Chapter 365: Public Execution
Half a month later.
Totto Land sea area.
Exactly as previously stated, after the "Battle of Totto Land".
The Charlotte Family members, having lost Big Mom, had already carried out a certain degree of "territorial contraction".
They abandoned a considerable portion of the outer sea area of Totto Land, merely retaining the core area centered on Whole Cake Island.
The number of islands they controlled also plummeted by more than half.
Subsequently, the Charlotte Family members utilized Katakuri's "Mochi-Mochi Fruit" ability to alter the appearance of these islands, forcefully gathering them into one massive island—this massive island centered on Whole Cake Island was called "Charlotte Island".
But in exchange, the security of the Totto Land sea area gained a quite substantial enhancement.
The reason was actually very simple.
Although Big Mom was defeated and even her soul was taken away, the Homies she created still existed and loyally protected Totto Land.
Although most of the combat Homies were destroyed in the previous war with The Zodiac, those sea area defense type Homies still existed.
And now, as the size of Totto Land's territory contracted, the "density" of these Homies naturally became denser.
The sky, the sea, the floating islands on the periphery of the island—everywhere were "defensive walls" constructed by Homies.
It could be said that with the current concentration of Homies in the Totto Land sea area, even a bug wanting to enter Totto Land unnoticed would have some difficulty.
But...
Rumble!
At this moment, above a certain sky in the southeast sea area of Totto Land.
Within the rolling thunderclouds, massive electric snakes flickered, radiating an aura of destroying everything.
And above those rolling thunderclouds.
Countless cloud Homies were displaying an abnormal state.
These "soul creatures" that theoretically shouldn't be possible to kill were currently losing their vitality one by one.
Their eyes began to roll back, and the soul fragments within their bodies seemed about to detach from their bodies.
And their original early warning ability, naturally vanished without a trace.
And they were not an isolated case.
Below the cloud layer, on the rough sea surface where a fierce storm was pouring down.
One after another, conch Homies and wind Homies had similarly lost consciousness, floating on the sea surface.
"Worororororo!"
And amidst that fierce storm and thunder, a massive burst of laughter came right now.
That was a giant dragon.
Its posture soared above the sea surface, just like the Zodiac 'Dragon' that had similarly appeared here a year ago.
However, the difference between the two lay in that the dragon in the sky right now had a body of cyan scales, and a certain violent and dangerous temperament.
On its wrists were bracers resembling shackles but with iron spikes.
On its chest, there was a ferocious and massive X-shaped scar.
Of course, the most eye-catching thing right now... was the ferocious mark on its massive dragon claw.
That was a mark similar to the "Abyssal Sea Contract", but the difference was that the pattern within was not the unique demonic cross shape of the Abyssal Sea Contract, but presented the appearance of a dragon's head.
Besides that, on the two horns atop its head, a "pillar" resembling a dragon's horn was also equipped.
That pillar bore engraved patterns belonging to an ancient civilization, from which a faint black aura emanated. That black aura was emanating from the dragon's horn, enveloping the entire sea area below completely.
At first glance, it looked as if this cyan dragon had three horns growing on it.
"Hic... The trash of the Government really didn't lie to me, to think there's actually this kind of 'ancient technology'..."
Right now, the cyan dragon opened its mouth and first let out a drunken hiccup. Looking at the Homies below that had completely lost consciousness, he let out such a low chuckle.
And his identity naturally needed no further explanation.
The Four Emperor, the strongest creature in the world, 'Beasts' Kaido.
"Lord Kaido!"
And right now, as his words fell.
A voice also came from below.
"Hm?"
Kaido lowered his head, looking behind him.
And then he saw that behind Kaido, from that rough sea, a massive fleet was sailing over.
Every ship flew the Jolly Roger of the "Beasts Pirates", and besides that—on every pirate ship, a "pillar" identical to the one on Kaido's head could be seen.
They all emanated black aura, seemingly dragging the entire sea into the dark night.
"Lord Kaido, all 'Pillars of the Abyss' have been assembled and activated. It is confirmed that all Homies have been disabled."
"We can set off at any time."
And at this time, on the two leading pirate ships, reporting to Kaido were a blue-haired young girl wearing a mask, and a similarly masked young man with a gloomy expression.
And they were none other than two of the "Tobi Roppo", the top executives of the Beasts Pirates besides the All-Stars—Ulti and Page One.
By the way, these two were exactly the son and daughter of Hanafuda, a pair of siblings entrusted to Kaido's care.
