Meanwhile, in Kuri, at the secret stronghold of the Kozuki Family.
Kozuki Hiyori knelt on the tatami mat, her brows furrowed, while the samurai guarding her all wore expressions as if they were dead.
In the midst of this silent atmosphere, two footsteps came from outside the door.
Upon hearing the sound, the samurai nervously raised their heads and gripped their swords.
Only Hiyori gently raised her right hand.
"Everyone, please don't be alarmed, I heard Denjiro's footsteps!"
As soon as she finished speaking, Hiyori let out a long sigh of relief. At the same time, a deep voice came from outside the door.
"It's not just Denjiro, young master, but also this damned bastard like me!"
As the sound faded, the door to Hiyori's house was pushed open, and a tall, broad-shouldered figure appeared in the doorway.
The moment she saw the figure, Hiyori let out a long sigh of relief; she really wanted to cry.
For a woman like her, who is still alive and has inherited the Kozuki Family's legacy, but has no power whatsoever.
The support and assistance of the strong are absolutely crucial!
Admittedly, Denjiro is quite strong; even within Kaido's pirate crew, he would at least be a formidable fighter.
But ultimately, there was only one Denjiro.
Just like before, when Denjiro had to leave because of important matters.
Although Hiyori was protected by the rebellious Kozuki clan generals, those mediocre samurai could not provide Hiyori with enough security.
And now...
Hiyori stood up, trembled for a moment, and then, like a little girl seeing her parents, she darted in front of the tall figure with unsteady steps and grabbed his belt pouch.
Then, she raised her head, feigning tears, and said...
"You've finally arrived, Ashura!!!"
"Hehehehe, that's right, I'm here, young master!"
All these years, I have been waiting for this day, waiting for the day when I can openly and honestly protect you, young master!
Although the timing wasn't quite right, in any case, I finally found the meaning of my life!!!
Facing the weeping Kozuki Hiyori, Ashura Doji smiled innocently, then picked Kozuki Hiyori up and placed her on his shoulder.
He gently patted Hiyori's back to comfort her, while glancing sideways at the surrounding samurai. Meeting Ashura's gaze, the samurai all lowered their heads.
Ashura turned his head dismissively and looked at Denjiro, who had restored his original hairstyle.
Noticing Ashura's gaze, Denjiro nodded, then bowed to Komurasaki on Ashura's shoulder.
"Young Master, with Ashura protecting you closely, I can rest assured. Although you haven't seen Ashura for a long time, you can trust his loyalty and, more importantly, his strength."
Unless Kaido himself arrives, Ashura can hold out for at least a few days even if All-Stars attacks.
Therefore, young master, please allow me to leave your side once again. I need to go to the quarry to find and save Kawamatsu!
"I see!"
Hiyori replied to Denjiro immediately, then placed her arm on Ashura's head and continued speaking thoughtfully.
"Listen carefully, Denjiro, after you successfully rescue Kawamatsu, you must return to the main camp immediately. At this crucial moment, I need the strength of each and every one of you!"
"Yes, young master..."
Denjiro readily agreed, but just as he bowed again, Ashura seemed to have a sudden thought.
He frowned, then shook his head, and then said casually.
"Hey, why are you still calling me 'Young Master'?"
The steward just called me "Young Master" because I haven't seen Hiyori for many years.
Now that I've met her, I'll call Hiyori the head of the household.
Why are you more reserved than me? You should see the head of the family more often, shouldn't you?
The Kozuki Family... right now only has Hiyori, and Momonosuke and the others aren't ready to appear yet.
If we could wait, that would be fine, but Kaido and Wano Country are about to be destroyed, so now is not the time to continue waiting!
In any case, the Kozuki Family cannot rely on just one young master to manage affairs at this moment. You should understand this better than I do!
As soon as he finished speaking, Ashura grinned and rubbed his head.
His words warmed Hiyori's heart. Even in the past, before the family was separated, Ashura and Kawamatsu were the ones who treated Hiyori the best.
Unlike his other uncles, who also doted on him, they preferred Momonosuke...
This isn't just Hiyori said randomly; it's because even among the Nine Red Scabbards, Ashura will always be the most special one.
First of all, when it comes to strength, Ashura's strength is beyond doubt; he is among the pinnacle of the Nine Red Scabbards.
Back then, he fought Oden for three days and three nights before barely being defeated, and he only followed Oden because he recognized Oden's strength.
