With the Buggy Pirates landing in Wano Country, the entire land was instantly thrown into chaos.
However, the commoners soon discovered that this chaos didn't affect them; instead, the high-and-mighty Daimyo and the Samurai they kept were the first to suffer.
By evening, members of the Pirate Crew even notified them to come and eat, and most importantly, it was free.
"To celebrate the death of the Shogun of Wano Country, Captain Buggy has decided to hold a three-day banquet. You can eat and drink to your heart's content without spending a penny, and you can even take some rations back with you at the end."
The pirate's words drew cheers from the commoners. Just a short while ago, they were starving, and now there was free food to eat.
"Mama, are there still Shoguns in Wano Country? If one dies every three days, wouldn't we be able to eat a feast every day?" a thin little girl asked innocently.
"Don't say such things," her mother hurriedly covered the little girl's mouth.
"It's fine. Although the Shoguns of Wano Country are all dead, you won't go hungry again. Those Daimyo have plenty of food in their homes."
Passing by, Bonney heard the little girl's words and spoke up boisterously.
She held a large amount of food in her hands. "Want some? This squid is actually quite tasty..."
While the commoners were feasting, the operation to inventory the assets of Wano Country was also underway.
Those with the most assets were the Daimyo, who generally kept Samurai to guard their homes.
As for the gangs, most of them were in league with the merchants.
Naturally, they were unwilling to follow Buggy's orders, so this night was exceptionally bloody.
"It seems quite a few people chose their property over their lives."
At a loft in the Flower Capital, Buggy sighed as he watched the fires breaking out across the city.
"Lord Buggy, you stripped them of their rights and wealth. What's the difference between that and taking their lives?" Denjiro said bitterly.
"Their grain is so plentiful it's rotting, yet people outside are starving to death. I recall Kozuki Hiyori once used her beauty to swindle money from merchants. Why didn't you just be more direct?" Buggy asked.
With the strength of the Nine Red Scabbards, those merchants were no match for them. Kaido wouldn't bother with such trivial matters, so Buggy couldn't understand why Kozuki Hiyori, as a princess, had to personally resort to fraud to get money.
Was it some traditional talent of Wano Country?
"One is swindling, the other is open robbery. There's still a difference," Denjiro explained dryly.
"And, Lord Buggy, what exactly do you want to turn Wano Country into?" Denjiro finally asked the question weighing on his mind.
"Into my logistics base. Therefore, I need farmers, workers, and law-abiding merchants. As long as they are willing to work hard, I guarantee their lives will get better and better. But the one thing I don't need is parasites."
Buggy looked at the burning flames in the Flower Capital. "In my territory, their existence is not permitted."
"If they don't agree, will you kill them all?" Denjiro asked. "That's so many lives."
"I am a pirate, not a saint. Besides, one family should weep more than for everyone on the road to weep. I gave them a chance to choose; if they don't cherish it, they can't blame me."
Buggy found that the identity of a pirate was quite useful.
"Those gangs..." Denjiro organized his words. "If they stop causing trouble, could Lord Buggy spare them?"
"Why not? I'm not some bloodthirsty madman. If they hand over their property as required and then go to work honestly, there won't be any problem," Buggy said.
"I understand. I will go and persuade them," Denjiro left in a hurry.
Is this guy here for Inuarashi and the others? Buggy thought as he watched Denjiro leave. However, gangs accustomed to getting something for nothing might not necessarily listen to his advice.
Sure enough, after taking his leave from Buggy, Denjiro went straight to Inuarashi's mansion.
Kiku and Kawamatsu were also there, along with a woman with beautiful emerald-colored hair, Kozuki Hiyori.
"Denjiro, how far is this chaos going to go?" the short Inuarashi asked. "Many people are contacting me, discussing joining forces to drive out the Buggy Pirates."
"Have you all lost your minds? The Buggy Pirates are much more powerful than the Beasts Pirates," Denjiro exclaimed.
Was there something wrong with those people's heads? Why weren't they this proactive when they were fighting the Beasts Pirates?
"The Buggy Pirates' current actions have already sparked public outrage. They are doing things even more excessively than the Beasts Pirates." Inuarashi slammed his hand down, smashing the table. "They are actually plundering the Daimyo's property."
