Chapter 613: Cooperation, Launching a War!
"What exactly is hidden on this so called Island of the Gods?"
Ryuunosuke voiced the doubt directly, without wrapping it in politeness.
Koushirou's eyes sharpened.
"The secret of the gods."
He spoke slowly, each word heavy.
"The reason our ancestors mastered such terrifying forging techniques is because they gained enlightenment on the Island of Gods."
His tone turned colder.
"That is why Wano Country and the Island of Gods both belong to our Shimotsuki clan."
He continued, laying out the buried history like steel on an anvil.
"The Kozuki clan were retainers at first. Only because we were consumed by forging did the Kozuki clan get the chance to rise."
It was a summary, but it explained everything.
The Kozuki had been placed on the stage as puppets, then used time and authority to seize power openly and legitimately.
And once they held power, they treated their former masters as subjects without shame.
During Kozuki rule, the Shimotsuki Clan had been positioned as national guardians and master craftsmen.
In other words, the Shimotsuki Clan had lost the throne.
The Kozuki kept them for one reason only.
Because only the Shimotsuki Clan possessed that peerless forging skill.
"I think I understand," Ryuunosuke said.
Then he asked what mattered next.
"So what are you planning to do now, Uncle Koushirou?"
His gaze did not waver.
"Do we launch a direct war against all of Wano and reclaim your position by force, or do you have a better method?"
Koushirou did not hesitate.
"With the Dragon Hunter Pirates' help, force is the fastest and best solution."
His voice hardened.
"And I have no intention of letting those samurai walk away."
He stepped forward, then bowed deeply.
"Therefore, I ask Captain Ryuunosuke to help us."
He stayed bowed, refusing to rise.
"Father…"
Kuina's breath caught. Instinctively, she moved to lift him up.
Akame stopped her with one hand.
Kuina turned, confused, only to see Akame shake her head once, firmly.
Ryuunosuke watched Koushirou for a moment, then spoke in a calm voice.
"Uncle Koushirou, I would help Kuina even if you never asked."
His tone remained even.
"But even with that relationship, I want everything clear."
At Ryuunosuke's level, status meant nothing. Yet he remembered too well.
Koushirou's attitude toward Kuina had never been kind.
This entire trip, if one was being honest, had begun from Kuina's own wishful hope.
When Koushirou launched all of this, he had not even counted Kuina as a fighting force.
Maybe Koushirou had planned for Ryuunosuke to appear and become part of the scheme.
Maybe not.
Either way, Ryuunosuke wanted the conditions stated before blood started flowing.
"Captain Ryuunosuke, please speak," Koushirou said.
He lifted his head slightly, meeting the pirate's calm eyes.
"If all you want is control of Wano," Ryuunosuke said, "I can settle that quickly."
Then he stated his demand without decoration.
"But I want to be the first to enter the Island of Gods."
He did not explain further, because he did not need to.
That island had to be the place Chrollo had been searching for.
The Infinity Stones had been hollowed out somewhere.
If such an operation existed on the surface of Wano, Ryuunosuke would have sensed it long ago.
So there was only one possibility.
The Island of Gods.
Koushirou answered instantly.
"Yes."
Ryuunosuke's expression warmed into a small smile.
"Then it's a pleasure to work with you."
His gaze sharpened again, like a blade sliding free.
"I hope you won't make things difficult for me, Uncle Koushirou."
He extended his hand.
Koushirou reached out and clasped it, but the moment their hands met, he felt it.
It was like standing before something vast and merciless, an overwhelming pressure that squeezed the air itself.
Cold sweat formed at Koushirou's hairline.
"We will cooperate fully with the Dragon Hunter Pirates," Koushirou said, forcing sincerity into his voice.
Ryuunosuke released his hand.
"Good."
Then his tone turned simple, brutal, final.
"Dragon Hunter Pirates will take over from here."
He pulled out the Dragon Hunting Token.
"First Division. Second Division. Third Division. Fourth Division."
"Assemble in Wano."
He raised the token slightly, as if announcing judgment to the island itself.
"Mission begins now. Take Wano Country."
"We declare Wano is under the Dragon Hunter Pirates' direct jurisdiction."
"If anyone resists, kill them on sight."
"This…"
Koushirou froze, stunned.
He had expected a plan, a method, some clever strategy.
Instead, Ryuunosuke's approach was as straightforward as a cannonball.
No tricks.
No masks.
Just conquest.
If force could solve it, then force would solve it.
Far away, at the port, another Dragon Hunting Token flashed.
"Oh?"
Meliodas looked down at the mission and laughed softly.
"I only just arrived in Wano and I'm already getting work."
He read the order again and his grin widened.
"Occupy Wano, no restrictions on methods."
"Well then."
"Let's get started."
The port was already surrounded by buildings.
And where there were buildings, there were people.
To rule a land, you make the people submit.
For the Seven Deadly Sins, that was absurdly easy.
Especially with the many members of the handyman squad Meliodas had brought along.
"Leave the deterrence to me and Diana," King said confidently, flying in from the side.
"Yes," Meliodas replied, nodding once. "Let's start the first battle."
At Meliodas's words, King transformed the pillow beneath him into a massive bear.
They rose into the air and moved out together, with Diana and Jin alongside them.
Down below, the people of Wano looked up, startled.
"Who's that?"
"How can they fly?"
"Pirates?"
Murmurs spread, then faded.
In the last stretch of time, people in Wano had gotten used to pirates showing up.
Dragon Hunter Pirates.
Beasts Pirates.
To ordinary eyes, pirates were pirates. The difference did not matter.
After a brief glance, most returned to what they were doing.
Because no matter how Wano changed, they would still be ordinary people.
And that would never change.
Fighting back was impossible.
Not because they agreed.
Because life had ground them down until compromise felt normal, and helplessness felt like routine.
.....
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