"A retainer dies when his lord is humiliated! A retainer dies when his lord is humiliated!"
In another room, the eight retainers of the Kozuki clan, along with the female ninja, had gathered together.
Kin'emon clenched his fists tightly, kneeling on the floor as though his heart had suffered unbearable humiliation.
Beside him, Denjiro adjusted his glasses in silence. Ashura Doji gulped down liquor from his gourd.
The cat and dog ground their teeth together. Raizo's face was dark with anger, while Kikunojo and Kawamatsu gripped the hilts of their swords tightly.
"There's no other choice."
Denjiro finally spoke.
"Just as Lord Yasuie reminded us during the meeting, we must prioritize the bigger picture. Wano alone cannot stand against Kaido and Orochi."
"Shing!"
A flash of cold light appeared as Kawamatsu's blade slid an inch from its sheath.
"I would rather give my life in battle than allow Lord Oden to be humiliated!"
Nekomamushi and Inuarashi both spoke at the same time, willing to stake their lives as well.
But Ashura Doji slammed his wine gourd onto the floor.
"Bang!"
"So you think we still have a chance if they side with Kaido instead?"
His eyes were bloodshot, whether from the alcohol or his emotions, no one could tell.
"They're strong! And those four thousand troops may not even be all of their forces. With their flying ability, Wano's natural barriers mean nothing to them."
"We're all furious that Lord Oden was insulted. If Lord Yasuie hadn't stopped us earlier, we would've rushed forward and fought them to the death. Not to mention that Kanjuro's death still hasn't been fully understood, but…"
At this point, Ashura Doji swept his gaze across the others.
"But… do you want Wano to be destroyed?"
"Lord Yasuie already made it clear Kaido is an outsider pirate he never came to rule Wano he came to occupy it and plunder its resources!"
"The Revolutionary Army may not do that, but if they become our enemies, then the ruling clan will absolutely be wiped out. Everyone, what is the purpose of us retainers?"
Silence fell over the room.
No one had expected that the clearest-headed among them would be Ashura Doji, the former bandit.
After a long while, the silent Denjiro pushed up his glasses.
"Perhaps we misunderstood something from the beginning."
Everyone turned toward him.
Denjiro continued,
"They oppose hereditary succession, but Wano will still need rulers. So under that premise, will the Revolutionary Army send outsiders to govern us? And what exactly is this 'election' they mentioned? Would the people of Wano really choose someone else?"
At this point, Denjiro looked around at the others.
"If there were an election for Shogun, who would you choose?"
"Lord Oden, of course!"
The unanimous answer brought a smile to Denjiro's face.
Exactly.
Those people didn't understand Wano.
While they knew little about the outside world, Wano was fundamentally different from the nations beyond the sea.
Under the Kozuki clan as Shogun, with the daimyo assisting them, the people of Wano had largely lived peaceful and stable lives.
How could samurai and retainers ever betray their lord?
This country, under the Kozuki family's rule, had never suffered oppression severe enough to make people unable to survive.
"So even after defeating Orochi and Kaido, the people elected to govern Wano will still be Lord Oden!"
Ashura Doji reacted immediately, lifting his wine gourd and taking several large gulps.
Kin'emon also spoke up,
"After the first election comes another four years then another four twelve years is enough for tradition to solidify by then, the Kozuki clan serving as Shogun will simply become the accepted norm!"
Denjiro nodded, the lenses of his glasses flashing faintly.
"Yes… this country won't be changed by them so easily."
Meanwhile, the candlelight in Oden's study was still burning late into the night.
Oden was writing in his journal.
[That person may truly have appeared the possibility of another path, one that could completely usher the entire world into the dawn of a new era.]
[As for the position of Shogun, the truth is that I never wanted it. All I ever wanted was to sail the seas in search of true freedom.]
[When the time comes, Denjiro could be recommended as Daimyo of Kuri. That guy has a good head on his shoulders. Or maybe Kin'emon? Though he's too much of a womanizer. Things might end badly.]
[Momo's personality really is just as that man described. He isn't suited to become Shogun. The Kozuki clan has ruled Wano for hundreds of years. Perhaps returning Wano to its people is also a choice.]
[I will investigate Kanjuro's death thoroughly, no matter what the truth may be. But it will happen after Kaido and Orochi are defeated. If… if it turns out to be true, then I will avenge my retainer as the pirate Oden!]