Public outrage? All Denjiro had seen on his way here were commoners laughing and cheering.
"At least they haven't laid a hand on the commoners," Denjiro explained.
"That's because those peasants have no property to plunder. Otherwise, they certainly wouldn't spare them," a voice came from behind Inuarashi—it was an old man with a sinister face.
"The Buggy Pirates have completely plundered the wealth we Daimyo accumulated over many years. Such behavior cannot be forgiven. We have Princess Kozuki Hiyori. We can use the name of the Kozuki Clan to call upon everyone to reclaim Wano Country."
"Princess Hiyori, what is your opinion?" Denjiro ignored the Daimyo and instead looked at Kozuki Hiyori.
The truly brave Daimyo had long since died in the battle against Kaido. Those who remained were nothing but trash.
"I want revenge, Denjiro!" Kozuki Hiyori still couldn't accept the news of Momonosuke's death.
Denjiro was silent for a moment, then slowly nodded.
"Then come with me. Go practice your swordsmanship and stop getting involved in these things. Otherwise, there won't be a shred of hope for revenge."
"No!" The first to object was actually that elderly Daimyo. "Only in the name of the Kozuki Clan can Wano Country be united. I want to marry Princess Hiyori as my wife, so that I can reclaim Wano Country legitimately..."
He was answered by a flash of sword light. Denjiro drew his katana and sliced him in half.
Hearing the commotion, the Samurai outside burst in. Seeing their lord already fallen on the ground, they drew their weapons and pointed them at Denjiro.
"Captain Buggy was right. The only value these guys have is to die. Kiku, Kawamatsu, we're fighting our way out with Princess Hiyori." Denjiro found his thoughts clearer than ever before.
He tossed a katana to Kozuki Hiyori. "Princess Hiyori, this is a world where the strong prey on the weak. I was wrong before, not teaching you the most important skill."
"Take up your weapon and fight your way out with us. Only when you become strong enough can you reclaim Wano Country. Clashing with the Buggy Pirates now is a dead end," Denjiro said sternly.
Kozuki Hiyori picked up the blood-stained katana and said with a trembling voice, "How long do I need to practice to defeat Buggy..."
Perhaps never. Denjiro recalled Buggy's attack on Zunesha; it was practically like a god or demon.
But at least this way, Kozuki Hiyori's life could be saved. If she stayed here, she would only become a tool for the old forces.
Though these old forces wouldn't be struggling for much longer anyway.
"If you work hard, there might be a glimmer of hope. If you don't, then there isn't even a shred of hope," Denjiro said.
"Then let's fight our way out together." Kozuki Hiyori raised her weapon.
"Flower One-Sword Style: Dohatsu Kohai!"
A flash of sword light passed, and the Samurai in the room coughed up blood and fell to the ground, with unknown flames igniting on their wounds.
Inuarashi, whose stature had changed from short to burly, slowly retracted his weapon.
"In my territory, there's no need for you to act yet. Since Princess Hiyori has made her decision, go. Denjiro, stay for a moment."
Kiku led Kozuki Hiyori out the door, leaving only Inuarashi and Denjiro in the room.
"What you said just now wasn't sincere, was it? About revenge and all..." Inuarashi returned to his short form.
"That's right. The Buggy Pirates are even more terrifying than the Beasts Pirates. I just want Princess Hiyori to live." Denjiro knew he couldn't fool Inuarashi.
"Then will Buggy spare Princess Hiyori? She is the only bloodline of the Kozuki Clan," Inuarashi asked.
"You haven't met that man. His gaze wouldn't be fixed on such trivial matters at all. What he needs is for Wano Country to operate according to his will."
"Those who comply live; those who rebel are executed."
This was why Denjiro felt Buggy was more terrifying than Kaido.
Kaido didn't care about these things at all. As long as the tribute from below remained unchanged, Kaido didn't care about the life or death of the commoners.
Buggy, on the other hand, viewed all of Wano Country as his own property and couldn't stand the existence of parasites 'corroding' Wano Country.
"Is that so? Pirates really are a strange bunch, all kinds of people," Inuarashi said.
"Then I will refuse their request. I'll use these old eyes of mine to see what that fellow will turn Wano Country into!"
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