Just then, without Denjiro even noticing, Lancelot had already moved to his side, placing a hand on his shoulder and giving it a pat.
"Noneed rush, think it over carefully."
Denjiro's eyes widened in shock.
Who was he? Denjiro.
The second-in-command of the Akazaya Nine, under Lord Oden's banner.
While his strength couldn't compare to figures like Oden or Kaido, in all of Wano, there was no one who could defeat him.
Not even Black Maria, Ulti, or Page One—the three sent by Kaido to guard this place—were any different.
But now... he hadn't even noticed.
This man had already approached him and even patted his shoulder.
If Lancelot had intended to kill him, he would already be dead.
"Hiss..." Denjiro couldn't help but suck in a sharp breath, his heart greatly shaken.
Then he gritted his teeth, his gaze turning resolute.
"Fine, I agree... as long as you eliminate the Kurozumi Clan from Wano Country, I'll join your ranks. From then on, I'll obey your every command without hesitation. I swear this on my honor as a samurai!"
Lancelot's lips curled into a faint smile.
In this world, the wicked could be so depraved they made you question life itself, utterly devoid of principles and boundaries.
But those who held their own principles... They treated those principles as their very life... like the samurai of Wano Country.
Many were like this... Just look at the former retainers of the Kozuki Clan, all hiding in the shadows.
The moment someone from the Kozuki Clan stepped forward and raised the call, they would swarm out immediately, standing firmly by the Kozuki Clan's side.
Among them, the Akazaya Nine were the prime examples.
Therefore, Denjiro swearing on his honor as a samurai was quite credible.
Most importantly, Denjiro was immensely powerful.
In the original story, Kin'emon called him a master capable of taking on a hundred enemies alone.
He was agile—so much so that in the original story, he could capture Sasaki in the blink of an eye.
And who was Sasaki? He was one of Kaido's Tobi Roppo.
An absolute high-ranking executive...
Not only that, Denjiro possessed terrifying strength and was a master of two-sword style.
In the original story, he could block Roronoa Zoro's slashes and confront him head-on.
He once sliced a Beasts Pirates ship in half with a single stroke.
He could also precisely cut open the blood pouch on Komurasaki without harming her.
Moreover, Denjiro had mastered the advanced application of Haki, as well as Oden's two-sword style.
His strength was undoubtedly at the level of a top-tier swordsman—perhaps even on par with the Great Swordsman Vista of the Whitebeard Pirates.
After all, there were differences even among Great Swordsmen.
Like Hawkeye and Red-Haired Shanks, who were world-class Great Swordsmen, a cut above the rest. With someone like him joining, his forces would immediately grow significantly.
However, Denjiro continued, "Moreover, I'll help you persuade Kikunojo and Ashura Doji."
At this point, his tone suddenly shifted: "But I have one more condition. Besides eliminating the Kurozumi Clan, you must also help Wano Country rescue the Kozuki Clan's retainers from the hands of the Beasts Pirates."
Hearing this, Lancelot narrowed his eyes.
Because he thought of another person—Kawamatsu, who, like Denjiro, was one of the Akazaya Nine.
He was also someone worth recruiting... At the same time, he recalled a certain individual from Kaido's side.
That one was widely recognized in the pirate world as a filial daughter.
Instantly, a plan formed in his mind.
He smiled and said, "Agreed... but I suggest you go find Kikunojo and Ashura Doji right now. Because after I deal with Kurozumi Orochi and his lot, I'll head straight to Kaido's Onigashima. By then, I'll undoubtedly attract the entire Beasts Pirates' attention. You, Ashura Doji, and Kawamatsu can take the opportunity to raid the quarry and rescue the former Kozuki Clan members."
Denjiro was completely stunned.
He never expected this person to agree so readily—even offering an action plan and volunteering to draw the entire Beasts Pirates' fire himself.
In his view, this was... truly exhilarating... a feeling he had only ever experienced with Oden in the past.
Although the two had completely different styles, they both possessed a charismatic charm that made people instinctively want to follow them.
Denjiro's eyes flickered briefly before he nodded firmly. "Alright, I'll go."
"Hahaha…" Lancelot couldn't help but burst into laughter when he saw how easily Denjiro had trusted him.
"Don't worry, I won't break my promise."
"As a samurai of Wano Country, I will never betray my oath either," Denjiro declared with unwavering resolve. Then he quickly departed.
"This guy…" Kazekage, Fūjin, Raijin, Bishamon, Jigoku Benten, and even Daikoku—though their strength was nothing remarkable, they were far from foolish.
If they still couldn't see the problem with Denjiro at this point, they would have to be complete idiots.
They exchanged glances, their eyes filled with shock, and inwardly exclaimed.
"Just who is Kyoshiro?!"
'Gulp…' They swallowed hard.
After all, Kyoshiro had already infiltrated the positions of bodyguard and official moneychanger—positions of considerable authority within the entire Kurozumi clan.
Especially the role of bodyguard.
He was frequently by the Shogun's side.
If he harbored ill intentions, wouldn't the Shogun be in grave danger…?
The mere thought of it made them break out in a cold sweat almost instantly.
They looked at one another, reminded of the Kozuki clan's downfall.
Back then, the Kurozumi had also risen to high positions, seized their opportunity, and overthrew the Kozuki family to become the rulers of Wano.
Now, the Kurozumi had been infiltrated at the highest levels… and they were facing a powerful enemy akin to Kaido.
Wasn't this exactly like the situation the Kozuki family had faced with the Kurozumi and Kaido back then?
Could it be that Wano's regime was about to be overthrown once again?
"Kehahaha…" Lancelot let out a strange laugh, his gaze sweeping over Kazekage, Fūjin, Raijin, Bishamon, and Jigoku Benten.
They were the Shogun's direct ninja force, obeying the orders of Wano's Shogun, Kurozumi Orochi, and protecting his safety.
There were eleven members in total, led by Fukurokuju.
But in the past, they had also served Oden.
In the end, however, they betrayed Oden and pledged allegiance to Kurozumi Orochi.
Such individuals would inevitably betray him one day as well.
Therefore, he had no intention of taking them under his wing.
"Oh no…" Kazekage, Fūjin, Raijin, Bishamon, Jigoku Benten, and even Daikoku—their faces paled in unison.
Even a fool could see the killing intent in Lancelot's eyes.
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