CHAPTER 283 KAIDO'S FURY
The Flower Capital—a sudden announcement shattered the city's tranquility.
"Kozuki—they've returned?"
"This family still has survivors!"
"They say it's the Red Scabbard samurai!"
"Hurry and see! At the castle tower's top—they're publicly executing Shogun Orochi!!"
Kurozumi Orochi had ruled this nation for over ten years, yet throughout that lengthy period, the Kozuki name never faded from residents' memories. No wonder—Kurozumi Orochi's rule was profoundly unpopular, excessively brutal.
The original Wano, though not particularly developed or wealthy, at least maintained peaceful tranquility where people enjoyed simple lives. But after Kaido seized Wano and Kurozumi Orochi took power, this nation transformed into a massive weapons factory.
Fields were abandoned, rivers polluted, forests burned. Only ruin and devastation remained everywhere one looked. People could barely survive—how could they harbor goodwill toward Kurozumi Orochi? Missing the previous dynasty's rule was entirely natural, despite Orochi's constant propaganda efforts.
What propaganda could match personal experience? Under such circumstances, the Kozuki had returned.
With anticipation and anxiety, the Flower Capital's residents surged toward the castle tower. There they witnessed the scene they'd awaited for so long.
Atop the castle tower, on that curved large tree branch—Kurozumi Orochi was pinned to the trunk by a sword.
Beside Kurozumi Orochi, that stocky samurai raised his arms, shouting:
"Kurozumi Orochi's rule ends today! The Kozuki never left! People of Wano, please wait just a little longer!"
"Wait for us to return and save this nation!!"
The sharp blade pierced Orochi's heart once more.
"WAAAH!!" Orochi screamed. Though his ability granted resurrection, having never undergone proper combat training, Orochi's pain tolerance was especially low. His solitary screams even drowned out the murmuring crowds gathering below.
"Spare me, spare me! I'll atone—" Orochi shrieked.
But Kawamatsu paid no heed, merely claiming another life.
Gradually, Orochi's screams transformed into curses.
"DAMN IT!! BASTARDS!" he shouted loudly. "Everything—you owed me! This nation owes the Kurozumi family!"
His body trembled with pain, yet his tone remained passionate. "I deliberately destroyed this nation, sending everyone to hell!!"
"BASTARD!!" Kawamatsu couldn't restrain himself, beheading Orochi with one stroke.
Among the crowds below, people hearing Orochi's true feelings clenched their fists.
"Kill him," someone finally whispered.
In an instant, that voice coalesced into earth-shaking waves. Everyone's faces flushed red. Everyone roared furiously: Kill him.
People bellowed, demanding Kawamatsu quickly eliminate this monster who'd plunged the entire nation into inferno.
"Hear that, Orochi? This nation's voice!" Kawamatsu declared.
Orochi's head barely regrew before Kawamatsu severed it again. Even Mythical Zoan durability proved inadequate facing Haki masters like Kawamatsu. Orochi's screams grew increasingly shrill. His earlier bravado completely vanished. He begged pathetically through tears and snot.
The Yamata no Orochi fruit's resurrection wasn't infinite—his lives were nearly exhausted.
Naturally, Kawamatsu ignored him, mechanically claiming his lives repeatedly.
"Kozuki! Damn Kozuki!" Orochi shrieked at the very end.
Kawamatsu's blade fell again. "You're mistaken, Orochi. This time—this nation takes revenge upon you!"
Orochi's head flew off once more. This time, Kawamatsu waited long—he finally didn't revive.
"Finally dead!" At the castle tower's terrace edge, Yamato exhaled with relief. "I thought this guy was truly unkillable!"
"No one in this world is unkillable. People die when they're killed," Brett chuckled lightly.
"Such a shame we couldn't drive out that bastard old man in one go too!" Yamato was quite disappointed.
What exemplary filial piety.
"Endure a bit longer. The timing isn't ripe," Brett said. If Brett was willing, he could actually begin claiming Pluton now. With his and Fish-Man Island's assistance, plus Yamato and the Kozuki retainers' strength, defeating the Beast Pirates was achievable.
However, Brett wanted more than just Pluton—he wanted Wano Country as an ally. For that, he felt Yamato should grow stronger—strong enough to protect this nation even without him present.
"I'll work hard to grow stronger!" Yamato flexed her arm muscles confidently. "Whether Conqueror's infusion or advanced armament Haki—I'll master everything for you to see!"
This woman was Brett's chosen ally. No need for secrecy—Brett taught her advanced Haki techniques. Yamato's talent was unquestionable. Through countless challenges against Kaido, she'd independently mastered Conqueror's infusion.
"Since Orochi is dead, let's begin phase two," Brett said.
Making Kaido return required applying some pressure.
---
Somewhere in the New World, the Beast Pirates' grand fleet rode the waves forward. Then a call from Wano suddenly disrupted their voyage.
"WHAT DID YOU SAY?!" Violent spirit exploded instantly from the central ship, black lightning radiating in all directions.
The sea surface boiled. Pirates on surrounding ships collapsed unconscious. The monster's fury swept across the ocean like natural disaster.
"You're saying that bastard Brett appeared in Wano?!" On deck, Queen holding the transponder snail exclaimed repeatedly. "And together with that idiot Yamato and Kozuki remnants, they killed that waste Orochi! Now they're advancing toward Onigashima!"
"Kaido-san, what should we do?"
Even normally calm King couldn't help but sound anxious. "If we ignore this, who knows what Wano will become?"
"DAMN BRAT!" Accompanied by the monster's roar, an azure dragon launched skyward.