...
Southern Flower Capital, Orochi Castle.
Kurozumi Orochi paced back and forth, his square-shaped head bobbing as he moved.
Despite his towering height—greater than an admiral's—and his position as Wano's shogun, he carried none of the dignity or grandeur such titles should entail. Instead, an air of cowardice clung to him like a foul stench.
"Ugh!!!"
"What do I do?! What do I do?!"
Ever since he received word from Kanjuro that Hyogoro was planning a rebellion, nothing felt enjoyable anymore. His sake had lost its taste, the women around him seemed less enticing, and even his stamina had taken a hit.
"Bang!"
The door slammed open, revealing a bald man with an unusually high forehead and long earlobes reminiscent of Enel's. He strode in without hesitation.
This was Fukurokuju, formerly the leader of the Kozuki Oniwabanshu and now the head of Orochi's personal guard.
Fukurokuju knelt on one knee, speaking in a respectful tone.
"Orochi-sama, Kozuki Oden has not made any moves."
"That's good!"
Upon hearing that Oden remained inactive, Orochi let out a sigh of relief, regaining a semblance of composure befitting a shogun.
If it hadn't been for Kurozumi Higurashi's intervention a year ago, he would've already been cut down by Oden. The memory of Oden's swords sinking into him still haunted his thoughts.
He pressed on, "And what about Hyogoro? Where is that old fool now?"
The mere mention of Hyogoro's former glory and battlefield prowess sent Orochi spiraling back into panic. His voice trembled as he hurriedly demanded an answer.
"Hyogoro-sama…" Fukurokuju caught the look in Orochi's eyes and quickly corrected himself.
"That fool Hyogoro and Oden's remaining supporters have vanished from the Flower Capital. Their whereabouts are currently unknown. However, we've tracked traces of the samurai's movements. They've already gathered nearly 4,000 men."
"Damn it!!! What about the defenses in the Flower Capital?!"
"Orochi-sama, as long as Ringo and Kibi remain uninvolved, there's no way Hyogoro alone can breach Orochi Castle. The Oniwabanshu will protect you, my lord!"
But these words did nothing to ease Orochi's fears.
"What about Queen?! What does the Beasts Pirates say?!"
"Queen…" Fukurokuju hesitated, swallowing hard.
"Speak!"
"Queen said we can go to hell."
"Ughhhhhh!!!"
In a fit of rage, Orochi kicked over a nearby sake table, sending bottles crashing to the floor.
"Kaido, you fickle bastard! Damn you!!!"
"Why did you have to leave Wano now?! Why?!"
...
On Onigashima.
"Funk Funk! If I slimmed down, I'd be too popular…"
"Yeah! Go, Queen-sama!"
Queen was having the time of his life, dancing wildly. When he first heard of Hyogoro's rebellion, he had been a little concerned, but after days passed with no attack, he relaxed.
With Kaido gone and King not around either, life was perfect.
Besides, only the Flower Capital was under their control—most of Wano still belonged to its independent daimyos. The first target of any rebellion would be Orochi, not Onigashima.
No way those idiot samurai would go out of their way to attack them first.
"Queen-sama! The crew in the Flower Capital has fully withdrawn to Onigashima!" A subordinate burst into the room with a report.
"Good!"
"Boom!"
Emerging from Skull Dome, Queen leaped onto his boar-drawn war chariot, his massive belly rippling like waves.
"Humph! Humph!" The boar snorted in frustration. Not this fat bastard again.
A cloud of dust kicked up as Queen sped toward the island's edge. With Kaido gone and King absent, it was his time to shine. When Kaido returned, he'd be the one receiving all the credit.
But first, he had a little nuisance to deal with.
Queen turned and grabbed a tiny figure with pink horns—an adorable yet fierce-looking little girl.
It was Yamato, one of the Four Brats of the Sea!
Even as Queen dangled her in the air, Yamato showed no fear. Instead, she clung to his chubby fingers, grinning brightly.
"Hehehe! Uncle Queen, take me with you!"
"This is a battlefield, not a playground, Yamato!"
Queen sighed, exasperated. At five or six years old, Yamato was at that age where everyone found her utterly insufferable.
More importantly, she had a good heart—too good for the Beasts Pirates.
How the hell did Kaido end up with a daughter like this?
And worse, because she was Kaido's daughter, he couldn't just beat her up.
"Hehehe! Then, Uncle Queen, can you let the laborers—"
"Boom!"
Before she could finish, Queen flung her away and sped off on his chariot.
As for her safety?
Please. Kaido's bloodline wasn't that fragile.
...
Wano Country was essentially an isolated feudal state, ruled by a shogun instead of an emperor. The land was divided into regions, each controlled by a daimyo. Even the shogun himself had limited authority over these territories.
But Kurozumi Orochi had long since lost the favor of the people. The daimyos of various provinces had already begun plotting against him.
In the northern Ringo region.
Inside the Shimotsuki estate.
Shimotsuki Ushimaru, not yet a prisoner, studied the worn face of Hyogoro appearing in the snail projector.
"Hyogoro, what is this about?"
Hyogoro's face was lined with exhaustion, but his voice was firm.
"Ushimaru, there's no time for pleasantries. I'll be brief—Kaido and Orochi cannot be trusted. If we let things continue as they are, Wano will be utterly destroyed."
"Kaido is still away and has shown no signs of returning anytime soon. Right now, only Orochi and the Beasts Pirates remain."
"Tonight, I'm launching a rebellion to kill Kurozumi Orochi."
"Shimotsuki Yasuie, Amatsuki Tenpura, and Fugetsu Omusubi have already agreed to join me in marching on the Flower Capital. Will you stand with us?"
"...What about Kaido?"
Hyogoro thought of Oden and spoke firmly. "Young Oden will come. I'll make sure of it."
Shimotsuki Ushimaru fell silent, glancing around at the worsening state of his province.
Finally, he made his decision.
"Alright."
...
At the same time, Hyogoro turned to his gathered allies—Kin'emon, Denjiro, and the rest of Oden's retainers.
"Kin'emon, how is Kuri's preparation?"
"Hyogoro-sama, those still loyal have gathered outside the city. Alongside us, the vassals of the Kozuki Clan stand ready to lay down our lives for its restoration!"
"Hahaha! Good!"
Hyogoro's spirit burned brightly as he declared, "Tonight, Kurozumi Orochi dies!!!"
"Yes, Hyogoro-sama!"
Only Kanjuro, head bowed, wore an unreadable smile.
...
Kozuki Residence.
Five-year-old Momonosuke and three-year-old Hiyori played in the courtyard, unaware of the storm brewing around them.
Kozuki Toki adjusted Oden's collar, sensing the unease in his heart.
"Oden, Hyogoro moves tonight, doesn't he?"
Oden remained silent, staring at his palms.
...
Tonight, Wano's fate would be decided.
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