"Hmm, those Blue Sea dwellers in white came to us before, hoping to purchase a large quantity of Breath Dials. In the end, God rejected them, and it led to war."
In a town within the Sky Island, Alucard learned from the residents the reason why Momousagi, Shirokitsune, and the others had clashed with Enel.
The oddly shaped warship he had seen earlier was the cause. The Government was already looking to construct flying warships, following the exact same path as Shiki the Golden Lion's fleet years ago.
"Hmph, I feel like my advantages are dwindling."
Whether in self-mockery or excitement, Alucard smiled and departed from Sky Island.
He used to feel that his advantage lay in his knowledge of this world's trajectory, as he was, after all, a traverser. But as time passed and Alucard integrated more deeply into this world, he felt more and more that this was a living, breathing world, not a fiction.
The intelligence and events he knew of had been completely disrupted by his own intervention. At the very least, according to the original timeline, Enel would not have encountered him here, and the Government's land forces would never have ventured to this place.
The world's direction was becoming increasingly difficult to control.
"Forget it. Isn't this also quite good?"
Alucard muttered to himself before summoning Jormungandr and leaving Sky Island.
…
Having completed the mission of handing over the 1 billion Berries to the Immortal Pirates, Kozuki Oden was on his way back to Wano Country. He felt fortunate that he hadn't been recognized by the likes of Urdaha or Stragus.
During his time with the Roger Pirates, he had kept a relatively low profile and wasn't as conspicuous as Rayleigh. In Wano, he also did his utmost to conceal the fact that he had sailed with Roger.
The key reason for hiding his identity was not just to evade Government pursuit, but more importantly, because of the Road Poneglyph rubbings in his possession. If Kaido or Big Mom found out... the consequences would be endless.
Pere pere pere…
The Den Den Mushi on the bedside table suddenly rang urgently. Oden picked it up, and the hurried voice of his retainer Kanjuro, who had stayed behind in Wano, came through. "Oden-sama, please hurry back to Wano! Wind Calamity Queen of the Beasts Pirates took advantage of the thick fog this morning to launch a sneak attack. Both sides are currently engaged in a fierce battle!"
"Wind Calamity Queen!"
Oden was shocked. One of the Three Calamities of the Beasts Pirates.
So, the Beasts Pirates were finally meddling in this? It seemed his previous decision to send Raizo to Zou was indeed correct.
Three days later, Oden led his men back. Upon landing, he spotted a ship docked at the national gate's pier. With a prow shaped like a saber-toothed tiger with long tusks, it was none other than the Sabre-Tooth, one of the flagship vessels of the Three Calamities.
According to Kanjuro's intelligence, after a day and night of fighting, the two sides were at a stalemate. However, the Wind Calamity was unwilling to retreat just like that and had set up camp ten miles outside the national gate to recover and await reinforcements.
Returning to a Wano town via a small path, Oden didn't even have time for a drink of water at home before the Shogun's summons was issued. All retainers were to head to the castle to discuss counter-measures.
"What are your views on the Wind Calamity's invasion?" The Shogun fanned himself lightly, asking the two rows of retainers below with a look of dissatisfaction.
Imai, Oden's primary political rival, couldn't wait to speak up. "Your Excellency, according to my investigation, it was precisely because Daimyo Oden's repayment mission was exposed that it attracted this wolf, the Beasts Pirates. I ask the Shogun to punish this man severely."
Oden was furious. With a great enemy at the gates, this bastard Imai wasn't thinking about how to repel the foe, but how to suppress him. What a scoundrel!
But Oden was no simpleton. He immediately stepped out from the ranks and said, "Your Excellency, the Wind Calamity is still ten miles away, and new reinforcements from the Beasts Pirates could arrive at any moment. For now, we should focus on how to repel Queen."
The Shogun, seated in the center, pondered for a moment and decided to listen to Oden. The matter of right or wrong could be set aside; they would deal with it after the enemy was eliminated.
The Daimyo and retainers began to offer their suggestions to the Shogun, which were mainly split into two camps.
First: Open the borders of Wano, join the World Government, and seek their protection. This was immediately rejected, not only because the Shogun had no desire to be controlled by the Government, but also because given Wano's geography, the Government's umbrella wouldn't reach this far.
Second: Seek reinforcements from the Immortal Pirates, essentially joining them and placing Wano under their territory. By flying the "Immortal" flag, the Beasts Pirates would naturally not dare to act recklessly.
This was also rejected, and the one who countered it was Oden. He argued that pirates were insatiable; once they became subordinates, Wano would become a pirate kingdom, and the Shogun would be nothing more than a puppet.
The Shogun agreed with this sentiment.
Seeing the timing was right, Oden proposed to the Shogun again, "Your Excellency, in my youth, I went to sea and befriended many powerful warriors. If you agree to let them enter the country and form an alliance, they will become an extremely powerful force, enough to withstand a Yonko. Then, we will have no need to fear Kaido."
Oden was, of course, referring to the secret direct retainers led by Nekomamushi and Inuarashi. If they combined their strength, while he couldn't say they would rival a Yonko crew, he was confident they could surpass any one of the Three Calamities.
"This..." The Shogun hesitated, unable to make a decision.
At this moment, Imai spoke up. "Your Excellency, I believe we still need to observe for a while. We had a major battle with the Wind Calamity today, and he certainly won't dare to attack for the time being. I suggest everyone rest, and we continue the meeting tomorrow."
Seeing Imai repeatedly signaling him with his eyes, the Shogun understood the intention and ordered the meeting adjourned.
Oden thought worriedly, What ghost of a scheme is this bastard plotting...
…
That night, Imai met secretly with the Shogun.
"Imai, what was the meaning behind your suggestion to adjourn?"
There were no electric lights; the room was lit by candlelight, giving it a somewhat sinister atmosphere.
"Shogun, Oden's proposal must never be allowed," Imai said with a bow.
"Oh? Why?"
Imai's words were shocking: "Because this move of his stems from the intent to usurp the position of Shogun!"
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