Chapter 204 – Hope Is Still There
"Young Master!"
"Lord Momonosuke!"
In an instant, Kurozumi Orochi raised his pistol and shot Momonosuke in the head.
The gunshot echoed across the Flower Capital like thunder.
The sight stunned Ashura Dōji, Kawamatsu, and Kiku, who were locked in battle with the enemy. Their shock cost them dearly—each exposed a fatal opening.
Slash! Thrust!
Sasaki and Who's Who immediately seized their chance, their blades piercing deep into Ashura Dōji and Kawamatsu's bodies, gravely injuring them both.
"Head shot! Run away!"
Bang!
Ashura Dōji tried to counterattack despite his wound, but Ulti suddenly lunged in, ramming her head into his chest and sending him flying backward.
"Hey, Sasaki! I killed this one!" Ulti huffed, glaring at her comrade.
Sasaki merely grunted in annoyance, sheathing his blade with a clang. "Tch. Whatever." He turned and strode toward the fallen Ashura Dōji.
Even someone as strong as Ashura Dōji couldn't rise after taking blows from two of the Tobi Roppo's fiercest members.
---
On the other side, Kiku froze when she saw Momonosuke's lifeless body slump forward on the execution stand. That single moment of despair was all it took—Kyoshiro (Denjiro in disguise) caught her blade and pinned her to the ground, his sword piercing her shoulder.
"Don't resist," Kyoshiro whispered softly, his voice barely audible. "It's me—Denjiro. Listen carefully. Even if Lord Momonosuke has fallen, the hope of the Kozuki Clan has not disappeared."
Kiku's eyes widened. "Denjiro…?"
Denjiro continued in a low tone, "Lady Hiyori is still alive. I'll find a way to spare your lives. Stay alive and wait for your chance to avenge Oden-sama and Momonosuke-sama."
Hearing this, Kiku's body trembled. Her struggling ceased, and silent tears streamed down her cheeks. "I'm sorry, my lord…"
Denjiro's expression hardened as he glanced toward the execution platform.
Forgive me, young master. Once Lord Oden's dream is fulfilled… I'll end my life before your grave.
---
In the crowd, a woman disguised as a courtesan—Komurasaki, known to few as Hiyori Kozuki—watched her brother's death in horror. She covered her mouth, choking back a sob.
The grief cut deep, but beneath it lay something heavier—the crushing burden of being the last living heir of the Kozuki bloodline.
From this day forward, the fate of Wano rested solely on her shoulders.
---
High above the city, on the rooftop of a distant building, Portgas D. Ace and Yamato stood side by side.
They had witnessed everything—the shot, the fall, the lifeless body.
"...Momonosuke…" Yamato whispered, trembling.
Before she could move, Ace grabbed her arm. "Don't! Yamato!"
Yamato's eyes burned with fury and confusion. She had believed Momonosuke to be her father reborn, the spirit of Kozuki Oden alive again. But as she watched him die, she felt only anger—no grief, no tears.
"Let's go," Ace said quietly. "It's time to leave this place."
Yamato hesitated. "Where… are we going now? Out to sea?"
"Of course," Ace smiled faintly. "A pirate belongs on the sea."
Then his tone softened. "But before that, there's somewhere I have to go. I made a promise—to take someone with me when I returned to Wano."
Yamato blinked. "You've been here before?"
Ace nodded. "Yeah. And the one I promised to take with me… is a very cute little girl."
With that, the two of them turned their backs on the Flower Capital and disappeared into the distance.
---
"Guhehehe…"
Inside the castle attic, Orochi lowered his pistol, laughing wickedly. "I've no patience to wait for Kaido to finish them. From this moment on—there's no more Kozuki bloodline in Wano!"
"Lord Kaido!" Ulti, Sasaki, Who's Who, and Denjiro entered the attic, dragging the bloodied Ashura Dōji, Kawamatsu, and Kiku behind them.
"What should we do with these samurai?" Ulti asked, kicking the wounded Ashura Dōji.
"Kill them all!" Orochi snapped. "They're the Kozuki retainers—leave no trace of them alive!"
Kaido, sitting on his throne with a jug of sake in hand, frowned. "No."
Orochi's grin faltered. "Eh?"
Kaido rose slowly, towering over everyone. "The Kozuki name died with that brat. These samurai can still fight. Send them to the Udon Prison Mines. If they submit, they'll serve under me as soldiers."
"But—"
Kaido's gaze turned cold. "What's that, Orochi? Are you questioning my decision?"
Orochi paled instantly. "N-no, of course not! You are the supreme ruler of Wano, Kaido-sama. No one dares question you."
"Hmph." Kaido snorted and turned toward the shattered roof. "Do as I said."
Then, in a burst of wind and smoke, he transformed into his Azure Dragon form, smashing through the roof and soaring into the stormy skies above Onigashima.
---
After Kaido left, Denjiro bowed respectfully. "In that case, allow me to escort them to Udon, Lord Orochi."
Sasaki shrugged. "Fine by me." He dropped the unconscious Ashura Dōji and walked away.
"Same here," Ulti said carelessly before leaving as well.
Who's Who sneered. "Then they're yours, Kyoshiro." He tossed the battered Kawamatsu to the floor and followed the others out.
Denjiro caught Kawamatsu before he hit the ground. Then he turned toward Orochi, who was glaring at the hole Kaido had left in the ceiling.
"Orochi-sama," Denjiro said.
The shogun glanced down, still irritated. "What is it, Kyoshiro?"
"What should be done with the young master's body? Shall I see to its disposal?"
Orochi thought for a moment, then waved lazily. "Do as you please."
Denjiro bowed deeply. "It will be done."
But behind his lowered head, his expression was dark and full of fury.
---
Later, on the road to Udon Prison, Denjiro whispered to the unconscious Ashura Dōji and Kawamatsu:
"Listen well. Lady Hiyori lives. The hope of the Kozuki family still burns. So long as we live… we will rise again."
Even as they bled and suffered, those words gave the broken samurai strength—the faint, flickering light of hope that refused to die.
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