Chapter 241: Orochi Castle and Oden Castle!
Flower Capital.
Ancient charm is the greatest characteristic here. Bathed in a thousand years of History, everything within sight is radiant and beautiful.
White walls and black tiles, flying eaves and layered Pavilions, temples and courtyards, Stone Bridges and flowing water – exquisite Buildings full of Wano-style charm are half-hidden among cherry blossoms and green trees.
This place is located in the center of the entire Wano Country, and it truly enjoys eternal spring, always maintaining the most comfortable warm Climate.
Naturally, the cherry blossoms bloom continuously.
They dance with the Wind, fall with the Wind, and the pink and white petals constantly flutter in the air, Accompanied By every passerby, elegantly known as 'Hana Fubuki' (Blizzard of Falling Cherry Blossoms).
And the center of all this Scenery is Orochi Castle!
This is a Castle Pavilion standing on a giant tree trunk that resembles a beautifully shaped Posture, with several waterfalls gushing down.
Earlier, it was called Kozuki Castle, Shogun Castle.
But since the last descendant of the Kurozumi Clan, Kurozumi Orochi, became the new General four years ago, it was renamed Orochi Castle.
This night.
It was exactly two hours after the five Floating Warships led by Mihawk arrived above Onigashima.
Inside the City.
At this Time, the lights here still shone with their usual Glory.
Waves of exquisite Wano-style Music played by traditional Musical Instruments such as the Shamisen, Taiko Drum, Guzheng, and Pipa, were like a swarm of dancing butterflies Accompanied By the light, fluttering around the entire Castle.
"Guhahahahaha----"
"Pour me some Drink, Aoi-chan~~"
In the Hall on the highest floor, a man wearing luxurious yellow Daimyo Robes, a black cloak draped over his shoulders, a Golden Crown on the left side of his head, a purple topknot on the right, a square face, upturned whiskers, and a Body Size that appeared extremely burly even when seated in the upper seat, was laughing wildly with a debauched Expression, his extremely arrogant laughter brutally resulted in the Destruction of the beauty of the Music.
He had two beautiful Kimono-clad girls in his arms, sitting at a table filled with various Drinks and Delicious Food. While enjoying the close service of the beauties in his embrace, he used his hands to grope their graceful Bodies back and forth, looking completely like a winner in life.
"Orochi, there's News from Kaido's side!"
A figure with long, pale, shoulder-length hair and a face painted ghastly white, resembling a witch and indistinguishable as male or female, walked over to remind him.
He was Kurozumi Higurashi, the Mastermind and instigator behind the turbulent Situation in Wano Country.
"Hmm?"
Kurozumi Orochi heard the heaviness in the other party's tone and immediately had the Geisha next to him stop playing. Then he pushed the Kimono-clad beauties out of his arms.
Only after the Hall was finally left with just the two of them did he speak, "Tell me, what is the Matter?"
He had great Understand that his current Status and power were maintained by the Beast Pirates, so he paid great attention to their every move.
"Kaido wants the Elimination of Kozuki Oden and the Daimyo Families of Each Region. He wants us to help spread this News to attract all the rebels to Kuri, and as for us..."
After listening to Kurozumi Higurashi's long speech, Kurozumi Orochi felt unable to Understand.
"Why suddenly cause such a big commotion? Didn't we agree to wait until Oden had danced the Naked Dance for five years and lost the trust of all the Daimyo, Samurai, and Citizens before making a move?"
Although he wasn't very smart, he had Understand that it had been less than a year, and there were still many people willing to believe in Oden. It was clearly not the best Time.
Kurozumi Higurashi performed a Shake Head, pondering the strangeness of the Matter.
"I don't Understand either, but Kaido said he has already made the Decision. He has already headed to Oden Castle in Kuri. It seems the Beast Pirates are impatient and want to deal with all the troublesome elements in Wano Country in one go..."
"Alright, alright."
