External contradictions often promote internal unity and integration. But once these external conflicts are gradually resolved, internal divisions and disputes tend to re-emerge.
This dynamic can be seen in the world of One Punch Man. The global war a few years ago forced humanity to unite. However, once the most difficult period had passed and the monster threat no longer endangered human survival, internal conflicts began to surface again.
Although Senju Yoko rarely gets involved in political affairs within the Federation of Fire, she has been quite popular since childhood—just like her mother, Tsunade. Their arguments stem less from political differences and more from Yoko's view that her mother is too naive. She often expresses this by complaining, and would only quiet down when Tsunade pulled her into a hug.
After following Nono and Kushina around, Yoko had witnessed many internal power struggles within the Federation of Fire. Aside from Sand Shinobi Village and Kirigakure, both the Rock and Cloud Shinobi Villages were annexed through war—resulting in several years of unrest and minor internal conflicts.
In the end, however, most issues were resolved. Nono often explained her reasoning to Yoko, who was the only one interested in government affairs at the time. Because of this, Nono frequently taught her about the inner workings of the Federation.
At a small family restaurant in City Z, Yoko and Sasuke had already arrived at the agreed location. After waiting for more than twenty minutes, the police captain who had previously encountered Sasuke finally rushed in.
"I'm so sorry to keep you waiting. There was an unexpected incident right before I left. I came as soon as I handed it over to a colleague," he apologized, slightly out of breath.
His sincere attitude and repeated apologies put Yoko and Sasuke at ease. They gestured for him to sit down.
"Is there something you need from me?" the captain asked. "Is this about that strange guy from last time?"
"No, this has nothing to do with that," Yoko said, shaking her head before formally introducing herself. "My name is Senju Yoko, and this is Uchiha Sasuke. We've just arrived in City Z and would like to discuss a business proposition with you."
After some time studying at the Kain Chamber of Commerce, Yoko had grown more interested in hiring talent and earning profits.
"Business? I'm a cop," said the captain, raising an eyebrow.
Yoko smiled. "Exactly. That's why we want to talk to you. You're a police officer who works hard to protect civilians—and that means something. Every time there's a crisis, you're the one calling the Hero Association for help. That's not easy, Officer Kato."
"You…"
Officer Kato's face twisted with anger as he slapped the table. Yoko's words had hit a nerve, reminding him of a humiliating memory.
Previously, Kato had objected to the Hero Association's reckless release of heroes from prison. He had refused the Sexy Prisoner's application for temporary leave, earning the resentment of certain individuals within the Association.
Later, when the police station came under attack by a group of monsters, their weapons proved useless—even their artillery had no effect. They had no choice but to request help from the Hero Association. Unfortunately, the one in charge of dispatching heroes was the very person Kato had clashed with.
That person used the opportunity to mock the police and forced Kato to publicly apologize before sending a hero. But by the time help arrived, the police station was already in ruins, and many officers had been severely injured.
"What exactly do you want?" Kato asked grimly.
"A deal," Yoko replied. "We can provide you with weapons—powerful ones. Ones capable of taking down not only tough monsters but even ghost-level threats."
She continued, "Once you have weapons strong enough to defeat monsters on your own, you won't need to keep begging the Hero Association for assistance. To be frank, the reason the Association—barely three years old—is so arrogant is because of their strength. Outdated weapons won't help you."
Bullet-type pistols should have been phased out long ago. After the world war, both the environment and humanity had changed significantly. Monsters today were tough and resilient; those that could be killed with standard firearms were already extinct.
Kato frowned. "Are you saying… you're selling weapons?"
"We sell everything," Yoko said casually, "but for now, we're offering what you need most. I heard about what happened last time—you were humiliated by a non-governmental organization. That's not something anyone wants to experience."
Uchiha Sasuke, sitting beside her, shook his head. Yoko's approach was ruthless—stab with a knife, then offer candy; stab again, offer more candy. It reminded him of the time he had temporarily submitted for the sake of power.
"…We should probably discuss this with our bureau chief."