His strength is second only to Oden, and he can almost fight against the All-Stars members!
Perhaps for this reason, Ashura's relationship with Oden has always been somewhat special, and he has always referred to himself as Oden family, rather than a Kozuki Family.
However, he is not Kozuki Family, yet he has now taken the initiative to raise a question that all the Kozuki Family, including Denjiro, have been avoiding.
There was no other reason than the moment Ashura first saw Hiyori, when she saw the helpless look in Hiyori's eyes.
He remembered someone who had left a deep impression on him.
Once, with the help of a little girl, he gradually learned to read and write and to be a proper samurai.
Kiku, I wonder how you're doing in the unknown future?
Did you see that? Hiyori still calls me "uncle" just like before.
The Kozuki Family seems to be facing a new crisis; without Oden, the family's samurai are in constant turmoil.
Just as I couldn't dissuade the samurai who suffered heavy casualties when they challenged Kaido back then, my status makes it equally impossible for me to persuade the current Kozuki Family samurai.
Even to a rough man like me, the current situation feels like walking on thin ice. At this point Wano Country and the Kozuki Family can no longer withstand any more setbacks.
I know that everyone, including myself, is waiting for you and Momonosuke to return.
However, the Kozuki Family needs a core leader now, and even more so, an absolute voice.
Hiyori must possess sufficient power to have the opportunity to rally and rally the Kozuki Family to continue moving forward.
Otherwise, Hiyori would be unable to find peace, even with a large group of retainers protecting her, just like before!
With this belief in mind, Ashura glared and met Denjiro's astonished gaze without fear.
He opened his mouth wide and continued speaking without any politeness.
"What are you so shocked about, old friend? Do you think I did anything wrong?"
"You did nothing wrong, Ashura Doji, but I must emphasize that Oden was not wrong!"
The true hope for Wano Country will not be the attack by the Dark Bird Ship; only those who have walked through time are our only hope!
Prophecies never fail. Twenty years from now will be the end of everything and the moment Kaido is defeated. The setbacks we face now are merely the last darkness before dawn!
In short, protect Master Hiyori well, do what you should do, and don't do anything you shouldn't!
I'll go find Kawamatsu right now. Once he returns, with him taking care of Young Master Hiyori, you and I can finally focus on doing something truly significant!"
As soon as he finished speaking, Denjiro dared not look Hiyori in the eye again. He turned around with a slight tremor and strode away!
And the Hiyori.
Sitting on Ashura's shoulder, she narrowed her eyes melancholically.
So, is the hope just Momonosuke?
If the Dark Bird Ship isn't hope, then I'm equally unworthy to be the hope of Wano Country and the Kozuki Family...
Yes, that's Uncle Denjiro, always believing in his father, His Highness.
But somehow, the person she used to trust completely and who always made her feel safe...
Now something... is making me uneasy...
Thinking of this, Hiyori gently shook her head, then sat on Ashura's shoulder and waved to the surroundings.
"Gentlemen, please follow me back to the main hall. I have many important matters to discuss."
"Yes, young master!"
All around, the warriors nodded in unison. Hearing their response, Ashura snorted unhappily.
"Snort!
Lao Tzu's words are no more useful to you than Denjiro's. I clearly told you to call him "Master," but you keep calling him "Young Master."
Patriarch, how about this: let my subordinates participate in the family affairs?
Everyone in Wano Country is willing to uphold the Kozuki Family name, even bandits do so.
As soon as he finished speaking, Ashura resolutely took Hiyori away. For some reason, even though Hiyori was being taken to the base of the Kozuki Family's resistance stronghold at this moment, she felt that her vision had become wide open.
Not long after, inside the Mt. Atama of Kuri, Ashura placed Hiyori on the great throne where he used to sit.
While reassuring Hiyori, Ashura turned to his group of subordinates and said...
"Hey, you lackeys, look carefully!"
I'm not actually some kind of Shutenmaru. I'm Ashura Doji, one of the Nine Red Scabbards, a retainer of Kozuki Oden, and one of the Nine Red Scabbards, haha!
This is Kozuki Hiyori, the daughter of Kozuki Oden. She's the current head of my family!
And, hahaha, the Dark Bird Ship is currently attacking Onigashima and has almost crushed the Kurozumi Family's rule over Wano Country.
