With a single command, maids filed in from outside the room carrying food.
Plates of exquisite delicacies were laid out, and various aromas wafted through the room, blending together and making mouths water involuntarily.
Fine wine and delicious food soon filled the long table, glistening under the golden light of the chandeliers, creating a festive atmosphere.
Even the soldiers outside began to eat meat and drink wine in large mouthfuls, bragging without restraint, becoming increasingly lively.
Kaido raised his wine cup high, and the other nine raised theirs as well, the bright yellow liquid sloshing in the cups.
"Cheers!"
"Cheers~!"
The nine of them drank a cup of wine with satisfaction, and their stomachs quickly warmed under the effect of the alcohol.
Brother Kaido usually didn't drink with others, so they hoped for more scenes like this!
Black Maria raised her wine cup again. Her black kimono slipped off her shoulder, her long blonde hair was gathered in front of her, revealing half of her fair chest. Her skin was smooth and delicate. She looked at Kaido with an ambiguous expression.
"Ara~ Congratulations to Kaido-sama on becoming the Shogun of Wano Country and eliminating so many hidden enemies. Let me toast you another cup~"
Kaido met her mesmerizing gaze without refusal, raising his hand to clink glasses and drink with her.
What this woman wanted was not as simple as drinking. As Kaido's exclusive yujo, this toast was undoubtedly testing whether she was needed tonight.
On this night worth celebrating, of course, he would not refuse.
Black Maria's figure and beauty were top-notch, and she had a stature that matched his.
The others were also well aware of this and were not surprised.
Kaido put down his wine cup again, and Who's-Who raised the question in his heart.
As a former member of CP9, specializing in intelligence and espionage...
He naturally knew how difficult it was to dig out those people who had been hidden in Wano Country for so many years without being discovered.
Now that Kaido had caught them all, even he, who was well-informed, was amazed.
"Where did you get this intelligence, Brother Kaido?"
"A dead person told me. What about it?"
"The accuracy of the information is too high. If we had such powerful intelligence capabilities during the war, we would have had a huge advantage, enough to crush the enemy like rotten wood. It's a pity if it's just personal intelligence."
He almost thought Kaido had established an intelligence department more powerful than CP9.
But indeed, that would be too difficult. The intelligence capabilities possessed by the World Government, which has stood for 800 years, are definitely not comparable to any single force.
Even the Charlotte Family, recognized as number one in intelligence in the Underworld, is far inferior to the World Government.
"I have my ways regarding intelligence. I can't let the Navy play me for a fool for nothing."
Who's-Who didn't react immediately. Did he mean to retaliate against the Navy for sending X Drake?
"But the Navy has strict reviews every year. It's hard for our people to infiltrate."
"Only I know about this matter for now. The task at hand is to improve your strength. Every single one of you is too weak."
The movements of the other eight froze. The corners of the mouths of those who hadn't spoken twitched; they were getting hit by stray bullets even while lying down!
It felt like a big slap in the face, and a strange feeling suddenly rose in their hearts.
Looks like Boss Kaido is dissatisfied with our strength.
A fire burned in the hearts of all eight people.
We must! Become stronger!
"King."
"Brother!"
"There are two things you need to do. Be heavy-handed."
"Just give the order."
There was no helping it; King was the fastest flyer.
...
The next day, the sky was clear for ten thousand miles.
A heavy rain had fallen in the early morning, making the entire Wano Country much fresher. Even the putrid smell of Kuri was not so strong anymore.
It was just that the sorrow in the hearts of all the people of Wano still lingered and would be hard to disappear in a short time.
Beside the bridge connecting the Flower Capital and Ringo.
A large group of people gathered here, saying nothing, tacitly waiting for the rest to join them.
They all had their hair tied up with hairpins, sporting the ugly samurai hairstyle, wearing thin kimonos, and had "Crescent Moon" tattoos on their ankles.
They waited for about an hour, far exceeding the time agreed upon last night.
"How many people have arrived?"
The leader finally couldn't wait any longer and asked the person responsible for counting.
"About 800 people." The counter's words carried disappointment and loneliness.
"So 200 people fled at the last minute?"
The leader clenched his fist, his fingertips turning red and blue from the pressure. His temples bulged with anger as he gritted his teeth and cursed.
"Cowards! A bunch of cowards! They are not worthy to stand with us!"
"Simply the shame of the samurai! They should commit seppuku to apologize to the spirits of the Kozuki family in heaven!"
"Wait until I get back! I'll show them!"
Listening to his furious words, the others remained silent.
They could also understand the choice of those 200 people. Even they had made this decision after some struggle.
The leader's good friend stepped forward, a man known by many samurai as the strategist.
He calmly persuaded him, while also maintaining the sentiments of the majority, trying his best to keep this group united.
"Don't blame them. The current situation is completely against us. They had no choice."
"If you want to blame someone, blame Kaido for being too strong. Even Oden-sama couldn't defeat him."
"Let's enter the snowy region (Ringo) first."
These 800 people were the last die-hard loyalists to the Kozuki family in Wano Country.
Even after Kaido's slaughter, they still hadn't given up hope. Keeping Kozuki Toki's prophecy in mind...
They believed that the remaining six Akazaya Nine who hadn't appeared and Kozuki Momonosuke would still return, defeating Kaido with the stance of a returning king!
Their purpose for coming here was to search for weapons, hoping to arm themselves before the great battle.
Just like Kawamatsu the Kappa thirteen years ago, they set their sights on the graves of the deceased.
"If we meet that weapon-stealing thief on the bridge later, snatch his weapon directly and force our way through. We can't turn back anymore."
After speaking, he led the 800-strong troop forward in a mighty formation.
No one spoke at the scene, only the sound of scattered footsteps as everyone marched forward silently.
Actually, they didn't know if their choice was correct either...
A few minutes later, they successfully crossed the bridge and stepped into the snow.
That warrior monk "Gyukimaru," rumored to have guarded the bridge and snatched weapons from passersby for thirteen years, did not appear to intercept them.
Is it because we didn't bring weapons? Some guessed.
But ultimately, it was a good thing. They could drive straight in to get the weapons.
After another short but seemingly long silent journey, the vast whiteness between heaven and earth hurt their eyes.
Before long, they arrived at the frozen graves where the samurai of Wano were buried.
In the northernmost land of Wano Country, amidst the ice and snow...
Their hearts were also unusually cold.
"Where are the weapons?!! Why isn't there a single one!"
The swords symbolizing the identity and glory of the dead samurai should have been placed in front of each deceased's grave.
Now, there wasn't a single one!!