A melancholic mist hung over the Flower Capital at dusk, the streets sparsely populated. On this seemingly calm evening, various yakuza leaders received an urgent summons from Hyogoro.
Within half a day, over a hundred and sixty yakuza had gathered one after another in an abandoned teahouse on the outskirts of the city. This dilapidated building, hidden deep within a dense bamboo grove, was a secret hideout commonly used by the underworld. The dim room was packed with people, the air thick with the mingled smells of tobacco and sweat, and an inescapable tension.
"Lord Hyogoro, what urgent matter has prompted you to summon us so suddenly?" a burly man with a rough face was the first to ask, his coarse voice breaking the silence within the room.
Hyogoro, seated solemnly at the head, slowly rose. Candlelight cast deep shadows across his sharply defined face. He surveyed the crowd and spoke gravely, "I have gathered you all today to announce an important decision. I have decided to pledge my service to Lord Kaido and join the Oniwabanshu."
His words instantly stirred up the room. Someone gasped, someone unconsciously took half a step back, and others reflexively tightened their grip on the swords at their waists.
Hyogoro raised a hand, signaling for quiet, and continued, "Now, I want to hear your thoughts. Who is willing to follow me there, and who chooses to stay?"
A brief silence fell upon the room. Everyone looked at each other, weighing this significant choice.
Hyogoro's gaze swept over each face, awaiting their responses. He could clearly see the complex shifts in expression on every face—confusion, shock, hesitation, and poorly concealed panic.
"Lord Hyogoro, why would you make such a decision?" an older yakuza member asked, his voice trembling.
"Yes, didn't we join the underworld in the first place to live freely? Why would you suddenly want to join the Oniwabanshu now?" a young man pressed urgently.
"Lord Hyogoro, were you coerced by Kaido? If so, you don't have to be afraid. Even though Kaido is now the Guardian Deity King of Wano Country, we do not fear him!" a powerfully built man declared, slamming the table as he stood.
"Right, Lord Hyogoro! With you here, we fear no one!" the crowd chimed in, their voices echoing in the confined space.
Hyogoro took a deep breath, his gaze growing profound and resolute. "Everyone, I made this decision for two reasons. First, it was a condition I previously agreed to with Kaido. Second, it was Lord Sukiyaki's dying wish. He hoped I could help Kaido stabilize Wano's situation and prevent the country from being dragged into war."
The clamor in the room gradually subsided, leaving only the soft crackle of the burning candles. Everyone sank into contemplation. They understood what this meant—the free, unfettered life of the underworld was gone forever.
"Everyone," Hyogoro's voice was particularly clear in the stillness, "if you are willing, you can follow me and join the Oniwabanshu. If not, I will not force you. Regardless of your choice, we will always remain good brothers."
After a brief silence, a loud voice was the first to break it. "I will follow Lord Hyogoro, of course!"
"Yes! Lord Hyogoro once saved my life. Wherever Lord Hyogoro goes, I will follow!" another voice chimed in immediately.
"I'm in too!"
"Since that's the case, I'll join as well. Lord Kaido was already wealthy, and now he controls all of Wano. Joining his ranks, the monthly stipend should be quite high," a shrewd yakuza member calculated aloud.
But not everyone was willing to follow. A few figures in the corner remained silent. Finally, one tall, slender man stepped forward. "I'm sorry, Lord Hyogoro. I only wish to live freely, not to take orders from another."
"Me too, Lord Hyogoro. I'm out," another yakuza member with long hair said in a low voice.
Hyogoro gave a slight nod, his gaze sweeping over the brothers who chose to leave.
Candlelight flickered in the room, casting shifting light and shadow on his resolute face. He could see the struggle and reluctance in the eyes of those departing, and sense their inner longing for freedom.
"To each their own ambition. I respect your choices," his voice was low and powerful. "However, before you leave, I have a word of advice. Wano Country is currently in turbulent times. I hope you all act with greater caution."
The yakuza who chose to leave cupped their fists in salute. Some had tears in their eyes, some wore looks of shame, but they all turned and left with determination. As the wooden door opened and closed, a cold draft swept in, causing the candle flames to dance violently, as if foretelling the coming upheaval.
Once the last departing figure vanished beyond the door, Hyogoro turned to those who remained.
About a hundred and twenty people were left in the room now, all longtime followers. Their eyes held both apprehension for the future and absolute trust in Hyogoro.
"From today onward, we are no longer street-roaming yakuza," Hyogoro said gravely, his voice carrying an unprecedented seriousness. "The Oniwabanshu has strict discipline. Everyone must be mentally prepared."
"Don't worry, Lord Hyogoro!" a brawny man covered in scars thumped his chest. His thick arms were covered in battle scars. "Since we've chosen to follow you, we will never let you down!"
