"However, what I didn't expect even more was that there was a spy among us as well—red-haired, and only one person," Kyoshiro thought as a face surfaced in his mind. The suspicious points from that battle over twenty years ago were suddenly explained.
"Bastard! Does that mean we were being schemed against all along?" Kyoshiro's eyes were bloodshot; things weren't supposed to have turned out that way.
"Kyoshiro, this is bad! The Oniwabanshu have come out of the Shogun's castle; they're definitely looking for you," a female voice rang out.
A beautiful woman walked in. She was the current Oiran of Wano Country, Komurasaki, the most beautiful woman in the land. She had another identity: she was Kozuki Oden's daughter, Hiyori. Not just Kyoshiro, but she too had been lurking right under Orochi's nose, waiting for the opportunity to come twenty years later.
"My Lady, I've been exposed now, but you haven't. I must leave immediately. My Lady, you'll have to be careful on your own from now on," Kyoshiro knew he had to go, or he wouldn't be able to leave at all.
Komurasaki nodded with a determined expression. "Go. I'll be fine, trust me."
Then, Kyoshiro departed. By the time Fukurokuju arrived at the Brothel with his men, they found that Kyoshiro had already fled.
"Lord Fukurokuju, what brings you here? And everyone from the Oniwabanshu, would you like to sit down for a drink?" Komurasaki walked out, her expression normal, a faint smile on her face that didn't lose its elegance.
"So it is Lady Komurasaki. We are here today to find Boss Kyoshiro. Where is he?" Fukurokuju's attitude was respectful. This Oiran was Orochi's favorite woman, and he even intended to make her the Shogun's wife, which would make her the future mistress of the Oniwabanshu.
"As for Boss Kyoshiro, he went out early this morning and hasn't returned yet. I heard he went out on business, so I doubt he's in either of these places," Komurasaki said casually.
Hearing Komurasaki say this, a light flashed in Fukurokuju's eyes. This was fleeing to avoid punishment; it was practically a confession. In that case, they didn't even need to ask questions anymore; they could just take him down as soon as they saw him.
"Since Boss Kyoshiro isn't here, we shall take our leave," Fukurokuju said, then left with his subordinates.
Watching Fukurokuju and the others depart, a trace of worry flashed in Komurasaki's eyes. "Kyoshiro, you must find Kin'emon and the others as soon as possible."
On the other side, Kin'emon and the others had also learned the news about the mole. They were shocked and found it hard to believe. Even Trafalgar Law was startled by such news. If the matter of the mole was true, didn't that mean their actions had been exposed long ago? No wonder the people from the Beasts Pirates had been targeting them lately. It wasn't because Kin'emon and the others had accidentally exposed themselves; it was entirely because a mole had snitched.
"Kin'emon, do you think the news about the mole is true or false?" Law asked Kin'emon directly. This was their internal issue, so he couldn't speak recklessly, but he had to find out. Otherwise, they would eventually be sold out by the mole.
Kin'emon's face was somewhat pale. The news about the mole had almost called him out by name—red-haired, and only one person among them had red hair. Kanjuro! Law not saying it directly was already giving them a lot of face.
"Impossible! Kanjuro could never be a mole, I don't believe it!" said Kiku, who had a sweet and pleasant appearance.
"I don't believe it either. Kanjuro being a mole or whatever must be Orochi's trick, intended to make us turn on each other," Shinobu also didn't believe Kanjuro was the mole.
Kin'emon didn't speak because emotionally he felt the same way, but his reason told him that this matter wasn't entirely false.
"Kin'emon, say something! Say Kanjuro isn't the mole," Kiku cried out urgently.
Kin'emon closed his eyes and opened them again. "Don't be in a hurry, calm down. Kiku, the more it's a time like this, the less we can be rash. That will only bring bad results. It's precisely at such a critical moment that we must rather believe it to be true than dismiss it. Having heard such news, our people already have doubts in their hearts, which will definitely affect our next moves. For the sake of the upcoming operation, it is necessary for us to verify the truth of this news. Even if this is a kind of hurt to Kanjuro, it must be done. If we can prove this news is false, then our people will surely be more united, and Kanjuro would certainly agree with us doing this."
