Orin had roamed the world for many years, and apart from his own turf, when had he ever paid to have fun anywhere?
Except at shady joints.
In fact, the moment he overheard the words from upstairs, Orin had already lost any intention of paying.
"So from the sound of it, you're planning to pull the tyrant's trick and just walk out without paying? Hmph!!!"
The madam might have been prepared for this all along, certain that Orin wouldn't obediently hand over any money.
What she didn't know was that the dozens of samurai outside the door were already laid bare before Orin's eyes—like they were standing there without a single stitch of clothing.
"Get him!!!"
At her command, countless samurai with topknots and long blades charged in ferociously.
But the moment they stepped inside, they froze completely in place—unable to move even a finger.
Even the feet that were halfway through a step in mid-air remained hanging there.
"Boring. I was planning to play a little longer."
Orin rose to his feet, snapped his fingers, and in an instant, his clothes shifted back to his usual attire.
In that frozen space-time, his tall figure walked with hands in his pockets, moving unhurriedly among them.
With each step he took, another moon-cut head slowly dropped to the floor.
By the time Orin stepped out of the room and glanced back, the place was awash with blood. Only the madam remained, collapsed in terror and trembling in a puddle on the floor.
Orin merely gave a faint smile.
"Go on, contact those samurai and your so-called general. I'll be right here waiting for him."
...
"I'm gonna die, I'm gonna die, I'm gonna die!!!"
Inside a grand tower, a hideous purple-haired man clutched his head, crying like his parents had just died—utterly devoid of the dignity one might expect from the shogun of Wano and the leader of a nation.
A petty man who climbed to power through treachery—nothing more.
Kneeling beneath him was a muscular man with narrow eyes, his face hidden in shadow.
Though his posture was respectful, a closer look would reveal the twisted hate and rage on his face.
It was none other than Denjiro, disguised as Kyoshiro, who had infiltrated Orochi's side.
Seeing such a weak, talentless man sitting on the seat that should have belonged to Oden-sama, with the hatred of the Kozuki Clan's destruction burning in his chest, Denjiro's fury was immeasurable.
But Orochi had no time to notice his subordinate's expression, because…
That monster was coming for him!!!
Though Wano's isolation meant he didn't know Orin's true name, just from the reports he understood—this was a man who could match Kaido, even push him back.
A monster!!!
And it wasn't self-deprecation to admit it—there was no way his useless samurai could stop someone like that.
"Hurry, call Kaido!!!"
His men quickly brought Kaido's Den Den Mushi.
Ever since eliminating Kozuki Oden, Kaido had lost interest in staying in Wano. He had returned to Onigashima with part of his crew, leaving the rest to handle the Beasts Pirates' affairs in the country.
Compared to already-seized Wano, Kaido's focus now was on strengthening the Beasts Pirates themselves.
After all, aside from King and Queen, there were no other truly capable officers—too big of a weakness.
And there were far too few Zoan-type Devil Fruit users, especially since Kaido's ambition was to build a true beast army…
Onigashima.
Today, Kaido—for once—wasn't drinking. Instead, he sat with a grim expression, staring at the small figure in front of him.
His son (daughter),
Yamato.
"You should be calling me 'Father,' Yamato—not Orin!"
"No way!!! Orin-sama is the coolest and strongest father in the world!!!"
Bang!!!
A huge lump appeared on Yamato's head. Kaido's merciless blow brought tears to her eyes,
but the little girl remained defiant, refusing to back down even through the pain.
"With that kind of resilience, you might barely qualify to be Orin's opponent!!!"
Her head was swelling red, tears glimmering in her eyes, but Yamato still kept acting like Orin.
Kaido was about ready to explode!
Only after knocking the brat unconscious did the old father finally set down his club, gritting his teeth as he sat back in his seat.
"Get me an explosive Seastone shackle and lock her here on Onigashima! That brat keeps yelling about going to sea to become a king like Orin—"
Kaido's face twisted in fury.
"What king does she think she's gonna be?!!!"
"Beru beru beru…"
The urgent sound of the Den Den Mushi rang out.
If it had been anything trivial, Kaido in his foul mood would've smashed it into snail paste.
But a call from Wano…
Click.
"What is it, Orochi?"
"Kaido!!! It's bad!!! That Orin is coming after me!!!"
(▼皿▼#)
Orin again!!!
Faced with the panicked, cowardly Orochi, Kaido downed two gulps of liquor, his terrifying gaze piercing through the Den Den Mushi at him.
As much as he hated to admit it…
"Don't worry, Orochi."
At those words, the terrified shogun relaxed slightly, finding some comfort in Kaido's calm tone. He even smiled.
"You can, right…? You can take him out like you did Oden, right? That's great!!!"
"No…"
Gulp, gulp, gulp…
Kaido's face stayed calm as he drained his cup.
"What I mean is, your worrying is pointless. If Orin wanted to kill you, your head would've rolled long ago. Even if I were standing right next to you, it wouldn't make a difference."
"You have any idea who that guy is?!! He's a monster even I might not be able to defeat!!!"
"Undefeated in one-on-one battles across the seas!"
"One man who can make the World Government tremble!"
"One man who sweeps aside every power on the seas—the ruler of the underworld!"
"If it's him… maybe he really could be the king of this era…"
Kaido, the one who always lectured young people about giving up their dreams of kingship, was admitting for the first time maybe some people really were born to be kings.
In Kaido's memory of the world's absolute peak figures, Orin's proud profile stood among them.
A single name, enough to shake an entire era.
Listening to Kaido's words—true recognition from a real powerhouse—Orochi finally began to grasp what the name Orin represented.
At the same time, his whole being sank into despair, his hideous face contorted with panic.
If he could, he'd go back a few hours and order that wretched madam executed on the spot!
Click.
Seeing Orochi's ugly mug through the Den Den Mushi, Kaido had no desire to continue the conversation.
If Orochi died, they'd just put another shogun in place—no need for him to rush over now.
After all, Wano wasn't going anywhere, and against Orin, there was nothing he could do.
But Kaido wasn't too worried.
From what he knew of Orin, this was probably just Orochi bringing disaster on himself.
If Orin had really wanted Wano's throne, he wouldn't be sneaking around about it.
A man like him… had no need.
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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