Wano Country, Kuri.
Oden Castle, courtyard.
The breeze was gentle, light pink cherry blossoms danced, and the four-cornered stone lantern glowed brightly.
Water gurgled from the rockery, and a shishi-odoshi struck the stone surface with a crisp sound.
Kozuki Oden knelt on the tatami mat, drinking tea with Hana no Hyogoro, who had traveled a long distance.
Hyogoro was burly, with a head of fluffy, flame-like hair, sunglasses perched on his nose, and a tattoo on his left shoulder and chest. The steam from the tea swirled, and the tattoo on his chest seemed to come alive, flickering like flames.
"This is really good, Oden…"
Hyogoro nodded in satisfaction, a smile on his face. He hated evil but was deeply loyal, highly respected by the underworld of Wano Country, with gang leaders from all regions looking up to him.
Kozuki Oden had a flat top hairstyle, phoenix eyes, wore an orange kimono, and had a purple and white shimenawa tied around his waist. Two famous swords, one with a white sheath and one with a purple sheath, hung at his right hip.
Both famous swords were forged by renowned Wano Country craftsmen, capable of cutting through gold and stone, and slicing iron like mud.
One was named Ame no Habakiri, with a snow-white sheath, like white clouds in the sky, renowned as a sword that could cut down the very heavens.
The other was named Enma, with a vermillion-purple sheath, exuding a violent and untamed aura, known as a demonic sword capable of destroying hell.
If Oden's strength wasn't formidable, Enma's characteristic of automatically absorbing the wielder's Haki alone could easily drain an ordinary swordsman dry.
Oden laughed heartily: "Boss Hyogoro, if you like it, drink more."
Hyogoro couldn't help but shake his head and smile wryly.
He looked at Kozuki Oden with a complex expression. Oden had been legendary since birth, a true "scoundrel."
From a young age, he frequented pleasure quarters, casually burned down houses, violently injured people, wantonly altered river courses causing significant casualties, and even instigated the Harem Rebellion.
Free-spirited, unrestrained, uninhibited... If it weren't for the reputation of the Kozuki Clan he carried, just a few of his misdeeds would have been enough for several death sentences.
Hyogoro had dominated the underworld of Flower Capital for several years and had a long-standing and deep friendship with Oden.
Hyogoro greatly admired Oden's independent personality and had a profound bond with the Kozuki family.
Oden also treated Hyogoro like a mentor.
"Lord Oden, it's time for the pleasure district."
Kin'emon walked in and knelt before Oden, his face respectful.
Behind him, Shutenmaru, Denjiro, Kanjuro, Izo, Inuarashi, Nekomamushi, Kawamatsu, and Kiku knelt on one knee.
Hyogoro smiled slightly: "You have a good group of retainers, Oden."
Hearing this, Kin'emon and the others showed pleased expressions.
Oden laughed heartily: "This is also thanks to Brother Yasuie's care."
Oden knew very well that these young people were straightforward and loyal. Even Nekomamushi and Inuarashi, who were only eight years old, studied knowledge and etiquette under Shimotsuki Yasuie to be more worthy of the title of Oden's retainers.
Oden drained his tea, then stood up, his expression solemn: "Let's go!"
He stepped off the tatami, walked through the corridor, and his retainers all rose and followed behind Oden.
Outside Oden Castle, a pure white beast lay prostrate on the ground, carrying a luxurious palanquin on its back.
"It's Lord Oden!"
"Lord Oden!!"
Slender, delicate kimono-clad women with Japanese-style makeup looked at the tall and uninhibited Kozuki Oden with heart-shaped eyes, their faces filled with fervent admiration.
The samurai were also very excited, loudly shouting Oden's name in the crowd, their blood pumping and cheeks flushed.
Cheers, shouts, almost all the people of Kuri blocked the pleasure district street!
The people were like fanatical devotees, excited, thrilled, shouting themselves hoarse, looking at Kozuki Oden, the Daimyo of Kuri, who sat in the palanquin, the Daimyo whom everyone in Kuri praised!
Since Oden abandoned his youthful impulsiveness and recklessness and came to Kuri, he subdued the villain Ashura Doji. Using the knowledge he had learned, he led the people of Kuri to reclaim land, cultivate fields, build houses, and construct facilities, earning him deep affection from the populace.
It was precisely because of this that Kozuki Sukiyaki withdrew his order to sever their father-son relationship and bestowed upon Oden the title of Daimyo of Kuri.
Orochi, hiding in a corner and spying on Kozuki Oden, bit his sleeve, his face twisted, his eyes covered with dense bloodshot veins, obsessively rubbing his fingertips.
"Oden… you bastard, all of this should have been mine!"
According to the original timeline, Orochi should have been introduced into Kozuki Sukiyaki's mansion in Flower Capital after caring for Shimotsuki Yasuie.
However, Kurozumi Higurashi, his greatest helper, had been missing for over two years since going out to sea.
Orochi, who had originally been secretly pleased with his plans to usurp the country, began to turn from suspicion to panic.
Unease grew wildly deep within him, and he became constantly on edge, unable to find peace.
He started dreaming again of his tragic childhood experience of being hunted, waking up countless times from nightmares, drenched in sweat... "What exactly happened to the old women? It's been almost three years without any news. They clearly said they were going overseas to find strong allies... That bastard Yasuie's missing items are already being suspected as my doing."
Orochi's lips trembled, his expression twisted, sinister, and deranged... He had also fantasized about wearing a crown, sitting in a palanquin, enjoying the respectful and awe-filled gazes of people, and being able to sentence people to death with a casual word.
However, reality slapped him hard... The one sitting in the palanquin was Kozuki Oden, not him.
"A bastard like you, becoming the Daimyo of this country... The Kozuki Clan should all die! And that bastard Kanjuro, do you feel very proud standing in front of Kozuki Oden?! Don't forget your own identity!!"
Orochi mumbled softly, a vicious glint flashing in his eyes, but it was quickly filled with fear.
He had spent several years with Shimotsuki Yasuie, and Shimotsuki Yasuie and Kozuki Oden had always had a good relationship. He had seen Oden's terrifying strength.
Once his identity was exposed, combined with the many bad things Orochi had done in secret over the years to frame Oden, Kozuki Oden would absolutely not let him go!
Orochi couldn't help but shiver, touched his neck, and let out a sigh of relief.
"Am I really going to give up? Old woman, if you don't send word soon, I don't know if I should keep going. I just found out who my enemy is…"
"Hey, kid, don't block the way. This is Lord Oden's important pleasure district procession!"
Kin'emon's gaze was cold, looking displeased at the trembling, ugly Orochi in front of him: "You've been muttering to yourself since just now. Are you trying to cause trouble?"
Swish!!
Oden's retainers all drew their blades, looking at Orochi with hostile eyes.
Orochi suddenly woke up, looking in terror at Oden's retainers with drawn swords. He had been so lost in thought that he unconsciously walked into the middle of the street, blocking Oden's pleasure district procession.
He opened his mouth, his gaze seeking help from Kanjuro.
Kanjuro's expression froze, somewhat unable to understand why Orochi was here.
"I'm sorry, Lord Orochi…" Kanjuro's mind raced, then he glared angrily at Orochi!