An overwhelming killing intent surged through the air.
A sticky, rancid odor emanated from Orochi, as if countless giant pythons and venomous snakes were flicking their tongues simultaneously, creating a chilling sensation of suffocation and coldness that gripped the room.
Many of the waiters and singers in the banquet hall were struck with fear, their minds losing grip on reality. Their faces turned pale, and they trembled uncontrollably, collapsing to the ground like lifeless dolls.
Hiyori, standing nearby, also appeared shaken, her legs quivering beneath her.
The expressions of the masked members behind her grew uncertain. The one who had just spoken was the leader of their mission team.
While his strength was nowhere near that of the monsters capable of rivaling admirals, he far surpassed the vice admirals of the Navy Headquarters.
Yet, despite this, he had been completely overwhelmed by Kurozumi Orochi's attack.
Though the latter's strike had been a sneak attack, the captain hadn't even been able to react, his life extinguished in an instant.
The powerful strength of Kurozumi Orochi can be seen.
But the most frightening thing was his crazy attitude and the compelling killing intent.
The wildness of swallowing a person whole was a terrifying sight—this monster!
"Do you understand, you bunch of lapdogs trained by the Celestial Dragons?" Orochi sneered, his eyes filled with contempt. "If you understand, get out of Wano Country!"
Kurozumi Orochi appeared thoroughly satisfied, enjoying the fear and panic emanating from the CP0 members. He grinned triumphantly and roared.
The members, stunned, quickly exchanged glances and hurriedly fled the palace in a state of panic.
Kaido watched them retreat, a sneer spreading across his face. He spoke darkly, "Aren't you going to kill them? This isn't like you, Kurozumi Orochi."
Orochi shook his head, still grinning.
"No. After all, we still have a cooperative relationship with the World Government, and now is not the time to sever ties completely."
He paused, a thoughtful expression crossing his face.
"Those old fools are obsessed with 'self-respect' and 'face.' They talk endlessly about it, but if we kill one of them, we'll have already crossed their line. If we kill them all, the Five Elders would probably be furious with us."
His grin widened.
"The most important thing is, I need them to report back."
Kaido grinned as he tossed the unconscious Golden Emperor Gild Tesoro to the ground. "I never expected this kid to refuse to cooperate with us," he mocked. "Because of a woman, he actually called it 'legitimate business.' What a fool."
Kaido's face was filled with contempt and derision.
Kurozumi Orochi glanced down at Tesoro. "Anyway, he's already in our hands, isn't he?"
"No problem, as long as the route is open."
"Let's go. The execution will start soon."
Kaido paused, surprised. "You're bringing the execution forward?"
Orochi nodded sinisterly. "Those supernova brats have been causing too much trouble, plus the pressure from the new navy. I don't want anything to jeopardize the country. It's better to silence any opposition as soon as possible."
Kaido regarded Orochi with a playful expression. "You're truly ruthless. The old man took you in as a handyman and saved you from starvation."
Orochi sneered. "So what?"
"If a man doesn't work for himself, he'll be punished by heaven and earth."
"Only those who survive to the end can be the winners."
With those words, Orochi strode out the door, and Kaido followed, a sneer still on his face.
Outside the palace gates, the street was crowded with people, and the air was filled with noise. Members of the Beast Pirates, clad in animal skins, patrolled the area, keeping watch.
In the center of the open space stood a tall wooden stake, shaped like a cross, to which a short, scarred figure was bound, awaiting execution.
"It's been a long time, Lord Shimotsuki Yasuie," Kurozumi Orochi said, his grim smile fixed as he gazed at the thin figure on the execution rack. His eyes narrowed dangerously, radiating a sense of smug satisfaction and arrogance.
The man on the execution rack was none other than Shimotsuki Yasuie, the head of the powerful Shimotsuki family, once the daimyo of Wano country. The Shimotsuki family had been as influential as the Kouzuki family, who ruled over Wano.
When Shimotsuki Yasuie heard Orochi's voice, his body stiffened. With great difficulty, he turned his head and locked eyes with the man. Anger, hatred, and murderous intent burned in his gaze, but his face contorted into a strange, stiff smile, one that seemed out of place with the emotions in his eyes. It was as if he were wearing a mask.
"Guhehe!!!" Orochi laughed, his voice full of mockery. "Laugh!! Now all you can do is laugh, hahaha!! I bet you really want to kill me now, but all you can do is laugh like a little dog."
Shimotsuki Yasuie had eaten a failed artificial Devil Fruit, losing the ability to swim. As a result, all expressions—except for his forced smile—had been stripped from him.