The Kurozumi Orochi's lips trembled, unable to utter a word.
Just then, a disdainful snort rang out.
"Tch, trash."
The sound came from the shadows in the corner of the hall.
An elderly man, white-haired yet vigorous, wearing a naval justice cloak.
He was sitting there with his legs crossed, holding a bag of rice crackers and crunching them loudly.
Naval hero, Monkey D. Garp.
" Mr. Garp!"
The Kurozumi Orochi, as if grasping at a straw, scrambled forward.
"You, you're here too! That's great! You're a hero of the Navy! You can definitely handle Roy, right?!"
"Please, save me!"
Garp rolled his eyes, not even bothering to look at him.
"My mission is Kaido, not to protect a little snake like you."
The Kurozumi Orochi was struck as if by lightning; the color drained from its face instantly.
The CP0 leader slowly stood up and walked to Kurozumi Orochi.
Looking down at him.
"Lord Kurozumi Orochi."
His voice remained calm, yet carried a chilling undertone.
Please recognize this fact--
"From this moment on, you have no other choice."
"Partnering with us is your only way out."
"If we abandon the cooperation--"
The CP0 Chief leaned slightly closer to Kurozumi Orochi's ear, his voice so low that only the two of them could hear.
Do you think Kaido would let someone who betrayed him go unpunished?
"Or do you think Roy will pity you?"
The Kurozumi Orochi's body trembled violently, its lips turned white, yet it could not utter a single word.
The CP0 chief straightened up and glanced at him indifferently.
"Stay obediently in your mansion and don't go anywhere."
"We'll handle Roy's matter."
After saying that, he turned and walked out of the hall.
After taking a few steps, he stopped again, turned around and looked at Garp.
" Mr. Garp, please make sure you protect Kurozumi Orochi."
"This is the order from the Five Elders."
Garp, chewing on a senbei, glanced at him disdainfully.
"Tch, don't try to intimidate me with the Five Elders."
"My mission is Kaido, not this little snake."
As for protecting him--
Garp pointed at Kurozumi Orochi.
"You can't even protect your own people, and you expect me to?"
"Besides, aren't you supposed to be the CP0 chief? You can't even handle Roy?"
The CP0 chief's eyes suddenly turned cold.
The surrounding air seemed to freeze.
But Garp remained seated, legs crossed, munching on senbei, completely unconcerned.
After a long silence, the CP0 chief withdrew his gaze and said coldly,
" Mr. Garp, I will report your words and actions to the Five Elders truthfully."
"As you like."
Garp rolled his eyes.
"Anyway, this isn't the first time I've been insulted."
The CP0 chief said nothing more, turned and strode away.
The Kurozumi Orochi slumped in the chair, its body covered in mud.
Garp stood up, dusted the cookie crumbs off his hands, and walked towards the door.
"Wait, wait a minute!"
The Kurozumi Orochi struggled and cried out.
"Where are you going?!"
Garp didn't even turn his head.
"Go where you're supposed to go."
As for you--
His voice came from outside the door, tinged with disdain.
Good luck to you.
Kurozumi Orochi's mansion fell into a deathly silence.
Only Kurozumi Orochi remained, slumped in the luxurious yet cold hall, trembling.
In the distance, the faint sound of the night wind rustling through the treetops could be heard.
To him, the sound was like the footsteps of death.
Meanwhile, deep in the mountains west of the Flower Capital, in a secluded campsite.
Garp strode into the camp, where several Marine Vice Admiral immediately came to greet him.
" Mr. Garp!"
"How is the situation?"
Garp waved his hand.
"That CP0 chief is incredibly stubborn."
"But that's alright, our mission remains the same—keep an eye on Kaido."
A Vice Admiral hesitated,
"But Roy is already here..."
"So what if you're here?"
Garp grinned.
"It'll be a good opportunity to teach those CP0 guys a lesson they won't forget."
"We'll just wait here and watch the show."
"It's not too late to make a move after they've had their fill of fighting."
The Vice Admiral looked at each other, and finally could only nod.
Night deepened.
On the land of Wano Country, three forces are stirring up trouble in the shadows.
Meanwhile, in Kuri, at Oden Castle.
Unlike the luxurious Flower Capital, Kuri, as the fiefdom of Kozuki Oden, exudes simplicity and ruggedness.
But at this moment, within this simple city, there gathers a power powerful enough to shake the very foundations of Wano Country.
Inside the main hall, more than twenty people sat in a circle.
At the head of the group was a burly man with a strangely styled bowl-shaped haircut.
It was Kozuki Oden.
At this moment, the arrogance and unruliness he had displayed on Roger's ship were gone from his face.
Instead, there is a settled sense of solemnity and perseverance.
Two years of nude dancing, two years of humiliation, two years of forbearance.
It transformed him from a spirited " Lord Fool " into a man who truly understood the meaning of responsibility.
"Gentlemen."
Oden spoke, his voice deep and resonant.
"I've gathered everyone here today to announce something important."
Below, all Nine Red Scabbards are present.
Kin'emon, Kanjuro, Raizo, Kikunojo, Izo, Inuarashi, Cat Viper, Kawamatsu, Denjiro —every face was filled with loyalty and expectation for Oden.
In addition, there were two other equally imposing figures.
Hyogoro of the Flower, a big boss in the underworld.
Although he was old, his muscles were still well-defined, his eyes gleamed with a sharp light, and his aura was in no way inferior to any of the young people present.
Shimotsuki Yasuie, Hakumai Daiming, the head of the Shimotsuki Family.
Dressed in simple samurai attire, with a lean face and gentle yet profound eyes, he exuded wisdom honed through trials and tribulations.
Behind the two were dozens of warrior leaders from various regions, each a powerful figure capable of standing alone.
Oden took a deep breath, stood up, and walked to the center of the field.
Then, to everyone's astonishment—
He knelt down, his forehead slamming heavily against the floor.
Thump--!!!
A dull thud echoed through the hall.
" Oden!!"
Kin'emon exclaimed and was about to step forward, but Oden stopped him by raising his hand.
Oden remained kneeling, his forehead pressed against the floor, his voice low and hoarse.
"Gentlemen..."
"I, Kozuki Oden, was utterly foolish!"
"Two years ago, I naively believed Kurozumi Orochi and Kaido's promises, thinking that if I danced naked for two years, I could save the hostages' lives and keep Wano Country from war..."
"But I was wrong."
"The hostages... were all killed."
"They gave their lives for my foolishness."
"In the past two years, I have disappointed the people of Wano Country, and I have disappointed the samurai who trusted me."
It disappointed... those who died for me.
"I am unworthy to be the shogun of Wano Country."
Thump--!!!
Another resounding thud.
The hall was deathly silent; all eyes were fixed on the kneeling man.
There was shock, heartache, reluctance, and... a deeper trust.