The magnificent performance before the end!

"Those two guys," Denjiro muttered, narrowing his eyes as he watched the clash between Whitebeard and Nicholas. The power they displayed was overwhelming, and the feeling of Wano's fate being controlled by outsiders irked him deeply.

The only solace for him was Momonosuke's reaction to the terrifying aura of their clash. It seemed that after a series of traumatic events, Momonosuke was finally starting to show some qualities of a ruler. Instead of crying and seeking comfort, he kept his eyes fixed on the two combatants. Even under the impact of their Conqueror's Haki, he only wavered slightly before regaining his composure. This gave Denjiro hope that Momonosuke might indeed reach the heights of his father, Oden.

What Denjiro didn't see was the flash of resentment in Momonosuke's eyes. To Momonosuke, all his misfortunes were caused by these outsiders. If Kaido hadn't come, Kurozumi Orochi wouldn't have dared to usurp the throne. Without Orochi's coup, he would still be the heir to the shogunate, living a life of luxury instead of hiding in Kuri, fearing for his life and worrying about being poisoned even while eating wild vegetable cakes.

Momonosuke's hatred extended to his own father, Oden. He blamed Oden for all his suffering, believing that if Oden had been more decisive and dealt with Wano's troubles instead of pursuing his own adventures at sea, Wano wouldn't be in its current state. Even after returning, if Oden had fought Kaido and Orochi immediately instead of foolishly dancing in the streets for years, they might have been able to reverse the situation and maintain the people's respect for the Kozuki family.

As everyone focused on the central battle, no one noticed Kanjuro's movements. Standing behind them, Kanjuro's eyes were fixed on Momonosuke's back. This would be his grand finale.

Suddenly, Kanjuro sprang into action with such speed that his companions couldn't react in time. To their horror, they saw Kanjuro's weapon, imbued with Armament Haki, pierce through Lady Toki's abdomen.

Feeling the warm blood splatter on his face and seeing Toki's gentle smile, Momonosuke let out a terrified scream. Ignoring Momonosuke's reaction, Kanjuro swiftly withdrew his bloodstained weapon, used his abilities to draw several warriors to block the surrounding retainers, and seized Momonosuke, quickly distancing himself from the group.

"Kanjuro!"

"Just what the hell are you doing?" Raizo shouted, his voice trembling with anger as he glared at Kanjuro.

Kikunojou, tense, quickly moved to check on Lady Toki's condition.

"So it really was you," Denjiro said, drawing his long sword and pointing it at Kanjuro.

Nekomamushi and Inuarashi were still confused, unable to grasp how the situation had turned so dire so suddenly.

"Ka, ka, ka~" Kanjuro laughed as he held Momonosuke hostage. "The performance is almost over. As the final actor, I must prepare my curtain call. This last act, I call it 'Regicide'!"

"Curtain call? Kanjuro, what are you talking about? And why did you attack Lady Toki?" Kikunojou cried out, both hands busy tending to Toki's wound, his voice filled with sorrow and disbelief.

Kanjuro shook his head, a playful look on his face. "I never intended to attack Lady Toki. My target was always this brat, Momonosuke. I didn't expect him to sense my attack and use Toki as a shield."

"What!" The others, including Izo, were in shock, unable to believe Kanjuro's words.

Momonosuke's eyes trembled, his face showing a mixture of fear and denial.

"Don't be fooled by Kanjuro," Toki spoke up, defending Momonosuke. "Momonosuke would never push me. I stepped in voluntarily."

Denjiro fixed Kanjuro with a cold stare. "So it was you who leaked Lord Oden's plan to attack the capital. And all our other plans, you fed those to Orochi and Kaido as well?"

"That's right," Kanjuro admitted without hesitation.

"No way! Kanjuro, how could you be a traitor? You went through the boiling pot with us. If Lord Oden hadn't intervened, you would have died," Kikunojou said, struggling to accept the betrayal.

"Why!?" he demanded.

"Because my full name is Kurozumi Kanjuro," Kanjuro replied, a hint of regret in his eyes as he looked at Kikunojou. However, that regret quickly turned to cold resolve.

He felt no remorse for Denjiro or the others, but for Kikunojou, whom he had practically raised, there was a moment of hesitation.

…

In Wano Country, the march through Port Itachi towards the inland areas would soon bring the troops to Hakumai. Once the most impoverished region in Wano, Hakumai had now transformed into a thriving area. The people, who once treasured every drop of clean water, no longer had to worry about hunger.

Outside Hakumai, tens of thousands of fully armed soldiers were assembling.

"You know how you got to live like this," Ashina Isshin addressed the assembled troops. "Right now, Lord Nicholas is fighting the Kozuki family's reinforcements in Kuri. I don't need to say much. If you don't want to go back to those dark days, pick up your weapons and follow me! Let's go support Lord Nicholas!"

With Isshin's words, the army of Hakumai began their march towards Kuri.

[AN- Im starting to hate that little shit momo, How dare u use your mom as a shield, No wonder his nuts are gone. I know he is a child but i am really angry]