A Scheme to Sow Discord

The giant snake's smile froze.

"What do you mean?"

"What I mean is, Oden is the kind of person who would sacrifice himself for others. If Kaido sends someone to tell Oden that he'll stop attacking Wano Country if he hands over the Akuta, then Oden is very likely to..."

What's possible?

"It's possible they'll voluntarily hand over the Akuta."

The giant snake's face instantly fell.

He did everything to get Oden and Kaido to go to war.

But if Oden were to hand over the Akuta, wouldn't he and Kaido be able to avoid fighting?

Kanjuro carefully observed Orochi's expression and immediately breathed a sigh of relief.

Actually, everything that just happened was made up by him.

All of this was just Orochi speculating about Oden based on his own assumptions.

As one of Oden's closest retainers, Kanjuro knew Oden very well!

Oden was willing to give his life for Wano Country.

But Kanjuro was absolutely certain that Oden would never sacrifice anyone's life!

The possibility that Oden would hand himself over to Akuta in place of Akuta no Ken is even higher than the possibility that he would hand Akuta over directly.

Kanjuro said that to Orochi simply to demonstrate his own worth.

After all, the sudden appearance of the Akuta had already caused Kanjuro to make a mistake.

He had to find a way to prove his existence.

The giant serpent, judging others by its own standards, suddenly felt panicked.

He looked anxiously at Kanjuro.

"Then what do you suggest we do?"

Kanjuro immediately bent down and said confidently.

"In my opinion, simply telling Kaido that the Akuta is with Oden is not enough."

We must leave Oden with no way out.

"Why can't I retreat?" the giant snake stared at him.

"Let everyone in Wano Country know that Lord Oden is going to war with Kaido for the Akuta."

Let the people see Oden's attitude, and let the samurai prepare themselves.

Kanjuro said in a sinister tone.

"In this way, if Oden were to hand over the Akuta again, it would be tantamount to admitting to everyone that he was afraid of Kaido."

"At that point, we won't even need to push him; the samurai who support Oden will force him to fight."

As the giant snake listened, its eyes gradually brightened.

"You've got a pretty quick mind, kid."

"It's all thanks to Lord Orochi's excellent teaching."

The giant snake pondered for a moment, then suddenly slapped its thigh.

"Okay! Let's do it that way!"

He stood up and paced back and forth in the secret room, his tone excited.

Go and do two things right away.

"First, inform Kaido that the Akuta is at Oden's mansion."

"Second, spread the word that Oden has taken in the righteous man who attacked Kaido and is determined to fight Kaido to the death!"

The giant snake became more and more excited as it spoke, and the fat on its face jiggled.

"Remember, when spreading the news, make sure the people of Wano know that Oden isn't just talking; he's serious this time!"

Kanjuro nodded immediately.

"Understood."

"Go."

Kanjuro got up, preparing to leave the secret room, but suddenly stopped.

"Lord Orochi, what about... Lady Higurashi...?"

The giant snake's expression stiffened, a hint of impatience flashing in its eyes.

"I told you, don't bother notifying that old woman! I'm the general!"

"Yes! I spoke out of turn."

Kanjuro quickly bowed and retreated from the secret chamber.

The door closed, leaving only the giant snake in the dimly lit, secret room.

He sat back down in the main seat, a smug smile on his face.

Oden, oh Oden.

Do you think you can be a hero forever?

Do you think that if you protect others, they will be grateful to you?

This time, I'll show you who can save you when you're being roasted over a fire!

On the other side, at the Oden residence.

Akuta sat cross-legged on the corridor outside the guest room, a blade of grass dangling from his mouth, idly watching the courtyard.

His injury hasn't fully healed yet, and he needs to rest for a while longer.

At this moment, Akuta missed his "Reverse Cursed Technique" terribly. If it were before, this injury would have been healed long ago, and he wouldn't have had to wait so long!

"Hey, Akuta."

A voice came from the end of the corridor.

Akuta turned his head and saw Kin'emon walking over carrying a medicine box.

"It's time to change the medication."

"Oh, thanks."

Akuta extended his arm, and Kin'emon sat down opposite him, skillfully changing his dressing and bandaging.

"Akuta no Ken, your recovery ability is rather poor." Kin'emon looked at the wound that hadn't completely scabbed over. "It's been so many days, why hasn't your wound healed yet?"

Akuta's lips twitched.

"It's because the people here are too physically strong. Do you think everyone is like you, able to recover from serious injuries just by eating some meat?"

As everyone knows, no matter how badly injured someone is in the world of One Piece...

Just one meal and you'll be fully recharged!

Kin'emon, bewildered, chuckled awkwardly and scratched his head.

Akuta glanced behind Kin'emon and casually asked.

Where is Oden?

"My lord has gone to Orochi Castle." Kin'emon's tone clearly carried suppressed anger.

Akuta frowned.

"Are you still going to dance that?"

Kin'emon nodded without saying a word.

Although nothing was said specifically, Akuta certainly knew what Oden had gone to do.

He's gone to the Great Serpent City to perform a nude dance.

When I read the manga in Akuta previous life, I found this scene particularly pathetic.

But seeing it in person is one thing, but actually seeing it in real life is another.

A former member of Roger's pirate crew, a powerful figure with all three types of Haki, capable of fighting Kaido, actually went to be Orochi's puppet every week for that ridiculous promise.

Seeing that Akuta no Ken remained silent, Kin'emon hesitated for a moment before tentatively asking:

"Akuta, do you think... our lord should really continue to endure this?"

Akuta glanced at him.

"Telling me this is useless; it depends on your lord's decision."

"Our lord keeps saying we should just be patient," Kin'emon gritted his teeth, "But everyone feels that if we continue to endure this, Wano Country will truly be completely swallowed up by Orochi and Kaido."

Akuta sighed and spat the grass out of his mouth.

"Your Oden is good in every way, except he tries too hard to have it all."

"What's the meaning?"

Akuta shrugged.

"He wants to protect you, but he doesn't want to go to war with Kaido; he wants to fulfill his promise to Orochi, but he doesn't want Wano Country to be destroyed in his hands."

"There's no such thing as a free lunch in this world. People who try to keep everything usually end up keeping nothing."

Kin'emon remained silent for a moment, then nodded with a wry smile.

"Akuta said... makes a valid point."

He sighed and stood up.

"The medicine has been changed, please rest well. Kaido's men are searching very thoroughly lately, so please be patient and wait a few more days."

"Don't worry." Akuta waved his hand casually, "I'm hiding here very well. As long as Kaido doesn't come knocking on my door, I can definitely remain patient."

Kin'emon was relieved to hear this.

The Kozuki family is known for being tight-lipped.

The news of the Akuta being at the Kozuki residence couldn't possibly get out, so why would Kaido come looking for it?