Kaido's Drunken Incident, Plans for Wano Country

Autumn, 1473 in the Sea Circle Calendar. The Void, deck.

On the second day of the return voyage, the sea was calm and the sun made the deck scorching hot.

Kaido.

This wasn't just ordinary drunkenness; it was the kind where someone was "clutching the bottle and wouldn't let go, staggering while walking, and humming and singing." He had originally intended to save the bottle of liquor that the Whitebeard had swiped for later, but last night, while squatting alone at the bow of the boat, enjoying the sea breeze, he unknowingly downed more than half a barrel.

"Oh, ocean, you are all water! Kaido, I have two legs!"

Bullet sat on the ship's railing, rubbing his fists. After holding back for a long time, he finally spoke up, "Could you please stop singing?"

"No." Kaido took another swig. "If I'm in a good mood, I'll sing."

What makes you feel good?

Bullet took a deep breath and continued rubbing his fists.

Ember stood atop the mast, the flames behind him flickering—he was trying to suppress a laugh. Moria huddled in the cabin, plugging his ears with his shadow. Inazuma rubbed his scissors at the other end of the cabin, pretending not to hear anything.

Lin Yuan emerged from the cabin, carrying a glass of water. He glanced at Kaido, then at Bullet's ashen face, and walked expressionlessly to the bow of the ship.

Kaido.

"Hmm?" Kaido turned his head, his eyes glazed with drunkenness.

"Stop singing, go back and get some rest."

Kaido paused for a moment, then grinned. "Oh ho ho..."

The Den Den Mushi rang.

Ginny's voice came from inside, hoarse with the urge to say, "I've stayed up all night again": "Lin Yuan, where are you?"

"We'll arrive at Hachinosu tomorrow afternoon." Lin Yuan leaned against the ship's railing. "Any new developments from Wano Country?"

"I was just about to tell you this," Ginny said, the sound of her turning pages coming through the Den Den Mushi. "Kurozumi Orochi has been frantically stockpiling weapons in the Flower Capital. He's gotten three ships full of New Model Rifles and artillery from the World Government. CP5 personnel are personally escorting them, and they've already unloaded at the port of Wano Country."

"Three ships?" Lin Yuan narrowed his eyes. "Is he planning a war?"

"It should be. Either they're going to attack Oden. Anyway, they're up to no good." Ginny paused. "Also, Kozuki Oden's side isn't quiet either. He set up some kind of 'Samurai Training Camp' in Kuri, with drills every day before dawn. It's said that he's already incorporated all the young samurai of Kuri into the team. There are about five hundred of them, and they're all capable fighters."

Kaido opened one eye. "Five hundred? Not enough to fight."

"Shut up, you've had too much to drink," Ginny said bluntly.

Kaido snorted and closed his eyes again.

Lin Yuan was silent for a moment. "Did Oden know that Orochi was stockpiling weapons?"

"We should know that. His spies aren't useless. But he hasn't made a move; he's probably waiting for something," Ginny said. "I think he's waiting for you to make the first move."

"Wait for us?"

"That's right. He definitely knows you're going to attack Wano Country. Rather than fighting Orochi to the death, he'd rather wait for you to arrive and watch the fight unfold. After you defeat Orochi, he can clean up the mess—or negotiate with you."

Lin Yuan's lips curled into a slight smile. "He certainly has a good plan."

What are you planning to do?

"Nothing much. Fight when necessary, kill when necessary." Lin Yuan took a sip of water. "His plan is doomed."

As evening fell, the setting sun painted the sea a vibrant orange-red.

Kaido finally sobered up and sat on the bow of the ship, gnawing on meat. Bullet did a thousand push-ups on the deck and is now practicing handstands. King floated down from the top of the mast and sat on the side of the ship, the flames behind him burning quietly in the twilight.

Lin Yuan entered the cabin and took a document from the safe.

It was a list of spies stolen from Enies Lobby, a thick stack with the World Government's top-secret seal on the cover. He flipped to the Wano Country section and read it line by line.

Kurozumi Orochi (codename: Yamata no Orochi) -- General's close aide, contact person: CP5 Rom. Mission: Control the Seastone trade and prevent Wano Country from opening its borders. Status: Active.

Kurozumi Semimaru (codename: The Old Man) -- General's Advisor, Contact Person: Directly liaising with Mary Geoise. Mission: Monitor the movements of the Kozuki Family. Status: Active.

Fukurokuju (codename: Ninja Leader) -- Leader of the Oniwabanshu, contact person: CP5 Rom. Mission: Infiltrate the Kozuki Family and gather intelligence. Status: Active.

The Orochi Oniwabanshu (twelve members in total) – all are spies, directly under the command of Fukurokuju.

Lin Yuan circled the names of Fukurokuju, and Shou.

This person is the weak point. The Oniwabanshu are the strongest ninja force in Wano Country. If they defect, half of Kurozumi Orochi's defenses will collapse.

"Ginny," Lin Yuan said into the Den Den Mushi.

"Um"

"Keep an eye on Fukurokuju. Where does he usually hang out? Who does he associate with? Do you have any dirt on him?"

Ginny paused for a few seconds—she was probably looking through files. "Fukurokuju, male, forty-two years old. Oniwabanshu, directly under the command of Kurozumi Orochi. His wife died three years ago. He has a fourteen-year-old daughter who attends the Girls' School in the Flower Capital."

"Daughter?"

"Yes. Orochi used his daughter as a hostage to force him to pledge allegiance. He appeared loyal, but in reality, he was very dissatisfied with Orochi —I saw him drinking alone late at night, muttering 'One day sooner or later...' I didn't see the rest clearly, but his emotion was anger."

