The gathered samurai stared intently at Ashura Doji.
In their eyes, Orochi might still be the shogun of Wano, but without Kaido's backing, he was nothing more than a paper tiger.
Taking him down shouldn't be too difficult.
"No, you're oversimplifying things!"
Ashura Doji spoke in a deep voice.
"Orochi may be a paper tiger, and opening the country might be easy."
"But once we open it, the real challenge is defending it."
"With Kaido's vengeful nature, he'll never hand Wano over willingly. He'll come back for revenge."
"And when he does—do we have anyone in Wano who can stop him?"
"If we can't stop him, then all the sacrifices we make to open the country will be for nothing. Just another round of meaningless bloodshed."
"What Wano lacks right now… is true strength."
The samurai's faces turned grim.
There was no arguing with Ashura's words.
They knew all too well how terrifying Kaido's power was.
If they risked everything to open the country, only to be crushed by the Beasts Pirates' retaliation, it would all be in vain.
Sensing the heavy shift in the atmosphere, Ashura Doji said no more. He took a swig of strong liquor and turned to leave.
But as he turned, his eyes landed on an unexpected figure.
"Who are you?"
Ashura's voice was low and wary.
He hadn't sensed this person's approach at all.
He knew he wasn't a match for Kaido—but he wasn't so weak that someone could sneak up behind him unnoticed.
Yet this young man had done just that.
The samurai around him tensed, gripping their weapons.
Their earlier conversation had been far too sensitive.
If word reached Orochi—or worse, Kaido—the remaining samurai of Wano would be slaughtered.
And Wano's already fragile foundation would be shattered.
"Relax. I'm not with Orochi or Kaido."
Luo Yu raised his wine gourd and took a sip.
"Someone told me you're worth twenty million. So I came to take a look."
"But you're right—Wano does lack real strength. And you? You're barely worth twenty million."
"I'm worth twenty million?"
Ashura's face darkened.
"Kid, what nonsense are you spouting? Who sent you to say something so ridiculous?"
"If you don't give me a good reason, don't blame me for what happens next."
"That's right! Our boss Ashura was handpicked by Kaido himself! He can go toe-to-toe with Jack the Drought!"
One samurai couldn't hold back.
"Forget twenty million—he's worth at least seven or eight hundred million! Are you mocking him on purpose?"
The surrounding samurai all drew their swords.
They knew—if this didn't get resolved fast, a fight was inevitable.
Ashura's expression turned icy. He slowly gripped the hilt of his katana.
As one of the last surviving members of the Akazaya Nine, and a bandit leader tolerated even by Kaido, Ashura's strength was undeniable.
Very few in Wano dared provoke him.
Now, a mysterious youth had appeared out of nowhere—and Ashura's nerves were on edge.
What unsettled him most was that this young man had an unreadable air from the start.
"Ashura, wait! Don't do anything rash!"
Nekomamushi and Inuarashi rushed over, shouting.
"This is Luo Yu, the Navy's new Admiral. If he says you're worth twenty million, then that's what you're worth! We didn't sell you—we recommended you!"
"Don't act out, or you might not even be worth twenty million!"
"Not even worth twenty million?"
Ashura's face turned cold.
"So it's you two. I was wondering who it was."
"You sold me out—and for only twenty million?"
"Then let's see if you're even qualified to take me in!"
BOOM!
Ashura lunged forward.
Despite his massive frame, he moved with shocking agility—crossing a hundred meters in a blink.
In a flash, he vanished and reappeared behind Luo Yu.
His blade gleamed with deadly light as he slashed down with full force.
"Kid, Wano may lack true strength—but that doesn't mean just anyone can come here and throw their weight around."
"Let's see what makes you worth selling me for twenty million!"
CLANG!
A dull impact rang out.
Ashura froze.
He had expected this sudden strike to force Luo Yu to react.
But his blade had stopped an inch from Luo Yu's body—blocked by a golden barrier.
Luo Yu stood calmly beneath a shimmering golden aura, still sipping his drink.
Ashura's expression darkened.
That strike hadn't been his full power—but even Jack would've had to block it.
Yet this man hadn't even flinched.
He turned and shouted at Nekomamushi and Inuarashi:
"You two dare sell me out? Are you trying to make Lord Oden turn in his grave?"
"Help me take this guy down—or don't blame me for turning on you too!"
With Kaido gone and only Orochi left in Wano, Ashura saw a glimmer of opportunity.
Though he still resented Nekomamushi and Inuarashi for their failure during the final battle, he was willing to set that aside for Wano's sake.
"Team up with you?"
Nekomamushi blinked, then turned and bolted.
"We sold you to honor Lord Oden's memory!"
"Inuarashi, run! Don't let Ashura's stupidity drag us down too!"