"Douglas Bullet?"
Kin'emon and the others froze for a moment, realizing none of them had ever heard this name before.
"No matter who the man is, we must avenge Lord Oden," Denjiro said, his eyes burning with murderous intent.
"Gather everyone," Kin'emon declared firmly. "At dawn tomorrow, we march to avenge Oden-sama."
"Good!"
Everyone present nodded in unison.
"Lady Toki, please rest assured," Kin'emon continued as he and the others dropped to one knee before her. "Even if it costs our lives, we will help Lord Oden find justice."
Toki's gaze lingered on them, sorrow flickering in her eyes. "Please… be careful. Truthfully, more than revenge, I wish for you to wait until Momonosuke grows. Of course, I won't stop you—my own desire for vengeance burns no less than yours."
"Lady Toki…"
Her words left Kin'emon and the others momentarily stunned, a shadow of shame crossing their faces.
After a long pause, Kin'emon turned toward Inuarashi and Nekomamushi. His expression hardened with resolve. "Inuarashi, Neko—may I ask you for a favor?"
"Kin'emon…"
Both mink lords looked at him, already sensing his intent. They opened their mouths to speak, but Kin'emon raised a hand to stop them.
"If tomorrow… our revenge fails, then I beg of you—take Lady Toki and Lord Momonosuke out of Wano. Protect them, no matter what."
He bowed his head and dropped to both knees. "Please, Inuarashi, Nekomamushi—I entrust this to you!"
The others followed, kneeling beside him, their voices echoing the plea.
"…I understand," Inuarashi finally said after a heavy silence. "If it comes to that, I will protect the Lady and His Highness. I will take them to Zou."
"What are you saying, Inuarashi?!"
Nekomamushi's face twisted with shock and anger. He had never expected his comrade to accept so readily.
But Inuarashi met his gaze with unyielding seriousness. "Cat Viper… the one who survives carries the greatest burden. Lord Oden has fallen we cannot allow anything to happen to Lady Toki or Lord Momonosuke as well."
"I…"
Nekomamushi clenched his fists, his anger faltering as he met Inuarashi's gaze.
The other's words struck deeper than he cared to admit. He had been blinded by rage, driven only by the thought of avenging Oden-sama.
He had never once considered the greater burden that would remain after vengeance.
"I see."
At last, the Cat Viper lowered his head, his voice rough but resigned.
"Thank you," Kin'emon said softly. Relief flickered across the faces of the Scabbards.
With Inuarashi and Nekomamushi agreeing, they finally had no more lingering doubts.
Lord Oden… please rest assured. We will avenge you, even at the cost of our lives.
The same vow echoed in the hearts of Kin'emon and the others.
Yet, hidden within Lady Toki's embrace, little Hiyori's eyes blinked wide.
She had heard everything... the oaths, the promises, the desperate pleas. Confusion rippled through her small heart.
"Why… did no one mention me?" she thought. "Even mother… she never spoke my name."
Doubt and unease took root in her young mind. No one saw it, but in that moment, a tiny seed was planted—one that might one day grow into something far greater.
---
Dawn
By the next morning, Kin'emon and the retainers had gathered the last of the Kozuki clan's might.
Tens of thousands of loyal warriors answered their call—men who still remembered Oden's glory, who still burned with the will to fight for him.
But in truth, these numbers represented the very last strength of the Kozuki family.
From the high balcony of her chamber, Lady Toki clutched her children's hands tightly. She watched the Scabbards and their army march out with heavy hearts.
"Please… come back to us," she whispered, a prayer swallowed by the wind.
---
Deep within the forest
Rain rose early, catching and roasting a bear for breakfast. After a full meal, he, Mira, and Bullet readied themselves for the inevitable battle.
"The enemy is moving," Rain murmured, his Observation Haki stretching outward like a vast net.
"Ten thousand samurai. Most of them are on par with G-1 marine elites. But among them… seven stand out. Their auras are far stronger."
"Any as strong as Kozuki Oden?" Bullet asked flatly, uninterested in weaklings.
Rain shook his head, then suddenly paused. His lips curled into a sly smile.
"No Kaido hasn't appeared… wait. Hah. So he finally shows himself."
Bullet's grin widened. "Good. That's the kind of fight I'm waiting for."
Rain's eyes narrowed. "Bullet, your body still hasn't recovered. Oden's last strike left you wounded. Against Kaido, you—"
"Don't worry." Bullet cut him off, his expression wild, arrogant. "There's no problem."
Rain sighed, recognizing that nothing would stop him. Fine. If this is what makes him happy…
Besides, if Bullet faltered, wasn't he still here?
At that moment, Mira stepped forward, her gaze sharp and unwavering. "Leave the Wano samurai to me."
Rain blinked, startled. "…Mira, are you serious?"
Her eyes didn't waver.
Rain's expression grew serious as well.
"This is a great opportunity, isn't it?"
Mira's lips curved into a laugh, but her eyes were deadly serious as they locked onto Rain.
She wasn't joking, this wasn't bravado. She needed this.
"This battle… it's my chance to push past my limits," she said, her voice low but steady.
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