At that moment, a cloak was draped over Oden's shoulders.
"Kin'emon and the others… will understand."
Oden fell silent for a moment.
"It's precisely because they understand that I have to take action. Otherwise, I wouldn't be Kozuki Oden."
"As Kozuki Oden, for the sake of Wano, I must endure. Endure until I uncover the truth. Endure until Wano is stable again."
"But as the pirate Oden, avenging a slain subordinate is only natural. Even if revenge gets me killed, that too would be natural."
Toki frowned slightly, but still nodded.
After thinking for a moment, Oden asked,
"Is it really possible to foresee part of the future?"
Toki hesitated before replying,
"I can only make vague prophecies. I cannot truly witness the future itself. My power only allows me to travel forward in time, never backward… because the past cannot be changed."
Oden sighed, then embraced Toki as they headed off to rest.
The two children were already asleep. Looking at Hiyori and Momonosuke, Oden couldn't help but think of his old man.
To think he actually hid himself away just to avoid responsibility… seriously…
Deep within Onigashima, a gigantic figure sat drinking heavily.
"Gulp… gulp…"
Kaido tilted back his enormous sake gourd repeatedly. After wiping his mouth casually, he let out a drunken belch.
Beside him, King spoke through his mask.
"The five-year deadline is almost here. Getting drunk at a time like this isn't exactly wise."
"Wororororo!"
Kaido burst into loud laughter.
"That Oden might've had a chance five years ago. Now? Even his own people have abandoned him. Orochi may be a despicable bastard, but he's clever too, isn't he?"
Queen shoveled sweet red bean soup into his mouth.
"To make him believe we'd honor our promise, we barely mined Wano's resources these past five years. I've still got tons of experiments waiting to be done. The people of Wano make excellent test subjects give me a thousand of them first when the time comes."
Kaido waved dismissively.
"They're all worthless trash anyway. There's as much of that kind of garbage on this sea as you want."
Then he raised the gourd again and continued drinking.
King frowned slightly, his thoughts lingering on the report from Kuri earlier that day.
The loud disturbance had caused the guards stationed there to investigate, but the first group sent out had all died in the forest every single one killed instantly.
Additionally, the battle at the scene appeared to have been between two swordsmen. The massive trenches carved into the earth by sword slashes were proof enough of the combatants' strength.
It still needed to be investigated thoroughly.
Under the night sky, Rowan and Dragon's group also remained awake.
There were still several things that needed arranging for the war against Kaido, and Rowan also had intelligence he needed to share with Dragon and the others.
"If we're launching the operation the day after tomorrow, then tomorrow I need to deal with two people first. Otherwise, I'm worried the samurai side might become unstable."
At this point, the group had already refined the battle plan in even greater detail.
Dragon looked up at Rowan.
"With Wano's samurai forces, plus Kozuki Oden and his retainers, there shouldn't be much of a problem."
Rowan smiled faintly.
"The will of samurai is firm, which is why their Haki becomes so powerful. But because of that, certain little tricks work especially well against them."
"One of Orochi's subordinates is a Paramecia user with the Barrier-Barrier Fruit. The barriers he creates are so durable that even Oden's slashes can't cut through them."
"There's also a Clone-Clone Fruit user. The person who transformed into Kozuki Sukiyaki and officially handed the title of Shogun over to Orochi."
The Clone-Clone Fruit…
Rowan continued,
"If that person transforms into Oden's son and suddenly appears during the battle, that brat doesn't have Big Mom's Iron Balloon body. Once his Haki breaks, he'll die just like anyone else."
At that moment, Kuma asked,
"You can break through the Barrier-Barrier Fruit's ability?"
Dragon wiped the sweat from his forehead.
"Not break through it. With teleportation, as long as the coordinates are placed, the barrier itself becomes meaningless. A barrier can't isolate space itself."
Rayleigh glanced at Roger beside him.
So future prediction really was true…
The guy even knew the enemy's abilities, despite the Revolutionary Army coming to Wano for the first time.
Early the next morning, Oden who also understood the powers surrounding Orochi left the mansion at dawn.
But the moment he stepped outside, he saw Rowan already waiting for him.
"You didn't say anything yesterday, so you finally figured out that the best option is to ambush the barrier user first?"
Since Rowan already knew, Oden didn't bother denying it.
