Hostage (Bonus Chapter for Alliance Leader "Born to Discuss Everything"!)

Long ago--

Kurozumi Orochi, who plotted to steal Wano Country, planted a spy beside Oden, whom he considered foolish beyond belief.

Whether it was more than twenty years ago or the present, more than twenty years later—

The spy he had planted beside Oden had always been able to deliver sufficiently important information to him in time.

Just like now.

Through the information the spy had painstakingly left behind, Orochi had learned the whereabouts of Momonosuke and the others. He also knew that Courtesan Little Purple, once famous throughout the capital, was actually Princess Hiyori of the Kozuki Clan.

Naturally.

Having escaped death through the power of the Mythical Zoan Yamata no Orochi, Orochi followed the information left behind by Kanjuro and brought his surviving subordinates through the wind and rain to stand before Momonosuke and Hiyori.

Seeing Orochi arrive with a massive procession, Hiyori, who had been completely unprepared, immediately panicked.

Momonosuke's mental fortitude was even worse. Frightened until his entire body went weak, he was about to collapse onto the ground.

"Big brother..."

Hiyori promptly caught Momonosuke by the arm, preventing him from making a fool of himself in front of Orochi and the others.

"Orochi, weren't you already..."

Supporting Momonosuke, Hiyori looked nervously at Orochi, who sat in the palanquin.

Back in the Flower Capital, Denjiro had clearly confirmed Orochi's death.

But why was Orochi still alive...

And why did Orochi know where they were?

Amid her panic, Hiyori faintly realized something.

"Gufufufu..."

Orochi's cold laughter could not be drowned out even by the sound of the wind and rain.

"Were you disappointed, my dear Princess Hiyori...? Hmph, hmph. I truly wasted all the favor I once showed you."

"..."

Hiyori clenched her teeth and remained silent.

Konan leaned against Hiyori's side. Although her body was trembling