The Flower Capital was shrouded in a gloomy haze at dusk, with few pedestrians on the streets. On this seemingly peaceful evening, various underworld leaders received an urgent summons from Hyougoro.
Within half a day, over one hundred sixty underworld figures had gradually gathered at an abandoned teahouse on the city outskirts. This long-dilapidated building, hidden deep within a dense bamboo forest, served as a customary secret meeting place for the underworld. The dim room was packed with people, the air thick with the mixed scents of tobacco and sweat, along with an lingering tension.
"Lord Hyougoro, what urgent matter has prompted you to summon us so suddenly?" A burly man with a fierce face was the first to break the silence in the room, his rough voice cutting through the stillness.
Hyougoro, seated in the main position, slowly rose. The candlelight cast deep shadows across his sharply defined face. Scanning the crowd, he spoke gravely: "I've gathered everyone here today to announce an important decision. I have decided to pledge allegiance to Lord Kaidou and join the Oniwabanshu."
His words immediately stirred commotion in the room. Some gasped sharply, others unconsciously stepped back half a pace, while several instinctively tightened their grips on the swords at their waists.
Hyougoro raised his hand to quiet the crowd and continued: "Now, I want to hear your thoughts. Will you follow me, or choose to remain behind?"
The room fell into brief silence as everyone exchanged glances, weighing this momentous choice.
Hyougoro's gaze swept across every face, awaiting their responses. He could clearly see the complex emotions shifting on each countenance - confusion, shock, hesitation, and barely concealed panic.
"Lord Hyougoro, why have you made such a decision?" asked an elderly underworld member, his voice trembling.
"Indeed, didn't we originally join the underworld to live freely? Why would you suddenly decide to join the Oniwabanshu now?" a younger man pressed urgently.
"Lord Hyougoro, has Kaidou coerced you? If so, you need not fear! Even though Kaidou has become Wano Country's Nation-Protecting King now, we don't fear him!" A powerfully built man slammed the table as he stood up.
"That's right, Lord Hyougoro! With you here, we fear no one!" the crowd echoed in agreement, their voices reverberating through the confined space.
Hyougoro took a deep breath, his gaze growing profound and resolute: "Everyone, I've made this decision for two reasons. First, because I previously agreed to Kaidou's terms. Second, because of Lord Sukiyaki's dying wish - he hoped I could help Kaidou stabilize Wano Country's situation and prevent our nation from being dragged into war."
The previously noisy room gradually quieted, leaving only the faint crackling of burning candles. Everyone sank into contemplation, understanding what this meant - their once carefree underworld lifestyle would be gone forever.
"Everyone," Hyougoro's voice sounded exceptionally clear in the silence, "if you're willing, you may follow me and join the Oniwabanshu. If not, I won't force you. Regardless of your choice, we'll always remain brothers."
After a brief silence, a booming voice was the first to break the stillness: "I will naturally follow Lord Hyougoro!"
"That's right, Lord Hyougoro once saved my life. Wherever Lord Hyougoro goes, I will follow!" another voice immediately chimed in.
"Me too!"
"In that case, I'll join as well. Lord Kaidou was already wealthy, and now he controls the entire Wano Country. Serving under him should come with a high monthly stipend," a shrewd yakuza member calculated aloud.
But not everyone was willing to follow. Several figures in the corner remained silent until finally, one tall, lean man stepped forward: "I'm sorry, Lord Hyougoro. I just want to live freely and not take orders from anyone else."
"Me too, Lord Hyougoro. I'm out," another long-haired yakuza member said quietly.
Hyougoro gave a slight nod, his gaze sweeping over the brothers who had chosen to leave.
The candlelight in the room flickered, casting shifting shadows across his resolute face. He could see the struggle and reluctance in the eyes of those departing, and he could feel their inner yearning for freedom.
"Everyone has their own aspirations, and I respect your choices," his voice was deep and powerful. "But before you go, I have one piece of advice. Wano Country is currently in turbulent times, so I hope you'll all be extra cautious in your actions."
Those yakuza members who chose to leave clasped their fists in salute. Some had tears in their eyes, others wore expressions of shame, but all turned away with determination. As the wooden door opened and closed, a cold wind swept in, making the candle flames dance violently, as if foretelling the coming turmoil.
When the last departing figure disappeared beyond the door, Hyougoro turned to those who remained.
About one hundred twenty people were left in the room now, all longtime followers who had been with him for years. Their eyes held both anxiety about the future and absolute trust in Hyougoro.
"From today onward, we are no longer yakuza wandering the streets," Hyougoro declared, his voice carrying unprecedented seriousness. "The Oniwabanshu maintains strict discipline. Everyone must be mentally prepared."
"Don't worry, Lord Hyougoro!" A burly man covered in knife scars pounded his chest, his thick arms marked with battle wounds. "Since we've chosen to follow you, we'll never bring you shame!"
