I outsmarted your outsmarting!

"Please, sir..."

Looking at June sitting on the main seat, Kanjuro knelt on the ground and earnestly pleaded.

With their overall lack of strength, they desperately needed the power that Nicholas and his group possessed.

Feeling Kanjuro's sincerity and urgency, June remained silent for a moment.

Though she could make decisions for Nicholas, she didn't see how the fate of these Kozuki clan members was her concern. Moreover, it might even bring trouble to Nicholas.

Kanjuro glanced surreptitiously at June, feeling somewhat helpless. He had initially thought that with a common enemy like Kaido, they would easily gain assistance from Hakumai. However, the outcome turned out to be quite bad.

Just as June was about to speak, Nicholas' voice suddenly rang out in the hall, accompanied by crackling electrical sparks.

"So, you're seeking help from me, aren't you?"

"Hmm?"

Kanjuro looked up instinctively upon hearing the voice.

The others in the room looked pleased as they turned their attention to the gradually appearing Nicholas.

Seeing Nicholas appear, Kanjuro's eyes lit up. He quickly adjusted his emotions and ran through his mental checklist for acting, then nodded in agreement without showing any sign of cunning, admitting, "Yes, my original intention was indeed to seek your assistance. I believe that with your help, we can liberate Wano Country from the oppression of Kaido and Orochi! And to demonstrate our sincerity, we are willing to offer Lady Hiyori's hand in marriage to you, making you the prince of Wano Country!"

"...!"

Upon hearing this, Nicholas couldn't help but sweat drop. If he wasn't mistaken, the Flower Escort from twenty years in the future was still just a child now.

Simon and Brook, on the other hand, were dumbfounded as they looked at Kanjuro, then at June. They thought to themselves that Kanjuro could have been a bit more subtle. Moreover, openly discussing this matter in front of June made any chance of an alliance seem unlikely.

As for Isshin and Simon, they wore expressions of amusement. They had considered the idea of offering beautiful women to Nicholas before. After all, according to Wano tradition, serving the monarch was a rare privilege.

However, after June arranged for Vista to have friendly matches with them a few times, they quickly abandoned that idea.

But Kanjuro couldn't understand the feelings of Simon and the others. He earnestly looked at Nicholas, once again full of expectation. "Will you agree to form an alliance with us...?"

"Um."

Nicholas remained calm, not responding directly to Kanjuro's request. Instead, he asked with a smile, "As a servant of the Kozuki, aren't you worried that I might eliminate you along with Kaido once he's dealt with? After all, getting rid of you wouldn't be too difficult for me."

"In the same vein, I've said it many times before!"

Kanjuro's expression was serious as he spoke firmly, "We have already made up our minds. With our current strength, we can't seek revenge for Lord Kozuki Oden on our own, or even reclaim Wano from Kaido's grasp! So we're willing to take a gamble. We're betting that you're a great person!"

Nicholas approached Kanjuro, and under the watchful eyes of everyone, he slowly bent down, calmly saying, "Even if I personally kill Kurozumi Orochi for you?"

"Uh..."

Kanjuro's gaze flickered, not understanding why Nicholas suddenly mentioned Kurozumi Orochi. After all, according to his intelligence, the threat of Kaido would be greater in Nicholas' eyes.

As for Kurozumi Orochi, he was nothing but a waste.

Indeed, in Kanjuro's eyes, Kurozumi Orochi was just that - worthless. Despite gaining the same abilities as Kaido, the Eight-Headed dragon of the Mythical Zoan Series, he was weak enough to be defeated by any seasoned warrior.

It was simply shameful.

"Uh, why did you ask that, sir? Of course, a person like Kurozumi Orochi is not worth mourning over!"

Facing Nicholas' question, Kanjuro was visibly flustered, but with his excellent acting skills and mental discipline, he quickly regained his composure.

Nicholas chuckled at Kanjuro's efforts, then reached out a hand to touch his own forehead in exasperation.

"Sit down."

He gestured with his eyes for Kanjuro to stop kneeling, letting him relax a bit, which would lead to a better performance.

Kanjuro hesitated for a moment, then followed Nicholas' unspoken command to sit down, changing from a kneeling position to a cross-legged one.

Nicholas then asked, "Why did you, after spending so long with Lord Kozuki Oden, decide to betray him? Wasn't Lord Kozuki Oden's charisma quite strong? Also, you and Kurozumi Orochi don't seem like the typical subordinate-superior relationship. Moreover, with your acting skills, there's no need for you to risk coming to Hakumai alone. After all, there's not much difference in Hakumai's attitude towards Kurozumi Orochi or Lord Kozuki Oden, right? And by the way, were you and Kurozumi Orochi really the only ones left from the Kurozumi Clan in Wano? Kanjuro of the Kurozumi!"

"...!"

Kanjuro opened his mouth to speak but hesitated, unsure of how to respond.

Nicholas' series of questions struck Kanjuro like a soul-searching examination, leaving him dumbfounded.

He turned his head to look at the people around him, wondering if he could escape from these people.

However...

As soon as this thought arose, he immediately squashed it.

He wasn't a monster, after all. Where would he find the strength to break free from so many monsters?

Nicholas looked calmly at Kanjuro, who was momentarily silent, and smiled.

"Kanjuro of the Kurozumi, don't worry. Not many people know your identity, and I have no intention of taking your life. After all, the performance isn't over yet, and I'm still waiting for you to bring me a more exciting show."

Nicholas waved his hand towards Simon.

"Have someone take him away and give him some 'care.' Then hang him at the Habu Harbor in Hakumai. Of course, if someone secretly tries to save him, let them."

Upon hearing Nicholas' words, Kanjuro's expression changed slightly.

He had never expected the situation to develop in such an unexpected way.

Shortly after Kanjuro was taken away...

The celebration began.

After all, Hakumai had successfully repelled the alliance of Orochi and the Beast pirates, and Nicholas had declared Hakumai's sovereignty with formidable power.

This also meant that even if Kaido and his group were to go to war with Hakumai, they would have to carefully consider their actions.