"Kanjuro's past… I have to get the truth from Orochi."
Rowan chuckled softly.
"So part of the reason is still that traitor's death."
"Orochi is yours. Interrogate him however you want. But you'll lead me to the other two, and I'll handle them. Otherwise, problems will arise later."
Oden shook his head firmly.
"There's no need"
Before he could finish, Rowan cut him off directly.
"This isn't me asking you to guide me. I'm telling you to. As a decision-maker, every oversight and loophole determines how many people live or die. The Revolutionary Army and Wano's fighting strength shouldn't be wasted over ridiculous reasons."
An order…
So he was getting lectured again.
But why did everything the other man say make so much sense? Oden couldn't refute a single word.
Suppressing the frustration building in his chest since morning, Oden silently began leading the way.
The two headed toward Wano's Shogun Palace.
Rowan had changed clothes and taken on Kin'emon's appearance, following behind Oden while acting as one of his retainers.
Soon, after arriving at the palace, Oden humbly requested an audience with the Shogun.
Meanwhile, Orochi who had spent the previous night indulging himself in pleasure still had no idea Kanjuro had been killed and hadn't even woken up yet.
Clearly, the palace staff also viewed Oden as a joke. They simply made the two wait outside, all the way until nearly noon.
Rowan's patience was excellent.
At this hour, the Revolutionary Army's main force had already reached the outer seas of Wano. Dragon and Kuma had gone to receive them, while Roger and Rayleigh remained on standby in Kuri.
The two stood outside the palace gates for a long time. Passing citizens of Wano pointed at Oden. Some sighed and walked away, while others looked at him with ridicule and resentment.
"Looks like their plan worked perfectly. You've already lost the support of your own people."
Rowan looked at Oden standing ahead of him.
"As a ruler, sometimes what you need isn't just passion and overwhelming strength. Do you know what I would've done if I were you five years ago?"
Oden lowered his head.
"I… had no choice."
Rowan answered firmly,
"Better shattered jade than intact tile. Either unite all of Wano and wage war against them, or use your own strength to sail out and seek reinforcements. But I would never place my faith in promises made by the enemy."
Oden sighed deeply.
"You've already scolded me many times yesterday, sir. I understand my own foolishness now."
At that moment, a side gate of the Shogun Palace opened, and a monk with an absurdly long forehead stepped out.
"The Shogun says the time has not yet come. Lord Oden is to return."
Oden spoke politely,
"I only wish to confirm things personally. If the Shogun would grant me a meeting, I would be deeply grateful."
Fukurokuju replied coldly,
"The Shogun has no intention of seeing you. Come back when the time arrives."
At that moment, a streak of black flowed silently through the shadows.
The next instant, Rowan appeared directly behind him.
"Pfft."
Blood sprayed outward as his throat was slit open. Air rushed into the severed windpipe, leaving him unable to scream.
Rowan caught Fukurokuju's collapsing body, then casually walked through the side entrance, even waving at the stunned Oden behind him.
"You people"
The moment they entered, several Oniwabanshu ninja and more than ten samurai turned toward them.
"Oden? How did you get in here?"
"Where's Lord Fukurokuju?"
Still wearing Kin'emon's appearance, Rowan pulled out a handful of kunai and tossed them casually.
Not a single one hit its target. Every blade was dodged.
"Kin'emon, that's not how ninja throw kunai. Are you trying to make us laugh?"
One of the female Oniwabanshu sneered mockingly.
But in the very next moment, cold steel flashed past.
Only then did she realize she was looking at her own body.
Blood slid from the flowing Haki coating Oden's blade.
"A fodder fighter should have the awareness of a fodder fighter. You're not Charlotte Linlin with skin so tough nobody can pierce it."
As the words fell, black streaks of light flashed throughout the courtyard.
Alongside the woman, more than ten of her comrades collapsed as well.
Under the Flying Thunder God, anyone without top-tier Observation Haki was instantly killed.
Oden, who had frozen for a moment because of Rowan's sudden actions, frowned.
"If we force our way in like this, Orochi and that Barrier Fruit user will be on guard."
Rowan waved dismissively and continued walking inward.
Just as Dragon had said, barriers didn't isolate space itself.
As long as he found an opportunity to leave a spatial marker, the barrier ability was meaningless.
The operation would begin tomorrow. Before Orochi could react, they needed to sever his connection with the Beast Pirates.
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