Battle of Yamatai (3)

Yamamoto Masanobu was killed!

Upon hearing the messenger's report, Yamamoto Daimyo's expression changed drastically. The other daimyo were also somewhat surprised. Although Yamamoto's power was slightly weaker, he was still a daimyo. Who would have thought that his capable subordinate would be defeated and killed in such a short time!

"I never expected Kozuki to be so fierce."

The third- Hojo on the right, Hojo, dressed in a loose white robe, gestured to reassure the other daimyo who were looking around, and said, "Please don't worry, everyone. I also have a capable general under my command, with a blue face and fangs, a voice like thunder, and wielding a spiked club weighing four hundred catties. He has never met his match and killed that enemy general of the Kozuki as easily as taking candy from a baby."

Having said that, he loudly ordered his attendant, "Go and summon Hojo Oka, and have him go into battle to meet the enemy!"

"It's actually Hojo Oka!"

Upon hearing this name, the several prominent figures immediately began to discuss it amongst themselves.

"This is the fiercest warrior of the Hojo. It is said that when he was only twelve years old, he charged up Mount Fuji alone and wiped out three hundred bandits. His strength must be even more terrifying now!"

"Indeed, this man is exceptionally skilled and will surely return victorious."

Hearing the praise from the other daimyo, Hojo Admiral Minamoto for credit after Hojo Oka brought back the good news.

Just a moment later, a messenger rushed into the tent and hurriedly reported, "Report! Hojo Oka has had one arm severed and was defeated. He is now unconscious and his fate is unknown!"

Hojo jumped up from his seat in shock, looking at the messenger in disbelief. "Are you sure the defeated man was Hojo Oka?"

Feeling the gazes of the eight daimyo all fixed on him, the messenger broke out in a cold sweat and hurriedly said, "How could I dare to deceive the daimyo and the Admiral!"

"..."

Hojo's face immediately fell, and he slumped back into his seat, looking utterly dejected.

"This..."

"Even Hojo Oka was defeated..."

The daimyo frowned, but Daimyo Shimazu asked, "Who was it that defeated Yamamoto Masanobu and Hojo Oka?"

"Yamamoto Masanobu was defeated by samurai under the command of Kozuki," the messenger reported. "Hojo Oka was defeated by foreigners under the command of Kozuki."

At this moment, Daimyo Takeda sighed and said, "It's a pity that I only brought one of my 'Wind, Wind, Fire, Mountain, Forest Four Generals' generals. If all four were here, how could they have allowed Kozuki to be so arrogant!"

The Daimyo Shimazu immediately said with hatred, "Of the Four Guardians, only the Southern Guardian came with me; otherwise, I would have definitely taught Kozuki lesson!"

After they finished speaking, their eyes met simultaneously, then quickly looked away.

Shimazu and Takeda were the most powerful daimyo under the Genji clan, and their troops were more elite than those of other daimyo. Compared with other daimyo vying for glory, the two were unwilling to avoid excessively depleting their own army's strength in this war, so they did not bring many of their capable generals.

Both men had initially intended to make a move, but seeing that Yamamoto Daimyo volunteered to lead the charge, they suppressed their thoughts and decided to observe the situation. With the defeats of Yamamoto Masanobu and Hojo Oka, their resolve weakened further. Knowing the strength of their opponents, they were even more reluctant to send out their generals, fearing unforeseen circumstances.

"Alright."

Genji listened to the excuses of Shimazu and Takeda, and glanced indifferently at the daimyo on both sides. He then impatiently tapped the table with his fingers, and instantly all the noise in the tent disappeared, becoming unusually quiet.

He continued, "He's just a Kozuki Oden. With my army marching south, how can I allow this grasshopper in autumn to continue hopping around? Since your fierce generals haven't arrived yet, just write a letter and tell them to hurry over. Once all your troops are assembled, I will personally lead the charge and crush Kozuki Oden in one fell swoop!"

A hint of difficulty flashed across Shimazu and Takeda's eyes, but they, along with the other daimyo, all responded in unison, "Yes!"

Genji nodded, glancing outside the tent. "Let's not let the guests from Izumo laugh at us."

"The Admiral's Observation Haki has indeed reached a level of perfection." A loud laugh came from outside the tent.

Then a man entered, with two swords at his waist and a large, life-sized red gourd on his back. He SMILE and said, "I am Shuten of the Izumo Society. I have come here to assist the Admiral in defeating Kozuki Oden, as per the agreement."

"So he's one of the four leaders of the Four Wraiths. Shuten's reputation isn't just known throughout Izumo; even I, far away in Kyoto, often hear about him."

Genji's gaze fell on the two swords at Shuten's waist. "As expected, the legendary Great Grade Sword [Onimaru Kunitsuna] and the Excellent Grade Sword [Odenta Mitsuyo] are in your hands."

Upon hearing "Onimaru Kunitsuna," the Hojo daimyo's brow twitched violently, his eyes fixed intently on the Great Grade Sword. This Great Grade Sword was originally the Hojo Clan's heirloom, but it mysteriously disappeared when the eighth Hojo patriarch ascended the throne. Although it was lost, the name Onimaru Kunitsuna was always recorded in the Hojo Clan's family genealogy. Now, seeing his ancestor's lost treasure right before his eyes, he couldn't help but feel a surge of desire to reclaim Onimaru Kunitsuna.

"General, you have excellent eyesight..."

Shuten placed his hands on the hilts of the two treasured swords, looked down at them, and his expression turned slightly sinister. "Since I can remember, this Onimaru Kunitsuna has been associated with slaughter. I have roughly counted nearly ten thousand souls that have died by this sword. If it is offered the blood of a strong person, it will soon evolve into a completely demonic sword."

The daimyo felt a chill run down their spines as they listened to Shuten -dōji's sinister words, but his tone suddenly softened. "But this Odenta Mitsuyo is different. It's a bladeless sword; it has never been stained with a drop of blood, nor has it ever killed a single person."

"To be able to wield these two swords, you truly deserve to be Shuten, one of the four heads of demons and monsters. How about leaving Izumo and staying by my side? This general will not mistreat you." Genji stared directly at Shuten.

"Oh..."

Shuten's lips curled slightly. "I'll think about it carefully."

Seeing that the Genji was considering recruiting him, the Hojo daimyo immediately suppressed his thoughts, remained seated, and merely narrowed his eyes as he looked at Onimaru Kunitsuna.

Meanwhile, in Kozuki Oden's military camp...

Buggy looked at Hawkins, who was covered in blood, and said, "You look pretty disheveled."

"That Hojo, who's known as the number one warrior, is very strong." Hawkins washed his wounds with water. "If it weren't for this year of training, defeating him would have been much more difficult..."

He paused, then continued, "Wano Country is indeed teeming with talent. If one of the daimyo's generals possesses such strength, what about the other seven... Just thinking about it sends chills down my spine."

"We're just helping out, no one's asking you to die," Buggy said. "And don't underestimate Kozuki Oden. Back then, only a few top-tier fighters like Roger, Rayleigh, and Whitebeard could defeat him. Even though he's focused on domestic affairs now, it doesn't mean his strength has weakened. Besides, his powerful army is no weaker than his opponents. I just think your involvement will end the battle faster, so I gave the order."

"However... I don't disagree with what you said; Wano Country is indeed full of talented people."

Buggy seemed thoughtful. "And even more vibrant forces will be drawn into this war. The conflict between these forces will continue until the very moment of the Honkai..."