The atmosphere on the street before the Shogun Palace was tense as drawn swords. Hyougoro led over a hundred underworld members, followed by a group of anxious Samurai, forming a standoff against Bullet and his men blocking the path.
The underworld leader's face was dark as storm clouds, his right hand gripping his sword hilt so tightly his knuckles turned white. He shouted sharply, "Step aside! Or don't blame us for being impolite!" With a clear "shing," cold steel flashed as he abruptly drew the long sword from his waist.
Behind him, the underworld members brandished their weapons one after another, blades glinting with a chilling gleam under the sunlight.
Seeing this, Bullet didn't retreat but instead grinned excitedly: "Looking for a fight? Perfect chance to stretch my limbs!" He cracked his knuckles, eyes sparkling with battle lust.
Simultaneously, the Pirates behind Bullet drew their weapons, the clashing of metal rising and falling around them.
Both sides stood ready for conflict, the air thick with the smell of gunpowder as a fierce confrontation seemed imminent.
"Everyone, stop! Cough, cough."
Just then, a weak voice called out.
Hearing this, people from both sides turned to look.
"It's Lord Sukiyaki," a sharp-eyed Samurai immediately identified the speaker.
Sukiyaki, appearing extremely frail, was being supported by two attendants as he approached, followed by Kaidou, King, Queen, and others. His face was pale as paper, and he had to stop every few steps to cough violently.
"Lord Sukiyaki, what exactly happened at the Shogun Palace?" Hyougoro stepped forward, asking urgently.
"That's right, Lord Sukiyaki, someone just said there was a rebellion at the Shogun Palace, that it was the Kurozumi Family behind it. Is this true?" another Samurai pressed.
After a fit of violent coughing left him even paler, Sukiyaki spoke with difficulty: "Cough... It's true." He gasped, "I never expected members of the Kurozumi Family to be hiding in the Shogun Palace... I originally planned to invite the Daimyo of Wano Country to jointly eliminate the Kurozumi clan who were preparing to rebel again..."
His voice choked with emotion: "But I never imagined the Kurozumi clan would be so insane. They planted large quantities of explosives in the Shogun Palace, and when they saw their conspiracy exposed, they detonated them immediately. In the explosion, Uzuki Tempura was killed outright, while Fugetsu Omusubi, Shimotsuki Yasuie, and Shimotsuki Ushimaru were severely injured. I only survived thanks to Mr. Kaidou's protection."
He closed his eyes in pain: "Afterwards, the Kurozumi clan launched a frenzied counterattack... Fugetsu Omusubi, Shimotsuki Yasuie, Shimotsuki Ushimaru... to protect me... fought desperately despite their grave injuries... ultimately... tragically sacrificed themselves..."
These words struck like a thunderclap among the crowd.
"What? The Kurozumi Family really rebelled?!"
"Damn it, this can't be true, it's too terrible."
"Lord Sukiyaki said it himself, how could it be false?"
"Hey, you're focusing on the wrong thing! The most important issue is that the Daimyo of Kibi, Udon, Ringo, and Hakumai have all died!"
"Exactly, so many Daimyo dying simultaneously - this has never happened in Wano Country for centuries!"
The citizens who heard the news instantly descended into chaos.
Only Hyougoro frowned deeply, his eyes flashing with suspicion. "Lord Sukiyaki, then who are these people?" He pointed at Bullet and the others. "If I recall correctly, none of them are from the Flower Capital, or even from Wano Country, right? Why did they stop us earlier from going to assist?"
"That's right, Lord Sukiyaki, who are they?" the samurai chimed in one after another.
Sukiyaki weakly waved his hand. "Cough... These people are all under Mr. Kaidou's command... I specifically borrowed troops from Mr. Kaidou to prevent any of the Kurozumi clan from escaping... I just didn't expect..." At this point, he suddenly staggered and nearly fell, but was promptly supported by the attendant beside him.
"Lord Sukiyaki! Are you alright?" the samurai exclaimed in alarm.
"Cough... Everyone... the illness afflicting me... was caused by poison administered by the Kurozumi clan..." Sukiyaki struggled to say.
"What?"
"Lord Sukiyaki, are you okay!"
"Dammit, those cursed Kurozumi clan."
