Chapter 6: Easy Mode and Hard Mode
"Ren-sama, are we really going to Kuri?" Yukiko asked, deliberately raising her voice so that even the passersby could hear.
"That's right. I'm going to Kuri to subdue those ronin samurai, and then have the Shogun-sama appoint me as the Daimyo of Kuri," Ren replied, carefully observing the expressions of the people around them. As expected, most of them showed looks of ridicule.
He wanted the news to spread. Once the plan unfolded smoothly and Kuri was genuinely brought under control, Sukiyaki would also "know" that all Ren wanted was the position of Daimyo of Kuri, and would not be overly wary of him.
From Sukiyaki's perspective, having an additional Daimyo in Kuri was more beneficial than harmful. Kuri had always been a lawless region beyond his control, and if Ren truly managed it well, part of its future tax revenue would flow to the Flower Capital.
In truth, the plan was not crude, though it bordered on the outrageous. Under normal circumstances, no ruler would allow someone of unknown origin to become a Daimyo. But when Ren thought about the Kozuki Clan, he felt that this approach was already clever enough.
White Dance was one of the most prosperous regions in the country, second only to the Flower Capital. The other regions were either bitterly cold or barren and chaotic, while White Dance alone enjoyed a pleasant climate and stable governance.
As Ren walked through the streets, there was no shortage of people coming and going.
With more people present, mocking voices naturally followed.
"Hahaha, young man, if you're planning to go to Kuri, you'd better turn back early."
"Kuri isn't a place for someone like you. They say the ronin there stand 2 or 3 meters tall!"
"That's right. Someone like you might make a living in a brothel, but in Kuri you wouldn't even be as tall as the swords in their hands!"
Although Ren had transmigrated into the world of pirates, his height was still unremarkable by its standards. After 6 months of training, he had grown about 10 centimeters and now stood at roughly 1.9 meters tall.
In this world, that height was nothing special.
"You people don't know anything. Ren-sama is incredible!" Yukiko shouted back angrily. Even though she knew this attention was intentional, she could not tolerate hearing him belittled.
She had personally witnessed Ren's strength. At first, he had been no different from her, completely lacking combat ability, yet he quickly defeated Orochi, who had trained for over a year.
Later, even after Orochi consumed a sorcery-type Devil Fruit, the outcome did not change.
"Little girl, following your master to a place like that isn't safe. Those ronin have no sense of mercy," a passerby said, shaking his head. "Someone as delicate as you, if you fell into their hands…"
Though unpleasant, his words carried a hint of concern.
Seeing Yukiko puff up in anger and prepare to argue further, Ren pulled her back. Leaning close, he whispered, "That's enough. Let's go."
Feeling his breath near her ear, Yukiko stiffened. Her earlobes reddened instantly.
"Ren-sama… there are so many people watching…"
She lowered her head and replied softly, "O-okay."
After walking a short distance, Ren noticed that Yukiko was still standing there, face flushed and lost in thought. He returned, pinched her cheek lightly, and lifted her head.
"What kind of nonsense are you thinking about now?"
Yukiko's face burned hot. Unable to look away, she closed her eyes and stammered, "W-what… what should we name… the child?"
Ren felt a headache coming on.
"It's time to go."
He released her and lightly patted her head. Yukiko covered it and cried out softly, though it clearly did not hurt.
Compared to their first meeting 6 months ago, Yukiko no longer feared Ren at all. Instead, admiration and affection had taken root, often leading her into daydreams.
People were shallow like that. If Ren had looked like Orochi, things would have been very different.
Over these past months, their relationship had already crossed certain boundaries. Ren had no intention of pretending to be a saint.
Still, he understood clearly that power was the most important thing in this world.
Second only to power was influence.
Even the Four Emperors needed it. While ordinary foot soldiers might be expendable, elite forces could overwhelm even powerful individuals under the right conditions.
Ren did not think too far ahead. For now, his goal was to take control of Wano and establish himself amid the coming turmoil.
Whether he chose easy mode or hard mode later would depend on his mood.
In easy mode, he could wait 20 years and head to the East Blue to seize the Nika Fruit. In hard mode, he could allow Momonosuke to escape and, 40 years later, bring Luffy back to this land to see how strong the so-called chosen one truly was.
Regardless of the path he chose, one thing was certain.
The fate of the Kozuki Clan would not end well.
There was no inherent conflict between Ren and Oden. Oden himself had little interest in becoming Shogun, and even if he returned to find the country taken over, he might not object if it was governed well.
However, eradicating the Kozuki Clan was Orochi's wish. Kneeling before Ren with fervent loyalty, he had begged for this single request, and Ren found it difficult to refuse.