Lin Yuan tapped his fingers on the table.

"Using her daughter as a hostage... that could be a breakthrough."

"You want to turn him against us?"

"It's not about turning him against us. It's about letting him know that Orochi isn't the only option." Lin Yuan stood up. "Once we get to Wano Country, we'll contact Fukurokuju first. Moria's shadow control combined with his Inazuma infiltration should be enough to handle him."

"Okay. I'll provide remote support."

At night, the moonlight shines on the sea.

Kaido was already asleep, snoring like thunder. Bullet was keeping watch on the deck, arms crossed, eyes closed, but ears perked up. King was atop the mast, his flames extinguished as low as a dim nightlight.

Moria wasn't asleep. He sat by the cabin door, scissors in his hand, staring blankly at the moonlight.

Inazuma walked over and squatted down next to him.

Can't sleep?

"Hmm," Moria said softly, "Thinking about Wano Country."

What are you thinking about?

"Do you think I can even fight?" Moria gave a wry smile. "Seeing Marco, Jozu, and the others at Whitebeard's place today made me realize what true strength is. I'm far inferior to them."

Inazuma was silent for a moment. "You used to be alone, but you're not anymore."

I know, but I still feel... it's not strong enough.

"Then practice." Inazuma patted him on the shoulder. "Zephyr said you're improving the fastest."

Moria was taken aback. "Really?"

"It's true. Ginny said so."

Moria thought for a moment, then smiled. "Alright. Keep practicing."

The following afternoon, the Void sailed into the port of Hachinosu.

Ginny stood on the dock, holding an account book and a tangerine in her mouth. Kuma stood behind her, silent as ever. Zephyr stood in the Training Ground, glanced at her from afar, nodded, and continued practicing with his wooden sword.

Caesar poked his head out of the laboratory and waved to Lin Yuan: "Captain Lin Yuan! My device—"

"Wait a minute." Lin Yuan jumped off the boat. "Let's eat first. I'm hungry."

Caesar shrank back.

Ginny walked over and looked Lin Yuan up and down. "You're not injured?"

"No."

"Whitebeard didn't give you any trouble?"

"No. They just forced me to drink a sip of wine."

Ginny laughed. "You actually drank it?"

I took a sip.

"So that counts as drinking?"

"He says it's up to him."

Ginny shook her head and wrote a line in the ledger, "Lin Yuan's first drink (sip), date: Autumn of Sea Circle Calendar 1473. Witness: Whitebeard."

Lin Yuan glanced at the line of text. "Why are you memorizing this?"

"Keep this on file. When you become the Pirate King, you can sell this ledger for money."

"..."

Dinner in the Castle hall.

Kaido devoured half a roast suckling pig, three plates of pasta, and a bucket of soup all by himself. Bullet ate a normal amount, King ate a little bit, and Moria and Inazuma bickered while eating— Moria said Inazuma cut things like he cut hair, Inazuma said Moria's shadow looked like a black rag.

Kuma ate his meal quietly, occasionally putting food on Ginny's plate.

Zephyr sat in the corner, holding a water glass, watching everyone.

Lin Yuan put down his chopsticks after eating half of his meal.

"Let's get down to business."

The hall fell silent.

"Wano Country, we'll make our move in a month." Lin Yuan's voice wasn't loud, but everyone heard it clearly. "During this month, Ginny will continue to monitor. Kaido, Bullet, King, Kuma, Moria, and Inazuma —all of them must intensify their training. Instructor Zephyr will be in charge."

Zephyr nodded.

"Caesar." Lin Yuan looked towards the corner.

Caesar peeked out from the shadows—not that he was deliberately hiding, but that his seat happened to be unlit. "Here!"

"Mass-produced Seastone Armor-Piercing Bullets within a month. Gas Grenades, also. And that 'device that makes ships run faster,' installed on the Void within a month."

"A month? That's a bit tight --"

"You have to do it, even if it's urgent. If you don't finish, I'll shove you into the Sea King Cannon and shoot you out."

Caesar swallowed hard. "Finish it! Finish it! I'll definitely finish it!"

Ginny wrote a line in the ledger, "Caesar Clown, Mission: Seastone -Armor-Piercing Bullets, Gas Grenades, power unit. Deadline: One month. Consequences of failure to meet deadline: being stuffed into the Sea King Cannon."

Lin Yuan stood up.

Meeting adjourned.

Late at night, in the Intelligence Room.

Ginny sat at the table, organizing intelligence documents from Wano Country.

"Lin Yuan, are you really going to attack Wano Country?"

"Um."

"What are your plans regarding Kozuki Oden?"

Lin Yuan was silent for a moment. "If he leaves Wano Country, we won't fight. If he doesn't leave, we will fight."

Do you think he'll leave?

"I don't know." Lin Yuan turned to look at her. "But if he doesn't leave, there will be two wars in Wano Country. One against Orochi, and one against him."

Ginny's fingers paused for a moment.

"Can you beat him?"

Lin Yuan thought for a moment. "Fifty-fifty."

"Only a 50/50 chance?"

"He's strong," Lin Yuan said calmly, "But I don't need to beat him. I need to make him leave."

Ginny remained silent for a long time, then wrote a line in the ledger, "Wano Country - Kozuki Oden - Pending. Priority: Lower than Kurozumi Orochi."

She closed the ledger and rubbed her eyes.

In the distance, Kaido's snoring came from the Castle, sounding like thunder.

"This guy snores so loudly, can't a person get any sleep..." Ginny muttered, plugged her ears, and fell asleep on the table.

He pulled the list of spies out of his pocket and circled the name of Fukurokuju.

The first breakthrough.

(End of Chapter 73)