A Belated Resolve? An Uninvited Guest

Under the torrential night rain, Kozuki Oden wept on his knees. After struggling for a long time, he finally made up his mind.

"Gahhh! Get ready. We'll drive Orochi... and Kaido out of Wano Country!"

Behind him, the nine retainers stood resolute beneath the downpour. Kin'emon, in particular, showed a glimmer of hope.

"Lord Oden, we have waited a full five years to hear those words from you."

"Our target is Onigashima, where they are. We'll cut off their heads while they're drunk and asleep!"

At those words, Kanjuro's expression turned solemn among the nine retainers. Yet inwardly, he was secretly calculating, thrilled at the prospect of gaining even more pleasure. Even his soul trembled faintly with excitement.

It was finally beginning—the supreme performance in which he would wager his life, his soul, everything. This was the pleasure he pursued, a delight above life itself...

The following day, at dusk.

As the sun sank westward, the group donned straw hats, their eyes burning with a willingness to die as they silently headed toward Onigashima within Wano Country.

Along the way, the people of Kuri all looked at the foolish lord who had danced for five years with shock and confusion.

"Is that foolish lord going to dance again?"

"Forget those people. They wasted our hopes for nothing, and even took our children to the weapons factory. Those bastards..."

"Hey, honey, bring out the salt! Those bringers of plague are here again!"

Ignoring the complaints and hatred of Kuri's people, Kozuki Oden continued toward Onigashima with his nine retainers.

Before they knew it, the silver moon rose and set, and another day passed in the blink of an eye.

At dawn, just as they were about to arrive, a thick white mist blanketed the area.

At that moment, Kozuki Oden's pupils