Onigashima on full alert!
Wano Country, Flower Capital, Secret Courtyard
Zoro's cold words fell like a blade. "Because you have no backbone at all."
The air froze instantly.
Kyoshiro and Kozuki Hiyori's expressions froze simultaneously, as if struck heavily in the chest by a hammer, their anger, shame, and humiliation surging up within them.
But as thoughts drifted back to the past, that anger was quickly swallowed up by a deeper sorrow.
--Decades.
Under the iron hooves of Kaido and Orochi, not a single person in the entire Wano Country truly stood up.
Some choose to live in silence;
Some people would rather kneel down and beg than take up arms;
Some people even willingly went to factories to earn a living, only to be exploited like slaves.
They bent over as the knife fell;
They bowed their heads as the shackles were fastened.
No one dared to confront them directly.
Even the most loyal retainers could only eke out a living in the shadows, daring not to raise their swords in the sunlight.
This is a disgrace to the entire nation.
Hiyori's fingers trembled slightly as the image of that tall figure flashed through her mind—her father, Kozuki Oden.
That man who was once hailed as the strongest man in Wano Country, and the most revered heir.
If it were him... could he change everything?
However, the harsh reality shattered the illusion like a cold knife.
Oden could have killed Orochi on the spot and engaged Kaido in a decisive battle.
The outcome is uncertain, but at least it's a fair and square contest.
But he chose to believe the enemy's absurd "Promise"—to dance naked in Boiling Pot for five years in exchange for the so-called "Opening the Country" and "freedom."
He was foolish enough to believe that a Pirate with no integrity would keep his promise.
And the result?
During those five years, Kaido and Orochi expanded at will, frantically building factories, plundering land, and devouring the flesh and hope of the people.
Oden himself, amidst the ridicule and insults of the public, danced naked in the street once a week.
Five years of humiliation became the longest nightmare in Wano Country.
If he truly wanted to, he could have secretly amassed power, or at the very least sought assistance from Whitebeard's or Roger's former crew.
But he didn't.
He was simply gambling everything, pinning the nation's future on a ridiculous promise.
Her Hiyori tears, her breathing rapid; she vaguely remembered a scene she had witnessed in her childhood—
The father danced in the street in a ridiculous manner, and the crowd threw stones at him and spat at him, calling him "Your Highness a fool"; the servants looked on with lifeless eyes and sighed helplessly.
The father, however, simply smiled and danced like a puppet.
He possessed unparalleled swordsmanship, but lacked the mind to govern a country.
He was capable of taking on the world alone, but he underestimated Kaido's cunning.
He not only destroyed himself, but also the last hope of Wano Country.
Kyoshiro lowered his head, his fists clenched so tightly that his knuckles turned white from the force.
This is the most despairing part.
The people of Wano Country chose to swallow their anger;
Kozuki Oden, the one most qualified to lead the rebellion, chose the humiliating "Promise."
They were passive, weak, and ignorant, never truly taking control of their own future.
Therefore... even though he was furious at Zoro's insults, he was powerless to refute them.
The courtyard was deathly silent, save for the flickering light of the paper lanterns, which swayed mercilessly in the night wind, making all the shame and helplessness even more glaring.
Meanwhile, above the Flower Capital
The night was deep when it was suddenly torn apart by a pitch-black figure!
Flaming wings trailed menacing streaks of fire, and ashes transformed into black meteors that Heaven Breaker, skimming low over the Flower Capital.
He looked down and saw a chaotic scene of Flame, cries of alarm, and furious roars echoing throughout the Shogun's Residence.
Jin frowned slightly, his mind racing. "... Something's not right."
The next instant, its wings snapped shut!
"Boom!!"
He plummeted from the sky, crashing heavily into the Shogun's Residence! Stone slabs shattered, flames roared, and the Shockwave overturned a group of guards, with screams filling the air!
Kurozumi Orochi, still furious at the guards' incompetence, suddenly felt a shadow looming over him from behind.
The moment he turned around, his eyes widened, his legs went weak, and he almost peed himself!
As Jinranyan slowly folded his wings, his eyes behind the mask turned as cold as iron, staring intently at him.
"Jin... Lord Jin!!"
The Orochi immediately put on a fawning smile, its voice trembling. "You... you've come?!"
Jin's gaze swept over the mess on the ground, and he spoke in a low, chilling voice, as cold as iron. "When I passed by, I saw this place in complete chaos."
Tell me—what happened?
