Chapter 67: Before the Decisive Battle

——Wano Country.

Eight years have passed since the death of Kozuki Sukiyaki, the former shogun of Wano, and the rise of Kurozumi Orochi as the acting shogun. For eight years, the Beasts Pirates, led by Kaido under Orochi’s employ, have made Wano their stronghold.

Five years have passed since Kozuki Oden’s return. Four years since the dawn of the Great Pirate Era—Wano has been reshaped by Orochi and Kaido, and Oden’s return changed nothing.

Every week, Oden continues his shameless naked dancing, collecting meager tips, enduring the cold stares of the Flower Capital’s residents, and the mockery of Kaido and Orochi’s underlings before returning to Kuri. This, too, remains unchanged.

The only thing that has changed is that Kuri’s town, once destroyed, has been somewhat rebuilt.

This was thanks to Oden himself—five years of gathering lumber, hammering nails, and working tirelessly with his own hands.

Perhaps because of this, Oden’s reputation, initially abysmal, has slightly improved. The residents can at least scrape by now—though their poverty remains unchanged.

And among those who still refuse to bend are Wano’s chivalrous outlaws… the yakuza.

——

"—‘Hyogoro of the Flowers’!! The Shogun Orochi summons you!! Present yourself at the castle at once!!"

"Shut your damn mouth!! Scram!! You just want another lackey, don’t ya?! No matter how many times you ask, I ain’t bowin’ to that bastard Orochi!! Go tell him that yourself!!"

In a corner of the Flower Capital, the boss of Wano’s underworld, Hyogoro of the Flowers, fearlessly dismissed one of Orochi’s officials at his doorstep.

Thanks to his formidable strength and influence over Wano’s underworld, Orochi has persistently tried to recruit him. But in the eight years since Orochi seized power, Hyogoro has never once yielded, remaining one of the few defiant forces against Orochi’s regime.

Of course, unlike other daimyo and yakuza who have taken up arms, Hyogoro has not openly rebelled. After all, the rightful heir, Kozuki Oden, does nothing but endure. To act without his lead would be unjust. Though unspoken, to them, the only true shogun is Oden.

So, if Oden ever rises, they will lend their strength. Until then, they wait—honing their resolve, enduring in silence.

"Boss!! Stay back!!"

"Shut it!! You think I’m scared of these spineless worms?! They ain’t got the guts to do shit!!"

Even Hyogoro’s wife and underlings understand this. They resist Orochi with words and defiance, never raising a hand.

"Hey, Hyogoro!! This is the Shogun’s order!! You know what defiance means, don’t you?!"

"Shove it, you cowards!! If you’re so scared of the shogun you can’t even uphold justice, then quit callin’ yourselves samurai!! —Or what, you wanna try force?!"

"Tch…!! Consider yourself warned!! Don’t say I didn’t tell ya!!"

"Yeah, yeah!! Get lost!! I ain’t some brat who can’t wipe his own ass!!"

Hyogoro boldly turned away the official—once a fellow yakuza, though not from his own family.

The man was skilled, and he had the shogun’s authority. Yet, he dared not act against Hyogoro. Because Hyogoro had power.

A master swordsman, Hyogoro’s skill placed him among Wano’s top five. His mastery of Ryuo was renowned. That was why Orochi only barked orders—never acted. Hyogoro knew this. If Orochi forced his hand, he could repel it. A samurai who bent to Orochi wasn’t worth cutting down.

——But the other man knew this too. Which was why, as a former comrade, he spoke again.

"…Hey, Hyogoro… you’ll regret this."

"Hah?! Still yappin’? Or you wanna fight?"

"…Heh… Yeah, no way we could beat you. Hell, gather every yakuza and samurai in Wano, and the only ones who’d stand a chance are Oden, his retainers… or maybe a true master like Shimotsuki Ushimaru. Honestly, you guys were the strongest I knew. Never thought I’d lose to anyone else."

"…The hell’s your point?"

Hyogoro frowned. This didn’t sound like an official’s words—but like a warning from a broken man. The man grinned, but his hands trembled slightly.

Then, with a sidelong glance, he bid farewell.

"We were just… frogs in a well. Heheh… Hope you die painlessly…?"

"…………"

With that, the former yakuza turned official left. And as Hyogoro watched him go, he sensed something.

He’d never see this man again. No more recruitment attempts.

Maybe it was instinct—maybe his Ryuo—but he felt it.

——Yet even Hyogoro couldn’t guess… the reason lay with himself.

"!!"

