Main Building, Top Floor
"Mhahahaha! Boss Kaido, we've got news from Orochi!"
Queen barged in, grinning widely. "That fool, Kozuki Oden, has finally made up his mind! He's preparing to attack Onigashima!"
Kaido sat cross-legged on a large cushion, taking swigs from an enormous sake gourd. Hearing this, he let out a hearty laugh. "Hmmm, giggle! So, it's finally about to begin? But let's make him wait!"
King, standing calmly beside Kaido, folded his arms. "So, what's his plan? Will he rally the daimyo from each region? Or is he going to reveal the truth to the people of Wano and seek their aid?"
"Mhahahaha! That's exactly the kind of thing Kozuki Oden would do!"
Queen sneered, his words dripping with disdain. "That guy keeps claiming that he's responsible for Wano's current state, and that he has no right to ask for help from others. So, he's decided—"
"—to take his retainers and launch a full-scale assault on us."
King remained silent.
There was nothing more to say.
Kaido burst into laughter again. "That's so typical of Kozuki Oden! But he's not entirely wrong! And what's left of Wano, apart from him?"
Even if he were to gather all the samurai from across the land, what difference would it make?
"Boss Kaido, what's our next move?" King asked.
"The buildings on Onigashima have just been expanded. It'd be a waste to turn the newly built structures into a battlefield," Kaido said with a playful tone. "Let's wait for him on the road; we already know which way they're headed."
Queen chuckled darkly. "That guy probably never imagined that one of his most trusted retainers is actually our spy!"
"We've been watching their every move!"
"Then let's make this the final battle!"
Kaido raised his arms, shouting with excitement. "Hmmm, Kozuki Oden, let's enjoy this fight to the fullest!!"
On the terrace outside the room, Ian leaned against the railing, listening to the loud laughter coming from inside.
A girl next to him spoke softly.
She was an adorable girl with blonde hair, dressed in a short kimono. She looked about the same age as Yamato, even sporting a pair of small horns on her forehead like Yamato. A shamisen was slung across her back, and a spider doll hung from her waist.
Yes, she was cute—if you ignored that she was as tall as two Ians when sitting.
"I wonder if we'll be able to join the fight this time!"
Jack stood beside Ian, arms crossed with anticipation. He glanced down at Ian. "I want to fight the enemy like you, Big Brother Ian!"
"Then let's go together this time!"
Yamato thumped her chest and declared, "I'll go talk to my father!"
"Don't do anything reckless."
Ian quickly grabbed the hand that Yamato had pounded against her chest. "This isn't a battle we should be involved in."
Who would want to get caught up in the fight between Kaido and Kozuki Oden?
With the strength that guy Kozuki Oden has, he could probably kill me with a single strike, right?
Yamato turned back, looking at Ian in disbelief, which made Ian feel a bit awkward, as if he had done something embarrassing. "That's Kozuki Oden!"
What about Kozuki Oden? You can't even see his face, and yet you're already influenced by his legendary status, right?
"That's the Kozuki Oden we've dreamed of defeating since we were kids!"
Yamato said seriously, "Now we finally have a chance to fight him! How can you just let it slip by?"
"That's right!" Jack agreed enthusiastically.
Having been forced to play Kozuki Oden countless times and getting beaten up by Yamato older sister, he felt it was high time for some payback!
Ian was at a loss for words.
He now understood what it meant to dig your own grave.
It was all just a game.
"I'm going to find Father right now!" Yamato announced, striding determinedly toward the gate.
"Should I go with you?" The tall blonde girl asked nervously, looking at Yamato's fierce demeanor. "I don't really know how to fight yet."
She had only recently joined the Beast Pirates.
Although she was being trained as a cadre, she hadn't yet received systematic combat training.
"In that case, come with me, Maria," Ian said, stepping forward.
He needed to stop Yamato's reckless idea before it went too far.
By the way, the girl's name was Black Maria, just nine years old, and destined to become one of the future Tobiroppo. But for now, she was just a newcomer to the Beast Pirates.
Black Maria hesitated, glancing between Ian and Jack.
Jack shook his head, and Black Maria nodded in agreement.
Neither of them dared to follow.
Marching into Kaido's conference room to express an opinion was not something they were bold enough to attempt.
"Daddy! Ian and I are going to take down Kozuki Oden!" Yamato shouted as she burst through the door before even stepping inside.
Ian quickly rushed in after her.
"Don't say such foolish things!" Kaido's stern voice boomed immediately. "That's not a battle a brat like you should be involved in."
Ian let out a sigh of relief.
Thank goodness Kaido-sensei understands!
Yamato's already round face puffed up like a pufferfish. "I've been waiting for years! I just want to defeat Kozuki Oden!!"
"Yamato, don't make things difficult for Kaido-sensei."
Ian walked in calmly, speaking seriously, "Kozuki Oden is an opponent that Kaido-sensei must handle personally. It's not our place to challenge him right now."
Yamato still looked like she wanted to argue, but Ian quickly covered her mouth, using his superior strength to keep the struggling girl quiet.
At the same time, he turned to Kaido and said, "Kaido-sensei, don't worry. I'll make sure she understands."
Kaido's eyes narrowed, "Boy, you seem pretty confident."
Ian was startled, then quickly offered a tactical smile. "I'm just concerned that Yamato might interfere with the crew's plans."
"Hmph, I see what's going on. You just want to avoid the battlefield, don't you?"
Kaido snorted coldly.
He knew this kid all too well.
"Hahaha, of course not."
Ian forced a dry laugh. "I'm always ready to fight for the Beast Pirates."
"Alright, then I have a task for you," Kaido sneered.
Ian's laughter died down immediately.
Yamato, taking advantage of the situation, managed to break free. "Dad, are you going to let us take the lead?"
"I already said, that's not a battlefield you should be involved in right now."
Kaido said, "Go to Kuri. Kozuki Oden has already left with his retainers, so his base is undefended. Go to Oden Castle and capture his entire family."
Ian's face fell. You want me to go after women and children?
That doesn't seem right...
"Or, if you prefer, you could join me on the battlefield,"
Kaido seemed to see through Ian's hesitation and added, "After all, you're stronger than Yamato, so you're qualified to fight."
Ian responded seriously, "Please leave it to me, Kaido-sensei."
I'm still just a kid too! I'm the same age as Momonosuke!
Support me on my and read upto 15 early chapters.