From Pirate to Revolutionary Mentor

Chapter 98 Instant Kill

"A subject who humiliates his lord shall die! A subject who humiliates his lord shall die!"

In another room, eight retainers of the Kozuki family and a female ninja were gathered together.

Kin'emon clenched his fists and knelt on the ground as if he had suffered a great insult.

Denjiro, who was wearing glasses, remained silent, while Shutenmaru gulped down the sake in his gourd.

The cat and dog were grinding their teeth, Raizo had a gloomy face, and Kikunojo and Kawamatsu gripped the hilt of their swords tightly.

There's no way.

Denjiro's voice rang out: "Just like Lord Yasuie reminded us during the meeting, we must prioritize the overall situation. Wano Country cannot fight against Kaido and Orochi on its own."

"Clang."

A cold glint flashed, and Kawamatsu's sword was already an inch out of its sheath: "I would rather risk my life to fight him than let Lord Oden be humiliated."

Nekomamushi and Inuarashi spoke at the same time, both willing to risk their lives.

However, while drinking, Shutenmaru slammed his sake gourd onto the floor.

"Bang."

"So, do you think we have a chance of winning if the other side cooperates with Kaido?"

Shutenmaru's eyes were red-rimmed, whether from the alcohol or his emotions, it was hard to tell.

"They are very strong! And four thousand soldiers may not be their entire fighting force; their ability to fly makes the natural defenses of Wano Country seem useless."

"We were all deeply saddened by Lord Oden's humiliation. In fact, if Lord Yasuie hadn't stopped us, we would have rushed in and fought them to the death. Moreover, the truth about Kanjuro's death is still unclear. But..."

At this point, Shutenmaru's gaze swept over the eight people in front of him: "But...do we want to destroy Wano Country? Lord Yasuie made it very clear that Kaido is a pirate from the outer seas. He didn't come to rule Wano Country; he only came to occupy it and plunder its resources!"

"The revolutionary army might not, but if they stand against us, our lord's family will inevitably be purged. Gentlemen, what is the purpose of us as retainers?"

For a moment, everyone fell silent.

Before this, no one would have thought that the most clear-headed person would be Ashura Doji Shutenmaru, who was once a mountain bandit.

After a long silence, Denjiro adjusted his glasses and said, "Perhaps we've been misunderstanding something all along."

All eyes turned to him.

Denjiro continued, "Hereditary succession is not allowed, but Wano Country still needs someone to govern it. Given this, will the Revolutionary Army send someone to govern it? What form will their election take? Will the people of Wano Country elect someone else?"

At this point, Denjiro looked at the eight people in front of him: "In the election of the shogun, who would you choose?"

"Of course, it's Lord Oden!"

The almost unanimous response brought a smile to Denjiro's face.

Yes, the other side doesn't understand Wano Country.

Although the situation in the outer seas is unclear, Wano Country is quite different from the countries in the outer seas.

With the Kozuki clan as generals and various daimyo as their advisors, the people of Wano Country were generally able to live in peace and prosperity.

How could samurai and retainers possibly betray their lord?

Under the rule of the Kozuki clan, this country is not oppressed or unable to survive.

"Therefore, even after defeating Orochi and Kaido, the ruler elected in Wano Country will still be Lord Oden!"

Shutenmaru realized what was happening, picked up the gourd of sake, and took a few big gulps.

Kin'emon, standing to the side, also spoke up: "The first election is eight years later, the second is twelve years later. This twelve-year period will establish a precedent where the Kozuki clan becomes the shogun!"

Denjiro nodded, his glasses reflecting light slightly: "Yes. This country isn't so easily changed by them."

……

Meanwhile, candlelight still shone in Oden's study.

Oden is writing in his diary.

That person seems to have truly appeared, another possibility—the possibility of ushering the entire world into a new era of dawn.

As for the position of general, I never actually wanted it; I only wanted to go out to sea and adventure in search of true freedom.

[When the time comes, we can recommend Denjiro to the daimyo of Kuri; he's quite intelligent. Or perhaps Kin'emon? That guy's a bit of a lecher; he might cause trouble.]

[Momoko's personality is indeed as that person said; she's not suited to be a shogun. The Kozuki clan has ruled Wano Country for hundreds of years; perhaps returning Wano Country to its people is an option.]