Officer Kato stood up after a long silence. Though he personally supported the idea, the decision had to be made by higher authorities.
However, based on his understanding, the chief would likely support the matter as well—though the main issue lies in the police department's insufficient funding.
Still, the dissatisfaction among government personnel—whether in the military, police, or other departments—toward the Hero Association is genuine. This organization, established only three years ago, is gradually replacing many governmental functions. By relying on heroes to eliminate monsters and leveraging their growing popularity, the Association has managed to gain public trust and seize considerable power.
Some radicals have even voiced online that it would be better to pay taxes directly to the Hero Association, since the police and military seem unreliable. This is a sentiment many in the government find deeply concerning.
The financial resources of the Agni family are already terrifying—so much so that even the currency features the faces of their ancestors. If the Hero Association, founded by them, were allowed to replace the government entirely, it would essentially become an empire.
Moreover, on the surface, the world seems divided between the government and the Hero Association—but there are many dark corners on the internet. The Red Queen has been hitting constant roadblocks lately. If security isn't tight, the identities of Yoko and others could be exposed.
…
"This is the dojo of Water Stream Rock Smashing Fist. It seems a bit deserted. Maybe it's too high up for people to bother coming?" Naruto wondered aloud.
"That shouldn't be the issue, Naruto," Hyuga Neji replied. "Since it's a dojo, visitors would be physically fit. The workout we just did is average by ninja academy standards."
Naruto nodded. "Good point."
Still, the dojo was clearly deserted. Naruto called out a few times from the gate, but no one answered. He decided to step inside and take a look.
Once inside the practice area, Uzumaki Naruto finally spotted someone.
Chalanko, who was hurriedly adjusting his belt, turned and shouted, "Hey! What are you doing in here!?"
Naruto scratched his head awkwardly and apologized. "Sorry. I called at the door a few times, but no one answered. I thought maybe it was too big for anyone to hear. We didn't go too far in, though."
Seeing Naruto's polite attitude, Chalanko relaxed and waved it off. "Forget it. You're here to learn from the teacher, right? Well, he's not taking any more students. You can leave."
"Not accepting students anymore? That's a shame. No—we're actually here to challenge Master Bang."
"Challenge the teacher!? You dare say that out loud!?"
Before Chalanko could continue, a calm voice interrupted from inside.
"Chalanko, who are you talking to?"
"Master Bang!"
Chalanko quickly turned around, bowed, and said, "Master, these people came to challenge you."
"Challenge me, hmm?" Bang said with a light chuckle. "Chalanko, you need more training. Everyone here is stronger than you."
He then turned to Naruto and his group. "Come in. It's been a long time since someone came to challenge me."
"Thank you, Master Bang," Naruto replied respectfully.
Naruto and the others followed Bang into the dojo, but Naruto couldn't help feeling a bit of regret. He hadn't expected Bang to be an elderly man with a white beard and a hunched back. Are we really about to fight an old man...?
Among the ten of them, aside from Naruto and Yoko, the rest had all been strengthened by Kain. Even Hyuga Neji had reached Kage-level strength.
There weren't many heroes in City Z, so Bang was Naruto's first choice for contact. According to Yoko's instructions, they were to gauge his strength first, and if possible, attempt to recruit him. But Naruto had a feeling that Master Bang wouldn't be swayed so easily.
Meanwhile, Sasuke's team had been dispatched elsewhere to investigate the recovery of monster corpses.
In this modern, technology-driven world, aside from hard-to-obtain scientific breakthroughs, monster corpses are the most valuable research assets. When Kain arrives later to inspect the results, he'll be checking how much wealth Yoko and the others have accumulated through their actions.
One Piece World
Since Kaido was expelled from Wano Country, the people have been celebrating for three straight days.
The damage inflicted by Kaido and Kurozumi Orochi had been so great that, following their deaths, nearly a hundred statues of Kain were erected across Wano in gratitude.
Soon after, the Kain Chamber of Commerce opened a military factory there. This factory saved Wano's economy—allowing citizens to both grow food and work in the factory for wages far greater than farming alone.
