"My, my, life in your Wano Country is quite splendid."
Michael's group followed Kikunojo as their guide, admiring the intricately carved beams and painted rafters of the shogunate's inner courtyard with mild admiration.
"These were expanded over generations by past shoguns... But for Oden-sama, even with all his retainers living here, it still feels sowhat empty."
"It seems Kozuki Oden still considers you all family, even after becoming the shogun of Wano Country."
Michael shrugged.
In a Wano Country that hadn't endured the prolonged tyrannical rule of Kaido and Kurozumi Orochi, there naturally wasn't the twenty-year ti gap story between the Kozuki family and the Nine Red Scabbards.
The entire nation had veered onto an unpredictable path ever since Michael entrusted Morgans to deliver that letter years ago.
But at least in Michael's view... this path wasn't bad.
Of course, that depended on Wano Country ultimately being useful to him.
Turning another corridor, they ca upon a moderately spacious garden.
Within it, a beautiful woman in cherry-colored kimono with light green flowing hair sat amidst the flowers...
Spanking a child.
The so-called "child" wasn't so underage brat, but a tall man bearing resemblance to Kozuki Oden, though with softer, more maternal features.
Nearby stood a maiden with erald-green hair, the spitting image of the woman.
"How many tis must I tell you! If you want to sail the seas and beco a great pirate like Whitebeard, you'd better train properly!"
"Waaah, mother, I've just been cooped up too long... I miss all those big sisters outside!"
"You disgraceful beast, Momonosuke! Swallow those tears this instant!"
Michael raised an eyebrow.
If this tall young man was called "Momonosuke," he must be Kozuki Oden's son - that Kozuki Momonosuke topping every fan's kill list.
Thus, the woman currently stretching Momonosuke's cheeks and intermittently slapping him must be Kozuki Oden's wife, the Ti Fruit user of the Paracia class...
Though in this tiline, she might never need to use her ability again.
The smiling maiden nearby was naturally Kozuki Hiyori, who in the original story was forced to beco a courtesan.
"These must be Kozuki Oden's family?"
"Yes... Eh? Michael-sama, what are you—?"
Kikunojo nodded instinctively, only to see Michael decisively pivot toward the garden.
His turn was so abrupt and swift that Kikunojo couldn't even intercept him.
"As guests, it would be rude not to greet our hosts when we see them."
Izo patted the nearly petrified Kikunojo, chuckling:
"You'll get used to it. Michael acts entirely on impulse... but don't worry, he's certified a good man by Pops himself."
Kikunojo's mouth twitched.
What good was Whitebeard's certification!?
Wasn't he a pirate!?
Besides, given the harsh terms he'd just imposed on Oden-sama, how could this man possibly qualify as "good"?
But with intervention now impossible, Kikunojo could only hurry after with Izo.
Kozuki Toki was currently asserting maternal authority, disciplining her wayward son.
Mid-lesson, before she could even raise her three-ter ruler, a group of strangers suddenly appeared before her.
She frowned and instinctively shielded her two children behind her...
Even though they were already adults.
"Who are you!?"
"Uh, was I a bit too abrupt?" Michael asked awkwardly, looking at Kozuki Toki's defensive expression.
"Not just 'a bit' abrupt," said the ever-considerate Jack.
"Think about it—what kind of normal person just walks into soone's garden with an eight-ter-tall armored grouper fishman? The fact that they didn't imdiately assu you were here to kidnap soone already speaks volus about their calm temperant."
"I've noticed your sarcasm has gotten sharper lately, Jack..." Michael chuckled and patted Jack's calf.
"Then why didn't you stop earlier, you little rascal?"
"Sarcasm is one thing, but following orders is another." Jack spread his hands, expressing his helplessness.
anwhile, Kikunojo and Izo caught up.
"Lady Toki, it's been a long ti."
"Huh? Izo! Is that really you, Izo!"
The mont Kozuki Toki saw Izo, her wariness instantly turned to joy.
"You left little Kikunojo in Wano and never even ca back to visit!"
"Well... I'm back now," Izo replied sheepishly, scratching his cheek with a finger before quickly pointing at Michael.
"Ah, Lady Toki, this is the forr Grand Inspector of the Marines, the Revolutionary Army's Chief of Staff, Lord Michael."
"Mi... Michael!?"
Hearing Michael's na, Kozuki Hiyori, who had been hiding behind Kozuki Toki, suddenly perked up.
She rushed forward, looked up, and scrutinized Michael closely...
Then imdiately hugged him without hesitation!
"Idol! My idol, you actually appeared in front of !"
"I pray every day for the angel Michael to descend from the heavens and bless with his presence!"
"And today! My dream as Kozuki Hiyori has finally co true!"
"Waaah, please sign all my rchandise!"
"This is the request of a lifeti!"
Her dramatic wailing instantly reminded Michael of soone.
How was this any different from Yamato back then!?
"You! You're also a crazy fan of Father!?"
Sure enough, Yamato—who had been looking sowhat uneasy revisiting this place—suddenly brightened up.
After plucking Kozuki Hiyori off Michael, Yamato imdiately lifted her hakama, revealing an assortnt of Michael rchandise hanging inside!
"A fellow fan sister!!" Kozuki Hiyori burst into tears at the sight of Yamato's collection.
"Do you know how painful it's been all these years, being the only person in Wano who cares about Michael-sama rchandise!?"
"I know! I know exactly how you feel!"
The two girls, practically ready to beco sworn sisters on the spot, hugged and cried together.
As the parental figures, Michael and Kozuki Toki were instantly plunged into an awkward silence.
Only Momonosuke, who had just been scolded earlier, stared intently at Yamato's face...
Then abruptly spoke up:
"I... rember you!"
"Those crimson demon horns and gradient white hair..."
"You're Kaido's daughter!"
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