Chapter 366: The Battle Begins: Luring the Monsters!
Ushimaru did not ask where Ashura Doji had gone, and Eric did not offer an explanation.
However, Ashura Doji's figure never appeared before Ushimaru again.
At least, not the living Ashura Doji.
Eric remembered the night two days ago, when Ashura Doji was taken to another room.
"Don't you beg for mercy?"
"Begging for mercy won't save me?" Ashura Doji replied dismissively, his gaze falling to the ground. "I was a man destined to die, only barely alive for eleven more years..."
"Knowing that if I just pretended to join you, endured for another nine years, maybe I would meet the one from the prophecy in twenty years."
"Human nature tells me to lower my head, to survive by whatever means, but... I..." Ashura Doji opened his mouth wide, pride filling his eyes. "I admire Kozuki Oden, and I would rather die as 'his samurai!'"
"..."
Everyone felt a sense of admiration for Ashura Doji's willingness to face death, but no one would plead for him. Mercy for an enemy is cruelty toward oneself!
"I understand." Eric signaled for Kurome to act.
"My death... will allow Wano to be opened?" Ashura Doji asked one last question, staring into Eric 's eyes. "This is Lord Oden's only wish."
"Of course. I will defeat Kaido and Orochi and open the closed-off country of Wano," Eric responded with a confident smile.
"Then... I'm satisfied." Ashura Doji lowered his head, looking at Kurome, who was approaching him with a knife. "Little girl, don't tremble."
"You think I'm like those little girls who can't hold a sword?" Kurome replied with a smirk, then raised her Eight Death sword. The gleaming tip sent a shiver down Ashura Doji's spine.
Kurome declared, "I will make sure you die without pain."
"Then I truly thank you."
"Shh!" With both hands gripping the Eight Death sword handle, Kurome suddenly thrust it forward, the sharp blade easily cutting through the fat and stabbing into Ashura Doji's heart.
Ashura Doji's large body stiffened, his eyes filled with a sense of relief, but also some regret. A rare smile appeared on his face as his vitality, mixed with many emotions, seemed to pour out of his pores.
Blood rushed up his throat, filling his mouth and nostrils, also flooding into his slowly shutting airways, causing a series of suffocating, gurgling sounds. Bubbles formed in his nostrils, and blood mist sprayed from his lips.
Ashura Doji's eyelids soon gave in, his once bright eyes slowly losing their luster. His pupils involuntarily dilated.
Eric silently watched as Ashura Doji gradually slipped into death.
Akame, the one who had known Eric the longest, asked with concern, "Eric , are you alright?"
"I'm fine. It's just..." Eric gave a bitter smile. "Killing an enemy with a sense of loyalty makes me feel a little uncomfortable."
"This was his own choice." Esdeath didn't turn around, Speaking in a calm tone. "There will be many such enemies on the road to domination, and you'll need to get used to it. At this point, you're not thinking of backing down, are you?"
"Of course not!" Eric clapped his hands sharply against his cheeks, the crisp sound helping him regain his focus, though his face started swelling.
"Why are you hitting yourself so hard?" Kurumi pulled out her hand cannon, preparing to fill it with a Four Bullet to help restore Eric 's face.
"It's nothing, just a small wound that'll heal in a moment." Eric shook his head, his sharp gaze seeming to pierce time itself, seeing far into the future. "My goal hasn't changed."
◇
The morning of the final battle arrived unusually early.
Eric gently moved the snow-white arm off him and got up to draw the curtains.
"Hmm~" A soft hum came from Esdeath as she opened her sleepy eyes, raising both arms. "Help me up."
"Like a child," Eric laughed, trying to pull Esdeath up, but suddenly, Esdeath pulled him down and pinned him to the bed.
"Still not enough? Today is the day of the final battle."
"Then after we win the war, I want a reward." Esdeath, acting like a lovestruck girl, gazed at Eric with eyes full of affection.
Eric gently helped her lift the strands of hair falling from her face, staring into her sapphire eyes and nodding. "Alright."
"Good!" Esdeath kissed Eric enthusiastically. "Now, I'm full of energy!"
...
In the dining room of the Invincible, Eric stretched his slightly stiff body, easing his tension. Then, using his peripheral vision, he double-checked the system mission:
[Annual Task 3: The Road to Domination]
[Content: As a sea emperor, you still need enough territory to deserve the title of 'The Four Emperors.' You need to occupy at least three large islands within a year to expand your influence.]