The captain of that large ship acknowledged the status of the head of the Hiyori family!
Therefore, you little ones, show the same respect to Lord Hiyori as you have shown to me!!!
As soon as he finished speaking, Ashura Doji raised his wine jug, and the more than 170 bandits who had survived by chance excitedly followed suit and raised their wine cups.
The Kozuki Family's name is known to everyone in Wano Country; how could these mountain bandits not be excited?
Yesterday, he was still a thief who didn't know when he would be caught and beheaded.
Suddenly I became a subordinate of the Kozuki Family!
They even gained the right to support the new head of the family, obtained the right to follow the dragon, and might even become true samurai in the future!
For a moment, the bandits drank heartily in excitement, an atmosphere that pleased Hiyori greatly.
Once upon a time, the people gathered around their father were just as happy as they are now. But after their father's death, even Denjiro lost his happiness and became filled with bitterness and resentment.
Of course, while satisfied with the current atmosphere, Hiyori didn't give up on making use of it.
After drinking several glasses of wine, she suddenly burst into tears with unusual clarity!
Upon hearing Hiyori's cries, the bandits present stopped drinking in astonishment, while Ashura looked at Komurasaki with confusion and anger.
He was puzzled because he didn't understand women, and he was angry because, regardless of whether he understood or not, he wanted to kill anyone who made Hiyori cry and then use their blood to make sake!
Suppressing his anger, Ashura roared at Hiyori, asking her a question.
"Master, what's going on? Why are you suddenly crying? Did that bastard Denjiro not take good care of you in the past?!"
You're crying tears of joy after just a few drinks? Didn't you ever have the chance to even have a drink before?!
"Denjiro has really gone too far! When he gets back, I'll teach him a lesson first!"
"No, no, no, that's not it, Ashura!"
Upon hearing Ashura's words, Hiyori quickly denied it.
While Denjiro certainly needs some guidance, because this uncle would never acknowledge his status as the head of the family—after all, he wasn't chosen by his father—he still needs to learn.
But no matter what, he still needs Uncle Denjiro's power, and this need will continue for a very long time.
While denying it, Hiyori wiped away her tears and said to Ashura with great difficulty.
"Ashura, I was just thinking about the old days. We were just as happy back then, weren't we?"
But the more I think about these things, the more heartbroken I become about my father's death.
Not just Father, but also our safety. Uncle, do you know how dangerous we are right now?!
"Oh?"
Upon hearing this, Ashura looked at Hiyori in surprise.
"Are we in danger?"
What danger are we in?
Those black ships and Kaido engrossed in their fight; it won't be over anytime soon. Even if it does, they won't be targeting us few bandits, will they?
The reason I brought you here is because we, as mountain bandits, are even safer than we are in the Kozuki Family.
The danger you mentioned... um!
Anyway, Hiyori you feel it's dangerous, then your uncle will do something to make you feel safe!
Tell your uncle what you can do to stop crying.
Uncle simply couldn't bear to see Oden's child cry!
As soon as he finished speaking, Ashura put his hands on his hips and looked at Hiyori with imposing arrogance.
He certainly has the ability to say such things, because with the Beast Pirates completely trapped by the Black Ship, Ashura's personal strength is the strongest in Wano Country!
Ashura was very confident about this. Without Oden, he could have killed for decades, and might even have had the chance to wipe out the entire population of Wano Country!
That's it!
Meanwhile, looking at Ashura's confident and caring face, Hiyori felt a surge of warmth in her heart.
This most uncultured Ashura, this bandit samurai uncle who has always been looked down upon by other respectable samurai families, is far more reassuring than any so-called heir of a samurai family!
As she thought about it, Hiyori and pointed far away in the direction of the Flower Capital.
"Ashura, the reason I said we were in danger is because just the day before, Kurozumi Orochi already knew my identity!"
Currently, due to the war, the Black Ships and Kaido are unable to attend to either me or Kurozumi.
In this situation, I would inevitably become Kurozumi Orochi's primary target!
As you know, Kurozumi Orochi hates the Kozuki Family, and he hates the entire Wano Country even more!
Uncle, we must be careful of that guy. We should even take the initiative to strike after Denjiro and the others return, and try to wipe out Kurozumi Orochi first, to avenge Father and the countless people who died in Wano Country in the past.
So, Ashura!
Kurozumi Orochi must die!!!