The Great Voyage Begins with the Celestial Dragons

Having discovered this, Lady Kozuki had no choice but to let Momonosuke calm down on his own.

Lady Kozuki, dressed in a green kimono, her voluptuous figure accentuated as she sat up straight, tossed her long, bluish-green hair that reached her waist, and asked with a hint of concern:

"How serious is Oden's condition? Should we go back to Kuri first?"

“Lord Oden is not fit for long journeys at the moment; rest is the best option. However, I am afraid that someone might try to harm him.” Kin’emon said with a worried expression.

Originally, Kozuki Oden had nine retainers, two of whom were imprisoned, three were in Kuri, and only four were able to stay by his side.

This quantity would normally be sufficient, but with Kozuki Oden's downfall, it is clearly far from enough.

"Then you, Denjiro, and Kanjuro should all go to Oden's side."

After some thought, Lady Kozuki made a decision.

"No, the lady also needs protection!" Kin'emon said earnestly.

"You go! Protecting my father is the most important thing. I will protect my mother and sister!"

Suddenly, Momonosuke stood up and said something that greatly surprised Lady Kozuki and Kin'emon.

"Lord Momonosuke!"

Seeing Momonosuke's sense of responsibility, Kin'emon's eyes were filled with relief, while Lady Kozuki showed a gentle smile.

"Let's do as Momonosuke says; it's what we both agree on."

Lady Kozuki's words at this moment were much more resolute than before.

"Yes!"

Kin'emon did not hesitate any longer, stood up and bowed to the two of them.

He would definitely prefer to stay by Kozuki Oden's side.

Without further hesitation, he strode out and, less than five minutes later, left the mansion with Denjiro and Kanjuro.

After Kin'emon left, Momonosuke made an excuse and left the room as well. As soon as he stepped out the door, his face darkened.

"Ha, it's because you bunch of useless cowards are around that things have become so difficult. I did nothing wrong; this is the only way I can protect myself!"

Kozuki Oden was his biggest backer, but not his only support.

Now that Kozuki Oden has fallen, these retainers, who are not even as good as his, are only an obstacle in his eyes.

Since he had no one to rely on, he had no choice but to find a new one.

Momonosuke glanced at Lady Kozuki's room with his gloomy eyes, muttering to himself:

"Mother, please don't blame me. Blame my useless old man..."

He had initially planned to take things slowly, but now it seems that preserving his life is indeed the most important thing.

His father has been crippled, so where in Wano Country is there any safe place now?

Given the current situation, only one power can provide him with the sense of security he needs.

After saying that, he walked away without looking back, his figure slowly becoming transparent and eventually disappearing.

The wooden house where Moria stayed in Oden Castle.

"Squeak!"

The wooden door was slowly pushed open, and the figures of Momonosuke and Absalom gradually appeared.

What came into Momonosuke's view was still a similar layout to before, except that Luther was no longer there, only Gion sitting calmly in front of the tea table.

What brings you here?

Hearing Gion's cold voice, Momonosuke suppressed his fear, raised his head, and forced himself to remain calm:

"Um, I've come to invite that sir to my family banquet. Tonight, I will be hosting a banquet for that sir at the Oden residence. I hope that sir will do me the honor of attending!"

"You can decide all matters, big and small, within this manor? I remember its name is Oden Mansion," Gion said calmly.

"That's why I need your help!"

Momonosuke's voice trembled slightly:

"At tonight's banquet, I will present that sir with several generous gifts!"

Gion raised her head, her cold eyes staring directly at Momonosuke.

Under such a cold gaze, Momonosuke trembled all over, his face filled with fear.

Just as Momonosuke collapsed to the ground, nearly suffocating, he heard Gion's reply:

“Okay, I’ll have Absalom take care of everything for you.”

Upon hearing this, Momonosuke was overjoyed.

"As for how to impress that lord, that depends on your sincerity."

Gion's red lips curled slightly, and her additional words made Momonosuke's heart sink.

He took a few deep breaths, struggled to his feet, and said with utmost seriousness:

"Don't worry! I guarantee I'll make that person happy. From today onwards, the Oden residence will be called the Momonosuke residence!"

"Row!"

As soon as Gion finished speaking, Momonosuke felt a breeze and his vision changed. He was now at the door of the wooden house, but the door was still tightly closed.

Without giving it much thought, he started walking back.

This scene left Absalom, who was standing nearby, somewhat bewildered.

We've only just reached the door, why are we going back already?

"Absalom, His Highness will be attending Momonosuke's banquet tonight. For now, you will follow Momonosuke's orders."

From inside the wooden house came Gion's cool voice.

The sound startled Absalom, who roughly guessed what had happened, and he quickly caught up with Momonosuke.

......

Twenty minutes later...

Inside the wooden cabin where Luther was.

"I'm all alone at the Oden residence tonight, right?"

Luther, holding a Den Den Mushi in his hand, frowned slightly as he confirmed.

"That's right, hehehe, there I've prepared a superb gift for Your Highness!"

Gion's voice came through the Den Den Mushi.

"Alright, I'll be there on time tonight."

Luther readily agreed, though he was still quite curious about the gift Gion had mentioned.

Furthermore, it involves the Oden residence, which contains quite a few items...

"Hehehe, I hope Your Highness has a good time tonight. I will guard the area around the mansion to ensure that no one can disturb your enjoyment."

Hearing Gion's teasing tone, Luther raised an eyebrow.

"Now that you mention it, I'm curious to see what that gift is like."

The fact that Gion has been preparing for this so mysteriously for so long clearly means it's not something ordinary.

He was also somewhat curious about what was in the Oden residence that Gion had planned for so long and that made him feel so satisfied.

Chapter 96 Mysterious Gift

night.

Luther arrived alone at the now-renamed Momonosuke mansion.

With his strength, he has nothing to fear even if Gion is not nearby.

In the entire Jiuli region, there were no enemies left who could fight him.

Even if Momonosuke tries some crazy tricks, he has enough to handle it.

On the contrary, he was more concerned about Gion's gifts than Momonosuke's banquet.

"Wow, this is quite a lively affair."

Looking at the brightly decorated Oden residence, Luther raised an eyebrow.

Only Momonosuke would do something like throwing a lavish banquet at home after his father has just been deposed.

But what can you do when it's not his son?

With the intention of watching the spectacle unfold, Luther still entered the mansion.

Guided by a servant, they arrived at the hall where Momonosuke was hosting a banquet.

This place was usually where Oden drank and made merry, so it was built to be incredibly luxurious and could accommodate hundreds of people at a time.

Dozens of female entertainers moved about in the hall, dancing energetically, while servants knelt on the ground, carrying fine wine and delicacies, awaiting the arrival of Luther, their beloved master.

Luther's arrival caused the dancers to change their formation. They moved their dance steps lightly, gathering around Luther like stars surrounding the moon, and guiding him into the hall.

Momonosuke was already seated in the guest seat. Upon seeing Luther arrive, he quickly stood up, picked up his full glass of wine, and began to gulp it down.

"My lord! You've finally arrived. This is my first time hosting a banquet, please forgive me if anything is amiss!"

The spiciness of the drink almost made him vomit, but the shadow of death loomed over him, forcing him to swallow it down with difficulty.

To prepare for the banquet, he even consulted his mother and learned many flattering phrases.

"Only you?"

Luther raised an eyebrow, not paying much attention to etiquette, and sat down in the head seat.

He noticed a detail: Momonosuke seemed to recognize him.

But he was certain that he had never met Momonosuke.

so...

Luther raised an eyebrow, curious about what Gion was up to.