West of Kuri Village.
Ace carefully wove bamboo strips into a bamboo hat, but in a moment of carelessness, the hat in his hands burst into flames.
"Hahaha, Ace messed up again!"
The other villagers weaving hats couldn't help but laugh, their eyes filled with warmth. After their brief interactions, they had already sensed Ace's kindness.
Though Ace was also a pirate, he was nothing like the wicked Kaido.
Tama sat beside Ace, tilting her head curiously as she asked, "Ace, why did you come to Wano Country?"
"Oh, that?"
Ace adjusted his hat brim, revealing a confident grin.
"We're here to take down Kaido!"
"Take down Kaido?!"
Tama and the villagers froze, then simultaneously raised their arms, their expressions shifting from confusion to sheer terror, snot running down their faces.
"WHAAAT?!!!"
The entire village jumped in shock.
It took a while for the villagers to calm down from their fright, their gazes now filled with disbelief as they stared at Ace and his crew.
Were these pirates insane?
Even the invincible Kozuki Oden couldn't defeat Kaido!
"Hahaha, did I scare you?"
Ace scratched his head and laughed heartily, unsurprised by the villagers' reaction. Similar situations had happened many times before.
No one believed in them, yet they had fought their way through countless powerful foes, finally arriving in the New World.
Now, all they had to do was defeat Kaido, and he would claim the throne as the strongest, seize the Pirate King's treasure, and prove his existence to the world!
His dream was right before him!
Ace held his hat brim, his eyes blazing with determination.
His overflowing confidence and aura left the villagers stunned, stirring something deep within them—a desire to follow him.
Maybe... just maybe, this young man really could defeat Kaido!
"By the way, I have a question."
Ace glanced at the ragged, elderly, and frail villagers, puzzled. "Are there no young people in your village?"
"..."
The villagers exchanged glances, sighing bitterly.
If there were young people, Kuri Village wouldn't have fallen into such a state. Who knew when the village might disappear entirely?
Tama bit her lip, tugging lightly at Ace's sleeve. "Ace, Grandpa says all the adults in the village were taken away by Orochi Shogun... and sent to Kaido."
"I see."
Ace frowned deeply, but soon his expression softened. Smiling, he placed a hand on Tama's head.
"I'll go bring them back!"
"Ace..."
Tama stared at him in awe.
At that moment, she wanted nothing more than to leave with him.
"Alright, crew, set sail!"
Ace turned toward the coast, his eyes burning like flames.
"We're going to take down Kaido!"
"OOOOHHH!!!"
Meanwhile.
Oni Island, harbor.
"Hurry up!"
The pirates stationed there rushed to the docks. When they saw their pirate ship entering the port, they immediately straightened their backs and lined up in formation.
As Gurd disembarked, the pirates roared in unison.
"Welcome back, Lord Gurd!"
"Hmph."
Gurd gave a slight nod.
These idiots were pretty slick, knowing to greet him.
Right now, Oni Island was practically deserted, with not even a single Headliner-level officer left—just a handful of guards.
He was the highest-ranking one here.
Gurd lifted his gaze toward Skull Castle.
"It's been a while since I last came back."
"Tch, I never wanted to return in the first place!"
Yamato walked beside Gurd, turning her head away in displeasure. Oni Island was the place she hated the most.
Gurd chuckled silently, well aware of the young girl's thoughts.
"Yamato, gaining freedom isn't that easy. Do you remember what I told you back in the dungeon?"
"Of course I remember!" Yamato clenched her small fists tightly. "I must endure!"
Before she could earn the right to speak to her father as an equal, she had to endure. Only then could she break free from his control.
According to Gurd's judgment, it would take at least five more years before she could truly gain her freedom and set sail on adventures as she pleased.
Until then, she had to endure!
Gurd gave an approving thumbs-up. "Subarashii!"
"Hehe." Yamato grinned sheepishly.
She had already begun to see the benefits of patience. Now, within Wano Country, no one restricted her freedom—she could do whatever she wanted.
Looking back on her fifteen years of imprisonment, she couldn't fathom how she had endured it. It all felt like a distant dream now.
In any case, she was quite satisfied with her current life.
"Let's go."
Gurd headed toward Skull Castle, cautioning her as they walked: "I've received reports that the Spade Pirates have entered the country. Without a doubt, they'll soon invade Oni Island."
"That Fire Fist Ace?" Yamato's eyes lit up.
She didn't know much about the outside world, but she had heard of Fire Fist's reputation several times—a powerful rookie pirate.
"Yes, him." Gurd gave Yamato a meaningful look. "Listen carefully—you are not to engage Ace without my orders."
"Huh? Why?" Yamato tilted her head in confusion.
Rumors said Fire Fist was incredibly strong, having even defeated the Royal Seven Warlord Hanafuda. Could Gurd handle him alone?
Gurd sighed deeply. "Because I don't want my precious cabbage to be snatched away by some reckless young upstart."
"What do you mean?" Yamato was bewildered.
What cabbage? Did Gurd like farming now?
"Anyway, leave Fire Fist to me. If you're bored, go deal with his crew instead." Gurd's gaze darkened.
Ace was this year's Supernova, with a bounty exceeding 200 million berries. Having defeated the Warlord Hanafuda, his strength was undeniable.
There was also the fact that Ace was Luffy's older brother, and with Roger's bloodline, he might pull off some miraculous feats just like the Straw Hat.
Gurd wasn't confident he could defeat Ace.
But this fight had to happen—and he had to win!
Only the victor would hold the right to dictate terms!
The Flower Capital was on the brink of civil war, and time was running short. He had to deal with Ace before Orochi and Kyoshiro turned on each other.
Meanwhile.
Flower Capital, General Castle.
Only three people occupied the silent, secluded chamber.
Orochi hugged himself, shivering uncontrollably, his eyes filled with disbelief and lingering terror.
Kyoshiro was one of the Nine Red Scabbards!
This news struck him like a bolt from the blue. His most trusted swordsman was actually his most feared mortal enemy.
Da Black knelt below, speaking gravely. "Lord Shogun, this intel is merely Gurd-sama's speculation. We still need to verify its accuracy ourselves!"
"That's not the answer I need!" Orochi's teeth chattered.
What he needed wasn't a misunderstanding—he wanted the Kozuki Clan exterminated. Even if there was only a one percent chance, he couldn't allow Kyoshiro to live!
Moreover, that damned Pirate's reasoning was so logical that even he began to believe Kyoshiro was the mole.
Once the seed of doubt is planted, the truth no longer matters.
Orochi's face twisted into a snarl as only one thought consumed his mind.
"Fukurokuju, I want Kyoshiro dead!"
"As you command, Lord Orochi."
Fukurokuju gave a slight bow, a dangerous smile creeping across his face.
Eliminating his formidable rival Kyoshiro was also beneficial for him—Orochi Shogun would rely even more on the Oniwabanshu in the future.
"Give us some time to prepare!"
(End of Chapter)