Denjiro, who had always been exceptionally sharp, understood at once and explained to everyone, "It seems the information I received wasn't false. The relationship between Orochi and Kaidou is very delicate right now. This may be our chance. If Lord Oden could, at a time like this..."
But the moment he finished speaking, his expression dimmed again without him realizing it.
The fact that even his own subordinates now called him a good-for-nothing was enough to show what state Oden was in now.
Was it really possible for them to make their lord return to the once-proud Daimyo of Kuri he used to be, join forces with the other Daimyo, and rise against Orochi and Kaidou?
Just then, Kanjuro, dressed like a kabuki actor with a writing brush on his back, spoke up.
"Um... may I say something?"
Everyone was a little surprised, unsure why Kanjuro had suddenly stepped forward. Yemu looked at him with some interest and said, "Go ahead."
"Well, first, please forgive me for what I'm about to say. But if Yemu-dono could help Wano Country drive out Orochi, wouldn't that still save Wano Country? When that time comes, even if Lord Oden remains as he is, we would still have Toki-sama, and Momonosuke-sama..."
To be honest, what Kanjuro said in that moment could indeed be called treasonous. To the other Nine Red Scabbards, who revered Oden almost like a matter of faith, it was nothing short of betrayal. Yet at that moment, none of them could bring themselves to get angry. On the contrary, some of them, especially rogues like Ashura-douji, who had been born in Kuri and had seen plenty of the world's harsh realities, began thinking about whether the plan might actually work.
The answer was that it was very plausible.
Compared to Oden-sama, who cared only about going out to sea and was willing to abandon even his own country and people for the sake of his so-called dream, Toki-sama was actually far wiser. During the years Lord Oden had been away from Wano Country, she had governed Kuri in good order.
And besides, she had given birth to the young lord, Momonosuke. It could hardly be considered a betrayal of the Kozuki clan.
"I'm sorry..."
At that moment, Kanjuro seemed to realize just how treasonous his words were and burst into tears as he said, "Oden-sama has always been the person I admired most. I shouldn't have said something like this. But if we let Orochi keep destroying Wano Country like this..."
Now, no one could truly blame Kanjuro. Instead, many of them felt even more agreement with him in their hearts.
But just then, Yemu refused without the slightest hesitation.
"Sorry, but I have no interest in Wano Country's internal affairs."
"Eh?!"
Yemu then gave his reasons.
"First, the trouble I'm facing outside is far greater than anything in Wano Country. I don't have the time to spare any extra forces. In fact, I'll be leaving tomorrow morning."
"Second, do you really want me to be the one to save your country?"
"!!!"
Faced with Yemu's question, Kozuki Toki and the Nine Red Scabbards fell into silence once more.
Yemu also told them what would happen if he did.
"If I saved your country and became its hero, then your Lord Oden would truly become a foolish lord..."
In an instant, everyone's expressions turned extremely ugly.
Within the belief they worshiped so deeply, which was truly more important? Wano Country, the Kozuki clan, or Kozuki Oden?
Without Lord Oden, would Wano Country still be the Wano Country they held in their hearts?
At that moment, the answer was already clear.
Just then, Yemu continued, "Speaking of which, I also find this strange. For something this important, your Lord Oden didn't come to see me himself. Instead, he sent you and Mrs. Toki. I honestly don't know what to say. Also, while I've only been in Wano Country for less than a day, even I can tell Orochi is deeply unpopular here. The false smiles on the people in the streets can't hide that at all. So, as the Daimyo of Kuri and the heir of the Kozuki clan, if Kozuki Oden raised his arm and called for action, even with Kaidou helping Orochi, it shouldn't be impossible for you to drive him out of Wano Country, should it?"
Those words rang in the hearts of Kozuki Toki and the Nine Red Scabbards like someone tearing open an old wound.
But on this matter, Kozuki Toki no longer wanted to say anything. All she could do was trust her husband.
By this point, they had asked everything they had come to ask.
"I'm truly sorry for disturbing you so late at night, young Yemu. Since the doubts in our hearts have been cleared up, I won't disturb your rest any longer."
With that, Kozuki Toki was about to leave with the Nine Red Scabbards, but Yemu spoke instead.
"No need to rush. Mrs. Toki, your questions have been answered, but I have a few of my own that I'd like to ask you."
Then, under the puzzled gazes of Kozuki Toki and the Nine Red Scabbards, he said, "If you don't mind, could I speak with you alone?"
The other members of the Nine Red Scabbards wanted to stop this, but after thinking it over, Kozuki Toki nodded.
"That's fine. Everyone, please wait for me outside."
Seeing this, the Nine Red Scabbards could only nod and withdraw, waiting outside.
Once only Yemu and Kozuki Toki were left in the room, Yemu slowly said, "I have several questions. If Mrs. Kozuki Toki can answer them for me, I would be extremely grateful."
"Please, go ahead."
Yemu's solemn attitude made her somewhat nervous as well.
"Then, my first question: Mrs. Toki, can you see the future?"
"Eh?!"
The question stunned Kozuki Toki at once. She seemed to understand what Yemu meant and said, "Um, you've misunderstood. Although the Devil Fruit I possess gives me the ability to travel into the future, I have no way of knowing where I'll arrive, or what the future will be like."
"I see. Then my second question: Mrs. Toki, why did you come to the future? Was it because something happened in the past?"
Kozuki Toki's expression immediately became troubled, but after thinking for a moment, she still said, "I'm sorry, I can't answer that question. All I can tell you is that I came because of a prophecy."
"I see. Is it related to Joy Boy?"
"Eh?!"
That name made Kozuki Toki's eyes light up, but she quickly restrained herself.
However, Yemu's next words made her expression change uncontrollably.
"When it comes to things related to Joy Boy, aside from the ancient weapons, I can't think of anything else. I've already seen Uranus, and I know who Poseidon is. That leaves only Pluton. In other words, Pluton is very likely in Wano Country, isn't it?"