Overseas, the Pirate King Roger's execution was imminent. But in Wano Country, Kaido's plan hadn't kicked into motion just yet.
Roger's capture had been far too sudden. And the execution date was set for barely a week later. By the time Kaido received the news, several days had already passed. Even after returning to Wano Country, he couldn't immediately move against Kozuki Oden.
He needed time to prepare — to prevent any last-minute counterattack from the other side.
Anyone paying close attention might have noticed something odd. At this critical juncture — with the Pirate King about to be executed and Shiki imprisoned — the Beasts Pirates' presence on the open seas had conspicuously thinned.
"Boss Kaido, is this really a good idea?"
One of his subordinates voiced his concern.
"If our overseas forces are too thin when the fighting starts, we won't be able to get in on the land grab for Shiki's territory in time."
"Don't worry. Even if war breaks out, nothing will be settled in a short timeframe."
Kaido understood this well. Once the fighting actually started, it would take at least a year or two before the dust settled.
Given the current landscape, all the major players were in their prime — it was the era of warriors. It could easily take four or five years before a clear outcome emerged.
He had more than enough time to deal with overseas matters later. Joining the conflict late might actually work to his advantage.
That way, he could preserve more of his strength.
Right now, the more pressing matter was Wano's internal situation.
Kaido approached Orochi, and the two of them hammered out a plan together.
"Hehehehe, that works. The five-year agreement is almost up anyway. That fool Oden is probably counting down the days, just waiting and hoping!"
Orochi laughed.
"Just when he thinks it's all about to end, we hit him with the cruel reality. I bet Kozuki Oden's expression will be absolutely priceless!"
As Orochi spoke, he rested his hand on the head of a small girl with purple hair standing beside him.
"Then let's begin. My forces are already in position."
Kaido said impatiently.
"No need to rush. My people aren't ready yet."
Orochi said softly. He certainly wasn't about to let things end just like that. He hadn't forgotten about the band of Oden loyalists still hiding out in Ringo.
How could he let them die alongside anyone other than Kozuki Oden?
Orochi told Kaido to wait three more days. Then he immediately sent word of the date to Kuri.
On that day, Shimotsuki Yasuie and the others, who had been enduring a grueling existence in Ringo, received a visit from Yayoi and Nanatsuki.
"You two — you're Karasu and Ryuki?"
The only people who still called Yayoi and Nanatsuki by those codenames were the retainers who had originally sailed with Oden. The speaker was Raizo. Over the past few years, thanks to his Devil Fruit abilities, he had been the one in most frequent contact with Kuri.
But something struck them all as strange. In the past, whenever Kuri sent supplies, the Ringo group had always gone to pick them up themselves. No one from Kuri had ever come to Ringo in person.
Today was different.
"You've come all the way from Kuri — there must be an important reason."
Shimotsuki Yasuie's manners were impeccable. He didn't let the fact that the visitors were women cause any lapse in his hospitality, and he quickly had them seated and served.
None of the others objected to his approach either. Truth be told, over the past five years, even Kin'emon — who had harbored the strongest bias against Kuri — had changed his tune considerably.
After all, if Kuri hadn't been willing to provide them with food, they would have frozen to death in that frozen wasteland long ago.
Shimotsuki Ushimaru stepped forward. His fists were clenched tight, his voice tight with nerves.
"Have you come to deliver a message from Lord Ren? I sent a request — has he agreed to it?"
Asking someone to save an entire country in exchange for a single sword was a shamelessly audacious request. Shimotsuki Ushimaru knew it well. But he had no other options left.
"The matter you raised — Lord Ren has already agreed to it."
Yayoi nodded matter-of-factly, then shifted to the real purpose of her visit.
"Actually, the reason I've come is to tell you something very important."
"This concerns — Kozuki Oden."
"What?"
None of them had expected Yayoi to come all this way to talk about Kozuki Oden. At the mention of that name, many of those present were visibly moved — Oden's former retainers most of all.
But there were also those who reacted with undisguised scorn.
"Why are we still bringing up that guy at a time like this?"
"Shut your mouth!"
Kin'emon snapped, turning to glare furiously at the speaker.
Seeing that an argument was about to erupt, Shimotsuki Yasuie's eyes widened and he barked, "Enough! All of you!"
Five years of braving the elements had hardened his temper.
"My apologies. You'll have to forgive the display."
He gave a slight bow, then continued.
"Please, go on, miss. What has happened to Oden?"
Yayoi nodded.
"Our spies within the Flower Capital and the Beasts Pirates have sent word. Over the past few days, there's been unusual movement in their troop deployments — a large number of forces have been concentrated on the outskirts of the Flower Capital."
"Kozuki Oden, during these five years, has been..."
Yayoi paused, seemingly searching for a way to phrase Oden's disgraceful conduct without sounding too disrespectful.
But after a long pause, she couldn't find a suitable euphemism. She decided to skip over that part entirely and continue.
"Regardless of how harmless Kozuki Oden may appear, as long as he's alive, Orochi will never let him go."
"Are you saying that Orochi and Kaido are concentrating their forces specifically to deal with Oden?"
Shimotsuki Yasuie asked grimly. He clearly sensed the implications.
If Orochi and Kaido were moving against Oden, did that mean Oden had once again become a threat in their eyes?
He quickly realized this was an opportunity — a chance to bring Kozuki Oden back into the fold.
"I can't imagine anyone else in the Flower Capital who would warrant that kind of response."
Yayoi said bluntly.
"In any case, Oden's situation is extremely dangerous right now. He's alone inside the Flower Capital. If Kaido and Orochi make their move, he'll be completely isolated with no backup."
"Lord Yasuie!"
Kin'emon, hearing that Oden might be stranded without support, could barely contain himself. He practically threw himself across the table in front of Yasuie.
"We have to go to the Flower Capital and help Lord Oden!"
He turned to the others, his gaze sweeping across their faces.
"Lord Oden must have already pulled himself together from back then!"
Kin'emon shouted. Five years had passed. The hair on his head had grown back in black — the portion he'd bleached blonde had long since been cut away.
"Only Lord Oden can make Orochi and Kaido feel fear!"
"We have to go to the Flower Capital and fight alongside Lord Oden against Kaido!"
Shimotsuki Yasuie also realized that this might be the decisive battle.
But his expression was troubled. It was all too sudden — his samurai weren't prepared at all. If the decisive battle were to come on their terms, he would have done everything in his power to rally the entire country, to bring back those who had given up but still harbored doubts.
But now, they clearly didn't have that kind of time.
[
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