[Result 1: Occupy three large islands; Task reward: 10 Bond Points]
[Result 2: Occupy three large islands, five medium-sized islands; Task reward: 15 Bond Points/One administrative officer]
[Result 3: Occupy five large islands, seven medium-sized islands; Task reward: 20 Bond Points/Two administrative officers]
[Mission Progress: 0/3]
Eric appeared at a table, overlooking the members of the Dawn Pirates and the temporarily allied Ushimaru . With passion in his heart, he raised his voice:
"Everyone, we will defeat the Beast Pirates!"
"Oh!"
Eric 's and his comrades' voices echoed through the air, startling the birds in the trees. The sound of flapping wings followed.
The group either joyously or excitedly followed the plan and took action.
...
The Beast Pirates' headquarters, Onigashima.
"Someone's causing trouble in Boro Town?" Jack grabbed a Den Den Mushi. "Doesn't he know that this is my territory?!"
"Lord Jack, it's her!" A subordinate reported from the other side. "A woman in black armor suddenly showed up and beat Lord Holdem without a word! She has made a mess of Boro Town!"
"I see!" Jack dropped the Den Den Mushi and turned to his subordinate. "Where is Kisame ? Where did he go?"
The subordinate recalled carefully, "He said he was going to settle things with Sasaki. He should have already started fighting by now."
"Since he's not here, forget it!" Jack waved his hand. "Let's head to Boro Town!"
"Yes!"
The most prosperous area of Wano, Flower Capital.
Orochi Castle stood tall atop a large crescent-shaped tree.
"Who's there?!" A samurai under Orochi unsheathed his weapon, shouting angrily. "This is Lord Orochi's residence—Orochi Castle! Step any closer, and it's an act of defiance!"
The towering figure, nearly seven meters tall, ignored the samurai's threats, holding a large sword in hand and stepping forward with a commanding presence.
"Seize this man!" A command rang out, and several samurai guarding the gates of Orochi Castle charged at Weeble. The weapons in their hands reflected bright light as they all attacked!
Weeble's electronic eyes behind his steel helmet shot out a crimson glare, causing the attacking samurai to slow their movements and falter in their steps.
Weeble's powerful body moved in that instant, the bright sword glowing with white light!
The sword slashed across, the sword energy filling the air in all directions! The massive horizontal slash merged with the sword energy, overwhelming the group of samurai. They didn't have time to resist, let alone dodge!
The shining blade cut through the samurai's bodies in a straight line, its force unstoppable.
"Shh shh shh!"
The sword sliced through the bodies without any pause. The weapons were cut with no resistance, and the samurai were cleaved in half. The upper halves collapsed to the ground, while the lower halves continued to stumble forward before collapsing.
The sword energy Weeble unleashed continued towards Orochi Castle, splitting the thick castle gates in two.
The area around the castle was soon drenched in blood, intestines and shattered organs scattered everywhere, and blood surged from the cut, spraying like a fountain. The intense smell of blood made the nearby residents gag.
At first, the people around the castle were watching the spectacle, curious to see how the giant would fight the samurai, but once the giant attacked, the scene turned gruesomely bloody and terrifying. The fearful residents screamed, "They're killing people!!"
"Ahhh—!"
Men screamed like young girls, and nearby women were challenging the limits of their vocal cords with high-pitched shrieks.
The shrill screams instantly shattered the noisy streets, and the once-bustling road became chaotic. Nearby residents fled in panic, trying to get as far away from the crime scene as possible.
At this moment, several figures appeared behind Weeble: a man draped in a pink feather cloak; a tall, slender figure holding a long sword; and a muscular giant.
Together, they surrounded a small woman, stepping into Orochi Castle.
Ashura Doji, now allied with them, blocked the gate of Orochi Castle.
Orochi, who was indulging in wine and women, was disturbed by the hurried footsteps.
Orochi shouted angrily, "What's going on?!"
"Orochi-sama!" A subordinate knelt, reporting, "Someone is attacking Orochi Castle!"
"What did you say?!"
...
"Hmm?" Kaido, holding a sake barrel, impatiently replied to Kurozumi Orochi, "Someone's causing trouble in Orochi Castle? Let Sasaki deal with it..."
