Tenma didn't hesitate for even a second before agreeing to Yamato and Maria Fang's request. It was the perfect chance to broaden the horizons of these two future right-hand pillars of his.
And so, in the blink of an eye, the Fire Festival arrived—the grandest and most solemn celebration Wano held each year.
From peasants toiling in the fields to lofty samurai and nobles, people across every region threw themselves wholeheartedly into the revelry of the day.
Though months of policy support had significantly improved the economies of the various regions, they still couldn't compare to the sheer splendor of the capital, the Flower Capital.
That night, the festival grounds of the Flower Capital were already ablaze with lanterns and brilliant lights. Smiling crowds flowed like tides through the streets, and the entire city was wrapped in deafening laughter and cheers.
Tenma stood alone atop the tenshukaku balcony at the highest point of Shogun Castle, a cup of clear sake in hand. Looking down at the glittering streets below—like a fallen galaxy—his gaze seemed to pierce through the crowds, seeing Hiyori and the other three girls laughing and playing together beneath the lights.
Ever since Devil Fruit knowledge had been popularized, basic information about the world's different races had also been incorporated into Wano's general education.
From the sight of Maria Fang and Yamato playing freely together below, without any trace of unease, it was clear that this effort at de-discrimination education had been remarkably effective.
"After tonight, everything—big or small—in Wano will have to be entrusted to you for a while, Toki."
"I know, you hands-off shogun who only knows how to give orders."
Kozuki Toki had appeared behind him at some point. She looked toward her daughter below, a trace of reluctance in her eyes.
"But are you really not taking Hiyori with you? She talks every day about wanting to go to sea with you."
Tenma shrugged and turned to face her.
"This trip is for serious business. I'm bringing Maria Fang and Yamato because they're core combat power in my future plans. Taking them out is for real combat exposure and specialized training."
"And there'll be plenty of chances to take Hiyori out to sea later. For now, I've held power for less than a year and my foundation isn't stable yet. She's the princess of Wano—having her stay here with you to hold the fort is the safer choice."
Toki looked at him deeply.
"You really have everything calculated down to the last detail."
Though her words carried a hint of complaint, her face was lit with a gentle smile.
The night wind brushed past, scattering a few strands of hair by her ear. Under the moonlight, that mix of reproach and warmth gave her a uniquely captivating beauty.
Tenma casually tossed aside his sake cup. Under the Float-Float Fruit's power, it drifted gently and settled back on the floor. Then he stepped forward and pulled her into his arms.
Ever since that time she'd been forced to take the initiative, Toki had gradually grown accustomed to intimate contact like this, and at first she didn't struggle.
But when she saw his handsome face drawing closer, her heart jumped, and she cried out instinctively,
"Tenma?!"
"Do you remember what I told you when we first met?" Tenma said quietly.
"I'm someone who has always pursued his goals with obsession—and will use any means necessary to achieve them."
Hearing the pointed meaning in his words, Toki seemed to understand. Memories from the past surfaced in her mind—yet unexpectedly, her body made no attempt to resist.
For reasons she couldn't explain, countless images flashed through her thoughts at that moment—especially the sound of the people's joyful laughter rising from below.
What had begun as coercion through words, as someone she once despised and wanted dead, still remained vivid in her memory. And yet, the hatred she'd once felt could no longer be summoned.
Unknowingly, her image of this man had shifted—into the hero who saved Wano, the reformer who reshaped the nation, a rare enlightened ruler.
And toward her and Hiyori, he had shown meticulous care and protection.
Even as shogun, he treated others with calm humility. His insight and foresight far surpassed the norm, radiating an irresistible pull.
She didn't know what was genuine and what was calculation—but compared to the tension of their first meeting, her heart now leaned toward the reality of these past months together.
Only now did she realize that in just half a year, Tenma had come to occupy such a crucial place in her heart.
…
Wano's annual grand festival continued. Celebrating a new year finally freed from poverty and headed toward a brighter future, the people reveled all night long.
Even deep into the night, laughter echoed through the streets. Only when the sun rose high the next day did most finally fall into drunken sleep.
Thus, unlike the usual bustle, Wano's morning was exceptionally quiet and peaceful.
Perhaps fitting this rare tranquility, Tenma—who had labored just as enthusiastically as the people the night before—didn't wake until close to noon.
With his physique, going days without sleep wouldn't have been an issue. But circumstances mattered.
Looking at the beauty still asleep in his arms, Tenma knew that before, even if he had released the restraints on her ability and let Toki move freely, she wouldn't have easily left this time stream—for the sake of witnessing Wano's future and honoring that so-called wager.
But now, he had absolute confidence.
Even without history to witness, even without any wager, this woman would no longer choose to leave him.
In truth, Tenma had finally taken full control—by her own will—of Kozuki Toki and her heaven-defying power over time.
He recalled his original darker thoughts: if persuasion failed, he would forcibly keep her by his side until the Dark-Dark Fruit appeared.
Yet as his understanding of emotional perception and the "Voice of All Things"–level Observation Haki deepened, things had reached the most perfect outcome possible—
A true win on all fronts.
Once Tenma calmly dressed and rose, Toki slowly opened her eyes as well. Forcing herself up despite the boneless weakness in her body, she was immediately pressed back into the blankets by his hand.
"I'm granting you a special day off today. Rest well. You don't need to see us off."
Feigning thoughtful consideration—despite the mischievous grin that made her cheeks burn—Tenma spoke gently.
"Who wants to see you off anyway, you unrestrained brute of a shogun."
Though she complained, she still felt warmth at the way he carefully tucked the blankets around her.
