Aboard the Hell Giant Soldier Castle, after the sniper Hiruba confirmed that the Navy had temporarily camped in Elbaf, Brook didn't waste a moment. Without hesitation, the massive fortress set sail for Wano Country.
It all depended on how long the Navy would loiter in Elbaf. Either way, Brook had no intention of sitting idle.
More importantly, they were headed to Wano to craft new weapons.
The rare metals gathered by the Umit family from across the globe had already been shipped ahead. This time, it should be enough for several core members to upgrade their armaments to legendary levels.
"Those damn giants actually called in the Navy…" Golden Lion Shiki muttered, visibly annoyed. "Next time, I'll flatten Titan King City myself!"
Their trip to Elbaf had dragged on far too long. And what did they walk away with? A mere hundred pounds of Gungnir Sacred Steel, some Adam Wood, and partial control of the Giant Village. It wasn't enough. Not for Shiki.
"Yohoho~ Don't worry," Brook said with a sinister grin. "Once the Navy pulls out, we'll return to Elbaf and properly 'collect' what they owe us. I want every last piece of Gungnir and every scrap of Adam they've hoarded over the centuries."
Charlotte Linlin laughed heartily. "With the addition of the rebellious giant tribe, our Totto Land is almost complete. All that's left is the Mink Tribe on Zou Island."
She was still giddy after conquering the endangered Lunarian Tribe. Collecting all races under one flag seemed inevitable now.
"In addition to reforging Whitebeard's naginata," Brook added, "we'll reinforce all of your personal weapons using the Gungnir Steel."
Everyone's eyes lit up.
Redfield's noble blade, Shiki's twin swords, and even Linlin's Emperor Blade Napoleon—all were about to be reforged into contenders for Supreme Grade Swords.
Soon, they wouldn't just dominate with Devil Fruits and Haki—but with weapons that rivaled those wielded by legends.
"So this is Wano Country, huh?" muttered Kaido, his expression tinged with curiosity. "I heard Brook has a so-called 'cheap apprentice' here… Kozuki Oden, was it?"
It was Kaido's first visit to Wano. And the moment he heard the name Oden, his fighting spirit stirred.
According to Fisher Tiger, both Kaido and Oden were ten years old, but Oden was considered a generation younger since Kaido referred to Brook as his elder brother, while Oden was Brook's disciple.
"Yeah, that brat's not weaker than you," Fisher Tiger said, arms crossed. "He's the Crown Prince of Wano. His father, General Kozuki Sukiyaki, gave him two top-tier swords: Ame-no-Habakiri and Enma."
Tiger's voice had a hint of envy. After all, Oden had what many swordsmen dreamed of all their lives—two legendary swords before the age of ten.
"Hmph! Just a spoiled prince from an isolated nation," Kaido scoffed. "There's no way he's stronger than me."
As the strongest rookie in the Hell Pirates, Kaido wasn't about to admit inferiority—especially to someone Brook had barely trained.
"Then why don't you go beat him up?" Fisher Tiger said slyly, stoking the fire. "That brat's always grumbling about Brook not taking him out to sea. He needs a good thrashing."
Kaido hesitated, glancing at Brook, who was cradling his daughter Kanna with fatherly care.
"Will Brother Brook be mad if I hit his apprentice?" he asked, scratching his head.
"Don't worry," Tiger grinned. "Brook says Oden's got skin thicker than yours. Redfield and Shiki have already laid into him more than once. Beat him black and blue. It's practically a training method at this point."
Kaido cracked his knuckles. "In that case…"
Indeed, Kozuki Oden was still just a delinquent. His attitude was rotten, and the only thing he respected was strength. In the original story, Oden was once so rebellious that even his father disowned him. Only after traveling through Wano and seeing its pain did he begin to change.
For now, he was just an irritating brat.
One that needed regular beatings to grow up right.
---
Golden Island – Conference Room
"Brother Brook," said Antonio, bowing slightly, "General Kozuki Sukiyaki is still looking for ways to drive us out. The Daimyo of Udon, Uzuki Mugi, has aligned himself with us, since Udon's economy depends entirely on our influence."
