One Piece: Conquering Wanokuni at Start

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Through the information conveyed by Robin, Alex had learned that the Red Scabbards were taken to the ship at the dock, bound in sea stone chains.

"Are you really planning to let Hiyori act on her own this time? Are you releasing... the Red Scabbards?" asked Toki, who was sitting almost entirely in Alex's arms as she placed a peeled grape into his mouth.

"As a princess, she can be considered the leader of half of the Sky Kingdom, so naturally she has the power to make decisions, right?" Alex replied calmly.

Hearing his words, Toki rolled her eyes at him, then removed her slightly damp index finger with a little effort and said, "You clearly know that's not what I meant."

"Then you should also know who Hiyori is doing this for," Alex pointed out.

Toki nodded without denying it. In the past twenty years, even she had to admit that time could truly change a person.

Whether it was the satisfaction and joy of staying with Alex, the sense of accomplishment from transforming Wano Country into the Sky Kingdom together, or simply the more comfortable atmosphere she experienced in the Sky Kingdom compared to her previous years—all of it had allowed her to indulge in this new life.

Because of this, her experiences with Oden and the days spent with Kozuki's retainers in Kuri were now just distant impressions, even when mentioned.

Even under these circumstances, if Alex wanted to eliminate all the Red Scabbards, Toki—who had witnessed many deeds as a supervisor—wouldn't care much.

But certain people among them were special. No matter how faded memories might become, the blood bond between mother and child was difficult to erase.

Hiyori, being a daughter, could also recognize her mother's potential feelings toward blood relations. Unable to bear it, she had taken the initiative to express her request to Alex during the past twenty years.

Hiyori's speech had made Toki's heart skip a beat, especially since she was well aware of Alex's undisguised strong possessiveness and his secret disdain for the Kozuki clan.

For this reason, neither she nor Hiyori ever used the Kozuki prefix in their names after the Sky Kingdom was established.

What Toki hadn't expected was that Alex agreed to Hiyori's request to "allow the Red Scabbards to leave the Sky Kingdom by boat."

She wasn't surprised by Hiyori's request—after all, besides Alex, Hiyori was the daughter she loved and cared about most.

But regarding the man before her, Toki was still somewhat surprised. After all, whether it was Momonosuke as the young lord of the Kozuki family or the support of the Red Scabbard samurai, Alex should have been able to handle and resolve any potential trouble.

So, was it really because of her?

Thinking this way, Toki couldn't help but feel her heart leap. Perhaps she didn't realize that at this moment, the mere thought that Alex was doing this for her filled her body with cheerful and happy emotions, while Momonosuke had already been pushed to the back of her mind.

Alex listened to the thoughts in Toki's mind and secretly smiled. Although Hiyori did have reasons connected to Toki, he had heard them, and it was probably for her sake. After all, Hiyori didn't want to ruin Toki's life because of those people who were just impressions in her mind now.

So, she is truly a good sister and a good mother.

Although it seemed that he was the one who caused all this.

"Since you understand that Hiyori is doing this for you, then my promise to her is for no one else, so I don't need to say more," Alex said softly.

Alex felt that for Hiyori's sake, he could tell a white lie, but as expected, after many years, Toki showed an uncommon blush again. From her reddened face, he could predict that tonight might be a rare moment of passion.

"But even though it's for you, as a ruler, this is the only time I'll be willful toward the general manager," Alex stated more firmly.

"I understand," Toki replied quickly, almost unable to listen to anything more before she offered another grape to Alex's lips.

Alex simply leaned back in his seat and enjoyed the moment.

In the final analysis, everyone knew that he might fight against those who returned after twenty years, but they didn't know the real reason.

The Kozuki family who had turned into dust in history? Or the family of the old ministers who could be related to Hiyori and Toki?

There might be various reasons, but the most important thing was that Alex simply wanted to torment the notorious child. Whether it was the Kozuki clan or the Red Scabbards, they were just incidental.

Although in his current position, bullying children seemed somewhat out of place, but as an adult, bullying children was a rare pleasure, especially a kid like Momonosuke who had earned his dislike even before being born.

That's why Alex agreed when Hiyori proposed to let the group leave that day.

Now that tormenting Momonosuke had become a form of entertainment, Alex, filled with vicious humor, naturally made the most of it.

And this, this was the real reason why Alex agreed to Hiyori's request.

At the port dock below the Sky Kingdom, the Red Scabbards, Momonosuke, and the others were thrown together on a crude boat.

Handing the sea stone handcuffs key to Kikunojo, who was the only one not locked up, Hiyori said, "This is their key. All of you head toward the sea ahead and leave this area."

"Princess Hiyori... please..."

"Princess Hiyori! No matter what happened, no matter what it is, as long as you tell us, we will go through fire and water, and solve all difficulties for you!"

Even while locked up, Kinemon and the others wore pained expressions on their faces.

"I don't have any difficulties or pains. It's better to say that I am living a happy life now, and you will only disrupt my current life, so I plan to send you away from here," Hiyori said coldly.

Her harsh words made the Red Scabbard samurai even more distressed.

Momonosuke, who was already crying again, looked at Hiyori and recalled the time when they played together not long ago. He couldn't help sobbing, "Why... why are you doing this! Aren't we brother and sister?!"

Looking at Momonosuke crying bitterly, Hiyori showed unabashed disgust. "There's no need for such words anymore. I don't want to have such a crybaby as a big brother, let alone consider that the next time we meet, we might be enemies!"