I will investigate Kanjuro's death thoroughly, whatever the outcome, after defeating Kaido and Orochi. If... I will avenge my retainer, as the pirate Oden!

At that moment, a cloak was draped over Oden's shoulders.

"Kin'emon and the others will understand."

Oden paused for a moment: "It is precisely because of their understanding that I must take action, otherwise I would not be Kozuki Oden."

"As Kozuki Oden, I must endure for the sake of Wano Country, endure until I uncover the truth, and endure until Wano Country is at peace."

"But as a pirate Oden, it is only natural for him to avenge the deaths of his subordinates, and it is equally natural for him to be killed for revenge."

Kozuki frowned, but still nodded.

Oden thought for a moment and asked, "Is it really possible to foresee a part of the future?"

Kozuki Toki hesitated for a moment: "Making only a vague prediction doesn't allow me to truly see what will happen in the future. My ability can only travel to the future, not the past, because the past cannot be changed."

Oden sighed, then embraced Kozuki Toki and went to rest.

The two children were already fast asleep. Oden looked at Hiyori and Momonosuke, and for a moment he couldn't help but think of his old man.

They actually hid away to avoid it, really...

……

Deep within the ghost island, a gigantic figure is drinking.

"Gurgle gurgle..."

Kaido tilted his head back and kept chugging down the wine from the gourd, then casually wiped his mouth and let out a burp.

Jin, who was standing to the side wearing a mask, said, "Five years are almost up. Getting drunk at this time is not a good thing."

"Ha ha ha ha!"

Kaido burst into laughter: "Five years ago, Oden still had a chance, but now he's been abandoned by his own people. Orochi, that fool, may be despicable, but he's also quite clever, isn't he?"

Queen ate his red bean soup dessert: "To make him think we've kept our promise, we haven't mined enough resources in Wano Country these past five years. I still have many experiments I haven't been able to conduct. The people of Wano Country would be excellent material. Give me a thousand people first."

Kaido waved his hand: "They're all just useless trash. There are plenty of them on this sea."

After saying that, he tilted his head back and drank again.

Jin frowned, thinking about the situation report in Jiuli today.

The loud noise prompted those who remained in Jiuli to investigate, but the first group of people who went there all died in the woods, killed instantly by a single blow.

Furthermore, the fight on site was likely between two samurai wielding swords; the deep chasms formed by their slashes on the ground are sufficient proof of the combatants' strength.

We still need to find out the truth.

……

Under the cover of night, Kevin and Dragon were also awake.

There are still some arrangements to be made in the war with Kaido, and Kevin has some information that needs to be shared with Dragon and the others.

"If the operation is scheduled for the day after tomorrow, I need to take care of two people here first, otherwise I'm worried that something might go wrong with the samurai."

By this time, the group had refined their battle plan to a more detailed level.

Upon hearing this, Dragon looked up at Kevin and said, "With the samurai of Wano Country, plus Oden's retainers, there shouldn't be much of a problem."

Kevin smiled. "Samurai are resolute, which is why their domineering aura is so powerful. But for the same reason, some tricks are particularly effective against them."

"Orochi has two subordinates who are Devil Fruit users. One of them is a Paramecia-type Barrier-Barrier Fruit user, and the barrier he creates cannot be broken even by Oden's slash."

"There is another user of the Imitation Fruit. Kozuki Sukiyaki was transformed into his appearance by this person and officially passed the position of shogun to Orochi."

Imitation Fruit...

Kevin continued, "If the opponent suddenly appears in the form of Oden's son, that guy doesn't have BiGMOM's Steel Balloon. He'll be killed just the same if his Haki is broken."

The bear standing nearby then asked, "Are you able to break through the Barrier-Barrier Fruit's power?"

Dragon wiped the sweat from his brow: "It's not about breaking through. With teleportation, once the coordinates are set, the so-called barrier becomes meaningless. Barriers can't isolate space, you know."

Rayleigh glanced at Roger.

So, precognition is real? They know the other side's abilities, and this is the first time the Revolutionary Army has come to Wano Country.

……

The next morning, Oden, who also knew about the power surrounding Orochi, went out early.

But as soon as he went outside, he saw Kevin waiting there.

"You didn't say anything yesterday, so you've decided to take down that barrier user with a sneak attack?"

