Twelve Unlucky Souls

Hachinosu, Intelligence Room. Autumn, 1473 in the Sea Circle Calendar.

Ginny had been staring at that list for two hours.

Twelve names, twelve photos, twelve files. She laid them all out on the table and flipped through them one by one, analyzing them like playing cards. She drank three cups of coffee, ate five oranges, and the dark circles under her eyes deepened.

"Ginny, do you want to rest for a bit?" Kuma stood at the door, holding a bowl of porridge.

"No need." Ginny said without looking up, "We can't conquer Wano Country until we take down these twelve."

Kuma was silent for a moment, then placed the porridge on the table without leaving. He stood behind Ginny, looking at the photos.

Which one is it now?

"The sixth one," Ginny pointed to the six photos on the table, "These six are all problematic. Greedy, lustful, and ambitious for promotion—we have incriminating evidence against them. Turning them away isn't difficult. The key is the remaining six."

Kuma looked at the remaining six photos. "What's wrong with these six?"

"These six are Orochi's die-hard loyalists," Ginny said, biting her pen. "They grew up with Orochi, the kind who took knives for him. They can't be turned; the only option is physical elimination."

"Physical removal?"

"It means killing."

Kuma nodded and didn't ask any more questions.

The Den Den Mushi rang.

"Ginny, how's it going?" Lin Yuan's voice came through the Den Den Mushi.

"Twelve people, six can be turned, six must be killed." Ginny flipped through the documents. "I've already had Fukurokuju write letters of appeal for the six who can be turned, and they're being passed on using coded messages. If they know what's good for them, they'll switch sides the day we make our move. If they don't—"

"Then let's kill them together."

"Right."

What about the six who should be killed?

Ginny picked up the six photos and looked at them one by one.

"The first one, codenamed 'Viper.' Orochi's personal bodyguard, a master of poison. His poison can kill a person in three seconds; Kaido might not be able to withstand it."

"Kaido is immune to all poisons."

"That's Kaido. Can you handle him?"

Lin Yuan paused for a second. "... Next."

"The second one, codenamed 'Iron Wall.' Orochi's shield bearer, his Armament Haki is ridiculously strong. His shield is made of Seastone Alloy, capable of blocking Sea King Cannon."

"Can it withstand the Sea King Cannon?"

"It can withstand one shot. Not the second."

"Then fire two shots."

Ginny rolled her eyes and continued, "The third one, codename 'Shadow Blade.' A master assassin, incredibly fast. His blade is coated with Observation Haki- interference poison; anyone struck by it will temporarily lose their Observation Haki senses."

"Trouble."

"The fourth one, codenamed 'Fire Demon.' A member of Jhin's race—not Lunarian, but another race with fire abilities. He can control a special kind of fire, even hotter than Jhin's."

Lin Yuan's voice turned cold. "Taller than Jin?"

"Yes. Jhin said it himself. He looked at the photo and said, 'I know this person, he's very strong.'"

"The fifth one, codenamed 'Jizō.' Giants, three zhang tall, with immense strength. He can smash a warship with a single punch."

Can Kaido be defeated?

"I can fight, but it will take time."

"And the sixth one?"

Ginny picked up the last photo, her expression subtle.

"The sixth one, codenamed 'Hyakumen.' A master of disguise, he can transform into anyone. Orochi used him to infiltrate the Kozuki Family, and it's said he's succeeded several times. At least three of Oden are imposters."

Lin Yuan remained silent for a moment.

"When will we be able to deal with these twelve people?"

"Give me two days. I'll take care of the six I can turn first. The remaining six, you guys handle them."

"OK."

The Den Den Mushi) has hung up.

Training Ground.

Kaido and Bullet are fighting. Their blows are landing hard, neither giving an inch.

Kaido threw a punch at Bullet's face, Bullet dodged it and retaliated with a punch to Kaido's stomach. Kaido took two steps back and grinned.

"Oh ho ho... You've improved!"

"Nonsense!" Bullet wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth. "I'm improving every single day!"

Jhin stood to the side, flames flickering behind him. Moria huddled in the corner, shrouded in shadow, only his eyes visible.

Inazuma crouched next to Moria, twirling the scissors in his hand.

Why are you hiding?

I'm afraid of being mistaken for someone else.

You're fifty meters away.

"It's better to be safe than sorry."

Inazuma shook his head and continued spinning the scissors.

Zephyr stood at the edge of the Training Ground, holding a wooden sword, watching Kaido and Bullet fight. His expression was calm, but there was a hint of satisfaction in his eyes.

