"Yamato, you don't happen to know exactly who that mole is, do you?" Maria looked at Yamato with an inquisitive gaze. She had a feeling that Yamato already knew the truth.
"Fine, I'll come clean. No more pretending. I do indeed know who the mole is. His name is Kanjuro, and he's a redhead. Now that I've told you, don't go spreading it around, or it won't be fun anymore," Yamato said, shrugging her shoulders.
"Kanjuro... it seems there really is such a person. I never expected it to be him," Maria and Haruko said, their faces full of surprise.
"It was all set up, but I have to say, his acting skills are top-notch. To be able to act for so long—in a sense, he really is a genius. When the time comes, we'll leak the news about the mole and let them have a headache over it. Let's see what they choose to do—either ignore it as a rumor or conduct an investigation. If they don't take it seriously, they'll regret it sooner or later. If they do investigate, I imagine it won't be pleasant for them either," Yamato chuckled.
Maria and Haruko nodded. As long as they heard the news, any reaction would be interesting to watch.
"Next is the third step, which is also related to the mole. Do you remember me telling you that there is one of the Nine Red Scabbards hiding in the Flower Capital?" Yamato continued.
"Yeah, you mentioned that a long time ago. Are we going to flush him out now?" Maria asked.
"Flushing him out directly wouldn't be any fun, and I'm not going to do such a thankless job. It's better to spread the news, but this time, we'll send it to two groups simultaneously: one to the Nine Red Scabbards and the other to Orochi. After all, the Flower Capital is considered Orochi's territory. If he finds out that one of the Nine Red Scabbards is hiding right under his nose, seeing his reaction will surely be interesting," Yamato smirked.
Maria and Haruko exchanged a glance. After spreading these messages one by one, Wano Country would likely be thrown into complete chaos. With Yamato doing this, one could imagine the storm that was coming.
"This is the Beasts Pirates' offensive. Let's see how they handle it. Orochi definitely won't be able to sit still. Let him go and find trouble with the Nine Red Scabbards first, while we sit back and watch the show," Yamato laughed.
"But Udon is our territory. They might end up confronting us directly first," Haruko reminded her.
"That's why we need to deepen the information about the mole. For example, the mole within the Nine Red Scabbards is a redhead, and the Nine Red Scabbards in the Flower Capital is a blue-hair. Since we've gone this far, they should be able to figure something out by now. I've practically slapped the answer onto their faces. If they want to keep deceiving themselves, there's nothing I can do about it. But I know that, at the very least, Orochi won't do that; he will definitely take action," Yamato smiled.
"Blue-hair?" Maria and Haruko exchanged a glance, and intelligence regarding some of Orochi's subordinates quickly surfaced in their minds. After a moment, both of them thought of the same person at the same time: "Kyoshiro!"
Only this person fit the criteria—whether it was the time he appeared, his own strength, or his subsequent experience under Orochi. It could be said that the two moles on both sides were very similar; they were both hiding right under the nose of the other side's leader.
"You figured it out so quickly; as expected of you. That's right, it's him," Yamato confirmed their thoughts.
"That's really bold. But it also sounds a bit ridiculous. Before, there was a mole beside Oden, and now there's a mole beside Orochi," Maria remarked with a sigh. It felt like the fated entanglement between the Kozuki Clan and the Kurozumi Family.
"We'll release these two pieces of news and see what they do. Whether they'll prioritize solving the mole problem or keep a low profile for the sake of their upcoming plans—just thinking about it is interesting," Yamato laughed. She paused, then added, "We also need to inform Second Uncle and Third Uncle. Let Third Uncle get ready for some sting operations to see if we can catch any fish. If we don't catch any, it means they still have brains. If we do, it means they are brainless. Another point is on Orochi's side—we need to help him get moving. He has quite a few subordinates, doesn't he? Plus the Oniwabanshu. We might be able to set a trap in the Flower Capital."