Hearing Kin'emon's words, Kiku and Shinobu both opened their mouths but still couldn't say a single word. Because Kin'emon was right; the seed of doubt had been planted the moment they heard the news. If it wasn't resolved, a major problem would arise sooner or later.
"I also agree with Kin'emon's idea. Since such news has spread, then we should investigate it as soon as possible. Besides, isn't there another piece of news saying one of your people is lurking by Orochi's side? In that case, we can contact those leaders in the Flower Capital and have them look into the truth of the news. If that news is true——" At this point, Law did not continue. However, Kin'emon and the others all understood. If that news was true, then it meant the news about Kanjuro being a mole was also true.
"In any case, until the matter is cleared up, I will not believe Kanjuro is a mole," Kiku said.
"Me neither," Shinobu echoed.
Only Kin'emon had a solemn look. For such news to spread at a time like this, it was definitely not groundless but something someone had done intentionally. That person was certainly not one of Orochi's people, and of course, not one of theirs either. Revealing that there were spies on both their side and Orochi's side simultaneously had a clear purpose: they wanted to watch the show.
"Straw Hat-ya should also be arriving in the next couple of days. I hope the news about the spies can be verified soon," Law thought. In his view, there was already a seventy percent chance that Kanjuro was a spy. It was understandable that Kiku and Shinobu were unwilling to believe it; after all, he was a comrade they had once fought alongside. To suddenly say the other party was a spy was something they certainly couldn't accept all at once.
"But who exactly released this news? Someone from the Beasts Pirates? But they and Orochi should be in the same camp," Law couldn't help but ponder. He couldn't think of any reason why the Beasts Pirates would do this. But if it wasn't the Beasts Pirates, then who else would have released the news? Could there be another unknown force in Wano Country?
"No matter who did it, it's definitely a fellow with a twisted sense of humor. The purpose is also obvious: they want to watch our drama. This is a blatant open scheme," Law muttered. However, to him, such news was actually a help; it could root out the spy and prevent their future plans from continuing to be exposed.
Soon, several members of the Straw Hat Pirates who had infiltrated the Flower Capital under different identities received the message.
"Verify the truth of the news? It seems there's no need to verify it anymore. Kyoshiro's wanted poster is already out, proving he was one of Kin'emon's former comrades." At a construction site, a group of carpenters was working. The tall Franky looked at the slip of paper in his hand and shook his head. "Still, who on earth spread the news? What a formidable fellow, to be able to find out such a secret. It's a bit too terrifying. Also, if that's the case, then the news about a spy among Kin'emon's group is also true. The red-haired guy, isn't that Kanjuro? It's truly hard to believe that Kanjuro would be a spy," Franky said, crushing the slip of paper.
A short while later, among the flow of people on the street, a bearded man buying things stood next to the Brothel, looking around. "It looks like that underworld boss has already fled. I didn't expect him to be Kin'emon and the others' companion. Was his original name Ashura Doji, or Kawamatsu, or Denjiro? As of now, only these three haven't appeared yet. It should be one of them."
This bearded man was the sniper of the Straw Hat Pirates, Usopp, operating in the Flower Capital as a merchant. "It's good that the person escaped. He'll probably take the initiative to find Kin'emon and the others to regroup, so I don't have to worry about that. The problem is the other person, Kanjuro."
Usopp scratched his head. He never expected there to be a mole by Kin'emon's side. If no news had come out about this kind of thing, they would probably have been kept in the dark the whole time.
"I hope it's false. Otherwise, what kind of mood would Kin'emon and the others be in? Just thinking about it makes one feel bad," Usopp sighed and turned to leave.
The Shogun's Castle. Orochi sat there, his face darkening as he heard Fukurokuju's report. "So it really was him, Kyoshiro!"
"Yes, he has already escaped. But please rest assured, Your Highness, I have already sent men to pursue him. We of the Oniwabanshu are ninjas best at tracking; we will surely bring him back," Fukurokuju said.
