Ryuo Haki is an advanced form of Armament Haki that allows it to flow externally, bypassing surface defenses and attacking the interior of a target. This ability enables the user to destroy an enemy's internal structure, making it far deadlier.
It's similar to striking with hidden force—hitting a target from a distance or striking with the force of a bull without direct contact. It's extremely effective at bypassing defenses and striking vital internal organs, making it easier to take down even the strongest foes.
Without using his Rumble-Rumble Fruit, Redfield was being completely suppressed by Shimotsuki Toramaru. In terms of pure swordsmanship, he was no match for the Bell Queen Daimyo.
"Kid, are you deliberately trying to learn Ryuo?" Toramaru teased with a grin. "If you want to learn, just ask! How am I supposed to know if you don't say it? If you're serious, I'll teach you!"
The pink-hued Ryuo Haki flowed along Shimotsuki Toramaru's sword, making Redfield wary. The Rumble-Rumble Fruit's Logia intangibility was useless against Haki, and on top of that, he was worried that Toramaru's Ryuo would damage his beloved sword. This was Brook's favorite weapon from the past, and he couldn't allow it to be ruined.
"Yes! I want to learn!"
Without hesitation, Redfield sheathed his word, picked up a random longsword, and continued his spar with Toramaru.
"That's the spirit! There's nothing wrong with pursuing strength. It makes me happy to teach a swordsmanship genius like you!"
Shimotsuki Toramaru then began explaining the principles of Ryuo Haki—how to make it flow, how to release it, and how to strike an opponent's insides with destructive force.
Redfield's talent did not disappoint. His comprehension rivaled even that of Straw Hat Luffy. In no time, he managed to grasp the basics, and a faint layer of pink Ryuo coated the jet-black Armament Haki on his sword.
"You're a real prodigy. I don't want you to be driven out by Shogun Sukiyaki... You're the perfect rival!"
Toramaru grew increasingly excited. An evenly matched opponent was a rare treasure. Unlike the samurai of Wano, these outsiders lacked reverence for the daimyos, making their battle even more intense and exhilarating.
Under Toramaru's guidance, Redfield's mastery of Ryuo improved at an astonishing pace.
Meanwhile, Golden Lion Shiki was having a tough time. He was growing frustrated by the nimbleness of the fat swordsman, Fugetsu Kamisawa, who was determined to end the fight quickly with swift, relentless strikes.
This forced Shiki to fight with everything he had, leaving him no time to focus on learning Ryuo. Unable to contain his irritation, he activated his Float-Float Fruit powers, making himself far more agile.
His ability to fly freely, coupled with his airborne sword slashes, left the Daimyo and the Wano samurai in awe.
"You can fly? What kind of sorcery is this?"
Fugetsu Kamisawa was stunned. How was this man soaring through the sky without moving his feet? He had no idea that the Float-Float Fruit granted its user the power to defy gravity itself.
"Why does it matter? I've got invisible wings!" Shiki sneered arrogantly.
Seeing Redfield quickly master Ryuo left Shiki feeling indignant. Was his talent really inferior to Redfield's? But Shiki didn't need to continue learning from Kamisawa.
With a grin, Shiki unleashed his full power. His Conqueror's Haki burst forth, knocking down countless spectators. Warriors looked on in shock at the overwhelming presence of this man flying through the air.
"Is that... the King's Haki?"
Fugetsu Kamisawa stared in disbelief. How could an outsider's subordinate possess such an overwhelming aura? Even Shogun Sukiyaki hadn't awakened the power of a conqueror!
"Hahahaha! That's right! One in a million have this ability! You country bumpkins ever heard of it?"
Shiki laughed maniacally, reveling in the awe-filled gazes of the crowd. He loved these moments of dominance—where he could display his might and see others cower. Not even Brook could rein him in.
Shiki's personality was as fierce and flamboyant as a lion's. He thrived on being the center of attention.
Meanwhile, Kozuki Sukiyaki's expression darkened. These outsiders are far too strong. They had been concealing their true strength. What were they plotting?
No. They needed to be expelled immediately. The Kozuki family guarded secrets that could not fall into the hands of powerful outsiders. Even if it meant sacrificing samurai lives, they had to be driven out.
Sukiyaki clenched his fists. Wano had tens of thousands of samurai. Could they not handle a dozen outsiders? One man, one sword—cut them into pieces!
Before Shiki could finish showing off, Udon Daimyo Uzuki Maikan was sent flying by Whitebeard's naginata. The shockwave alone left Maikan coughing up blood.
