Michael stepped out of the Shogunate mansion first, but still waited for the couple to come out before moving together.
After all…
He didn't know the roads here, and he couldn't be bothered to activate Observation Haki for something this trivial.
So, under Kozuki Toki's guidance, the two highest leaders of Wano and Michael headed straight toward the Overseas Trade Promotion Association.
"Father, there's actually another reason why I didn't object to what you were doing."
"And what reason is that?"
Michael was genuinely curious about Toki's attitude. He understood that Toki had deep emotional ties with the future version of him, but at the same time, the middle-aged Toki of today was an excellent and mature national leader — there was no way she would make decisions purely based on sentiment.
"Since the association was founded, after I served as the first chairman, three more chairmans have taken the position one after another."
"And every year, I review the accounts of the Overseas Trade Promotion Association… After all, with Fish-Man Island and the Sabaody Archipelago involved, overseas trade is now the single most important source of income for all of Wano."
"But in recent years, I've noticed discrepancies between the reported profits and the profit growth recorded in the ledgers… so I've been suspicious of this fourth chairman for a long time."
"Your actions today are the perfect opportunity to see who's been manipulating things from the shadows."
Michael nodded.
Reasonable.
Way too reasonable.
So reasonable it shouldn't even exist in the world of One Piece!
Man! What can I say!
"I have a feeling the truth might exceed your expectations."
Michael said calmly.
The Overseas Trade Promotion Association wasn't far from the Shogunate, so they arrived quickly.
The staff, upon seeing Kozuki Oden and Kozuki Toki arrive for inspection, didn't show much surprise. Clearly, the two had always taken this department seriously and had visited often.
"Where is Chairman Nichimura?"
"In his office!"
"Good. Everyone may leave work early today. I have confidential matters to discuss with Chairman Nichimura."
"Yes!"
Hearing that, the staff immediately lit up with joy.
As the most profitable department of Wano, it was naturally also the most exhausting — every day they worked themselves like overburdened servants…
For Kozuki Toki to suddenly give them half a day off? It was enough to make them burst into tears from happiness.
Within half a minute, the entire building was empty.
"…Let me just say something — working 996 or 007 schedules is truly unacceptable."
"What nonsense are you talking about? I'm not one of those capitalists who needs to be overthrown!" Toki crossed her arms and huffed, "But I won't deny it — during regular working hours, they do work harder than the other departments."
Michael curled his lips but didn't comment.
"Well, didn't we come here to see whether Chairman Nichimura is the problem?" Oden pointed upstairs. "Shouldn't we get to the main issue first?"
"Tch. Father and daughter are talking, son-in-law should stay quiet!"
"…."
Still, Michael knew the difference between light and heavy matters. He stepped forward and went up the stairs.
He reached the office door without stopping.
He pushed the door open.
Inside, he saw Momonosuke and Jack sitting silently off to the side.
Yamato was sitting on the sofa, her kanabo standing upright beside her.
Her hands were gently massaging Hiyori's feet.
And on the floor lay a hideous old crone with both legs broken, unconscious.
The moment Oden and Toki saw that face, their expressions instantly darkened.
This face… they knew all too well!
Kurozumi Higurashi!
"Damn it! I really thought she died back then!"
"Oden, this isn't your fault," Toki said with a frown. "Back then… she fooled all of us."
Right now, Toki's mind was running at full speed.
If the fourth chairman was Kurozumi Higurashi…
Then what about the previous two? Were they really the genuine individuals?
After all, Higurashi had the Clone-Clone Fruit.
Then in all these years of ledgers… how many irregularities were still hidden?
Suddenly, someone tapped her head lightly.
Michael.
"Alright, don't get distracted by the small details." He lifted his gaze to the others in the room.
"Now — who wants to explain?"
"Father!" Yamato sat upright and hurried forward. "Kurozumi Higurashi… was Kaido's insider in Wano."
"Tch. Why am I not surprised at all?" Michael's lips curved into a dangerous smile. "Then this insider has probably already informed Kaido about my existence, right?"
"Yes. I overheard Kaido saying… 'Excellent.'"
"Of course he'd say that. Whether it's the Beasts Pirates or the allies he's re-gathered, they're all extremely powerful… not to mention the fact they've got Weevil in their hands right now."
As Michael spoke, he walked over to the sofa and extended his hand. Gentle holy light spread over Hiyori's foot.
Her swollen little "pig hoof" finally returned to normal.
"You little thing, temper's quite explosive — takes after me… Did you really stomp her yourself?"
"Uh… Grandpa, hehe."
"Of course she did! That kick left me speechless!" Momonosuke rushed forward, reenacting the scene with dramatic gestures.
Michael raised a brow at Hiyori.
Should he teach her RKO next?
But the thought passed quickly.
After healing Hiyori, his gaze shifted to Kurozumi Higurashi.
Holy light condensed into a glowing orb and slammed onto her forehead.
Under Michael's control, the light was precisely measured — just enough to wake Higurashi up, but not enough to heal her broken legs.
In fact, because her mind would become clearer after the impact, her sense of pain would heighten.
And so…
Higurashi awoke with a grunt of unbearable pain.
She opened her eyes — and immediately saw Michael.
And beside him, Oden and Toki, faces cold and dark.
She was old and sly.
There was no way she didn't understand that her connection with Kaido had been fully exposed.
"Heh-heh-heh… so you're all here, Kozuki family." Higurashi rasped hoarsely, her voice ugly yet filled with twisted glee.
"Just wait… soon Wano will fall under Kaido again… Since you refused to let the Kurozumi clan rule Wano… then let's all go to hell together."
"Uh, sorry."
Michael smiled.
"Given that my name is Michael and not Lucifer…"
"Going to hell isn't really on my agenda."
"You all can go yourselves."
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Fanfic is finished. 583 chapters in total on p@treon/tambeerg