Yamato thought it best to give Gusion full authority, so she could learn by watching.
Gusion was a bit exasperated, but Yamato's trust moved him. He resolved to do his best to clean up Wano.
"Advisor Gusion, I'll have the latest roster brought for your review," Fukurokuju said, noticing Yamato deferred to Gusion, who was likely to be the real power from now on.
"Good. Have the residence cleaned up and give me not just the ninja list, but also Orochi's main loyalists."
Fukurokuju nodded. "I'll seal the capital and make sure none of Orochi's remnants escape."
"Just arrest the core members—we don't need chaos. I have use for them."
Fukurokuju obeyed, and the ninjas disappeared swiftly.
After they left, Yamato hesitated. "Is this okay? Shouldn't we eliminate all of Orochi's minions?"
"Yamato, if we did that, we'd have to kill half the capital. Besides, if we wipe out the ninja, who will work for us? Do you think your father will send reinforcements?"
Yamato thought. "Won't he? The Beast Pirates have plenty of people…"
Gusion sighed. "Why do you think your father didn't have the Beast Pirates run Wano directly?"
"Wasn't that the agreement with Orochi…?" Yamato trailed off, realizing that didn't make sense.
"Pirates can't govern a country. Orochi was scum, but at least he knew some management. His underlings were locals. Do you really think a bunch of pirates could do better?"
Yamato was enlightened. "Are the ninjas considered normal people?"
Gusion shook his head. "They're just tools—Fukurokuju will serve whoever's in power. As long as our position is stable, he's useful."
Yamato nodded—they'd need the ninja corps for intelligence.
"What about the rest of Orochi's management?"
"We kill them all," Gusion said coldly. "They're rotten to the core—not made bad by Orochi, but bad from the start."
…
Meanwhile, on Onigashima, Kaido received word of Orochi's death.
"That fast? How did Gusion do it?" Kaido was surprised; he knew Semimaru's barrier was tough—only he could break it head-on.
He'd planned to intervene himself if Gusion failed, but Gusion and Yamato had killed Orochi on their first night.
"Gusion and the Oni Princess struck as soon as they arrived. He somehow bypassed the barrier and killed Orochi in one blow," reported the watcher.
"He bypassed the barrier? Without a Devil Fruit?" Kaido pondered but didn't press. Maybe it was some mysterious technique from Gusion's homeland.
He was a bit disappointed Gusion hadn't used a clever trick, but liked him even more.
"Speed up the food deliveries. I'll attend the ceremony tomorrow as the Yonko to endorse Yamato."
After his men left, Kaido took a drink and gazed at the moon with anticipation.
…
The Next Morning.
Gusion and Yamato emerged from a night of planning. The capital was tense—homes shuttered, the streets almost deserted.
The Oniwabanshu had arrested all Orochi's officials, and the city was locked down overnight.
Though the curfew was lifted, people remained uneasy. Most had benefited under Orochi's regime and now feared for their futures.
The government soon announced the truth: Orochi had rebelled and been executed by a hero. Many found this absurd—who could Orochi rebel against in his own country?
Learning Yamato would become the new Shogun only increased anxiety—everyone realized the Beast Pirates were stepping into the light.
Yamato's identity spread quickly; as Kaido's daughter, she represented the Beast Pirates.
People lamented Wano's misfortune—first under Orochi, now directly ruled by pirates. Some even preferred Orochi.
Many had profited from the Kurozumi regime, and now hated Yamato and the so-called hero.
As rumors spread, unrest grew—even in the countryside.
At noon, all of Orochi's officials were publicly executed in the busiest market, their heads falling without ceremony at Gusion's order.
The crowd was shocked, especially those with connections to the regime. Gusion's iron-fisted methods killed any hope of leniency; many resolved to either disappear or reform.
By sunset, a majestic blue dragon descended from the sky—Kaido himself, the country's protector.
With Kaido witnessing, Yamato was officially declared Shogun.
To Gusion, the ceremony was perfunctory, but in this world, power decides legitimacy. Now, Wano's people feared and resisted the Beast Pirates' rule, longing for the gentle days of the Kozuki clan. But Gusion was determined to make them forget the past—people care only about their livelihoods, not who rules.
If life under Yamato surpassed the Kozuki era, no one would call her an illegitimate pirate ruler.