The four of them headed toward the Shogun's Palace in Wano Country.
When they arrived at the entrance of the palace, they were naturally stopped and interrogated by the Oniwabanshu.
The Oniwabanshu was Kurozumi Orochi's personal force.
Even though Kyoshiro was Orochi's right-hand man, bringing strangers inside still warranted questioning.
Kyoshiro was just about to offer an explanation and smooth things over.
However, Ryōsuke simply cast a Rinnegan genjutsu directly on the guards.
One by one, their eyes lost focus, and they collapsed to the ground.
They had absolutely no ability to resist.
How could ordinary people like them possibly withstand the Rinnegan?
Ryōsuke estimated that even someone like Kaido wouldn't be able to withstand his Rinnegan.
After all, his eyes were no ordinary Rinnegan; they were the Seven-Colored Rinnegan.
These were the eyes of the God of Creation.
While he was currently only manifesting the standard Rinnegan, his visual prowess was far beyond the ordinary level.
Therefore, even with just the standard Rinnegan active, Kaido likely wouldn't stand a chance.
Seeing this, Denjiro's face filled with astonishment. It was the exact same technique he had fallen victim to—leaving the target completely defenseless.
But their goal this time was to assassinate Kurozumi Orochi, and these guards were his loyal hounds. Naturally, they had to be eliminated.
He then led the group deeper into the Shogun's Palace.
Of course, whenever Ryōsuke spotted someone approaching, he instantly activated his Rinnegan genjutsu.
Casting the illusion required virtually no effort on his part.
Besides, these people needed to be taken out anyway.
Following behind, Robin wore a look of utter shock.
She hadn't expected this man's eyes to be so terrifying. Anyone who met his gaze instantly fell unconscious. Just what kind of bizarre power was this?
*Was it a Devil Fruit ability?* she wondered. *He doesn't seem like a Devil Fruit user.*
Regardless, he was an incredibly terrifying individual. She couldn't even muster the thought of opposing him, knowing full well that she would fall prey to the exact same trick. She would be utterly powerless.
No wonder even Kaido of the Beasts had been brought to heel.
However, this also meant that Kurozumi Orochi, the mastermind behind this country's turmoil, was as good as dead.
When she first arrived on this island, she had witnessed firsthand the disastrous lives the commoners were forced to lead.
Vast amounts of wealth were hoarded in Kurozumi Orochi's hands.
Meanwhile, the civilians across the land had nothing to eat and were even subjected to the hazards of toxic industrial runoff.
It was a living hell for the people.
In a way, this man was doing a good deed.
If he saved this country, then the Straw Hat Pirates probably wouldn't need to intervene.
Truth be told, their chances of defeating Kaido of the Beasts were slim, even with Trafalgar Law as an ally.
She was simply following along because she was a member of the Straw Hat crew.
*Perhaps Luffy could have created another miracle,* she mused.
But now, that wouldn't be necessary.
Kurozumi Orochi couldn't escape, which meant this country would finally return to normal.
The four of them passed through the checkpoints without causing any major commotion. Anyone who made eye contact with Ryōsuke—or even those who didn't—fell victim to his genjutsu. They made their way smoothly into the Shogun's inner residence.
Shogun Kurozumi Orochi was sitting cross-legged by himself, drinking sake.
The earlier tremors had soured his mood, but in the end, nothing had actually happened.
The unease in his heart gradually dissipated. Drinking sake was, of course, the best way to wash away his worries and steady his nerves.
Hearing footsteps, he turned his head and saw Kyoshiro, along with Wano's top courtesan, Komurasaki. There were two other strangers with them whom he didn't recognize, but it didn't matter.
He spoke with delight.
"Kyoshiro, you've done well! You knew I was feeling troubled, so you brought Komurasaki to me."
"Komurasaki, come drink with me."
Although Komurasaki had consistently refused his marriage proposals, he was the Shogun of Wano Country. He was bound to win the beauty over eventually.
This was also the first time he had truly fallen for a woman, so naturally, he couldn't bear to force himself on her.
Kyoshiro let out a sinister chuckle.
"That's right, Lord Shogun. We've come to send you on your way."
Hearing this, Kurozumi Orochi instantly sobered up a bit.
"Kyoshiro, what is the meaning of this?"
He noticed that Komurasaki was no longer wearing her usual smile; instead, her face was filled with pure hatred. What was going on?
Kyoshiro abruptly tossed aside the wig on his head.
He revealed a cold, ruthless expression.
"I meant exactly what I said. We're sending you to the afterlife, Shogun."
Kurozumi Orochi flew into a rage.
"Kyoshiro, are you actually betraying me?!"
"Wait... that look of yours. It sparks a memory. Who exactly are you?"
Kyoshiro burst into roaring laughter.
"Who am I? I am Kozuki Oden's samurai, Denjiro!"
"I have never once been loyal to you."
"And I have never forgotten the task Lord Oden entrusted to me."
Shogun Kurozumi Orochi was both shocked and furious.
"I remember now! Even though your hair color has changed, you're that little lackey who used to follow Kozuki Oden around!"
"You brat, to think a remnant like you managed to infiltrate my palace."
"Komurasaki, are you betraying me too?"
This was the Shogun's Palace. A single remnant was nothing to worry about.
What he cared about most was Komurasaki's current stance.
Komurasaki spoke with burning anger.
"Kurozumi Orochi, you usurper! I am Kozuki Oden's daughter, Kozuki Hiyori! Today, I have come to avenge my father!"
Kurozumi Orochi was stunned. He never imagined that the woman he had loved all this time was actually Oden's daughter. His shock quickly turned to fury.
"To think you were a remnant of the Kozuki Clan! My deep affection for you was completely wasted!"
"But you actually think you can get revenge? Have you forgotten that this is my stronghold?"
"Oniwabanshu, come out!"
At his command, the guards hiding in the shadows of the hall immediately stepped forward.
They positioned themselves in front of Kurozumi Orochi.
However, there weren't many of them—only a dozen or so.
Kurozumi Orochi felt a surge of anger.
"What's going on? Where is everyone? Where the hell did they all go?!"
He hadn't been paying them exorbitant salaries just for them to slack off.
Kyoshiro sneered.
"They're gone. They've all been dealt with. Today is the day you die."
He drew his blade and directly slaughtered the Oniwabanshu guards standing in front of Kurozumi Orochi.
How could he possibly let someone else handle his final act of revenge?
Robin was astonished. She hadn't expected this man to possess such formidable strength; he was definitely at the level of a master swordsman or higher.
He might even be able to give Zoro a run for his money.
Yet, a figure of this caliber couldn't last even a single second against that mysterious man's eyes.
It made the man seem all the more terrifying.
Kyoshiro gripped his sword and advanced toward Kurozumi Orochi.
As long as he killed this man, his revenge would be complete.
A profound sense of satisfaction swelled in his heart.
Kurozumi Orochi was terrified.
He hadn't expected this brat's strength to be so fearsome.
Was this really the same little lackey who used to follow Kozuki Oden?
Even if he used his Devil Fruit powers, he feared he wouldn't be a match for him.
Therefore, he made up his mind to sacrifice one of his lives.
His Devil Fruit was the Mythical Zoan Snake-Snake Fruit, Model: Yamata no Orochi, which granted him nine lives.
Losing one was just a minor setback.
Once he escaped and sought Kaido's help, he would be able to wipe out all these remnants.
He never imagined that the Kozuki Clan's spies had buried themselves so deeply by his side.
It seemed he would have to launch another purge across Wano Country.
Who knew how many more remnants were hiding among the populace?
Only by slaughtering them all completely would he finally be able to find peace of mind.