"Boss!! Those guys…!!"

"…Yeah. I see ’em. —Don’t interfere, no matter what."

"Huh?! But—"

"—Just stay back!!"

"Gh…! Y-yessir!!"

Hyogoro realized. His men did too, stepping forward—but he stopped them with a shout.

Because the ones approaching now… weren’t from Wano.

"Hehehe… So that’s the Hyogoro Family…!!"

"They’re famous for having a death wish, y’know."

"GYAHAHA!! Now this’ll be good!! What a show this’ll be!!"

The ones who arrived—were the Beasts Pirates.

The foreign pirates standing behind Orochi. The very reason the people of this country cannot defy him.

Their faces were all vicious, their appearance unmistakably that of pirates—enough to make Wano’s citizens tremble.

But Hyogoro didn’t flinch. He had no intention of losing to these swaggering thugs. In fact, even if they attacked, he was confident he could cut them down.

——Except for one.

The towering man leading them was the sole reason Hyogoro ordered his men to stand back.

"——So, you’re ‘Hyogoro of the Flowers’…"

"…Yeah, that’s me. And you… one of Kaido’s men?"

The giant—so large even Hyogoro had to look up—muttered as if confirming Hyogoro’s identity. Hyogoro sharpened his senses, ready to draw his blade and coat it in Ryuo at any moment. The man wore a sword at his waist, but standing before him felt less like facing a human and more like staring down a feral beast. His appearance was more oni or tengu than man.

One thing was certain—he was no ordinary foe. His piercing, upturned eyes bore down with crushing pressure.

"——I’ll cut to the chase. Join Kaido’s crew."

"…And if I refuse?"

"Come quietly."

"Get lost. No matter what you say, I ain’t bowin’ to the likes of you."

The giant hadn’t come to negotiate. His words weren’t just direct—they were absolute.

He stated his demand as if it were already decided. No answers, no reasoning—just an order. Hyogoro realized: This guy doesn’t do discussions.

Even among yakuza, he’d never met someone this far gone. But he refused all the same.

——And that was Hyogoro’s mistake.

"…Let me make this clear. You don’t have the right to refuse. If you won’t come willingly—you’ll see hell. Got it?"

"Tch… You think I’ll fold to threats?"

For the first time, the giant engaged with Hyogoro’s words.

But——that would also be their last exchange.

"——Then see hell."

---

—Flower Capital – Orochi’s Castle

In the castle, a group that had resisted serving Orochi until this very day finally broke.

The elite ninja of Wano, once loyal to the Kozuki—the Oniwabanshu.

They had clung to the dream of Kozuki’s return while reluctantly serving Orochi… but today, they gave up.

"——This is decided."

"No!! Serving that bastard Orochi…! How could you—!!"

In a chamber of the castle, voices clashed—one side firm, the other desperate.

On one side stood Fukurokuju, captain of the Oniwabanshu, backed by his fellow ninja.

Opposing him was Shinobu, a young kunoichi, her voice shaking with fury.

Fukurokuju and the others had finally resolved to submit to Orochi, their expressions calm. Shinobu, however, refused to accept it.

"This is betrayal!! How can you abandon your true lord?!"

"Our loyalty is not to the Kozuki. It is to Wano’s shogun."

"Then it should be to Lord Oden—the rightful heir!!"

"Enough, Shinobu. That fool cannot rule this country."

"That’s not true!! Lord Oden is the one who should lead Wano!! He’s a thousand times the man Orochi is!!"

Fukurokuju sighed. As her superior, it was his duty to correct her—a skilled but sentimental ninja still clinging to the past.

"Is he? It’s precisely because Oden abandoned his duty that Orochi rose to power, no?"

"That’s—!! Only because Orochi used underhanded—"

"Had Oden stayed in Wano as daimyo of Kuri, none of this would’ve happened. Do you truly wish for this country to suffer further for his recklessness?"

"Recklessness?! Orochi is the one tormenting Wano!!"

"——Oh? Is that so?"

"Wha—?! Who… Ggh—!!"

A woman’s voice—one Shinobu hadn’t sensed at all—cut into the argument. Before she could react, her arm was seized.

Despite her youth, Shinobu was a skilled kunoichi. Yet she hadn’t detected this woman’s presence—let alone resisted being captured in an instant.

"L-Let go!! Ugh…!?"

"Pointless. You’re outclassed, little spy~♡"

"Y-You… Joker…!!"

Indeed, the woman behind Shinobu was Joker—one of the highest-ranking officers of the pirates infesting Wano.

