240. Execution

No one spoke for a while.

Leo sighed and shook his head, "Anyway, where were you guys? It's be a few days since I got here."

Before answering Inuarashi reached into his jacket and pulled out a flyer, "We were busy gathering our allies. But the situation isn't looking good."

Leo took the flyer and studied it for a second before asking, "What does this mean?"

Inuarashi explained, "On the night of the fire festival at Wapu harbor."

Leo asked, "What happened?"

Nekomamushi had a solemn expression as he said, "Somehow our enemy got wind of this. Every person with a half moon tattoo on their ankle is being arrested."

Leo threw the flyer back to Inuarashi and said, "About how the enemy knew your movements, there was a spy. And he is a very close friend of yours, Kanjuro."

Inuarashi and Nekomamushi were taken back when they heard Leo, they failed to react for a second. Their minds blanked out.

After a few seconds Nekomamushi laughed bitterly, "I can't believe this. He went through so much with us, how could he...

Inuarashi didn't speak. From his face everyone could understand their current emotions.

As the person who interrogated Kanjuro Flare said, "Don't feel sad about that guy. He was your enemy from the start, he didn't betray you as that was his purpose all along."

Leo nodded, "Let it go. Now your immediate matter would be to solve the crisis your allies are in."

Inuarashi and Nekomamushi didn't dwell on the matter for much long. They had a goal and stumbling was not allowed.

"That ba*tard Orochi had them all locked up in the Flower Capital."

Nekomamushi asked.

Leo asked, "Why don't you guys just break them out?"

Inuarashi shook his head, "We can't do that. Orochi is a coward. Once he see us in the flesh he might do something extreme out of fear."

Leo asked, "So, what now?"

"We move on with the plan. One of our friends is already on the it. He is very good at what he does so we can expect those men to be free before the fateful night."

Leo nodded.

...

Flower capital.

A man with long ear lobes walked into a house. Several men dressed as ninjas followed him.

"Lift him up."

The man came to a stop and ordered his men. Those men followed his order and lifted a man who was chained to the walls.

The man pulled out a flyer and asked, "Speak. What does this mean?"

The man in chains didn't utter a word. He simply stared at him with a silly smile on his face.

Seeing as he was getting no response the man nodded. Those ninjas around him came forward and started to beat up the guy in chains.

After beating him into a bloody pulp the man held out the flyer again and asked.

"Speak and I'll give you a swift death."

"Ahahaha...

However even now all he got was a foolish laugh.

Finally the man with long ear lobes lost patience. He slapped the chained man.

The man spurted blood and slammed into the walls. As he crashed down onto the floor the cloth he had tied over his head came undone.

The man with long ear lobes frowned. He came close to the chained man and grabbed his hair before taking a close look.

"I see... it was you."

His tone turned serious as he finally figured out who this was. He threw the man down and immediately left.

Along the way he muttered, "He is still alive. Orochi-sama isn't going to like this."

...

The night of the fire festival was approaching.

Leo was helping Tama practice a few easy stances. It was at this time he saw a man riding a horse enter the town. He threw out flyers as he rushed through the streets.

He caught one flyer. On it was the drawn picture of a man with afro hair and a silly smile.

Yasuei? Who is that?

The flyer was an announcement for this man's execution.

They are making a big deal out of this man's execution. Is he that important?

Suddenly he saw Inuarashi and Nekomamushi rush out of the house in a panic. Kiku and Tsuru also came out looking distressed.

"Leo, this is bad. They are going to execute Yasuei-dono!"

Inuarashi said.

Leo asked, "Who is this Yasuei guy?"

Nekomamushi explained solemnly, "He is the Daimyo of Kuri and the closest friend to Oden-sama! Without his help Oden-sama would have never succeed in his endeavours."

Hearing Nekomamushi Leo raised an eyebrow in surprise.

Inuarashi was panicking, "What should we do? It will take several hours for us to reach the Flower Capital, and the execution is in an hour!"

The group was starting to panic.

Leo thought for a second asked Flare, "Can you get there in time?"

Flare didn't give a guarantee, "I can try."

Leo nodded, "Good. Act according to the situation."

Flare gave a nod and left.

"Don't worry. Though he may not be the strongest among my crew, he is still dependable. He will get your friend back safely."

Seeing the worry on others faces Leo said reassuringly.

The others could only wait and hope that Flare would get there in time.

...

Flower capital.

In front of the magistrates building was a large fenced area. Inside the fenced area was a wooden pillar.

Yasuei was tied to the top of the pillar. His body was filled with scars and blood. However his eyes were bright.

A large crowd had gathered infront of the magistrates building.

Yasuei looked at the crowd and at the land of Wano. He felt emotional.

The leafs from sakura trees danced with the wind, the beautiful waterfall and the grand Mt. Fuji. Though this country was now run by scum, it still had a sense of beauty that calmed his mind.

That silly smile he had all along didn't fade as he said.

"What a nice view. It's a good day to die."