In the end, Kozuki Toki still resolutely left the Kozuki mansion.
She was not alone, but had Raizo and Denjiro following along.
In name, it was for protection, but in Toki's eyes, it was more like surveillance.
As if they were afraid she would form some kind of relationship with Rosse.
Clearly, the ones who had earlier said that in the worst case they would hand her over to Rosse were none other than Oden and the others.
Toki carried a hint of self-mockery in her heart, but still forced herself not to mind Raizo and Denjiro.
Rosse's residence in Kuri had never been a secret.
On the very first day Rosse moved in, the Kozuki family already knew his address.
It was also at that time they realized that the World Government had long since planted agents in Wano.
Even Oden and the others had celebrated and rejoiced, because they faked their deaths in Kuri, thinking this was the key to fool Rosse.
But Toki knew all too well, they hadn't fooled anyone at all. Like clowns, they exposed themselves before Rosse, acting out a ridiculous and ugly play.
Knock! Knock!
Arriving at Rosse's temporary residence, Toki glanced at her two slightly hesitant retainers, then directly knocked on the door.
'What happened to the bold, chest-thumping assurances you gave in front of Oden just now?'
'And now, just at the doorstep, you faltered?'
"Who are you looking for?", The door opened from inside, revealing Moria's towering body.
He was a full seven meters tall. Fortunately, tall people weren't uncommon around here, so when searching for a house he had deliberately chosen a tall one, allowing him to come and go easily.
But even so, the sudden appearance of his massive frame gave Toki and the others an invisible sense of pressure.
Yet Toki completely ignored the faint intimidation emanating from Moria, "I am Kozuki Toki, here to see Lord Rosse."
"KISHISHISHI, so you are Lady Toki. My lord has been expecting you for quite some time," Moria cackled, then gestured for her to enter.
"Expecting me? But I never said beforehand that I was coming," Toki frowned slightly, but when her gaze swept over Raizo and Denjiro's looks of dawning suspicion, a chill of sorrow filled her heart.
'Such an obvious ploy to sow discord, and they believe it so easily?'
'Are they truly that foolish, or have they never trusted me in the first place?'
Toki dared not think further. She drew in a deep breath and decisively stepped inside.
Her purpose today was only to see her daughter. Nothing else.
If they didn't trust her, so be it. She no longer trusted them either.
After Toki entered, Raizo and Denjiro, though somewhat tense, also prepared to follow her in.
But before they could reach the door, Moria planted himself firmly before the entrance, his massive arms crossed, completely blocking the way.
"Tch. Stop right there. Where do you think you're going?"
"We're going in too!", Raizo frowned.
What he feared was Rosse, not Moria.
So what if he was tall, strength didn't necessarily match height.
Among the retainers, Raizo was the shortest, but his strength was by no means weak.
"Pfft! And why should you? You're not even qualified to step through this door," Moria sneered.
Today's guest of honor was only Kozuki Toki.
If these retainers could walk in, then he might as well quit.
"Kuri belongs to the Kozuki family. There is no door the Kozuki family cannot enter," Raizo refused to yield, reaching out to push Moria aside.
But Moria didn't budge in the slightest, letting Raizo exert all his strength.
An awkward scene unfolded: no matter how Raizo strained, Moria didn't move an inch.
With Raizo's power, how could he shake Moria?
Though not on Kaido's level, Moria was still in his prime. Even ten Raizos might not be his match.
"Damn it…", Raizo's face flushed red. Knowing Moria was difficult to handle, he prepared to unleash his Devil Fruit powers.
But just as he raised his hand, Denjiro stopped him, "Enough. Let's just wait at the door."
Denjiro sighed. He didn't believe brute force was wise.
They had only just managed to drive the plague god away from the Kozuki mansion, best not cause another disaster because of today.
"Fine, for your sake," Raizo, held back, calmed somewhat, retreating half a step with a cold snort.
If they couldn't enter, then so be it.
At least they had already confirmed Toki was secretly in contact with Rosse.
Maybe even the news that Oden was still alive had already been leaked.
A pity, though, they couldn't enter, so they had no way to know what the two would plot.
———
After stepping past the threshold, Toki did not move immediately.
She paused at a spot invisible from outside, glancing back to confirm no one had followed, then silently shook her head and continued walking deeper inside.
Yet with each step, her fists clenched tighter.
Her knuckles turned white from the strain, her long nails biting deeply into her palms, carving bloody marks.
But she seemed oblivious to the pain, only walking forward.
Such utterly different treatment made her recognize a hard truth.
Without strength, even retainers would look down on her.
With strength, even if one trampled on the retainers' heads, they wouldn't dare complain.
'Strength…'
Toki drew in a long breath, calming herself, and continued toward the inner residence.
Rosse lived in a typical large Wano-style home. Toki was very familiar with such layouts, so even though it was her first visit, she easily found her way.
Just as she neared his location, her steps froze.
She heard Rosse's voice, "Don't interfere too much with Kaido. That Kurozumi Orochi, though, is interesting. Long ago he planted a spy by Oden's side. That one could be useful."
"You mean that guy Kanjuro? What's so useful about trash like him? Killing them all would only take one swing."
It was a cold female voice. Toki had never heard it before.
But from the tone and words, she knew the speaker was no good person.
"If we speak of strength, killing Oden would also be easy. But where's the fun in that? Better to reveal Kanjuro's true identity to our Lady Toki, and let her put on a good show. What do you think, Lady Toki?", Rosse's playful voice sounded, chilling Toki to the bone.
She never imagined that coming here today, she would overhear such shocking news.
'A retainer like Kanjuro, actually Orochi's spy?'
'Is this true or false?'
"I refuse," Toki drew in a deep breath. Knowing they had already sensed her presence, she decisively entered the quiet room.
Her eyes swept across the space, it wasn't very large.
Rosse sat before a tea table.
Behind him leaned a tall, beautiful woman against the wall.
The woman was stunning, her figure exquisite, enough to make even Toki briefly lose herself.
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