Just as Sakikimaru was about to draw his sword, thinking that even if he could not kill Orochi he could at least make him bleed a little, a voice cut him off.
"Enough, Sakikimaru. How can you, as samurai, bully a helpless commoner who cannot even resist?
That does not match the code we samurai uphold. Take your men and return to the estate to reflect at once, or I will draw my blade against you myself."
Hearing the voice, Sakikimaru knew he could not continue.
Every time things reached the critical moment, the head of the Shimotsuki family would appear at just the right time.
He always shielded Orochi to an absurd degree. When Sakikimaru later asked the clan head why he did this, the answer was always some baffling nonsense.
Even so, before the clan head, Sakikimaru would not dare be unreasonable.
He sheathed his sword, dropped to one knee before "Ushimaru," and said,
"I would not dare. Please, Head of the Family, calm your thunderous anger and forgive my rashness.
I beg you, punish only me. The others have nothing to do with this. I will return and reflect on my actions immediately."
"Sakikimaru, there is no need to be like this. Just go back and reflect. I hope I will not see you bullying Orochi again. He is a pitiable man as well."
After "Ushimaru" finished speaking, his gaze showed genuine feeling, full of pity for Orochi.
"Yes, I understand," Sakikimaru replied without hesitation.
As for whether he would stop making trouble for Orochi in the future, that went without saying. He was the remnant of the Kurozumi line. How could they possibly let him go so easily?
Very soon, though, Sakikimaru suddenly realized something was off. At this time, the clan head should have been dealing with the intruder at the harbor. How had he returned so quickly?
So he asked the question that hit straight to the point.
"Head of the Family, shouldn't you be at Return Harbor right now? Why are you here?"
"Cough, cough…"
"Ushimaru" almost let the question blow through his defenses.
Why was he here? The reason was very simple: he was not Ushimaru at all, so of course he could appear here.
"Ushimaru" knew he could not expose himself, so he quickly came up with an excuse.
"The intruder was nothing but a small thief and has already been dealt with. Naturally I could return quickly."
Sakikimaru still felt a little uneasy, but he did not say anything more and led the men away.
Once Sakikimaru and the others had gone, "Ushimaru" shifted and transformed into a white-haired old woman in a kimono.
As for Orochi, who had been huddled in the corner just now, he no longer looked frightened or timid. Instead, he was full of energy, radiating arrogant, domineering air.
"Guhehehehe… Higurashi, that guy Oden has done a very good job ruling Kuri.
The people are united behind him. If we let him keep going like this, it will be very difficult for us to carry out our plan!" Orochi said, gesturing as if he commanded mountains and rivers.
"No need to rush, Orochi. That guy Oden has his heart set on going to sea. All we need to do is wait for one more opportunity.
On the night he leaves, I will disguise myself as Oden and smear his name. Then the progress of our plan will advance greatly," Higurashi said with confidence.
With the power of the Clone-Clone Fruit, Higurashi had absolute confidence she could do this.
"Good. Then we move on to the next step. We go to the Flower Capital, win Sukiyaki's trust, and prepare to seize the position of shogun of Wano."
Orochi's eyes were full of desire. No one knew what his life had been like all these years: insulted, beaten, humiliated, hunted, spat at.
Wano… would be better off destroyed.
Becoming shogun was only the first step. After that, he would make everyone in Wano repay him a hundredfold.
Higurashi understood Orochi's thoughts very well. As the secret surviving descendant of the Kurozumi clan,
to have obtained the Mythical Zoan, Yamata no Orochi model, and still be able to endure humiliation to this degree, such restraint was impossible without an iron will.
Higurashi could not help but sigh. Heaven had left the Kurozumi clan one good seed.
Thinking of how the strength of the Kurozumi alone would not be enough to achieve total revenge on Wano, Higurashi brought up someone she had once contacted back when she followed the Rocks Pirates.
"Orochi, Semimaru has already gone to approach Kaido. Kaido is willing to cooperate with us.
He promised he will help you become shogun of Wano. The price is that we must set up a Sea Prism stone processing plant in Wano, and the Beasts Pirates will take forty percent of the profits."
"That's fine! It's only Sea Prism stone. Wano has plenty. As for the production, we'll just have those lowly commoners repay the debt they owe me.
Right, Kanjuro has already infiltrated Oden's side, hasn't he? Next, I should use Ushimaru's recommendation to enter Yasuie's house in Hakumai. Even if I must again become a servant, it doesn't matter.
Once I've gained enough trust, we'll use Yasuie's hand to remove Sukiyaki and have me become the shogun in whom Wano places its faith."
Orochi's goals were clear. A man who achieved great things did not fret over trifles. At least for now, he truly possessed the bearing of someone who might succeed.
"Very well, Orochi. Then I will turn into Ushimaru and make a trip to Yasuie's place. I'll prepare the way for you."
Higurashi was fully on board with Orochi's plan.
She was just about to discuss a few more details with Orochi when Doflamingo appeared in front of them with Toki in his arms.
Because Doflamingo had been hiding in the air, Toki had not heard anything. With his powerful Kenbunshoku (Observation Haki), however, there was no way Doflamingo had missed a word.
He had listened to their conversation from start to finish.
The moment he landed, he started clapping.
"Pa~ pa~ pa~. Beautifully said. I wonder if I might have the honor of taking part in your plan?"
Doflamingo's tone sounded like a question, but his posture made it clear he already had them in his grasp.
It felt as though if they refused in the next second, something very bad would happen.
"Who are you? And how much did you hear?"
Orochi instantly went on guard, shifting into his Yamata no Orochi form. Nine heads opened wide, baring bloody jaws, all eyes locked straight on Doflamingo.
"Who am I? I am the captain of the Donquixote Pirates, Doflamingo.
You can also call me the Immortal Thunder Emperor."
Naturally, Doflamingo had not found them for no reason. According to the original timeline, Orochi did in fact succeed and became shogun of Wano.
As for Wano's Sea Prism stone technology and industry… honestly, Doflamingo had been eyeing them for a long time.
"Doflamingo?"
"Immortal Thunder Emperor?"
All nine of Orochi's heads were full of question marks.
Higurashi, however, was different. Her cloudy eyes suddenly widened. This was the captain of the Donquixote Pirates who had been in the limelight lately.
Rumor had it he possessed power on par with Whitebeard's. Whether his appearance in Wano was good or bad remained to be seen.
Still, since he had voluntarily approached them for cooperation, working with Kaido was cooperation, and working with Doflamingo was also cooperation.
One more ally was always better. As for how the spoils would be divided after success, they could leave that for the two pirate crews to fight over.
She pulled Orochi aside and whispered in his ear for a while. The wariness in Orochi's eyes gradually faded.
He returned to human form and looked at Doflamingo, his expression holding three parts suspicion, three parts approval, three parts confusion, and one part intrigue.
(End of Chapter)
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