The Great Voyage: The Props Master on the Straw Hat Ship

The blue pheasant slowly opened its mouth, and wisps of cold air emanated from its body.

Even Hawkeye, who usually doesn't care about external objects, couldn't help but glance at it slightly.

"After leaving Navy 643, my original plan was to travel around and see things for myself."

"But I never expected that I would encounter the matter between you and Professor Zephyr at the very beginning of my journey."

"We had some contact during the first half of the Grand Line, and I know quite a bit about you..."

"It was probably around that time that I had the idea of ​​changing my itinerary."

Aokiji spoke in a normal tone, calmly recounting his emotional journey:

"My original plan was very simple: to just be a temporary visitor on your ship."

"After repaying Professor Zephyr's kindness, I planned to leave."

"But~~~"

"During these journeys with you, some of my thoughts have gradually changed."

"It's not just the strength you possess, but more importantly, the different kind of belief we see in you that is relevant to the world."

"While I was at the rabbit bowl quarry, I was thinking about..."

"Perhaps I can choose a completely new identity and experience the true suffering this world is enduring from a different perspective..."

The meaning is now clear.

Hawkeye's gaze towards Aokiji held a hint of surprise, while the latter's calm expression also spoke volumes:

He was serious; he wasn't joking.

Clearly, this former admiral knew what he was doing and what astonishing decisions he was making.

"Is this so..."

A slight smile slowly appeared on Link's face.

There was no surprise, only joy, as if they had already anticipated this.

"So, can I take that to mean you want to join us?!"

Link cut to the chase.

"Yes."

Aokiji nodded without hesitation and said frankly:

"I'd also like to see where you can ultimately lead this vast ocean."

This former top combatant of the Navy, at this moment, expressed his desire to join the Straw Hat Pirates!

"Then it seems I won't need to waste my breath explaining further."

A slight upturn at the corners of his mouth, Link thought to himself, his smile growing ever brighter.

Everything is developing in a good direction.

"Personally, I have no objection to your joining; in fact, I welcome it very much."

Link also laid it out, "But the real decision rests with our captain."

"Furthermore, you should also know that we (Cade) don't just accept people onto our ship. You should understand what kind of status you should have when you board the ship and what your role should be on board. Are you ready?"

"Oh dear, I was prepared for this!"

Aokiji had already taken off his sunglasses, revealing his serious eyes.

At the same time, I felt quite relieved.

Well, although it is said that the decision should be made by their captain, in reality, the most reliable first mate, who is almost the undisputed leader in the fleet, has the final say and will not object.

Then the matter is basically settled.

"His identity as a pirate..."

Although he had already made up his mind, it wasn't until he actually took that step and made that choice that he realized what was happening.

Aokiji felt a mix of emotions, but also a sense of relief.

Because he knows exactly what kind of choice he is making now.

Although it is quite shocking to switch from the Navy to the pirate side, it shouldn't be a big problem, right?

Hmm, Sakazuki and the World Government might be having quite a headache, right?

But this is no longer something he, a free man who has already left the Navy, can consider... right?

"In that case..."

Link picked up a glass of wine from the table and raised it towards Aokiji.

"To our past encounters and our future interactions... Cheers!!"

when!

The crisp sound of clinking glasses echoed beside the river under the moonlight.

It seems to be foreshadowing a future where the two are together.

...............

And so, time slowly passed, and a few more days went by in the blink of an eye.

After a period of rectification and restoration, Wano Country has returned to normal.

Everywhere on the streets, there was a thriving and prosperous scene.

Children playing on the road and adults beaming with joy—all these signs of the country's rebirth.

Meanwhile, in the general's office, various officials and retainers presented the revitalization plans for their respective villages.

The newly appointed shogun of Wano Country, responsible for handling these documents, is...

Acting General, Hiyori Kozuki!!

She is also the first female shogun in the history of Wano Country.

When this news was released to the public, it caused a stir, but no one came out to object.

After all, this was a major event—the liberation of the entire country—and a new general emerged at this crucial juncture.

Chapter 697: The new Shogun of Wano Country!! The Acting Minister, and the new Daimyo of each region!!

The fact that a woman was appointed general caused some people concern and unease.

However, the gentle nature unique to women is also the best comfort they can offer to the war-torn Wano Country and its sensitive inhabitants.

Even those who are particularly stubborn, favoring sons over daughters, and adhering to the traditional ideas of the old Wano Country.

Because of the word "acting" before the general's title, he dared not have any other thoughts.

