Yamato's gaze sharpened, and her Haki erupted.
"Thunder Bagua!!!"
The raging spiked club swept just above Ushimitsu Kozō's scalp.
Ushimitsu Kozō leaped backward in horror, putting distance between them. His headscarf slowly fell away, exposing his long blue hair to everyone.
Knowing there was no salvaging the situation, he immediately turned and plunged into the forest.
"Don't chase him."
Yamato rested her spiked club on her shoulder and stopped the samurai who wanted to pursue the man in black, then looked toward the site of the explosion.
She wasn't worried about Good. Her Observation Haki could clearly sense his presence, which meant he wasn't seriously hurt.
As the flames faded, a huge chunk of rock appeared before everyone. Then, with a crack, it split in half, revealing Good.
"Whew, that was close!"
Good let out a long breath.
If a firecracker had blown him to death, he would have been utterly humiliated. He'd never even heard of bombs killing anyone in this world.
"Huh?"
His toe bumped into a corpse.
Judging by its appearance, it was probably Shutenmaru.
"He's really dead?"
Good was a little stunned.
The guy was Oden's strongest warrior, after all. For him to die just like that-what kind of script was this?
All right, all right, all right. Bandit suppression successful!
Chapter 46: Surprised?
The next day, the sun rose high into the sky.
On the main road west of the Flower Capital, the Bandit Suppression Army returned in triumph. Although their casualties had been heavy, their achievements made this an undeniable victory, and everyone in the ranks proudly puffed out their chests.
"The bandit suppression force is back?"
When the people of the Flower Capital heard the news, they flooded into the streets. The sight of the burly corpse tied to the execution rack made their breath catch.
Even from a distance, they could tell how powerful he had been!
"That's the legendary Shutenmaru!"
"Just like the rumors said, he's an enormous monster!"
"Well done, samurai!"
"You've done us proud!"
The crowd buzzed with discussion, which soon turned into thunderous cheers.
Though the samurai had often oppressed them, bandits were even more terrifying. They feared murderous, pillaging bandits far more, especially a monster who had run rampant through Kuri for decades.
Even twenty years ago, when the Kozuki Clan ruled this country, those cruel, greedy bandits should never have been allowed to exist in this world.
"Hahaha, they're really enthusiastic!"
"Brothers, stand up straight!"
"Goddamn, I've never had a moment this glorious in my life!"
When had the samurai sent to suppress bandits ever received such a welcome? Their hearts surged with emotion. In the past, it was good enough if the people didn't curse them, but now they lined the streets and cheered.
At last, they could hold their heads high!
They had families in the Flower Capital too, and they had dreamed of showing their loved ones how brave and mighty they were.
And all this glory was thanks to that man.
The samurai looked at the burly man at the head of the procession, their eyes filled with respect and admiration.
Soon, the bandit suppression force arrived below the shogun's castle.
Orochi hurried out. Seeing the triumphant Bandit Suppression Army and Shutenmaru's corpse, he rubbed his eyes in disbelief.
"They really killed Shutenmaru?"
Was he dreaming?
According to their itinerary, the bandit suppression force had departed at noon yesterday, reached Atama Mountain at dusk, killed Shutenmaru that night, and returned the following morning.
It hadn't even been a full day!
The thorn in his side that had plagued him for over a decade was simply gone?
Good stepped forward and approached Orochi.
"Lord Shogun, long time no see!"
"..."
Long time?
Was that even something a sane person would say?
He hadn't even woken up properly yet. His subordinates had dragged him out of bed!
Damn it, why hadn't Daikoku killed this guy?!
Orochi seethed inwardly.
Although Shutenmaru's death put him in a wonderful mood, Good's survival left him extremely displeased. Being happy and unhappy at the same time was quite a contradiction.
Good stepped aside and gestured toward Shutenmaru's corpse behind him, along with the bandit corpses piled high on the wagons.
A smile blossomed on his face.
"Look, Lord Shogun. Just as you ordered, I brought the entire Atamayama Thieves back for you. Isn't this a wonderful surprise?"
