The natural system started off strong, but the navy finally reached its peak!

The tax and legal systems also need to be adjusted accordingly to align with the Navy's overall world order framework in the new world.

The Shogun's residence will become the new Navy G-Series Division, while the residences of daimyo throughout Wano Country will become branches.

"Of course, you are still a general."

His gaze swept across the courtyard: "All of this will be established in the form of a formal alliance."

Compared to the pirates' vague 'protection' and 'preservation' that could disappear at any time due to the captain's changing interests,

While naval order also involves coercion, it is at least stable, predictable, and systematically guaranteed.

"This is the price of 'opening up the country,' and also its guarantee," Gern concluded, his gaze returning to Hiyori's face.

"The choice is yours, General Kozuki Hiyori."

It is about accepting the Navy's order, allowing Wano Country to be reborn within a controllable framework.

Still refuse, and then... face what happens next.

He didn't say what "next developments" would be, but everyone understood.

That would likely mean military conquest, and the ensuing repression and chaos that would be far more brutal than what we are experiencing now.

"I am still a general, but the general's power has been completely stripped away!" Hiyori's body trembled slightly after hearing this.

She looked at Luffy, then at Zoro, Nami, and the others, and from their solemn expressions, she understood the gravity of the situation.

Finally, her gaze returned to Gern.

Although the admiral was assertive, his proposal...at least provided a clear and negotiable framework.

Rather than placing the nation's future entirely in the hands of someone destined to leave

The pirate emperor whose dream is the stars and the sea

This choice may be more in line with the responsibility of a ruler.

"In that case, I will act in the name of the Shogun of Wano Country..."

"Can't!!!"

A hoarse, angry roar suddenly erupted from the side corridor of the courtyard!

Everyone looked in the direction of the sound and saw Kin'emon staggering out.

"Lord Hiyori! You must not listen to this man's words!"

Kin'emon rushed to a spot a short distance in front of Hiyori, kneeling on one knee, but with his head held high, his eyes bloodshot as he glared at Guern, his voice trembling with excitement.

"This man...this demon! He killed Momonosuke with his own hands!!"

Right there in Dressrosa, I watched helplessly as the young master was... was... by him..."

His grief rendered him speechless.

"Now he intends to seize the entire Wano Country!"

He's all talk and no action, spouting 'opening up the country' and 'order,' but in essence, how is he any different from Kaido's ambition for plunder and oppression?!

"They've just changed the title from 'pirate' to 'naval'!" Kin'emon screamed hoarsely.

"Wano Country endured countless hardships and sacrifices, sacrificing countless samurai and civilians, before finally being liberated from Kaido's clutches!"

How could we...how could we just stand by and watch it fall into the hands of another demon?!

He abruptly stood up, drew his sword with a clang, and pointed it directly at Gern.

Although his arms were still trembling slightly, his eyes were filled with a determination to die.

"If all else fails..." Kin'emon looked around.

"We, the Red-Sheathed Warriors, are ready to fight to the death once more!"

For Lord Oden's will, for the future of the Kozuki family, and for Wano Country to no longer be enslaved!!

His gaze finally fell upon Luffy with fervor, filled with a final expectation and plea:

"Lord Luffy!! You'll help us again, right?!"

Just like on Onigashima! Wano Country needs you! Please say something, Luffy-sama!!!

All the pressure instantly shifted onto Luffy.

Luffy looked at Kin'emon but did not answer.

He... fell silent.

It wasn't confusion or hesitation, but a profound realization.

What was that saying again?

When you truly reach a certain level, when you possess sufficient power and shoulder the corresponding responsibilities...

You are often able to see things that ordinary people cannot see, and you can also understand more unspeakable cruelty.

Monkey D. Luffy has just defeated Kaido, the "strongest creature in the world," on Onigashima.

His strength, vision, and perception of power have all entered the realm that belongs to the 'Emperor'.

He understood perfectly well that Gern was very strong, so strong that...

If we fight head-on...

You can laugh without a care in the world, but what about your friends?

What are their chances of survival in the face of that scale of indiscriminate vibration?

Especially among those present, if Gern were to unleash his full power, virtually no one could limit the range of his abilities!

What will the result be?

Luffy could almost see that scene: his crewmates collapsing, coughing up blood, amidst the pale shockwaves; buildings crumbling in swathes; and the Red Scabbards being torn to shreds like paper...

And even if I give it my all, how much chance do I have of winning against Gern, who has already been exhausted from the fierce battle with the two emperors?

The power of Gear 5 has not yet been fully mastered, and the energy consumption is terrifying...

The Straw Hat Pirates may very well suffer... annihilation!

He can risk his life for himself, and he can fight to the death for his friends, but when he's the captain of a ship...

