Chapter 8: Ideas on Governing Kuri
Ren had no intention of becoming the shogun of this country to usher in a new era.
He was only interested in ruling. Compared to the current state of affairs, he would at least ensure that the people at the bottom had enough to eat, so that refugees would not be scattered everywhere. Achieving this would not be difficult; once the country was opened, resources and profits could be obtained through foreign trade.
Whether exporting Sea Stone products or weapons, Wano's goods were highly sought after in this world. Ren was not worried about finding buyers.
Of course, to do all this, he first needed enough strength to establish himself. Otherwise, neither pirates nor the World Government would be willing to trade with him.
As for liberating the country, that was not his responsibility. After all, who would revolutionize themselves?
Moreover, even that straw-hat boy, the so-called child of destiny who inherited the warrior of liberation from 800 years ago, did not fundamentally change the country's system.
He merely changed the rulers, replacing the Kurozumi and Kaido with the Kozuki. Yet under Kozuki rule, what had become of this country? Kuri remained a lawless hell for centuries, a tragedy the elderly living comfortably in the Flower Capital never had to witness.
Sukiyaki had not even shown the slightest intention of pacifying Kuri.
That was hardly surprising. No matter how chaotic Kuri became, it did not affect his comfort in the castle or his drinking parties with courtesans.
Thinking about this, Ren continued walking forward with Yukiko.
Kuri was vast. Almost all of the land on the western side of Wano belonged to it, occupying nearly a quarter of the country's total area and almost twice the size of the Flower Capital.
Ren walked for a long time without encountering a single person.
More precisely, he did not encounter any living people. Corpses lay scattered everywhere.
"So desolate…" Yukiko murmured, her voice tinged with an emotion she could not describe.
How could it not be desolate? On this land, even every blade of grass had been dug up and eaten. When the wind blew, the two of them looked like figures walking through a vast desert, their forms fading in and out of the yellow sand.
Ren did not respond. He was thinking about what would come after Kuri was pacified.
The beginning of everything was difficult. Kuri was currently destitute, and even the bandit leader on Head Mountain likely did not possess many supplies. For the moment, Ren had no clear solution.
Through theft, seizure, and wages, Orochi had accumulated a small amount of money, but it was no more than a drop in the bucket.
"Let's take it one step at a time," Ren sighed.
He recalled that in the original story, Oden often faced financial crises. The Kozuki Clan had lent him money several times, only for it to later be swindled away by Orochi, eventually forcing even Oden's retainers to steal from the Kozuki Clan.
Thinking about it now, Oden's situation back then was probably not much better than his own.
"Given the circumstances, I can also ask the other daimyos, or even the Flower Capital, for funds," Ren thought. Once he became a daimyo, borrowing a small amount should still be possible.
Others might refuse, but the Kozuki Clan, seeing the suffering of the people under his rule, would likely not remain indifferent.
As for the Flower Capital, it would be even easier. Sukiyaki would not remain shogun for many more years, and Ren could simply promise that once Kuri developed, it would contribute more than other regions.
Beyond that, Ren could also go overseas to obtain funds.
Although Wano was isolated, its coastline was not heavily guarded. Due to natural barriers, ordinary ships could not pass through, but those with sufficient strength could simply leap down and head out to sea.
That fool Oden had tried many times, but without any knowledge of navigation, he had failed repeatedly.
Ren was not worried at all. The Yamata no Orochi soul possessed clouds capable of flight, and when he grew tired, he could use the Ookuchi no Makami's ability to freeze a small area of the sea to rest. This country was entirely open to him.
The only problem was that once he left, returning within a short time would be difficult, and someone would need to remain in Kuri to manage affairs.
Thinking of this, Ren glanced at Yukiko walking behind him.
At present, the only person he could rely on was Yukiko. Orochi had learned much from the Kozuki Clan over the past 1.5 years and was still useful there, so he could not be reassigned.
Because of this, Ren had Orochi teach Yukiko everything he had learned from the Kozuki Clan over the past 6 months, allowing her to barely manage as a temporary administrator.
Her combat strength, however, was lacking. Yukiko's current level was probably only comparable to Tashigi during the Loguetown period.
This was insufficient to stand alone in Kuri, but that could be remedied. Once Ren subdued Shutenmaru, the lack of combat power would be resolved.
Forty years later, Shutenmaru possessed strength comparable to Jack of the Three Disasters. At present, however, he was only in his teens, and subduing him would not be difficult.
If he submitted willingly, that would be ideal. If not, Ren planned to use the Serpent's Seal directly.
Ren did not believe subordinates had to submit of their own free will. Willing loyalty was best, but unwilling ones could still be used as tools.
I could even infiltrate the Flower Capital right now and plant the Serpent's Seal on Sukiyaki.
After some thought, Ren dismissed the idea.
Orochi had his own grudge with the Kozuki family, and revenge should be left to him.
The outcome would be the same regardless.
Just as Ren was thinking, Yukiko reached out and tugged at his sleeve.
"Lord Ren, someone is surrounding us."
"Hm?"
Ren looked up and saw small shadows approaching in the distance.
Compared to Armament Haki, his Observation Haki was not particularly strong. Still, he quickly identified the figures.
"They're wandering ronin, or murderers from other regions. They've already set their sights on us."
Though still far away, Ren could tell that none of them were strong. He had no interest in dealing with such riffraff.
"You handle them, Yukiko."
"Eh, me?" Yukiko stiffened, her nerves flaring. Although she had trained during this time, real combat was different from sparring. She took several deep breaths, her chest rising and falling.
Come on, Yukiko. You can do this.
How could enemies like this trouble Lord Ren enough to draw his sword?
She encouraged herself silently.