The next morning, golden sunlight spilled across Kozuki Hiyori's body like scattered fragments of light.
Feeling that long-lost warmth, her eyelashes fluttered slightly before she slowly opened her eyes.
She blinked in surprise upon realizing that Luo Yu was no longer in the room, and fell into a moment of silence.
"Hiyori, are you awake? May we come in?"
Kozuki Sukiyaki's voice came from outside the door.
Snapping out of her daze, Hiyori quickly wiped the drool from the corner of her mouth, dressed herself, and replied,
"Grandfather, you can come in."
"He's gone?"
Sukiyaki carefully pushed open the door, glanced around, and sighed softly, a trace of disappointment flickering across his face despite having expected this outcome.
"Last night…" he began.
Hiyori's cheeks flushed red. She quickly shook her head.
"Grandfather, nothing happened last night. Maybe… maybe I'm just not attractive enough?"
"Nothing happened?"
Sukiyaki rolled his eyes.
"No wonder. I listened at the door all night and didn't hear a thing—ah, I mean, I worried for nothing."
"Still, I can't blame him. The Navy is preparing for war against two of the Four Emperors. Wano isn't even a member of the World Government. If anyone's to blame, it's me—for failing to raise Oden properly. Otherwise, Wano wouldn't be in this state."
"Father…"
Hiyori fell silent.
In the past, she would have bristled at anyone criticizing Oden.
But after hearing Luo Yu's harsh assessment, she found herself unable to argue.
Who would have thought that the once-mighty hero would be remembered as a tragic fool?
"Enough, Hiyori. Don't dwell on it too much," Sukiyaki said with a sigh.
"Whether that man helps us or not, the fact that Kaido and his crew have declared war on the Navy is a huge opportunity for Wano."
"We don't need the Navy to destroy the Beasts Pirates—just wounding them would already be a blessing for us."
"When the time comes, I'm afraid we'll have to trouble you again to reach out to him…"
"Trouble me again?"
A glimmer of light flashed in Hiyori's eyes. She immediately understood what her grandfather meant.
Sukiyaki was momentarily taken aback by her reaction. Kyoshiro, who had been standing at the door, stepped in and raised an eyebrow.
"Lord Sukiyaki, what are you saying that's making Princess Hiyori so happy?"
"Happy? Me?"
Hiyori snapped out of it and waved her hands quickly.
"N-no! I'm not happy about anything improper, Uncle Kyoshiro. You misunderstood!"
"We misunderstood?"
Sukiyaki gave her a knowing look. As a seasoned man, he could easily read her expression.
He never expected that his granddaughter—the most revered courtesan in Wano—would have such thoughts.
But turning to Kyoshiro, his tone grew serious.
"Denjiro, didn't you say you were going to the shogun's palace to see Orochi? Why are you back so soon?"
The shift in topic helped Hiyori regain her composure. She looked toward Kyoshiro.
He had gone to the palace to assess the possibility of opening Wano's borders.
His sudden return clearly meant something had changed.
Kyoshiro's expression was grim.
"Lord Sukiyaki, Princess Hiyori—something has happened."
"Ashura Doji, who has long occupied Mt. Bandit in Kuri under the alias Shutenmaru, suddenly issued a call to arms yesterday, summoning samurai to rise and open the country."
"The entire nation is in an uproar—even Orochi has been alarmed."
"He's summoned the entire Oniwabanshu, and all samurai across Wano are being called to gather in the Flower Capital."
"By my estimate, over twelve thousand samurai will converge there. With Ashura Doji's limited forces and influence, he doesn't stand a chance against Orochi—let alone open the country."
"It's a suicide mission."
Hiyori and Sukiyaki's faces turned pale.
They hadn't expected such a sudden turn of events.
"Uncle Kyoshiro, based on your judgment, Ashura Doji has always been patient. He didn't even join the raid on Onigashima ten years ago. Why act so rashly now?"
"Is it because Kaido's sudden departure made him think this was the perfect chance?"
"But he's underestimated Orochi's cunning."
Sukiyaki and Kyoshiro both looked grim.
They knew that Ashura Doji, once favored by Kaido, was a formidable warlord in his own right.
But Kaido would never allow him to build his own army unchecked.
Even now, Mt. Bandit could only muster around three hundred samurai.
His title as one of the Nine Red Scabbards might attract some hidden warriors…
But compared to Orochi's newly raised forces, the numbers were far too lopsided.
If they clashed, it would be a massacre.
"Uncle Kyoshiro, is there any way to stop Ashura?"
Hiyori asked urgently.
Kyoshiro shook his head.
"Orochi already knows. If I try to stop Ashura now, it'll only expose our identities."
"There's only one option left: if that man is willing to fight, we might have a real chance to open the country."
"But finding him now… won't be easy."
Hiyori's face darkened. She clenched her fists, then gave a bitter smile.
"Grandfather, Uncle Kyoshiro… I kind of regret not being more forceful last night."
"At least then, the admiral would owe me a favor."
"Still, I might have a way to find him. It's risky—but this might be our last chance."
"Father may have been harshly judged by him, but the truth is, Wano has lacked bold initiative for too long."
"Uncle Kyoshiro, I want to take a gamble—on that outsider. Will you bet with me?"
Kyoshiro and Sukiyaki were stunned.
They hadn't expected Hiyori to say something so bold.
But seeing the determination in her eyes, they exchanged a glance—
And silently nodded.