"That boss of the Flower Capital's underworld, Hyougoro, wants to see me? And he brought a Devil Fruit with him?" Kaidou said to the samurai who came to report.
"Yes, Lord Kaidou. Hyougoro is currently outside the Shogun Palace. Will you see him?" the samurai asked Kaidou respectfully.
"Wororororo! Since he's come with sincerity, it would be rude not to meet him when he's brought a Devil Fruit. Let him in," Kaidou told the samurai.
"Yes," the samurai bowed respectfully to Kaidou, then quickly exited the hall and headed outside.
"Brother Kaidou, that Hyougoro probably wants to see Sukiyaki," King said to Kaidou.
"Most likely, but I only agreed to him seeing me. As for wanting to meet Sukiyaki, that's naturally impossible. We can't afford any mistakes at such a critical time," Kaidou stated directly.
"Hmm, Brother Kaidou, if Hyougoro becomes too troublesome later, perhaps I should just have Sukiyaki die sooner," King nodded.
"That works too," Kaidou said after a moment's thought.
"Brother Kaidou, the construction on Onigashima is complete. Queen and the others are there preparing to hold a Fire Festival in two days to celebrate the establishment of the Beasts Pirates' headquarters," King reported to Kaidou.
"Wororororo! It's time for a proper celebration. After all, the entire pirate crew has been busy with plans for the past six months. It's about time everyone had a good celebration. By then, we should also distribute the Devil Fruits we've collected. The sooner they eat the Devil Fruits, the sooner they can improve their strength. After all, our goal was never just Wano Country alone - Wano is just the beginning," Kaidou declared upon hearing this.
The samurai soon returned with Hyougoro to the main hall.
The boss of Flower Capital's underworld appeared calm and steady, holding an exquisite wooden box in his hands.
"Wororororo! Hyougoro, I heard you wanted to see me?" Kaidou said to Hyougoro.
Hyougoro replied neither humbly nor arrogantly: "Lord Kaidou, I've come for two reasons. First, to exchange this Wizard Fruit for the bounty on behalf of my subordinate. Second, to ask for your favor."
As he spoke, Hyougoro directly handed the wooden box to the samurai beside him.
The samurai took the box and respectfully placed it on the table before Kaidou, thoughtfully opening it so Kaidou could clearly see its contents.
"Oh?!" Kaidou initially paid little attention, but after seeing the Devil Fruit inside the box, he stared at it for quite some time.
While Kaidou might not recognize other Devil Fruits, he had quite a deep impression of some powerful, special Devil Fruits that had appeared in the original work. Particularly the one before him - he remembered it clearly. This was the very Devil Fruit that Kurozumi Orochi, whom King had killed days earlier, had eaten: the Zoan-Type Snake-Snake Fruit, Mythical Creature Type, Eight-Headed Serpent Form.
"Does Lord Kaidou recognize this Wizard Fruit?" Hyougoro asked, noticing Kaidou's expression.
"You could say that. I've seen it once before. I must say, Hyougoro, your luck is quite good. I'll take this Devil Fruit. Later, take Hyougoro to the finance office to collect two hundred Platinum," Kaidou said, addressing the samurai beside him.
"Yes," the samurai replied quietly.
"It seems this Wizard Fruit is quite special, otherwise Lord Kaidou wouldn't have offered double the price," Hyougoro said.
"It is somewhat special. This Devil Fruit is considered quite powerful among all Devil Fruits," Kaidou remarked casually.
"The first matter has been settled. Now I wish to request an audience with General Sukiyaki," Hyougoro's voice echoed through the empty hall.
Kaidou propped his chin with one hand, the other resting casually on the armrest. Hearing this, he didn't even lift his eyelids. "No."
"Lord Kaidou," Hyougoro stepped forward, raising his voice slightly, "I merely wish to see the general of Wano Country. Is even this not permitted?" He paused, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes. "Could it be that you have some ulterior motive?"
"I said no means no," Kaidou waved impatiently, finally looking at Hyougoro. "Sukiyaki's health has been deteriorating recently and requires quiet rest."
"What?" Hyougoro's expression changed abruptly, his hands unconsciously clenching. "In that case, I should visit the general even more!"
Kaidou suddenly sneered, his large frame leaning forward slightly. "Hyougoro, who do you think you are? Thinking you can see anyone you want?" A dangerous glint flashed in his eyes. "I know what you're scheming - you suspect me, don't you?"
"Lord Kaidou, your words..." Hyougoro was momentarily speechless, fine beads of sweat appearing on his forehead.
"Isn't that so?" Kaidou said bluntly, then leaned back in his chair with a meaningful smile. "However... if you agree to one condition, letting you see Sukiyaki isn't impossible."
"What condition?" Hyougoro asked warily, his right hand unconsciously resting on the hilt of his sword at his waist.
Kaidou played with the Wine Gourd in his hand, speaking leisurely. "I've always admired your strength. The current Oniwabanshu are all useless. Since becoming the Nation-Protecting King, I've wanted to properly reorganize them." He paused, staring intently at Hyougoro. "My condition is simple - after meeting Sukiyaki, you must bring your subordinates and join the Oniwabanshu, swearing loyalty to me."
