists displayed astonishing survival instincts at this moment. Caesar in particular nodded so hard it looked like he was pounding garlic.
Tenma nodded in satisfaction—then suddenly flicked his wrist.
Slash! Slash! Slash!
Several flashes of cold light streaked through the air, blood spraying everywhere.
Eight bodies collapsed instantly within the crowd, not even having time to scream.
The scientists who had just breathed a sigh of relief instantly erupted into chaos, shrieking and scattering in all directions.
Caesar was so terrified that his body elementalized on the spot, turning into a cloud of gas as he tried to slip into a ventilation shaft.
"Don't panic."
Tenma's voice wasn't loud, yet it clearly pierced every ear.
"I forgot to mention—these eyes of mine can see through lies."
He pointed the bloodstained tip of his blade at the corpses on the floor.
"These people said they'd swear loyalty, but in their hearts they were already planning how to tip off the World Government. Two-faced trash like that isn't worth the air they breathe."
Of course, a few of them were also informants planted by the World Government. Tenma had no intention of letting his backyard catch fire.
Hearing this, Caesar froze midair, then slowly—and awkwardly—floated back down to the ground.
Tenma sheathed his blade, the crisp click echoing through the hall.
"Since you're still alive, it means you've passed the first round of interviews. Now, each of you—briefly introduce your area of expertise."
Seeing that Tenma had truly put his sword away, the scientists finally dared to stand straight, shakily introducing themselves one by one.
Mechanical engineering, biochemistry, automated control systems… the talent lineup was surprisingly comprehensive.
But the largest group consisted of weapons specialists—understandable, given that this was Caesar's turf, a place dedicated to killing and destruction.
No wonder they had to hide in a hellhole like the New World. If the public ever found out what the World Government was researching behind the scenes, they'd never be able to save face.
Once everyone had finished, Tenma nodded and began laying down the rules of the new management.
"Very good. From today onward, you are employees of the Royal Academy of Science of Wano. Research funding will be unlimited. Equipment—use whatever you want."
"The only difference is this: before, you sold your lives to the World Government. Now, you sell them to me. Understood?"
One of them mustered the courage to ask, "M-my lord… may I ask which country you rule?"
They weren't idiots. Anyone bold enough to openly seize a World Government base was clearly no ordinary figure.
"Wano. I am its Shogun."
The name alone sparked murmurs throughout the crowd.
"My god, the legendary land of samurai?"
"I heard it's one of the strongest nations in the New World—so powerful that even the Navy doesn't dare provoke it lightly!"
Knowing their new boss was overwhelmingly strong actually put them at ease. After all, work was work—might as well work for someone who wouldn't get them killed easily.
"Shirororororo! So it's the Shogun of Wano!"
Caesar's instinct for sucking up was top-tier. He immediately drifted over, his face plastered with a sycophantic grin.
"We'll definitely devote ourselves completely to bringing glory to your great nation!"
Tenma looked at that ridiculous face, smiling faintly.
"Caesar Clown. I didn't kill you because you're still useful."
That sentence made Caesar's heart skip a beat. Had his little schemes just now been seen through as well?
He immediately put on an expression of deep gratitude, bowing and scraping.
"Thank you for sparing my life, Shogun! Whether it's poison gas or bombs, as long as you give the word, I won't sleep until I make it for you!"
"I'm not interested in that junk."
Tenma cut him off.
"I want SAD."
"No problem! Leave SAD to me!"
Caesar answered reflexively—then his eyes flew wide open as if he'd seen a ghost.
"S-SAD?!"
How did he know about that?! That was his top-secret project!
A thousand thoughts raced through Caesar's mind. He wanted to lie—but feared getting cut down. His face turned the color of pig liver.
In the end, he sneakily pointed toward a hidden chamber inside.
"Uh… Shogun, maybe we should talk about this somewhere more private?"
Tenma snorted. "What's there to hide? Isn't it just the scraps of Vegapunk's leftover technology? I brought all these people back specifically to work with you on it."
At the mention of Vegapunk, Caesar reacted like a cat whose tail had been stepped on.
"Nonsense! That bookworm Vegapunk doesn't know a damn thing! He only has theory—nothing but theory!"
The Caesar who had been cowering just moments ago suddenly found the courage to shout at the top of his lungs for the sake of his "academic dignity."
He pounded his chest, spit flying everywhere.
"Only I—the great genius scientist Caesar Clown—managed to take those incomplete concepts and actually make progress on SAD!"
Only after yelling did he realize who he was talking to. He instantly deflated, bowing at a perfect ninety degrees.
"Shirororo… s-sorry, I got a bit excited. Please don't mind it…"
Tenma found the sight amusing.
Terrified to death, yet the moment someone implied he was inferior to Vegapunk, he'd risk his life to argue back. Was this the obsession of a perpetual second-place finisher?
