Invaders!

As the distance between the two parties closed, their expressions became visible to each other.

The Whitebeard Pirates could clearly see that among the people gathered at the port were soldiers holding flintlock guns, artillerymen warily holding torches, samurai drawing their swords, and many ordinary people wielding farming tools and various makeshift weapons.

Their hostile gazes and resolute expressions were far from welcoming; instead, they radiated almost palpable enmity.

Being stared at by tens of thousands of hostile eyes was unnerving even for Marco. Although these people posed no real threat to the Whitebeard Pirates, who could easily annihilate them if they wished, it was clear that such an action was out of the question.

"Izou, what is going on here?"

Whitebeard asked Izou in a deep voice. While his tone wasn't accusatory, Marco and Jozu, who knew Whitebeard well, could sense the underlying anger. If Izou couldn't provide a reasonable explanation, it would be a serious problem.

Whitebeard had come to Wano primarily out of a sense of duty and justice. He believed the people were under great oppression and, given his ties with Oden and the requests of his crew members, had decided to confront Kaido and Nicholas. While he had a measure of confidence against Kaido, he remembered vividly how it had taken both him and Roger to subdue Nicholas.

He came to Wano largely out of a sense of obligation, but now he was certain he saw the same look of hatred in the eyes of the children at the port that he once saw in those whose homes had been invaded.

"That's… that's impossible…"

Izou was in disbelief as he looked at the expressions of the people at the port. It wasn't the welcoming of liberators he had expected; it was clear to anyone that the people of Hakumai saw them as enemies.

"Pops, this must be one of Nicholas's schemes. We'll understand once we land! Yes, we just need to go ashore and ask them."

Izou said hurriedly, not even realizing his voice had taken on a panicked tone.

Before the Whitebeard Pirates could dock, a small boat sailed out from the shore.

"Are you the Whitebeard Pirates? Edward Newgate?"

A man standing at the bow of the boat, Ashina Isshin, called out loudly, addressing the immense Moby Dick.

"We are the Whitebeard Pirates. Who are you?"

Marco leapt onto the prow, looking down at Ashina Isshin.

"I am Ashina Isshin. I've come to tell you that if the Whitebeard Pirates intend to attack Hakumai, then the 300,000 residents of Hakumai will fight you to the death!"

"Gurararara, fight to the death?"

Whitebeard's laugh echoed as his towering figure appeared on the deck. Seeing the lone figure of Ashina Isshin and the tens of thousands at the port, he realized that the threat of a bloody battle was not an idle one.

At this moment, the Whitebeard Pirates felt like invaders.

"Hey, what are you saying? The Kozuki family are the rightful rulers of Wano. We're here to help them reclaim control and liberate you from Nicholas's oppression!"

Izou shouted angrily at Ashina Isshin, viewing their actions as a blatant betrayal.

"You must be a retainer of Kozuki Oden. Not everyone sees the Kozuki family as Wano's sole savior. We've found our own path. Anyone who threatens our current way of life, whether Kozuki or otherwise, will face our wrath."

"You!"

Izou's fury was evident, but before he could act, Jozu placed a hand on his shoulder, calming him.

Seeing Jozu's gesture, Izou noticed the solemn expressions of his comrades. They, too, felt like invaders.

"Hahaha, don't misunderstand. We're friends of the Kozuki family, but we're also friends of Nicholas."

Marco began to mediate, realizing that their assumption that Nicholas had been ruling with an iron fist was wrong. The people weren't oppressed; they were prospering and didn't want the Kozuki back.

Hearing Marco's words, Ashina Isshin's stance softened slightly.

"Before Lady June left, she said that if you are friends, then Hakumai welcomes you."

"Pops?"

Marco looked to Whitebeard for a decision.

"Gurararara, since the master is not here, we'll come back another day. Turn the ships around, boys!"

With Whitebeard's command, the massive fleet changed course towards Kuri, determined to uncover the truth about Wano.

"What! You're saying the Whitebeard Pirates didn't attack Hakumai or Udon but are heading towards Kuri?"

Denjiro exclaimed in surprise to the messenger.

"Denjiro, what's the matter?"

Kin'emon asked, not understanding why Denjiro was so unsettled. After all, Whitebeard defeating Kaido was a huge step towards restoring Kozuki rule.

"This is a big problem. According to our plan, Whitebeard was supposed to fight Kaido and then Nicholas. Given their strength, it was expected that they would defeat both and drive them out of Wano. Based on what Nekomamushi and Inuarashi said about Whitebeard, he wouldn't stay in Wano. We only needed to promise to seek his protection, and Wano would be back under Kozuki rule.

But now, Whitebeard has driven off Kaido but hasn't fought Nicholas and his rebels. This means something unexpected has happened. If we can't drive Nicholas out, Hakumai and Udon won't return to Kozuki rule, which could threaten Momonosuke's position as shogun. Nicholas is as much a monster as Kaido!"

Denjiro's anxiety was clear as he paced, thinking of a solution.

"What should we do then?"

Kin'emon, realizing the gravity of the situation, asked urgently.