"...Tch. That monster's here again."
The moment the dark magic tore through the Oniwabanshū, Kanjuro's face drained of color. He recognized it instantly.
Mira.
Cold dread crawled down his spine. "Run!"
Without hesitation, he turned on his heel and bolted. He had learned it once already—no matter how many soldiers stood with him, against that woman, resistance was meaningless. Staying meant death.
And so, while the Oniwabanshū scrambled to regroup, Kanjuro vanished into the shadows.
Almost immediately, Rain and Mira landed beside the trembling girl.
"Don't be afraid, little one. You're safe now," Mira said softly, ignoring the enemies around her as she knelt down to Hiyori's level, her voice gentle.
Rain didn't waste words.
"Cleave."
With a single motion, he unsheathed his blade. Conqueror's Haki flooded the air, freezing the guards mid-step.
The slash came a heartbeat later...one strike, and the Oniwabanshū were cut down like grass, their bodies crashing lifeless to the earth.
Hiyori's eyes widened, disbelief flashing in their depths.
"...So strong."
To her, these men had been unstoppable hunters, shadows that had chased them mercilessly.
And yet, this stranger...this boy who looked barely older than her had erased them with a single blow.
It felt impossible. Terrifying. And yet… strangely reassuring.
Mira reached out, brushing the girl's cheek. "Little sister, do you have any family left? If you do, we can take you to them."
Hiyori shook her head. Her small shoulders trembled, but she lifted her chin bravely, eyes shimmering as she looked at them.
"I… I don't have anyone left. Please… can I come with you? I'll work hard. I can be useful. I can even serve you as a… as a servant."
"No."
Mira cut her off at once. Without hesitation, she wrapped the girl in her arms, holding her tight.
A smile warm and overflowing with affection curved her lips.
"There's no need for servants. From now on… you're my little sister. We're family."
Hiyori froze, stunned.
"...Onee-chan?" she whispered, the word tasting unfamiliar on her tongue.
Light shimmered in her eyes, fragile but bright. Something different from despair. Something like hope.
After burying Kozuki Toki and Nekomamushi, Rain and Mira quietly departed, taking with them their newly sworn little sister Hiyori.
They no longer had the mood to stroll through the Flower Capital. That place belonged to another story.
Still, before leaving, Rain turned his gaze back toward the city. His eyes narrowed as he raised his blade.
"…This place doesn't deserve to stand… and neither do you deserve to live."
With one motion, Rain swung his blade.
Flower Capital
BOOOOM!!!
The Shogun's Mansion split clean down the middle, collapsing as the shockwave ripped across the capital.
"GYAAAAAH!!!"
A piercing scream echoed from within the wreckage.
Kurozumi Orochi writhed in agony, seven of his eight serpent heads severed in an instant.
His Mythical Zoan the Yamata-no-Orochi that had always protected him...offered no defense at all.
His body convulsed as a terrifying force tore through him, destroying him from the inside and out. Flesh burned, bones split, the regeneration of his fruit turning into nothing but prolonged suffering.
The shogun's bulging eyes glared with venom, his teeth gnashing in rage… but behind that fury was something he could no longer hide. Terror.
"Who… who dares?!" Orochi spat, his voice hoarse, but the fury rang hollow. Deep down, he knew the truth. Against the one who unleashed that strike, he was nothing.
If the wielder of that blade had chosen to walk into his chamber, Orochi would already be dead. But instead… he had been left like this.
Seven heads gone. One left to suffer.
To die slowly.
So the shogun could do nothing but hiss and writhe in the ruins of his own palace, consumed by fear and pain as the end crept closer.
In the Forest
"…Oi. Where'd this little girl come from?"
Bullet's sharp eyes shifted toward Hiyori, who walked close beside Mira, still holding tightly onto her hand.
"She lost her family," Mira explained softly, her expression gentle. "So we'll take care of her from now on."
"Che. How boring."
Bullet snorted, folding his arms. "This world's crawling with orphans. You can't save them all."
He turned his head away, uninterested.
Rain ignored his grumbling. Stretching his Haki across the land, he searched for a familiar presence. Yet the immense aura that had shaken Wano was gone.
"…Kaido left?"
His voice was calm, but his eyes narrowed with quiet focus.
"Left."
Bullet gave a short nod before returning to his training, sweat dripping as he pushed his body without pause.
"That so…" Rain murmured. After a moment's thought, he raised his head, his eyes settling on Bullet.
"So what's next? Do we keep moving together, or act separately?"
"On our own."
Bullet didn't hesitate. With his strength, there was no need for a safety net. As long as he avoided deliberately flirting with death, there was nowhere in the seas he couldn't go.
"Alright then. If anything happens, reach out."
Rain nodded, accepting the choice without resistance. Truthfully, with the power they each commanded now, staying together at all times would be a waste.
So they parted ways.
Rain took Mira and Hiyori with him, the three setting off together. And along the way, Rain began training the young girl.
Her foundation was promising...strong blood, sharp instincts. With proper guidance, she could one day stand among the world's greatest swordsmen.
"Rain," Mira asked one evening as they walked the coast, "what's next? Are we just traveling and training as usual… or do you have something bigger in mind?"
"With our current level, ordinary practice isn't enough anymore," Rain said with a smile tugging at his lips. His eyes gleamed with confidence.
"It's time to step onto the stage."
Mira tilted her head, then chuckled knowingly. "So in other words… you're planning to cause trouble."
As a Fairy Tail mage, she understood all too well. The blood of Fairy Tail was like fire in the veins—no matter where they went, a storm would follow.
"…Where are we going to raise hell, then?"
Mira's grin spread, excitement sparking in her eyes.
"The West Blue," Rain replied without hesitation.
"O'Hara. A friend told me a world-class stage has already been set there. That's the kind of place worthy of us."
"Oh-hoh~" Mira's eyes lit up, her whole expression coming alive.
"Then what are we waiting for?! Let's head for the West Blue!"
Her voice rang with anticipation. She was ready for another adventure, another fight—another chance to leave her mark on the world.
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