"Fine. I'll admit you're talented (though still not as good as Vegapunk). You're a big shot among scientists (still number two). So—can you make artificial Devil Fruits?"
Every word precisely hit a nerve. Caesar was furious but dared not speak up.
That said, Tenma wasn't wrong about one thing. This was more than ten years before the original storyline—being able to crack SAD at this stage really was impressive.
"Artificial Devil Fruits?!"
The surrounding scientists nearly had their eyeballs pop out.
"Is that even real? That's the domain of gods!"
That doubt only made Caesar feel better. He planted his hands on his hips and burst into wild laughter.
"Shirororororo! That's right! The SAD I invented is the core ingredient for creating artificial Devil Fruits!"
"Then have you made a finished product?" someone asked.
"Of course not! If I had, do you think I'd still be hiding here?!"
Caesar rolled his eyes, then turned toward Tenma, his gaze burning with fanaticism.
"But! As long as the funding is there and the factories are built, I'm confident I can push the success rate to 50% within a few years!"
Fifty percent—in this field, that was an astronomical number.
As for the side effects that turned people into idiots who could only laugh, Caesar didn't mention them. Tenma didn't bother asking.
After all, the one footing the bill would be Kaido. If the Beasts Pirates turned into the "Smiling Pirates," that was none of Tenma's business.
What's more, these artificial Zoan fruits would later become one of the massive landmines Tenma had buried.
And so, under the overwhelming power of the Float-Float Fruit, the enormous research facility drifted obediently into formation with the fleet, like a well-behaved toy.
The group departed the region in grand fashion, heading full speed toward Wano.
High above the New World, sunlight pierced through the clouds.
Yamato and Maria Fang leaned over the railing, the wind messing up their hair but unable to wipe the excitement from their faces.
As the familiar outline of the island drew closer, the joy of returning home surged through everyone's hearts.
Lafitte glanced at the nautical chart and elegantly adjusted his top hat.
"At this speed, we'll be home in half an hour."
Standing at the bow, Tenma stared toward the land that belonged to him, his gaze blazing.
This trip—had been massively profitable.
"So this is that legendary, mysterious nation?"
Caesar let out a strange, shrill laugh, his eyes filled with barely restrained excitement.
"Shirorororo… a place even those damn news birds can't find. Just thinking about it makes my whole body tremble with anticipation."
After learning that the island hid mountains of gold from a lost golden land, his heart had already flown to Wano—his longing even stronger than Hogback's.
Even without Tenma's martial deterrence, those two lunatic geniuses had already made up their minds to put down roots here.
As orders announcing their imminent arrival were passed down layer by layer, the crew members who had been busy on deck all stopped what they were doing.
Whether standing at the edge of the floating islands or leaning against the railings of the warships, everyone's gaze unconsciously turned toward the sea below.
In less than the time it took to drink half a cup of tea, the once-calm ocean began to churn violently, as if it were boiling.
Massive deep-blue whirlpools spun wildly, and even the previously clear sky darkened, like the eve of a violent storm.
The oppressive, ferocious scene silently proclaimed that this was no ordinary sea—deadly beasts lay in wait ahead.
Then, at the far edge of their vision, a towering landmass abruptly rose into view, accompanied by a colossal waterfall that poured down like an inverted Milky Way, crashing into their senses.
Lafitte lowered the brim of his hat, a look of awe appearing on his pale face.
"This sight… it's breathtaking."
Not just him—the Kuja warriors who had never left their homeland, and the new subordinates stepping onto this land for the first time, all stared with mouths slightly agape.
After passing through the whirlpool-filled sea that seemed capable of devouring everything, and crossing the immense waterfall that looked like a natural chasm…
From their aerial vantage point, they finally beheld the full panorama of the nation built atop that unique sea at the waterfall's summit.
Now that they were at their doorstep, Tenma willed it, guiding the massive fleet to descend slowly until it hovered roughly a hundred meters above the ground.
Such an enormous aerial armada crossing Wano's skies cast colossal shadows, instantly drawing the attention of the citizens below.
When the people recognized the iconic floating islands, along with the hundred-man-class giant warship that had departed half a year ago—
In an instant, cheers erupted like a collapsing mountain and roaring sea wherever they passed.
"Look! General Tenma is back!"
"My god! It really is the General!"
"General! We love you to death!"
The roar was so overwhelming it felt like it might shatter the heavens. Every town they passed through erupted into frenzied excitement.
Below, dense crowds raised their hands high, faces filled with genuine joy as they waved desperately toward the sky.
It was only at this moment that the newcomers truly realized just how terrifying Tenma's popularity was within this country.
They had heard Maria Fang and Yamato describe it before, and had some idea—but none of them expected the reality to be this shocking.
For a moment, gazing down at the bustling scene of Wano below, everyone's emotions were different.