"Beasts Pirates, Calamity – ‘The Plague, Joker’."

"Ah, Lady Joker… I wasn’t aware you were present."

"Fufufu~ Just killing some time. —So, Shinobu-chan? About what you said earlier... it's precisely because of Oden that this country is in chaos now. Do you understand?"

"Like hell I do...!! You and Orochi are the parasites rotting this country from within...!!"

Fukurokuju bowed respectfully to Joker, his new superior. The other ninja followed suit.

Though Shinobu maintained her defiant stance, beneath the surface, frustration and terror churned in her chest.

After all—this woman was the monster who, eight years ago, had single-handedly subdued the entire Oniwabanshu.

Shinobu had been young then, but even now, she couldn't fathom the depths of Joker's power. Yet she refused to stay silent.

Joker, however, remained unfazed, her tone almost conversational.

"Two rulers in one country? That’s just a recipe for war. The people lose their footing, and outsiders see an opening. If you truly want peace, shouldn’t we remove the troublemakers?"

"Shut up!! How dare you—!! If anyone needs removing, it’s you and Orochi!! That’s the only way Wano finds peace!!"

"Oh my, we’re pacifists at heart, you know? Every land we visit stops fighting~ Fufufu... Soon, even Wano will know true peace. You should be grateful."

"You—!! The moment Lord Oden and the other daimyo—no, the moment Hyogoro’s family gets their hands on you, this country will—"

"—Ah. About Hyogoro... He’s being taken care of as we speak."

"......W-What? What are you—?! Explain yourself!! What have you done?!"

Shinobu’s face twisted in shock, her voice trembling. Joker smiled and answered breezily.

"No obligation to explain, but~ I’ll indulge you. Orochi finally admitted defeat—Hyogoro was too much for him. So he handed the job to us. By now, our envoy should’ve arrived... Poor man. Facing King? He’ll wish for hell instead~"

"N-No... Boss Hyogoro would never lose!! He’s Wano’s strongest yakuza!!"

But Joker only watched, amused, as Shinobu’s pulse raced beneath her bravado. Then—she released her grip.

"Why not go see for yourself? Fufu~ I’m sure it’ll be quite the spectacle."

"...!! Tch—!!"

"Shinobu!! You’d betray the Oniwabanshu?!"

The moment she was free, Shinobu bolted from the castle without a backward glance. Fukurokuju’s shout went unanswered—her panic was that overwhelming.

Joker chuckled, already picturing the despair on Shinobu’s face when she saw the truth.

---

Elsewhere in Wano—

A shadow crumpled to the ground.

"Guh... Ugh...!!"

"Hmph. Not so tough now. —Someone. Put him in chains."

"Yes, sir!!"

The fallen man—Hyogoro of the Flowers.

One of Wano’s top five swordsmen, the undisputed king of its underworld... now lay scorched and slashed, his body broken.

To any citizen of Wano, this sight would be unthinkable. Hyogoro’s strength was legendary.

But the giant standing over him was no ordinary foe. With wings black as a tengu’s and flames wreathing his back, he was the supreme executive of the Beasts Pirates—

"Calamity of the Beasts Pirates—'The Wildfire, King'."

"Lord King!! The seastone cuffs and shackles are secured!!"

"Then move him. We’re leaving."

"Understood!!"

Hyogoro was dragged away, bound in unbreakable seastone restraints.

And watching from a distance—the very architect of his downfall.

"Look at you now, Hyogoro!! Muhahahaha!!"

"Truly pathetic, isn’t he?!"

"I told you this would happen..."

The current acting shogun of Wano—Kurozumi Orochi—and his underlings pointed and laughed as Hyogoro, battered and broken, was dragged away. The sight of that insolent man finally captured, destined for ruin, filled them with glee.

Orochi knew well—once Kaido claimed a strong warrior, their fate was sealed. Kaido rarely killed those he coveted. He broke them. Bent them to his will.

But those who refused to break? Their deaths were slow. A descent through layers of hell before the end.

——And the first layer of that hell arrived immediately.

"HYOGORO-SAN!! PLEASE, DON'T TAKE HIM—!!"

"Tch. Get off, hag!! You wanna die too?!"

"BOSS!! BOSS!! YOU BASTARDS—WHERE ARE YOU TAKING HIM?!"

It began with Hyogoro’s wife, unable to bear the sight, clinging desperately to him. Then his men lunged forward, trying to stop them.

"Annoying. What do we do, Lord King?"

"…………Hey."

"Gh—!"

