Ch. 361This Was the Third [Erudite] Advancement Quest (continued)
Adrian enters the Flower Capital, struck by the contrast between its wealth and Amigasa Village’s poverty. He heads toward Orochi Castle and secretly finds shogun Kurozumi Orochi and his adviser and bodyguard, Kurozumi Semimaru, discussing Kaido’s absence.
Semimaru resents Kaido for killing Kurozumi Higurashi and turning the Kurozumi family into his subordinates. Though he hopes to make the clan less dependent on Kaido, he recognizes that Wano still needs the pirate’s protection. He proposes capturing Kaido’s son as leverage, confident that his Barrier-Barrier Fruit can protect them. Orochi dismisses the plan, fearing Kaido’s retaliation and preferring to go watch the dancers.
Adrian interrupts, asking to test Semimaru’s barrier. Startled, Orochi fires his pistol, but the bullets pass harmlessly through Adrian’s intangible body. Semimaru shields himself and Orochi with a nearly spherical barrier, then recognizes their intruder as the powerful “White Ghost.” Adrian quickly appears directly before the barrier, while Semimaru remains confident that its defense is invincible.
Character developments and interactions: Orochi is shown as cowardly, vain, and self-indulgent, while Semimaru is more capable and protective but constrained by his age and dependence on Kaido. Their uneasy alliance is built on Semimaru’s strategy and Orochi’s authority, though Orochi resents his adviser’s lectures. Adrian’s calm intrusion contrasts with their reactions, setting up a test between his abilities and Semimaru’s prized defense.
Themes: The chapter highlights the Kurozumi family’s fragile power, the difference between apparent authority and real competence, and the dangerous confidence that comes from relying on a seemingly unbeatable defense.