He pointed to a map spread across the table.
"The prosperity of Haikdou City, capital of Kuri Prefecture, has already surpassed the Flower Capital. Even Usagi, once the poorest region, is now competing economically. But Fugetsu Kamisawa, the Daimyo of Hime, keeps pressuring the general to strike first."
Antonio had kept meticulous records of Wano's political landscape. Though the Hell Pirates had spread across the seas, Brook had made it clear—Wano was their keystone island. Between its sea stone reserves and historical secrets, they couldn't afford to lose it.
Brook nodded, tapping his fingers together. "The Shimotsuki clan controls two provinces. Their influence is second only to the Kozuki family. If they ever decided to act together, things could get messy."
"But they won't," Antonio reassured. "We've maintained friendly ties. Shimotsuki Kosaburo is on good terms with us. And Redfield is particularly close with Shimotsuki Toramaru."
Brook smiled faintly. "Then let's not disrupt that balance."
They had also quietly rebuilt the Port in Baiwu, boosting its economy. As a result, the Shimotsuki territories were flourishing—and had no incentive to challenge Brook's authority.
That left only Fugetsu Kamisawa, the firebrand.
His region was the poorest, and with no benefits from Brook's side, resentment brewed easily. A loyalist to the Kozuki line, and a man with nothing left to lose.
"It's always the broke ones who shout the loudest," Brook chuckled. "He sees us feeding the other regions, improving their lives—and resents us for not doing the same for him."
A strategy was forming.
If they attacked openly, the Daimyos might unite. But through economic conquest, Wano's social order was being reshaped from within.
Daimyo Uzuki of Udon supported Brook. The two Shimotsuki Daimyos remained neutral but leaned favorable. Only Fugetsu resisted.
And even that resistance… was cracking.
Two years of silent invasion had achieved more than twenty years of force could have. Food. Trade. Gold. A better life.
"Turns out," Brook mused, smiling down at the map, "the one who feeds your people and makes them rich… is the real father they'll follow."
-----------
Wano Country – Kuri Province – Haikdou City, the administrative capital.
Hyogoro had officially ascended as the Daimyo of Kuri Province—a fact recognized by Uzuki Mugan, Daimyo of Udon, and quietly accepted by the two Shimotsuki daimyos. In the end, even Kozuki Sukiyaki was forced to acknowledge it.
The power behind Brook and the Hell Pirates—known locally as Jigoku Hades—was simply too overwhelming.
The last time Whitebeard Newgate and Brook stepped foot in Wano, their sheer presence had shaken the entire nation. Even the famed samurai Shimotsuki Toramaru had admitted defeat in spirit.
And now, even Ashura —once a mere mountain bandit—had risen to the rank of Great Swordsman. Though barely among the lowest tier, it was enough to make every warrior in Wano look upon him with envy and awe.
In this land, the term "pirate" was never uttered. They were referred to as Lords of Hell, or simply Jigoku Hades. And Hyogoro, once a common yakuza thug, now stood as their representative—Daimyo of Kuri.
Everywhere, the samurai of Wano saw the rewards of loyalty to Hell.
The rebel families of Kuri had become town leaders. Bandits and beggars from the Underworld were now wealthy landowners in Haikdou City, donning gold-trimmed robes and basking in luxury. They had been promoted. Elevated. Transformed.
This wave of prosperity drew a tidal flow of desperate samurai from the Flower Capital to Kuri. Each day, more warriors lined up at the gates of Haikdou City, eager to enlist as soldiers of Hell.
On this particular morning, Hyogoro had summoned all the town leaders and retainers to Haikdou Castle. News had arrived—Brook himself was coming to Wano.
Even Uzuki Mugan, Daimyo of Udon, made the trip in person. Brook's return was no small matter.
And as for Kozuki Oden?
The young prince had snuck out of the Flower Capital before dawn, racing toward Haikdou City. This time, he vowed, he would board Brook's ship no matter what!
But this arrival… was beyond anything Wano had ever seen.
