The next day.
Rasetsu Town.
The sun was at its peak, and ordinary people would inevitably be drenched in sweat after standing in the open space for too long.
However, this did not stop the curiosity of the people of Wano Country regarding the execution.
Who was being executed today?
A brave warrior resisting Kaido?
Or a fool who provoked Orochi?
Evidently, Kaido had not been in a hurry to announce the news of Orochi's downfall yesterday.
Even his departure to Kuri had been conducted in secret.
However, the absence of Orochi's seat on the platform sparked speculation among a minority of people.
The sky suddenly darkened.
Someone down below shouted, "Kaido!"
Everyone looked up, only to see a massive Azure Dragon blocking the sun in the sky. Its four claws tread upon the clouds, its tail swayed slowly, and it was staring down at them with large, blood-red eyes.
It was the familiar Guardian Deity, Kaido!
Kaido suddenly dove downwards.
He traced a blue curve across the sky.
In an instant, amidst a chorus of gasps, the Azure Dragon vanished, and Kaido appeared in his human form on the main seat of the execution platform.
Beside him, the secretary with a pattern sticker on her face, Bao Huang, walked up to Kaido. Looking at the notepad in her hand, she clarified matters one by one.
"Kaido-sama."
"The Visual Broadcast is ready. The live stream has been connected to every region in Wano Country as well as Onigashima."
"The girl, Otama, has been restrained with Seastone and is being sent to Onigashima for imprisonment."
"The Kozuki remnants were also all arrested last night and are being held below the stage, awaiting your judgment at any time."
"Shall the execution proceed immediately?"
"Good, let's begin."
"Yes."
Bao Huang retreated and snapped her fingers towards the rear.
Several subordinates marched onto the stage dragging Kozuki Sukiyaki, who was wearing a mask, and tied him to a cross.
"Eh? Who is that?"
"I don't remember. Is there such a figure in the Flower Capital?"
"His attire looks like he is pretending to be a Tengu."
Outside the venue, the people of the Flower Capital whispered, discussing the identity of the man who, in their eyes, was about to die.
Only the residents of Bakura Town and Okobore Town in Kuri had some impression of him.
Especially the tea shop owner, O-Tsuru.
She recognized him as the craftsman who lived alone in Amigasa Village and was raising a little girl.
"Tenguyama Hitetsu? How could it be?"
How could a craftsman be wrong? He probably provoked them somehow.
She could only sigh helplessly.
Just as she was thinking this, the Tengu mask was removed by someone.
Her narrowed eyes locked onto that face. Her lips parted slightly, and the hand brewing tea stopped instantly.
It was as if the pause button had been pressed.
She didn't even notice the precious tea spilling from the cup.
"Hey, hey, hey!! You must be joking, right?"
"That appearance? Didn't they claim he had a terminal illness back then?!"
"You are actually alive?! That is wonderful!"
"It has truly been a long time! I didn't expect to see you again in a place like this!"
"Why did you hide for twenty years? And now you've been caught by Kaido?!"
"The former Shogun! Kozuki Sukiyaki!"
The noise below the stage instantly rose to another level.
The clamor of the crowd seemed to reach the clouds, deafening to the ears.
Sukiyaki was already dying, but he held onto one last breath, bursting out with energy for this moment.
Obviously, this was the best opportunity under the gaze of the entire Wano Country.
"Subjects... I apologize for meeting you in such an ugly state."
"There is no need to mourn me. I have no face to meet you all. Cough!... I should have died long ago. Now, I have finally reached the end."
"Kaido... Orochi... Cough, cough!"
"Although this old man dies today, the souls of the Kozuki clan will never perish! They will definitely return for revenge!"
"Please, everyone, you must believe in Lady Toki's prophecy! Nine shadows will be cast under the moon, and the dawn will be dazzling!"
After finishing, he coughed up another mouthful of blood. His chest heaved rapidly, his head drooped, and he had no more strength left.
Kaido propped his head up with his fist, leaning back in his chair with an indifferent expression.
He casually checked the proportion of rebels.
It had reached 34%, an increase of 3%. It was insignificant.
