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Chapter 156: Hiyori Joins the Crew, A Loli Onboard to Brighten the Ship
🕑 Added 2024-11-18 18:14:53 +0000 UTCHoly Land Mary Geoise
The Five Elders had been analyzing all night.
They believed they had deduced the correct answer, especially after Big Mom's morning announcement, which seemed to confirm their suspicions.
"Kaido really is a fool, to make the same tactical mistake as Sengoku."
"With all the foolish things Kaido has done before, is it really surprising he's this stupid?"
"The only downside is that not only did the Sun and Moon Pirates come out unscathed, but they also gained new members."
Luckily for them, Kaido wasn’t a Marine.
Otherwise, the Five Elders would have already summoned him to scold him furiously.
"It's fine. Kaido, that brute, won’t take this lying down. He’ll continue clashing with the Sun and Moon Pirates, which is beneficial for us."
"Exactly. Do you think Kaido’s wife and daughter would truly betray him? Most likely, the circumstances forced them to submit. Eventually, they’ll collaborate with Kaido from within, and the Sun and Moon Pirates will be dealt a major blow."
"Unless the Sun and Moon Pirates genuinely have the strength to crush the Beasts Pirates, their overblown reputation could end up being a liability."
"We’ll remain still and just watch for now. The Sun and Moon Pirates, and Kuke, won't stay cocky for long. Soon they’ll clash with the Big Mom Pirates, along with an unyielding Kaido, hmph."
"We’re in for a good show."
"Tell the Marines to stay out of it. We’re just here to watch."
The Five Elders spoke one after the other.
They reached a conclusion.
Nothing major to worry about.
Wano Country
All of Orochi's commanders had been dealt with.
"I'm not interested in ruling Wano."
Kuke rejected Denjiro and the others’ proposition again.
Denjiro, Ashura Doji, Kawamatsu, Kiku, and Hiyori—all these samurai who remained in Wano—looked at one another.
The pirates that once oppressed Wano were now gone.
In theory, that was a good thing for Wano.
But after discussing it in secret, they realized they didn’t have the confidence to protect Wano on their own.
Kaido and the Beasts Pirates were still out there.
They could come back at any time.
Having witnessed the battle between the Sun and Moon Pirates and the Beasts Pirates, these samurai understood the terrifying strength of the true powers of the vast ocean.
The best solution was to seek shelter under the Sun and Moon Pirates.
"You only need to keep Orochi locked up. Guard him well, and leave the rest to me," Kuke ordered them to manage that.
Orochi was still alive.
Kuke had spared Orochi's life through Yamato.
Because of the Mythical Zoan Orochi’s Yamata-no-Orochi form Devil Fruit he possessed.
Killing him now meant that this rare Mythical Zoan fruit could end up anywhere.
It was better to imprison him.
Someday, Kuke would come back, once he had obtained the Darkness Fruit, to extract Orochi’s Mythical Zoan fruit.
Using Wano as a temporary prison.
Better than keeping him aboard the Asuka forever—endlessly keeping him locked up on the ship would be annoying.
"Princess Hiyori, what should we do now?"
Everyone looked towards Kozuki Hiyori.
"Is Wano's worth really so low? That damn Kaido fought tooth and nail to conquer Wano, but Kuke has no interest in it whatsoever," Ashura Doji lamented.
The difference between Emperors was just so vast.
"He's not like other pirates," Hiyori said, gazing at Kuke with gratitude and admiration in her eyes.
In Hiyori's heart.
The Sun and Moon Pirates reminded her of the Roger Pirates from her childhood.
Not driven by power or ambition.
"What should we do? If Kaido finds out that Kuke hasn’t taken control of Wano, he will surely return," Denjiro said with a troubled expression.
It was inevitable.
Denjiro looked around at everyone, silently asking: How could they resist Kaido?
"Should we try asking Kuke again?" Kiku suggested.
The group let out a collective sigh.
They had worked so hard to liberate Wano.
Now that they had finally gained freedom, they realized that unrestrained freedom wasn't always a blessing.
"It's pointless. Someone like him—once he makes a decision, he won't change his mind."
Everyone looked towards Hiyori once more.