"A trap? What kind of trap?" Maria and Haruko asked curiously. They discovered that once their Young Master started using her brain, bad ideas just kept coming, one after another. It felt like she had a knack for pushing people to their absolute limit.
"If those people are smart enough not to fall for it, then we'll hand over the two Nine Red Scabbards from Udon to Orochi. Given Orochi's personality, he'll definitely hold a public execution in front of many people. At that point, we'll see if they try to save them or not. No matter what, we have to make them fight Orochi. If they can't kill Orochi, I'll look down on them," Yamato said.
Listening to Yamato's idea, Maria and Haruko's expressions became somewhat strange. In this short amount of time, they felt that Yamato had used more brainpower than she had in the past twenty-plus years.
"Young Master, why are you usually so lazy?" Haruko just wanted to know the answer to this question.
Yamato glared at her. "What do you mean? Why can't I be lazy? Who am I bothering by being lazy?"
She was just using a little bit of her brain, which wasn't a big deal. After all, the existing conditions were so good; wasn't it normal for her to utilize them to formulate a decent plan? It wasn't like it was a perfect, flawless thing; there were still quite a few loopholes in it. Hearing Yamato speak so righteously, Maria and Haruko both showed expressions of helplessness. It was really not easy to get her to use her brain.
"Actually, I just proposed the idea. The specific arrangements still need to be discussed further. I'm no good with details, so you two handle it. You're better at this than I am," Yamato immediately changed her tone and chuckled.
"Fine, we will draft the plan," Maria and Haruko nodded.
One day later, the specific plan was completed.
"This idea was proposed by the Young Master?" King looked at Maria and Haruko with curiosity. He was a bit surprised; he hadn't expected their Young Master to be capable of stirring up trouble like this, though it was quite suitable for dealing with those people. It just so happened that Kaido was also preparing to send Orochi on his way. This was perfect; they could borrow someone else's hand to achieve their goal.
"Yes, it was Yamato's idea. It can throw Wano Country into chaos and bring all those people out into the open. If they want to oppose the Beasts Pirates, we'll see if they have the qualifications to do so," Maria nodded.
"That's right, the Beasts Pirates are not to be trifled with. Wanting to challenge us—it's not that simple," King smiled. Now, he also quite enjoyed watching the show, especially when it was his enemies' misfortune. How could someone in a high position not enjoy using their enemies to achieve their own goals?
"Do we need to inform Lord Kaido about these matters?" Haruko asked.
King thought for a moment. "Forget it, let's not say anything for now. When there's movement outside and news comes back, Big Brother will naturally know. It won't be too late for me to tell him then. If we tell him now, who knows when he might get drunk and rush out to find people himself. The situation would be very bad then. Except for the Young Master, no one can stop Big Brother."
Hearing King say this, Maria and Haruko agreed. Subsequently, they arranged for their intelligence personnel to spread the news throughout Wano Country. In less than half a day, the two pieces of news—that there was a mole within the Nine Red Scabbards and that a Nine Red Scabbards was hiding beside Orochi—spread everywhere.
The two pieces of news were like bombs hitting the ground, shocking all of Wano Country. Whether it was the ordinary citizens of Wano Country or the people on General Orochi's side, everyone was startled.
"There's a mole in the Nine Red Scabbards? Is this true?" "A Nine Red Scabbards member is hiding beside Orochi? Is there really such a thing?"
The news about the mole spread like wildfire instantly. It was being discussed in every street and alley, and some events from many years ago were dug up by elderly people who remembered them. For a time, a strange wind blew throughout Wano Country, making people restless and uneasy.
Flower Capital. Inside the General's residence, Orochi turned an ugly shade after hearing the report from his subordinate. "What the hell is going on? Why was the matter about the mole exposed? And, there's a Nine Red Scabbards member hiding beside me? Which bastard is it? Damn it!"
The mere thought that there was one of the Nine Red Scabbards right beside him, potentially raising a blade against him at any moment, filled Orochi with terror. He could plant his own people among Oden's followers, so why couldn't they plant someone beside him? Orochi knew better than anyone that this was possible, and highly likely at that.