Seeing this, Kozuki Sukiyaki's face turned black. That giant... he's even stronger than that Flying man! Udon Daimyo—flattened like a dog!
The watching samurai were stunned. The strongest daimyo in their eyes was defeated so easily?
Furious at being upstaged again, Shiki roared in frustration. He summoned a massive lion-shaped earth construct to cut off Daimyo Kamisawa's escape route, then launched a barrage of attacks with his floating sakura trees and boulders.
He swiftly overpowered Kamisawa, raising his chin smugly and casting a defiant glance at Whitebeard, who only responded with a hearty laugh.
"A sorcerer who can control the earth?! That's terrifying!"
Countless samurai stared at Shiki in fear, their eyes filled with both hatred and awe. Wano distrusted sorcerers, but they couldn't deny the allure of such overwhelming power.
Just as the intimidation reached its peak, Brook suddenly appeared on the platform where Kozuki Sukiyaki sat, causing an uproar.
Shimotsuki Token, Shimotsuki Yasuie, and the Oniwaban's elite samurai immediately surrounded him, wary of his sudden appearance.
How could he move so fast?
"Calm down, calm down. I mean no harm," Brook said casually, raising his hands in a gesture of peace.
"Outsider, you and your people are too strong. Wano does not welcome you!"
Kozuki Sukiyaki's eyes were cold as he flatly ordered them to leave.
"Shogun, I come with peaceful intentions," Brook replied earnestly. "I heard from my opponents that many parts of Wano remain poor and lawless, especially Kuri.
My lifelong dream is for everyone to have enough food, access to education, and work to support themselves. Please allow me to help pacify Kuri and restore peace there."
Brook's words stunned the onlookers. A foreigner... offering to help cleanse the most lawless region of Wano?
"While I respect your ideals, I do not believe in such noble intentions. Tell me your true purpose!"
Kozuki Sukiyaki's eyes narrowed with suspicion. As a ruler, he didn't buy into such selfless offers.
"Ah... you saw through me," Brook admitted with a sigh. "The truth is, the outside world is embroiled in war. Several major powers are fighting for dominance, and we're simply seeking a peaceful place to develop.
Wano's natural barriers make it incredibly safe. We stumbled upon it by accident and have no ill intentions. If you're willing, we can pay rent and help you stabilize Kuri.
We won't stay longer than a few years. The outside world is still our home."
Brook's half-truths convinced Shimotsuki Token. The offer of rent payments and help pacifying Kuri sounded beneficial.
------------
Kozuki Sukiyaki was deep in thought. Were these powerful outsiders really here to escape the war? Judging by their wealth and demeanor, they didn't look like bandits.
"Master Sukiyaki, if these people can suppress Kuri, and in a few years, they return to their homeland, wouldn't we end up with a peaceful Kuri? And on top of that, they're willing to pay rent—killing two birds with one stone!"
The financial officer of the Shogun's Mansion perked up at Brook's words. Every year, a significant sum was spent on military expenses. Sending samurai to suppress Kuri wasn't just costly—it also resulted in casualties, adding to the burden of pensions for fallen warriors.
He was already calculating how much rent he could charge these outsiders. They needed to be numerous enough to pacify Kuri but not so many that they became a threat. If there were too few, the Shogun's Mansion wouldn't gain any real benefit.
"Master Sukiyaki, why not rent Kuri to them for a year? Let's see how well they manage it before making any decisions about forcing them out," suggested Shimotsuki Token.
Even the local daimyos had considered pacifying Kuri in the past, but it had always been deemed too costly and ineffective. The region would inevitably fall back into chaos before long.
Sukiyaki hesitated upon hearing his retainers' advice. They had no idea what the Kozuki family was truly protecting, but their concerns were valid. A lawless Kuri did cost them a fortune in suppression efforts each year. If these outsiders could bring order on their own, it would save military expenses while also generating revenue through rent.
No matter how he looked at it, this deal seemed favorable.
"Outsiders, I don't know whether your words are true or false, but I will give you one year," Sukiyaki declared. "If you can pacify Kuri, then so be it. If not, you may still take refuge in Wano for a few years. However, if we catch you doing anything suspicious, you will be expelled immediately!"
Kozuki Sukiyaki was willing to give Brook and his group a chance. As long as they were focused on dealing with Kuri, they would have no time to meddle in the Kozuki family's secrets, giving Sukiyaki time to observe their true intentions.