The theoretical ruler of Wano now.
"How about I join the Sun and Moon Pirates? That way, we'd have a connection," Kiku proposed.
The others' eyes lit up.
"It might work. We should all try," Ashura Doji agreed, his eyes shining.
After all, Kaido had always wanted to recruit him.
He still held some weight.
"Alright."
Hiyori nodded in agreement.
The Port
The Sun and Moon Pirates were packing up, getting ready to board the ship.
"You want to join us?"
Kuke frowned, looking at Ashura and the others.
They had some strength.
Like Ashura.
He had the power equivalent to a high-ranking officer in an Emperor’s crew.
But he was a man.
The only woman among them.
Was Kozuki Hiyori, who was only thirteen and had no combat strength.
"Please, Kuke, let us sail with you." They all made gestures of loyalty as samurai.
Kuke looked towards Kiku, who looked more feminine than most women.
He was strong.
"Are you really a man?"
"Uh… yes, I am," Kiku said softly.
"Shame." In every way, he looked more like a woman than an actual woman.
Ashura Doji and the others felt a chill in their hearts.
Not interested.
He wasn’t interested in them?
Considering Kuke’s words just now, and seeing the members of the Sun and Moon Pirates boarding the ship.
"Does the Sun and Moon Pirates only accept women?"
Everyone looked towards Kozuki Hiyori.
Hiyori sensed it too.
"Kuke, please take me out to sea." Hiyori tugged on Kuke’s sleeve, her gem-like eyes looking at him pleadingly.
Kuke pondered.
"Please, take me out to sea. I can do anything, I can learn anything."
"You want to come aboard? Then get on."
Kuke agreed.
He was willing to take a gamble.
Gamble that Hiyori had talent.
Her father was Kozuki Oden. Leaving aside his intelligence, his combat power was formidable.
Even if Hiyori had no real talent, she still had the backing of the Nine Red Scabbards.
The crew was far from full, anyway.
With only sixteen members onboard right now.
Even if Hiyori ended up as just someone pleasant to look at—a flower on the ship—it was fine.
"Thank you, Kuke. I will do my best," Hiyori said gratefully.
"Call me Captain."
"Captain."
Hiyori obediently called him Captain.
The 17th Crew Member: Kozuki Hiyori [Non-Devil Fruit User, Combat Power: 99]
With Hiyori joining them, the Sun and Moon Pirates stayed in Wano for two more days before departing.
From the Asuka, as it sailed away.
Kuke’s voice rang out.
"I grant you permission to raise the Sun and Moon flag over Wano."
Denjiro watched with emotion as the ship disappeared over the horizon.
"With Princess Hiyori following Kuke, maybe she’ll become a legend like Lord Oden did with Roger."
"I'm so jealous. If only we were worthy to follow."
"Give it ten years or so, and when Kin’emon and the others return, they’ll be in for a shock. Wano has already been freed."
Aboard the Asuka
Hiyori was clutching the Enma, a Great Grade Sword towering over her.
She looked a little timidly at her new "sisters" onboard.
Hiyori hadn’t been forced to grow up faster.
Kuke didn’t want that.
Even making Kuina and the others older, Kuke had somewhat regretted it. While it had helped them grow stronger, it had tested his self-control too much.
Now that there were no lolis on board, he realized that lolis did have their charm.
With Hiyori, this little sister, this loli.
At least there was something new to look at.
Kuke looked at the boat filled with lively beauty.
Belo Betty approached him.
"Captain, thank you. I really love this sword." Belo Betty excitedly leaned against Kuke's back, her hands holding her new toy.
Yesterday, Kuke had specifically sought out a famous blade for her in Wano.
It was also a Great Grade Sword—the Nidai Kitetsu.
With the power of her Op-Op Fruit, there were many places where a sharp blade could come in handy.
"Get off me." Kuke felt her pressing into his back.
"Oh."
Belo Betty pouted and moved away.
"Belo Betty, I recall you participated in the bet regarding Yamato back in Wano, didn't you?"
"Uh-huh."
Belo Betty blinked her innocent eyes, "Yes, Captain."
"Then you're done for."
Belo Betty continued to blink her big, innocent eyes.
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