Usurpation

"Eh, Kuri is our ancestral land!?"

Orochi looked incredulously at Kozuki Sukiyaki and asked.

"GiaoGiaoGiao~"

Upon hearing Orochi's words, Sukiyaki leaned forward and looked at Orochi's face. "It seems that the Kozuki Clan has erased many things. Yes, Kuri was once the fief of our Kurozumi Clan, and your grandfather was once the lord of Kuri!"

"Kuri! Lord!"

"Just as I've told you before, the Kozuki Clan is guarded by six major clans: the Shimotsuki Clan, the Kurozumi Clan, the Uzuki Clan, the Fugetsu Clan, Hitaki clan and the Amatsuki Clan.

These six clans, serving as the lords of Kuri under the Kozuki Clan, collectively protect the Kozuki Clan in the Flower Capital.

Later, due to the succession crisis in the Kozuki Clan, your grandfather wanted our Kurozumi Clan to become the general of the Land of Harmony.

As you know, due to the birth of Kozuki Sukiyaki and our plan being exposed, the Kurozumi Clan faced destruction. But your existence, Orochi, saved us from complete annihilation.

This is the will of the heavens, allowing our Kurozumi Clan to launch the most magnificent revenge against those people!"

Sukiyaki's face showed a hint of fanaticism.

And Orochi's face also became increasingly resentful. It can be said that in their eyes, all the misfortunes they encountered were brought about by the Kozuki Clan.

"But what should we do to make Oden follow Whitebeard out to sea?"

Orochi looked at Sukiyaki and asked. After all, their plan to usurp the throne depended on Oden leaving the Land of Harmony. Otherwise, with Oden's legitimate heir status and his immense strength, they would have no chance at all.

"GiaoGiaoGiao~"

After laughing heartily, Sukiyaki looked at Orochi and said, "It's simple. Oden, that brainless guy, is determined to go to sea. The only obstacle to his departure is those ruffian warriors under him. After all, in their eyes, only when Oden ascends to the position of general of the Land of Harmony can they demonstrate their loyalty and honor, as the title of general's retainer is very attractive among the warriors of the Land of Harmony.

So what we need to do is to distract those people from Oden and create an opportunity for him."

As Sukiyaki spoke, the smile on Orochi's face grew bigger.

"Hahahaha!"

"GiaoGiaoGiao~"

After laughing for a while, the two finally stopped. Sukiyaki looked at Orochi and asked, "Did you find any clues from the people I asked you to investigate last time? What are they trying to do by spending so much money to buy those things?"

Obviously, Orochi, who planned to usurp the throne, was extremely cautious. After all, if something went wrong with such a major event, it would be irreversible disaster.

"I investigated it. Those people are a group of wealthy merchants. They probably bought those things to enhance their own strength. After all, just like the local tycoons in the Land of Harmony, if you have wealth but no corresponding strength, you'll only be making wedding clothes for others."

Orochi said nonchalantly. It can be said that he wouldn't delve into such matters unless they were related to the major clans of the Land of Harmony or affected his plan to usurp the throne.

Even if those people really had other intentions, when he became the general of the Land of Harmony, he could deal with them however he pleased.

"Anyway, increase your vigilance a bit."

...

Kuri.

"I want to go to sea, I want to have adventures!"

Oden's voice echoed throughout the lord's castle in Kuri.

"This is impossible, as you well know. As the lord of Kuri and the heir to the Land of Harmony, you are responsible for the future of Kuri and the Land of Harmony! Other matters can be negotiated, but there is absolutely no room for negotiation on this matter!"

The warriors led by Kinemon immediately voiced strong opposition.

Later, Oden, along with the Nekomamushi and Inurashi responsible for supplying Whitebeard, came to the beach at Ida Port.

"Let me go with you on the voyage!"

During dinner, Oden once again earnestly pleaded with the Whitebeard Pirates.

But Whitebeard took a sip from his jug of sake, looked at the cat and dog who were chatting with Marco, and directly refused Oden.

"You're not the kind of person who submits to others. Recruiting someone like you onto the ship would only bring trouble to the team. I've had too many bad experiences with pirates from previous crews. If you truly want to go to sea, then go by yourself. I sailed alone when I set out to sea."

"I've tried dozens of times, but all failed. I realized that I have no talent for sailing at all!"

Oden, rejected, became anxious. If he had to rely on himself to go to sea, who knows how long it would take?

"Gurararara~"

Whitebeard laughed and said, "What does that have to do with me? Pirates aren't obliged to help every person who wants to go to sea. If you want to go to sea, you might as well wait for a pirate crew willing to take you in!"

"Did those pirates really say that?"

In a dimly lit room in the lord's castle in Kuri at night, a few figures were discussing something secretly.

"Yes, meow. That big guy rejected Lord Oden's request to go to sea. I heard it with my own ears, meow."

"Hahaha, that's great!"

"Yes, this should dispel Lord Oden's thoughts of going to sea.

"However, for safety's sake, let's go warn those guys again before going to the Flower Capital. After all, pirates are lawless fellows, and with Oden's personality, trouble might happen."