King’s gaze—cold as steel—shifted from the pleading family to Hyogoro. His words were a sentence.

"Watch closely. This is your first taste of hell.—Do it."

"YES, SIR!"

"N-NO, STOP—"

——BANG.

A gunshot echoed. Hyogoro’s wife collapsed, a hole blown through her chest. Blood sprayed. The crowd froze.

Enraged, Hyogoro’s men charged—only to be gunned down in turn.

Shinobu, watching from the shadows, trembled with fury.

Orochi, observing from afar, howled with laughter.

Hyogoro’s face paled. He reached out—but his shackled hands found nothing.

His wife, lifeless on the ground. His men, cut down like wheat.

King snorted at the sight of the yakuza boss’s tears and barked an order:

"—She’s still breathing. If you’re gonna kill her, shoot the head or cut the throat."

"Eh? R-Right, sorry!!"

"—!!?"

A second shot. This time, point-blank to the skull—ensuring the kill.

Hyogoro’s wife moved no more.

"Ugh... OOOOOOH...!!"

"—This is just the start. We’ll repeat it. Again. And again. Until your spirit shatters. Savor your regret for defying Kaido and the All-Stars."

"I’LL... KILL YOU...!!! YOU’LL—Guh...!?"

"Hmph. Save the speeches."

King’s fist smashed into Hyogoro’s temple, silencing him mid-curse. As his unconscious body was hauled away, the aftermath remained:

The corpses of Hyogoro’s family. His men. A massacre without mercy.

The citizens of Wano understood now.

Even the legendary "Hyogoro of the Flowers" had fallen.

---

——Hours later.

Shogun Orochi arrived in Kuri, flanked by the Oniwabanshu and Kaido’s forces.

"We’re building new weapon factories here. You’ll cooperate, Oden."

Orochi casually kicked the kneeling daimyo of Kuri—Kozuki Oden—in the head as he made his demand.

Oden, however, asked a different question. A simple one. But to him, it meant everything.

Orochi’s response?

"—What are you talking about?"

"!!!"

Oden’s breath caught.

Orochi smirked, twisting the knife.

"Wano will become a weapons empire!!"

"…………!?"

"Oh, and Hyogoro? Useless to me, so I handed him to Kaido... He’ll be dead soon!!"

"Eh...?"

"His bitch of a wife got shot too!! GYAHAHA—pathetic!!"

Oden could only stammer, dumbstruck.

As Orochi left, Oden returned to his castle—and wept. For Hyogoro. For his wife. For the futility of his patience.

Surrounded by his family and retainers, he finally understood.

With tears streaming, he roared:

"—WE KILL KAIDO!!"

——And so, Kozuki Oden and his loyal retainers—the future "Red Scabbards"—marched into the sunset, toward their battle with the monster Kaido.

...Unbeknownst to them, news of Oden’s resolve had already reached a certain man’s ears.

---

—Onigashima

"Hey, Kaido!! Bad news—they’re coming for you!!"

"—Oh? Finally."

"Huh?! W-Wait, just be caref—"

Kaido hung up the Den Den Mushi mid-sentence, cutting off Orochi’s frantic warning.

I couldn’t help but grin.

"So they’re finally making their move~ Knew this day would come… What’s the plan?"

"We meet them at Udon. I refuse to let this island become a battlefield."

"Agreed~ Then let’s hurry and set up our defenses, yeah?"

I floated up, and Kaido rose to his full height, letting me perch on his shoulder as he barked orders.

The situation wasn’t ideal—most of the Numbers and top officers were already deployed to secure other territories.

"Hmm~ We could recall them, but they won’t make it in time… Still, better safe than sorry."

"—Are King and Jack back yet?"

"Yep. Just got word they’re back on Onigashima. King’s probably cooking something up—want me to have him and Queen take command?"

"Yeah. Do it."

With Kaido’s approval, I relayed the orders.

Honestly… I felt a little nostalgic.

We’d finally reached this moment.

This battle wouldn’t be easy. Not that any fight is, but this one? Dangerous.

Their forces were small—just Kozuki Oden and his nine retainers. But every one of them was strong. And Oden himself? A monster.

Losing was a real possibility.

——But we’d lost before. We’d faced stronger foes before. Fear wasn’t an option.

"Kaido."

"What?"

"—If you lose, I’ll kill you myself~♡"

"—Worororo!! My line. I’ll kill you if you lose, Nue!!"

We laughed—as if either of us could actually kill the other.

——And with that, we set off.

To face Kozuki Oden and the Red Scabbards in battle.