[V3] - Extra 4: The Shogun of Wano Country
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Two years had passed.
The "three little ones" had grown up.
They were no longer the three- or four-year-old toddlers they used to be, which filled White Zetsu 9527—who had watched over them and seen them grow—with deep satisfaction.
Boss Yumi… had already become an excellent leader!
The day to rescue Kaguya-sama was drawing nearer and nearer.
White Zetsu firmly believed—
In the near future…
Boss Yumi would definitely inherit the Yuto Group and rule both the ninja world and the seas. When that day came, she would lead them to rescue Kaguya-sama!
Today,
The weather was fine.
The sun was shining brightly!
It was once again the day of Shogun Yumi's [inspection] tour of Wano Country.
Under the leadership of Shogun Yumi, countless retainers and White Zetsu subordinates followed loyally behind her.
Watching that figure striding at the front, full of the majesty of a dragon and tiger—in other words, looking tall and imposing—the many White Zetsus wore excited smiles.
Boss Yumi had truly grown up!
Look at this—
This country, once filthy and devastated like ruins, had become so much better under the governance of Shogun Yumi.
And…
Countless citizens of Wano lowered their heads respectfully during the Shogun's inspection, offering her their loyalty and praise.
"Shogun Yumi, are you out inspecting Wano again today? Would you like some mochi?"
"Oh~, Shogun Yumi is so cute! I want to hug her!"
"As expected of Wano's Shogun!"
"The Shogun has arrived!"
See that?
Even though Shogun Yumi was still very young and hadn't been in office for long, she had already, through her own determination and methods, won the loyalty of all the citizens of Wano!
As expected of the boss of the White Zetsu army!
She had been gifted with extraordinary talent since childhood.
Those delicate footsteps, that faint (adorable) smile, and those eyes that seemed to shine with divine light…
Shogun Yumi possessed the qualities of a top powerhouse in the ninja world!
And she was extremely considerate of her subordinates, too.
She was an outstanding boss!
Didn't you see?
When she noticed that her retainers were getting tired from all the walking, she secretly slowed her own pace.
That was consideration for her retainers!
That gentle smile… was the reflection of the kindness in Boss Yumi's heart.
"Ba la la~"
Looking at that imposing figure, the White Zetsus all felt as if their hardships had finally paid off, as though they could already glimpse a future full of hope!
This was Shogun Yumi!
She was no longer the little child who used to wet the bed!
She…
Just as the White Zetsus were silently praising her in their hearts—
Suddenly.
Boss Yumi stopped walking, her small body trembling slightly.
"?!"
What was happening?
Could it be that Boss Yumi sensed some danger?!
While the White Zetsus were puzzled—
Kozuki Hiyori smiled gently, bent down, and carefully scooped up Yumi. "Tired, are you? Of course you are—it's been a whole day of walking! Lately, you've been working so hard in training. You truly are an admirable Shogun!"
"N-no… not tired~" Boss Yumi gave a shy little smile, lowered her tiny head, and murmured softly, "9527 and the others say I'll definitely become strong! So I have to work hard! I can't let everyone down."
"In that case… we should go home! Take a little rest!" Hiyori smiled warmly at Yumi without putting her down. "Oh right! Isn't your Brother Obito getting married in a few days?"
"Mm-hm~ With Sister Nii-Nii! Sister Hiyori, do you want to come? They have a big kitty at their house—it's even bigger than the one at Sister Tama's place!"
"An even bigger kitty? That sounds so intriguing!" Hiyori nodded gently. Watching Yumi's eyelids droop as her little head bobbed up and down, she lightly patted her. "Sleep now! Sister Hiyori will take you home. Honestly, your dad is too much—making someone so little train already!"
"N-no… It's not Dad's fault~." Yumi, half-asleep and half-awake, said in a sleepy, confused voice, "Be… because I promised 9527 and the others I'd become strong… So, so Yumi has to work very, very hard…" Her voice grew softer and softer until her whole tiny body collapsed into Hiyori's broad embrace, murmuring, "I have to train~"
Those trembling little eyelashes looked as though she had already fallen asleep.
"Such a little cutie!" Kozuki Hiyori pinched Shogun Yumi's cheek, a faint smile curving her lips as she whispered, "Thank you so much, Shogun Yumi!"
