Monument of heroes!

Wano Country, Hakumai.

At the port of Habu Harbor, a ship was slowly approaching.

At this moment, if one were to look down from high above, they would see a sea of pink. Originally, there weren't so many cherry blossom trees in all of Hakumai, but because the lady of the island liked cherry blossoms, Hakumai had imported a large number of cherry blossom trees from places like Kuri and Ringo through grain exports in a short period of time.

With cherry blossoms forming forests, Hakumai boasted a unique scenery.

"It's a very beautiful island."

Standing on the bow of the ship, Nicolas said with a smile.

"This island is indeed very beautiful, but sir, why did you go to such lengths to get me out of the Celestial Dragons' hands?" Stella looked at Nicolas curiously. The reason she hadn't used her powers to escape was because she knew that if someone could demand her release from the Celestial Dragons, they must have had a bigger purpose.

"It's just a trivial investment, really. Of course, it would be even better if there's a return. If not, then consider it rescuing an innocent girl."

Nicolas nodded, openly admitting.

Upon hearing Nicolas's words, although Stella still had some doubts in her heart, she felt considerably reassured.

After all, compared to being in the hands of the Celestial Dragons, the person in front of her, who demanded her release and removed the explosive collar from her neck, seemed decent enough.

Half an hour later, the ship docked at the port of Habu Harbor.

The samurai guarding the port were excited and elated, bustling around to receive Nicolas, ensuring that everything was arranged properly.

After disembarking, walking on the clean, tidy bluestone road, especially with the samurai and ordinary people along the way expressing heartfelt gratitude, Nicolas nodded inwardly.

It was clear that Hakumai had been managed quite well by now.

Stella, too, was curious. Throughout the journey, whether it was the unpredictable weather of the New World or the strange creatures encountered, it had all been eye-opening for her.

And for the place she was about to live in long-term, Stella was equally curious, looking around everywhere.

From the port where they were, it could be seen that the port had been recently expanded. The houses and roads along the way were all brand new.

Entering the streets through the port, there were rows of shops, bustling with pedestrians and the constant sound of vendors calling out their wares.

However, when they saw their carriage, all these people voluntarily made way, but unlike the fear they showed to the Celestial Dragons, the eyes of these people were filled more with gratitude and reverence.

"Simon, you've done well."

Simon, who came to welcome Nicolas, smiled and replied, "We've all followed the guidelines you set as captain to establish regulations, doing our utmost to maintain fairness and justice."

"But actually, what really makes these people genuinely grateful is the wealth we've brought them. Although there was some resistance at the beginning when we forcefully opened the port for trade with the outside world, as prosperity from maritime trade grew, those voices of opposition gradually diminished."

"Even now, if anyone dares to oppose maritime trade, without us having to intervene, the common people of Hakumai would tear them apart themselves. After all, the prosperity brought by maritime trade has greatly benefited ordinary people. The living standards of the common people in Hakumai have completely surpassed what they used to be. Even a while ago, a group wanting to make contact with the conservative forces in Kuri to return Hakumai under the control of the generals didn't even take any action and were subdued by the vigilantes and ordinary people who came upon hearing the news."

"Hakumai can be said to be a paradise in all of Wano Country now. Every day, a large number of refugees from Wano sneak in through various means."

Talking about the changes in Hakumai, Simon was also proud, as they were all established by their own hands.

For Nicolas, he was mentally prepared for the changes in Hakumai. To put it plainly, it might be easy to incite the common people, but there was a prerequisite, and that was they had nothing to lose.

Like the Hakumai of the past, during the uprising, it could be said that the phrase "one call and a hundred respond" was an apt description because at that time, the lives of those people were already miserable enough; there was nowhere worse they could go.

But now, if you dared to rebel in Hakumai, you were probably going to be beaten to death on the spot and then exposed on the street.

It used to be poverty, but now it's warmth, family, and prosperity with land and food at home.

Even a fool would know what to do.

As for the official system of Hakumai, Nicolas followed the same approach as the magistrate, where those capable rise, and those incapable fall.

As for the system of his previous life's family, to be honest, it was better not to mention it. After all, in the previous life, he didn't even know what a county magistrate was, let alone the specifics of its operation.

"Oh, what's that over there?"

Suddenly, Nicolas pointed to a clearly artificially constructed mountain in the distance and asked.

Following Nicolas's direction, Simon spoke up, "That's where the graves of the martyrs since the uprising are, as well as the location of Hakumai's schools."

Looking at it for a while, Nicolas nodded.

It could be said that once the people had cohesion, there was almost nothing that could shake them.

Ten minutes later, Nicolas and Simon arrived at the cemetery.

Already waiting there were many former leaders of the rebels, the current leaders of Hakumai, among others.

They stood on either side, their expressions solemn.

The atmosphere was heavy, and as Nicolas walked through the crowd, he too remained silent.

"In front of this cemetery, erect a stone monument."

Nicolas whispered to the person beside him.

"Yes, sir."

"On the monument, engrave the names of all the brave warriors who died for the people of Hakumai. Each and every one of them is a hero, at least in the hearts of the people of Hakumai who are now enjoying prosperity. They should be remembered forever!"

"And as for this monument, let's call it the Monument of Heroes!"

...

The night was cool as water.

The gauze curtain at the head of the bed fluttered gently in the sea breeze. The gradually cooling temperature woke June up drowsily, and she got up to close the window tightly, then curled back into the warm and soft bed. She was about to fall back asleep when she suddenly opened her eyes and looked at the chair in the corner of the bed.

On the chair, a blurry figure emerged in the darkness, and the moonlight outside the window was partially blocked by the wall, making it difficult for June to see the upper body of the figure hidden in the shadows, only the crossed legs raised in the moonlight were visible.

Without panic, but calmly, she turned on the bedside lamp, illuminating the entire room and dispelling the darkness in the corner, revealing the face she had longed for.

After a deep and meaningful conversation, June lay blushing on Nicolas's chest, tracing circles on his chest with her fingers.

"Nicolas, let's have a child."

 [AN- Mc prevented one piece movie gold]