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

Denjiro lowered his head.

If we consider his previous patriarchal mindset, he would definitely think that Momonosuke is more suitable.

However, after listening to Link's words, for some reason, other thoughts gradually arose in Denjiro's mind.

Back then, when Hiyori, who looked like a child, stumbled into the brothel, he happened to see her and then protected her.

Next, she was trained to be a courtesan in order to gain the opportunity to get close to Kurozumi Orochi.

For more than a decade, the two of them had relied on each other for survival, and their relationship, though nominally that of retainers, had long surpassed that of retainers.

Denjiro watched her grow up like his own daughter, seeing her step by step to where she is now.

His relationship with Hiyori Kozuki is beyond question and needs no further explanation.

On the other hand, look at Momonosuke...

To be honest, he didn't really have much of a relationship with Momonosuke.

Especially after more than a decade of undercover work, he has become even more indifferent.

His relationship with Momonosuke was one of genuine gratitude for Kozuki Oden's kindness, a remaining bond of lord and retainer.

~~~~~~~~~

[Thank you so much to the generous donor 'Once Upon a Time There Was a Eunuch' for the yet another generous donation!! I'm speechless with gratitude!!]

750. Wano Country without Momonosuke is the truly happy, fulfilling, and harmonious Wano Country!!

Therefore, if one really had to choose between Kozuki Momonosuke and Kozuki Hiyori...

Gradually, and indeed without a doubt, Denjiro's inner scales tipped towards the latter.

"See, even you know the right choice and the answer, right?"

Seeing the glint in Denjiro's eyes, Link couldn't help but laugh:

"Your feelings for Hiyori go without saying, and you've watched her grow up step by step. You know her situation very well."

"Moreover, she has gone through more than ten years of ups and downs and hardships with you, which is why she can better understand the difficulties of the people and know what to do."

"And what about Momonosuke?"

"Since I transmigrated here, I haven't experienced a single day of the suffering of the people of Wano Country, and I have no idea what the situation is like here."

"So, you can say that just a simple time travel has erased all the hardships and suffering I should have endured over the past decade? Isn't that a bit too simplistic?!"

"Besides, he's just an eight-year-old kid right now. From any perspective, he's not capable of shouldering any heavy responsibility."

"Not to mention, the position of general carries such heavy responsibilities."

"Especially Momonosuke now, besides being a child and not understanding the suffering of the common people, he can also turn into a pig, has the mark of a slave on his back, and... his extremely lecherous nature."

"The two things mentioned above dealt him a huge blow and humiliated him, which would further stimulate his mind and may cause him to become distorted."

"Add to that his inherent nature, and this is a classic example of the potential for a tyrannical and incompetent ruler."

"No matter how you look at it, I really can't see how he could inherit the general's strengths and qualifications."

Link took a deep drag on his cigar. "Is it just because he's a man? 々～"

"...Lord Momonosuke, perhaps it's not as bad as Lord Link thinks?"

Denjiro was silent for a moment before finally asking the same question again.

"This is the same question you wanted to ask before. I won't answer it now. I'll take you to see Momonosuke's true state later, and you'll understand."

Link responded in the same way:

"After all, he is still a descendant of your lord, Kozuki Oden. We can't just let him run wild. We need to make a good arrangement for him."

"However, in my opinion, Momonosuke is inferior to Hiyori in every aspect."

"If we were to let him return, it would not only destabilize the hard-won stability of the Shogunate in Wano Country, but could even affect the entire country and its inhabitants."

"Therefore, in my opinion, the person who is more compassionate towards the people, stronger, and has endured great hardships and shed all worldly dust is more suitable for the position of general."

"As for Momonosuke, let him go where he belongs and never come back."

The place to go...

A question arose in Denjiro's mind, followed by some suggestions:

"Then why can't we let Prince Hiyori take on the position of general first, so that Prince Momonosuke can be trained?"

"If we wait like this for decades, Princess Hiyori will be old, and Prince Momonosuke will be old enough to succeed her..."

"That's impossible!!"

Before Denjiro could finish speaking, Link shook his head and refused.

“How could a matter concerning the general’s power be treated so lightly?”

"You should know that this is the position of shogun, which allows one to command the entire Wano Country. Just think about what Orochi paid to get this position, and you'll know what kind of magic this position holds."

"Even if you can trust Hiyori, can you really be so sure that Momonosuke will behave himself and learn quietly under Hiyori's guidance?!"

"Perhaps in his mind, he was originally the shogun of Wano Country, and that Hiyori Kozuki stole his position, which is why he harbors such deep resentment towards her?!"

"Besides, even if he didn't have such thoughts, do you know how old Hiyori Kozuki is now?"

"She's only twenty-four years old, and if she wants to step down from power, it will take at least forty years."

"Momonosuke is eight years old now, and forty years from now he will be forty-eight years old. Do you think it's possible for him to wait that long?"

"Besides, what kind of heir apparent can last for forty years?"

After Link finished speaking, he gave Denjiro, who was already deep in thought, some time to think.

"From our perspective, no matter how you calculate it, this is the best outcome for you, for us, for the residents of Wano Country, and for the entire country..."

"...Momonosuke, don't come back."

"His existence is entirely detrimental and offers no benefit whatsoever."

"Wano Country without Momonosuke is the truly happy, fulfilling, and harmonious Wano Country!!"

Link made his stance very clear.

After hearing this, Denjiro stood there, speechless for a long time.

Link didn't continue; this was enough for Denjiro to process.

And so, in this dense forest, a gentle breeze rustled through the trees.

For a moment, both of them fell into silence.

Time flies, and before we knew it, a period of time had passed.

"Lord Link..."

Denjiro slowly raised his head, his eyes trembling slightly yet filled with a hint of determination.

He may have already made up his mind.

"May I go and see what situation and plight His Highness Momonosuke is in now?"

This was Denjiro's last request.

He wanted to know what Momonosuke was really like, and whether he was as good as Link had said.

At the same time, if that were the case, he would have no more doubts and would also want to see with his own eyes that Momonosuke would no longer suffer those inhuman and miserable experiences.

Just as Link said, even if he had to choose between Kozuki Momonosuke and Kozuki Hiyori, he would have to take into account that both of them were of the bloodline of his lord, Kozuki Oden.

Taking good care of them is the prerequisite and basic condition for everything.