Immediately, the surrounding people began to voice their anger again.
"Everyone, my health was already poor to begin with, and now, having been caught in the explosion, I feel my time is running short," Sukiyaki said, forcing himself to stand upright.
"Lord Sukiyaki, you will surely recover."
"That's right, Lord Sukiyaki, please don't speak such nonsense."
Sukiyaki, however, waved his hand dismissively and then addressed Kaidou, "Mr. Kaidou, with Wano Country currently lacking a leader, I entrust the nation to you until Oden returns."
Kaidou nodded solemnly. "Lord Sukiyaki, rest assured. I will protect Wano Country in your stead until Oden's return."
Sukiyaki took a deep breath and, mustering all his strength, declared, "Everyone... please bear witness... I hereby appoint the Kuri Lord, Kaidou, as the Nation-Protecting King of Wano Country... with status equal to that of the Shogun... To disrespect Mr. Kaidou... is to disrespect the Shogun!"
"What? Lord Sukiyaki, please reconsider!" Hyougoro urgently tried to dissuade him.
The others also seemed hesitant and uncertain. Although Kaidou had gained a favorable reputation since becoming the Kuri Lord, he was, after all, not from Wano Country.
Sukiyaki said firmly, "This is my command as the Shogun of Wano Country... If you still acknowledge the Kouzuki Family as the rulers of Wano... then please obey this decree!"
"Yes!" Hearing this, everyone complied with Sukiyaki's order.
After all, Sukiyaki had invoked the Kouzuki Family, the clan that had ruled Wano Country for centuries. Everyone in Wano still held deep reverence for the Kouzuki Family, and even Hyougoro did not oppose it at this moment.
"Worororo! Since Lord Sukiyaki has appointed me as the Nation-Protecting King of Wano Country, I will take charge of matters from here on. Lord Sukiyaki, please return and rest well," Kaidou stepped forward and said.
"Mm. Cough, cough, cough!" Sukiyaki nodded and then, with the help of his servants, made his way toward the still-intact section of the Shogun Palace.
"Hyougoro of the Flower, I've long heard the people of Wano Country speak of you as an unyielding samurai who upholds righteousness. I wonder if you will follow Lord Sukiyaki's command," Kaidou said directly to Hyougoro, who stood at the forefront of the group.
"Of course. Since it is Lord Sukiyaki's order, we shall naturally acknowledge Mr. Kaidou as the Nation-Protecting King of Wano Country," Hyougoro replied, though he still harbored deep suspicions about the recent rebellion, he had no choice but to comply for now.
"Good. Currently, the people of Flower Capital are not very familiar with my subordinates, so I hope you can arrange for your men to work with mine to stabilize Flower Capital and spread the news of Lord Sukiyaki appointing me as the Nation-Protecting King of Wano Country. Flower Capital is already in enough chaos—I don't want it to descend further into disorder," Kaidou stated bluntly.
After a brief moment of thought, Hyougoro agreed. "I will assign personnel to assist with your efforts, Lord Kaidou." Stabilizing the situation was indeed the top priority, as the entire Flower Capital had been thrown into turmoil by the earth-shattering explosion.
Standing at the center, Kaidou swept his gaze over the assembled crowd. He first turned to King and said in a low voice, "King, you are to lead our forces alongside Hyougoro's subordinates to pacify the citizens of Flower Capital and convey the Shogun's latest decree."
"Understood, Brother Kaidou. I will make the arrangements immediately," King responded with a bow, his black wings slightly folding.
Next, Kaidou shifted his attention to Bullet. "Bullet, take your men and patrol all areas of Flower Capital. If you find anyone attempting to exploit the chaos, apprehend them directly."
"As you command," Bullet replied tersely, a flicker of battle intent in his eyes.
Finally, Kaidou looked at Queen. "Queen, organize a team to clean up the Shogun Palace and repair the damages from the recent battle. Also, reinforce the palace's security to ensure Lord Sukiyaki can rest undisturbed."
"Leave it to me, Boss Kaidou," Queen said, adjusting his sunglasses with his trademark grin.
Hyougoro, standing to the side, listened silently to Kaidou's deployment. But when he heard the final order, his brow unconsciously furrowed, and a trace of concern flashed in his eyes.