Chapter 5: Heading to Kuri
Soon, more than half a year passed.
During this time, Ren's Armament Haki and Observation Haki had basically reached an introductory level, and his strength had improved by leaps and bounds. Even without using his absorption ability, he now possessed strength comparable to the Straw Hat Pirates during the Water 7 period.
"With the addition of the soul of the Yamata no Orochi, it's enough for me to conquer Kuri," Ren chuckled. In fact, it was not just the Yamata no Orochi's soul; over the past 6 months, Orochi and Semimaru had also secretly sent people to help him search for Devil Fruits.
Actually, there were quite a few Devil Fruits in this country, but those foolish people feared them as sorcerous devil fruits and shunned them, with almost no one willing to eat them. Moreover, most of them were ordinary Zoan-Type Devil Fruits.
Ordinary Zoan-Types were of little use to Ren, since he could directly absorb wild animals himself. As a result, several identifiable ordinary Zoan-Type Devil Fruits were taken by Orochi and stored away.
The remaining Devil Fruits were completely absorbed by Ren, but most of the unknown ones were also ordinary Zoan-Types, with only 3 exceptions.
One was the Paramecia-Type Juku Juku Fruit. The other 2 were the Zoan-Type Human-Human Fruit, Mythical Zoan-Type, Model: Daidarabotchi, and the Zoan-Type Dog-Dog Fruit, Mythical Zoan-Type, Model: Ookuchi no Makami.
Although Ren obtained these 3 Devil Fruits, he was unable to successfully absorb them.
To absorb a Devil Fruit, Ren had to defeat the demon residing within the fruit itself. Ordinary Zoan-Types were easy for him, but Mythical Zoan-Types were far more difficult.
He did not know how many years it had taken him to fully absorb the Yamata no Orochi Fruit back then.
Paramecia-Types were similar, with some being even more troublesome than Mythical Zoan-Types.
Even so, Ren's current strength was more than sufficient.
At present, Wano Country essentially had no top-tier powerhouses. The strongest was Kozuki Oden, who was only at a level where he could be instantly defeated by Whitebeard.
If Oden could subjugate Kuri in a single day, then Ren naturally could as well.
At most, it might take a little longer. Unlike Oden, Ren was not a second-generation general. Even if he beat those lawless individuals into submission with his fists, they might not be willing to follow someone like him.
However, that did not matter. There was plenty of time, and there would always be people willing to follow the strong. Once he gathered all the forces of Kuri, the position of Daimyo would naturally follow.
After all, the strength of the samurai was there. As the most chaotic region, Kuri was actually the place with the most powerful samurai.
Once these scattered forces were consolidated, even Kozuki Sukiyaki would find it impossible to ignore.
Ren was not afraid of Sukiyaki raising an army to attack. The combat power of the samurai from places like the Flower Capital and those from Kuri was not on the same level at all.
Even if the other side mobilized the strength of the entire country, an actual battle would be a hard fight and not worth the cost.
Ren casually packed some dry rations and a sword, then prepared to head to Kuri.
However, before he could even step out the door, an anxious voice sounded from behind.
"Wait for me, Lord Ren!"
A young girl wearing a light-colored linen kimono hurried over together with Kurozumi Semimaru.
This girl was the maid named Yukiko, who had been frightened half to death by Ren 6 months earlier. Ren had originally thought she was bought by Orochi for his own pleasure, but he did not expect Orochi to change after having the Serpent's Seal implanted.
Now, Orochi seemed firmly set in a "women only hinder my sword-drawing speed" mindset.
Yukiko had originally been bought to tend to Ren while he was still in his fruit state. However, after realizing how strange it was to worship a fruit and fearing possible accidents, Orochi abandoned the idea.
Later, when Ren transformed into human form, it became natural for her to serve him instead.
"Lord Ren, please take Yukiko with you," Yukiko said softly.
She wore a simple linen garment. In truth, aside from Ren, only Orochi's clothing was made from slightly better material.
Orochi had to serve at the Kozuki Clan's residence, so he could not appear too shabby. As for other expenditures, there was no money to spare on such external things.
"My lord, please take this old one with you as well," Semimaru said. In these past 6 months, he had spoken more than he had in his entire life before.
"Kuri has been a lawless land for many years, and the samurai there are extremely fierce. If any harm were to come to your noble body, I would deserve ten thousand deaths."
"No need, Semimaru. You stay behind and assist Orochi," Ren shook his head. "Do you still need to worry about my strength?"
"Orochi's side is also a very important part of the plan. There can be no mistakes."
Ren had once disliked Orochi while watching the anime, mainly because the man was ugly, troublesome, and useless. Now, however, it was as if Orochi's will had been forcibly corrected, making him far more diligent.
Although he was still ugly, the world of pirates was full of strange people. Seen that way, Orochi's remaining flaw was no longer a major issue.
"Then at least take Yukiko with you," Semimaru said, lowering his head. "She has some ability to protect herself now, and she can attend to you along the way."
"Alright," Ren nodded.
"Yay!" Yukiko cheered softly, immediately picking up Ren's luggage and sword and holding them in her arms.
Ren had never used the Serpent's Seal on her, but after half a year together, she was no longer afraid of him. Instead, she liked staying by his side.
As for Ren's plans, she had vaguely guessed part of them. However, as a woman of low status, she did not concern herself with such matters.
Watching Ren walk ahead without looking back, Yukiko's eyes flickered.
What happened to this country had nothing to do with her. As long as she could follow her lord, that was enough.
Under whose rule was life not still life?
Even under the Kozuki Clan, were there not still countless people so poor they could only sell themselves?
If she had not been bought by Orochi back then, she would likely have been sold into a brothel to become a geisha.
To be able to meet her lord was already the greatest blessing of her life.
Thinking this, Yukiko quickened her pace to catch up to Ren, then tilted her head and began chattering about trivial matters.
"Lord Ren, are we really going to Kuri?"