A new year had arrived.
Wano Country—at the ruins of Oden Castle, once the proud estate of the former Daimyo of Kuri, Kouzuki Oden, reduced to ashes by fire two decades ago.
"Fwoosh—"
In an instant, five figures materialized amid the scorched rubble, untouched and sudden, like a flash of light breaking through time itself.
"Eh... W-What is this...?!"
"Is this a dream?! Where are we?!"
"Where's the castle? The fire? Lady Toki?!"
"Lady Hiyori—?!"
"Where's my mother?! Kin'emon!!"
...
"Yasuie-sama!!"
Kuri, Abandoned Village*—one of the secret bases of the Wano Resistance.
Not far from the Oden Castle ruins, this outpost was under the direct command of Shimotsuki Yasuie, the Resistance's leader. From here, he maintained constant surveillance on the ruins—because if Lady Toki's prophecy proved true, then this year would mark twenty years since the death of Kouzuki Oden.
And according to intelligence and analysis shared by their ally, the Marine Headquarters, the turning point would begin right here, at the site of Oden Castle!
"What is it?"
Yasuie's expression darkened as he saw the scout struggling to form words, clearly overwhelmed with emotion.
"Don't tell me—!"
"Yasuie-sama! The watchmen at Oden Castle have reported activity! There's been movement at the ruins!"
"Five people suddenly appeared—four adults and a child! They match the descriptions of those who vanished twenty years ago: Kin'emon, Raizo, Kiku, Kanjuro, and…"
The scout sniffled hard, then broke into sobs.
"Momonosuke-sama! It's truly him! They're alive! After twenty years, they haven't aged a day—they look exactly the same!"
"Momonosuke-sama is still just eight years old—not a single change!!"
"!"
In that instant, a flood of memories surged through Yasuie's mind—two decades of waiting, interwoven in a heartbeat. Even with his seasoned resolve, forged through twenty years of resistance, the leader could barely contain the weight of the moment.
"Good… good… GOOD!!"
Clenching his fists tightly, Yasuie took several deep breaths. As the commander of the Resistance, he had to maintain calm—no matter how monumental the news.
"Did they observe anything else? Has anyone made contact with them yet?"
"Yes, Yasuie-sama!"
The scout quickly composed himself, delivering the report with newfound urgency.
"As planned, our observers—though deeply moved—did not approach Momonosuke-sama or the others…"
His face grew grim.
"However, we did discover… something strange."
"Oh?"
"When the Akazaya Nine appeared… a few birds flew away from the scene—heading toward the Flower Capital."
His voice dropped.
"But due to the pollution from Kaido's factories, Kuri—no, all of Wano outside the Flower Capital—hasn't seen wild birds for over a decade!"
"..."
Yasuie went silent, trembling as he covered his face in anguish.
"So… our worst fears… are coming true."
"Pass my orders! Keep constant watch on Kin'emon and the others. We must observe them carefully—confirm whether it's truly him, and what he intends to do!"
"All Resistance operatives are to avoid direct contact with them. Do not reveal anything about our movement or operations until further notice!"
"Understand this clearly—this matter could determine whether we succeed or fall… If the betrayal that doomed Oden and Lady Toki twenty years ago happens again…"
Yasuie grit his teeth hard.
"We won't get another twenty years to prepare!"
"Yes, Yasuie-sama!"
...
Flower Capital, Red-Light District—Pleasure Hall.
"So… it's finally happened…"
Kyoshiro—true identity, Denjiro, one of the Akazaya Nine—stared at the intelligence report in his hands, tears streaking silently down his face.
"It's almost impossible to believe… and yet, the signs we feared have begun to appear."
His brow furrowed. Veins stood out on his forehead.
"The one thing I never wanted to believe—it's happening!"
"Damn it… but Yasuie-sama is right. We need more proof. It could still be a coincidence. Maybe even birds that were also caught in the time jump twenty years ago…"
His hands trembled violently, resisting the overwhelming urge to draw his blade and act. But even he couldn't buy into that theory.
Twenty years ago, Oden Castle was engulfed in flames. What bird would stay and not flee?
More importantly—Kyoshiro knew, without a doubt, as Orochi's personal guard—something had changed.
Until today, despite the looming prophecy, Orochi had never shown any real fear.
But today, he was terrified. Panic-stricken.
That can only mean one thing—the same traitor who betrayed Oden-sama twenty years ago… has once again passed on word to Orochi!
After Vice Admiral Rosinante of the Marine Headquarters helped Yasuie and Denjiro establish a covert Resistance network, especially with the supply channel made possible through the mystical Lightforged Beacon, the movement had quietly grown stronger over the years.
But based on Wright's subtle intel, Rosinante also helped them dissect what really happened during Oden's final battle against Kaido—hidden truths beneath the surface.
Yasuie and Denjiro were shaken when they uncovered the timing of it all: Oden's sudden assault on Kaido was met with a perfectly coordinated counterstrike—Kaido's forces were waiting.
Almost simultaneously, Orochi's troops assaulted Oden Castle. Lady Toki was wounded shielding her son. The castle burned.
These two attacks directly led to Oden's defeat.
And Kaido… had said something strange:
"Perhaps there's a traitor among you…"
At the time, everyone dismissed it as an attempt to sow discord.
But through thorough analysis, Yasuie and Denjiro could no longer ignore the truth.
There was a traitor.
Yasuie even remembered how, during Oden's voyage, Orochi drained Kuri's resources methodically, like he knew Oden would not return.
All signs pointed to one conclusion—the traitor was likely someone among the Akazaya Nine… Oden's most trusted retainers!
But who?
Denjiro ruled himself out—he had undergone Wright's thought inspection, and passed beyond doubt.
Ashura Doji, once a wild bandit, had proven his loyalty ten years ago during the Oath of Self-Sacrifice—trying to stop the samurai from charging to their deaths at Onigashima. Now part of the Resistance, he was beyond suspicion.
Inuarashi and Nekomamushi, though they had split after Oden's death, had since reconciled. Both had returned to Zou. Given Zou's isolation, it had taken a Vivre Card and a Marine link to reconnect with them.
They were never Wano natives. Their bond with Oden came from fate, not obligation. They had neither motive nor means to betray him.
They were now fully briefed on the Resistance's plans—reunited, and quietly rallying strength in Mokomo Dukedom.
Kawamatsu the Kappa had fled with Princess Hiyori, devoted to her protection. Captured and thrown into the Udon Quarry, he'd only recently been rescued through the secret work of Marine agent Senor Pink.
He couldn't be the traitor either.
That left only one possibility—
The four Akazaya Samurai who had vanished twenty years ago.
Kin'emon, Raizo, Kiku, and Kanjuro.
—————————
TN: The original text doesn't say "Abandoned Village," but rather "Scavenger Village" or "Leftover Village" in a more literal translation. However, given its proximity to Oden's Castle, I assumed it might be referring to the Abandoned Village.
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