The Orochi shuddered, scrambled to its feet, and cried out, tears streaming down its face, "Two swordsmen! They suddenly broke in and kidnapped Komurasaki!!"
His voice was shrill and his speech rapid. "It's a green-haired man, a swordsman wielding three swords! And a Female Swordswoman!"
"Green hair... Three-Sword Style?!"
Jin's pupils constricted sharply. He suddenly grabbed the Orochi by the collar, lifting him into the air, his voice booming through the hall. "Are you sure?!"
The Orochi trembled with fear, its voice trembling as it cried out, "I'm absolutely sure!! He even severed my Yamata no Orochi body!!"
Jin's eyes instantly darkened, and with a heavy shove, he threw him to the ground.
He pulled out Den Den Mushi, his tone more grave than ever before. "Queen! Onigashima is immediately under a state of emergency!! Notify Kaido to return at once!!"
On the Den Den Mushi, Queen was humming a tune and drinking red bean soup when the roar startled him so much that he almost choked on the soup!
"Huh?! What happened?! That idiot Jack's caused trouble again?!"
Jhin's voice boomed deep through the insect shell, as chilling as ice. "Not Jack."
"--It's the Navy."
"Those two young swordsmen from the Navy have already arrived in Wano Country!!"
"What?!!"
Queen jumped up suddenly, completely unaware that his favorite red bean soup had spilled all over the floor!
As Jin hung up the Den Den Mushi, his heart sank. "A flare?! Oh no!!"
He suddenly spread his wings, flames billowing, and transformed into Pteranodon, soaring into the night sky like a black fire meteor, heading straight for Amigasa Village!
Inside the courtyard, Zoro was sheathing Enma, the blade still radiating a chilling purple light.
Suddenly--
"Boom--!"
A roar echoed through the night sky as a massive, blazing, black shadow streaked across the heavens!
Zoro's pupils contracted sharply as he looked up and locked onto the massive Pteranodon silhouette, gritting his teeth in a low voice, "That's... Jhin?!"
Kuina also stared intently, her expression cold and stern.
The two locked eyes, and their sword intent erupted with a thunderous roar!
Zoro scoffed, "We were ordered to subdue Onigashima, so since you dare not attack—"
"Then don't get in my way!"
Before the words were even finished, the two figures Flash, turning into afterimages and disappearing into the night, heading straight for the Battlefield!
Kyoshiro and Hiyori watched the two figures disappear into the distance, their hearts filled with mixed emotions. The night wind howled, and the flames of the paper lanterns flickered violently.
Wano Country·Amigasa Village
Flames roared and billowed, their light illuminating the sky!
Ace's Armament Haki covered his arms like black iron, with blazing flames swirling around them, resembling a black and red Purgatory armor!
His momentum suddenly surged, the flames compressed to their limit, as if to set the entire night sky ablaze!
"Great Flame Commandment - Blazing Radiance!!"
His fist was as white as the sun, and a ring of Haki, solid black flames spread out, transforming into a roaring flaming beast that bared its fangs and pounced straight at Jack!
"Boom!!"
The explosion's fiery waves seemed to cause the sky to collapse and the earth to split apart, turning the entire village entrance into a sea of fire and a living Purgatory!
Jack's massive Mammoth body was swallowed whole, his fur scorched, his flesh charred, and even the air itself distorted under the intense heat!
"Ughhh--!"
Jack screamed and staggered backward, his massive hooves sinking into the burning mud, leaving charred cracks!
In the distance, the villagers huddled together in terror, the firelight reflected in their eyes, making them seem as if they were seeing an angry god!
Tears welled in Tama's eyes as she clutched the hem of her clothes tightly. "Brother Ace... you must win!"
Amidst the raging flames, Jack was panting heavily, his eyes revealing an unprecedented panic.
"Damn it... Why isn't Brother Jin here yet?! If he doesn't come soon, I'm really going to be cooked alive!!"
Ace's pupils were like burning flames, the flames merging with the spiral of Haki, condensing into an extremely dazzling ball of light!
"Jack!! You're dead!!"
"Flame Emperor - Sun Wheel!!"
The flames suddenly exploded, and the fireball transformed into a rising, blazing sun, crashing down with a deafening roar!
The entire world seemed to be illuminated by daylight, and waves of fire swept across, deafeningly loud!
Just as Jack was about to be completely swallowed up--
A gigantic, pitch-black shadow suddenly loomed over the sky!
The flames were torn apart, accompanied by a furious roar, "Damn Navy!!"
With its wings outstretched in fury, the Flaming Blaze swooped down from the sky like a judgment from hell!