Maria Fang's eyes reddened slightly. Though she'd only been gone half a year, the feeling of returning home as a wanderer made her nose sting.
Shimotsuki Kōshirō also wore a look of deep emotion. He wasn't as outwardly sentimental, but his grip on his sword hilt tightened unconsciously.
Yamato, on the other hand, was carefree and happy. She leaned over the railing, waving enthusiastically at the people below. Though the adventure ending felt a bit disappointing, the warm welcome left her heart glowing.
Robin, by contrast, subconsciously clenched the corner of her clothes, unease flickering in her eyes.
The closer they got to this country, the closer that heavy burden of being "General Administrator" pressed down on her shoulders. She couldn't help but wonder if she was truly up to the task.
As for Hogback and Caesar—two mad geniuses in their respective fields—their minds were already filled with fantasies of a glorious future.
They were determined to make something of themselves in Wano. Just imagining the feeling of being worshipped and cheered by tens of thousands made their scalps tingle with pleasure.
Among the Amazon Lily contingent, Gloriosa wasn't just observing Tenma's prestige. Her sharp old eyes were carefully examining the buildings and livelihoods along the way.
The more she observed, the more shocked she became. Just as Shakky had said—no exaggeration at all.
This was a nation that could thrive and prosper even without paying Heavenly Tribute or engaging in external trade.
What surprised her most was that, as far as the eye could see, there were no slums or signs of backwardness. The entire country radiated vitality.
Especially the central Flower Capital district—its level of prosperity was simply staggering, surpassing even the core regions of many major nations she had visited.
No wonder Tenma enjoyed godlike status here. Combined with the financial backing of that golden island, Gloriosa could almost foresee Wano's meteoric rise.
By that reckoning, Amazon Lily latching onto such a thick, steady thigh was an absolute jackpot.
With that thought, she turned to glance at the equally awestruck Boa sisters beside her and spoke to the breathtaking eldest.
"Hancock. In a moment, you'll come with me. We need to formally meet General Tenma and finalize Amazon Lily's settlement."
"Ah?! Th-this… isn't that too sudden?!"
Hancock's originally cool and gorgeous face instantly flushed red. She squirmed like a little snake.
"I—I need to bathe and change first!"
"Didn't you just bathe half an hour ago?!"
Watching Hancock flee like a startled rabbit, Gloriosa shouted after her in frustration, veins bulging on her forehead.
And isn't the key issue why I'm taking you with me?!
Your focus is completely off!
Gloriosa had originally planned to slowly hint to this future empress about "that man." But seeing this reaction, her heart suddenly sank.
An extremely ominous premonition welled up.
She violently shook her head, trying to fling away the terrifying thought, muttering to herself,
"No, no, absolutely not. This must just be gratitude for General Tenma saving her life."
"…"
"But isn't the whole 'hero saves the beauty' trope exactly the most fertile breeding ground for dangerous romances?!"
"Granny Nyon! What's wrong?! Don't scare us!"
Gloriosa suddenly collapsed into a skyward howl of despair. Sandersonia and Marigold jumped in fright, rushing over to support her, while the surrounding Kuja warriors looked utterly baffled.
Upon returning to Wano's airspace, Tenma immediately began decisive deployments.
He first stationed the escorting floating islands securely in the surrounding seas of Wano.
The island carrying the research facility was deliberately placed near the weapons manufacturing complex, making technical integration convenient.
As for the Land of Women, as a special external fortress, it was stationed at sea with a buffer distance from the main island.
After allowing the Kuja citizens time to settle in and familiarize themselves with their new environment, Tenma finally guided the flagship to descend slowly into the core district of the Flower Capital.
Thanks to the earlier high-profile aerial parade, all of Wano now knew—their king had returned.
The streets of the Flower Capital were already packed to the brim with people rushing over upon hearing the news, hands raised as they surged toward the Shogun Castle plaza like pilgrims.
The Shogun's elite forces had long since formed up neatly, waiting in solemn silence within the city.
At the very front of the crowd, a mother and daughter with light green hair stood out like cranes among chickens.
As the ship landed smoothly, kicking up a light cloud of dust, Hiyori could no longer contain herself. She jogged forward, arms spread wide, like a joyful bird throwing herself toward Tenma.
"Brother Tenma! You're finally back!"
"Well now! Hiyori, it's only been half a year—you've grown taller already!"
Before Tenma could even reach out, Yamato's eyes lit up. With her usual boldness, she opened her arms wide and pulled the beaming Hiyori straight into a hug.
This overly enthusiastic reunion instantly froze the smile on Hiyori's face, her eyes shifting from joy to quiet resentment.
Naturally, Yamato—fully immersed in the joy of "seeing a good bro again"—didn't notice the subtle change in atmosphere at all.
Back on the land he had built with his own hands, gazing at the familiar sights before him, a smile curved at the corner of Tenma's lips.
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