Hyougoro suddenly understood, a bitter smile appearing at the corner of his mouth. "So that's it. Lord Kaidou has taken a liking to my influence."
"So? If you agree, I'll immediately arrange for someone to take you to see Sukiyaki." As Kaidou spoke, he glanced at King standing nearby. Understanding the signal, King silently withdrew from the hall.
Silence fell in the great hall, broken only by the occasional gentle breeze rustling the cherry blossom trees outside.
Hyougoro frowned deeply, wrestling with his conscience. After a long while, he finally spoke. "I can agree, but only on my own behalf. I have no right to make decisions for my subordinates."
"Wororororo!" Kaidou suddenly burst into laughter, the sound causing the hall to tremble slightly. "What a loyal boss! I accept. However, if your subordinates choose to follow you voluntarily, you must bring them along."
"Deal," Hyougoro responded in a deep voice, his tone carrying some heaviness.
Kaidou nodded with satisfaction and ordered the samurai standing nearby. "Take Hyougoro to see Sukiyaki."
"As you command." The samurai bowed in acknowledgment and made a beckoning gesture. Hyougoro cast one last glance at Kaidou before turning to follow the samurai out of the main hall.
Hyougoro trailed the samurai toward a courtyard behind the Shogun Palace.
"Why does Lord Sukiyaki reside in such a secluded place?" Hyougoro inquired of the guiding samurai. Kaidou now occupied the rebuilt central hall of the Shogun Palace, while Sukiyaki lived in the rear courtyard—a fact that puzzled Hyougoro.
"Alas," the samurai explained, "ever since the Kurozumi clan's rebellion, Lord Sukiyaki has been tormented by illness, unable to sleep through the night, only managing brief rest during the day. But even the slightest noise disturbs his slumber. For this reason, he voluntarily moved to a courtyard far from any disturbances. To ensure Lord Sukiyaki can recuperate in peace, Lord Kaidou assigned all the Shogun Palace's physicians to attend to him."
"I see," Hyougoro murmured, finally understanding.
"Emergency! Lord Sukiyaki's condition has worsened!" A sudden cry echoed from the courtyard ahead.
Without waiting for the samurai to lead him further, Hyougoro sprinted into the courtyard.
One look at Sukiyaki's state told Hyougoro—even with no medical knowledge—that Sukiyaki was nearing his end.
Sukiyaki was now utterly transformed. His entire body bore an unnatural pallor, his skin desiccated and rigid, his face sunken and emaciated. Compared to just days prior, his physical state had deteriorated drastically.
If Sukiyaki had previously appeared gravely ill, the man lying here now seemed on the verge of death. The vitality was rapidly ebbing from him, evoking deep concern.
"Lord Sukiyaki!" Hyougoro hurried to the bedside, his voice edged with urgency.
The room reeked of potent medicine, with physicians bustling about in disarray. "Send for Lord Kaidou at once! Lord Sukiyaki's condition is critical!" the head physician shouted before the others, as if responding to an unspoken cue, excused themselves and filed out. In moments, the spacious sickroom held only Hyougoro and the fading Sukiyaki.
Leaning close, Hyougoro whispered, "Lord Sukiyaki, can you still hear me?"
The elderly man on the bed struggled to open his clouded eyes, his gaze drifting before focusing weakly on Hyougoro's face. "Cough... It's... Hyougoro..." Sukiyaki's voice was a frail thread, each word sapping his remaining strength.
"It is I," Hyougoro murmured, drawing nearer and lowering his voice further. "We are alone now. Tell me truthfully—is your condition related to Lord Kaidou?"
Sukiyaki's chest heaved violently before he rasped, "No... nothing... Hyougoro... I know... you've always... doubted Kaidou... but this... is the Kurozumi... the Kurozumi clan's scheme..."
Hearing this, the last vestiges of doubt vanished from Hyougoro's eyes. He nodded gravely and clasped Sukiyaki's withered hand.
"Hy... Hyougoro... I... I'm afraid I can't hold on much longer..." Sukiyaki suddenly clutched Hyougoro's sleeve with astonishing strength, completely unlike a dying man.
"Lord Sukiyaki, please don't say that..." Hyougoro's voice choked up, unable to utter any more hollow words of comfort.
An unusual brilliance suddenly sparked in the old man's eyes, and his voice became clear: "After I die... in Wano Country... someone will surely... oppose Kaidou's rule... I hope... you can help him... maintain the country's stability... Don't let innocent civilians... get caught in the flames of war..."
Watching Sukiyaki's sudden resurgence of energy, Hyougoro nodded heavily: "I promise you, Lord Sukiyaki."
"Cough—!" Sukiyaki suddenly began coughing violently, spewing a large mouthful of black blood that splattered across the snow-white bedding in a shocking sight.
"Lord Sukiyaki!" The doctors who had just left rushed in at that moment, frantically beginning emergency treatment. But all efforts were in vain—the old man's life was fading at a visible rate.
Hyougoro stepped aside, watching the doctors' futile attempts.
Within moments, Sukiyaki had completely lost all signs of life.
The obituary of Wano Country's shogun Kouzuki Sukiyaki's death from illness quickly spread from the Flower Capital, and soon the entire Wano Country received the news.