No one knew how much time had passed when suddenly, Kurozumi Orochi took in a sharp breath through his nose, letting out a raspy, grating wheeze.
Then, his short, pudgy hands clapped together enthusiastically.
"Magnificent! Truly magnificent! I've watched Miss Komurasaki's Peacock in Flight countless times, yet each time brings something new!"
"It's clear—her artistry has reached heights beyond imagination!"
"Lord Roya, are you satisfied with Miss Komurasaki's performance?"
Roya didn't bother replying to such a loaded question, filled as it was with implications. He simply smiled and looked toward Komurasaki.
Of course, he knew full well—this Komurasaki was none other than Kozuki Hiyori, the princess of Wano.
And Hiyori, having long heard of Roya's legendary deeds, was now gazing at him with large, curious eyes, sparkling with intensity as she carefully studied his face.
Orochi, seeing the mutual interest between them, was torn between possessive jealousy and sly satisfaction.
With another clap, a soft cushioned seat was brought forward by one of the attendants and placed at Roya's side.
Orochi gestured to it and said,
"Miss Komurasaki, please join us."
"To share a table with Lord Roya is a blessing most could only dream of!"
Kozuki Hiyori boldly met Roya's gaze and gave a graceful, mischievous smile. She rose and, with elegant steps, seated herself beside him.
Orochi, not even waiting for her to settle, quickly coaxed,
"Miss Komurasaki, offer Lord Roya a toast!"
Hiyori took the wine cup handed to her by an attendant, raised it with a smile, and said,
"Though Wano is closed off from the outside world, we have heard much of Lord Roya's glorious achievements."
"Forgive me for being so forward, but I have long looked forward to meeting you."
Even as she spoke, she made no move to drink—and subtly shook her head, signaling Roya not to drink either.
It was clear: she too possessed an exceptional intuition, capable of detecting the abnormal and hidden energies concealed within the cherry blossom wine—a force subtle and nearly imperceptible to ordinary senses.
Roya smiled faintly, and under Hiyori's slightly anxious gaze, he lifted the cup and downed it in one smooth motion.
Then he reached out, gently brushed her cup with his fingers—and said nothing.
Hiyori blinked, slightly stunned, then lowered her head to sniff the wine once more. Her brows lifted in delight.
She too then tipped her head back and drained the cup.
Whatever passed between them in that silent exchange, no one else could grasp. All the others saw was that the two now seemed to share a tacit affection, their chemistry palpable and harmonious.
Only Nico Robin appeared a little sour, while everyone else had expressions of cheerful approval—convinced they were witnessing the union of a heroic man and a peerless beauty.
Kurozumi Orochi, though reluctant, could only stifle his covetous thoughts toward Hiyori.
With a dry cough, he said,
"Miss Komurasaki, I'm afraid you may not yet know the full scope of Lord Roya's greatness. His feats are so astonishing, they defy belief!"
Just as he was about to continue shamelessly heaping praise, a faint giggle came from behind the folding screen.
Orochi's face immediately twisted in rage. He turned with a scowl and roared,
"Who dares laugh so boldly?! Seize them!"
Denjiro, as if gliding across the floor, slipped behind the screen like a ghost and returned moments later—dragging a young girl with short, chin-length pink hair and kneeling her in the center of the hall.
The girl was visibly terrified, her eyes brimming with tears.
Yet somehow, she still wore a wide, radiant grin—so wide it nearly reached her ears.
The stark contrast between her tear-filled eyes and that gleeful smile gave her an eerie, unsettling appearance.
Kozuki Hiyori immediately stood, bowed low, and said,
"Lord Roya, please pardon her. This is my maid, Toko. She was the one playing the drums for my performance earlier."
"I had no idea she would offend your refined sensibilities. Please, be merciful and spare her."
Roya furrowed his brows ever so slightly. It was obvious to him—this entire incident was part of a carefully choreographed performance by Hiyori.
But unfortunately for her, events would not unfold as she had planned.
Kurozumi Orochi, seemingly misreading Roya's silence, flew into a greater rage.
"A mere servant, and she dares laugh while her betters speak?!"
"Kyoshiro! Execute this wretched girl immediately! Let this be a warning to the rest!"
Denjiro responded with a bow, then pressed Toko's face to the floor, drew his blade, and raised it above her neck.
"Wait!"
Hiyori shouted, stopping Denjiro's strike mid-swing.
She turned toward Orochi, her voice cold and accusing:
"Does the Shogun not know why Toko lost control and laughed?"
Orochi's expression darkened. Of course he knew the reason—but he hadn't expected Hiyori to speak so defiantly to him.
His face twisted with embarrassment and rage. Slamming his palm on the table, he bellowed,
"How dare you! Just because you're the number one courtesan—the most beautiful woman in Wano—you think I will tolerate this insolence forever?!"
"Kyoshiro—kill her!"
Denjiro's eyes remained fixed on Hiyori.
At Orochi's renewed command, he gave a subtle nod.
Hiyori suddenly leapt to her feet. From her sleeve flashed a streak of cold steel—a hidden blade, aimed directly at Orochi's chest.
At the same moment, Denjiro sprang from the floor, sword arcing to intercept her strike.
A flash of steel split the air.
Both dropped back to the ground in the next instant.
Denjiro wore a twisted grin as he pulled out a pristine white handkerchief and wiped the blood from his blade.
Hiyori had collapsed—blood gushing from her chest.
In a blink, the banquet was dyed red.
Everyone present bore looks of stunned confusion.
Orochi stared blankly at Hiyori's fallen body, as if unable to believe what he was seeing.
After a pause, he finally spoke:
"Kyoshiro… your swordsmanship has declined. In the past, you would've split her in two with a single strike."
"Still… it's good she revealed herself early. If she'd tried to assassinate Lord Roya, even if she had no chance of success, merely disturbing his enjoyment would have been an unforgivable offense!"
"Her death is more than deserved! More than deserved!"
"Kyoshiro! Cut her to pieces—I want to watch her get shredded before my very eyes! That's the only thing that will calm my fury!"
Denjiro trembled all over.
He first glanced at the cruel, snarling Orochi—who clearly wasn't joking—then turned to look at Roya.
Roya let out a helpless sigh and said,
"Enough. Miss Komurasaki—rise. I'll guarantee your safety."
From the floor, Kozuki Hiyori shuddered slightly, revealing she was still alive.
Orochi's eyes flickered as he scrutinized Roya's expression.
Only after a long silence did he finally realize that Roya had no intention of interfering in Orochi's affairs—he simply didn't want Hiyori, Wano's most beautiful woman, to be harmed.
Letting out a silent breath of relief, Orochi gave a cold snort and turned to Denjiro, barking,
"Denjiro—did you really think I haven't known your true identity all this time?!"
"I've merely been using your sword to control your own kind!"
"Every time you cut down one of those Kozuki-clan samurai who dared defy me… I was overjoyed beyond words, you fool!"
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