In the Flower Capital, a sudden piece of news shattered the city's tranquility.
"The Kozuki... have they returned?"
"There are still survivors from that family!"
"They say they're the Akazaya samurai!"
"Hurry and look! They're up at the Castle Keep! They're going to publicly execute General Orochi!!"
Kurozumi Orochi had ruled this country for more than a decade, yet throughout those long years, the name Kozuki had never faded from the memories of Wano Country's people.
It couldn't be helped. Kurozumi Orochi's rule had been utterly unpopular and excessively cruel.
Wano Country had not been particularly prosperous or wealthy before, but it had at least been peaceful, and its people had been content with their lives.
But after Kaido seized Wano Country and Kurozumi Orochi took power, the country had been turned into one enormous weapons factory.
The fields were abandoned, the rivers polluted, and the forests burned away. Everywhere they looked, there was only ruin and devastation.
People could barely survive anymore. How could they possibly feel any goodwill toward Kurozumi Orochi? Missing the previous rulers was only natural.
That remained true no matter how hard Kurozumi Orochi tried to promote himself.
What propaganda could ever compare to one's own lived experience?
And under such circumstances, the Kozuki had returned.
Amid anticipation and unease, the people of the Flower Capital streamed toward the Castle Keep.
Then they saw the sight they had waited for, for who knew how long.
At the peak of the Castle Keep, atop a bent tree branch.
Kurozumi Orochi was nailed to the trunk by a sword.
Beside Kurozumi Orochi, the short, stout samurai raised his arms and shouted,
"Kurozumi Orochi's rule ends today! The Kozuki never left! People of Wano Country, please wait just a little longer!"
"Wait for us to return and save