Sure enough, the moment An mentioned the punishment of boiling alive, Komurasaki's expression changed—her face clouded with a deep sorrow.
Back then, her father had made a deal with Kaido: if he could endure one hour in the boiling pot, Kaido would release everyone according to their agreement.
But in the end, Kaido broke his word—he shot her father dead.
"You're right. I did meet her during that incident. She was still very young back then. Today, I noticed your horns look exactly like the little girl who used to stand beside Kaido. So tell me—what's your relationship with Kaido?" Komurasaki steadied her emotions before turning to Yamato.
"Of course he's my enemy! That bastard Kaido even tried to kill me today!" Yamato snapped, thinking about those explosive shackles.
Komurasaki blinked in surprise, unable to figure out what was going on.
"And you, Miss Komurasaki—what's your relationship with Kozuki Oden? When we mentioned Oden just now, your expression changed quite a bit," An said, having clearly noticed Komurasaki's reaction.
"You're An, right? Before I tell you about my background, can you tell me about yours first?" Komurasaki countered calmly.
"Nothing much to hide. You've heard of the Tiger God Karl, haven't you?" An asked.
"Tiger God Karl?" Komurasaki frowned slightly. It was the first time she had heard that name.
"No way—you haven't heard of him?" An looked genuinely surprised.
"Wait… do you mean the man who fought Kaido on Onigashima today?" Komurasaki suddenly remembered. Kyoshiro had mentioned that the one battling Kaido was called Karl.
"That's right. He's my uncle. And the one beside me is Kaido's daughter, Yamato. Now that you know who we are, it's your turn. I don't think you invited us here just to chat." An's tone turned cold, and Yamato's gaze followed hers.
Under the weight of their stares, Komurasaki took a deep breath and finally said, "Kozuki Oden… was my father. My real name is Kozuki Hiyori."
"Eh!?" Yamato's eyes widened in shock—Komurasaki was Oden's daughter?
"Kozuki Hiyori?" An was stunned as well. This was Orochi's stronghold—yet she dared to stay here as a courtesan, even becoming the top oiran of Wano!
"Aren't you afraid Orochi will find out? He's been purging every remnant of Oden's forces. If he learns who you really are, he'll never let you live," An said.
"Of course I'm afraid," Hiyori admitted softly. "But I've changed a lot since I was a child. Now that I'm the oiran Komurasaki, no one recognizes me. It's the perfect disguise."
"I'm using this identity to drain the pockets of Wano's wealthy nobles—and with that money, I help the poor who are suffering. Their lives have become unbearable. Because of the factories' pollution, the land can't grow food, and even the fish in the rivers are mutated and poisonous."
As she spoke, her voice trembled with grief. These were her father's people.
"Besides, Uncle Denjiro and I have been quietly building up strength. We'll keep doing so until my brother, Momonosuke, returns!" Her eyes shone with determination.
"You have a brother? Where is he now?" Yamato asked curiously.
Hiyori thought for a moment, then explained how her mother, Toki, had used the power of her Devil Fruit to send Momonosuke twenty years into the future.
An was speechless. Relying on a child who would return twenty years later to defeat Orochi and Kaido? That sounded… hopeless.
"Komurasaki, why not take up the title of shogun yourself? Even if your brother comes back, he'll still just be a child. You have far more potential to lead Wano," An said, puzzled.
"No, my brother will do it! He's the rightful heir to the shogunate!" Hiyori insisted firmly.
"Even if he's the heir, he's still a kid with no power. Honestly, I think he ran away. That's not worthy of Oden's bloodline!" Yamato crossed her arms in frustration.
"My brother is not a coward!" Hiyori snapped sharply.
"He is! He escaped and left his sister behind in Wano. You're far braver than he is, and in my opinion, you should be the one to become shogun!" Yamato shot back.
"That's not true…" Hiyori's voice wavered. To her, everything would be resolved once her brother returned.
"You don't have to wait for him," An interjected. "You're already gathering allies in secret. If you revealed yourself as Oden's daughter and claimed the title of shogun now, you could unite Wano's strength much faster."
"That's right!" Yamato agreed enthusiastically. "If you become Wano's shogun, I'll help you! I hate Orochi too!"
"You'd help me? But… you're Kaido's daughter!" Hiyori exclaimed, stunned.
"Kaido's just a bastard!" Yamato replied fiercely, then told her everything she'd suffered under him. Komurasaki listened, speechless—she never imagined a father could treat his own daughter that way.
"So? Will you do it? Will you become Wano's shogun?" Yamato asked eagerly.
"I'll have to discuss it with others first," Hiyori said after a pause. She was tempted, but she needed the support of her father's old retainers.
"No problem! Either way, I'll support you!" Yamato grinned. For once, she felt like she'd found a purpose.
An looked on silently. She hadn't expected Yamato to get involved. After all, overthrowing Orochi meant going against Kaido himself.
The three talked late into the night before An and Yamato finally left to return to Onigashima.
"Yamato, are you seriously planning to help her?" An asked as they walked.
"Of course! Oden might've acted recklessly when he tried to open Wano, but now the timing's different! Maybe this time, we'll actually succeed!" Yamato said excitedly. "An, I've decided—not leaving Wano for now. I'm staying to help Komurasaki!"
An could only sigh. Well… whatever happens, she thought, it's not like she and her uncle plan to stay here forever anyway.
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