"Yeah, it's just a change of lifestyle!" another tall, thin man laughed, his nimble fingers constantly spinning a copper coin. "Fighting is fighting, right? Who you fight for doesn't really matter!"
The group burst into laughter, easing much of the tense atmosphere. Hyogoro also allowed himself a rare slight smile, but quickly grew serious again. He knew that from this moment, they were all embarking on a path of no return.
"Tomorrow at noon, Lord Kaido will receive us at the Shogun's Palace," Hyogoro announced. "Rest well tonight. Tomorrow, you must go there in high spirits."
That night, the streets of the Flower Capital were unusually quiet. The yakuza who chose to leave walked in small groups through the darkness; some were already regretting their decision. Under the moonlight, their shadows stretched long, appearing particularly lonely.
"Hey, do you think we were too impulsive?" a young yakuza whispered, constantly looking back toward the direction of the secret hideout. "Lord Hyogoro treated us well..."
"Hmph, what do you know!" an older companion snorted coldly, his calloused hand gripping the short sword at his waist tightly. "Selling our lives to Kaido? Who knows when we might be used as cannon fodder! For people like us, it's better to stay free and unfettered."
Meanwhile, inside the secret hideout, the yakuza who stayed behind were restless, unable to sleep. Some polished their cherished swords, others stared blankly at the moonlight outside the window. They all knew that starting tomorrow, their lives would change completely. A bespectacled yakuza member read the Oniwabanshu regulations carefully by lamplight, letting out occasional surprised sighs. Another young yakuza practiced the standard bowing posture repeatedly, afraid of making a mistake before Kaido the next day.
Early the next morning, Hyogoro rose early and changed into a brand-new black kimono. His wife silently adjusted his collar, her eyes full of concern. She could feel the air of finality emanating from her husband and foresee the peril of this path.
"Are you truly decided?" his wife asked softly, her fingers trembling involuntarily.
Hyogoro grasped her hand, feeling the warmth from her palm. "For the future of Wano Country, this is a necessary path," his voice was quiet, yet carried unwavering resolve.
As the noon bell tolled, over a hundred and twenty former yakuza members stood in neat formation before the Shogun's Palace. Shedding their former casualness, each stood ramrod straight, even their breathing deliberately kept to a uniform rhythm.
Passing citizens glanced sideways, whispering among themselves, unable to believe these once street-brawling yakuza could display such disciplined bearing.
Kaido stood on the high steps, looking down at this newly acquired force. The sun cast a huge shadow from his massive frame, completely enveloping the people on the steps below. His gaze finally settled on Hyogoro at the front, the corner of his mouth curling into a meaningful smile.
Beside him, apart from King and a few other subordinates, stood the hastily assembled members of the current Oniwabanshu.
At this moment, the Oniwabanshu captain standing at the very front, Fukurokuju, was looking at Hyogoro and the others with a complicated gaze. When Kaido became the Guardian Deity King of Wano, Fukurokuju had known that Kaido would rule Wano for a long time to come.
Therefore, he had long shown goodwill to Kaido, and Kaido had indicated he would accept him, which had given Fukurokuju some relief. But he never expected that so soon after, Kaido would secure Hyogoro's allegiance and have him join the Oniwabanshu.
Fukurokuju knew that while Kaido let him remain as captain of the Oniwabanshu, he still had doubts about his loyalty. Otherwise, why place Hyogoro in the Oniwabanshu to share his power? He knew that Kaido's primary focus wasn't the Oniwabanshu, nor even Wano Country, but the completed Beasts Pirates headquarters built on Onigashima.
In reality, all of this was entirely Fukurokuju's overthinking. Kaido didn't have Hyogoro join the Beasts Pirates precisely because Hyogoro's loyalty stemmed from Sukiyaki's dying wish. Placing Hyogori in the Oniwabanshu was a way to have Fukurokuju's people keep an eye on him.
Kaido knew that people like Fukurokuju, for the sake of power and position, would be incomparably loyal to him. Even if they inadvertently learned the full truth later, they would continue to serve Kaido faithfully.
However, seeing Fukurokuju's expression, Kaido decided to let him stew in his anxiety for a while. He would clarify things later. By then, Fukurokuju would likely be even more loyal.
"Welcome to the Oniwabanshu," Kaido's voice rumbled across the plaza like thunder, making the surrounding leaves rustle. "From this day forward, you are my men. Hyogoro, you will serve as vice-captain of the Oniwabanshu. I hope you lead your men to make Wano Country a better place."
Hyogoro dropped to one knee, his movements clean and without the slightest hesitation. The men behind him knelt in unison, their armor clinking against the ground in a synchronized sound. At this moment, they formally bid farewell to their past lives and became members of the Oniwabanshu.
And those who had chosen to leave were now hiding in a distant alleyway, watching the scene with complex expressions. Some among them were already regretting their decision, while others secretly congratulated themselves for not being drawn into this whirlpool of power.
***
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