XX-level Hokage

Just then, a crew member on lookout duty suddenly spoke up: "Captain Jack, there's a warship at six o'clock ahead." "A warship? What kind of warship?" Jack asked.

“I’m not sure. It’s unlike any warship I’ve seen before, and it seems all the crew members are women. It’s strange,” a crew member replied. “So, Captain, should we take a detour?” another crew member asked.

Jack, who was full of resentment, stood up and said, "It's just a small warship, a mere navy. Who do you think I am? Move the ship closer!"

The Mammoth instantly accelerated, speeding forward, and soon arrived beside the warship.

Standing on the deck, Jack was about to say something when he spotted two familiar faces on the warship's deck: Runyu?! Yamato?! What are you doing here?

Before Jack could finish speaking, a clear female voice interrupted him. "Oh dear, we just finished one, and another one has already arrived."

Jack turned his head and saw that all his crew members had collapsed on the deck, and a girl with milky white eyes was smiling at him.

Chapter 140: The Two Sides of the Flower City

"You are..." Before Jack could finish speaking, the girl in front of him launched an attack instantly. A tremendous force sent him flying, and he crashed heavily into the sea.

Now aboard the Mammoth, Mashiro watched Jack sink to the bottom of the sea and muttered to herself, "So it really worked? This will make dealing with Devil Fruit users at sea much easier in the future."

[Name: Jack]

Gender: Male Age: 27

Race: Fish-Man (Saddle-banded Grouper) Faction: Pirates

Three types of Haki: Armament Haki, Observation Haki

Devil Fruit: Zoan Type, Elephant-Elephant Fruit, Ancient Zoan, Mammoth Form

Weapon: Tyrannical Double Scythes Height: 830cm Luck Value: 65 Recognition Level: 01

[Zoan-type, Ancient Zoan-type Elephant-Elephant Fruit, Mammoth Form: Can transform into a mammoth, possessing immense strength, a gigantic body, and powerful regeneration.]

Its resilience and ability to withstand impacts are such that it can easily destroy buildings, damage the ground, and raise dust simply by waving its nose.

"Since they're fish-men, there's no need to worry about them dying. Let's have him send people to salvage them after we've dealt with Kaido." He finished speaking.

Mashiro instantly disappeared from her spot and returned to the Seastone warship.

In Wano Country, Orochi sat in the royal palace watching the performers.

Although the performers were some of his favorite artists, and the dance they performed was also his favorite, Orochi showed absolutely no interest today.

Instead of appreciating it, he was quite distressed.

Although he is the current shogun of Wano Country, he is actually a puppet who is dependent on Kaido.

Gradually, he realized that Kaido's attitude towards him was no longer that of an ally. He could foresee that if a more suitable candidate could be found, he would definitely be abandoned by Kaido.

But unfortunately, he had no other choice but Kaido. Just then, a samurai approached respectfully.

Shogun, the newly appointed Shichibukai, a sorcerer, requests permission to enter Wano Country.

After asking the question, Orochi paused for a moment and began to think. Logically speaking, given Wano Country's current isolationist policy, he could have refused. Even if the other party really was a Shichibukai, so what? He had the protection of Kaido, one of the Four Emperors.

But thinking about the problem he had just been pondering, Orochi hesitated again. He couldn't leave Kaido as the only option; this was precisely an opportunity to make contact with powerful figures from the outside world.

"Let her pass, then invite her to the palace." After thinking it through, the giant serpent closed its fan and gave the order.

"Yes, General!" The samurai hurriedly took his leave.

Led by a group of samurai, Mashiro and his companions arrived at the most prosperous region of Wano Country, the Flower Capital.

Aside from Jun and Yamato, the others, including Mashiro, curiously looked around at the buildings and scenery.

Mashiro, Shirahoshi, and Shirley were naturally present, and York was also entering Wano Country for the first time. "Lady Mashiro, isn't this place beautiful!" Hyakuhoshi exclaimed.

The ubiquitous giant cherry blossom trees, the bustling streets, the magnificent and unique architecture, and the meticulous architectural details all showcase the grandeur of the Flower City.

"In terms of grandeur and beauty alone, Fishman Island is far more beautiful than here in some ways," Mashiro said with a light laugh. "But I still think this place is more beautiful," Shirahoshi said, somewhat puzzled.

“That’s normal, it’s just novelty.” Mashiro smiled and patted Shirahoshi’s head. “Just fake beauty.” Just then, Jun suddenly said. “Does Jun-chan know something?” Mashiro looked at Jun and asked softly. At the same time, Shirahoshi and Shirino looked at Jun curiously.

