Inside the grand hall of the Shogun's castle
The air was thick with perfume and the sweet notes of shamisen strings. Oiran twirled gracefully, silk kimonos shimmering under the glow of lanterns.
Orochi sat cross-legged on his dais, face flushed red from too much sake, his shrill laugh echoing like a hyena's.
"KEEH-HEH-HEH! See? This is the life of a Shogun! Wine in hand, beauties at my feet, and Kaido watching my back! Who in Wano could ever touch me?!"
Clang! Clang!
The sudden sound of sandals slapping frantically against the polished floor broke the mood.
A servant stumbled inside, nearly face-planting as he threw himself to his knees.
"Sh-Shogun-sama! It—it is not good!"
The music faltered, and the Oiran froze mid-dance.
'Tch, who dares interrupt my pleasure?!'
Orochi's eyes bulged, his face twisting in irritation. He slammed his cup down, sake spilling across the golden carpet.
"What is it now?!" His voice cracked, a snake-like hiss at the edges. "Speak, you worm, before I feed you to the dogs!"
The servant trembled, pressing his forehead to the ground so hard it left a mark. "The Flower Capital... Shogun-sama, the capital is under attack!"
Bang!
Orochi shot to his feet, knocking over the table with a violent crash. Plates shattered, sake dripped down the steps of his dais.
"WHAT?!" Orochi's voice was a shriek. His mustache twitched, eyes wild with panic. "Who dares... WHO dares attack MY capital?!"
His hands gripped the armrests so hard his knuckles whitened. "What are the Mimawarigumi doing? Why haven't they CRUSHED the fools already?!"
The servant gulped audibly, sweat rolling down his temple. His voice shook like a child's. "Th-they tried, Shogun-sama! Our samurai, the Mimawarigumi… all went to face the intruders, but… but they…"
Orochi's eyes narrowed dangerously, a vein throbbing on his forehead. 'Don't tell me… don't you DARE tell me…'
"But they were… they were defeated!"
Thud!
Orochi's foot slammed against the dais, rattling the floor.
The Oiran gasped, covering their mouths with painted fans.
Orochi staggered forward, spittle flying from his lips.
"DEFEATED?! All of them?!" His voice cracked like glass. "My ELITE samurai... my Mimawarigumi... the very symbol of my rule?! How many?! How MANY enemies did it take to shame me like this?!"
The servant's lips trembled. He hesitated, too afraid to answer.
"ANSWER ME!" Orochi screeched, veins bulging on his neck. His face was twisted, a grotesque mask of fear and fury.
The servant squeezed his eyes shut. "…Only… two."
The hall went silent.
Thump... thump... thump...
Orochi's heart pounded like a drum in his ears. For a moment, he forgot how to breathe.
"…T-two?" His voice cracked, pitifully thin. "Did you say… only two people?!"
The servant flinched as Orochi's hand suddenly whipped forward. The Shogun's wine cup shattered against the floor near his head, shards scattering across the tiles.
Crash!
"KEEEEEHHHHHHH!" Orochi screamed, his voice shrill like a banshee. "TWO PEOPLE defeated an army of my MEN?! Are you mocking me?!"
His entire body shook, veins throbbing on his forehead.
'Damn it, damn it, DAMN IT!' He thought, gnashing his teeth. 'Who dares make a fool of me in my own castle?! Do they not know Kaido will crush them like insects?! Or… what if Kaido never hears of this? What if people start whispering… laughing at Orochi, the pathetic Shogun?!'
He dropped back onto his dais, chest heaving, face pale beneath the makeup.
The Oiran dared not move, their eyes darting nervously.
Finally, Orochi hissed through clenched teeth, voice trembling with both rage and terror. "…If Kaido does not return soon… I—I will be ruined…"
The air in the hall was still vibrating with Orochi's shriek when a figure materialized out of the shadows like a phantom.
Fwoosh!
The lantern light bent around him, his bald, elongated head gleaming, his absurdly long earlobes swaying like pendulums.
The Oniwabanshu leader, Fukurokuju, stood tall, his purple kimono whispering as it settled, his sunglasses reflecting Orochi's furious, trembling form.
Orochi nearly stumbled back, clutching his chest. "F-Fukurokuju! Where in the blazes did you come from... did you know what the hell is happening in the capital?!"
The shinobi bowed deeply, his voice calm, oily, slithering across the hall.
"Forgive me, Shogun-sama. I just learned of the matter myself. But you need not worry… I have already dispatched your loya Oniwabanshu. Even as we speak, they are moving through the streets towards the two intruders. Soon, those insolent fools will be dragged before you on their knees, begging for mercy they do not deserve."
The words rolled like poison into Orochi's ears.
"…KEEEEEH-HEH-HEH!" Orochi's face lit up with maniacal delight, his mood snapping like a switch. He pointed at Fukurokuju, sake-scented spittle flying. "YES! YES, that's what I like to hear! At least someone in this wretched place is worth their salt! Unlike those useless samurai and their pathetic excuses for swords!"
He slammed his palm against his thigh, cackling, his snake-like tongue darting out. "Only you, Fukurokuju… only you understand how to serve the great Shogun of Wano!"
At the side of the hall, another presence stirred.
Clack!
A cane tapped against the polished floor. Rising from his seat, his flamboyant figure framed by his ornate robe, Kyoshiro tilted his head back and let loose a booming, theatrical laugh.
"WAHAHAHAHAHAHA!" His voice thundered through the hall, shaking even the Oiran, who exchanged nervous glances behind their fans.
Kyoshiro's grin gleamed sharp as a blade. He drew his sword halfway, the steel glinting, then slid it back with a shhhnk!
"Well then, Shogun-sama! Allow me to join this little… performance!" His eyes gleamed with a strange delight, as if savoring the very idea of chaos. "After all… why should Fukurokuju's little shadows have all the fun? If by some MIRACLE those attackers prove troublesome…"—
He licked his lips, his smile widening—"…I, Kyoshiro, shall personally cut off their heads and bring them to you as trophies!"
The hall fell into silence for a beat, the Oiran shivering at his bloodlust.
"KEEEEEHHH-HEH-HEH-HEH-HEH!" Orochi threw his head back, screeching with glee, slapping his knees. "YES! YES, with Kyoshiro stepping in, this is a done deal! A GUARANTEE!"
He pointed toward the doors, spittle flying again. "Go, Kyoshiro! Show them what happens to fools who defy the Shogun of Wano! Let the streets run with their blood if you must!"
Inside, Orochi's thoughts buzzed with manic relief. 'Yes! Yes! With Fukurokuju's shadows and Kyoshiro's blade… how could I possibly lose? Let the fools see! Let them see the power of Orochi, backed by Kaido, feared by all!'
Clack... Clack... Clack...
Kyoshiro turned sharply on his heel, his robe flaring like wings. His heavy footsteps echoed as he strode away, laughter still rattling the rafters.
Fukurokuju remained bowed, his expression unreadable behind those square shades. "…All will proceed as you wish, Shogun-sama."
Orochi reclined back on his dais, face flushed with false confidence, gripping his sake jug with trembling fingers. "…Heheheh… let them come. Let them ALL come! They will learn that I am untouchable! Anyone who goes against me will be punished properly!"
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