Did they think he didn't know whether the Kozuki family would return for revenge? What a joke!
Wait until he hangs all the Kozuki family members and displays them via Visual Broadcast for ten or fifteen days, especially that brat Momonosuke.
Then let's see how the people of Wano react.
After completely losing the Kozuki family, all hope would die with them. At that time, those still thinking of rebellion would likely not exceed 0.1%.
There was a group of people with sharp auras hiding in the shadows.
They originally thought they were just watching a spectacle, but they didn't expect to see the "Former Shogun." They instantly clenched their palms.
"Sukiyaki-sama..."
"Should we save him?"
"We can't! The Akazaya Nine haven't appeared. We are no match for Kaido at all!"
"Damn it!!! Damn Kaido!"
"Be quiet. Don't expose ourselves. We need to endure a little longer."
A samurai placed his hand on his agitated companion's shoulder. Under the strange gazes of passersby, they retreated together.
No one around them noticed that these few people shared a common trait.
On their ankles, they all had a "Crescent Moon" tattoo.
Although the lurking rebels did not act, Kozuki Sukiyaki's words caused riots to start in various parts of the country.
They demanded Kaido leave a path for survival.
In the Flower Capital, because the populace was facing Kaido directly, their words dared not be too intense.
"Spare him! Kaido-sama! He is just a retired old man!"
"Kaido-sama! Please, for the sake of us all, let him go!"
But in Kuri and other places, violent riots erupted.
"Bastards! We are workers in the weapons factory! If you insist on killing Sukiyaki-sama, then kill me too!"
"Orochi wouldn't dare kill us all! He relies on us to manufacture weapons! Everyone, charge with me to the Flower Capital!"
Kibi, Ringo, Hakumai.
"Branches! Stones! Cooking utensils! Grab everything you can!"
"We must save Kozuki Sukiyaki-sama's life!"
These situations were all transmitted to Kaido's ears via Smart Tanishi, but they didn't cause a single ripple of emotion.
That some people would riot for Sukiyaki was a result predicted yesterday.
He looked up at Fukurokuju standing aside.
Fukurokuju nodded respectfully.
He took out a Smart Tanishi from his robes and ordered the person on the other end: "Do it."
Kaido's voice then spread throughout the country via the Visual Broadcast.
"Silence!"
The voices of the people gradually weakened.
"Look at your respected Shogun."
Everyone's eyes involuntarily looked over. That face which felt both familiar and strange.
Once majestic and approachable.
Now, it was full of wrinkles, old, and incredibly weak.
"Remember his appearance when he dies!"
"Execution!"
Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!
A series of muskets aimed at Sukiyaki fired a volley.
In an instant, blood blossomed and exploded on his body.
Under the scorching sun, one could feel the chill even from far away.
It was like a mandala symbolizing death blooming on the edge of hell.
Kozuki Sukiyaki's aura faded away completely.
"Sukiyaki-sama!!"
"No!!"
"The Kozuki family... is truly cut off."
Wails of grief filled the fields below the stage, sobbing sounds echoing endlessly.
Kaido watched all of this indifferently. This was just the beginning; the chicken was killed, but the monkeys were not yet done being scared.
The next moment, the Visual Broadcast split its screen.
It showed the scenes of riots in various regions, scenes of countless people raising tools in resistance.
There, the allied forces of ninjas and samurai also appeared.
"The... The Oniwabanshu and the Patrol Squad! Why are they here?!"
"They are coming straight for us!"
"No! Don't! I have a wife and children!"
"Ahhh!!! ———"
"Run!!!!"
Very quickly, the riots were quelled.
The entire Wano Country plunged into fear.
Only silence remained.
Looking at the system again.
The proportion of rebels dropped to 18%.
It dropped directly by 16%, a true nose-dive.
Killing the chicken to warn the monkey; the first chicken was dead.
The method was extremely cruel!
He didn't care at all what the people of Wano thought.
What he wanted was for Wano Country to submit completely, to produce the most weapons and Seastone for him with maximum efficiency!
For generations! Forever and ever!
"Continue!" he said indifferently.