Not only had Brook returned—he brought with him the entire Hell Giant Soldier City, casting an ominous shadow over the sky like a dark fortress from the heavens. Even seasoned warriors trembled, fearing it might collapse and obliterate Haikdou City beneath it.
Flying ships descended one after another, landing across the castle grounds. Hyogoro and his men stood frozen, overwhelmed by the godlike display of power.
Uzuki Mugan clenched his fists.
He had made the right choice.
Loyalty to the Kozuki Clan? That was suicide.
With Brook, there was food, wealth, and strength.
The difference was night and day.
"Is that… the Lord of Hell?" one samurai whispered. "He's even more terrifying than the rumors."
"I heard… he rules over ninety islands in the outer seas!"
"Ninety?! That's like ninety Wano Countries! Then… Lord Brook must have ninety generals under him!"
The chatter grew louder. Respect, envy, awe—everything swirled together as the warriors of Wano witnessed the arrival of a true ruler.
Then, suddenly, a massive projection screen lit up across the sky.
Brook appeared.
His smile filled the screen, startling several wide-eyed samurai who stumbled backward in shock.
"Greetings, warriors of Wano!" Brook's voice echoed through the sky. "A mission awaits! Complete it, and be rewarded in gold—and even earn a place in the Underworld Army!"
Behind him, a series of Devil Fruits floated in elegant display—each bearing unique patterns of swirling clouds and ancient arabesques.
"All across Wano, search for fruits that look like these. For every one you bring, you'll earn 1,000 gold coins! That's right—1,000 gold coins per fruit!"
The warriors gasped in unison.
Brook continued, "We are also searching for sorcerers—those with unusual powers. If you can provide information or leads, you'll be generously rewarded!"
He smiled. "For prosperity, for your future—take action!"
The message was clear.
A golden opportunity had just been thrown into the laps of Wano's people.
Many samurai stood frozen, their minds racing. Some had seen such fruits before but hadn't thought much of them. Others remembered tales of strange powers—people who could breathe fire, turn into beasts, or vanish into shadows.
In Wano, however, such people were not revered—they were feared. Labeled as monsters, they were often hunted, beaten, or driven out.
Even the Mink Tribe's Cat Viper and Dogstorm, and the Fishman Kawamatsu, had nearly been killed in the past—saved only by Oden's intervention.
Now, those who had once been considered freaks were suddenly worth their weight in gold.
"Haha! Brother Brook is a genius," Shiki laughed. "These Wano folks don't know the value of Devil Fruits. Let's see how many they hand over for a measly bounty."
"In the New World, each fruit requires bloodshed," Whitebeard muttered. "But here, they'll sell them like vegetables."
Shiki placed Hell Giant Soldier City over the sea between Onigashima and Hakumai, and left with Newgate for Bell Queen Village, where the legendary blacksmith Shimotsuki Kozaburo resided.
"I'm forging a new weapon," Newgate said. "No point in waiting around."
"I'm in," Shiki added, grinning.
Redfield and Charlotte Linlin opted to stay a few days longer. Weapon forging took time. No need to rush.
Brook, meanwhile, led his crew into Sea Tower City, where Wano's precious seastone reserves were stored. Every last piece would be taken to Golden Island for safekeeping.
---
At the gates of Haikdou City, Hyogoro dropped to one knee before Brook.
" Hyogoro, Daimyo of Kuri, welcomes the head of the Brook Family!"
The mayors behind him followed suit, bowing low with reverence.
Brook raised his hand. "You've heard the mission. Find every patterned fruit and track down every sorcerer. The rewards will be great."
He knew full well that abolishing Wano's strict feudal structure or preaching about democratic equality wouldn't work here. In this world, power ruled—and Brook wielded it.
"We understand, Lord Brook," Hyogoro said firmly.
Even the Daimyo of Udon, Uzuki Mugan, came forward eagerly.
"It's good to see you again, Lord Brook," he said with a respectful smile. "I believe… one of those patterned fruits may be in Shimotsuki Toramaru's mansion. It never rots. It might be what you're looking for."
Brook's eyes glinted.
"A fruit that never rots? Interesting…"
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