"Yeah, it's just a different way of living!" another tall, lean man laughed, his nimble fingers constantly spinning a copper coin. "Fighting is fighting, no matter who we're fighting for!"
The group burst into laughter, immediately lightening the tense atmosphere. Hyougoro also showed a rare smile, but quickly returned to seriousness. He knew that from this moment on, they were all embarking on a path of no return.
"Tomorrow at noon, Lord Kaidou will receive us at the Shogun Palace," Hyougoro announced. "Everyone rest well tonight. Make sure to go there tomorrow with full energy and spirit."
That night, the streets of Flower Capital were unusually quiet. The yakuza who had chosen to leave walked in small groups through the darkness, some already regretting their decision. Under the moonlight, their shadows stretched long, appearing particularly lonely.
"Hey, do you think we were too impulsive?" a young yakuza member whispered, constantly looking back toward the direction of their secret hideout. "Lord Hyougoro has always treated us well..."
"Hmph, what do you know!" the older companion snorted coldly, his calloused hand gripping the short sword at his waist. "Selling our lives to Kaidou? Who knows when we might be used as cannon fodder! For people like us, it's better to remain free and unfettered."
Meanwhile, in the secret hideout, the remaining gangsters were tossing and turning, unable to sleep. Some were polishing their beloved blades, while others stared blankly at the moonlight outside the window. They all knew that starting tomorrow, their lives would change completely. One bespectacled gang member was carefully reading the Oniwabanshu regulations under the lamplight, occasionally letting out soft exclamations of surprise; another young gangster repeatedly practiced standard bowing gestures, afraid of making mistakes before Kaidou the next day.
The next morning, Hyougoro rose early and changed into a brand new black kimono. His wife silently adjusted his collar, her eyes full of concern. She could sense the resolute aura emanating from her husband and foresee the dangers of this path.
"Are you really decided?" his wife asked softly, her fingers trembling unconsciously.
Hyougoro held her hand, feeling the warmth from her palm. "For the future of Wano Country, this is a necessary path." His voice was quiet but carried undeniable determination.
When the noon bell rang, over one hundred and twenty former gang members stood in neat formation before the Shogun Palace. They had shed their former casualness, each standing ramrod straight, even deliberately synchronizing their breathing.
Passing citizens cast sidelong glances, whispering among themselves, unable to believe these once street-roaming gangsters could display such disciplined composure.
Kaidou stood on the high steps, looking down at his new subordinates. The sunlight cast a massive shadow from his enormous frame, completely enveloping everyone below the steps. His gaze finally settled on Hyougoro at the front, a meaningful smile curling at the corner of his mouth.
Beside him, apart from King and a few underlings, were the current Oniwabanshu members who had been urgently assembled.
At this moment, Fukurokuju, standing at the forefront as the Oniwabanshu captain, was looking at Hyougoro and the others with complex emotions. When Kaidou became Wano Country's Nation-Protecting King, Fukurokuju knew the country would be under Kaidou's rule for a long time to come.
Therefore, he had long shown goodwill to Kaidou, and Kaidou had indicated he would accept him, which gave him some relief. But he never expected that so soon, Kaidou would secure Hyougoro's allegiance and bring him into the Oniwabanshu.
Fukurokuju knew that although Kaidou let him remain as Oniwabanshu captain, the Beast King still doubted his loyalty - otherwise why place Hyougoro in the Oniwabanshu to divide his authority? He was well aware that Kaidou's primary concern wasn't the Oniwabanshu, nor even Wano Country, but the Beasts Pirates' headquarters being built on Onigashima.
In reality, this was entirely Fukurokuju's unfounded speculation. Kaidou didn't place Hyougoro in the Beasts Pirates because Hyougoro's loyalty stemmed from Sukiyaki's dying wish. Thus, Kaidou positioned Hyougoro in the Oniwabanshu so Fukurokuju's men could monitor him.
Kaidou knew that people like Fukurokuju would remain fiercely loyal for the sake of power, and even if they eventually learned the full truth, they would continue serving Kaidou faithfully.
However, seeing Fukurokuju's expression, Kaidou decided to let him cool off for now, planning to inform him later when Fukurokuju would likely become even more loyal.
"Welcome to the Oniwabanshu," Kaidou's voice thundered across the square, shaking the surrounding leaves, "From this day forward, you are my people. Hyougoro, you shall serve as the vice-captain of the Oniwabanshu. I hope you will lead your subordinates to make Wano Country a better place."
Hyougoro dropped to one knee, his movements crisp and without hesitation. The crowd behind him knelt in unison, their armor clinking against the ground in perfect synchrony. At this moment, they formally bid farewell to their former lives and became members of the Oniwabanshu.
Meanwhile, those who had chosen to leave were hiding in distant alleyways, watching the scene with complex expressions. Some among them were already regretting their decision, while others secretly rejoiced at having avoided being drawn into this vortex of power.
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