"A surprise, a truly wonderful surprise!"
Orochi played along with a stiff smile.
Good laughed, then deliberately lowered his voice. "Don't get impatient, Lord Shogun. There's an even bigger surprise still to come."
"Another surprise?"
Orochi was stunned.
Other than the man in front of him dying too, what could possibly be a better surprise than Shutenmaru's death?
He couldn't think of anything!
"Guhuhuhu!"
Orochi forced out a laugh.
"Brother Good, you've truly made me see you in a new light. Today, I must drink with you to my heart's content!"
"Fukurokuju, hurry and make the preparations. Invite every minister. I shall hold a grand victory banquet for Brother Good!"
"Also, announce the destruction of Shutenmaru's gang throughout the country. Let all my people share this tremendous surprise with me!"
In less than half a day, thanks to the astonishing efficiency of pond snails and arrow-borne messages, news of the Atamayama Thieves' destruction spread rapidly through every region. Some rejoiced, while others sighed.
A grand banquet was also held in the shogun's castle.
Inside the largest banquet hall, all the prominent figures of Wano Country gathered and offered toasts to Good one after another.
"Lord Good, you are a true warrior!"
"They were nothing more than a bunch of petty bandits."
Good drank with a cheerful smile.
After drinking enough, Good pretended to be drunk and went to a side room to rest, where he leisurely sipped tea.
Before long, Daikoku arrived.
"Lord Good, you wanted to see me?"
"Sit."
Good pointed to the seat opposite him.
Daikoku sat cross-legged and looked at Good with a somber gaze. Given the choice, he wouldn't have wanted to be alone with Good at all.
His failure to assassinate Good had already greatly displeased Shogun Orochi. If someone with ulterior motives twisted this private meeting, he feared he might come under suspicion of colluding with the enemy.
"Have some tea."
Good poured Daikoku a cup, then asked, "Daikoku, I'd like to know about that mysterious swordsman from last night."
"Ushimitsu Kozō?"
Daikoku frowned.
Information about Ushimitsu Kozō wasn't much of a secret. The problem was that the Oniwabanshu didn't know much about him either.
"Yes, him."
Killing intent flared in Good's eyes.
"That guy nearly rescued Shutenmaru. I won't be able to swallow this insult unless he's brought to justice!"
"Understood, Lord Good."
Daikoku nodded and told him everything they knew about Ushimitsu Kozō.
Good looked utterly astonished.
"So he's a chivalrous thief?"
"Yes."
Admiration appeared in Daikoku's eyes.
In this wretched world, a samurai who insisted on fighting for justice deserved great respect. At the very least, Daikoku couldn't do it himself.
"How interesting!"
Good gave a knowing smile.
"A chivalrous thief who robs the rich to help the poor traveled all the way from the Flower Capital to Atama Mountain to rescue a notorious villain guilty of every evil imaginable."
"Daikoku, does that make sense to you?"
"No."
Daikoku's brow furrowed deeply.
That was precisely what puzzled him most.
Good rubbed his chin and began unraveling the mystery.
"Ushimitsu Kozō risked his life to save a villain. That clearly makes no sense, and it obviously goes against his beliefs."
"Unless they already knew each other and were extremely close!"
"What do you think, Daikoku?"
Daikoku nodded in agreement.
That possibility had occurred to him as well, but only one night had passed. He hadn't had much time to consider the matter, so he had yet to sort out his thoughts.
Good continued guiding him.
"Normally, a chivalrous thief could never be friends with a bandit. The two are fundamentally incompatible, so there must be some other connection between them, such as blood ties!"
"Lord Good, those two couldn't possibly be related by blood."
Daikoku shook his head and said gravely, "The Oniwabanshu know Shutenmaru extremely well. He definitely has no living relatives."
"Good, that rules out one wrong answer."
Good nodded.
"If it isn't blood, then something else must connect them. I remember Shutenmaru was once called Ashura Doji, and at a certain special point in time, he stopped being a bandit."
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