"Instructor, how are they training?" Lin Yuan walked over.

"Kaido's Armament Haki is 20% stronger than last month. Bullet's Compression can last for a minute and a half now." Zephyr took a sip of water, "But it's still not enough. The enemies of Wano Country are stronger than you imagine."

"I know." Lin Yuan looked at the Training Ground. "Ginny is turning Orochi's subordinates against him. She's taken down twelve core guards, and the Flower Capital is just an empty shell."

"Those twelve people, were they very powerful?"

"Six are manageable, but six are very difficult to deal with."

Zephyr was silent for a moment. "Do you need me to help?"

Lin Yuan glanced at him. "Instructor, didn't you say you wouldn't fight former Marines? Wano Country isn't the Marines."

"I meant I wouldn't fight former Marines. I didn't say I couldn't fight ninjas or samurai."

Lin Yuan's lips curled slightly upward. "We'll see how things go then."

Evening, Intelligence Room.

Ginny drew a circle with her fingers, her eyes gleaming with purple light. Her gaze traveled across the sea and landed on the Flower Capital of Wano Country.

The first target, codenamed "Greedy Wolf." This guy is a gambler, heavily in debt, which the Orochi uses to control him. Ginny has Fukurokuju relay a message: Surrender, and your gambling debts will be wiped clean, plus three times the settlement fee. Greedy Wolf hesitated for ten minutes before replying with the code: Agreed.

The second target, codenamed "The Drunkard," is a heavy drinker, controlled by Orochi using fine wine. Ginny's condition: Hachinosu has the best wine in the world, a gift from Whitebeard. The Drunkard agreed without hesitation—he didn't even hear the full condition.

The third target, codenamed "Lecher," is a womanizer controlled by the Orochi using women. Ginny's condition: Hachinosu doesn't provide women, but it does provide a pension, and he can find a wife anywhere. Lecher thought about it and felt the pension was more practical, so he agreed.

The fourth target, codenamed "Caimi," is greedy for money, Orochi uses money to control him. Ginny's conditions: double salary, plus a share of the profits from the Seastone trade. Caimi did the math and realized that he could earn more by following Lin Yuan than by following Orochi, so he readily agreed.

The fifth target, codenamed "Coward," was afraid of death, and the Orochi used threats to control him. Ginny's conditions were: Hachinosu to save his life, and after the war, to send him to a safe place. Coward asked, "Is it really safe?" Ginny said, "Safer than you are now." He agreed.

The sixth target, codenamed "Fence-sitter," would side with whoever was strongest, and Orochi controlled him with his power. Ginny's condition: if he won, he would have a place in the new order of Wano Country. Fence-sitter asked, "Can you win?" Ginny said, "What do you think?" He thought about it all night and agreed.

Six things done.

Ginny rubbed her eyes and wrote a line in the ledger, "Six people recruited, codenames: Greedy Wolf, Drunkard, Lecher, Caimi, Coward, and Fence-sitter. Status: They have surrendered."

Then she looked at the remaining six photos.

Viper, Iron Wall, Shadow Blade, Fire Demon, Jizō, Hyakumen.

These six are the tough nuts to crack.

"Kuma," Ginny called out.

Kuma walked in from outside. "Here."

"Memorize the faces of these six men. During the battle, you're responsible for knocking three of them away."

Kuma looked at the photo and nodded.

Which three?

"Iron Wall, Jizō, Hyakumen," Ginny pointed at the photos. "Iron Wall's shield can't withstand your Paw's rebound. Jizō's large size makes your projectiles easy to hit. Hyakumen's disguise is easily detected by your Observation Haki."

Kuma nodded again. "What about the remaining three?"

"Kaido fights the Viper and the Fire Demon. King fights the Shadow Blade."

Can Kaido handle it?

"Ask Kaido."

Kuma didn't ask. He knew Kaido would say, "Oh ho ho... of course."

Evening, in the Castle hall.

Everyone was there. Kaido was gnawing on meat, Bullet was rubbing his fists, King was sitting by the window, Moria was huddled in a corner, Inazuma was fiddling with scissors, Kuma was standing behind Ginny, and Zephyr was holding a water glass.

Caesar was there too, sitting at the very back, holding a report in his hand, his expression a mixture of excitement and nervousness—like a schoolchild about to go on stage to receive an award but afraid of falling.

Lin Yuan sat in the main seat, holding a glass of water in his hand.

"Ginny, reporting in."

Ginny stood up, holding the ledger, as if she were doing an end-of-year summary.

