"Aiya, life in Wano really is quite nice."
Following behind Kikunojo, who was leading the way, Michael and the others looked at the carved beams and painted rafters of the shogunate's inner residence, letting out a small sigh of admiration.
"These were all expanded by the shoguns of past generations… but for Oden-sama, even if all of us retainers moved in, it would still feel a little empty."
"So even after becoming the shogun of Wano, Kozuki Oden still treated all of you as family, huh?"
Michael shrugged.
Without the long, brutal rule of Kaido and Kurozumi Orochi, Kozuki Oden's family and the Red Scabbards naturally never experienced that twenty-year gap in fate.
In truth, ever since Michael had Morgans deliver that letter all those years ago, all of Wano had stepped onto an unpredictable path.
But at least from Michael's perspective… this path wasn't a bad one.
Of course, that was on the condition that Wano would eventually be of use to him.
Turning past another corridor, they saw a rather spacious garden.
And inside the garden was a beautiful woman wearing a cherry-pink kimono, long pale-green hair flowing behind her, sitting in the middle of the garden…
…beating her child.
The so-called "child" wasn't some minor kid, but a tall young man who somewhat resembled Kozuki Oden, though his facial features were gentler—apparently inherited from his mother.
Beside him stood a girl with long jade-green hair, almost identical to the woman, as if carved from the same mold.
"How many times have I told you! If you want to sail out and become a great pirate like Whitebeard, then train properly, you little kid!"
"Muuuuu, Mom, I just haven't gone outside for too long… "
"Momonosuke, you wretched son! Hold those tears back!"
Michael raised a brow.
Since this tall young man was called "Momonosuke," then he was without a doubt Kozuki Oden's son.
And the one stretching his cheeks outward while occasionally giving him a slap was surely Oden's wife—the Paramecia-type Time Fruit user…
Though in this timeline, she might never need to use her ability again.
As for the girl smiling sweetly beside her, she was naturally Kozuki Hiyori, who in the original story had been forced into the role of a courtesan.
"These must be Kozuki Oden's family members, right?"
"Yes… eh? Michael-sama, where are you—?"
Kikunojo nodded reflexively, only to see Michael turn sharply and stride straight toward the garden without a moment of hesitation.
He moved so decisively and so fast that Kikunojo didn't even have time to react.
"As a guest, it would be rude not to greet the host family when you see them."
Izo patted the nearly petrified Kikunojo on the shoulder and said with a smile:
"You'll get used to it. That's just how Michael is—when he has an idea, he acts on it immediately… but don't worry, Pops himself certified him as a good person."
Kikunojo's mouth twitched.
What use is being certified as a "good person" by Whitebeard!?
Isn't he a pirate!?
And judging from those harsh conditions he gave Oden-sama earlier, how on earth does that line up with "good person"!?
But since it was too late to stop him, Kikunojo hurried after Izo.
At that moment, Kozuki Toki was radiating the full dignity of a mother as she lectured her wayward son.
But before she could even raise her three-meter ruler, a group of strangers suddenly appeared before her.
Her brows furrowed, and she instinctively shielded her two children behind her…
Even though they were already adults.
"Who are you!?"
"Uh… was that a little too abrupt?" Michael asked awkwardly as he faced the wary Kozuki Toki.
"Not just a little abrupt," said the always-understanding Jack. "Think about it—what kind of decent person walks into someone's garden accompanied by an eight-meter-tall saddle-striped fish-man? The fact she didn't immediately assume you were here to kidnap someone means she's already pretty calm."
"I see your sarcasm has gotten really sharp, Jack…" Michael smiled and patted her leg. "Then why the hell didn't you stop me beforehand?"
"Snarking is one thing, following orders is another."
Jack shrugged helplessly.
While they were talking, Kikunojo and Izo finally caught up.
"Toki-sama, long time no see."
"Hm? Izo! Izo, is that you!" The moment Kozuki Toki saw him, her wariness melted into joy. "You brat! You left my little Kikunojo in Wano and never came home to visit!"
"I… well, I'm back now." Izo scratched his cheek sheepishly, then immediately gestured toward Michael.
"Right, Toki-sama—this is the former Marine Chief Inspector and Chief of Staff of the Revolutionary Army, Michael-sama."
"Mi–Michael!?"
Upon hearing the name, Kozuki Hiyori, who had been hiding behind Toki, instantly perked up.
She dashed forward, looked up at Michael with sparkling eyes…
Then hugged him without hesitation!
"Idol! Idol, you actually appeared!"
"I pray every day that Michael-sama, the true angel, will descend from the heavens and bless me with something!"
"And today—today my dream as Kozuki Hiyori has finally come true!"
"Uuuu, please sign every piece of merchandise I own!"
"This is my life's greatest request!"
Her dramatic sobbing instantly reminded Michael of someone.
How was this any different from Yamato back then!?
"You! You're also a die-hard fan of Father!?"
Sure enough, the moment they returned to this place, Yamato—whose expression had been a little stiff earlier—suddenly lit up.
She grabbed Kozuki Hiyori off of Michael, then lifted her own skirt-shorts.
Inside, she had dozens of Michael-themed merch items strapped and hanging everywhere.
Kozuki Hiyori burst into tears at the sight.
"Do you know how painful it's been!? All these years, I've been the only one in Wano who likes Michael-sama's merch!"
"I know! I understand it so well!"
The two girls clutched each other and cried like long-lost sisters separated by fate.
Michael and Kozuki Toki both froze in overwhelming embarrassment.
Only Momonosuke—who had just been getting scolded—stared intensely at Yamato's face…
Then suddenly said:
"I… remember you."
"Those crimson demon horns and that white gradient hair…"
"You're Kaido's daughter!"
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Fanfic is finished. 583 chapters in total on p@treon/tambeerg