Koroga Island, this land once named after the Kingdom of Koroga, now lay in desolation. The brutal war over a decade ago had completely destroyed this nation, leaving behind only ruins full of scars. The sea wind swept through the dust among the broken walls and debris, emitting mournful sounds as if recounting the former glory and present desolation of this land.
As the sun set in the west, a black three-masted sailing ship flying a pirate flag slowly approached this uninhabited island.
When the ship steadied at the shore, the burly Kaidou was the first to step off the deck, his heavy footsteps leaving deep prints in the sand. Following him were all his Executives to date.
At the other end of the beach, Kurozumi Higurashi and Kurozumi Semimaru had been waiting for a long time. Kurozumi Higurashi still wore her signature kimono, a strange smile hanging on her face; while Kurozumi Semimaru stood silently nearby, his hands crossed within his wide sleeves.
"Yee-hee-hee, Kaidou, it's been a long time," Kurozumi Higurashi let out her characteristic weird laugh, greeting Kaidou as he approached. Her voice sounded particularly piercing on the empty beach.
"Wororororo, old woman, and Kurozumi Semimaru, I'm surprised you're still alive," Kaidou's rough laughter echoed across the beach, though his sharp gaze remained fixed on Kurozumi Semimaru. The defensive capabilities of this Barrier Fruit user were virtually flawless - even the current Kaidou wasn't completely confident he could forcibly break through his barrier defense.
The sea breeze brushed against everyone's robes, bringing with it a salty, fishy scent. The pirates behind Kaidou warily surveyed their surroundings, their hands unconsciously resting on their weapons.
"Kaidou, don't be so cold. After all, we were once comrades on the same ship," Kurozumi Higurashi tried to ease the tension, taking two steps forward, her thin fingers tracing strange arcs in the air.
"Enough nonsense!" Kaidou impatiently waved his hand to cut her off, his massive body casting a long shadow in the setting sun, "Tell me about the current situation in Wano Country! Since you sought me out, I assume you have a plan?! After all, Wano isn't exactly welcoming to outsiders."
Kurozumi Higurashi's eyes gleamed with cunning in the twilight: "Yee-hee-hee, our Kurozumi family head has now infiltrated the current shogun Kouzuki Sukiyaki's inner circle. We have ways to deal with everyone else, but there's one person from the Kouzuki Family who, like you, is a natural-born monster."
"Oh?! Like me?" Kaidou immediately showed curiosity at these words, the muscles on his thick arms slightly bulging.
"That's right, he is the current heir of the Kouzuki Family in Wano Country, and also the daimyo of the Kuri region - Kouzuki Oden!" Kurozumi Higurashi stated directly, her voice carrying a hint of apprehension.
Waves crashed against the rocks along the shore, producing rhythmic sounds. Kaidou remained silent for a moment before suddenly bursting into laughter: "So, you had me come all the way back to the New World from the Four Seas just to deal with Kouzuki Oden?"
"Exactly, Kaidou," Kurozumi Higurashi's smile faded, her expression turning serious, "Though you're already strong now, you still need to be careful with Kouzuki Oden. That guy is also a natural-born monster."
"A natural-born monster?" Kaidou remained silent, but Bullet beside him asked curiously. The current Bullet was deeply interested in powerful individuals.
Kurozumi Higurashi nodded and began recounting like listing treasures: "That's right. Kouzuki Oden could throw his wet nurse out of the room right after birth. At two years old, he could catch two rabbits simultaneously, displaying astonishing leg strength. By four, he could hurl giant stones to crush massive bears." She paused before adding, "At eight, he could subdue wild boars barehanded. From age ten, he started brawling and causing trouble in the casinos of the Flower Capital..."
Hearing this, King, Queen, Bullet, and others behind Kaidou involuntarily showed expressions of astonishment. Queen adjusted his sunglasses and muttered quietly, "Sounds even more exaggerated than when Kaidou was a kid..."
"So, what's your plan?" Kaidou asked directly.
"Yee-hee-hee! Although Kouzuki Oden is extremely powerful, his current obsession is setting sail. Our plan is to use our planted agent near Kouzuki Oden to inform him that someone has landed in Wano Country. Upon hearing this, Oden will undoubtedly rush to find this outsider immediately," Kurozumi Higurashi explained.
"So you want me to ambush him and then eliminate Kouzuki Oden directly," Kaidou stated.
"Exactly. Once Kouzuki Oden is dealt with, our Kurozumi family head can act freely and directly poison the current shogun, Kouzuki Sukiyaki. Then I'll use my ability to transform into Kouzuki Sukiyaki's appearance and pass the shogunate to our Kurozumi family head. This way, Wano Country will fall into our hands. Yee-hee-hee!" As she spoke, Kurozumi Higurashi seemed to already envision the Kurozumi family seizing the shogunate, laughing with hopeful delight.
"Wororororo, what do you all think?" Kaidou couldn't be bothered to criticize Kurozumi Higurashi's scheme but still consulted his subordinates first.
"The plan isn't bad, but our Beasts Pirates gain no benefits from this. On the contrary, we'd be directly helping the Kurozumi family eliminate their strongest enemy," King remarked after some thought.
Kurozumi Higurashi hurriedly added, "After we take control of Wano Country, our family head will appoint Lord Kaidou as the Nation-Protecting King, permit the Beasts Pirates to establish an arms factory in Wano, and hand over all Sea Stone business to you."
Bullet crossed his arms, his eyes gleaming with fighting spirit: "I'm not interested in these matters. I just want to know how strong this Kouzuki Oden really is."
"Muhahaha! This plan offers us no advantages whatsoever, Captain Kaidou. In my opinion, we might as well launch a full-scale assault on Wano Country and test my newly developed weapons," Queen laughed, cigar in mouth.
"That won't do. Wano's domestic military strength remains formidable. Moreover, if we drag the country into war, our profits would diminish significantly," Kurozumi Higurashi quickly objected.
Urouge interjected with confusion, "Has Wano Country already been controlled by the Kurozumi family? How come your people are everywhere?"
"Our Kurozumi family was once the most powerful clan in Wano, having nearly seized the shogunate in the past. Although we've declined since, we're still beyond comparison with ordinary families," Kurozumi Higurashi declared proudly.
"Kishishishi! Planning to seize a country right after entering the New World? That's our captain for you," Moria said.
-
The yet-to-set-sail Kouzuki Oden wouldn't be able to stand against the current Kaidou.