Chapter 60: The Path Forward – Truths and Decisions

The night air was cool over Wano, a stark contrast to the fires of war that had burned just a month ago. The battle was over, and Kaido was dead. But the weight of the country's future still pressed upon me.I sat with Hiyori inside the dimly lit castle hall, the lanterns flickering softly between us. She had been quiet for a long time, her eyes searching my face.Then, finally, she spoke."Momonosuke… why didn't you move twenty years into the future like the others?"Her voice wasn't accusatory—just filled with genuine confusion and curiosity.I met her gaze, already knowing that I couldn't tell her the full truth. I couldn't reveal my Copy System or the secrets of my power.But I could tell her part of the truth."I… don't know," I said, keeping my voice steady. "When the castle burned, I expected to be sent forward like the others. But instead, I only moved three months ahead."Hiyori's eyes widened slightly. "Three months…?"I nodded. "For reasons I don't understand, Mother's power did not send me twenty years into the future. Instead, I was left alone in a world that was already lost to Orochi and Kaido."Hiyori's lips trembled. "Then… where have you been all this time? Why didn't you return sooner?"I exhaled. "I was weak, Hiyori. I knew that if I stayed in Wano, I would be nothing more than a symbol—powerless and unable to avenge our father. So I made a choice. I left."Her breath hitched. "Left? Where?"I looked out over the castle ruins. "I traveled across the world. I trained, I fought, and I prepared. For seven years, I searched for strength, skills, and allies. Because I knew that if I ever wanted to reclaim Wano, I couldn't do it alone."Hiyori's expression shifted from shock to something else—pride."You… you did all of this… for us?" she whispered.I nodded. "For Wano. For you. For our family."Hiyori's eyes shimmered with emotion. Then, she suddenly smiled—small but filled with relief."Thank you, Momo," she said softly. "You really… came back for us."

The Liberation of Udon Prison

The next day, I led a march toward Udon Prison, accompanied by Denjiro, Hyogoro, and Kawamatsu.Udon had been one of Kaido's strongest military strongholds, a place where loyal samurai had been imprisoned and tortured for years. Now, with Kaido dead and Orochi defeated, it was time to set them free.As we reached the massive iron gates of Udon, the remaining guards—defeated and demoralized—threw down their weapons without a fight.I stepped forward and raised my voice."The war is over! Kaido is dead! Orochi is captured! Wano is free!"Gasps and whispers filled the prison yard.One by one, the massive iron gates were unlocked, and hundreds of samurai and prisoners stepped into the sunlight for the first time in years.Hyogoro, once the proud Yakuza boss, fell to his knees as he saw the men he had lost so long ago. "Momonosuke-sama… you truly have given Wano its second chance."The samurai, despite their years of suffering, stood tall. Then, as one, they bowed before me."Long live the Kozuki Clan!"But this wasn't the end.We had won the war.Now, we had to defend what we had reclaimed.

One Month Later – The Council of Wano

A month passed, and Wano began to heal.With the Beast Pirates dismantled, Kaido's strongholds abandoned, and Orochi's influence purged, we finally had a chance to rebuild.Now, it was time to decide Wano's future.Inside Kuri's grand hall, I sat at the head of a long table, surrounded by Wano's most important leaders.Among them were:

Denjiro, the strategist and protector of the capital.Ashura Doji, the fiercest warrior of Wano's rebellion.Hyogoro, the elder and former Yakuza boss.Hiyori, the symbol of the Kozuki Clan's will.Kawamatsu, the loyal guardian.Leaders from each region of Wano, representing their people.

Denjiro was the first to speak."Momonosuke-sama, Wano needs a ruler. We ask you to take the throne as Shogun."The room fell silent.All eyes were on me.I closed my eyes briefly before taking a deep breath."I appreciate your faith in me, Denjiro. But Wano already has a Shogun."Confusion spread across the room.Hiyori frowned. "What do you mean?"I opened my eyes and spoke firmly."My grandfather, Kozuki Sukiyaki, is still alive."Gasps erupted.Ashura Doji's eyes widened. "Oden's father? The former Shogun?"I nodded. "Yes. He has been in hiding all these years."Denjiro's face twisted in conflict. "But… the people believe in you! You are Oden's son!"I raised a hand. "I did not fight this battle for power. I fought to free Wano."Hiyori stared at me, searching my face. "But if you won't be Shogun, what will you do?"I took a deep breath."Kaido is dead, but he was not the only threat to Wano. There will be others. The world will come for us now that we are free. And I will not allow Wano to fall into chaos again."I stood up, looking at each of them with conviction."I will not sit on the throne.""I will lead a force strong enough to protect Wano."Silence fell over the room.Denjiro slowly smiled. "You mean… an army?"I nodded. "A force that can repel any invader. Be it pirates, warlords, or even the World Government. If another Kaido comes, we will be ready."Hyogoro nodded in understanding. "A guardian force, not for conquest, but for protection."I turned to them, my voice firm. "I will lead them. Wano is my home, and I will ensure that no one takes it from us again."Hiyori wiped a tear from her eye, smiling. "You truly are Oden's son."Denjiro and Ashura Doji grinned, their spirits reignited."Then let us build this force together."I looked out toward the horizon, the sky clear and free.Wano was safe.But now, I had a new mission.To protect everything we fought for.