Chapter 203 – Death of Momonosuke
The next morning, in the central square of the Flower Capital.
On the temporary gallows stood Kozuki Momonosuke, his small body bruised and beaten beyond recognition. Across from the gallows, atop a raised attic platform, sat Kaido and Kurozumi Orochi, looking down upon the square where hundreds of Beast Pirates and Orochi's samurai had gathered to witness the execution.
"How's the situation? Any movement from Oden's remnants?" Kaido asked lazily, swirling the sake in his large cup as he reclined on the attic railing.
"No, Lord Kaido," replied his masked aide, a retainer of Orochi. "Since you're personally overseeing the execution, no samurai would dare show their faces."
"Really?" Kaido grunted, setting down his cup and rising to his feet. "Then let's finish this."
He waved his hand dismissively. "Kill that brat. End the Kozuki bloodline here and now—along with the legend of Oden!"
This time, unlike the original history, Kaido showed no interest in humiliation or theatrics. He didn't demand the boy's name or taunt him with questions. Instead, he simply ordered his death.
"Gufufufu…" Orochi chuckled, standing beside Kaido. He drew his ornate pistol and aimed it at the helpless child. "Then I shall personally end the Kozuki line."
Bang!
The gunshot rang out across the square.
Clang!
A shadow burst from the crowd, intercepting the bullet with a sword. Sparks scattered through the air as the man landed in front of Momonosuke, his blade trembling from the impact.
"Oh? Isn't that the bandit leader of Mount Atama… Shutenmaru?" Orochi recognized the man immediately and sneered. "Why save this brat?"
"Do you even need to ask?" The man glared up at the attic, his voice filled with defiance. "For Lord Oden, of course!"
He turned his head slightly to glance at Momonosuke behind him. "My name is Ashura Dōji, former retainer of Lord Oden Kozuki!"
"So, the real name of the mountain bandit, huh?" Orochi's tone grew mocking. "You've been hiding under that name for twenty years, haven't you? You know you can't possibly save him alone, so why come here just to die?"
Ashura Dōji laughed bitterly. "To repay Oden-sama's kindness! A traitor like you could never understand!"
"Guhehehe…" Orochi's grin twisted with cruelty. "Kindness? Of course I wouldn't understand that. And it seems you're not the only fool who received it. But tell me—where are the others? You were nine, weren't you?"
His words were interrupted as two figures suddenly leapt from the rooftops on both sides of the square.
One short and round like a penguin, the other tall and slender, both drew their swords and lunged toward Kaido and Orochi.
Clang! Clang!
Their blades were blocked by Who's Who, standing beside Kaido, and Denjiro, Orochi's loyal samurai.
"Who are you?" Orochi demanded, scowling.
"I am Oden-sama's retainer—Kawamatsu the Kappa," the shorter one declared proudly.
"And I am also one of Oden-sama's retainers—Kikunojo of the Lingering Snow!" the tall warrior added, her voice sharp beneath the demon mask.
Kaido rose to his full height, eyes narrowing. "So, all of you are Oden's retainers. But in the end, only three of you came?"
He looked down at them like insects. "According to the prophecy twenty years ago, Oden's son would lead nine samurai to stand against me. Yet one of your comrades died in Dressrosa, another was exposed and killed by Orochi's spies, and now only three of you remain. So the others ran away, huh?"
Kiku and the others said nothing. They knew he was trying to shake them.
But even if they stood no chance, they would not back down. They would die here protecting Momonosuke. That much they had decided long ago.
Watching from Orochi's side, Denjiro tightened his grip on his sword. He knew he couldn't move yet—not now. The Kozuki family still had one last hope. Even if Momonosuke died here, Hiyori-sama still lived, and she would one day fulfill Oden's dream. So he endured.
"Enough!" Kaido waved impatiently. "If the others won't show themselves, then just kill them all."
"Yes, Lord Kaido!"
The three members of the Tobi Roppo standing behind him—Ulti, Who's Who, and Sasaki—moved simultaneously, charging toward Ashura Dōji, Kawamatsu, and Kikunojo.
Sasaki went for Ashura Dōji near the gallows. Who's Who attacked Kawamatsu. Ulti darted toward Kikunojo—but a blade intercepted her path.
"I'm afraid you'll have to deal with me instead, Miss Ulti," said Denjiro, stepping forward, his sword flashing.
Ulti smirked. "A samurai of Orochi, huh? You're pretty strong for a dog!"
She glanced around at the other battles and then leaned toward Sasaki, who was fighting Ashura Dōji.
"Hey, Sasaki," she whispered, "if we team up and finish our fights faster than Who's Who, Lord Kaido will notice. Maybe we'll get promoted to the All-Stars."
Sasaki grinned. "Heh… now that's motivation. Fine, let's do it!"
"Hey, I heard that!" Who's Who yelled between blows. "If you two gang up and still can't finish him, then that promotion's mine!"
"You'll have to survive first, idiot!" Ulti shouted back.
Boom!
Suddenly, a sharp gunshot echoed through the chaos.
Everyone froze.
Their eyes turned toward the gallows—where Kozuki Momonosuke slumped forward, a bullet hole in his forehead.
The shooter lowered his smoking pistol, a twisted smile on his face.
Kurozumi Orochi, Shogun of Wano Country, had personally fired the shot.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If you like the story please give it some power stones and reviews. And if you want to read 40+ advance chapters or just want to support me please join my patreon at [email protected]/Translatingfanfics