"Let me manage the country?"

Yamato was a little stunned. "Will you be very busy after you become the marshal? Don't you already have subordinates?"

That guy with glasses, he's also a Marine with the Dog-Dog Fruit, and he manages Wano Country very well, so why would he need her?

"It's temporary. If you agree, I can grant you one request, as long as it's not excessive."

Kuro tilted his head, his gaze passing over Yamato's body and looking towards the mine. "For example, I will release the Kozuki clan. Of course, they won't be made daimyo; they can only be commoners. But I will set them free so they can live normally in Wano Country instead of mining here."

He has ruled Wano Country for two years, and his rule is now deeply ingrained in the hearts of the people. There is no rebellion, and many former samurai have become marines stationed at Wano Country bases. In terms of ruling power, he is no less than Kozuki, who only has a family name.

Besides, Kozuki Oden was just a daimyo; his father was the shogun. By the time of Momonosuke, it was already the third generation, yet his mental age was only eight—no, ten. So what if he looked mature? His governing ability was zero. Did he expect to govern with the Red Scabbards? That's ridiculous.

His sister grew up as a courtesan and has no political skills. Giving her Wano Country would be like playing a game.

If Clow hadn't been there, and the Straw Hats had returned the country to Momonosuke after defeating Kaido, Wano Country would certainly not have fared well. The people would have been free, but they would have had nothing but freedom.

Oh, so you've gone from the extreme of Kurozumi Orochi's tyranny to the other extreme of freedom, right?

That's just arguing with him.

Yamato is different. She grew up rebellious under Kaido's influence. Whatever Kaido does, she will do the opposite. Kaido is chaotic, she insists on order. Kaido wants to close the country off, she wants to open it up. Under such influence, we can at least know that Yamato will not mess with the current situation in Wano Country.

Besides, it won't take long. Kuro has given us plenty of time; it will be over in six months to a year at most.

When the pirate era ends, Kuro can return to guard it. This place is not only Wano Country but also G-3. He has become the Fleet Admiral, so the position of G-3's base commander should naturally be left to Kuro. Only Kuro can be at ease with him.

"Release Momonosuke... Are you serious?" Yamato asked excitedly, "Aren't you afraid they'll cause you trouble?"

"You still have a conscience, it's not for nothing that I put you in charge of the rabbit bowl while you were a prisoner. I'll do what I say, you help me look after Wano Country, and I will not only give Momonosuke his freedom, I will also give you your freedom. Going to sea is no problem, after this is over, you can do whatever you want, of course there is a condition, you still have to be an official of Wano Country."

Yamato is managing the Udon area quite well. If he expands it further, managing Wano Country wouldn't be difficult. Besides, it's not like he's without support. In the past two years, quite a few people from Wano Country have come to serve as officials in Wano Country.

"I agree!"

Yamato nodded emphatically: "If you release Momonosuke and grant me my freedom, I agree!"

"Very good. Pack your things and come to the Flower Capital to report for duty. I will inform the others. It's settled then."

Kuro finished eating the bunch of grapes, stood up, and flew away.

"Hey, Peach!"

Yamato turned around and waved excitedly to Momonosuke, "Good news! Come quick!"

...

After leaving the Udon restaurant, Clow Reed headed straight for the Flower Capital and descended upon the castle tower.

"General."

Upon arriving at the main hall, the official in charge of managing the interior of the hall knelt down and bowed his head in greeting.

Where is Kuzan?

Kuro didn't stand on ceremony and went straight to sit on the futon throne at the top of the hall, asking the Emperor.

"Lord Kuzan... is sleeping," Baohuang said crisply.

"Get him up and bring him over."

"Yes, Your Excellency General."

Baohuang pressed his finger to his temple and used the eye paper on his face to notify the same person nearby. A moment later, Kuzan walked into the hall, yawning.

"Oh, you're back?" Kuzan asked. "Weren't you looking for Straw Hat and Blackbeard?"

"I should be asking you that."

Kuro said irritably, "Didn't I tell you to lead the team to blockade the sea? Why are you sleeping?"

"Well, I didn't do anything because I heard other news, like..."

Kuzan laughed and said, "Congratulations, Kuro, you seem to be a marshal now."

"Who told you that? Crane? I haven't taken up my post yet." Kuro rolled his eyes.

"Pretty much, after all, there's no one else but you. Oh my, you actually became a marshal, when you were just a little navy officer under Borsalino back then." Kuzan said with a touch of nostalgia.

"Don't talk to me with that old-fashioned tone. You're not ready to retire yet, Kuzan. I need your help."

Kuro cut to the chase: "Sakazuki has gone to become the commander-in-chief. His suggestion is that I rehire you. I'm thinking the same thing. After all, you don't have a bounty, and you've been in the Navy for so many years. You can't say you have no feelings for it, can you? Come back and help me."

"This is really..."

Kuzan scratched his head, then reached out and patted the leg that had been shaped by ice, saying, "I don't seem to be very nimble."

"Come on, that kind of thing is nothing to someone like you who can shape things." Kuro completely ignored Kuzan's broken leg.

Some Devil Fruits possess such great power, especially those with the ability to shape objects.

Paramecia-type characters can also create things like ice, lava, and mud, such as Big Mom's eldest son.

For them, losing an arm or a leg is nothing to worry about, because their abilities allow them to move around normally.

Of course, reaching the level of Kuzan would definitely damage one's strength.

Including Sakazuki, his injuries were actually quite serious. Although he wasn't crippled, the frostbite on his body would never heal and would reduce his strength to some extent.

However, an admiral's strength is still an admiral's strength. At this level, losing a leg is not a big deal.

"It would be troublesome to rehire me, wouldn't it? I haven't been out of the Navy for long. It would be embarrassing for me to rejoin them like this," Kuzan said, scratching his head.

"Enough with the formalities, it's settled then. You were originally a squad leader of 'Sword,' so just consider your previous mission as an undercover agent for Blackbeard. Now it's time for you to come back, Admiral 'Aokiji'!" Kuro said in a deep voice.

For Kuzan, rehiring him would be easy. He had served in the Navy for so many years and was a true naval man at heart. It was much better than being a sea vagrant.

When Yamato arrived, Kuro immediately ordered the royalist to tell those in office in Wano Country to let Yamato temporarily take over the country, and then he left with Kuzan.

The Navy, led by Kuro, searched the seas for a week but failed to find Straw Hat and Blackbeard, so they had no choice but to return to headquarters.

I have to reply.

Because Mr. Kuro is going to become a marshal, they have to go back to attend the inauguration ceremony, and they don't want to miss such an exciting event.