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The next day,
Shen Yuan and his crew finally departed from the Land of Wano.
To be precise, Enel and the others returned to the Border Island stronghold, while Shen Yuan made a solitary return to Onigashima for a critical mission.
At this moment—
On the demon skull-shaped Onigashima—
Kaido was indulging in wine and flirting with Black Maria. Despite the recent uproar across Wano and the near-death of his daughter Yamato, Kaido seemed unconcerned.
"Maria, you're as radiant as sakura petals in spring," he slurred drunkenly.
Black Maria giggled flirtatiously, "Lord Kaido, you're teasing me. You're looking dashing today too."
"Wororororo! What a perfect day!"
"Not here! Someone will see!" Maria protested with a seductive pout.
The two collapsed onto the enormous stone bed, entangled in hedonistic pleasure.
But Kaido's hand suddenly froze mid-movement—his drunken instincts sobered instantly.
"…That damn brat again?"
Emerging from the dim shadows at the entrance, Shen Yuan approached with a calm, domineering aura. Three famed blades hung at his waist: Nidai Kitetsu, Yamaoroshi, and Hoozukimaru.
"I've got a bit of good news and a bit of bad news," Shen Yuan said nonchalantly. "Which do you want first?"
Black Maria's playful expression collapsed into pure fury. She leapt from the bed and snapped, "What the hell?! How did you sneak into Lord Kaido's throne room—?"
Before she could finish, a massive shadowy hand shot out and seized her midair. It was Shen Yuan's Awakened Skill: Shadow Demon Hand, part of his recently evolved Umbral Dominion skill tree.
"You think I let you speak, worm?" Shen Yuan's voice was cold.
With a crushing grip, the shadow hand tightened!
Crack!
"AHHHHH!!" Maria's bones gave a sickening snap as she screamed in agony!
Kaido scowled but didn't move—he'd tasted Shen Yuan's wrath before.
"…Start with the good news," Kaido said darkly.
Still holding Maria midair, Shen Yuan spoke:
"Ever heard of the Nine Red Scabbards?"
Kaido raised a brow. "Those Oden loyalists? You encountered them?"
"I didn't just encounter them. I killed Ashura Doji and Denjiro. And I made sure no evidence remained."
Kaido's eyes narrowed. "Tch… pests finally dealt with. Good riddance."
"And, I killed Oden's father."
As he said that, Shen Yuan unsheathed Nidai Kitetsu, letting its cursed aura linger in the air like mist.
Kaido stared warily. "…Why?"
Shen Yuan's expression remained impassive. "Oden and all his kin are stains on Wano. They all need to be erased."
Still skeptical, Kaido asked, "So… you're against the Kozuki clan now?"
"Naturally. I'm currently hunting Kozuki Momonosuke. Want to join me in cleaning up the rest of his bloodline?"
Kaido rubbed his chin in thought. He didn't trust easily, but the offer was tempting.
As Kaido pondered, Shen Yuan turned his gaze back to Maria, still writhing in agony.
"You're really bold, trying to talk back to me," he sneered.
The Shadow Demon Hand stretched her limbs out in a wide X shape—form of a torture crucifix.
"Tch."
Shen Yuan casually ripped her kimono, revealing her hybrid spider-human form. The sight was grotesque—human upper torso, spider abdomen below.
"Disgusting," he said flatly.
Kaido looked on in silence, the air growing colder.
THUNK!
A shadow spike covered in Armament Haki pierced straight through Maria's abdomen!
"GLAAGH!"
She coughed blood violently, her eyes wide in horror.
"Still mouthing off?" Shen Yuan asked, plunging another spike into her arm.
"AAAHH!"
"You'd better behave," he said darkly. "I don't kill for free."
Kaido finally spoke up. "Lord Death… I've made my decision."
"Oh?"
"I'll cooperate. What's the plan?"
Shen Yuan raised his hand. A swarm of dark spikes, forged from Haki-infused shadows, materialized and rained down with a shrill whistle—impaling Maria across her entire body like a macabre pincushion.
"Control your pet, Kaido. She's not worth my time."
Kaido, face shadowed and expression unreadable, nodded. "Understood."
[✓ Defeated storyline character: Black Maria.
+2 Awakening Skill Points obtained.]
With the matter resolved, Shen Yuan turned to Kaido again.
"I need your help faking news that I'm severely injured and missing. The World Government is actively hunting me. A decoy rumor will buy time."
Kaido chuckled. "Simple enough. I'll spread it through Orochi's old spy network."
"One more thing," Shen Yuan said. "The oiran of the Flower Capital—the most beautiful woman in Wano—is actually Oden's daughter. We need her to become shogun to stabilize Wano. She'll be a figurehead."
Kaido's eyes widened, but he didn't protest. "You're playing a deep game…"
"When do we begin?" he asked.
Shen Yuan turned, his cloak swirling behind him.
"Once I slaughter the remaining Scabbards still hiding across Wano."
And just like that, Shen Yuan disappeared into the darkness, leaving Kaido behind.
Kaido clenched his fists and stared at the bloodied stone floor.
For the first time in years, the mighty Emperor of the Sea felt powerless.
"…Damn it!"
He roared furiously, shaking the entire skull dome!
"WORORORORORO!!!"
It was always Kaido who crushed others—but now, someone had ridden his back and spat on his pride!
He trembled with suppressed rage.
Then, an idea came to him.
Picking up a Den Den Mushi, Kaido called an old rival.
"Hello? Lingling? You didn't show up last time. Problems at home?"
On the other side, Big Mom's voice burst with fury.
"Don't joke with me, Kaido! Your crew was wiped out like bugs! Why should I send more to die?!"
Kaido chuckled awkwardly. "…I underestimated Shen Yuan's speed."
"But I have something better now," he added.
He laid out Shen Yuan's plan—leaving out the part where Maria was humiliated.
"…Really?" Big Mom sounded intrigued.
"It's true. He just left."
Big Mom's tone suddenly changed—sinister and excited.
"Fufufufu… Good. I'll capture him! He'll be my husband! He must give me children!"
Kaido was silent. "…You're insane."
Big Mom's voice was giddy. "Kaido, keep him busy. I'm coming."
"Fine, fine," Kaido muttered. "We'll destroy him together this time."
Big Mom cackled. "MUHUHAHAHA! Good! I'll wait for your word from Totto Land!"
Kaido hung up, and all his fury seemed to melt away.
"WORORORORO!"
He burst out laughing, a twisted joy overtaking him.
"Bring in barrels of sake! I'm drinking till nightfall!"
Kaido laughed wildly, but in the shadows of his mind, a sliver of dread remained.
This time… the world might not be ready for Shen Yuan's next move.
JOIN MY PATREON TO READ ADVANCED 30+ CHAPTERS.
Currently at CHAPTER 105 on Patreon.
Two members on my patreon get a free book each month. A lucky draw,it can be you.
Five chapters every two days on Patreon.
One chapter everyday on webnovel.
patreon.com/FrancisMW
"I look forward to welcoming you as member"
ENJOY THE BENEFITS.