When his decision concerned the life and death of all his companions, the responsibility was so heavy that he could hardly breathe.

He was no longer the reckless teenager who could act without thinking and based solely on instinct.

"Kin'emon..." Luffy finally spoke.

Instead of looking into Kin'emon's expectant eyes, he kept his eyes fixed on Guern.

He didn't say what Kin'emon wanted to hear.

Instead, he spoke his mind.

"I can't beat him."

Chapter 624 Wano Country Taken Over

"I can't beat him."

"!!!"

Upon hearing this, Kin'emon's expression changed drastically, his lips trembled, and he staggered back two steps.

Even Luffy, who just defeated Kaido, admitted... he couldn't defeat this man before him?!

The impact of this realization is far more devastating than any enemy's roar.

In a corner where no one was paying attention, the "unconscious" Dragon on the ground twitched very slightly with his tightly closed eyelids.

Shanks, sitting by the stone lamp and used as a backdrop, seemed to have a subtle, almost imperceptible curve at the corner of his mouth, which was hidden by his messy hair.

Almost simultaneously, both of them secretly gave each other a thumbs up (if they had the mood and the energy).

He's teachable! At least he's not completely stupid!

There's nothing we can do; that's just the reality.

The two of them had roamed the seas for decades and could be considered top-tier powerhouses.

Two against one, they played all their cards, but in the end, they were dragged here like a dead dog.

They themselves have fallen so completely, how can they possibly expect anything from someone who has just stepped into the "Emperor" level?

Luffy, who barely managed to defeat Kaido by using all his trump cards, turned the tide and staged a miraculous comeback.

Besides, Wano Country...

There really is no one who can control Gern's damn, ridiculously wide vibration ability!

Once a full-scale war breaks out, this place will likely become an even more devastating hell on earth than the Battle of Ghost Island.

"Lord Luffy..." Kin'emon's voice was already tinged with despair and tears.

He looked at Luffy, then glanced around at the other Straw Hat crew members, all of whom had serious expressions.

Kin'emon wanted to say something more, perhaps a resentful accusation, or perhaps a final incitement...

"us....."

"That's enough, Kin'emon."

An aged voice came from the depths of the courtyard, breaking the suffocating atmosphere of despair.

As everyone looked, they saw an old man dressed in simple clothes and wearing a mask and clothes in the shape of a celestial dog slowly walking out.

It was during his long period of seclusion that Tenguyama Hitetsu forged "Enma" and "Ame no Habakiri".

Robin, one of the Straw Hat Pirates, clearly changed her expression the moment she saw Tenguyama Hitetsu emerge.

In the process of deciphering the main text of Wano Country's history and exploring the secrets of the Kozuki clan, she had already learned of his true identity.

Tenguyama Hitetsu didn't look at anyone; his gaze went straight past Kin'emon and the Straw Hat crew, who were blocking his way, and his steps were steady.

Especially under the utterly shocked gazes of Hiyori Kozuki and Kin'emon, Tenguyama Hitetsu stopped a few steps in front of Guern.

Then, raising his trembling hands, he slowly removed the Tengu mask that had concealed his true face for decades.

Beneath the mask was the face of an old man, deeply wrinkled and marked by hardship and pain, yet still bearing traces of his former dignity.

"Grandfather...sir?!"

"Sukiyaki Master?!"

Hiyori and Kin'emon both gasped in shock, their voices trembling with disbelief!

Kozuki Sukiyaki did not respond to the exclamations of his granddaughter and son's retainers.

He simply looked at Gern, his eyes devoid of anger and hatred, filled only with a profound weariness and understanding.

"Stop fighting..." Kozuki Sukiyaki's voice was old and filled with sorrow, "Wano Country... can't take any more."

He said this to Gern, but also to everyone behind him who still wanted to fight.

Twenty years of dark rule and the tragic sacrifices of the Battle of Ghost Island have left this country riddled with holes and rivers of blood.

If the fighting continues, regardless of victory or defeat, Wano Country may be completely destroyed.

After saying this, the former general knelt down on both knees under the stunned gazes of everyone.

Then, towards Gern, towards the direction representing naval power.

He kowtowed deeply, his forehead touching the cold, broken stone slab.

"I am the former Shogun of Wano Country, the father of Kozuki Oden, Kozuki Sukiyaki!"

He revealed his long-hidden identity, his voice echoing in the silent courtyard.

"I only have Hiyori... as my granddaughter left."

"Wano Country... has never had a precedent or tradition of a female general."

Kozuki Sukiyaki's voice suddenly rose, carrying a sense of heroic sacrifice and the solemnity of a final judgment, each word ringing out as she proclaimed...

"so!!"

"I am, in my capacity as the former Shogun of Wano Country!"