Arceus's Pirate Journey

Chapter 291: Chapter 290: The Mysterious Confidence Inspired by the Fruit Ability User

These are the famous high-level officials, in addition to grassroots officials with strong abilities like Mandfeish, and anomalies like Elizabeth and Ferren.

Babanuki rarely leaves Wano Kuni, so he doesn’t have a wanted poster outside, but he can defeat officials under Kinemon.

Adding the terrifying combat power of the Mountain God Wild Boar, even the additional thousand people might not know if they can keep the monster pig occupied; he doesn’t think Kaidou cares about the casualties of Wano Kuni’s citizens enough not to use this strategic-level force.

There is also another problem, which is that their only top combat power, Kozuki Oden, is becoming more easily swayed. According to his understanding of Kozuki Oden, you never know when he might just go speak with Kaidou.

According to normal logic, there’s no way they would compromise, but to Kurozumi Orochi, neither Kaidou nor Kozuki Oden seems normal. If the two reach an agreement, the first to be sacrificed would definitely be him.

The reason he’s been dragging this for years is to balance combat power, but the reality is that the development speed of the Hundred Beasts far exceeded his expectations and is, in his view, already on the brink of being out of control.

One cause of this thinking stems from Wano Kuni’s inherent mindset. Even if Kurozumi Orochi wants to persecute Wano Kuni’s people, he fundamentally remains a person from Wano Kuni, holding a mysterious confidence in Wano Kuni’s samurai.

Otherwise, he would understand that it’s not about to get out of control; it already is out of control.

In short, according to Kurozumi Orochi’s understanding, it’s about time to act; if he drags it out any longer, he himself is done for.

As long as Kozuki Oden can defeat Kaidou, and someone can hold back the other high-level officials, once Kozuki Oden is free, there’s a chance of defeating the opponent.

Moreover, Kozuki Oden would then be in a severely injured state, presenting an opportunity for him.

Shimotsuki Yasuie looked at the dozen wanted posters from the World Government in front of him, as well as the character information Kurozumi Orochi provided without a bounty, and fell into contemplation.

”Lord Yasuie, I think this year’s New Year Festival is a good opportunity. Kaidou has recently lost interest in Lord Oden. Usually, they celebrate on Ghost Island, but this time I plan to invite him to celebrate in Flower Capital.

At that time, his subordinates might not be fully assembled, which would be our chance. However, it’s not enough to rely solely on Lord Oden and his household attendants; we need assistance from other daimyo.”

Previously, there was the concern of exposure, but now with the action upcoming, the military force of those daimyo is also the power Kurozumi Orochi needs to leverage. Under the current circumstances, it seems this is the only chance; unbeknownst to them, Kaidou has become such a monster.

”Lord Yasuie, I entrust this matter to you, including communicating with Lord Oden. I have other plans to arrange. I will inform you of the specific situation at the time.”

Saying this, Kurozumi Orochi left. There were things he hadn’t told Shimotsuki Yasuie, such as secretly adding fuel to make Kozuki Oden go all out.

He remembered clearly how Kozuki Toki’s injury once drove Kozuki Oden into a furious state, and now he had similar thoughts, like activating the undercover agent he planted beside Kozuki Oden.

However, this would depend on the situation. If Kaidou had the upper hand, he needed to find a way to enrage Oden; if Oden was dominant, then he had to make him waver. As a sixth man sandwiched between two monsters, Kurozumi Orochi found it extremely troublesome.

The remaining two months seemed ample but were actually very tense. Only informing everyone right before the action was a good means of confidentiality, but some leaders had to be informed in advance.

While he was quietly arranging things in Flower Capital, Shimotsuki Yasuie also came to the house of Kozuki Oden and revealed the plan from before and the intention to carry out a dispossession plan during New Year.

Raizo also interjected because, after all, he was the earliest person to know about the plans.

It was hard to say whether it was effective, but it was clear his household attendants were very moved by it and did not think this behavior was foolish, each one kneeling in tears before Kozuki Oden.

”I’m sorry, Lord Oden. It was our weakness that caused you to endure years of hardship.”

”No, actually...”

”Rest assured, even if it costs our lives, we will help you achieve your goals, meow.”

Nekomamushi and Kinemon left Oden at a loss for words, manifesting a peculiar form of toppling from below. Kozuki Oden might doubt his ability to hold the position of General, but his household attendants did not.

In their view, no one but a member of the Kozuki Family should sit in the position of General.

Originally, Kozuki Oden wanted to discuss other matters, but it directly turned into a rallying assembly. Subsequently, Shimotsuki Yasuie began quietly contacting other daimyo, receiving their approval under the pretext of the written pledge and Oden’s name.

Oden’s household attendants no longer carried that previous despondency, and trained excitedly every day; Ashura Doji even returned to Head Mountain, where his band of mountain bandits proved a significant force.

....

On the rooftop of Ghost Island, Kaidou closed the screen in front of him. Although Rotom’s surveillance was not yet pervasive, it did linger in some key places.

”What are these guys moved by?”

”Who knows? The minds of these people differ from those outside; you know that. However, this does have its advantages: as long as you’re strong enough, such people may indeed be more obedient.”

”True, war, ha, indeed Wano Kuni still needs a war, wohohoho!”

Thinking of the upcoming war, Kaidou couldn’t help but feel excited. Development is Arceus’s hobby, but for him, war best stirs that passion inside.

Afterwards, he headed off somewhere unknown with a gourd of wine at his waist to sleep it off.

Meanwhile, at Peach Blossom Spring Farm, Setsuna picked up something and then headed to Zeraora’s room. Though they were dating, they hadn’t yet lived together, maintaining a traditional lifestyle.

”Zeraora, look at this.”

A note with a few simple words.

[Do not move around casually on New Year’s.]

”Such ugly handwriting, but this style...seems like that Inuarashi guy, what does he intend?”

”Maybe to remind you, considering there really is a major action on New Year’s Day. That guy is quite interesting.”

This truly was Inuarashi’s communication, albeit vaguely conveyed; without surveillance, the general public wouldn’t comprehend it. Regular citizens of Wano Kuni all held a confidence in Oden, let alone his household attendants.

Inuarashi perceived the Hundred Beasts as having no chance of winning, so he wanted his kin to be cautious.