"Wano will be fully entrusted to you from here on, Toki."
As he spoke, Tenma bent down and kissed her forehead lightly, then strode out in high spirits. At the doorway, he paused and laughed as he looked back.
"I'll gladly accept 'Brute Shogun' as a nickname. From a certain angle, that's praise for my strength, isn't it?"
Before she could retort, he was already gone, laughing loudly.
Toki swallowed the words at her lips. Her face flushed red like a ripe apple, she yanked the blanket over her head and hid beneath it, lost in her thoughts.
Only after more than ten minutes did she slowly lower the blanket, stare at the unfamiliar ceiling, and sigh softly before closing her eyes again, wrapped in lingering warmth.
…
By the time all preparations were complete, afternoon was already approaching.
With his two eager little followers and a group of Wano chefs and performers in tow, Tenma boarded the massive ship prepared in advance.
As the Float-Float Fruit's power activated, the vessel seemed to lose gravity itself, rising steadily from the plaza and flying toward the seas beyond Wano.
Once they burst through the clouds, the view opened up spectacularly.
"So this is what the seas outside Wano look like?! Amazing! Those huge koi really can swim up waterfalls!"
Only after they left Wano's closed waters did Yamato's excited, squeaky voice ring out across the deck, joined by Maria Fang and the other wide-eyed crew members.
Except for Tenma, none of them had ever left Wano's waters. Seeing such wonders for the first time naturally sparked enthusiastic chatter.
Hours later, the novelty finally began to fade.
"The outside world really is vast… you can't even see the end of it,"
Yamato murmured, leaning on the railing as she gazed at the endless blue sea glittering under the sun.
"Isn't that obvious?" Maria Fang teased with a soft laugh.
"Didn't you listen at all in geography class?"
"I didn't mean it like that!" Yamato protested, scratching her messy hair.
"I just can't stop thinking about the four seas, the Grand Line, and all those strange islands Tenma talked about—Fish-Man Island, Sky Island… it's overwhelming just imagining them."
"Exactly," Maria Fang nodded.
"That's why, like Lord Tenma said, we should really broaden our horizons on this trip. Flying through the sky like this is already an incredible voyage, isn't it?"
As she spoke, she noticed Tenma stepping out from the master cabin and immediately greeted him with a bright smile.
Though nearly as tall as him now, she was still a girl under ten. When Tenma patted her head, she instantly melted into obedient, catlike contentment.
"The sea holds many more wonders waiting for us," Tenma said, having heard every word.
"When you're truly grown and strong enough to stand on your own, I promise—I'll let you experience this vast ocean for yourselves."
As future core combatants of the Oniwabanshu, Yamato and Maria Fang would one day be Wano's main show of strength to the outside world.
"Really?! You have to keep your word, Tenma!" Yamato exclaimed.
"I think I'll pass," Maria Fang replied lazily, leaning against him like a big cat.
"Compared to fighting and adventuring, I'd rather become the one and only First Courtesan at Lord Tenma's side."
"What?! That's so boring, Maria Fang!" Yamato puffed up in protest.
"But that's Hiyori's dream too," Maria Fang said with a soft smile.
"And this trip is just reconnaissance. With Lord Tenma leading, who knows—maybe we'll 'kidnap' a few new companions along the way."
Hearing that, Yamato instantly bounced over.
"Is that true, Tenma?!"
Tenma pinched her chubby cheek lightly.
"Don't jump to conclusions. I have proper objectives this time."
"Though… if luck's on our side, picking up a few Oniwabanshu prospects your age—or even a future Chief Coordinator—isn't impossible."
Yamato's face instantly lit up.
Maria Fang, however, lifted her long neck slightly, eyes flashing with surprise.
She knew better than anyone how picky Tenma was when choosing people. In half a year, only she and Yamato had been deemed worthy of core training.
And the Chief Coordinator role—second only to the shogun—was even more unthinkable.
Yet Tenma spoke with absolute certainty, as if that person were already in his grasp.
Her curiosity was thoroughly piqued.
West Blue—the sea famed as the cradle of the mafia—was their first destination.
The reason was simple: it was the closest.
Truthfully, Tenma had little personal impression of the West Blue. To him, it was known only as "the strongest of the four seas."
What truly interested him were the figures who emerged from it—
Perona, Hogback, Lafitte, Capone Bege… and most importantly, Robin.
Those future standouts were the real reason he'd come all this way.
But the West Blue was vast—not some beginner's East Blue.
Finding specific people by luck alone was impossible. He needed unconventional methods.
And when it came to intelligence brokers, one name came to mind immediately—
Shakky.
Luckily, Tenma always carried a special Den Den Mushi.
—Buru… buru…
The call was answered almost instantly.
"Well now, what a surprise. The sun must've risen in the west."
The Den Den Mushi perfectly mimicked Shakky's lazy, teasing smile.
"Don't tell me you're finally here to pay off half a year's worth of bar tabs, handsome?"
"Talking money hurts our friendship," Tenma replied calmly.
"I'm here to buy information. As for the booze—add it to the tab. I'll pay it all next time."
"Tsk, too many IOUs make life hard for small businesses like mine…"
Her tone carried deeper meaning.
Tenma understood immediately. She hadn't refused—she wanted compensation elsewhere.
Between them, there was no friendship beyond transactions. He knew that perfectly well.
And owing Shakky a favor was the last thing he wanted.
"For the intel," Tenma said evenly, "I'll add a condition."
"Next time I visit—if Rayleigh happens to be around—I'll pretend I didn't see him."
He might not have Luffy's protagonist halo, but Rayleigh was still a lever worth using.
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