And for this plan, they were also the only two Tobi Roppo who followed Kaido here.
"Mm..."
After hearing Ulti and Page One's words, Kaido's massive dragon nose casually let out a breath: "What about the situation on Onigashima and Wano Country? Is my idiot son being obedient?"
He asked like this.
Yes. Because Yamato regarded Kozuki Oden as an idol and was determined to inherit Kozuki Oden's dying wish, Yamato had always styled herself as a man, calling herself "Kozuki Oden", on Onigashima.
And Kaido, whether out of respect for this strong enemy Kozuki Oden or some other reason, surprisingly tacitly allowed Yamato's behavior and called Yamato "son".
"Over in Wano Country, we have already contacted Bao Huang—there's no problem with Young Master Yamato's situation, the contract still exists."
"Lord Bao Huang has also confirmed it through the old man's side."
Page One replied without hesitation like this.
"Everything is stable on Onigashima too... Lord Death Disaster is continuing to manufacture the 'Pillars of the Abyss'."
Hearing this, Kaido also nodded in satisfaction.
He clenched his dragon claw, feeling the power radiating from the mark on his right arm.
"Then, next..."
He turned his head, looking at the massive fleet behind him, the excited Beasts Pirates members on the warships, and those massive "Towers of the Abyss".
He didn't care much who he cooperated with.
Whitebeard, Red Hair, Rocks, or the current Government, it didn't matter.
He wouldn't become true allies with anyone, nor did he care about the fate of the world or the direction of the era.
The so-called "companions" and "bonds", he had severed them for an unknown number of years.
What he anticipated was merely "war" itself.
"Set off, boys!"
"Bring to this world... the first opening war!"
As the words fell, the giant dragon flew towards the depths of the sea surface, towards the "Charlotte Island" at the center of Totto Land.
But clearly.
Kaido, who was currently launching an attack on Charlotte Island, didn't know.
The situation in his lair, Wano Country, was not as beautiful as the report he heard.
He also couldn't predict that the "war" he anticipated was about to happen inside Wano Country right now.
He knew even less.
The time he chose today to launch a general attack on Totto Land was exactly the... "Day of Liberation" that had been publicized for a long time inside Wano Country.
Outside the Flower Capital, Ebisu Town.
The so-called Ebisu Town actually didn't exist originally.
It was only because after Kurozumi Orochi ascended to the position of Shogun, the Flower Capital added a new rule that "poor people are not allowed to stay".
A large number of commoners were driven out of the Flower Capital. Having nowhere to go, they ultimately lived outside the Flower Capital, forming "Ebisu Town", barely surviving on the discarded scraps and supplies from inside the Flower Capital. It was a desolate, impoverished, and sparsely populated town.
But recently, the situation was different.
"They're gone! They're gone! They're really gone!"
At this time, the commoners of Ebisu Town were discussing excitedly: "The monitors dispatched by Orochi and Kaido, they really vanished starting from two days ago."
"Even though so many outsiders have come to the village recently, not a single Headliner or Oniwabanshu came to investigate!"
Even though they intentionally lowered their voices, the excitement in their words could still be heard.
The reason for their excitement was not hard to understand.
As a town near the Flower Capital, although Ebisu Town was established, the commoners were seen as ants by the nobles of the Flower Capital.
Both the Headliners of the Beasts Pirates and the ninjas of the Oniwabanshu under Orochi's command had dedicated personnel responsible for monitoring the interior of Ebisu Town.
Once abnormal situations or resistance members of unknown origin appeared, they would be immediately discovered and arrested by them.
But recently, the commoners in the town discovered—the monitors of the Beasts and the Oniwabanshu completely vanished.
And not only that, many "outsiders" had continuously come to the town recently.
Without exception, they were resisters who rushed to the Flower Capital after receiving the flyer for the "Day of Liberation".
"What about the situation inside the Flower Capital?"
"Not sure... it's said to be overall stable, but the commoners of the Flower Capital have also noticed something is wrong, and there has been a lot of discussion recently..."
"The rumored 'Day of Liberation' seems to be today, right? Should we go take a look, could it be someone is really going to... the country..."
"Don't go, what if it's a trap?"
Clearly.
Whether it was the commoners or the samurai, or even the commoners inside the Flower Capital.
Everyone's thoughts were actually the same.
To Wano Country, the two names "Kurozumi Orochi" and "Kaido" were tumors.