Within a few months, all crafts aside from Wano's traditional seastone techniques were absorbed by the factory. Later, the Kain Guild even provided more advanced tools and techniques to Wano's craftsmen, then purchased everything they produced.
Kin'emon, upon returning to Wano, had serious concerns. He feared the Kain Chamber of Commerce had gained too much control over the people's livelihoods. At this rate, the Kozuki Clan would lose all influence in Wano.
But when Kin'emon voiced his concerns, he was immediately reprimanded by Kozuki Hiyori.
She reminded him that distrusting benefactors was not something the Kozuki family should do—and any action taken against the Kain Chamber of Commerce would certainly provoke strong opposition from the people of Wano.
Unless the Kozuki family could independently guarantee the livelihood of all citizens—providing food, jobs, and other essentials—they had no grounds to interfere.
For now, the Kozuki clan had no authority over the Kain Chamber of Commerce, and the country was caught in a strange limbo—technically unestablished, yet bustling.
Each day, a vast number of ships came and went from Wano's ports, all belonging to the Kain Chamber of Commerce.
Even Kozuki Sukiyaki, who had secretly returned to the Kozuki household, could do nothing about the situation.
Having lived through Kurozumi Orochi's treachery, he found it difficult to trust anyone—especially the Kain Chamber of Commerce.
What unsettled him most was when the vice president of the Kain Chamber once visited Wano, read the Poneglyph containing its ancient history, and left… laughing.
That one smile had left Sukiyaki deeply uneasy.
Was the Chamber planning something? Were they hiding people in Wano to eventually seize the ultimate weapon—Pluton?
Especially today, with the arrival of the Queen of Amazon Lily in Wano, things had taken a turn.
This act blatantly violated the Kain Chamber's earlier promise: they had vowed not to interfere in Wano's internal decisions. Likewise, the Kozuki family had agreed that Wano would remain an unofficial nation—for now.
And yet, here came outsiders—former Shichibukai no less.
Even though Amazon Lily was an ally of the Chamber, it had nothing to do with Wano.
But Wano was too weak to resist.
The people didn't understand the implications of remaining "unfounded."
All they knew was that the Kain Chamber of Commerce had freed them from tyranny, brought them jobs, high wages, and exotic new products.
To them, the Chamber was a guardian deity.
As for the Kozuki clan?
That was just nostalgia.
After two years, if you asked anyone about Kozuki Oden or the Kozuki family, you'd hear something like:
"Ah, Lord Kozuki… he was a good man."
And that's it.
Except for someone like Yamato—who still clung to blind admiration—most had moved on.
"Hiyori, go and negotiate with the people from the Kain Chamber of Commerce."
Kozuki Sukiyaki turned to his granddaughter with concern.
"Wano cannot afford to be noticed by the World Government. But more and more people are arriving. At this rate, it's only a matter of time before we're discovered.
And when that happens… our mission will be in jeopardy."
Kozuki Hiyori nodded but looked conflicted.
"Grandfather… but the vice president won't agree. All decisions are made by President Kain. I didn't stop them in the beginning, either."
"Hiyori, I believe the chairman is already in Wano," Sukiyaki said quietly.
"After all, if even a former Shichibukai can come here, it means President Kain must have arrived quietly as well."
That's what Sukiyaki feared most.
Why had Kain come in secret?
Was he searching for Pluton's location?
Did he want to seize the ancient weapon?
"In Wano…?" Hiyori's eyes narrowed. "I understand, Grandfather. I will personally plead with President Kain—for the sake of Wano."
With determined resolve, Hiyori gathered information on the location of the Empress and the Kain Chamber's delegation, then departed immediately.
Only Shinobu accompanied her.
Wano was completely stable now—there were no longer any troublemakers, not even common quarrels.
People were too focused on saving energy for work the next day, so they could earn enough to support their families.
Elsewhere, in the grand Wano branch office of the Kain Chamber of Commerce,
Kain sat quietly in a luxurious room—not worrying at all about projecting the Holy Grail.