Flower Capital, Overseas Trade Promotion Association.
As the governing body for foreign trade in Wano Country, this organization was originally established by Kozuki Toki.
Later, as Wano gradually embraced overseas trade, Kozuki Toki handed over the association to others.
After successive reforms by several generations of chairmen, it had become one of Wano's most crucial institutions.
A testament to its importance…
Was that whenever Kozuki Oden, as the shogun of Wano, summoned the daimyo from across the land to Flower Capital for meetings, the chairman of the association was also required to attend, holding a status equivalent to that of a daimyo.
"This time, the daimyo of Kuri, Hibi, Udon, Ringo, and Hakumai have all arrived?"
"It seems it's time for me to make an appearance."
In the chairman's office of the Overseas Trade Promotion Association, a hoarse, venomous voice spoke.
If Michael had been there, he would have recognized…
The person currently sitting in the chairman's seat was the root cause of all suffering in Wano…
Kurozumi Higurashi, the user of the Copy-Copy Fruit.
It was she who, in her quest to destroy the Kozuki family, incited Kurozumi Orochi's revenge and helped him seize the shogunate of Wano…
And it was she who proposed inviting Kaido to Wano.
Originally, in the main timeline, she should have been discarded by Kaido after helping him defeat Kozuki Oden—killed once her usefulness expired.
But due to shifts in the world's trajectory, she had survived.
Yet her dream of reviving the Kurozumi family had been utterly shattered.
Kurozumi Orochi had been slain, and Kurozumi Kanjuro had died in captivity.
Of the remaining remnants of the Kurozumi clan, only this old hag remained.
So…
All that talk about restoring the Kurozumi family's glory?
Nothing but empty words.
Now, she had but one wish…
To drag all of Wano down into the abyss of destruction with her.
If she couldn't have happiness, then everyone else would have to suffer too!
"Now, it's time for me to attend the meeting."
With a swipe of her right hand across her face, her form instantly transformed into that of a portly, bald man.
Her loose clothes suddenly stretched taut.
This appearance was none other than the fourth chairman of the Overseas Trade Promotion Association.
"Kurozumi Higurashi… This time, I must gather as much information as possible. Kaido-sama is already preparing to strike…"
"Hmph, Kaido has grown far more cowardly than in the past…"
"It's not cowardice—it's avoiding pointless effort."
From the shadows in the corner of the office, a man stood with his arms crossed.
He was tall and powerfully built, his face concealed by a black mask, with a sword and a four-bladed axe hanging at his waist.
"X Drake, no matter what you say, in short, this time Kaido had better finish it in one decisive battle... I've waited far too long for this day."
Kurozumi Higurashi, disguised as the fourth-generation chairman of the Promotion Association, snorted coldly before putting on a congenial, business-friendly demeanor and sauntered out of the office in an exaggerated manner.
X Drake frowned as he watched Kurozumi Higurashi leave, then let out a long sigh.
Afterward, he took out a Den Den Mushi and a white anti-eavesdropping Den Den Mushi.
"Vice Admiral Rosinante, it has now been confirmed that Kaido's inside man in Wano Country is none other than the last surviving remnant of the Kurozumi family... Kurozumi Higurashi."
"Drake, you've done well... Continue monitoring Kaido's every move."
"Yes!"
X Drake responded in a low voice before hanging up the Den Den Mushi.
He then walked out of the office with practiced ease and headed toward the harbor.
....
On the other side, Rosinante, after hanging up the Den Den Mushi, turned his gaze to all the members of the SWORD Classified Special Forces.
At this moment, the entire classified special forces unit was holding a meeting in the conference room at Marine Headquarters.
And the topic of the meeting…
Was none other than Kaido's movements.
Since this involved Wano Country and the currently largest pirate force, the Beasts Pirates, even Stella and Crocodile had rushed back from Egghead.
"I believe everyone has heard the contents of the call just now."
"With the presence of an insider like Kurozumi Semimaru, combined with Kaido's recent series of movements near Thunder God Island…"
"We can conclude that Kaido has already begun rallying his allies, preparing to invade and fully conquer Wano Country once again."
Rosinante, now the chief commander of the SWORD Classified Special Forces, stood before the Video Transponder Snail as he explained.
Meanwhile, the members of the SWORD Classified Special Forces sat in tiered seating, their expressions grave.
After all, Kaido's name was thunderous across the seas.
No one would question his strength.
"This is probably the first time we've faced an opponent of Kaido's caliber on our own since Vice Admiral Michael left, right?"
"If it were just Kaido alone, that would be one thing… but according to various intelligence reports, Kaido has gathered quite a few allies this time."
"At the very least, Marshall D. Teach—who recently defected from the Whitebeard Pirates after committing murder—fled to Thunder God Island while being pursued by that oaf Weevil… Judging by the current situation, Weevil has likely already been captured by Kaido."
"Does Kaido really not fear Whitebeard at all?"
"To be precise, the Whitebeard Kingdom has only just been established and lacks the national power to wage war against Kaido… And even Whitebeard himself might not be able to completely overpower Kaido."
A group of officers—now either rear admirals or vice admirals—discussed the matter in a clamor.
Their information on Kaido was still limited, leaving them somewhat at a loss.
Thunder God Island was both naturally fortified and under strict secrecy measures, making it impossible for intelligence gatherers to infiltrate…
At present, Thunder God Island was arguably the most mysterious place in the entire sea.
So much so that they could only make reasonable guesses and judgments based on the movements near the island.
"Still… has anyone told Michael about this?" Smoker, who had been spacing out, suddenly turned his head.
"As far as I remember, both the Whitebeard Pirates and Weevil have decent ties with Michael, don't they?"
"Let's not bring that up. None of us have contacted Vice Admiral Michael since the Egghead incident…" Shu sighed, rust swirling around his fingers as they hovered in the air.
"After all, the Marine has been inching closer to that breaking point lately… Fleet Admiral Sengoku has grown increasingly sensitive… It's best we don't provoke him now, right?"
"Hina is confused. Why didn't Michael just talk things out with the Fleet Admiral back then?" Hina stretched her legs—longer than some people's lifespans—onto the table in front of her.
"After all… different paths lead to the same destination."
"Talking about it now is pointless."
Enel raised a hand, pointing at Kaido on the Video Transponder Snail.
"Our current target... is this guy's head."
"He's just a monster... monsters can still fall to the blade." Hawkeye lifted his head, his sharp gaze cutting through the air.
"Just cut it down."
Everyone: "How many times have we told you? No bragging."
Hawkeye: "...I'll cut you down, you bastards!"