Kurozumi Orochi performed a Stand Up, fully displaying his Body Size of three and a half meters. However, his Body proportions were strange, always giving people a Feeling of being particularly short and stout.
"If the Elimination of those Daimyo can really happen, it will be a great thing for us too. I've long been tired of the opposition from those guys outside. I just Hope they don't mess things up."
After speaking, he suddenly shouted towards the empty area below the platform, "Fukurokuju!"
[Whistling Sound----]
Accompanied By a rapid Whistling Sound, a figure over two meters tall, with a very long skull and earlobes, wearing black Sunglasses and a purple Kimono, instantly knelt down there.
"Please give your Order, General-sama."
He is the Leader of the Mimawarigumi, the Ninja Troops directly under the General of Wano Country. He is the type who only obeys the General's Orders, regardless of who the General is.
"Gather all the Ninja, be ready to depart at any Time!"
"Yes!"
The next second, Fukurokuju disappeared from the spot again. Kurozumi Orochi then turned his Gaze back to Kurozumi Higurashi and asked, "How many Samurai are willing to listen to my Orders now?"
"Just over two thousand."
Kurozumi Higurashi showed a worried Expression and said in a deep voice, "Under the influence of the Kozuki Clan and those Daimyo, the Samurai have a low recognition of your Identity as General. In four years, we've only managed to win over this many people."
It wasn't twenty-four years later yet, but even in the Canon Timeline twenty-four years later, there were only five thousand Samurai willing to serve Orochi.
"Then I only have seven thousand Samurai in my hands?" (In Wano Country, Ninja are also considered Samurai.)
Kurozumi Orochi walked back and forth on the platform with his hands behind his back, his face full of worry. "How can we complete the Mission requested by Kaido with just this many people? Which of those few Daimyo doesn't have three thousand Samurai under them? Plus, there are definitely people in Flower Capital who are willing to follow Oden. Just a rough calculation gives the other side nearly fifteen thousand Samurai!"
He felt increasingly that Kaido's side was too hasty. Such a Scale of Samurai army, even the Beast Pirates might not be able to stop them, right?
After all, they only had a mere thousand people!
"Regardless, Kaido's Orders must still be followed. At most, we'll prepare to withdraw from Wano Country first. Once they are defeated over there..."
Kurozumi Higurashi also lacked some confidence. Although he had lived Overseas for a long Time, he had never truly witnessed the real terror of High-Level Combat Power.
He just felt that even someone as Strong as Kaido couldn't withstand fifteen thousand Samurai, could he?
"That's the only way. First, let the Ninja spread the News, and then leave it to the Beasts!" Kurozumi Orochi gritted his teeth and made the Decision.
At the same Time.
A thousand miles away, above Hakumai Town, the capital of Kuri Region, the Wind and clouds suddenly changed. The night sky, which was originally bright with the moon and Stars, was now covered by thick Dark Clouds.
This attracted the attention and unease of the Citizens below. Even a Child walked out of their house due to the commotion outside and looked up at the scene in the sky with the adults on the street.
"What's happening? Is it going to rain?"
"Look!"
"That, that is..."
Suddenly, a little girl abruptly raised her hand and pointed towards the Dark Clouds on the right. A blue Dragon Tail was actually extending from there.
Immediately after, more and more people saw a faintly visible Divine Dragon in the clouds circling above Oden Castle on the mountain, causing gasps of surprise one after another.
Suddenly, an Atmosphere of panic spread throughout Hakumai Town.
"It's Kaido... What is he doing here?"
Inside the City, Raizo, also a Ninja, stood on the Balcony of the Pavilion, his expression solemn as he looked at the giant Azure Dragon in the Dark Clouds. Behind him stood the sixteen-year-old Nekomamushi and Inuarashi.
"He comes with ill intent. Immediately use the Smart Snail to notify Lord Oden!"
Raizo immediately made his judgment and said firmly, "Before that, our Mission is the Protection of Lady Toki and the two Highnesses, and hold on until Lord Oden arrives!"
(End of Chapter)