Even the nobles and wealthy people living in the Flower Capital actually knew this very well—even they actually had to face exorbitant taxes and the martial threat of the Beasts.
So regarding the arrival of the "Day of Liberation" that had recently spread throughout Wano Country, everyone was full of anticipation.
But at the same time, no one truly dared to just step into Orochi Castle in the Flower Capital to confirm the actual situation.
Including the people who rushed from all over with hope in their hearts, they also hesitated like this.
And among them, the most conflicted were naturally the "Rebellion Army".
Yes.
Although they couldn't be certain who exactly spread the rumor of the "Day of Liberation", as the Rebellion Army originally established exactly to kill Orochi and Kaido on the day of "Nine Shadows Cast by the Moon", they clearly all had to come and help out.
"Hey, if someone is really trying to liberate the country... they might be fighting in Orochi Castle right now, are we really not going to help?"
"The order is to lay low first and wait for Lord Yasuie's command!"
"If it really is Lord Momonosuke and Lord Kin'emon returning, but we didn't go to help..."
They discussed in low voices, looking at that castle in the Flower Capital they had hated for decades, almost unable to suppress the urge to draw their swords.
And some of the leaders of the Rebellion Army couldn't help but look towards a short man in Ebisu Town.
That was exactly the former Daimyo of Hakumai, Shimotsuki Yasuie, who had helped the Rebellion Army survive over these years.
And at this time, Shimotsuki Yasuie also frowned deeply.
He also couldn't be sure whether this change appearing in the Flower Capital right now was truly a certain "mutation" happening, or merely a trap set by Orochi and Kaido to lure the snake out of its hole.
But exactly at this moment...
"Hey, look quickly!"
"That is..."
"It's fire!"
The commoners who were discussing discovered.
Inside the Flower Capital at sunset, the gradually darkening sky outlined the silhouette of "Orochi Castle".
And at this time...
Whoosh!
The very top of that castle was burning.
Whoosh! Whoosh!
Firelight resembling starlight continuously sprinkled down, seemingly illuminating the dusk.
A vast expanse of ice spread from the top of the castle along with the flames.
In just a moment, a massive, semi-transparent "platform" appeared out of thin air outside that massive castle.
And at this time, people finally noticed.
Densely packed figures were appearing out of thin air on that platform along with the burning of the firelight.
Every single one of them was tied up and kneeling on the ground, their faces still showing fear and disbelief.
Among them were ninjas with extremely long earlobes resembling monks, and robust, burly men wearing armor.
"They... they are members of the Beasts Pirates!"
"Are those over there Orochi's Oniwabanshu?"
"They are tied up?"
"What... what is this for!?"
And to the commoners, those figures were clearly not unfamiliar.
Whether it was the Beasts Pirates or the Oniwabanshu, they were both shadows covering Wano Country for decades. They were responsible for executing the will of Kaido and Kurozumi Orochi, and had victimized an unknown number of innocent people.
But clearly, judging from the numbers, those appearing on the platform outside the castle right now were probably all the members of the Beasts and Oniwabanshu in Wano Country.
And this was not all.
Whoosh!
Because at this time, right in the center of the platform.
Another flame burned up.
And from within the flames, a figure wearing a Rabbit mask was slowly stepping out.
"!!!"
Thus, Shimotsuki Yasuie instantly widened his eyes and opened his mouth wide—unlike most commoners, as the former Daimyo of Hakumai, he still had a basic understanding of recent changes overseas.
So right now, through that mask, he had already guessed the identity of that figure.
But at this time, he couldn't speak for a moment.
Because at this time, in the hands of that man wearing the Rabbit mask, there was also a continuously struggling person being held.
That was a short, ugly, and ferocious-looking guy.
Yasuie naturally couldn't possibly not recognize that treacherous and despicable villain.
That was one of the biggest masterminds behind the tragedies in Wano Country over so many years, one of the sources of despair in this country.
That was...
"Kurozumi Orochi!?"
He almost gritted his teeth and said that name.
And exactly at the same time.
All the commoners present could collectively hear the voice of that man wearing the Rabbit mask.
"People of Wano Country."
"I am a member of The Zodiac, Rabbit."
"As you all know, today is the 'Day of Liberation'."
"As you all see, my companions and I will be here—conducting a... public execution of the main culprit causing this country to be enslaved and suffer, 'Kurozumi Orochi', as well as the members of the 'Oniwabanshu' and the 'Beasts' under his command!"
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