Chapter 32

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Chapter 32 Kaido's "Precious" Gift

Momonosuke was so disgusted by the horrifying scene that he fell to his knees and vomited. Tears instantly overflowed, and as snot, tears, and vomit emerged, the sound of crying filled the air. "Everyone... Everyone is dead!! Woohoo!!!" Now, their revenge becomes even more difficult. Is it really right to follow through? Why have all the familiar faces vanished? Who else can I count on to help me take revenge? Damn it! This is truly hopeless! Woo~~~~"

"Look at the traces of corruption; their death took no more than a week," Kikunojo, visibly disturbed, said with anger. He realized that this was not the time to be careless. "But a week?" Kanjuro's already pale face lost even more color. "Could it be that someone anticipated our return and executed them right before?" Panic shook Ju Zhicheng. The timing was too precise. They had been executed shortly before their return and laid out for them to find – certainly a threat and a warning!

"Brother Kinemon! Let's go! There might be an ambush!" Kikunojo urged, trying to close the gate and leave. But he found he was pulling at a statue, unable to move the gate. Turning around, he saw that Kinemon was crying silently, his face contorted in agony, tears streaming down. "Brother Kinemon!" Kikunojo raised his voice, calling out in a louder tone. The grief was his too; he wanted to cry as well. But he knew they needed to escape first to have any chance of avenging the fallen and honoring the lady's last instructions. If Kinemon continued to be swayed by emotions and anger, they would be facing disaster.

"Go!" Kikunojo hoisted Kinemon by his waist, while Kanjuro scooped up the collapsed Momonosuke. They all hurriedly ran towards Yamanaka forest. They rushed on in silence, the burnt mansion receding into the distance along with the severed heads of their once close companions. They didn't realize how far they had run until they stopped deep in the forest, leaning on each other in exhaustion. Kinemon and Momonosuke, too, gradually composed themselves - one still in despair, the other still quaking with fear.

Breaking the silence, Kikunojo spoke slowly, "We can't stay in Wano Kuni any longer; there's no one left who can help the Kozuki family..." Kikunojo expressed his concern, "But none of us know how to sail, and without our boat, leaving will be incredibly difficult."

Kikunojo pondered, "What about Kanjuro? Can your 'painting' help us get out?" When they could not rely on Kinemon, Kanjuro was the remaining hope. "Once exposed to water, my paintings revert to ink... I fear they won't withstand our journey," Kanjuro admitted dejectedly, seeming to blame himself for being of little use at such a crucial time.

"To... Otherwise, we'd still... Surrender, right?" Momonosuke suddenly said in a low voice. "Surrender may still save your life. Anyway, at this time, there's no other way, right?"

Kinemon silently buried his head, seemingly unable to recover from his friend's death. The other three looked at Momonosuke with shocked eyes.

"What are you talking about, Momonosuke-sama? You are Lord Oden's son. How can such a thing be said?"

"I just don't want to see everyone die in front of me again..."

"We would rather die than surrender to Kaido. Have you forgotten that he is your father's enemy? Oden-sama has just been killed by Kaido's own hands! You! ..."

"I..." Momonosuke was on the verge of tears when he heard this. "I just want everybody to live. What's wrong with me! I can't beat Kaido anyway. Even if you are alive, it is better than being dead."

Suddenly, Kinemon stood up. With determination in his lonely eyes, he pulled out his double knives with both hands.

"I'm going to kill Kaido!"

"You guys... Let's find a way to take Momonosuke-sama out to sea," one said.

Kikunojo jumped up and snapped at Oden with a loud slap. "What are you thinking? Aren't you just sending yourself to death if you go like this? Have you forgotten Mrs. Shi's instructions when she sent us away?"

At that moment, a thick and deep voice came from the sky. "Oh la-lao~ don't stop him. I really want him to seek revenge on me."

The faces of the group changed dramatically as they looked up. The humanoid Kaido floated in mid-air, his rigid and tough body on full display.

Suddenly, there was movement in the forest. Samurai appeared from all sides, surrounding them in a circle. The group began to sweat profusely, their backs instantly wet with cold sweat, their faces pale, and their eyes filled with despair.

There really was an ambush! Kaido had been watching us all along.

Each drew their weapon, thinking in their hearts that they desperately wanted to send Momonosuke-sama away. 

"I've been waiting for you for a long time. Did you see the gift I gave you?" Kaido gestured towards the direction they came from, signaling the row of heads. "That's a precious gift I've been preparing for days. How do you feel?"

The group's faces turned gloomy as they gritted their teeth.

Kaido sneered, seemingly content with his actions. "Don't worry, you'll join them soon."

Kinemon and the others trembled, their hands squeezing the knife handles so tightly that their fingertips turned white. Knowing they couldn't confront Kaido directly, they glanced at each other and immediately ran in one direction.

"Run! Send Momonosuke-sama out of Wanokuni!"

"What about you?!" Momonosuke, held in Kanjuro's arms, asked.

"We'll help you leave. Kanjuro! Protect Your Highness!" The four Kinemon looked at each other resolutely, their hearts filled with the readiness to die.