Lloyd casually tossed aside Kurozumi Orochi's corpse. Before the retainers could even process what had just happened, the shadows beneath their feet twisted violently.
Pitch black spikes shot upward from the ground, piercing through their bodies from below.
The spikes lifted them into the air as blood poured down like rain.
At that moment, the Kurozumi Family, who had ruled Wano Country for years, along with their backing force, the Beasts Pirates, were completely wiped out.
Wano Country, a land rich in Sea Stone, was now left without an owner.
Lloyd turned his head slightly and looked at Doflamingo.
"Doflamingo, Wano Country is yours."
"What?"
Doflamingo's pupils shrank behind his sunglasses. Even someone like him could not hide his shock. Akainu and the others exchanged brief glances, though none of them reacted strongly.
On the way here, Lloyd had already revealed Doflamingo's background to them. They all knew he was once a Celestial Dragon.
Even though he had been expelled from Mary Geoise, that bloodline could not be erased. With Lloyd backing him, returning to the Holy Land was not difficult.
With such status, ruling a country like Wano was not a problem.
Lloyd spoke calmly.
"A place like Wano is safer in the hands of our own people. Caesar is still with you, bring him here. There are still remnants of the Beasts Pirates and large reserves of Sea Stone in Udon. All of that can be used as valuable experimental material."
Kizaru clicked his tongue in amusement.
Giving away an entire country so casually, and one as powerful as Wano at that, there were few in the world capable of such extravagance.
Doflamingo swallowed before speaking.
"Saint Lloyd, with the forces I currently control, managing two countries might be difficult."
Lloyd waved his hand dismissively.
"That is not a problem. Recall Vergo and station him permanently in Dressrosa. You will remain in Wano. I will also send Marines to garrison the country. From now on, Wano will be counted among the allied nations."
He paused briefly, then continued.
"Oh, the outside world still does not know that Vergo works for you. Release that information as well."
Kizaru spread his hands with a teasing smile.
"I imagine Fleet Admiral Sengoku will not be pleased when he hears that."
Lloyd's lips curved slightly.
"It does not matter. He will not need to worry about such things anymore."
Akainu and the others immediately focused on Lloyd.
Akainu spoke in a low voice.
"Lloyd, what do you mean by that?"
Lloyd turned, raising his hand slightly.
"It is time."
...
Wano Country, Amigasa Village.
Kozuki Sukiyaki sat quietly, carving a wooden doll.
Since escaping Orochi, his hatred had consumed him. The only thing he could do was craft these dolls, using them as a way to curse Orochi, Kaido, and the others.
He placed the finished doll aside and wiped the sweat from his forehead.
At that moment, a cheerful child's voice called out.
"Grandpa, it is time to eat!"
A gentle smile appeared beneath his Tengu mask. He turned and saw a small girl in a green kimono with purple hair running toward him, holding a bowl of millet.
Beside her walked a large dog that resembled a stone lion.
The girl stopped in front of him and held up the bowl.
Sukiyaki patted her head.
"Have you eaten yet, Tama?"
Tama nodded happily.
Only then did Sukiyaki take the bowl, preparing to eat.
"Kozuki Sukiyaki, it seems you have been living quite comfortably."
The voice froze him in place.
No one had called him by that name in a long time. He had long since taken on the identity of Tenguyama Hitetsu.
Slowly, he turned around, his eyes filled with caution.
The moment he saw the man standing there, his expression changed drastically.
He tore off his mask, his face twisting with rage.
"You are Admiral Black Dragon!"
Lloyd stood with his arms crossed, his expression calm.
"I did not expect you to recognize me. It seems you have not spent all your time making toys."
Sukiyaki's teeth clenched tightly.
"Of course I recognize you. You killed my grandson. If not for you, Oden would never have lost to Kaido. Wano would never have become this hell!"
Tama stood frozen beside him, staring in shock. She had never seen him like this before.
Lloyd's gaze shifted to Tama.
A surge of invisible Haki spread outward instantly.
Tama's eyes lost focus as she collapsed forward.
Before she could hit the ground, Lloyd moved.
In an instant, he appeared beside her and caught her in his arms.
She was nothing more than an orphan, a victim of Orochi's rule. Lloyd had no interest in harming a child like her.
Seeing this, Sukiyaki shouted in panic.
"What are you doing to Tama!"
A sharp sound echoed.
Sukiyaki's head was sent flying, spinning through the air as his body remained standing for a brief moment before collapsing.
Blood erupted from his neck.
The blood gathered unnaturally, forming thin streams that converged toward Lloyd's palm, as if drawn by an unseen force.
Lloyd looked at it coldly.
With a flick of his hand, he sent the condensed mass of blood away, tossing it onto a patch of black, steaming substance nearby.
The dog whimpered softly at the sight.
This was Komachiyo, though its appearance resembled a golden stone lion.
Lloyd looked down at it.
The beast lowered its head, not daring to move.
Lloyd reached down and lifted it by the scruff of its neck.
"From now on, your name is Golden Lion."
With Tama in one arm and the beast in the other, Lloyd vanished from the spot in an instant.
◇ I'll drop one bonus chapter for every 10 reviews
(Leave a review/comment)
◇ One bonus chapter will be released for every 100
Power Stones.
◇ Read 80 | 100 chapters ahead on [email protected]/_Zeph