Chapter 89: The Living Ancestor
"Pluton... one of the three Ancient Weapons?"
Morgans' excitement reached a fever pitch as he muttered to himself, "Big news... this is more big news!"
He realized right then that his decision to side with Kazuma Yumesaki's group was the best move he'd ever made. These people knew too much; every scrap of information they possessed was a headline capable of shaking the world and filling the front pages of every newspaper.
Though no one in the current era had ever seen the three Ancient Weapons with their own eyes, the legends surrounding them never ceased to circulate across the seas. Countless souls had spent their entire lives searching for these relics, yet none had ever succeeded.
Could it be that Crocodile had actually found it?
King the Wildfire, unable to suppress his curiosity upon hearing this, chimed in. "Is it possible that Pluton is truly located within the Kingdom of Alabasta?"
Nico Robin shook her head. "It isn't there."
Morgans' face instantly fell into an expression of disappointment. If it wasn't there, then this couldn't really be considered a scoop.
However, Robin continued, "But within Alabasta, there is a Poneglyph that records the true location of Pluton in the ancient tongue."
Morgans blinked, stunned. "???"
"You actually know where Pluton is located?"
Even Kaido couldn't remain silent this time. Since they were preparing to face the World Government, the more powerful assets they had on their side, the better. If they had the support of Pluton, their chances of victory would skyrocket.
"I know," Robin nodded. In fact, anyone who had read the 'history books'—referring to the core knowledge of this world's narrative—would know exactly where it was.
"Where?"
Nico Robin pointed toward the ground beneath them. Kaido looked confused, but King seemed to catch on almost instantly. His voice rose in sheer disbelief. "Wano Country? Pluton is here in Wano?"
The answer was so shocking that even Kaido's expression shifted to one of pure incredulity. If Pluton was in Wano, why didn't he know about it? He had ruled over this land for nearly twenty years, yet he hadn't seen so much as a shadow of the legendary ship, let alone its physical form.
"That's right. Pluton is indeed in Wano Country, specifically in the depths beneath it."
Robin spoke calmly. "However, the ship has been damaged and has lost its power source. Right now, it's nothing more than a heap of scrap metal that cannot exert its legendary power. Unless..."
"Unless what?" Morgans pressed.
"Unless we obtain the Mother Flame."
"Mother Flame? What's that now?" Morgans felt like a lost child who knew nothing of the world.
"It is a flame that resembles a fire burning within water, developed by Vegapunk. It can provide limitless energy to the world and can be used as the fuel to power the Ancient Weapons."
Hearing that the object had been created by Vegapunk, Morgans found it much easier to accept. After all, the man was Vegapunk.
King added, "Vegapunk truly is a scientist who transcends this era. To think he could create something so magnificent."
Kaido grunted. "It's a pity such a scientist fell into the hands of the World Government."
"It is indeed a pity," Robin agreed. "Which is why we must rescue Vegapunk."
While Tobirama, Orochimaru, and the others were currently busy unraveling the secrets of Devil Fruits, having Vegapunk's assistance would significantly shorten their research time. Vegapunk had already mastered the ability to produce Zoan-type Devil Fruits.
In the future, he would even go as far as creating 'Green Blood,' allowing a person to wield the powers of a Paramecia-type. With him on their side, forming an army of ability users would be far more efficient.
Therefore, Vegapunk was a target that had to be secured.
Both Kaido and King voiced their approval of Robin's plan. If their faction gained Vegapunk's support, their strength would be bolstered immensely.
Kaido even declared, "Tell me when you make your move for the rescue. I'll go with you."
"There's no need for that," Robin replied, shaking her head. "You are far too conspicuous. The moment you enter the World Government's sight, it will work against us."
"We will find some 'outsiders' to rescue Vegapunk. Even if the World Government finds out, it won't be linked back to you."
"What we need right now is to gather as much strength as possible. Now is not the time for an all-out conflict with the World Government."
Kaido and King finally settled down after hearing her reasoning and agreed to follow her lead.
With that settled, Robin began delegating tasks.
Morgans was to head back to his newspaper headquarters and immediately dispatch his people to find the whereabouts of Fujitora Issho. As for the information regarding Crocodile and Pluton, it wouldn't be published just yet. They would wait for the perfect moment to send shockwaves through the world.
Kaido and King led their pirate crews away, fully withdrawing their forces from Wano and returning to Onigashima to recover from their wounds.
Meanwhile, Shimotsuki Ryuma remained behind to take charge of the situation in Wano Country.
Dracule Mihawk was permitted to leave Wano, with the condition that should they ever need his strength, he would assist them in fighting the World Government. Mihawk agreed without hesitation. It was a fair trade, and he wasn't the type to go back on his word.
Before departing, Mihawk pulled Yumesaki aside and asked privately if he intended to resurrect the Pirate King, Gol D. Roger. He knew Roger had been a master swordsman in his own right and harbored a deep desire to cross blades with him.
"Perhaps when the opportunity arises," Yumesaki replied after a moment of thought. "Mainly because I don't know where Roger's body is currently located. If you want to fight him that badly, help me find information on where he was buried."
Mihawk accepted the task.
Yumesaki opened an Air Door and saw Mihawk off. With that, the affairs in Wano were temporarily concluded.
Yumesaki had no intention of micromanaging the aftermath; he left everything to Shimotsuki Ryuma. The only potential issue was that while Ryuma was a legendary samurai, he wasn't exactly a seasoned politician. Sorting out Wano's complex internal problems wouldn't be easy.
Fortunately, Ryuma's direct descendants, like Shimotsuki Yasuie, were still alive. As long as these people were brought back into the fold to restore order, it was only a matter of time before Wano returned to normal.
And that was exactly how it played out. When Ryuma learned of Yasuie's location from Robin and went to find him, Yasuie was utterly bewildered.
An ancestor who had been dead for hundreds of years had suddenly returned to life, driven out Kaido, and saved Wano. It felt like a miracle. For a moment, they wondered if they had all collectively eaten poisonous mushrooms and were experiencing a mass hallucination.
However, after confirming multiple times that Ryuma was indeed alive and Kaido was truly gone, the air was filled with overwhelming emotion. Wano Country had finally seen the light of hope.
They thanked their ancestor. Ryuma was, quite literally, a living legend—a living ancestor.
Shimotsuki Yasuie immediately led his subordinates into action. In just a few days, he managed to stabilize a nation that had been on the brink of collapse, steering it toward recovery. At the very least, the people of Wano would no longer have to suffer from starvation.
Yasuie was profoundly grateful to Ryuma, but Ryuma, in turn, felt an even deeper gratitude toward Yumesaki.
As for the man himself, Yumesaki was currently in Cocoyasi Village, overseeing the resurrection of Nami's mother, Bell-mere.
— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —
50 Power Stone = 1 Bonus Chapter (Up to 5 bonus chapters per week).
Join my Patreon to get access to more chapters from Webnovel here:
patreon.com/FaaanzKun