Hearing Gusion's words, Yasuie felt uneasy—he realized what Yamato intended.
Compared to Orochi's brutality, this was even more terrifying.
Yamato was going to truly overturn the nation and change the people's perception of their ruler!
Sure enough, Gusion continued,
"Because Shogun Yamato couldn't stand Orochi's cruelty, she joined me in slaying him. She couldn't bear the people's suffering, so she brought food from the Beasts Pirates for the people. We hope Wano will never know famine again, and everyone can live well and look to a bright future."
Gusion wasn't a gifted speaker, but his plain words were easily understood by Kuri's simple folk.
They were deeply moved. When Oden ruled, he brought order but not abundance; under Orochi, things were hellish. Now, scavenging was their only way to survive.
But now the new shogun, Yamato, was giving them food so they wouldn't have to starve.
Comparing her to Orochi, the difference was night and day.
Many knelt, calling out Yamato's name and thanking her.
Things went even more smoothly than Gusion expected. He'd seen similar scenes before—other convoys reported the same.
He'd instructed all food officials to use the same message.
It wasn't about brainwashing; a people's attitude toward their ruler greatly affects policy. If they see Yamato as an evil pirate, everything will be harder. But if they see her as a benevolent ruler, they'll gladly cooperate.
In the crowd, Yasuie saw the kneeling villagers and felt a chill.
He realized this was the invader's ultimate weapon.
True conquest and rule of a country is never just about force and fear—it's about winning hearts with mercy.
No matter how legitimate Orochi's claim, the people would never love him and would always miss the Kozuki.
Because Orochi was too cruel; under him, the people suffered. Now Yamato seemed ready to rule kindly—after years, would the people still miss the Kozuki?
Most people are just ordinary folk—they care only about their lives, not who rules.
"You all go on to the next stop. I'll look around here."
Gusion waved the convoy on—he'd noticed an interesting figure in Kuri.
His Observation Haki could display names/titles. The oddly dressed man was Shimotsuki Yasuie—a character Gusion admired for his integrity and love for the people.
Unlike the Kozuki, Yasuie was loved for real achievements. With Wano in ruins, Gusion decided to recruit him.
Without such helpers, even he and Yamato would be overwhelmed. Yasuie was capable, honest, and incorruptible—a perfect administrator.
Yasuie saw Gusion approach and felt uneasy, but bowed like the others:
"Thank you for the food, Lord Gusion."
"You know me?"
Gusion smiled.
Yasuie panicked. How did he know Gusion? Only people in the capital had seen him.
"I heard of Shogun Yamato's advisor, and seeing the soldiers' respect, guessed you were Lord Gusion."
Yasuie replied.
Gusion gave him a meaningful look and said,
"Let's not beat around the bush, Mr. Shimotsuki Yasuie. Will you be Kuri's daimyo?"
Yasuie was shocked—caught by name and offered a post?
"Lord Gusion, did I hear correctly?"
"I'm asking you to be Kuri's daimyo. Or, if you prefer, return to Hakumai."
Yasuie was dumbfounded.
"You know my identity, yet invite me to serve instead of killing a Kozuki loyalist? If you want to arrest me, do it now."
Yasuie replied.
"Loyal, aren't you? I respect loyalty, but Mr. Yasuie, have you considered? Dying is easy, but if you die, you can't help your people or this child."
Gusion glanced at the baby. He'd wondered about her age—maybe poor nutrition stunted her growth.
"You…"
Yasuie was angry but couldn't find a rebuttal.
"So, Mr. Yasuie, my question: are you loyal to the Kozuki, or to the people of this land?"
Gusion asked.
Yasuie pondered—if loyal to the Kozuki, he should commit seppuku. But loyal to the people, he should consider Gusion's offer and serve as daimyo.
"Are you serious?"
Yasuie asked after a long silence.
"About what?"
"Shogun Yamato's wish to let everyone live well—is that sincere? Or just for show?"
"Of course it's real. If we just wanted to look kind, we could have thrown a single bag of rice here and the villagers would still think well of Yamato. But we've given enough for a month. That proves we want people to eat well and live long."
Gusion replied.
Yasuie thought it over—such generosity made no sense unless there was true resolve for reform.
Maybe they really wanted to improve Wano, whatever their motives.
But if he joined, would that make him disloyal?
He struggled inwardly.
Gusion, seeing his hesitation, pressed,
"I thought you were someone who put the people's happiness above all else. But perhaps you're still bound by your reputation—does the label of disloyalty matter more than the people's welfare?"
Yasuie was shaken. He'd once advised Oden not to care about appearances but focus on the people's well-being. Now he himself was about to miss a chance to save the people for the sake of loyalty.
"I… agree. Please let me be Kuri's daimyo."
Yasuie decided.
He would no longer pin his hopes on a miracle twelve years away—he would do what he could now.
"Not returning to Hakumai?"
Gusion asked.
"No, Hakumai is better off than Kuri. Kuri needs a reliable daimyo."
Yasuie replied.
He had governed Hakumai well; the people there could still barely survive.
Gusion shook his hand.
"Then Kuri is yours. Let's build a better Wano together."
Yasuie felt conflicted—he was now tied to the enemy, and would likely be cursed by Kozuki loyalists in the future.
But for now, he just wanted to save more people.
"By the way, Lord Gusion, since I'm joining, may I ask—what's your plan? Even if the Beasts Pirates are rich, they can't feed Wano forever. What happens after this month? The people can't just keep scavenging."
Gusion admired Yasuie's insight.
"Of course they can't live on handouts forever. If all they do is eat, they're just livestock. The people must contribute value to the Beasts Pirates and the country."
"So what do you want them to do?"
Yasuie asked.
"Factory construction and training. After training, they'll work in the factories, earning fair wages."
Gusion explained.
"In time, Wano's food market will stabilize, and with those wages, every family can be fed—perhaps even have some extra."
PS: Bonus chapter at 100 PS