Over nearly 30 years of publication, One Piece has delivered countless story arcs that deeply impact the overall plot. Especially after the timeskip, the arcs have grown longer and more epic. While the two latest arcs in the Final Saga are reasonably paced, the preceding Wano Country arc remains the largest in One Piece history. It spanned 149 chapters, starting in July 2018 and concluding in August 2022.
Wano Country stands as one of the most pivotal arcs, not only elevating the Straw Hat crew into the elite ranks before the Final Saga but also unveiling the great destiny of captain Monkey D. Luffy with the introduction of Gear 5. However, after Kaido and Orochi’s downfall, Wano’s future remained uncertain, especially since Momonosuke, though physically matured, is still an 8-year-old boy serving as Shogun. Fortunately, creator Eiichiro Oda has now revealed details about Wano’s current state in the latest One Piece SBS.
How Is Wano Running After Kaido’s Tyranny?
According to information shared by user Pewpiece on X (translated from the upcoming SBS), a fan directly asked Oda how Wano is operating after Kaido’s tyrannical regime ended. The question specifically wanted to know if the Akazaya Nine are managing the reconstruction efforts and whether Kinemon is coordinating the plan.
Oda confirmed that Momonosuke has indeed taken over the country, supported strongly by the entire Akazaya Nine, who act as advisors to the 8-year-old Shogun. He revealed that areas corrupted under Kaido’s rule, such as Okobore Town, the prison mine, Onigashima Island, and factories, have been completely dismantled and erased.
The Akazaya Nine Become the New Lords
Adding to this, Oda mentioned that much of this information has been hinted at through the manga’s cover pages. He confirmed that the Akazaya Nine have spread across Wano Country, becoming Daimyo (lords) governing various regions.
The main territory, Flower Capital, is now overseen by Kinemon as the Senior Elder. Nekomamushi serves as the underworld boss in Flower Capital, while Inuarashi governs the Kuri region.
The fixed roles for Nekomamushi and Inuarashi also strongly suggest that the Mink Tribe has chosen Wano as their new home and is supporting Shogun Momonosuke.
Yamato Still Roams: Chance to Join the Straw Hats Remains
The final piece of information Oda shared is likely what fans are most curious about: Yamato is still wandering throughout Wano. This implies it may take some more time before Yamato officially joins the Straw Hat crew. Although Yamato has decided to stay in Wano to explore in the spirit of Oden, Oda’s choice not to place this character in a fixed leadership role or have them leave the country suggests the possibility of joining the Straw Hats remains wide open.
With Wano now on a stable path and no longer needing urgent protection, fans hope Yamato will soon complete their personal journey and set sail with the Straw Hats, especially as One Piece moves deeper into the Final Saga.