The Kozuki Line Ends

Before Roy could finish saying, "The Navy will not interfere in your country's internal affairs...", a maniacal look of joy suddenly appeared on Kurozumi Orochi's face.

In that instant, it was as if he could already see himself once again firmly seated in the position of general, continuing to wantonly oppress the people of Wano Country.

"Thank you, Navy Commander! Thank you, Navy Commander! This subordinate will certainly—"

However, his obsequious and shrill words were abruptly interrupted by an old yet majestic roar.

"Shut up! You traitorous usurper!!"

The square fell silent abruptly, and everyone instinctively looked in the direction of the sound.

From the depths of the crowd, a hunched figure, yet still exuding an air of pride, slowly emerged.

He wore a faded kimono, though its former splendor was still faintly visible. His face was etched with the lines of time, and his steps were heavy, yet he exuded a stubborn and arrogant air of authority.

--It was none other than the former shogun of Wano Country, Kozuki Sukiyaki!

This old man, who was rumored to have "died in prison," has somehow managed to survive to this day and has been secretly observing the situation.

"Grandpa... grandfather?!!"

Kozuki Hiyori, and she cried out in shock, her eyes brimming with tears.

Momonosuke peeked out from behind Kin'emon and, upon seeing his "resurrected" grandfather, was initially stunned. Then, as if he had found a greater source of support, he cried out and scrambled towards him.

"Grandfather! Grandfather!! Help me!! They're all bullying me!!"

Sukiyaki glanced down at her grandson, who was terrified and incontinent, a barely perceptible look of disgust and disappointment flashing across her face.

But this emotion only lasted for a moment before he forcefully suppressed it.

His true source of confidence lies in the legitimacy of the Kozuki Family!

He ignored his grandson's wailing at his feet, walked straight to the center of the square, head held high and chest out, forcing himself to look up to project an air of superiority, his voice hoarse yet authoritative:

"Navy, listen up! I am the rightful Shogun of Wano Country, Kozuki Sukiyaki!!"

"You did a great job, defeating Kaido and removing the foreign shackles from this land. Now—"

"As the Shogun of Wano Country, I order you to immediately slay the traitor Kurozumi Orochi and his henchmen! Then assist the Kozuki Family in restoring their rightful rule! Once this is accomplished, Wano Country will naturally bestow upon you the rewards you deserve!!"

There was no gratitude in his tone; instead, it sounded like a superior giving an order as if everything the Navy had done was merely a tool for his Kozuki Family to reclaim power.

These words made everyone behind Roy — Ace, Zoro, Kuina, Yamato, and even Tama —look extremely ugly.

"Master... you..."

Yamato's breath hitched, a sense of foreboding creeping into his heart. "Could this be the 'true nature of Wano Country's that Mr. Roy spoke of?"

Roy didn't even lift his eyelids, simply repeating in a flat tone, "I've said it before—the Navy doesn't interfere in domestic affairs."

Kozuki Sukiyaki was taken aback, seemingly not expecting such a direct rejection.

His aged face flushed red with anger as he pointed at Roy and shouted sternly:

"What did you say?! The Navy claims to be 'Justice,' are they just going to sit idly by and watch their orthodoxy be trampled on?!"

"Eliminating evil and upholding justice is your duty! I now order you—"

"Order?"

Roy finally slowly raised his eyes, his gaze sweeping over the scene indifferently.

--Just one glance.

His gaze was cold and indifferent, devoid of any emotion.

It was as if they were not looking at a general of a country, but at a worthless stone that could be found anywhere.

Sukiyaki a tightness in her chest, and the words she was about to say caught in her throat, as if an ice blade had pierced it.

A bone-chilling cold shot from his spine straight to the top of his head, making it almost impossible for him to breathe.

The air around them seemed to freeze. The people held their breath and dared not utter a sound. Kurozumi Orochi knelt on the ground, trembling all over. Momonosuke huddled behind Red Scabbards, tears streaming down his face.

Just then, something unexpected happened!

The Kurozumi Orochi, which had been ignored by everyone, suddenly ignited a frenzied, murderous light in its previously numb eyes!

He had long understood that the emergence of Kozuki Sukiyaki and the legitimate government had completely cut off his escape route.

The navy is indifferent and ruthless, the people are numb and silent, Kozuki Family feels an immense pressure...

He only has one last option left—to fight to the death!

"The Eight-Headed Serpent Technique--!"

With a heart-wrenching roar, the Orochi's body expanded wildly, instantly transforming into an eight-headed giant serpent.

Each ferocious snake head had bulging bloodshot eyes and dripping venom from its fangs, its aura filled with despair and destruction.

The next moment, one of the snake heads suddenly lowered its head and opened its blood-red maw!

The target—not the Navy, not the Red Scabbards, but Kozuki Momonosuke, who is right next to them and looks completely bewildered!

"Young Master--!"

Kin'emon and the others were terrified and drew their swords to save him, but it was too late.

"Pfft--!"

The sound of sharp teeth tearing through flesh was cruel and clear.

Momonosuke could even react, the look of terror and lewdness on his face froze for a moment.

Half of his body was already bitten by the snake's head, and blood and internal organs splattered like raindrops. He was torn apart before he could even scream.

"Ahhh--! Brother--!"

Kozuki Hiyori's heart-wrenching screams echoed across the square. Her knees buckled, and she collapsed to the ground, tears streaming down her face.

However, the nightmare was not over.

Almost at the same time, another snake head suddenly swept across, heading straight for the Kozuki Sukiyaki beside it!

"You--!"

Sukiyaki only managed to utter one word before the snake's head slammed into his chest.

The sound of bones shattering was clear and piercing. He flew out like a kite with a broken string, crashing heavily into the stone wall, blood and shattered internal organs gushing out.

He collapsed to the ground, barely breathing, the last image appearing in his blurred vision...

It was the body of his own spineless grandson, torn in two.

And the maniacal laughter emanating from the eight ferocious snake heads of the Kurozumi Orochi.

"Heh heh--! Kozuki! Your whole family will have to go to hell with me!!"

Sukiyaki's pupils gradually dilated, and what remained on her face was not guilt, nor grief, but utter astonishment and resentment:

"I... Kozuki... the true lineage... how could this be..."

Before he could finish speaking, his head lolled to the side, and he died.

In just a few seconds, the last direct descendant of the Kozuki Family was completely wiped out right before everyone's eyes in the ugliest and most abrupt way!

The entire square was deathly silent.

The people stared wide-eyed, their lips trembling, but they couldn't even utter a scream.

Kin'emon and the others stood frozen in place, their eyes wide with rage, as if the very foundation of their faith had been shattered.

The Kurozumi Orochi's eight heads twisted and danced wildly, emitting a maniacal laugh that tore at the soul.

However, the laughter lasted only a moment.

"Buzz--"

The void suddenly split open, and a black and red spatial rift silently swept across.

"Snap--!"

The eight snake heads slid off in an instant, the giant body crashed to the ground, and blood flowed like a river.

Roy stood still, his fingers not yet fully retracted.

His eyes held no anger, no pity, and not a trace of emotion.

This blow was not salvation.

Just to clear the noise.