Check out advanced chapters on P@treon: [email protected]/CosmicKaminari
----------
Slaying Kurozumi Orochi, the source of chaos, and reclaiming Wano Country's future from Kaido.
The new general who earned the respect of all citizens—from Wano Country to the Sky Kingdom's cross-age evolution—the ruler Alex is now deservedly the most powerful man in the world.
The various experiences narrated by Shinobu were like sparks hitting dry earth, unsurprisingly exploding in everyone's hearts.
Kanjuro couldn't believe such an outcome, or perhaps he didn't expect that the Kurozumi family had been destroyed, with him being the only survivor.
The other eight Red Scabbards acknowledged this reality with mixed feelings. They had assumed that after their lord's fall, Wano Country would face a dark future under Kurozumi Orochi and Kaido's rule, but they never expected such a character to emerge from nowhere.
What was even more unthinkable was that this person had fulfilled Lord Oden's long-cherished wish, allowing Wano Country to achieve the liberation their lord had dreamed of.
For a moment, they felt a desire to understand more, but there was also an indescribable emptiness in their hearts.
This task had been entrusted to them as Oden's retainers, yet it was accomplished by someone else—especially evident in the unabashed admiration in Shinobu's words.
"But if that's the case, then why did Princess Hiyori treat us this way?!"
"I thought it was caused by Kaido and Orochi's influence, but after learning the facts... According to what you've said, Princess Hiyori was also named a princess by that ruler?" Kawamatsu asked in response.
Shinobu was speaking but suddenly thought of something, causing her to hesitate mid-sentence.
"It seems that you, Kawamatsu, have grasped the situation."
As the veteran captain of the Shadow Guard, the skill of reading people's emotional cues and inferring facts was second nature to her. Shinobu nodded and continued, "Yes, in addition to providing you with information about these twenty years, this is also one of my purposes for coming."
"Remember what I said? Wano Country isn't Wano Country anymore, and not just in the literal sense."
Shinobu swept her gaze across the nine warriors present, lingering especially long on Momonosuke before continuing: "Now there is only the Sky Kingdom, with only one supreme ruler. So Wano Country is not just part of past history, but so are its generals and rulers."
After this remark, besides Kawamatsu, everyone else recalled Princess Hiyori's earlier statement refusing to acknowledge her Kozuki heritage. Plus, Hiyori was still a princess of the Sky Kingdom, which suggested that the princess's transformation was influenced by that man.
"So it's that Alex guy?! Has he forgotten that he became a general because of Lord Sukiyaki of the Kozuki family?!"
The Red Scabbards gritted their teeth angrily. "Kozuki" was the honor they bore as retainers!
"I don't think there's any debt problem here. The position of general was gifted by the previous shogun at the cost of his life. Besides, the prosperity of the Sky Kingdom isn't due to the position of 'Shogun,' but to that lord himself. Do you think that either Oden or Sukiyaki as shoguns could have achieved what the country has become now?"
Listening to Shinobu's rhetorical question, the Nine Scabbards fell silent for a moment before quickly responding: "Master Oden's words! Master Oden's words are definitely trustworthy! After all, he managed Kuri wonderfully in his time."
"Perhaps," Shinobu said lightly.
It was a difference in knowledge and experience, but regardless, Oden was dead, so Shinobu didn't intend to press the point further.
In any case, comparing the two rulers, she already had formed her own opinion. After all, she was no longer a Kozuki retainer but a loyal subordinate of the Shadow Guard under Alex, and she had come here solely for her mission.
Seeing Shinobu's expressionless face, Kinemon and the others realized something and exclaimed: "Have you also betrayed the Kozuki family, Shinobu?!"
The word "betrayal" made Shinobu frown, her voice cooling noticeably: "Think what you will. Anyway, I'm here on Lady Toki's orders."
"Lady Toki... Is she still alive?!"
"Mother?! Mother is still alive! Where is she?!"
Looking at the excited Momonosuke and the Kozuki retainers, Shinobu nodded and delivered the message she had been tasked with: "The only one who died is Oden. Lady Toki is still alive and well, holding an important position among the high-ranking officials in the Sky Kingdom. Most importantly, she is one of the women belonging to that lord."
Saying these words, recalling something private, Shinobu's face flushed crimson.
In contrast, Kinemon and the others transformed from surprise to disbelief, and finally to a rage that threatened to erupt as they stared at Shinobu. They weren't fools and understood perfectly what "belonging to that lord" implied.
Even eight-year-old Momonosuke, due to his exposure to Oden's lifestyle, understood what this meant. His face reddened with anger, and he could barely breathe.
"Stop mocking us, Shinobu!"
At this moment, there was no nostalgia for seeing their old comrade again. The Red Scabbards all vented their dissatisfaction at Shinobu, making it clear that one more disrespectful word about Lady Toki would make them attack her as an enemy.
During the time when Lord Oden had not returned to Wano, they had been deeply influenced by Lady Toki's character. They sincerely believed that their lord and lady were both exceptional people, and they held no less respect and love for her than for Oden himself.
So how could Lady Toki betray Oden?!
"I'm not joking. Neither Princess Hiyori nor Lady Toki bears the name Kozuki now, because this is the Sky Kingdom ruled dictatorially by that lord. With Wano Country turning into history, so has the Kozuki legacy. That's why you, who come from the past, have been ordered to leave the Sky Kingdom."
"So, as long as you can stop calling yourselves Kozuki's vassals, and Momonosuke abandons the Kozuki name—"
SLASH!
Unable to bear Shinobu's words any longer, Ashura Doji drew his sword in a flash, instantly splitting the second-floor stairs where Shinobu stood into two halves.
Shinobu, who had already used Observation Haki to avoid the attack, jumped directly to the observation deck and looked down. The next moment, her entire body was surrounded by a blurred spatial distortion.
"Believe it or not, it's up to you. Anyway, I'm just an old comrade from twenty years ago who couldn't bear to see you leave without knowing anything."
As soon as these words fell, as mysteriously as she had appeared, Shinobu's figure vanished directly into invisible space.