"Don't rush, Daikoku."
Good gave Daikoku a meaningful look.
"Shutenmaru is already like a startled bird, on his highest alert. If we attack now, he'll use the difficult terrain to escape."
"Once the night grows quiet, the exhausted bandits will inevitably lower their guard and rest. That's when we strike."
"Don't worry. You'll have your chance to shine."
Daikoku remained silent.
He had to admit that Good's reasoning was sound, but their brief time together had made him realize things were not so simple.
This man was shrewd!
In the earlier battle, Good had most likely arrived late on purpose. Otherwise, with Good and Kaido's daughter adding their strength, they would have had a good chance of stopping Shutenmaru from escaping.
There was no way Good didn't know that.
That meant one thing: Good had deliberately watched from the sidelines, most likely hoping to wear down both their forces and Shutenmaru.
Even this rest probably had an ulterior motive.
Time ticked by, and the forest grew ever quieter.
After several hours of waiting, many of the samurai grew restless, while some of the more easygoing ones began to doze off.
"Huff... snrrr..."
Yamato had fallen asleep too.
Good opened his eyes after resting with them closed.
"What time is it?"
"A quarter past the hour of the ox!"
Daikoku answered in a low voice.
A quarter past the hour of the ox: 1:15 a.m.
The time had come!
Good checked the wind direction, then beckoned everyone over.
"Everyone, come here!"
"Daikoku, you'll follow me and attack through the main gate."
"Thunder Blade, take your men to the east."
"Wind Blade, Chiyo, take a hundred samurai to the west."
The tactical arrangements were soon complete.
Good swept his gaze over them.
"Does everyone understand?"
"Yes!"
Everyone took a deep breath, looking at Good with fear in their eyes. Given a choice, they would never want to be his enemies!
"Move out!"
"Yes!"
They split into three groups and swiftly vanished into the forest.
Good led Yamato, Daikoku, and more than two hundred samurai up a mountain trail, soon creeping up to the bandits' stronghold.
Few lights were burning, and all was unusually quiet.
There wasn't even a guard at the gate.
Clearly, several peaceful hours inside their stronghold had instinctively lulled the bandits into lowering their guard.
"Another fifteen minutes."
Good checked the time, then turned leisurely toward Daikoku. "Daikoku, make sure you're careful during the fight. I'd hate for a ninja's shuriken to accidentally end up in my back."
"..."
Daikoku's heart tightened.
Good patted him on the back.
"Don't be so nervous. Once this fight's over, I'll treat you to a soak in the hot springs. Oh, right, why don't you just work for me from now on?"
"I'm sorry, Lord Good. A ninja is loyal only to the shogun."
A shadow fell over Daikoku's eyes.
This man had seen through his intentions!
"What a shame. I think quite highly of you."
Good shook his head regretfully, then changed tack.
"Huh, couldn't I just become shogun?"
"Please mind your words, my lord!"
Daikoku responded in a frightened whisper.
Good pointed at himself, looking slightly displeased.
"What, can't I be shogun?"
"..."
Daikoku swallowed.
Stop talking. Please, stop talking!
How could the shogun compare to you? He doesn't have your nerve!
But don't drag me into this!
"I'm kidding. A rough fellow like me could never be shogun."
Good shook his head with a smile and pointed to Yamato, who was looking around furtively beside him like a thief. He spoke calmly, as though stating a fact.
"She's the one who can become shogun."
"..."
Daikoku's heart skipped a beat.
Kaido's daughter wanted to become shogun?
He didn't believe Good was making some random joke. Judging by his expression, he was clearly sending Daikoku a dangerous signal.
Besides, Kaido's daughter truly was qualified to become shogun. She had a powerful father, and no one in this country dared defy him!
Clearly, Good wanted him to pick a side!
As Shogun Orochi's trusted subordinate, he knew full well that the shogun wanted to eliminate the man before him. Now, it seemed that man intended to eliminate Shogun Orochi as well.
And Kaido stood behind him!
Wait, could this be the Bright King's will?!
A terrifying thought arose in Daikoku's mind.
The Beasts Pirates had set off on an expedition, yet Kaido had specifically left his daughter behind to guard Wano Country. And Kaido's daughter had repeatedly tested Shogun Orochi.
This wasn't Kaido's style!
If Kaido intended for his daughter to replace Shogun Orochi, everything that had happened lately made sense.
Yes, that had to be it!
Otherwise, how could just the two of them dare covet the shogun's position?
Kaido had to be directing this from behind the scenes!
Kaido wanted to use his absence from Wano Country during the expedition to have his daughter replace Orochi, sparing himself a reputation for betraying his word.
The more Daikoku thought about it, the more it made sense, and the paler his face became.
Would they kill him to keep him quiet?!
"Daikoku, prepare for battle!"
Good stood and looked east.
Flames had already sprung up at the foot of the mountain, spreading rapidly uphill with the wind. Before long, they would reach the stronghold.
They were setting the mountain ablaze!
The time was exactly 1:45 a.m.!
Good's gaze turned icy as he raised his right hand.
"Archers!"
The samurai behind him immediately drew their bows and lit their arrowheads.
"Loose!"
A rain of arrows fell into the stronghold.
An instant later, flames surged into the sky!
Chapter 44: Shutenmaru's despair
At 1:45 a.m., fire swept across Atama Mountain.
The bandits jolted awake. At the sight of the raging flames outside, it was as though a bucket of cold water had been poured over them. Their drowsiness vanished instantly.
"Fire!!!"
Panicked shouts rang throughout the stronghold.
The bandits descended into utter chaos. Without even grabbing their weapons, they rushed out of their rooms and into the stronghold's central square.
But when they saw the neatly arrayed bandit-suppression force and the dark gun barrels, a chill shot from the base of their spines to the tops of their heads.
Good's gaze was cold.
"Fire!"
Bang, bang, bang!!!
The samurai pulled their triggers, blanketing the bandits in a hail of bullets. In an instant, the first wave to escape was riddled with holes.
"Aaargh!!!"
Screams rose one after another.
The remaining bandits hid in the stronghold's main hall, pinned down by gunfire and unable to show their faces. But the fierce blaze had already set the building alight, and the heat and thick smoke were suffocating them.
Staying inside meant certain death!
"Boss Shutenmaru!"
The bandits looked at Shutenmaru, their eyes filled with pleading and hope.
Only their boss could save them.
"You shameless bastards!"
Shutenmaru's eyes were bloodshot, his whole body trembling with anger. He had never imagined the enemy would resort to such underhanded tactics.
Samurai should fight openly and honorably!
Crash!
A burning roof beam smashed into the floor!
Shutenmaru struggled to breathe, his lungs feeling as though they were on fire. He knew full well that staying in the hall meant death.
Shing!
Shutenmaru drew his sword and charged into the stronghold's square with a roar.
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