Outskirts of the Flower Capital, at a crossroads.
"Hup!"
Luffy jumped down from a tree and stretched his muscles sideways.
"Hm? What's wrong, Luffy?"
Sanji asked curiously.
In response, Luffy silently pulled down the brim of his hat, then raised his head with a serious look in his eyes.
"They're here."
Boom!!
A Rubber Pistol blasted into the depths of an unknown forest. Amid a violent explosion, a figure was sent flying out.
"Not good, it's an ambush!"
"It's the Straw Hat Pirates! They've blocked the road!"
"Take them out!"
"Take us out?"
Zoro rose to his feet, murderous intent radiating from him as he drew his swords. "That's some big talk!"
Three Sword Style: 1080 Pound Phoenix!
Rumble!
A terrifying tornado of sword energy, as massive as a mountain, erupted and swept mightily toward the dense forest ahead.
Slash! Slash! Slash!
The sword waves he unleashed in an instant flattened everything in their path. Amid the crackling sounds of trees snapping apart, samurai and ninja dressed in Onibawanshu uniforms tumbled out one after another with screams.
With the trees no longer shielding them, the Onibawanshu members were exposed beneath the moonlight. Seeing the surviving enemies' horrified expressions, Zoro bared his teeth in a murderous grin.
"But there's one thing you got right..."
"And that is... this road is closed!"
The last attack launched by Kin'emon and the others to rescue Momonosuke had been rather hasty, resulting in devastating losses for the Flower Capital... and by losses, that meant losses among the civilians. Many people had not even had time to flee before being swept into the battle.
Kozuki Oden had been dead for over twenty years. Wano Country's hatred-driven education had long since painted him as an arrogant, self-willed fool who dreamed of opening the country. As a