Flower Capital, Eastern Outskirts.
Hundreds of samurai had gathered, with Orochi Shogun and a host of noble families at the rear, along with a large crowd of curious onlookers.
Gurd and Yamato rode two elks at the very front of the formation.
Only a week had passed since Orochi announced the bandit suppression campaign, yet both the troops and funds had already been fully assembled.
Five hundred samurai, four Oniwabanshu ninja, and a staggering sum of nearly 300,000 gold—this massive mobilization left no doubt among the villagers about the seriousness of this operation.
Without preamble, Gurd raised his arm.
The clamor ceased instantly.
"Move out!"
"Ooooh!!!"
The samurai raised their swords in excitement.
Bandit suppression meant merit, wealth, and glory.
Destination: Kuri.
Half a day later, deep within Mount Head, the bandit stronghold.
A scout who had gone out to gather information burst into the main hall.
"Boss Shutenmaru, trouble's coming!"
"Calm down!"
Shutenmaru barked from his rattan chair, his expression dark.
Of course he knew trouble was coming.
The bandit suppression campaign had been the talk of the land lately, and as its primary target, he was well aware of the situation.
This time, they meant business.
"Where are the enemies now?"
"They've reached the southern part of Mount Head and are setting up camp!"
The scout answered, trembling.
"So soon!"
Shutenmaru jolted upright, his somewhat portly frame tensing.
At this rate, the enemy would likely begin searching the mountain tomorrow. Though Mount Head covered a vast area with complex terrain, the stronghold wouldn't remain hidden forever.
With enough effort, it was only a matter of time before they were discovered.
He couldn't let his home be destroyed.
"Daring to mess with me!"
Shutenmaru sneered.
Orochi had tried to eliminate him multiple times, only to fail each time. Thinking they could challenge him on Mount Head's turf? A fool's dream.
This was his territory!
"Listen up, men! Prepare to move out!"
Shutenmaru grinned savagely. "Let's show those bastards the terror of the Mount Head Thieves Group!"
"Yes!"
Half an hour later, dozens of bandits followed Shutenmaru—who rode atop a bull—as they skirted around the suppression force's camp and headed toward Boro Town.
Southern Mount Head, temporary camp.
Inside the largest tent.
Gurd studied the topographic map of Mount Head.
Mount Head wasn't a single peak but an entire region spanning dozens of hills. Finding the thieves' main base here would be a challenge.
Yamato was also in the tent, her face clouded with worry. "Gurd, is that Shutenmaru really one of Kozuki Oden's retainers?"
"That's right."
Gurd looked up at Yamato and asked calmly, "You've read all the intel on Shutenmaru. What do you think of him?"
"He's a despicable villain!"
Yamato nodded firmly.
The intelligence Gurd provided was exhaustive, detailing not only Shutenmaru's reign over Kuri over a decade ago but also how Kozuki Oden had single-handedly subdued him, making him a retainer.
From a notorious bandit to Oden's retainer, then back to a thief plundering villages—though he had once reformed, his crimes couldn't be erased. His hands were already stained with innocent blood.
To verify the truth, she had even consulted Shimotsuki Yasuie and Hyogoro, both of whom confirmed the intel's accuracy.
"Whether they're pirates, samurai, or ordinary civilians, every group has both good and bad people."
Gurd stared intently into Yamato's eyes.
"The same goes for Oden's retainers."
"Shutenmaru ruled the mountains as a bandit king, not only committing arson, murder, and pillage but also sheltering criminals from various regions, his hands stained with innocent blood."
"Kin'emon used to be a petty delinquent who did everything from stealing to swindling."
"Kanjuro was that weirdo who cut people's hair to make and sell calligraphy brushes."
Gurd recounted the deeds of Oden's retainers without emotion, not to slander them but to dispel Yamato's idealized image.
"In fact, even Kozuki Oden himself had a checkered past. From frequenting gambling dens as a child, to fighting and injuring people, even abducting women and establishing a harem in temples—all these misdeeds are recorded in Wano Country's history. Can you accept these wrongdoings?"
"Gurd, I..."
Yamato felt an unbearable ache in her heart.
Of course she couldn't accept it.
In her mind, Kozuki Oden was a free-spirited, heroic samurai. It was hard to imagine him committing so many misdeeds.
Gurd chuckled and shook his head.
"Yamato, you're an independent individual with your own thoughts. There's nothing wrong with wanting to become Oden, but first you need to understand him."
"A single meeting, a diary, and some hearsay about his deeds—these alone can't define a person's entirety."
"Think carefully. Think about why you want to become Oden. Think about whether Oden truly matches the image in your mind!"
Yamato fell into silence.
After a long while.
Tears welled up in Yamato's eyes as she asked painfully, "Gurd, you're wiser than me. What does Oden look like in your eyes?"
"In my eyes? Hmm, let me think."
Gurd rubbed his chin and laughed wryly.
"Probably the same as your father."
"Huh?"
Yamato was stunned.
How could Oden and her father be alike!
"Why?"
"Because Kozuki Oden and your father both relied on their immense strength to ignore rules, act recklessly, and never consider others' feelings. Simply put, they're both scoundrels!"
Gurd voiced his thoughts.
"Eh?"
Yamato blinked, her brain practically smoking.
Well... that actually made some sense!
Did that mean wanting to become Oden was the same as wanting to become her father?
Ugh, her head was spinning!
"Hahaha, don't overthink it. Let's do something else."
Gurd laughed and ruffled Yamato's hair, pulling her over to a map. Pointing at the terrain of Mount Atama, he asked, "Yamato, if you were Shutenmaru, what would you do now?"
"Me as Shutenmaru?"
Yamato tilted her head in thought, her attention drawn by Gurd's question.
"Hmm... hide?"
"That's one possibility."
Gurd nodded, then shook his head.
"But Shutenmaru wouldn't do that."
"Oh."
Yamato looked puzzled.
If it were her, she'd definitely hide somewhere remote—no fighting, no getting caught.
"Why not?"
"Because he has a terrible temper."
Gurd answered half-jokingly.
Having spent his life as a bandit leader, accustomed to murder and plunder, he wasn't exactly the calm type.
And when someone has a volatile temper, they won't take losses lying down. Faced with an army coming to wipe them out, their first thought wouldn't be to wait for death or flee—it'd be revenge.
Getting revenge would be simple.
Gurd pointed to the town nearest to Mount Atama on the map.
"I bet Shutenmaru will head here!"
"Boro Town?"
Yamato perked up.
"Shall we go to Boro Town to catch him?"
"No need. I've already sent ninjas to ambush him there."
Gurd shook his head, a glint of killing intent flashing in his eyes.
He wanted to eliminate more than just Shutenmaru!