After all, the position of "Acting Shogun" is a first in the history of Wano Country.

It can be considered a compromise, a product of a middle ground.

"I never imagined that I would one day become a general."

Kozuki Hiyori, standing in front of the blackboard, couldn't help but mutter to herself as she looked at the mountain of documents piled up before her.

She still remembers the disorientation and disbelief she felt when she first learned of this news from a retainer of the Kozuki family.

"No, I am a woman, how can I become a general?!"

When she realized what had happened, her first thought was to hurriedly refuse.

After all, in her simple mind, she believed that as a woman, she was not qualified to become a general.

However~~~

"These are the opinions of the Straw Hat Crew's benefactors."

The two retainers, Kin'emon and Denjiro, offered these words.

When his retainers asked Luffy and the others for their opinions, Luffy casually said:

"Don't you have Princess Hiyori? Why don't you just go find her?"

In his simple and sincere thoughts, there was no distinction between men and women.

"If it were Miss Hiyori, she would surely be even more valiant and beautiful as a general!!"

"Yohohohoho, if I could, I'd really like to see the panties of Miss Hiyori, who is a general... Bang!!"

Sanji and Brook were there, with ulterior motives, wholeheartedly supporting Hiyori's rise to power.

But before the two could finish speaking, Nami knocked them down.

"Hiyori is gentle enough, and she is indeed a good candidate to become a general."

Nami also gave her opinion, while others such as Zoro and Franky were far less interested in the general than in the drinks and robots.

Link went even further, saying, "Women hold up half the sky."

Even on the issue of men and women, he casually remarked, "Who says women are inferior to men?"

Thus, it was decided that Hiyori Kozuki would become the new Shogun of Wano Country.

Furthermore, because she was unfamiliar with general affairs and was a woman, she was given the title of "Acting General".

At the same time, in addition to Kozuki Hiyori, Wano Country has added a new position: the Regent Minister.

The legendary swordsmith, Tenguyama Hitetsu, served as a regent and participated in the governance of Wano Country.

Well, after being persuaded by Denjiro, Kin'emon and others, he was still worried about his granddaughter and the Kozuki Sukiyaki of Wano Country, and once again took on his responsibilities.

However, just as he said, he did not want the world to know that Kozuki Sukiyaki was still alive, so he came to help manage it in the name of Tenguyama Hitetsu.

This is also the source of Hiyori Kozuki's confidence in taking over the position of Shogun of Wano Country.

"I absolutely cannot let Grandpa, Kin'emon and the others down, nor can I accept the praise from our benefactors..."

Just thinking about the two sentences Link gave her filled Hiyori with energy.

The title of "Shogun of Wano Country," especially the first female shogun, is both an honor and a heavy responsibility.

Protecting this country and safeguarding the joy of everyone is the general's heavy responsibility.

She was there carefully reviewing the reports, and whenever she didn't understand something or wasn't sure about something, she would ask her grandfather.

Overall, however, these matters were handled quite well, which surprised and pleased Kozuki Sukiyaki.

At least, if I were to leave one day, I wouldn't have to worry about the political affairs of Wano Country.

She is now developing into an outstanding general.

“Each township needs to stabilize as soon as possible. What each region lacks right now is simply a daimyo who can rule over the area…”

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After pondering these many thoughts for a moment, Hiyori finally wrote down her ideas on paper.

"Grandpa."

She handed the document to the sukiyaki next to her, saying, "Take a look at this."

"This is……"

Kozuki Sukiyaki accepted it, then his gaze became slightly serious. "A candidate for a prominent figure from other regions of Wano Country?"

Besides the capital city of Wano Country, the Flower Capital, there are five other regions: Kuri, Nozomi, Udon, Ringo, and Hakumai.

Based on the actual conditions of these five places, Kozuki Hiyori dispatched five different new daimyo to manage them.

...... .... ...

The first one confirmed was Bai Wu.

The Hakumai region, needless to say, was originally the home of the Shimotsuki clan's Yasuie.

Now that the Shimotsuki Yasuie family is still alive and well, they are naturally not a second choice.

Secondly, there's Kuri and Suzuhiko.

Before her father, Kozuki Oden, arrived, the Kuri region was occupied by Ashura Doji.

Later, after Kaido conquered Wano Country and the Kozuki family's retainers disintegrated, Ashura Doji, disguised as Shutenmaru, led a band of bandits from Touyama and established himself as king of the mountain.