“Of course, it’s Kaido’s doing. How could I harm Lady Toki and the prince? And Oden-sama, I believe you’ve also heard the rumors. It was originally done by Kaido’s people.”
“They just later found new excuses to cover it up. Can you believe that a pirate would go for goldfish scooping? “
Kurozumi Orochi seemed completely immersed in his role, showing no fear even when a sword was held at his neck.
“I’m sure you must already know about Kin’emon-sama’s situation. In the beginning, Kaido intended to execute him directly, but I managed to negotiate and save him. I have been silently working for the sake of Wano Country.”
“Shameless! Dad, this person is shameless!”
On Onigashima, watching the television screen broadcasted by Rotom, Yamato’s face was filled with shock. From her perspective, Orochi was spewing nonsense. Although she didn’t fully understand the intricacies of the situation, she didn’t see Kaido as the person Orochi described.
Moreover, those things were not carried out by the Beasts Pirates.
“This is the world of adults, filled with deception. Look at how he abandoned his own dignity just to survive and spouting nonsense. Do you know why?”
“Why?”
“Because he is weak, Yamato. You are my daughter, and you must never become weak. Do you understand?”
Kaido straightforwardly gave Yamato the answer. In his view, everything Orochi did was due to him being weak.
Kaido does have some paternal feelings towards Yamato, but his approach to parenting is certainly not considered successful. However, this style is not entirely unconventional either. It’s not much different from the education that Garp provides, where one wrong move could be life-threatening.
The biggest difference was that Luffy encountered the Red-haired and then decided to become a pirate, while Yamato was directly brainwashed.
But the circumstances were different now. Kaido still had his fatherly love for Yamato.
“By the way, remember this guy’s face. He deceived your Dad when we first arrived in Wano Country.”
“Understood. This guy is a downright bad guy, and he’s also very ugly.”
Meanwhile, Kozuki Oden, after Orochi’s nonsensical words, actually started to feel doubtful.
“Oden-sama, this position was originally yours, and logically speaking, now that you’ve returned, it should be returned to you as well. However, please forgive me, but it’s not yet time for you to take on the position of Shogun.”
“Hmm?”
“If you were to succeed the position of Shogun now, Kaido would undoubtedly sense something amiss. It would inevitably lead to a great war in Wano Country. Although I believe in your strength, Oden-sama, Kaido is no weakling.”
“Moreover, there are already a thousand powerful pirates just within the country, along with several incredibly powerful officers. If a war were to break out, there would undoubtedly be significant casualties among the citizens.”
He wants to provoke Oden and Kaido into becoming enemies, but not immediately engaging in a battle. Otherwise, his own good days would come to an end. So, Kurozumi Orochi, under the pretext of caring for the citizens, advised Kozuki Oden not to wage war.
This struck a chord in Kozuki Oden’s heart. Before his departure, he was decisive in his actions, but upon his return, he became hesitant and cautious.
War would inevitably bring casualties. This was something even Luffy understood, but Oden couldn’t bring himself to accept it.
“I have a plan. Kaido’s people must already know that you have returned. Currently, he still has some trust in me. Let’s use this to our advantage, weaken Kaido’s guard, and then strike when he least expects it. What do you think, Oden-sama?”
“What plan?”
“You will perform the Fool’s Dance to make Kaido lower his guard, and in the meantime, a trustworthy person will gather forces in secret and then we will drive him out at the right moment.”
Hakumai region, at Shimotsuki Yasuie’s residence, Kozuki Oden arrived. In the end, he couldn’t just directly kill Kurozumi Orochi.
It wasn’t because he believed Orochi, as there were definitely falsehoods in his words. However, Oden acknowledged one thing Orochi said: if war were to break out now, it would undoubtedly result in significant casualties, something he didn’t want to see.
“Oden-sama, is this what you talked about with Orochi?”
“Yes, Yasuie. What exactly has happened in Wano Country all these years?”
“It’s similar to what you know. Although I find Orochi’s words unreliable, dealing with Orochi is a simple matter for you, Oden. Even if he was appointed as a proxy Shogun by Sukiyaki-sama, you are the only son of Sukiyaki-sama.”
“However, Kaido is different. I have to admit that what he has done has greatly improved the living conditions for some of Wano Country’s residents. That’s the most terrifying part—he’s eroding the very foundation of Wano Country.”
This was Shimotsuki Yasuie’s most straightforward impression. Beasts Pirates were targeting the people’s hearts, but due to Wano Country’s unique circumstances, their efforts had been slower.
Orochi and Oden are in no way comparable. In Yasuie’s view, as long as Oden gives the word, the daimyos of all regions will cooperate with him to eliminate Kurozumi Orochi.
But Kaido is different. Not only does he possess great strength, but he has also gradually gained the recognition of the people of Wano Country.
“Kaido has ambitious plans. Although his actions are beneficial to many people, Oden, Wano Country belongs to the Kozuki family. I think we can temporarily join forces with Orochi to drive away Kaido before figuring out a solution.
“However, his plan…”
“If it works… I don’t mind sacrificing my insignificant pride.”
“No, Oden-sama, Orochi’s words are also unreliable. If we are truly going to do this, we must keep it a secret from others, or else we won’t be able to deceive Kaido. For the sake of caution, I will accompany you to talk to Orochi.”
So Oden and Shimotsuki Yasuie returned to the Flower Capital at night. Orochi, unlike before, no longer displayed his initial arrogance and instead wore a humble expression on his face.
“Oden-sama, Yasuie-sama, what do you think of my plan?”
“Orochi, you should know the consequences of this.”
“Yes, I know. But only through this kind of humiliating method can we make Kaido believe me. And after it succeeds, I can make a statement to the whole Wano Country, explaining that Oden-sama sacrificed himself for the sake of the people. Yasuie-sama, you can also testify to this. Moreover, the task of gathering forces can only be entrusted to you, as you are the most trustworthy among the daimyos.”
Kozuki Oden nodded to Shimotsuki Yasuie, and Yasuie took out pen and paper.
“Words alone are not enough. Let us create a written agreement, Orochi. I will keep this document safe until the day truth is revealed to the public.”
“Of course, of course, that is to be expected. After all, it concerns Oden-sama’s reputation. But Yasuie-sama, there are still some things you need to be cautious about.”
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