Denjiro let out a quiet, humorless chuckle.
"Every man with that kind of confidence is hiding something," He said, shaking his head. "He's not just strong, but he's calculated. You can feel it. He doesn't show his hand unless he's already three steps ahead."
He turned back toward the window, looking out again at the cheering people, the glowing sky, and the burning remains of Orochi's palace still smoldering faintly in the distance.
"Still…" He muttered, his voice softening. "It's not like we have much of a choice. Between a monster like Kaido and someone like him… the choice is obvious."
"Because he's… better?" Hiyori tilted her head slightly.
"Because he's human," Denjiro replied flatly. "And because his two closest allies... the swordsman and the woman, they have blood ties to Wano. That means something, and it gives us a chance to build trust."
He exhaled heavily, rubbing his neck. "At least this time, Wano's protector isn't a beast in human skin."
The words lingered in the air, sinking deep into the silence that followed.
Hiyori lowered her gaze, her delicate hands folding in her lap.
'Human,' She thought. 'Yes… but he feels more like a storm.'
Her lips pressed together, her mind racing with conflicting thoughts. She remembered the way he looked at her with a calm, unreadable, yet strangely knowing expression. The way his voice carried warmth when he spoke to her, but steel when he gave his conditions.
Denjiro finally turned toward her again, studying her face. He said quietly. "You look like you're thinking about something."
Hiyori blinked, caught off guard, then smiled faintly.
"I'm just… wondering," She murmured, her tone gentle yet thoughtful. "If we're going to rely on him, then we shouldn't keep our distance."
"What do you mean?" Denjiro's eyes narrowed slightly.
She looked down for a moment, her fingers brushing the silk of her kimono sleeve.
"I mean," She said softly, almost whispering, "that we need a closer relationship with him. Not just political… but personal."
Denjiro froze for a moment, surprised by her words. "Hiyori-sama…"
"You said it yourself," She continued, cutting him off gently, her voice growing firmer. "He's not an ordinary man. If he is to protect Wano truly, then we must make him see Wano as more than just a territory. We must make him feel… connected."
Her eyes lifted again, meeting Denjiro's. There was no hesitation in them now, only quiet resolve.
"If he feels that bond," She whispered, "he'll never abandon us."
Denjiro looked at her for a long moment, then sighed quietly, rubbing the bridge of his nose.
"You're your mother's daughter, Hiyori-sama," He muttered with a wry smile. "Sharp and has strong resolve."
Hiyori smiled faintly, her expression serene.
"Wano doesn't need a perfect ruler," She said softly. "It needs a protector who cares. And if that means I have to build that bond myself… then I will."
Outside, the capital roared with laughter, the sound of celebration echoing through the night air.
But inside that room, beneath the soft flicker of lantern light, a silent promise began to form.
------
The banquet hall was alive with warmth and laughter.
The clinking of sake cups, the sizzling aroma of roasted meat, and the faint rhythm of shamisen strings filled the grand room, a rare sound of peace after years of silence and blood.
Luffy stepped into the hall quietly, hands tucked in his pockets, a small grin tugging at his lips as his gaze swept across the room.
Zoro was already at it, guzzling down sake with a flushed grin while Issho sat beside him, calmly sipping his drink and smiling faintly.
Chiton was laughing boisterously at one of Zoro's ridiculous jokes, while Prince Grus and Binz were devouring the massive platters of food as though they hadn't eaten in weeks.
On the other side of the room, the women had formed their own circle.
Gion sat elegantly, crossing her legs with a glass of sake in hand, her eyes sparkling with amusement. Beside her, Kuina, Hina, Doll, Ain, and Kujaku leaned in close, whispering and chuckling quietly like conspirators.
"So…" Doll smirked, her crimson lips curling slyly. "How long do you think it'll take before that princess falls for him?"
"Knowing him?" Hina exhaled smoke from her cigar, a lazy smirk tugging at her lips. "I'd say… she's already halfway there."
Ain rolled her eyes, though a faint blush touched her cheeks.
"You all make it sound like some kind of curse," She muttered softly. "But I get what you mean… his charm is… unnatural."
Gion took a slow sip of her drink, her eyes glinting.
"That's what makes him dangerous," She said, her tone calm but laced with something deeper, admiration and warning mixed together. "He doesn't seduce. He just is."
Kuina, who had been listening quietly, chuckled softly.
"You're all underestimating the princess," She said, smiling faintly.
"But…" Her eyes softened, "If she's anything like the others who met him… she doesn't stand a chance."
Their soft laughter mixed with the music, filling the room with warmth and teasing affection.
Meanwhile, Luffy could only shake his head as he passed by them, chuckling to himself.
"Women really talk too much," He muttered under his breath, though his grin said he was amused.
He was halfway through the hallway when Zoro looked up from his drink, half-lidded eyes narrowing at Luffy's back.
"Oi, Luffy…" He called out, his voice rough from sake. "Where are you going? You need me to tag along?"
Luffy turned slightly, his grin widening.
"Nah," He said casually. "You stay here and enjoy the food. Drink with Issho-san… I'll be back soon."
Zoro eyed him for a moment, then smirked and lifted his cup.
"Don't get yourself killed, idiot captain."
"You're one to talk," Luffy laughed, waving a hand dismissively as his figure began to shimmer.
BOOM!
A sharp crack of thunder echoed through the castle grounds, rattling the doorss.
The servants gasped, rushing to the balconies just in time to see a bright streak of lightning arc through the night sky.
In an instant, Luffy was gone.
------
The wind was cool, and the sunlight reflected perfectly across the quiet sea. The air carried the faint scent of rain and the metallic tang of salt.
In a flash of light, Luffy appeared at the Sandy Port, landing lightly on the stone pier. His boots touched the wet ground, scattering droplets as the faint sound of thunder rolled overhead.
He straightened his coat, his golden eyes glowing faintly in the dark.
Then, from the horizon, came the faint hum of something mechanical.
A soft vrrr sound cutting through the gentle waves.
Luffy looked up, his lips curling into a knowing smile.
A faint blue mist rose over the sea as a bicycle glided effortlessly across the surface, its tires frosting the waves into a trail of ice. The figure riding it was tall, broad-shouldered, and calm, his long coat flapping gently with the wind.
As he drew closer, the sunlight revealed his face, sleepy eyes, an unbothered expression, and a cold aura that carried a strange kind of peace.
--- ✦ ✦ ✦ ---
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