A subordinate reported, "Governor Kaido, Sasaki is fighting with Kisame ."
"These two..." Kaido, uninterested in their internal fighting, casually said, "Let Fozz deal with it... burp... don't disturb me while I drink!"
High above, where the human eye can't reach, Chiron was riding on the floating Invincible, using the Thousand-Mile Vision to overlook Onigashima, along with the two ports of Wano—the Blade Dance Port and the Everlasting Shadow Port. Speaking through a headset, he said:
"Jack has left aboard the Mammoth Ship."
"Received."
Artoria, donned in black armor, stood in the center of Boro Town, surveying the surroundings. Pirates were scattered all over, many of the buildings were toppled from her attacks, and wooden
ruins burned with purple magical flames.
"Why? Don't you all want to join in?" Her cold voice sent shivers down the spines of the criminals. "You're just not enough to fight."
"You better not get cocky!" A pirate shouted. "Lord Jack will be here soon! That'll be your death!"
"Is that so." Artoria slowly approached him.
"Ah!" The pirate frantically stepped back, tripping over the debris and falling to the ground.
"Since your job is done, there's no need for your life anymore."
"Huh?" The pirate was stunned.
"Die." Without emotion, Artoria thrust her holy sword through the pirate's body.
"Just in time, I'll slay all of you here."
"Lowly King's Hammer—!" Artoria's magic surged, and the black holy sword seemed to be wrapped in demonic flames.
The remaining members of the Beast Pirates widened their eyes in shock. "!!"
...
"Why are you taking so long?!" Porche dragged Ushimaru . "The war has started! We can't miss the scheduled time, and I've got other important tasks!"
"But I..." Ushimaru hesitated.
"Stop hesitating." Scáthach spoke without emotion. "Are you still calling yourself a samurai?"
"Don't insult my samurai spirit!" Ushimaru stood tall, gripping his sword.
"Then hurry up. We need to get to the prisoner excavation site and rescue them." Scáthach led the way, with Porche following closely behind.
"..." Ushimaru hesitated for a moment but eventually decided to follow them.
The three reached the Officer's Tower, easily stole the handcuff keys, and then used the door door fruit to enter Kawatsune's cell.
"You've come?" Kawatsune asked. "And who is this?"
Porche quickly answered, "His name is Ushimaru , he's been helping you collect weapons at the bridge."
Kawatsune froze and turned to Ushimaru . "You're 'Ushimaru '?!"
Ushimaru silently nodded.
"You're not..."
"He ate the Mythical Zoan Devil Fruit, you still want to leave? Don't move!" Porche shouted. "The key won't fit!"
Kawatsune apologized softly. "Sorry, I got a little excited seeing an old friend..."
Scáthach casually said, "Princess Kozuki Hiyori is alive and well, don't worry."
"How did you know that?!"
"Don't move!" Porche glared at Kawatsune with murderous intent.
"Sorry."
After some quick actions, Porche finally unlocked Kawatsune's chains and handed him a large bundle of keys. "These are the prisoners' keys, you and Ushimaru should rescue the others."
"Thank you both for saving me." Kawatsune bowed in gratitude. "However, rescuing so many prisoners will surely cause chaos."
Ushimaru explained, "Our task is to cause a riot at the excavation site and then draw Quinn here."
"Why is that?" Kawatsune asked, puzzled. "Even if we defeat Quinn, Kaido still remains. We should save our strength for..."
"Leave Kaido to us. You two just focus on rescuing the prisoners." Scáthach turned to Porche. "Go complete your mission. I'll handle things here."
Porche opened an air door. "Master, defeat Quinn! Then help Captain Eric !"
With a light laugh, Scáthach responded, "Leave it to me."
...
The cigar-smoking Quinn received a report from his subordinate, Babarnus.
"Hmm? Something important to report?"
"Yes, Lord Quinn!"
"What's the matter? Follow the procedure, Babarnus. What's the third problem on the list?"
"A prisoner escaped from the locked cells."
"Eh~?? And the second problem?"
"The Sea Kings' sea stone handcuff keys were stolen."
"Eh~?? And the first?"
"The prisoners in the excavation site are starting a riot."
"I'm heading to Tōwan now—get the prisoners under control!!"
(END CHAPTER)
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