As soon as the words left his mouth, Scratchmen Apoo froze completely.
After a long pause, he let out a bitter laugh. "Roya mental abilities are getting stronger and stronger. I ended up revealing my true thoughts without even realizing it—didn't even know I leaked something."
Roya chuckled and said, "There's nothing I want to know that anyone can hide from me."
"Go back and tell Kaido—I'll attend the banquet on time."
Apoo dramatically wiped nonexistent sweat from his forehead and grinned. "Thank you for your understanding, Vice-Emperor!"
With that, he turned to leave.
But then, a childish voice called out: "Hmph! Don't you people know where this is? Coming and going as you please—do you think you can just ignore the presence of this Shogun?!"
Momonosuke approached with a serious expression, hands behind his back, walking step by step.
Behind him, Kin'emon, Denjiro, and the others followed closely, their hands on the hilts of their swords, ready for battle.
From another direction, Kawamatsu, Inuarashi, and Nekomamushi moved in to form a pincer formation with Kin'emon's group.
And on the surrounding hillsides, countless bandit samurai began to encircle them, cutting off all paths down the mountain.
At the slightest provocation, a full-scale battle could erupt.
Apoo shrugged and looked toward Roya. "Vice-Emperor, please mediate for justice. Don't let us three messengers die here, would you?"
Roya teased with a light laugh, "You didn't seem so afraid when you were beating people up just now."
The words left Apoo scratching his head awkwardly.
Roya waved his hand. "Enough. Go back and tell Kaido—tonight, I'll bring both Momonosuke and Hiyori to the banquet."
"And also, that Orochi—he'll be attending too, won't he?"
As he spoke, he glanced at Momonosuke.
Momonosuke happened to look at him at the same time. Their eyes met briefly, but enough had already been exchanged between them.
Apoo was silent for a moment. Then suddenly, he raised an eyebrow and smiled. "As expected of Lord Roya! I'll return at once to report your intentions to the Governor-General!"
With that, he gave Momonosuke a look, then swaggered off through the Kozuki retainers.
Without Momonosuke's orders, the warriors didn't act rashly and allowed Apoo and his companions to leave freely.
Only after they were gone did Kozuki Hiyori dare to approach Roya. She asked in a low, hopeful voice, "My lord… are you planning to make your move tonight?"
Roya looked toward Momonosuke, who was still deep in thought, and smiled. "Whatever happens, just stay by my side."
Hiyori frowned slightly, sensing a deeper meaning behind Roya's words.
After hesitating for a moment, she bravely asked, "My lord… do you think having my brother become the Shogun of Wano is not in your best interests?"
Roya shook his head. "If it were really that simple, then all I'd need to do is take down Orochi and Kaido—then Wano would be safe and peaceful."
Hiyori was stunned. She turned to look at Momonosuke again.
Suddenly, she sensed something unfamiliar about her brother—something that didn't belong in her memories of him.
Despite their long separation, as siblings who had once grown up together, she could feel it instinctively. It wasn't in his aura or expressions, but something much deeper.
In that instant, Hiyori understood Roya's concern.
She bit her lip slightly, then took Roya's arm and said softly, "Lord Roya, let's go back. If we're attending Kaido's banquet tonight… I'll need to get properly dressed for the occasion."
In that moment, she seemed to return to her former self—as the top courtesan, Komurasaki.
Roya sighed inwardly and gently patted the back of her hand.
Then he tapped the ground lightly, and with Hiyori and Tama in tow, floated off into the air.
In an instant, they had soared over the towering cliffs.
Hiyori was startled at first, then quickly felt her body lighten—as if she weighed nothing—floating gently along with the wind.
When she looked back, all she saw were the stunned faces of those still standing atop the mountain, watching them drift farther and farther away.
Her heart, too, drifted with the wind.
The heavy feeling that had weighed her down from realizing Momonosuke's strangeness now gradually dissipated.
"Eighteen years… I've already endured the hardest part alone. What's a little longer?"
"Besides, I'm not really alone anymore… am I?"
Hiyori looked up at Roya's profile. The corners of his mouth were lifted in a faint smile.
In that moment, a trace of sweetness rippled through her chest and throat.
Unconsciously, she held his arm tighter.
The two of them floated on the wind—sometimes rising, sometimes falling—but always steady.
Before long, they glided back into the main district of the Flower Capital.
The townspeople below cried out in astonishment as they watched the three figures fly overhead, crossing most of the city before gently descending into Komurasaki's private residence.
As soon as they landed, Tama clapped her hands joyfully. "Lord Roya, that was amazing! Tama wants to fly again!"
Roya patted her head and smiled. "Next time, how about I take you flying in Mary Geoise?"
Tama tilted her head. "You mean the Holy Land Mary Geoise? That place is really high… flying there, wouldn't it be kinda scary?"
She looked completely serious, genuinely pondering the question.
Seeing her so pure and adorable, Roya couldn't help but laugh heartily.
Just then, a streak of light shot down from above—Skull (Squard) knelt on one knee before Roya.
Hiyori, sensing the moment, pulled Tama inside the room.
Squard reported, "My lord, King the Wildfire and Jack the Drought have returned to Onigashima to attend tonight's banquet."
"The Three Sweet Commanders of Big Mom's crew have also secretly arrived on the island."
Roya gave a soft snort. "Calling this a 'banquet'… the scale makes it look more like another Marineford-level war."
Squard gave a strange look. "My lord, Orochi has gathered all of the Oniwabanshu and secretly infiltrated Onigashima."
Roya couldn't help but laugh. "With those third-rate ninjas? You expect them to sneak into Kaido's stronghold undetected?"
"Looks like Kaido is dead set on getting rid of Orochi tonight."
Squard nodded. "That seems to be the only explanation."
After a pause, he added, "My lord, Marco and the others… still have deep emotional ties to the Kozuki clan and Momonosuke."
Roya nodded. "Exactly. That's why we take down Kaido first. Once Momonosuke can't hold back and moves against us himself… everything else will fall into place."
Squard bowed low. "Understood!"
Then, with a flicker, he disappeared into the crowded streets.
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