Fortune Town, Teahouse.
Calling it a teahouse was generous—more like the only building in town barely able to host guests, with a single set of half-usable tables and chairs.
CRACK!
The wooden chair splintered into pieces under Rogan's grip.
He calmly dusted off his hands.
"Sorry, didn't control my strength."
"N-No worries…"
The village elder forced a smile, heart bleeding inside.
That was the last piece of furniture he owned…
"Rogan-danna, your tea."
A chipped clay cup was set on the table. The water was almost transparent, with a lone green leaf floating on top—more ceremony than substance.
Rogan ignored the tea and looked directly at the patched-up elder.
If memory served, this old man was once Shimotsuki Yasuyasu, former daimyo of Hakumai.
But that was ancient history.
Rogan hadn't come to expose his past—killing a frail, elderly samurai served no real purpose.
He introduced himself directly.
"Old Yasu-san, I'm Rogan, a Shinuchi of the Beasts Pirates. This is Yamato, Kaidou's daughter—you've probably heard of her."
"You're the Muscle Demon?!"
Old Yasu was stunned.
The onsen inn's grand opening was already the talk of the country, and last night's slaughter? It had spread like wildfire across Wano.
Two hundred Kozuki samurai had fallen to the Muscle Demon—more shocking than Kaidou's daughter herself.
Rogan: "…"
Stay calm. Stay calm.
That nickname's got some bite.
Old Yasu's heart was in knots. He grieved for the fallen Kozuki warriors—but he was no longer Shimotsuki Yasuyasu. Now, he was Toyano Yasu, just a powerless old man from Fortune Town.
He clasped his hands and squeezed out a smile.
"Danna-sama, what brings you here?"
"I'm here to talk business."
Rogan's tone was flat.
He'd made a fat sum with his onsen. Now, the top priority was spending that money. Otherwise, too many would get greedy eyes.
Buying up property for rental income was his first pick.
In Wano, the priciest property was in the Flower Capital—but even with his current funds, he couldn't afford much there. And besides, not that many were up for sale.
So he needed somewhere cheaper, with room to play big—and with huge potential for appreciation.
"Business?"
Old Yasu was stunned.
In Fortune Town?
A place where folks couldn't even afford clean water—what could he possibly want here?
He gave a dry laugh, carefully speaking: "Danna-sama, are you… joking with me?"
"I don't have time for jokes."
Rogan waved his hand and pointed to the ground.
"I want to buy all of Fortune Town. And the surrounding farmland too."
"…HUH?!"
Old Yasu's jaw dropped.
Buy all of Fortune Town?
Was he dreaming? This was just a poor, forgotten town. What could be worth buying here?
Maybe there was gold buried underneath?
Impossible—he'd never heard a thing about that!
Rogan grinned and sipped his tea, giving the old man time to process.
What he was really after—was the land.
This broken town had once been the grandest city in Hakumai. Only after Orochi's rampage did it become this ruin.
Geographically, it was golden.
To the north: Flower Capital.
To the west: a great river.
To the east and southeast: vast, flat stretches of fertile farmland.
In short: massive potential.
Once he rebuilt the town, solved the water pollution, and rented the homes out to those in need—he could just sit back and collect rent.
Sure, there'd be resistance.
But the lure of rent would crush all opposition!
Kukuku~~
Rogan raised a finger.
"I'm offering 10,000 gold!"
"HOW MUCH?!"
Old Yasu's eyes bulged.
10,000 gold?!
Twenty years ago, that might've been nothing—but now? That kind of money could buy ten Fortune Towns!
Rogan shot a look at Yamato.
If it weren't for her, he'd have strong-armed this whole deal. No need for polite business talks.
"In addition to the 10,000 gold, I've got a proposal," he continued. "I plan to build a new city here."
Rogan outlined his plan:
– Once the city is rebuilt, housing would be sold at low prices
– Or even cheaper rental options would be available
– The surrounding farmland would also be up for sale or lease
– And the original residents of Fortune Town would get first priority
– Plus, they'd get access to low-interest loans with just a small down payment
The terms were extremely generous.
"Th-this…"
Old Yasu's breathing grew heavy.
The offer was wildly tempting. Not only would it solve their housing crisis—it would also give them farmland.
One of the main reasons for Fortune Town's poverty—besides lack of labor—was the lack of usable land. If they could farm again, they might not get rich, but at least they wouldn't starve.
And most importantly—
Rogan planned to solve the water pollution.
That was the real key to bringing these fields back to life.
To them, it was practically a gift from the heavens.
"Old Yasu, you have one month to think it over."
"If you decline, I'll have no choice but to consider another town."
"Let's go, Yamato."
Rogan turned to leave.
There was still a month until the Beasts' expedition. After that, he could invest in real estate openly and start developing.
He was going to become Wano's real estate mogul!
—
The evening sun bathed the land in golden light.
The two of them walked along a dirt path. Their shadows stretched long behind them.
Yamato stared at Rogan's back, her mind spinning. Ever since leaving Onigashima, she hadn't really known what she was doing.
It felt like she'd done nothing—and yet, done so much.
Where would her path lead? She couldn't just follow Rogan forever like some obedient little puppy, could she?
Her eyes were filled with doubt.
Her brain was buzzing like it was trying to grow.
Just then, Rogan stopped walking.
"Yamato."
"Yeah?"
"Look over there."
"Hm?"
Rogan pointed toward the Flower Capital. Yamato shielded her eyes with her hand and followed his gaze.
It was the most eye-catching building in the city.
"Orochi's Castle?"
"More precisely… the Shogun's Castle."
Rogan turned to face her, eyes blazing.
"Yamato. Do you know how to save Wano?"
"Defeat my father!"
She answered without hesitation.
"…"
Smart little fox.
"You're not wrong—but we can't do that."
Rogan shook his head, staring into her innocent eyes.
"There's another way to save Wano. A way to end the hunger and suffering."
"What is it?"
Yamato's eyes lit up. Her heart raced.
Rogan clenched his fist.
"It's simple. We kill Orochi—and YOU become Wano's Shogun!"
"EHH?!"
Yamato's jaw dropped.
Become Wano's Shogun?
"Father would never allow it!"
"Once the rice is cooked, even Kaidou will have to swallow it!"
Rogan grinned.
Once Yamato became Shogun, he would be crowned "King Who Stands Shoulder to Shoulder" with her—like [President Ma and the Orange Man].
His real estate empire would stretch across Wano. With a few sneaky taxes or new fees, the entire country would pay him rent!
Kukuku~~ HAHAHAHA!!
(End of Chapter)
[Check Out My P@treon For +20 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!!][[email protected]/euridome]
[Thank You For Your Support!]