Another week has passed.
The Beasts Pirates have noticeably reduced their search efforts in the Wano Country.
It wasn't that they gave up, but rather that Jhin redeployed most of his forces back to several key factories while simultaneously strengthening the island's defenses.
Those patrol teams still roaming around inland are more of a show than a real search.
On the contrary, the Oden residence in Kuri is becoming more and more lively.
During this time, Kin'emon and the Nine Red Scabbards secretly traveled to every corner of Wano Country, contacting all the old subordinates they could still find.
Those samurai who had followed Kozuki Oden in the past rushed to Kuri with their family heirloom swords after hearing the news brought back by Kin'emon.
Most of them are now gray-haired, and their hands that grip the knife are not as steady as they used to be, but the fire burning in their eyes has never been extinguished.
Most surprisingly, Inuarashi and Cat Viper also arrived.
The two Mink Tribe Kings, along with their elite Musketeer Squad and Guardians, traveled a great distance from Zou.
They landed in the dead of night, and several hundred Mink Tribe warriors silently jumped off the ship and formed ranks in the dense forest surrounding the Oden residence.
When Inuarashi and Cat Viper entered the mansion, Kin'emon was in the courtyard discussing ships with Denjiro.
Upon seeing his two old friends come to his aid, Kin'emon's eyes immediately welled up with tears.
" Inuarashi... Cat Viper... you..."
"Stop talking nonsense, Kin'emon."
The Cat Viper remained as languid as ever, its tail swishing leisurely behind it.
" The Kozuki Family Mink Tribe."
This time, we'll witness Kaido's downfall with our own eyes.
Inuarashi didn't speak, but simply placed his hand on his chest and bowed slightly to Kin'emon.
That gesture was a common courtesy they used when they followed Oden, and it has never changed.
The following morning, an unprecedented strategic meeting was held in the main house of the mansion.
The entire Straw Hat Pirates, the entire Heart Pirates, all Nine Red Scabbards, and all five Supernovas were present, plus Inuarashi, Cat Viper, and the Mink Tribe warriors they brought; the room was packed to the brim.
Kin'emon unfolded a hand-drawn map of Wano Country, pointed to the location of Onigashima, and looked solemn.
"According to the information provided by Kyoshiro, at least three thousand members of the Beasts Pirates are stationed around Onigashima."
The All-Stars, the Flying Six, and Kaido himself are all on the island now.
"The number of people on our side who can fight is less than eight hundred."
Five hundred samurai, two hundred Mink Tribe warriors, plus your main force—we are at a significant numerical disadvantage.
"Not only that."
Denjiro took over the conversation, his tone even calmer than Kin'emon's.
" Onigashima itself is a natural fortress."
Surrounded by the sea on all sides, it can only be accessed and exited by waterway.
"If we launch a direct assault, our eight hundred men won't even be able to take the port."
"What should we do?" Usopp's face was already turning pale.
"I suggest we divide our forces."
Kin'emon drew several lines on the map with his finger.
"Send a feint attack force to draw fire from the front, while the main force circles around to the rear of Onigashima from the flank, climbs the cliff, and heads straight for the Skull Palace."
"No."
Luo shook his head, and the scabbard of Kikoku tapped twice on the map.
"Dividing the troops will only further disperse the already disadvantaged forces."
Once the feinting force on the front is annihilated, the main force on the flank will be trapped and eliminated.
"Then let's focus on making a breakthrough in one area."
Kid, his voice rough, held the metal arm.
"My magnetic force can attract all their weapons. Without weapons, those small fry are just a bunch of pigs waiting to be slaughtered."
"But how much can you inhale by yourself?"
"Three thousand people's weapons, you'll be exhausted after absorbing half of them."
Kid snorted but did not refute.
In my opinion--
"Or we should--"
"Why not first --"
Everyone expressed their opinions, and the debate grew louder and louder. Some people slammed their fists on the table, some drew their knives and brandished them, and some squatted in a corner flipping through tarot cards.
Just as the argument was about to escalate into a full-blown fight, an untimely voice came from the corner.
"Smack smack smack--"
Everyone stopped arguing and turned to look at the source of the sound.
Luffy sat cross-legged in the corner, holding a meaty bone thicker than his arm, gnawing on it until his mouth was covered in grease.
There were several bones piled up in front of him, already gnawed clean, indicating he had been eating there for quite some time.
" Luffy --!!!"
Nami's iron fist slammed into Luffy's head right on time, and the shockwave spread outwards from Luffy's head, even making the map on the table fly up.
"We were discussing how to attack Onigashima, and you're here secretly eating meat!!!"
"But--but-I'm hungry--"
Luffy, clutching the steaming bump on his head, protested pitifully.
"And Sanji's meat is so delicious..."
Sanji exhaled a puff of smoke, a slight smile playing on his lips, clearly pleased with the compliment.
"I'm tired of you two arguing."
Luffy stuffed the meaty bone into his mouth, chewed it up, and swallowed it. Then he stood up and dusted off the grease from his hands.
Why think so much?
Why not just rush straight to Kaido's lair and beat him to a pulp?
The room was silent for a full five seconds.
Apoo was the first to explode.
He sprang up from his chair, his long face contorted with rage.
Straw Hat Boy!
Do you know what you're saying?!
That's Kaido's stronghold! There are three thousand guards just on the outer perimeter!
Are we just going to throw our lives if we charge in with so few men?!
Bege, with a cigar dangling from his lips, exhaled a thick cloud of smoke.
"Although I'm not afraid of death, dying and fighting are two different things."
Hawkins turned over a card, his brow furrowed so deeply it could trap a fly.
Drake remained silent, but he shook his head slightly.
Faced with the doubts of the four Supernovas, Luffy pulled his Straw Hat down further, revealing an excessively bright smile:
"But aren't most of Kaido's men still searching for us in the Wano Country?"
Everyone was stunned.
"We caused such a commotion in Udon that Kaido must have sent out most of his forces to look for us."
The garrison on Onigashima is actually smaller than usual.
Luffy tilted his head, his tone as if stating a perfectly simple fact.
"Instead of worrying about how to fight three thousand people, let's take advantage of them being out there looking for us and rush straight to Onigashima to find Kaido."
"Once Kaido is defeated, his subordinates will naturally scatter."
Kin'emon dropped open, and he didn't even notice the pen he was holding rolling twice on the table.
A slight smile appeared on Zoro's lips, "This idiot can occasionally say something useful."
Sanji stubbed out his cigarette in the ashtray. "I hate to admit it, but there's some truth to that."
Nami rushed forward and grabbed Luffy's head, pressing two terrifying lightning bolts against the back of Luffy head.
He pinched his temple hard with his fist, but this time it wasn't to punch him, but rather—a helpless kind of affection.