Meanwhile…
The White Zetsus: (Д`)
Tears streamed down their faces!
They stared intently at that tiny figure.
So it turned out… Boss Yumi had remembered it all along!
Even though she was still just a child, she had never forgotten their promise and had always been working hard for all of them, the White Zetsus!
As expected of Boss Yumi!
She was shouldering the mission of the White Zetsus with her small, slender shoulders.
The White Zetsus watched Yumi, who was smacking her lips in her sleep, sucking her thumb as she leaned against Hiyori, her little face peaceful in slumber.
Even while sleeping, she exuded dignity!
What?
Sleeping isn't allowed because of the mission?
Who said that?!
You have to remember, Boss Yumi is still just a child.
Boss Yumi is merely taking a short rest, not sleeping!
Anyone who says otherwise—
We'll destroy them!
All the White Zetsus quickly fell silent, gazing at that delicate sleeping face with renewed determination…
They were certain—
They would definitely complete their mission.
But for now…
The most important thing was—
Not to disturb Boss Yumi's rest!
However.
At that moment.
Just as everyone was getting ready to head back—
"Ba la la~ Ba la la~"
Suddenly.
A cell phone rang!
Whose phone was it?!
All the White Zetsus instantly snapped their gazes sharply toward the direction of the ringtone. Someone dared to disturb Boss Yumi's rest?!
Instantly—
"…"
White Zetsu Army's new leader, 9527, wiped cold sweat from his forehead as he pulled out his phone. He peeked quickly at Boss Yumi, who thankfully hadn't woken up, then hurriedly answered the call, scowling as he said: "Who is it? What do you want? Speak quickly! Calling me at a time like this—if it's nothing important, I'll kill you myself!"
However.
Not long after—
9527 hung up with a dark expression, as if he'd just heard some shocking piece of news. His gaze turned icy as he swept it around the surrounding White Zetsus.
But he didn't speak. Instead, he began rapidly communicating through spores.
Roughly a quarter of an hour later—
Just as Hiyori was wondering what was going on—
"Ba la la~"
All the White Zetsus suddenly raised their fists in fury. Then, under 9527's lead, they marshaled their forces and headed toward Kuri.
Someone dared question Shogun Yumi?!
Did they have a death wish?!
"Let's kill them!!!"
…
Time shifted slightly earlier.
"Father! Mother! Hiyori!"
He blinked once, then opened his eyes.
It felt like only an instant had passed—or perhaps quite a while. But as the sunlight filtered through to Momonosuke and the others, they knew… Father, Mother, and Hiyori had already left them.
From this moment on—
Their mission had begun!
In order to save Wano Country, to drive out those hateful enemies, they… had pinned all their hopes on this era.
When the Nine Red Scabbards returned—
Hope would arise!
"Momonosuke-sama! This place…"
"It's fine. I already have a sense of what's going on here. Don't worry, I won't cry! Because I am Kozuki Momonosuke! I'm sure this place… has become a paradise for pirates by now, filled with slaughter, evil, and bloodshed! The people of Wano must be suffering terribly!"
Those hateful enemies…
They would surely destroy Wano Country!
Momonosuke wiped the tears from the corners of his eyes. A resolute look spread across his face as he slowly opened his eyes.
"But even if this place is a living hell—even if there's no future left here—we will bring hope to Wano Country and fulfill the promise we made to Mother and Father…"
Yet before he could finish speaking—
Determined to show his resolve, Momonosuke was speaking as he opened his eyes, bracing himself to look properly at the country ruined by the Beasts Pirates and Kurozumi Orochi.
However.
In front of him—
It was spotless and clean!
Spacious and bright!
Not a speck of dust in sight!
As though someone had specially cleaned and tidied it all.
Where… was this?
"Where am I?" Momonosuke asked in confusion, sweeping his gaze around.
The streets were equally neat and clean. Not far away stood a towering, strange metal tower, and there were people moving back and forth, dressed tidily, looking spirited and full of energy.
"Could this not be Wano anymore? Or is this the interior of the Beasts Pirates' base?!"
Just as he finished speaking—
A trembling yet firm voice came from beside him: "This is Kuri!"