Arceus's Pirate Journey

Chapter 313: Chapter 312: Puppet or Courtesan

Although one Chansey had been shot earlier, thanks to the Power of the Evergreen and the healing from other Chanseys, it was now mostly fine. Except for a lighter patch on its body, there was no visible sign of injury.

In a while, even that mark would gradually disappear. At the Chansey’s request, Yamato obediently lay back on the bed.

As they stopped concerning themselves with the events outside, a slight fatigue crept into their bodies. Without even needing a lullaby, the sound of snoring soon filled the ward.

Meanwhile, the Sky Island witnessed everything that happened during the night in Wano Kuni. From its height, it provided a new perspective on the fireworks below.

However, this time the fireworks were replaced by explosions and flames midway, and the burning Flower Capital and Oden Castle caught the scholars’ attention from above.

”What’s going on? Has someone invaded here?”

At the edge of Sky Island, Robin asked Saul beside her.

”Impossible. There are not many forces capable of doing this now. Our presence hasn’t been exposed; otherwise, things would have gone wrong already. So it can’t be the World Government or the Navy.

As for pirates... the only pirate groups capable of attacking the Hundred Beasts Base are Whitebeard’s and BIG MOM’s, but BIG MOM has a pretty good trading relationship with the Hundred Beasts, and Whitebeard wouldn’t do such a thing proactively. So at this point... I’m afraid it’s internal conflict.”

According to Saul’s understanding of the situation at sea, the position of the Hundred Beasts Pirates in the New World was nearly solidified. The Hundred Beasts Pirates hadn’t been established overnight, yet among the Great Pirates, Kaidou was the youngest.

Plus, with his network, no one should be attacking here. If we rule out outside enemies, it must be internal strife, and this scale probably isn’t just a pirate group’s internal conflict but a tension between the occupied country and the Hundred Beasts.

”Don’t worry, Robin. Your friends will be fine; these people can’t handle the Hundred Beasts.”

Saul noticed Robin’s concern for the situation below and reassured her. Most nations and islands within the New World rely on other pirate groups for their security.

Aside from the Giant Country, there are very few nations that can guarantee their security purely through their national power.

”But this is also... witnessing history, I guess.”

The existence of Sky Island is somewhat isolated from the world. Without the Thousand-Year Dragon Squad here, they have no way to descend.

Meanwhile, in Wano Kuni, Kaidou was looking at something in front of him, showing an expression surprisingly similar to Yamato’s.

”Are you... serious?”

”Nonsense, how could there not be a single scratch? You’re the savior of the internal strife. Although a bit unfortunate, it’s not suitable for the public announcement that Kozuki Oden died at your hands.”

Queen was following Arceus’s orders to set Kaidou’s cast. Yesterday, it was a satisfying brawl, but today was different.

”That guy was a pretty good opponent, even if he was full of Joy Boy thoughts. Didn’t he follow Roger to Laugh Tale? I wonder what’s there, anyway.”

”You’ll know eventually. After all, we know the location of three Roadsign Poneglyphs, and only the last one is missing. But now, perform the final act properly. Didn’t you like listening to plays? Why not perform today?”

”Troublesome....”

At the same time, Kikunojo and Denjiro were puzzled over the actions of the Hundred Beasts inside a room.

Previously, when they were captured, they weren’t subjected to severe interrogation but were locked in a room.

After all, the chaos in Wano Kuni had already been attributed to Kurozumi Orochi. The Kozuki Family was now seen as victims, and having only Kozuki Hiyori left alive would be too peculiar. Therefore, these remaining people served as special evidence.

Olga could choose to use illusions to replace them, but that would also bind her to Wano Kuni. Supporting a puppet was much more convenient, and although Kozuki Hiyori was only six years old and knew nothing, that’s exactly what the Hundred Beasts wanted—someone who knew nothing.

As a puppet, knowing too much would be troublesome. Based on the fact that her intelligence, gathered over 20 years, was less than what Robin collected in one night, she was a perfect fit for the position.

Moreover, having Kozuki Hiyori alive had another advantage: not everyone would submit to the future rule of the Hundred Beasts. There were always die-hard loyalists of the Kozuki Family, and Kozuki Hiyori could be used to lure them out and capture them all at once.

....

Not long after Denjiro and Kikunojo were imprisoned, the injured Kawamatsu was also thrown in.

”Kawamatsu?! What are you doing here? Where’s Princess Hiyori?!”

”I... I was captured, and Princess Hiyori also....”

Denjiro asked this out of a faint sliver of hope. Since even Kawamatsu was captured, the odds of Hiyori escaping were negligible.

After dawn, the door was opened. The ”injured” Kaidou appeared, alongside a jar.

”This is the ashes of Kozuki Oden. During yesterday’s banquet, he was poisoned by Orochi and fell into a frenzy, ultimately dying of exhaustion. What a pity.”

”What a joke, Kaidou! Yesterday, you said yourself that you killed Lord Oden!” Kikunojo couldn’t believe the reasoning Kaidou provided.

”That wasn’t me. There was a woman named Kurozumi Higurashi beside Orochi, a Clone-Clone Fruit user. She turned into me and deceived you all.”

”Don’t joke with us! That excuse might fool ordinary people, but we witnessed last night’s events. You can’t deceive us! Kill us if you will; we will never surrender.”

”Mwahahaha, Lord Arceus was right; indeed, this is your response. But from now on, this reasoning becomes last night’s truth, unless you want your Miss Hiyori to become the crown jewel of the Brothel.”

At these words, the three hesitated, with Kozuki Hiyori being held by the Hundred Beasts. Even if Kozuki Oden and Ashura Doji were defeated in battle, they, who were weaker, wouldn’t stand a chance against Kaidou, hostage or not.

”What exactly do you want to do!”

”What do we want to do? Kurozumi Orochi sought to overthrow this country. Kaidou discovered Orochi’s plot and thwarted it. Next, to maintain the governance of Wano Kuni, Kaidou will have Kozuki Hiyori inherit the position of General.

And since Kurozumi Orochi poisoned all the Daimyo yesterday, the repeated events with the Kurozumi Family indicate the Daimyo are unreliable. To stabilize Wano Kuni, Kaidou will become the nation’s protector Ming-Wang. What do you three think of this arrangement?”

Then Queen continued with an insidious smile, ”Of course, if you don’t like this, Hiyori could become the crown jewel of the Brothel. Mwahahaha...”