Seeing this, Jun unconsciously coughed and then said, "After Kurozumi Orochi took Wano Country from Oden, he implemented various harsh systems, forbade samurai from carrying swords, and made them work as laborers."

In addition, the fertile fields and rivers of each capital city were destroyed to create factories for processing Seastone and artificial Devil Fruit SMILEs.

Only people with status, wealth, or status can live in the Flower Capital. If someone loses their money, they will be relegated to places like the Village of the Losers or Ebisu Village. Just looking at the Flower Capital, one can feel that Wano Country is actually very prosperous. Of course, the capital is indeed extremely luxurious, with high-quality food, gorgeous clothes, and various beautiful buildings.

Meanwhile, in Ebisu Village, which is also part of Huadu, the villagers live in abject poverty and have a very poor quality of life. Many people can only drink polluted water when they are hungry. They can only eat rice on their birthdays. They feel happy when they drink red bean rice cake soup. Not only are they not full, but their living places are also dilapidated.

Run paused as she spoke.

"And what?" Mashiro asked softly.

"Furthermore, Orochi would also dump the failed artificial Devil Fruit SMILEs there. The villagers, because they were so hungry, had no choice but to pick up and eat those failed artificial Devil Fruits. Then, due to the aftereffects of the artificial Devil Fruit SMILEs, they would always be smiling, always smiling," Run said in a low voice.

This is also why many members of the Beasts Pirates, including Jun, despise Orochi.

With Orochi's scheming and the help of the Beasts Pirates, Orochi became the new shogun of Wano Country, but all he did as shogun was do disgusting things.

After hearing these words, Shirley could accept them completely; having lived in Fishman Town since childhood, she was incredibly mature. Shirahoshi, however, was different; she had already begun to shed tears.

"How could this happen?! They're so pitiful!" Bai Xing said, wiping away her tears.

Yamato lowered his head silently, not uttering a word. In a sense, his father also bore responsibility for this. Jun seems to really dislike Orochi. "Gently wiping away Shirahoshi's tears," Mashiro asked.

"Don't misunderstand. Even though I hate Orochi, as long as Lord Kaido is still willing to cooperate with him, I won't do anything out of line."

"Sympathy is sympathy, but Lord Kaido's kindness in raising me is greater than anything else!" Run said earnestly.

“In that case, I’ll do it,” Mashiro said with a smile. Hearing this, Jun remained silent.

Soon, the group followed the samurai to the general's mansion in the center of the city. Yamato and the others waited outside the mansion, while Mashiro went inside alone.

Inside the mansion, an ugly figure waited quietly, surrounded by warriors. Upon closer inspection, the figure's full appearance was revealed.

He was burly, with a large head and mouth, some baldness, and a square face. He wore a crown on the left side of his head and a hairpin on the right. His hair was purple, mostly on the sides and back of his head. His beard curled upwards. He wore a yellow kimono with many black crescent-shaped five-pointed patterns and a patterned black cloak draped over his back.

Name: Kurozumi Orochi Gender: Male

Age: 53 years old

Race: Human; Alignment: Noble; Haki: None

Devil Fruit: Zoan type, Snake-Snake Fruit, Mythical Zoan type, Yamata no Orochi form; Weapon: None

Height: 350cm Luck Value: 70 Approval Rating: 10

[Zoan Type, Snake-Snake Fruit, Mythical Zoan, Yamata no Orochi Form: The user can transform into Yamata no Orochi, with each head possessing its own consciousness. In this form, the user can attack enemies from various angles at different speeds and ranges, and each head represents a life.]

Chapter 141: The Rebirth of Wano Country (Part 1)

Upon seeing Mashiro, a flicker of desire and greed flashed in Orochi's eyes, but he quickly regained his composure. "So you're the new Shichibukai sorcerer?" Orochi asked with a smile, then extended his hand to Mashiro.

"As you said, it's a pleasure to meet you, Shogun of Wano Country." Mashiro said calmly, ignoring Orochi's outstretched hand.

A dark glint flashed across the serpent's face before he silently withdrew his hand and asked with a smile, "I wonder what brings you to Wano Country, sorcerer?"

Orochi knew perfectly well that the girl in front of him was not Kaido's ally; otherwise, she could have gone directly to Onigashima instead of having a soldier notify him to make a decision.

"It's nothing serious, I just wanted to discuss a collaboration with General Amanto," Zhenri said with a light laugh.