If they were genuinely here to seek refuge and had no knowledge of Wano's hidden history, then allowing them to stay wouldn't be an issue. After all, Wano had a history of families leaving for the outside world, such as the Kurozumi clan. Even members of the Shimotsuki clan had secretly traveled to the East Blue, establishing Shimotsuki Village.
Brook even suspected that Fujitora Issho and Gion's ancestors might have originated from Wano. Their names, clothing, and swordsmanship styles bore striking similarities.
"Thank you, Shogun Sukiyaki, for granting us this opportunity," Brook said with a smile. "I am willing to sign a contract. I will rent Kuri for one year at a price of 100 kilograms of gold. In return, we will strive to bring stability to Kuri and ensure the people there have enough to eat."
Brook appeared confident that he could establish a foothold in Wano. As long as he took control of Kuri and backed Hyogoro as the daimyo, he could gradually shift the balance of power.
If he could secure the neighboring seastone quarry in Udon, establish a processing plant, and recruit skilled craftsmen and swordsmiths at high wages, Kuri could rapidly become Wano's economic powerhouse.
By weakening the Kozuki family's influence over time and tying the people's interests to Kuri's prosperity, he could lay the foundation for a complete takeover of Wano.
Sukiyaki had lingering doubts. What if they pacify Kuri and refuse to leave?
But at the same time, he wondered, What could they possibly gain by coming here? They were wealthy beyond measure, so what was their true purpose?
Even if they seized control of Kuri, did they truly believe they could challenge the Kozuki family's rule? They underestimated the loyalty the people of Wano had toward the Kozuki lineage. If these outsiders stayed too long, they would eventually become part of Wano, rather than rulers of it.
The financial officer was also pleased with Brook's attitude. At first, he had worried that Sukiyaki would forgo rent altogether, allowing the outsiders to handle Kuri simply for the sake of peace. But unexpectedly, Brook had willingly offered 100 kilograms of gold—a sum that would allow the Shogun's Mansion to indulge for quite some time.
While Sukiyaki and Brook were finalizing the agreement, a fierce battle had reached its climax. Shimotsuki Toramaru and Redfield had fought to a standstill, both warriors appearing satisfied with the outcome.
Meanwhile, Daimyo Nozomi and Daimyo Usagi looked frustrated—not only because they had been injured, but also because they had been bested in combat.
When they learned that Shogun Sukiyaki planned to rent Kuri to outsiders in exchange for peace, they had no immediate objections. The intruders were strong, and driving them out would cost many lives. If they wanted to take on the thankless task of pacifying Kuri, so be it.
For years, their territories had suffered frequent raids from Kuri's outlaws. They had struggled to hold the line, unable to withstand the relentless attacks.
After signing the lease, Kozuki Sukiyaki hosted a grand banquet for Brook and his crew, using the occasion to test them further. However, he found no clues regarding their true motives.
During the feast, Brook took the opportunity to befriend Ugetsu Maikan, the daimyo of Udon, where the seastone mines were located. Brook even offered to privately fund improvements to Tuwan's infrastructure.
Later, he expressed his interest in renting the seastone mines to conduct "small business" ventures. With the promise of gold, Ugetsu Maikan readily agreed. He never expected that a great swordsman like Brook, wielding a Supreme Grade Blade, would show him such favor.
This made Ugetsu Maikan feel a sense of pride. Look! Even the mighty Brook recognizes my talent! Did this mean Brook saw him as a future sword master of Wano?
Meanwhile, because Shimotsuki Toramaru had built a good rapport with Redfield, Shimotsuki Token also sought to establish ties with the outsiders.
Only Daimyo Fugetsu Kamisawa remained distant, quietly discussing his concerns with Shogun Sukiyaki—voicing worries about the hidden dangers these newcomers posed and how best to keep them in check.
"Shogun Sukiyaki, I plan to hire some samurai from the Flower Capital as a temporary force to help suppress Kuri. That shouldn't be a problem, right? Of course, we'll cover the costs ourselves," Brook asked, making his next move.
"No problem," Sukiyaki replied. "You're the ones spending the money. But if there are casualties, I hope you're prepared to compensate their families."
Sukiyaki wasn't worried about these samurai betraying Wano. Their families remained in the Flower Capital, ensuring their loyalty to the Kozuki clan.
"Of course. That's our responsibility," Brook replied with an easygoing smile.
As long as money could solve a problem, it wasn't a real problem.
Now that Redfield had mastered Ryuo Haki, it was time to put it to the test.
Kuri would serve as the Hell Pirates' training ground, and their next target—the seastone quarry in Udon—was already within their sights.
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