Flower Capital · Shogun's Residence
"What!!? Kaido's guest might come to the Flower Capital? And we're supposed to keep an eye out for that airborne golden warship!?"
Kurozumi Orochi nearly shouted the words after receiving Queen the Plague's transmission via Den Den Mushi.
"That's right. If he shows up in the Flower Capital, do not provoke him. His strength surpasses even King the Wildfire—second only to Kaido himself."
Queen's warning was sharp. He wanted Orochi to keep his samurai and ninja from getting reckless, especially those who might covet the golden warship. Angering Souta Kiryuu would be disastrous. Even Kaido himself might not be able to save them if things went wrong.
And truthfully, Queen had already angered Souta Kiryuu not long ago—over nothing more than a single prisoner. Did Souta really need to make such a fuss?
No, Queen suspected he had done it deliberately, picking a fight just to create an excuse to stir chaos in Wano.
Orochi, after hearing Queen's long list of cautions, couldn't help but feel nervous. For Queen—arrogant, gluttonous Queen—to be this wary meant Souta's power was terrifying indeed.
Standing nearby, the courtesan Komurasaki overheard Orochi's outburst. Now she, too, knew more about this "honored guest."
A dangerous thought bloomed in her mind: perhaps this guest could be used as a blade to strike down Orochi, the tyrant she despised. Yes, she would need to discuss this with her "uncle" Denjiro.
Aboard the Ark Maxim
Souta Kiryuu was already planning to cause a great disturbance in the Flower Capital. He instructed Nico Robin and Viola to carefully watch the crowds who came to gawk at the spectacle, hoping to pick out Shinobu—the short kunoichi in pink.
As for using Komurasaki and Denjiro as leads, that was only a backup plan.
The golden warship appeared above the Shogun's residence, immediately drawing the attention of countless civilians and samurai.
Orochi's ninja squad, the Oniwabanshu, and his samurai corps, the Mimawarigumi—five thousand men each, Orochi's entire force of ten thousand—rushed to maintain order and guard against the airborne threat.
"We're snatching people left and right. Aren't you afraid Kaido will turn on us?" Robin asked with a faint, knowing smile. After all, whether it was Enel and Lafitte hunting down the Zoan monk, or Kuma seeking the old craftsman and little girl, none of these targets were ordinary.
If they had caught Souta Kiryuu's attention, they were far from simple prey. Even the former Baroque Works agents lacked the qualifications to join his Dragon Fang crew.
"What's there to fear? With the artificial Devil Fruit trade in hand, Kaido won't turn against me so easily," Souta said casually. "And even if he does, so what? With the Ripe-Ripe Fruit in my possession, my Seraphim army will be completed. Taking down the Beasts Pirates would be no problem."
This trade was merely a pretext anyway—an excuse to enter Wano peacefully. The Seastone and treasure Orochi and Kaido had offered were not nearly enough to make Souta Kiryuu move personally.
Robin frowned slightly. "With so many onlookers, this won't be easy."
Viola's face was equally grim. Picking out one kunoichi in a sea of thousands seemed almost impossible.
"She's a wanted fugitive in Wano. Look carefully in the hidden spaces among the houses," Souta replied, though he knew it was little more than leaving things to fate. Even Enel's vast observation Haki might not locate someone completely unknown.
For now, Souta could at least secure Orochi's blood.
The Shogun's Balcony
Kurozumi Orochi emerged onto the high balcony of the residence with his strongest retainers, watching the golden ship with wary eyes.
What was Kaido's guest planning? Orochi could not fathom it.
And yet… he coveted the ship. If only he could possess such a magnificent flying vessel!
Suddenly, a colossal crimson dragon erupted from the warship's side.
Gasps of horror spread through the crowd.
"Could it be… Kaido!?"
Komurasaki and Denjiro—still disguised as Kyoshiro—stared in shock at the dragon. Its color was unlike Kaido's, but its sheer power was overwhelming.
The crimson dragon dove straight for Orochi. Even the elite Oniwabanshu dared not move, terrified to block what might be Kaido himself.
"Protect me!! That's not Kaido!!" Orochi screamed in panic.
Queen had warned him—this guest wielded draconic power equal to Kaido's.
A surge of Conqueror's Haki exploded outward. Countless samurai and civilians collapsed on the spot. For Robin and Viola, the chaos conveniently thinned the crowd of "observers."
Fukurokuju, the Oniwabanshu leader, trembled. Even with Orochi's desperate command ringing in his ears, he could not force his body to act. This pressure… this overwhelming Haki… it was as tyrannical as Kaido's own.
The Assault
Souta Kiryuu landed upon the roof, shifting into human form. Without hesitation, he seized Orochi and slashed, blood spilling as he began collecting it into a vial—right in front of every samurai and ninja.
"I'm Kaido's partner! You can't kill me!" Orochi howled, struggling madly. Even with eight lives, he feared death at the hands of such a foe.
"Relax. For Kaido's sake, I won't kill you," Souta replied with a mocking grin. Once his vial was full, he tossed a cheap blood-crystal dandelion into Orochi's mouth, sealing the wound.
Orochi exhaled shakily in relief.
"This courtesan looks quite nice," Souta said, turning toward Komurasaki with a wolfish smirk. "You don't mind if I borrow her, do you?"
If Shinobu couldn't be found, capturing Kozuki Hiyori would surely draw her out.
"Impudent! How dare you harm the shogun!"
At last, Kyoshiro struck. He had not moved when Souta wounded Orochi—indeed, part of him had hoped the dragon would kill the tyrant. But when Komurasaki was threatened, he could not stay still.
Out loud, he shouted of protecting Orochi, but his blade moved for another reason: to drive a wedge between Orochi and the crimson dragon.
"Stop, Kyoshiro!!" Orochi cried in terror, recalling Queen's warning too late. This man was second only to Kaido himself!
Steel clashed. Souta's right arm shifted into a dragon's claw, meeting Kyoshiro's twin blades. Black-and-red lightning crackled between them.
"Not bad—you've learned Ryuo well. I'll be taking you as a captive too."
With a grin, Souta's arm bulged with monstrous strength. One punch sent Kyoshiro hurtling through the entire residence, crashing into a garden rockery.
Komurasaki's face turned pale, her eyes darting anxiously toward where Kyoshiro had fallen.
"I'll be taking both the courtesan and the swordsman. Any objections?" Souta asked, baring his teeth at Orochi.
The shogun's head bobbed frantically like a chicken pecking rice.
"N-no objections! Lord Souta, whatever you wish—he's your servant now, and she's your plaything!" Orochi babbled, bowing so low sweat poured down his brow, his heart pounding in terror.
This Souta Kiryuu was as brutal and unreasonable as Kaido himself—attacking without provocation, crippling his retainers, and seizing whatever he pleased.
Yes. Orochi resolved bitterly. Kaido must punish this "guest" for humiliating him so.