One Piece: Capitalist Brook's Crew Expansion Plan

Chapter 417: Wano’s Current State

From atop the Hell Giant Fortress, sniper Silva watched as the Navy set up a temporary base in Elbaf. Brook didn’t waste a second—his sights were set on Wano!

Let’s see how long those Marines stick around.

The Hell Pirates’ mission in Wano was clear: forge new weapons. The Umi Family had scoured the world for rare metals, shipping them to Wano. This haul should be enough to upgrade the gear of several key crew members!

"Those giants actually called in the Navy? Next time, I’m tearing down their King City!"

Golden Lion Shiki fumed. The Elbaf trip had dragged on, yielding only 45 kilograms of Gungnir Steel, a batch of Treasure Tree Adam, and the allegiance of Giant Village.

He’d wanted more.

"Yohohoho! Once the Navy clears out, we’ll swing back to Elbaf and squeeze every last bit of Steel and Adam from them!"

Brook was determined to plunder Elbaf’s entire stockpile before he was done.

"Mama mama! With the wild giants of Elbaf in our ranks, Whole Cake Island’s crew is shaping up nicely. Next up: the Minks of Zou!"

Charlotte Linlin grinned. After recruiting even the near-extinct Lunarians, she was convinced no race was beyond her reach.

"This batch of Gungnir Steel will forge a naginata for Newgate," Brook said with a smile. "The rest of you—your swords could use a Steel boost, too."

Redfield’s noble blade was due for an upgrade, poised to evolve into a Supreme Grade sword. Shiki’s twin blades and even Linlin’s Napoleon, had a shot at reaching that level, too.

The crew’s eyes gleamed with anticipation. With top-tier Devil Fruit powers, maxed-out Haki, and soon the strongest weapons, they’d be unstoppable!

"So this is Wano, huh? I heard you’ve got a cheap apprentice here, Brook—some kid named Kozuki Oden?"

Beast Kaido’s curiosity was piqued. It was his first time in Wano, and the name Kozuki Oden sparked his interest. He was itching to throw down with him.

Fisher Tiger chuckled.

"Yeah, Oden’s the same age as you—ten. But he’s a step below you since you call Brook ’san,’ and Oden’s just his apprentice."

Tiger leaned in, a hint of envy in his voice.

"Word is, Oden’s the crown prince of Wano. His dad, General Kozuki Sukiyaki, hooked him up with two Great Grade swords: Ame no Habakiri and Enma. Can you believe that? Not even ten, and he’s got blades most swordsmen would kill for!"

"Hmph! Some shut-in country’s prince? No way he’s tougher than me!"

Kaido, the Hell Pirates’ rising star, wasn’t about to admit some kid could match him. Especially since Brook barely mentored this Oden guy.

"Then go teach him a lesson," Tiger goaded, smirking. "I hear Oden badmouths Brook behind his back for not taking him to sea. Give that prince a beatdown he won’t forget!"

Kaido’s eyes lit up, but he glanced at Brook, who was doting on his daughter.

"If I thrash Oden, will Brook-san get mad?"

He wasn’t worried about Wano’s general coming after him—just Brook’s disapproval.

Tiger waved it off. "Nah, Brook says Oden’s as tough as you—thick skin and all. Go wild! Even Redfield and Shiki have roughed him up a few times. Kid always ends up black and blue, so have at it!"

Tiger and Kaido kept their voices low, scheming about Oden’s impending thrashing. Even if Brook caught wind of it, he’d probably let it slide.

In the original story, Oden was a reckless troublemaker, disowned by Sukiyaki for his antics. Only after wandering Wano’s regions and witnessing its hardships did he start to grow up. Right now, though? He was just a bratty punk who needed regular lessons in humility.

Whenever Oden got mouthy with Brook, Redfield’s lightning or Shiki’s fists were quick to shut him up.

...

Golden Island, Meeting Room

"Brook, Kozuki Sukiyaki’s been scheming to kick us out," Antonio reported. "But Ametsuki Maiken, the daimyo of Ringo, is leaning our way. After all, we’re propping up Ringo’s economy."

Hailou Town, the seat of Kuri Province, had surpassed the Flower Capital in prosperity. Even Ringo was catching up, thanks to the Hell Pirates’ influence. Meanwhile, Fugetsu Jinshō, the daimyo of Hakumai, kept pushing Sukiyaki to attack us.

Shimotsuki Toramaru of Ringo and Shimotsuki Token of Hakumai, though, weren’t itching for a fight. Should we deal with Fugetsu Jinshō first? He’s stirring up the most trouble."

Antonio had compiled Wano’s latest intel. The Hell Pirates’ empire was vast, and they rarely returned to Wano. But Brook insisted Wano was critical—not just for its Seastone but for something even bigger. Antonio couldn’t afford to slack off.

Brook smirked. "The Shimotsuki clan’s two daimyo hold as much sway as the Flower Capital. If we took Kuri, they’d be a clan with three daimyo—too much power. They’re keeping quiet to avoid suspicion.

"Plus, Shimotsuki Kozaburo, that genius swordsmith, is on good terms with us. Redfield and Toramaru get along, too, so the Shimotsuki clan naturally leans our way. Our secret port in Hakumai’s boosting their economy and improving lives, so they won’t cross us.

"As for Fugetsu Jinshō, he’s a Kozuki loyalist through and through. But the real issue? Hakumai’s dirt-poor now. He’s got no profits, and his people are fleeing. That’s what’s driving him to push Sukiyaki against us."

Brook’s grin widened. Wano was fracturing under his and Shakky’s economic warfare. A direct attack would’ve united the daimyo against them, but this slow bleed—slicing away with the soft knife of commerce—had broken the Kozuki clan’s iron grip.

Ametsuki Maiken sided with Brook. The Shimotsuki daimyo stayed neutral. Only Fugetsu Jinshō was desperate enough to rally the Kozuki against the Hell Pirates.

Two years of economic dominance had outdone twenty years of oppression. Feed people, make them rich, and they’ll call you their true "father" every time.

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