The next day, Ren met a group called the Nine Red Scabbards at Denjiro's mansion.
Among them was a man with pink hair carrying a famous sword, a Fish-Man, and a woman who dresses like a man, with delicate features.
"Benefactor, thank you for defeating Orochi." Kikunojou immediately expressed her gratitude upon seeing Ren.
"Who… are you, swordsman?" Ashura Doji looked shocked. His instincts as a warrior told him that fighting Ren would mean certain death.
"Ren." Ren yawned, not bothering to give his full name. Talking to these people held no meaning.
"From overseas?"
"Mm." Ren remained indifferent, uninterested in conversation. This was Denjiro's mansion, and he had no authority to stop anyone.
"Ashura, have you forgotten the real purpose of this mission?" Kikunojou quickly interrupted, then turned to Ren. "We're grateful for your help defeating Orochi, but the real mastermind is someone else."
"You mean Kaido."
"Yes. As long as he exists, there will be a second, even a third Orochi."
Ren tapped the table with his finger. "I think I have a good temper, but don't test my patience. The consequences will be severe."
"Kikunojou, stop." Ashura Doji tried to intervene.
"But…"
Kawamatsu shook his head. "No one owes anyone anything."
"May I ask if you can leave now? Otherwise, once I draw my blade, you won't be leaving." Ren squinted.
"We'll go." Ashura Doji immediately led the others away. Their goal in approaching Ren had been simple: to figure out why he killed Orochi, since they knew he had connections with Kaido.
"Why? If he's not working with Kaido, killing Orochi actually makes gathering intelligence harder." Kikunojou was puzzled.
"We've already become the prey, with no chance of winning. He may be even stronger than Kaido." Ashura Doji said, then left. He planned to continue his life as a bandit, but likely wouldn't show himself again until necessary.
"Another monster?" Kawamatsu murmured, watching Ashura Doji's retreating back.
Denjiro's mansion.
Hancock finally got up and, seeing Ren's gloomy expression, asked, "What's wrong? Did someone bother you?"
"Yeah, someone did bother me. Feels like what I have to do next is work for someone, but it has to be done." Ren really had no choice. Kaido was definitely someone he would have to deal with.
"Who's so bold?"
"The samurai of this country… never mind, let's go find Robin." Ren left with the two girls and headed to the place where they had left Robin earlier.
She was still deeply focused on her research, completely unaware of their arrival.
Through Ren's Observation Haki, he could sense Robin's fear. It seemed like there was some important information she couldn't reveal.
Reisa and Hancock weren't interested in history, so they started wandering around. Soon, only Ren and Robin remained, and it didn't take too long.
"Finished?"
"Mm." Robin nodded.
Ren looked at the troubled Robin. "Looks like you gathered a lot of information this time."
"You're not going to ask what I discovered?"
"If you don't want to say it, would asking even get an answer? Better not ask, that way I won't feel frustrated." Ren didn't mind, though he was a little curious.
"What will be the outcome of this war?" Robin asked a question that left him puzzled.
Ren explained, "It's just about winning or losing, but the key is how to minimize the sacrifices."
"Winning or losing? Ren, why do you reveal historical news to the world? Is it really just to create public opinion?"
"That's one reason. The main reason is… I just want to, so I do it. Any problem with that?" Ren said with a smile.
Robin was momentarily speechless at such a simple reason. Then she asked again, "Ren, what is your purpose in this war?"
His purpose was to build the world he wanted, but the recent wars were all forced upon him, which made him helpless.
Seeing Ren silent, Robin softly said, "Let's go."
Ren spoke up, "This place records location-related information, right?"
"Why do you think so?"
"The reason is simple. You ask me a series of questions just to confirm whether this historical information really fits. After all, with the exact location, I can check it anytime. No one knows what is actually hidden there."
"You're not forcing me to say it out loud?" Robin found it strange. Her role wasn't just to read history?
"Ultimately, you don't know exactly what it is either. It could be good or bad. If you tell me, I'll go check it out. If not, it doesn't matter." Ren paused for a moment before replying.
After gathering Reisa and Hancock, they planned to leave. Since the weapons weren't finished yet, they needed to stay here a few more days.
Back in the city, the Mink Tribe was warmly welcomed. They were the survivors from Wano.
Because Ren had dealt with the Kurozumi faction decisively, Denjiro temporarily took over the position.
He brought Hiyori Kozuki to live at the mansion. Because Kaido was still around, he wouldn't expose Hiyori's presence.
A few days later, Robin approached Ren again.
"What is it?" Ren looked at Robin. She was usually very low-key in his team and rarely sought him out.
Robin made up her mind. "Ren, the precious history you reveal to the world… will it uncover the true history?"
"I choose to reveal selectively. Revealing everything isn't good. I don't need a chaotic and evil world."
"Will you guarantee that I can study history?"
"A guarantee? I can't give you that right now." Ren replied very seriously.
"I want to fulfill my dream. If the war can be won, I want to live and continue studying history." Robin said firmly.
For this, she was even willing to cooperate with demons. Of course, she had been observing Ren during this time. At least everything he had done wasn't fake.
Ren didn't speak, waiting for her to continue.
"There is a specific location recorded there." Robin exhaled deeply. She didn't know what was buried there, but it definitely wasn't something that could be exposed easily.
"Then let's go and see what's really hidden there." Ren stood up and left with Robin.
The two arrived at the location Robin had indicated.
Ren took out his famous sword and began to destroy with all his strength, intending to unearth the weapon.
With his immense destructive power, a ship with a high-tech appearance was revealed.
"Eight hundred years ago, technology might have been extremely advanced." Ren gazed at the ship full of futuristic tech, amazed to see a cyberpunk vibe in the world of pirates.
"What is this?"
Because she hadn't gone to Alabasta, Robin didn't realize that this was the Ancient Weapon, Pluton.
"Most likely Pluton. Didn't expect it to be in Wano. Let's go take a look." Ren lifted Robin in his arms and carried her inside the ship.
"Scan failed." The tech gate emitted a mechanical sound.
"What?" Robin was startled as she stared at the tech gate.
"Future technology. That guy from Detective World would probably be interested." Ren looked at Robin and asked, "Does the Poneglyph mention anything like a password?"
"It only records location information." Robin shook her head.
"Looks like we'll have to make a trip to Alabasta. Hopefully, the Revolutionary Army can hold back the World Government for a while."
Ren filled the hole he had previously destroyed with his bare hands. He wasn't worried about being discovered here; without a password, no one could control it anyway.
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