Northern Kuri, Oden Castle.
"Shutenmaru, where are you going?"
They saw Ashura Doji carrying a pack, looking ready for a long journey.
Kin'emon, Kanjuro, Denjiro, and the other retainers of Kozuki Oden stared at Ashura Doji, Shutenmaru, in disbelief. In truth, the more perceptive among them had already noticed something during their time together.
It seemed Kin'emon alone had been kept in the dark.
"Aren't you going to wait for our lord to return?"
"Sorry, I'm leaving. I have no interest in protecting this land." A trace of disdain flashed in Ashura Doji Shutenmaru's eyes, and the terrifying aura he exuded left the others afraid to move.
As a monster second only to Kozuki Oden, he was far beyond any of them.
The state of Wano Country and the state of Kuri both left Ashura Doji dissatisfied.
Unlike how things had originally unfolded, Kuri had never prospered.
Nor had Ashura Doji ever truly accepted Kozuki Oden.
He had only joined because Oden's strength left him no choice. Having fought his way up from the very bottom, Ashura Doji felt a deep-seated resentment toward Kozuki Oden's status.
But things were different now. Kozuki Oden was no longer the strongest, and the myth of his rightful rule had been shattered.
With Kozuki Oden absent as well, he had nothing left to worry about.
The letter from the Kurozumi Clan had only strengthened his resolve.
A powerful man even more terrifying than the monster now occupying Wano Country had taken an interest in him.
He had started out as a mountain bandit. What was wrong with submitting to someone stronger?
Besides, he wanted to see what the sea was really like, and just how terrifying That Person was.
He turned and waved, without a trace of attachment.
"I'm heading out to sea. Next