~~~~~~~~~

[Thank you so much to the generous reader 'Once Upon a Time There Was a Eunuch' for the latest and greatest donation this morning!! Thank you so much! I also sincerely wish the generous reader, and all my fellow readers, a happy Mid-Autumn Festival and Teacher's Day!! Hmm, it's not too late~]

751 [Animal Language Headphones], some necessary explanations will take up space.

"As you wish~"

Link nodded slightly, knowing Denjiro's bottom line.

He immediately turned around and led Denjiro into the dense forest.

Following the tracks left by Naruto Uchiha and Sasuke Uzumaki, it was easy to find their location.

Afterwards, Link, along with Denjiro, watched over Momonosuke's current situation from the sidelines.

Momonosuke, who had transformed into a white boar, truly gave Denjiro a considerable shock.

Especially the slave mark carved by a Celestial Dragon on its back was so conspicuous.

750

But that's not the most crucial point. The most important thing is that Denjiro overheard what Momonosuke said.

Generally speaking, Momonosuke is currently in the state of a white boar, which is a wild beast state, and he cannot speak human language.

It kept grunting and making pig-like noises there.

However, Link has a gadget that allows him to hear animal language.

Both he and Denjiro wore green headphones, similar to those that come with desktop computers, on their heads.

Prop: [Animal Language Earphones]

(cade)

Description: After putting on the headphones, you can hear the language and words spoken by animals.

Link and Denjiro, both wearing this gadget, listened attentively to what Momonosuke, in his boar form, said.

"When I become a general one day, I will kill you all, you unruly commoners! I will kill you all!!"

Momonosuke mumbled a lot of other things, but this one sentence had an immense impact on Denjiro.

The fact that he could say such things goes beyond simply using the excuse that he's just a child to explain his actions and exonerate him.

At least, Denjiro's face had gradually darkened.

"How about it?"

Link looked at the red-scabbard warrior and spoke slowly.

"I think you've already made up your mind, haven't you?"

~~~~~~~~~

Sorry everyone, I was quite busy today, so the update was a bit short. I'll make up for it tomorrow. Also, I originally planned to wrap things up by the end of August and go straight to the final chapter, but Oda's Nika Fruit and the subsequent series of events, such as the Cross Guild, have completely disrupted my plans.

Moreover, it completely overturned the storyline I had designed. I had no choice but to grit my teeth and continue writing, abandoning the ending I had previously planned. I'm just barely hanging on like this, patching things up from one end to the other. Therefore, I plan to slow down the updates and wait for Oda's next update.

The latest chapter introduces King's race as pacifists, another new plot point, and also reveals that Blackbeard obtained Hive Island by defeating Wang Zhi, the Loki Port incident, and how Coby helped Blackbeard take Hive Island and was subsequently hailed as a 'hero,' among other things.

There's just too much information, making me a bit cautious for fear of being proven wrong. So I'm going to slow down and wait to see if any new information comes out.

Therefore, updates will gradually slow down, so please wait a bit, but it will definitely not be abandoned!

Finally, a huge thank you once again to the generous donor 'Once Upon a Time There Was a Eunuch' for the yet another generous donation!! I am truly grateful for your continued support and love throughout this time!!

Chapter 752 The final destination: The Straw Hat Pirates set off to leave this island!

After hearing what Momonosuke said, Denjiro's previously wavering heart, filled with guilt and remorse, finally settled down.

From this one sentence, Denjiro already understood what Momonosuke would completely become.

After all~~~

He had followed Orochi for so long and had a deep understanding of Orochi's personality.

Momonosuke is also developing in the direction of Kurozumi Orochi.

Such a person absolutely cannot be allowed to return to be a general!!

Even acting or successor generals are not acceptable!!

"Even if I'm held accountable by Lord Kozuki Oden a hundred years from now, in the netherworld, I'll accept it!!"

Denjiro's face was filled with unwavering determination. "No matter what, we absolutely cannot let Momonosuke... His Highness return to the Flower Capital!!"

"For the people of Wano Country, even if I bear eternal infamy in the future, I will bear it all!!"

After hearing Momonosuke's words, he finally made his choice.