With her beautiful face, exceptional temperament, and charming smile, the giant snake felt an urge to drool.

"Cooperation? What cooperation?" Orochi asked calmly. Mashiro didn't speak, but looked around at the samurai.

Orochi instantly understood Mashiro's meaning, hesitated for a moment, and then ordered, "You may all leave now." "Yes, General!"

Then, the surrounding samurai got up and left.

Although these samurai served as a protective barrier for Orochi, Orochi clearly understood that they were of little use against a powerful figure like the Seven Warlords of the Sea. Moreover, with his Yamata no Orochi Devil Fruit, he had ample time to escape should any danger arise.

"This is my sincerity, so, may the sorcerer speak of the details of our cooperation?" the serpent said with a smile. "Of course."

Mashiro gave a strange smile.

"I'd like to take the position of Shogun of Wano Country for a few years. I wonder if you'd be willing to step down and give way to me?" Mashiro said with a smile.

After asking the question, Orochi instantly understood Mashiro's meaning and hurriedly tried to call back the guards. But it was only for a moment.

"rinse!"""

His head was severed by an invisible slash, falling heavily to the ground and rolling continuously.

Strangely, although the serpent's head had been severed, its body remained upright, and no blood gushed from its neck.

Suddenly, the giant snake's body swelled violently, and nine enormous heads shot out from its neck, one of which bit down hard on Shiro.

But Shiro seemed to have anticipated this, as a white flame suddenly erupted, instantly turning the biting head into ice shards. The giant serpent let out a miserable roar, and the remaining seven heads twisted and intertwined together.

Mashiro stepped forward lightly, her fingers sliding continuously in the air, "Ra!" "!" "!" "Ra!" "Ra!" "Ra!" Soon, only one of the giant snake's heads remained.

"What do you think of my cooperation plan, General?" Mashiro asked with a light laugh as she walked up to Orochi. Orochi had already transformed back into human form from its Yamata no Orochi form and was now panting heavily.

"I think you're absolutely right, I completely agree!" Realizing the situation, the giant snake hurriedly knelt on the ground and said respectfully. This was his last life, and he didn't want to die so soon.

As for the position of general, it doesn't matter who I give it to; my own life is the most important thing.

"Go and issue the statement now. After that, you can leave. You can go find Kaido or the Marines as you please," Mashiro said softly. After asking, Orochi simply bowed respectfully and remained silent.

We are currently on Ghost Island.

Kaido irritably threw down the sake bottle in his hand. "Hasn't Yan returned yet?" Kaido asked.

"I haven't received a smile from you yet, sir." A member of the Beasts Pirates said respectfully. "Could something really have happened?" Kaido muttered to himself.

He never considered the possibility of being defeated. In his view, even if Chi was no match for his opponent, he could still escape if he wanted to.

Just as Kaido was pondering whether or not to personally go to Zou Island, Queen approached somewhat impatiently. "Lord Kaido, is there trouble in Wano Country?!" Queen asked.

"Hmm? Is it Oden's old subordinates showing up, or has another popular uprising begun?" Kaido said nonchalantly. With him and the Beasts Pirates around, he didn't think Wano Country would face any problems.

"It's Orochi! Just now, he suddenly announced his abdication!" Quinn said. "Abdicate?! Abdicate to whom?" Kaido frowned.

It's important to know that Orochi was a general whom he personally supported. If Orochi were to step down, the Beasts Pirates' control over Wano Country would inevitably weaken.

After glancing at Kaido, Quinn hesitated before saying, "He abdicated in favor of someone named Mashiro. I heard she's the new Shichibukai codenamed 'Sorcerer,' and..."

"And what's wrong with you? Stop dawdling!" Kaido snapped.

He was extremely annoyed. Some random guy had broken into Oni Island and kidnapped Jun. Yamato, that "rebellious son," was causing trouble again. The person who went to investigate had not yet returned. And now Orochi had inexplicably abdicated. Honestly, they were all so troublesome!

"Furthermore, according to the intelligence from our people in Huadu, the new Shichibukai named Mashiro has pure white eyes, so if nothing unexpected happens, she's the one who broke into Onigashima and kidnapped Jun," Quinn said.

Upon hearing this, Kaido instantly flew into a rage, slamming his palm on the table in front of him, shattering the stone table into pieces. "In that case, I'll go to Wano Country myself!" Kaido said coldly.

Lord Kaido, if it's in my opinion, we can simply send someone to notify her to come over.