Aus had roamed the world for years.
Aside from his own establishments, when had he ever paid for entertainment?
Except at clip joints.
Truth was, the moment his Observation Haki picked up the conversation upstairs, Aus had already decided he wasn't paying a damn cent.
"From what you're saying, sounds like you're planning to dine and dash? Hmph!"
The madam had probably planned this from the start, betting Aus wouldn't pay up like a good boy.
What she didn't know? Those dozens of samurai outside the door were already exposed in Aus's eyes—stripped bare as the day they were born.
"Get him!"
One command. Countless topknotted samurai burst through the entrance, blades raised, murder in their eyes.
But the instant they crossed the threshold, every single one froze. Locked in place like statues.
Even the foot still mid-step hung suspended in the air.
"Boring. I wanted to play a bit longer."
Aus stood. Snapped his fingers. His clothes shifted instantly, returning to his usual outfit.
In that frozen moment, a tall figure strolled through with hands in his pockets. Unhurried. Leisurely.
With each footfall, another topknotted head rolled.
By the time Aus walked out and glanced back, blood pooled across the floor. Only the terrified madam remained, collapsed in a puddle of her own making.
Aus just smiled faintly.
"Go ahead. Contact those samurai and that general you mentioned.
I'll be waiting right here."
"I'm dead I'm dead I'm dead!"
Inside the massive palace.
An ugly purple-haired man clutched his head, wailing like his parents had just died. Zero dignity befitting Wano Country's shogun. Zero presence of a nation's leader.
A petty thief on a stolen throne.
Nothing more.
Below him knelt a squint-eyed muscular man, face shrouded in shadow.
Despite his respectful posture, a closer look revealed twisted hatred and rage etched across his features.
Denjiro himself—disguised as Kyoshiro, infiltrated into Orochi's inner circle.
Watching this worthless coward occupy the seat that rightfully belonged to Lord Oden, combined with the hatred of the Kozuki family's annihilation, fury consumed him.
But Orochi had no attention to spare for his subordinate's expression. Because...
That monster was coming for him!
Despite Wano's isolation, Orochi didn't recognize Aus's illustrious name. But the intelligence alone told him everything—this was a monster who could match Kaido. Hell, even drive him back!
He wasn't being self-deprecating. His worthless samurai? No way in hell they could stop this.
"Quick! Call Kaido!"
A subordinate rushed over with Kaido's Den Den Mushi.
After crushing Kozuki Oden, Kaido had lost interest in staying in Wano long-term. He'd taken part of his crew back to Onigashima, leaving only a skeleton force to handle the Beasts Pirates' affairs in Wano.
Compared to conquered Wano, Kaido now focused his attention on developing the Beasts Pirates themselves.
After all, aside from King and Queen, the crew had no executives worth mentioning. Too many weak points.
Plus, too few Zoan Devil Fruit users. Kaido's dream was building an army of beasts...
Onigashima.
Today, Kaido was unusually sober. No drinking. Just staring with an ugly expression at the little thing before him.
His son. (Daughter.)
Yamato.
"You should be calling me Father, shouldn't you? Yamato. Not Aus!"
"No way! Lord Aus is the world's most handsome and strongest father!"
WHAM!
A massive lump swelled on Yamato's head. Kaido showed no mercy. Tears streamed down her face.
But the little girl stayed stubborn. Even through the pain, she refused to back down.
"That level of strength barely qualifies you as my rival, Aus!"
The bump glowed red. Tears filled Yamato's eyes. But she kept imitating Aus.
Kaido was about to explode.
He didn't stop until he'd knocked the brat unconscious. Only then did the old man finally lower his club and drop back into his seat, teeth grinding.
"Bring me explosive handcuffs. Lock her on Onigashima! This damn kid keeps yelling about going to sea and being a king like Aus."
Kaido-sensei's face twisted with rage.
"What kind of king does she think she's gonna be?!"
Buru buru buru...
The urgent ring of a Den Den Mushi cut through the moment.
If this was something trivial, Kaido's foul mood would've turned that snail into paste.
But this call was from Wano...
Click.
"What is it, Orochi?"
"Kaido! This is bad! Doctor Aus is coming after me!"
Aus again!
Facing the panicked, pathetic Orochi, Kaido downed two gulps of sake. His terrifying gaze pierced through the Den Den Mushi, boring into Orochi on the other end.
As much as it pissed him off, Kaido had to admit...
"Don't worry, Orochi."
Hearing those words, terrified Orochi's expression eased. A sense of security washed over him from Kaido's voice. He smiled.
"You can do it, right? You can take down Aus just like you did Kozuki Oden, right? Thank god!"
"No..."
Glug glug glug...
Kaido's face stayed calm. Another drink.
"What I mean is, worrying's pointless.
If Aus wanted you dead, your head would already be rolling. Even if I was standing right next to you."
"Who the hell do you think that guy is?! That's a monster even I might not beat!"
"Undefeated in single combat across the seas!"
"One man enough to intimidate the World Government!"
"One man who swept every power on the ocean. Master of the underworld!"
"If it's that guy... maybe he really could become the king of this era..."
Kaido—who specialized in curing young punks of their king delusions—admitted it for the first time.
Maybe some people were just born to be kings.
In Kaido's memories of the world's absolute peak fighters, Aus's commanding profile stood among them.
One name.
Enough to shake an entire era.
Between the old era and the Worst Generation, this in-between age belonged to that man's solo performance.
Listening to Kaido's words—that recognition from a true powerhouse—Orochi gradually understood what the name "Aus" truly meant.
And with that understanding came despair. His wretched, ugly face filled with panic.
If he could, he'd go back a few hours and execute that suicidal madam on the spot!
Click.
Seeing that hideous face through the Den Den Mushi, Kaido lost all interest in continuing this conversation.
If Orochi died, he'd just install a new shogun. No point rushing over now.
After all, Wano wasn't going anywhere. And he had zero options against Aus.
Still, Kaido wasn't too worried.
Knowing Aus, odds were Orochi had brought this on himself.
If Aus actually wanted to compete for control of Wano, he wouldn't be sneaking around like this.
A man like that?
No need.
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
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