Chapter 36: Beneath the Ancient Tree
The night wind of Wano was quiet, carrying the scent of distant rivers and faint traces of smoke from the capital. Beneath a towering ancient tree on a hillside overlooking the Flower Capital, Ren lay asleep with his head resting in Yamato's lap.
Moonlight filtered through the leaves, casting silver patterns across them both. Yamato sat with her back against the massive trunk, kanabo resting at her side, her body unmoving as if she were standing guard against the entire world.
Ren stirred as dawn crept across the sky. His eyes opened slowly, golden irises catching the morning light. For a moment, he simply listened to the wind brushing against the leaves.
Then he realized something soft beneath his head.
He blinked and looked up. Yamato's chin had dipped slightly, her white hair falling around his face like a curtain.
Ren sighed quietly. "This girl… did she sleep sitting against a tree all night?"
Yamato didn't move. Her breathing was steady, but her grip on him was firm even in sleep.
Ren shook his head faintly, a small smile forming. "Stubborn."
Without disturbing her, he lifted his hand and let strands of hair unravel into a clone. The duplicate formed silently beside the tree, kneeling with identical calm.
"Go hunt a Sea King," Ren whispered. "I'm hungry. And she must be too."
The clone nodded and vanished in a blur toward the coast.
The moment Ren shifted slightly, Yamato's eyes snapped open. Sharp. Alert. Warrior instincts.
"Hey, Ren… you're awake."
Before he could sit up fully, she wrapped both arms around him and pulled him close. The sudden strength nearly crushed the air from his lungs.
Ren chuckled softly and returned the embrace. "Good morning, Yamato."
"You idiot," she muttered against his shoulder. "You were unconscious for hours. I thought you'd pushed yourself too far again."
"I told you before," Ren replied calmly. "I don't break that easily."
She leaned back, studying his face carefully. "You better not. I still have a thousand arguments left to win."
Ren raised an eyebrow. "You assume you'll win."
"I will."
Moments later, the ground trembled faintly. The hair clone reappeared, dragging an enormous Sea King carcass across the grass before dissolving back into Ren.
Yamato's eyes sparkled. "Breakfast!"
Ren stood and began preparing the meat efficiently over a small fire. "You get excited too easily."
"After fighting Kaido? I deserve excitement."
"You nearly broke three mountains."
"And you nearly died," she shot back.
Ren smirked faintly. "Yet here I am."
They ate beneath the ancient tree as the sun rose higher. Birds cautiously returned to the branches above, no longer fleeing from Kaido's oppressive presence.
After finishing, Ren stood and brushed off his hands. "Let's head to the Flower Capital."
Yamato stretched her arms overhead. "Already moving?"
"There's work to do."
As they descended the hillside, Ren formed multiple hair clones again. This time dozens scattered in every direction, slipping through forests, villages, and rivers.
Yamato tilted her head. "You're not planning something terrifying again, right?"
Ren shook his head slightly. "No. Just cleaning up."
"Cleaning?"
"My clones are spreading through Wano. Using Devour to absorb pollution from rivers and soil."
Yamato blinked. "You're restoring the land?"
"Yes."
As the clones consumed toxins, purified energy trickled back into Ren's stomach space. He felt it gathering steadily, warm and constant.
His previously stored energy still hadn't run dry. Through the link, Yamato, Shirahoshi, and Hancock continued receiving subtle nourishment.
Yamato narrowed her eyes playfully. "You're doing that mysterious energy-sharing thing again, aren't you?"
"Yes."
"You're ridiculous."
"You're welcome."
They reached the Flower Capital by midday. The city was under reconstruction, scaffolding climbing damaged walls. Citizens froze when they saw Ren and Yamato walking side by side.
Whispers spread like wildfire. Not fearful whispers. Hopeful ones.
Inside the Shogun Castle, still under repair, stood Hiyori, Kawamatsu, Hyogoro, Ashura Doji, Denjiro, and Shinobu. The moment Ren and Yamato entered, they bowed deeply.
Ren immediately raised his hand. "That's unnecessary."
Silence filled the hall.
"I defeated Kaido," Ren said evenly. "From now on, Wano will be my territory."
The retainers stiffened. Hands drifted toward sword hilts. Faces paled.
Ren continued calmly. "You must be Hiyori, right?"
"Y-Yes," she replied softly.
"You shall be the Shogun. Not your brother. As heir of the Kozuki clan, you will rule Wano. I will only interfere if necessary."
Shock replaced fear.
"Tha-thank you… my Lord," Hiyori whispered.
Yamato stepped forward with an annoyed expression. "You guys. Can you stop interrupting Ren? Let him finish speaking."
The retainers straightened awkwardly. Yamato crossed her arms. "He didn't come here to sit on a throne."
Ren chuckled lightly. "I will be bringing Fishmen and the Tontatta tribe to live in Wano. As long as you coexist without prejudice, I have no issue."
Murmurs filled the hall.
"Wano, Fishman Island, and the little people will remain separate but allied. As Shogun, you must treat their king and chief equally."
Kawamatsu's eyes widened. "Fishmen… here?"
"Yes."
Denjiro asked cautiously, "And if conflict arises?"
Ren's gaze sharpened slightly. "Then I will handle it."
Hiyori swallowed and asked, "So… you will not rule Wano like Kaido?"
Ren laughed softly. "Don't worry. I don't rule. I protect."
The tension in the room eased noticeably.
"My clones have already begun cleaning the pollution," Ren added. "When the little people arrive, they will restore forests and farms."
Hyogoro trembled faintly. "You've already begun healing the land?"
"Yes."
Ashura Doji frowned in disbelief. "For what purpose?"
Ren answered simply. "My goal is a land where humans, fishmen, and other races can live without slavery."
The room fell silent.
Hiyori's eyes shimmered. "A land without chains…"
Ren stepped forward and gently patted her head. "That's right."
She froze, nearly melting before huffing. "Hey, don't treat me like a child!"
Ren smiled faintly. "Then rule like a Shogun."
Yamato burst into laughter.
Ren turned toward Shinobu. "You must be Shinobu, right? I want you responsible for protecting and assisting the little people."
"Yes, my Lord," Shinobu replied with a bow.
Ren sighed. "Call me Ren."
"Y-Yes… Ren."
Yamato laughed even harder. "He hates formal titles more than anything!"
A vein popped on Ren's forehead. "You're enjoying this."
"Absolutely."
Without warning, he grabbed her sides and began tickling her.
"W-Wait—Ren!" Yamato collapsed backward, laughing uncontrollably. "Mercy!"
"Call me 'my Lord' again," he teased.
"Never!" she shouted between laughter.
Hiyori burst into genuine laughter, covering her mouth. Even Denjiro's stern face twitched.
Ashura Doji muttered, "These two defeated an Emperor's crew…"
Hyogoro smiled faintly. "Perhaps strength and freedom walk hand in hand."
Yamato finally rolled away, gasping. "You're evil."
"Only sometimes," Ren replied calmly.
Outside, distant cheers rose as citizens noticed clearer water flowing through canals. Children shouted with excitement as fish returned to the streams.
Yamato looked toward the noise. "They're already seeing the change."
Ren closed his eyes briefly, feeling purified energy returning steadily to him. "This is only the beginning."
Hiyori stepped forward confidently. "Then let this be the dawn of a new Wano."
Ren met her gaze and nodded once. "Rule well."
The retainers bowed again, not out of fear, but respect.
Ren glanced toward Yamato, who grinned brightly beside him.
"we don't rule," he said calmly.
Yamato crossed her arms proudly.
"we protect."