On this ruin, a little girl with pink hair and freckles, holding a glass of juice, was curiously observing them.
"Oh... there's malice here, are you planning a sneak attack? Just a few of you?"
Renedia took a sip of juice, baring her small tiger teeth at them, "Not quite enough... Weevil!"
Weevil, who was chatting with Jack, suddenly paused as if a mechanism had been triggered, his eyes bursting with a violent red light. He roared fiercely, a wave of energy exploded from his body, shooting straight up like a meteor, crashing down towards the ruin.
Boom!
The ruin in front of Renedia was blown apart by a burst of energy that sent debris flying, revealing a huge person covered in diamonds, eyes glowing red, wielding a naginata.
Moonlight shone on his body, casting a shadow over Kin'emon and the others.
"Go!"
Kin'emon shouted, intending to retreat.
"Want to leave? It was smart to leave quietly before being noticed; now that you've been found by me, where do you think you're going? Catch them!"
Renedia pointed from behind, grinning fiercely, "Not a single one should escape!"
The explosive sound Weevil caused also attracted the Pirates and those samurai allied with Kurozumi. Seeing the intruder, they immediately drew their weapons to encircle them.
"You're not allowed to run!!"
Weevil shouted, spinning his naginata, the blade charged with Haki, slashing directly towards the retreating Kin'emon.
Kin'emon couldn't react in time; his defensive blade only half-raised when the naginata's edge hit his face. The concentrated Haki exploded in a small point before the blade, smashing into his face.
Bam!
Like swinging a baseball, Kin'emon was sent flying backward, crashing heavily onto the ground, skidding a bit further until hitting a ruin, finally coming to a stop.
"That hurts!"
Kin'emon jumped up, clutching his face, not daring to linger, he turned and ran.
"Huh?"
Weevil was momentarily bewildered by his sudden standing up, tilting his head, looking confusedly at the naginata in his hand.
"Strange... did it not work?"
"Idiot, that's a supreme skull! Hit the body next time!"
Renedia rolled her eyes but curiously looked over, "But... so it's true, is that really Kin'emon?"
Kin'emon, Kin-Emperor.
In his leisure time, Sage talked about this magical nation, Wano Country, where someone could withstand a blow from Kaido to the face.
Renedia was astonished at that time.
She hadn't known who Kin'emon was, but now she learned through the attack.
What seemed like a joke was actually true...
"Catch them!"
At this moment, Jack also arrived from behind, holding two scythes, shouting: "These are the ones who started the rebellion!"
However, the 'escape route' created by Weevil's attack allowed Kin'emon to evade their pursuit, and gave others time to escape. At this point, they were already far away, beyond the reach of manpower.
Renedia clicked her tongue, taking out a small hammer, ready to extend it. But just then, several afterimages suddenly appeared in front of the fleeing people, rapidly launching an attack on their backs.
Puff!
Sizzle!
Bang!
The sound of blows and slashes rang out, causing the people to stumble, falling to the ground, just in time for Weevil to catch up from behind.
And the furthest Kin'emon was scorched by a distant flame, the flames seemingly carrying impact, knocking Kin'emon to the ground.
Outside the flames, an old man with a long skull and earlobes, wearing square sunglasses and a purple monk robe, slowly walked out.
"Who are you?" Renedia questioned.
Apart from this bald old man, those appearing in front of the Nine Red Scabbards were all bizarrely dressed, mostly in ninja attire.
The bald old man released his sealing hand, saying in a deep voice: "Imperial Court Guards' Captain Fukurokuju, willing to serve the Governor."
"Imperial Court Guards?"
The one speaking wasn't Renedia, but a faint voice from the sky.
A dark cloud descended quickly from the night sky, landing swiftly on the ground, revealing Sage, draped in a fur-lined cape, holding a Wolf Fang Club.
"Are they ninjas?"
Sage glanced at them, clicking his tongue, "Bizarrely dressed."
Quick in speed and seemingly adept at hiding, but just strange in appearance.
"Governor!"
Fukurokuju knelt on one knee, followed by the remaining Imperial Court Guards, "We pledge our loyalty to the Governor!"
"Oh?"
Sage gazed down at Fukurokuju, smiling, "I remember you were one of those Kurozumi Orochi's subordinates, converting so quickly, I didn't even notice you…"
"Wano Country is our home, where could we go? We've heard of the Governor's reputation, and since the General is destined for death, we don't wish to perish with him, so we'll follow the Governor," Fukurokuju answered truthfully.
He was indeed loyal to Kurozumi Orochi, but on the condition that Orochi was still alive.
Now that he was captured, waiting for execution, no amount of loyalty could save him, making it meaningless.
The Imperial Court Guards didn't want to die, nor to be buried with Orochi. Since Orochi could no longer retain the position of General, they had to find a new path.
The reputation of the disaster, they had heard from PIrates while gathering intelligence.
Under his rule, as long as loyalty is truly pledged, there's no lack of work, and doing well means greater opportunities for advancement.
Switching to a new stage...
Fukurokuju could potentially reach a high position!
He had great confidence in his strategies, governance, and espionage skills!
A shadow flashed from behind, revealing Who's-Who.
He puffed on a cigarette, blowing out smoke, eyeing the Imperial Court Guards, "Boss, they have decent skills as Special Agents, perhaps I could reorganize them."
"Heh heh heh, alright, that's fine, recognizing the times."
Sage smiled, and his gaze fell on the fallen Kin'emon, "Too bad, I wanted to test whether your skull could withstand my Wolf Fang Club."
"You bastard!"
Kin'emon shouted, "Wano Country will not lose, and someone will inherit our will, until Wano Country is returned to its own hands! Thousands of Wano people will never bow down!"
"Come off it, you've been bowing for over twenty years, and Wano doesn't have millions—it's not that populous."
Sage crouched, smiling at Kin'emon, "I don't care how many of you there are; I care about this land, this place producing Seastone and Wine Iron Ore. No matter how many resist, if cleansing once isn't enough, cleanse it all, then migrate people over."
"But... a colony doesn't have that many stubborn folk, no use talking about restoration. To the victor goes the spoils. But I don't think much of you, the Fur Race was too unlucky following you. Generational friendship, wasting their sincerity. Right, Shishilian?"
"Yes, Governor."
Shishilian stepped out from the crowd, looking scornfully at the Nine Red Scabbards, "We've done a lot for Wano Country, but Wano...did nothing."
Inuarashi and Nekomamushi deserve respect from the Fur Race; there's affection involved, but blade to blade leaves no choice.
It's all because of Wano Country.
Once, he simply wanted to contribute to the friendship with Wano, even sacrificing his life for it.
But thinking back now, it was utterly meaningless.
"Fur Race..."
Kin'emon widened his eyes, "Why? Aren't we friends?"
"Only Nekomamushi and Inuarashi are your friends. No, they are your retainers and pets; we are not."
Shishilian retorted coldly, "We are household servants of the Norton Clan!"
"Exactly."
Sage smiled, looking towards Kawamatsu and Ashura Doji, a Kappa-like Fishman, and a tattoo-covered giant.
"You two aren't bad. Interested in serving me?"
Neither spoke, just glaring at Sage.
"I see..."
Sage shook his head, stood up, and as he turned, his cloak fluttered, "Execute them, set up the Radio Snail, and execute them live nationwide."
With so many Samurai, a General, a Kozuki, and the son of a rebellious Pirate.
Elimate all the resistance forces, and it will be peaceful.
After that, leave it to Lily.