"Wano Country, the Flower Capital. Kurozumi Orochi's permanent military force is approximately three thousand men, including five hundred elite troops. The Oniwabanshu three hundred, under the command of Fukurokuju. However, Orochi has placed twelve trusted confidants within the Oniwabanshu— "

"Six have already surrendered." Ginny turned to a page. "The remaining six are the toughest. Codenames: Viper, Iron Wall, Shadow Blade, Fire Demon, Jizō, and Hyakumen."

She posted photos of these six people on the wall, like wanted posters.

Kaido glanced at the picture of the Viper. "Poisonous? I'm not afraid of poison."

"You're not afraid, but everyone else is," Ginny said. "So Viper is yours."

"OK."

"Iron Wall, the shield can block the Sea King Cannon. Kuma, you're in charge."

Kuma nodded.

"Shadow Blade, fast, poisoned blade. Jhin, you're in charge. You fly too, you're no slower than him."

The flames behind Ember flickered. "Okay."

"Fire Demon, the flames are hotter than you. Kaido, you're in charge."

Kaido frowned. "Higher temperature than me?"

"Yes. Jhin said it himself."

Kaido glanced at King, who nodded expressionlessly.

"Oh ho ho... Interesting. Leave it to me."

"Jizō, Giants. Kuma, you're in charge of sending them flying."

Kuma nodded again.

"Hyakumen, a master of disguise. Kuma, your Observation Haki can see through him."

Kuma nodded for the third time.

Ginny closed the ledger. "The remaining grunts are to be handled by Bullet, Moria, and Inazuma. Zephyr— "

"I'll guard the ship," Zephyr said. "You fight, I'll watch."

Lin Yuan put down his water glass.

"You all heard that. One month from now, Wano Country. Your goal for this month is to train until you can defeat these six people. If you can't, don't go."

Kaido grinned. "Oh ho ho... Can't beat them? That's impossible."

Bullet cracked his knuckles. "Me, fight grunts? That's too unchallenging."

"Then why don't you go and fight Jizō?"

"The Kuma flew away, who am I supposed to hit?"

"The part that fell after you slapped the Kuma away."

Bullet thought for a moment. "... Okay."

Moria huddled in the corner and whispered to Inazuma, "What about me? Who do I fight?"

"You'll be my henchman."

How many grunts are there?

Three thousand.

Moria's face paled again. "Three... three thousand? Me alone?"

"Add me. Bullet."

"That's good..." Moria breathed a sigh of relief, "How many shots did Bullet fire?"

Two thousand nine.

"..."

Late at night, in the Intelligence Room.

Ginny was still working. She had compiled all the activity patterns of those six tough guys and drawn them on a map of the Flower Capital.

The Viper leaves at seven o'clock every morning to go to the Orochi's Castle and doesn't come out until ten o'clock at night. It never leaves the Castle in between.

Iron Wall guards the Orochi around the clock, only leaving when it's time to eat. Meal times: 12:00-12:30 noon and 6:00-6:30 pm.

Shadow Blade's whereabouts are unpredictable, but he goes to a tavern in the Flower Capital for drinks every Wednesday night. Same tavern, same seat.

Fire Demon lives in a detached house in the western part of Flower Capital and has a dog. Every evening at six o'clock, he goes out to walk the dog.

Jizō's residence is next to the Orochi's Castle, in a specially made, extra-large room. Every morning at five o'clock, he goes to the beach to practice his boxing without fail.

Hyakumen has no fixed address and changes his face every day. But Ginny noticed a pattern—every Sunday he goes to the Flower Capital Cemetery to sweep someone's grave. The name on the tombstone is: Yuriko.

Ginny circled Yuriko's name.

"Check," she said to the Den Den Mushi.

Morgans' voice came from the other end of the Den Den Mushi — Ginny had directly connected to the World Economy News Paper's intelligence network.

"Yuriko, female, age unknown. Died in Wano Country twenty years ago. Cause of death—killed by Kurozumi Orochi."

Ginny paused for a moment.

What is the relationship between Hyakumen and Yuriko?

"Couple."

Ginny remained silent for a long time.

She picked up a pen and wrote a line under the photo of Hyakumen: "The revenge for my wife has not yet been taken; we can try to win her over."

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

"Um?"

"Hyakumen can be turned. He has a blood feud with Kurozumi Orochi."

Lin Yuan was silent for a moment. "Send Fukurokuju to make contact. Be careful."

"OK."

Ginny put down her pen and rubbed her eyes.

(End of Chapter 75)