Oden saw Kevin was equally aware of the situation and did not deny it: "After Kanjuro's passing, I must find Orochi and get to the bottom of this."

Kevin chuckled softly; it turned out that part of the reason was still the death of that traitor.

"You can keep the giant snake; you can interrogate it however you want. As for the other two, you lead the way, and I'll take care of them for you. Otherwise, there will be more problems later."

Oden firmly shook his head: "No need..."

Before he could finish speaking, Kevin cut him off: "This isn't a request for you to lead the way, it's a demand. As decision-makers, every oversight and loophole can determine the life or death of many people. The Revolutionary Army and Wano Country's fighting force shouldn't be wasted on ridiculous reasons."

Are there any requirements?

I got a lecture again!

But why does what the other person says make so much sense, and why can't I refute it at all?

Oden, who had been holding his breath since early morning, remained silent and began to lead the way.

The two headed towards the shogun's residence in Wano Country.

Kevin had changed his clothes and his face was now that of Kin'emon, and he was following behind Oden as a retainer.

Soon, the two arrived at the general's mansion, and Oden humbly requested to meet the general.

Orochi, who was still unaware of Kanjuro's death after a night of revelry, was still asleep in his arms.

Clearly, the people in the general's mansion also regarded Oden as a joke, so they made the two of them wait outside until almost noon.

Kevin is very patient.

Meanwhile, the main force of the Revolutionary Army has arrived at the outer sea of ​​Wano Country. Dragon and Uncle Kuma went to meet them, while Roger and Rayleigh waited in Kuri.

The two stood outside the shogun's mansion for a long time. Passing Wano Country residents pointed and whispered about Oden, some sighing and leaving, while others showed mockery and resentment.

"It seems their plan has been very successful; you have now lost the support of your own people."

Kevin looked at Oden ahead: "As a lord, sometimes what's needed isn't just passion and overwhelming force. Do you know what I would have chosen five years ago if I were you?"

Oden lowered his head and said, "I... have no choice."

Kevin said firmly, "I'd rather die a glorious death than live a shameful life. We'll either unite the entire Wano Country to fight them, or use our own powerful physique to sail the seas and find outside help, but we will never trust any promises made by the enemy."

Oden sighed: "You've already cursed me many times yesterday, and I know how foolish I've been."

At this moment, the side door of the general's mansion was opened, and a monk with a very long forehead walked out.

"The general said it's not time yet and asked Lord Oden to return."

Oden said, "I just wanted to confirm if the Shogun would be willing to meet with you. I would be extremely grateful."

Fu Lu Shou replied directly, "The general does not wish to see you. Come back when the time is up."

At that moment, a black substance flowed in the shadows.

The next moment, Kevin appeared directly behind him.

"puff."

A splatter of blood, the throat cut open, air entering the trachea, preventing him from shouting.

Kevin supported Fukurokuju as he was about to fall, then walked in through the side door, waving to the dumbfounded Oden as he went.

"you……"

As soon as he entered, several members of the Oniwabanshu and more than a dozen samurai looked over.

"Oden, how did you get in?"

"Where are Lords Fu Lu Shou?"

Kevin, now sporting Kin'emon's face, pulled out a handful of kunai and casually tossed them out one by one, but none of them hit; they were all dodged.

"Kin'emon, this isn't how ninja sukihime are thrown around. Are you trying to make us laugh?"

One of the women among the Imperial Guards wore a mocking expression.

However, the next moment, a cold glint flashed, and she found herself looking at her own body, with blood dripping from the tassels on a long sword.

"You have to be wary of small fry. You're not Charlotte Linlin, whose skin is so thick you can't be pierced."

As soon as she finished speaking, a black streak of light flashed in the courtyard, and her colleague fell down with her.

Even without the peak level of Observation Haki, the Flying Thunder God Technique can instantly kill!

Oden, who had just been stunned by Kevin's actions, frowned: "If we force our way in, Orochi and that Barrier-Barrier Fruit user will be prepared."

Kevin waved his hand and walked straight inside.

As Dorrag said, the barrier doesn't isolate space, so there's no point in trying to drop spatial coordinates.

The operation is scheduled for tomorrow; the goal is to sever Orochi's connection with the Beast Pirates before he can react.

……

(End of this chapter)