"Then hurry up and bring him back to me. I will definitely not let that fellow off easy," Orochi growled. It had always been him deceiving others; since when was it someone else's turn to deceive him? The thought of being fooled by an enemy for twenty years made him furious. His own deception of Kozuki Oden back then hadn't even lasted ten years.
"Your Highness, why don't we ask Lord Wisdom King for help? Everywhere outside the Flower Capital is the Wisdom King's territory. With his people helping, it will be easier for us to find the person," Fukurokuju suggested.
"Hmm, alright. I will contact Kaido," Orochi also thought of this point. Within the Flower Capital was fine; his people could manage. But once outside the Flower Capital, with so many places, even for the Oniwabanshu who were skilled at tracking, finding one person wouldn't be easy.
"Any fellow who dares to deceive me, I will definitely make sure they die a miserable death!" Orochi said, his eyes looking like they could devour a person.
Onigashima. Kaido, who was drinking, suddenly received a contact from Orochi.
"How rare. You actually took the initiative to contact me. Speak, what do you want with me?" Kaido was somewhat surprised, but still said it with quite a bit of impatience.
"Kaido, that Kyoshiro under me is a vassal of Kozuki Oden. He escaped from the Flower Capital. Outside is your territory. I need you to help me catch him. I want to execute him in front of everyone!" Orochi said directly.
Hearing Orochi's words, Kaido was very surprised. "Oden's vassal? You mean, one of the Nine Red Scabbards?"
"Exactly, those damned ghosts. They really didn't die. They must be dealt with as soon as possible," Orochi said coldly. If those people weren't dealt with, then he, Orochi, would be the one dealt with when the time came.
Kaido heard the fear in Orochi's voice and felt disdain in his heart, but on the surface, he still said, "I understand. I'll have someone look into it."
"Then I'll leave it to you, Kaido. These days, rumors about those ghosts are spreading everywhere in the capital. Since one of them is still alive, it means the others are still alive too. Kaido, this is your responsibility. If you hadn't left things alone back then, those Vassals of Oden would have been dead long ago!" Orochi's tone was sinister and accusing.
Kaido sneered. "You really are a coward, Orochi. I get it. I'll take responsibility and deal with all of them."
"That's more like it. This time, no matter what, I won't let them live again. They must die," Orochi said, then hung up the transponder snail.
"Cowardly rat. For Wano Country to have such a fellow is truly bad luck," Kaido snorted. Even though they had been cooperating all along, he looked down on Orochi; he was too cowardly, only being thoroughly wicked, even to the point of being a pervert. "I'll let you sit in that position for a few more days," a murderous intent flashed in Kaido's eyes. When the time came, the Shogun of Wano Country would be replaced, and that person would be his Good Eldest Son, Yamato.
After a while, Kaido shouted toward the door, "Hey, go call King over here."
"Yes, Lord Kaido," the person outside responded and immediately went to call him.
Soon, King arrived. "Big Brother, you were looking for me?" King walked in and then smelled a strong scent of alcohol, which made him frown. He subconsciously compared Kaido with Yamato and then realized that Yamato, the Young Master, was still better.
"Orochi just contacted me, saying one of Oden's former Vassals was lurking under him. Now he's exposed and has fled, and he wants me to send people to catch him," Kaido said.
King knew as soon as he heard it that their plan was starting to take effect. "That's not a big deal. Just one of the Nine Red Scabbards. There are still two locked up in the prison at Udon. If it weren't for you saying to keep them, Big Brother, their heads would have been chopped off long ago," King's reaction was very flat.
"Hmm? Two locked up in prison? From the Nine Red Scabbards?" Kaido was stunned, looking at King with some confusion.
King met Kaido's confused gaze, his lip twitching. No way, did Big Brother forget about this?
"Big Brother, did you forget about Ashura Doji? You were the one who specifically asked for him," King was quite speechless.
Only then did Kaido begin to recall, and after a good while, he remembered. "Oh, it's him, Ashura Doji. Right, he's Oden's former vassal. I told you guys not to kill him because I wanted to recruit him."