You better ascend the throne obediently!

Following the direction pointed by the Vivre Card, Hitsugisukan gradually made his way from Kuri to Hakumai. According to the Vivre Card, Setsuna should be somewhere nearby. However, the place in front of him…

[Women's Hot Spring – Men Not Allowed]

A huge sign stood in his path, halting Hitsugisukan's steps.

There were many hot springs in Wano Country. Although there were some mixed bathing areas, most of them were separated by gender. Even in mixed baths, the majority of people were local middle-aged and elderly people from Wano Country.

Of course, this had nothing to do with Hitsugisukan. He wasn't interested in mixed baths; he just wanted to drag Setsuna out and make her succeed the throne.

The good news was that Setsuna was still in Wano Country, so she hadn't completely thrown away all her integrity. The bad news? She was in a place he couldn't possibly enter.

At this moment, Hitsugisukan's expression remained unchanged. A hot spring, huh? It's just a bath. At most, it'll only take a couple of hours.

Finding a tree stump nearby, Hitsugisukan silently waited for Setsuna to come out. With the Vivre Card in hand, there was no way she could disappear into thin air.

However, even as the sun set, he still hadn't caught sight of Setsuna.

"Baa~ Baa~"

A few Mareep wandered by from nearby, bleating greetings at Hitsugisukan, who sat there spacing out.

"Hey, um… Miss? Could I trouble you to go in and find someone for me?"

Having waited for so long, Hitsugisukan finally could no longer sit still. He turned to a nearby shepherd girl who was passing by and asked for help.

"Ah… but that place…"

Looking at the location Hitsugisukan was pointing to, the girl showed a hesitant expression.

Minks had already seamlessly integrated into Wano Country, and no one regarded them as monsters anymore.

Under the rule of the Beasts Pirates, Zoan Users had increased dramatically. Animal-like appearances had instead become a symbol of strength. Additionally, the Minks who frequently stayed in Wano Country were either senior officers or officer's family members, so the locals had long grown accustomed to their presence.

"What's the matter? Isn't that a women's hot spring?"

"That's correct, but… that place is a high-end meeting place for officers. Only officers, their families, and staff are allowed in. Ordinary people can't get in."

After explaining the situation to Hitsugisukan, the girl left with her flock of sheep, leaving Hitsugisukan sitting there, bewildered.

An exclusive officers' meeting place. Men forbidden. Entry only possible if accompanied by an officer. It seemed like he had walked straight into a trap.

Meanwhile, inside the hot spring, Setsuna soaked in the warm water, looking at the Vivre Card in her hand.

"So, he really came. Punctual as always."

"Sis, I heard from Mom that when you were little, you always wanted to be the Duchess. Why don't you want to inherit now?"

"Wanda, people change. Do you still remember your childhood dream?"

As a sister, though she didn't really exude much of a big sister aura, she still relied on that identity to lecture Wanda a bit.

"Childhood? I really can't remember. I didn't have anything I particularly wanted back then. Now, though, there are so many things I want."

"That's exactly it—people change. I used to think that the position of the duke was lofty and commanding, able to order the entire Zou Island, and it seemed incredibly impressive. However, later I realized that the position of the duke carries too many responsibilities."

"Hitsugisukan can remember everyone's names. I just don't have that ability. Other than a few acquaintances, I can't remember the names of so many Minks."

"But Sis, you're strong! Both you and Zeraora are stronger than any of the dukes in history. The stone that allows one to enter Sulong form, the ability to communicate with Zunesha—those were things we could never even dream of before."

"That's Lord Arceus's power. Without his power, none of us would be able to achieve those things."

As she spoke, Setsuna used her Power of Aura to pull an iced tea from a table dozens of meters away, drinking it in one gulp.

"So, Wanda, you should work harder too. Don't just stay on Zou Island all the time. Go out and fight. That way, I can ask Zeraora to speak to Lord Arceus about finding you a decent ability."

Saying this, Setsuna stood up from the hot spring, walking to a patch of dry straw-covered ground. She used her electrical energy to dry off her fur.

"Huh? Sis, are you heading out already?"

"Yeah, I wasn't planning on staying the night here."

"I thought you were trying to make Hitsugisukan give up by dragging things out."

Setsuna dragged her here early in the morning. She thought Setsuna was going to use a delaying tactic to ensure that Hitsugisukan would never find her.

"It's useless. He's been waiting here all day and shows no signs of leaving. After all, this isn't the first time he's come to urge me to take up the position. Dragging this out forever isn't a solution either."

…..

"Huh? Where's your sister?"

"She said… she's going to find Hitsugisukan to discuss the matter of succession."

When Rin returned, Setsuna was already gone, leaving only a bewildered Wanda. Her sister had gone to great lengths to avoid succeeding the throne, so her sudden decisiveness seemed far too abnormal.

"She must have cooked up some new trick. Hitsugisukan really has it tough."

Even though Setsuna ran away from home when she was very young, Rin knew that her daughter was extremely playful and would never stay on Zou Island as duchess, like Hitsugisukan did.

However, she didn't know what kind of excuse Setsuna had prepared.

…..

"Senior Hitsugisukan, what are you doing sitting here all by yourself?"

Setsuna appeared in front of Hitsugisukan with an innocent expression. However, Hitsugisukan didn't buy her innocent look at all. The date they had agreed on before she left last time was fixed—he didn't believe for a second that Setsuna had forgotten about it.

"What do you think?"

"Boring! Senior, how about you consider a little? What if I just give the duke position to someone else?"

"Do you think others will accept it if anyone else other than you would sit in this position?"

The duke of Zou Island had immense power, and they could freely choose their successor, with the people usually not objecting. However, Setsuna had brought so many changes to Zou Island, and had even set the precedent of communicating with Zunesha.

Even if she personally appointed a successor, without any achievements to back it up, it would be hard for others to accept.

"Stop trying to play tricks on me! I'm not trying to harm you by having you inherit the title of duke. When you were younger, you always complained about wanting my position. Why didn't you think about what would happen today?"

"But you didn't agree back then!"

"I did agree a few years ago. And don't forget, you signed an agreement with me!"

Saying this, Hitsugisukan pulled out the agreement from back then, which had Setsuna's signature and handprint on it.

[Return to Zou Island in seven years and inherit the position of duke.]

Hitsugisukan looked at the bold words on the agreement and gave a satisfied smile, which was mirrored by Setsuna.

"Looks like you're finally ready to succeed the throne."

"Huh? Yes, I'm ready. I'll inherit the position in seven years."

"What did you say?? This agreement was signed seven years ago!"

"But it doesn't have a date. It only says I'll inherit the position seven years later."

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