Chapter 12 : War??

Ian felt a surge of confidence.

After defeating Hyogoro, he realized that Orochi and his underlings were insignificant, mere minnows compared to the challenges he'd faced.

But the reaction of these men was no surprise.

They had only risen to power by clinging to the strength of the Beast Pirates and relying on Kaido's might.

Offend Kaido, and it wouldn't just be the Beast Pirates they'd have to worry about—Kozuki Oden himself might come for them next.

Everyone's attention was on Yamato.

Her ice-covered iron club struck Orochi again, shattering the spine of the creature.

Though Orochi possessed a Mythical Zoan Devil Fruit, his lack of training rendered him weak.

Facing Yamato, a mere eight-year-old, he was far more helpless than the ronin samurai he'd confronted before.

With just two strikes, he collapsed into a motionless heap, barely clinging to life.

But in an instant, Yamato was thrown off balance.

Orochi's body twisted beneath her, his monstrous heads sprouting in every direction, each connected to a long, sinewy neck.

"Whoa! This guy's a Devil Fruit user too?" Yamato exclaimed as she landed lightly, astonished by Orochi's transformation.

"You little brat! Look what you've done!!"

Orochi roared, all heads focusing on Yamato. "I won't forgive you!"

Ian looked down, counting the heads.

Only seven?

Did Yamato really manage to take him down once?

This guy is unbelievably weak. Almost as weak as Kuina, who died on her path to the top.

But to be fair, the power of the Yamata-no-Orochi Fruit is no joke. Each head represents a life, meaning Orochi has eight lives in total.

With the inherent strength of the Mythical Zoan fruit, it's clear that Kurozumi Orochi is wasting its potential. If he weren't so incompetent, the true power of this fruit would be unimaginable.

"Heh, heh," Yamato grinned, baring her teeth at the terrifying seven-headed serpent before her. "Come at me, then!"

"What are you all standing around for?!" Orochi snarled, glaring at his subordinates. "Kill this brat for your Shogun, now!"

"Ahem," Kurozumi Higurashi cleared her throat, trying to maintain composure. "Please, Shogun, calm down. Yamato-sama probably didn't mean any harm."

Think about our situation, you foolish snake! That's Kaido's only daughter! You want to kill her? Are you trying to get us all killed?

"Indeed, Shogun," Kurozumi Semimaru added cautiously, "She's just a child. There's no need to take her actions to heart."

"You... You all!" Orochi was nearly driven to madness.

A kid! 

Fuck, if she is just a kid then why take his life?!

"Hah! Looks like your men aren't keen on helping you out," Yamato taunted, stepping forward with a smug grin, her long mace dragging across the ground with a menacing scrape. "Get ready for a beating!"

"You... You can't!" Orochi stumbled back in fear, his confidence crumbling. "You can't do this! I'm the Shogun of Wano!"

Even with multiple lives, he can't afford to waste them like this!

"Then brace yourself for a beating! Checkmate!" Yamato launched herself forward with a laugh.

"Stop, Yamato!" A stern voice boomed from above.

Huh? Yamato looked up in surprise.

A massive black figure was descending from the sky, wings spread wide.

As it drew closer, Yamato realized it wasn't a bird, but a black Pteranodon!

Just as he was about to land, the Pteranodon transformed into a man with wings, clad in black leather, crashing down in front of Yamato.

"Huh!" Yamato was startled, "Uncle King?"

"King!!" The sight of this sudden arrival moved Orochi so much that he nearly cried. The man who would deliver justice had finally arrived!

"Uncle King, you always seem to show up at the right time, don't you?" Ian's voice was faint as he jumped off Erya's head, landing behind King.

King turned around, towering over Ian at a height of more than six meters, like a mountain. "You did well this time, Ian. You lived up to Kaido's expectations."

You've been watching me from the sky all along, Ian thought with relief. 

Fortunately, he didn't choose to flee.

Since you're here, why not lend a hand? With your strength, you could easily take down that guy in an instant. Why should I have to overexert myself?

As Ian silently grumbled, King sighed inwardly. This kid is such an extraordinary monster. At only eight years old, within the Beast Pirates, apart from Kaido, himself, and that idiot Queen, no one could defeat him.

He and Yamato are the future of the Beast Pirates. However, the two of them have changed Kaido so much. It's hard to imagine that a few years ago, Kaido would have sent him to protect them.

"Hey! Uncle King! Why are you stopping me too?" Yamato demanded, hands on her hips, questioning King for preventing her from continuing to beat Orochi.

"Orochi is the ruler of Wano Country, chosen by Kaido."

King responded coldly, "He wants to see a stable Wano Country. Don't add to the chaos."

"King!! This brat wants to kill me!!"

Kurozumi Orochi, seeing the situation turn in his favor, immediately complained, "You need to give me an explanation!"

King slowly turned his head, looking down at Orochi with a condescending gaze. He said calmly, "You need to understand at least one thing, Orochi—why you are sitting in the position of Shogun."

"Huh!"

Orochi's face suddenly changed, and he staggered back two steps in terror.

"Ian and Yamato represent Boss Kaido. Do you really want to make an enemy of the Beast Pirates?"

Although King's tone remained calm, Orochi felt an overwhelming pressure, causing him to collapse onto the ground. He scooted away from King in fear, shaking his head frantically, "No! No! Of course not!"

The surrounding samurai and ninjas watched the Shogun's disgraceful display.

The samurai under Hyogoro's command looked furious—how could such a clown rule this country?

Even the ninjas serving Orochi were filled with a sense of shame.

"Alright, you two," King turned his attention to Ian and Yamato, "It's time to head back."

"Huh? In such a rush?" Yamato asked, puzzled. "I still want to explore more!"

"Boss Kaido is already preparing to move against Kozuki Oden, and this operation is just the beginning," King explained. "War is about to start, and it's no longer safe outside Onigashima."

Yamato's eyes gradually lit up, "We're going to face Kozuki Oden? Then let's hurry back! I want to join the battle too!"

Behind King, Kurozumi Orochi trembled, bowing his head in fear.

A few days later, in the Kuri region of Wano Country.

"Oden-sama! Boss Hyogoro has been captured by the Beasts Pirates!"

"Hyogoro...!"

The man who received this report from his retainer covered his face in anguish, "It's all my fault!"

Kozuki Oden was in torment.

Five years ago, faced with the hostages taken by Orochi, he struck a deal with Orochi and Kaido.

He feigned madness and foolishness for five long years, all to secure Orochi and Kaido's promise to build a massive ship and leave Wano Country.

But recently, Orochi came to Kuri to build a new weapons factory. When Oden eagerly inquired about the ship, Orochi coldly claimed he had no memory of any such promise.

He had forgotten the pact.

Oden had been deceived.

Made to look like a fool.

It was only now that Kozuki Oden fully realized the depth of the betrayal.

"I must..."

Wiping away his tears, Oden gazed at the two swords resting in the corner, untouched for far too long.

"I must ask Kaido for explanation!"

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