Hiyori's question caused a subtle shift in the focus of the courtyard.
At last, Gern Reginald Sigmar's gaze moved away from Luffy and settled on the young shogun.
"You're more useful than Kozuki Momonosuke."
The mockery and cold amusement on his face receded slightly, replaced by something more measured—an appraising, calculating look.
"Of course, my meaning is quite simple."
His voice was steady now, stripped of the earlier taunts directed at Luffy, carrying instead the tone of official business.
"The Marines require Wano's geographical advantage, its resources—especially Seastone—and its strategic position as a key node in the New World."
"In return, the Marines will provide military protection. No force—be it other Emperors, remnants of the World Government, or even the Revolutionary Army—will be allowed to threaten Wano's independence and stability again."
He paused briefly before continuing.
"At the same time, the Marines will assist Wano in ending its isolation. Trade routes, cultural exchange, and communication with the outside world—primarily Marine-controlled regions and allied nations—will be established."
"We will introduce necessary technology and administrative systems, helping this country truly integrate into the world and improve the lives of its people."
"Of course," Gern added, his tone turning firm, leaving no room for negotiation, "Wano must recognize the Marines' supreme authority. Foreign affairs, military matters, and key resources—such as Seastone mines—will be under Marine leadership."
"Taxation and legal systems will also be restructured to align with the broader order the Marines are establishing in the New World."
"The shogunate will be reorganized into a Marine G-series headquarters, while the daimyo estates across Wano will become branch bases."
He glanced across the courtyard.
"Of course—you will remain the shogun."
His gaze swept over everyone present before returning to Hiyori.
"All of this will be formalized through an official treaty."
"Compared to the vague 'protection' offered by pirates—protection that may vanish the moment their captain loses interest—the Marines' order, though equally compulsory, is at least stable, predictable, and backed by a system."
"This is the price of opening the country… and also its guarantee."
Gern's final words fell like a verdict.
"How you choose is up to you, Shogun Kozuki Hiyori."
"Accept the Marines' order and allow Wano to be reborn within controlled boundaries… or refuse—and face what comes next."
He didn't elaborate on what "comes next" meant.
But everyone understood.
It meant conquest.Force.And a far more brutal chaos than anything they faced now.
"I… would still be shogun, but with no real power at all…" Hiyori's body trembled slightly after hearing everything.
Her eyes turned to Luffy… then to Zoro, Nami, and the others.
From their grim expressions, she understood the severity of the situation.
Finally, her gaze returned to Gern.
This Marine Fleet Admiral was domineering—overwhelming.
Yet his proposal… at the very least, offered a clear and negotiable framework.
Compared to entrusting the nation's future to a pirate emperor—one who would inevitably leave, whose dream lay in the endless sea—
This option… might better fulfill the responsibility of a ruler.
"In that case… as the Shogun of Wano, I—"
"No!!!"
A hoarse roar suddenly exploded from the side corridor of the courtyard.
Everyone turned.
Kin'emon staggered forward.
"Lady Hiyori! You must not listen to this man!"
He rushed to her side, dropping to one knee—but his head remained raised, his bloodshot eyes fixed on Gern, his voice trembling with fury.
"This man… this demon! He personally killed Lord Momonosuke!!"
"In Dressrosa… I saw it with my own eyes… I watched as the young lord was… was…"
Grief choked his words.
"And now he seeks to seize all of Wano!"
"With honeyed words—'opening the country,' 'order'—but in essence, how is he any different from Kaido?!"
"Only the name has changed—from 'pirates'… to 'Marines'!!"
Kin'emon's voice broke as he shouted.
"Wano has suffered endlessly—countless samurai and citizens gave their lives to free it from Kaido's tyranny!"
"How can we… how can we stand by and watch it fall into the hands of another demon?!"
He surged to his feet, drawing his sword with a sharp metallic ring.
Though his arm trembled slightly, his eyes burned with unwavering resolve.
"If it comes to that…"
He swept his gaze across the courtyard.
"We, the Akazaya Nine, will fight once more—even if it costs us our lives!"
"For Lord Oden's will! For the future of the Kozuki clan! For a Wano that will never again be enslaved!!"
At last, his gaze locked onto Luffy—burning with desperate hope.
"Luffy-dono!! You'll help us again, won't you?!"
"Just like on Onigashima! Wano needs you!"
"Say something, Luffy-dono!!!"
In an instant—
All the pressure shifted onto Luffy.
Luffy looked at Kin'emon.
But he didn't answer.
He… remained silent.
Not out of confusion.Not out of hesitation.
But from a heavy, undeniable understanding.
There's a saying—
When you truly reach a certain height, when you possess enough power and bear the responsibility that comes with it…
You begin to see things others cannot.
And understand truths too cruel to put into words.
Monkey D. Luffy had just defeated the "World's Strongest Creature" Kaido head-on.
His strength, his perception, his understanding of power—
Had stepped into the realm of an Emperor.
And he understood something clearly.
Gern… was strong.
So strong that—
If they fought head-on…
He might be able to laugh it off himself.
But what about his crew?
Against that kind of overwhelming, indiscriminate shockwave power—
What were their chances of survival?
Especially here, where no one present could truly restrain the full scope of Gern's destructive ability.
What would the outcome be?
Luffy could already see it—
His friends collapsing, coughing blood under pale, crushing shockwaves.
Buildings crumbling in waves.
The Akazaya samurai torn apart like paper.
And himself—
Even if he fought with everything he had left after battling two Emperors…
How much chance did he really have against Gern?
Gear Fifth was not yet fully mastered.
And its toll was immense.
The Straw Hat Pirates…
Might be wiped out entirely.
He could risk his life for himself.
He could fight to the death for his friends.
But as a captain—
When his decisions determined whether his crew lived or died—
That weight…
Was suffocating.
He was no longer the reckless boy who could act on instinct alone.
"Kin'emon…" Luffy finally spoke.
But he didn't look at the desperate hope in Kin'emon's eyes.
He kept his gaze fixed on Gern.
And instead of saying what Kin'emon wanted to hear—
He spoke the truth.
"…I can't beat him."