Chapter 144: Setting Off for Kuri
When the ragtag samurai boarded the Golden Ark, they couldn’t hide their shock. Even the hands holding their beloved swords were trembling — the ship was just too luxurious.
Not even the shogun’s residence in the Flower Capital was this grand. For a moment, they were truly tempted to pledge themselves to these foreign outsiders.
Then there was the food. The head chef, Streusen, whipped up dishes that utterly conquered their taste buds. Some of the samurai were so moved they actually teared up. What kind of heavenly delicacies were these?
Even back when they were aristocrats or underworld bosses, they had never tasted food this delicious. Was this the splendor of the world beyond Wano?
The tales were true after all — the great seas outside Wano were filled with adventure, passion, exotic customs, and the most incredible foods. No wonder so many longed to set sail.
...
"Honored samurai, the Shogun Sukiyaki has leased Kuri to me. In other words, I now hold the rights of a daimyō there—at least for now. After we pacify Kuri... how would you feel about becoming the founding families of a new era?"
These men were all samurai who had fallen from grace in the Flower Capital, desperately hunting for a chance to rise again. Whether for fame or fortune, Brook decided it was best to throw out the bait first!
"Brook-sama, we’re only helping you suppress Kuri for the money. We are loyal vassals of Shogun Sukiyaki! Once Kuri is settled, we will return to the Flower Capital immediately!"
A young samurai, full of righteous spirit, spoke up. Clearly, he hadn’t been beaten down by society yet. The older samurai, more experienced, kept their silence.
The youth couldn’t have been more than twenty, but he had already learned to wield Haki—a sign of excellent potential. Off to the side, Golden Lion Shiki bit down on his cigar, grinning as he sized up the kid.
Maybe he was even considering whether to tear off a "souvenir" from him during the battle for Kuri!