"General, there is more specific information. The mole within the Nine Red Scabbards is a redhead, while the spy beside you, General, has blue hair. It should be referring to their hair color," the subordinate continued.
Orochi's pupils constricted. He immediately thought of the person he had planted—wasn't that person a redhead? In that case, the Nine Red Scabbards spy beside him being a blue-hair must be true too!
"Who could it be? Someone around me, blue hair..." Orochi's eyes were gloomy. Even if his own mole was discovered, he wouldn't be anxious, but what made him anxious was that there was an enemy right beside him. Now that the news had leaked, the other party might act out of desperation, catching him off guard and suddenly cutting him down. This was a problem Orochi had to solve immediately; otherwise, his safety would not be guaranteed.
"You guys think too, think fast! Which person with blue hair is it? If you can't figure it out, then kill everyone with blue hair!" Orochi couldn't think of anyone for a moment and became extremely irritable.
"General, do not be anxious. If you calm down, we should be able to find the person quickly." At this moment, a bald man walked out, dressed in monk's robes.
"Fukurokuju, you've come at just the right time. Help me find that damn Nine Red Scabbards," Orochi said, his face lighting up with joy upon seeing Fukurokuju. Fukurokuju and his Oniwabanshu were the first to pledge loyalty to him; it could be said there were no subordinates more reliable than them. Moreover, the Oniwabanshu had impressive abilities; finding a spy shouldn't be a difficult task.
"Of course, sharing your burdens is our duty. First, we must start from twenty years ago. After that man died, his subordinates all vanished overnight. Although many say they were burned to death at Oden Castle, no bodies were found, which suggests it's very likely they are still alive. If one of them is hiding beside you, General, then it must be someone who appeared before you starting from twenty years ago. Moreover, if it is a member of the Nine Red Scabbards, they should possess quite impressive skills and would easily gain your appreciation. Putting it this way, we can draw a conclusion. Starting from twenty years ago, an unknown person suddenly entered your sight, was appreciated by you, slowly made a name for themselves through their own strength, and finally became your right-hand man. There should be very few people like that around you. The most crucial point is that the person also has blue hair. Can you think of such a person now, General?"
After Fukurokuju's measured analysis, the answer was obvious. Orochi's eyes widened suddenly, and he instantly thought of a certain someone. "Could it be... is it him?!"
Kyoshiro! Everything fit Fukurokuju's analysis—from his appearance to becoming Orochi's right-hand man, and the blue hair; this man matched perfectly. In the entire Flower Capital, or even the entire Wano Country, one couldn't find a second person like him.
"It seems you have thought of it, General. Now it depends on what you want to do," Fukurokuju finished, then stood there quietly, waiting for Orochi's order.
Ten seconds later, Orochi let out a shriek and grabbed the things beside him, throwing them away. "Damn it! Damn it! How dare he deceive me! After twenty years, has he still not forgotten that man who died long ago? Does he still want to avenge him?"
Orochi vented crazily, smashing everything in the room, and finally transformed directly into an eight-headed serpent. He was a user of the Mythical Zoan Fruit, the Hebi Hebi no Mi, Model: Yamata no Orochi. Fukurokuju and the other subordinates didn't make a sound, quietly watching Orochi go on a rampage.
"Go! Bring him to me for execution! Since he likes his master so much, let him go to that world and continue following him!" Orochi panted heavily, his eyes bloodshot.
"Yes, General, we will go at once." Fukurokuju nodded and turned to leave.
Just as Orochi guessed Kyoshiro's identity, in the Brothel in the Flower Capital, Kyoshiro also received the news.
"Orochi should be sending people soon. I didn't expect that after hiding for so many years, I would still be discovered," Kyoshiro's face was grim. After managing to hide right under Orochi's nose for nearly twenty years, he didn't expect to be exposed at such a critical moment. He knew that some truly formidable intelligence personnel must have uncovered it.