Firearms are still regulated in Wano Country, as their danger far surpasses that of bows and arrows. Unlike bows, firearms require minimal training; with just basic instructions, a person can inflict severe harm on others with a gun.
Since most of these people weren't proficient with guns, they opted for bows and arrows instead. Here, a scattered group of a few hundred individuals had gathered, nearly all armed with bows and arrows.
"Protect Lady Hiyori!"
Seeing the incoming volley of arrows, Denjiro's eyes widened in rage. Years ago, when Kozuki Toki had gone out, Orochi had attempted to assassinate her, an arrow piercing her thigh.
This incident had always haunted Denjiro. Now, witnessing a similar scene unfold ignited a blazing fury within him.
Swinging their blades towards the sky, Denjiro, Kawamatsu, and Kikunojo formed an impenetrable defensive line, striking down every arrow aimed at Hiyori.
"Have you all gone insane?! This is Lady Hiyori! Lord Oden's daughter! Do you even know what you're doing?!"
They couldn't understand what these attackers were thinking. The Kozuki family held a special status in Wano Country. The last time local residents had attacked the Kozuki family was during Orochi's grandfather's rebellion.
And that had been for the position of Shogun. In the current situation of Wano Country, Denjiro couldn't fathom what these people were thinking.
Among the crowd, he also saw several acquaintances. Few years ago, he considered them the seeds of rebellion. Yet, he never imagined they would actually attack Kozuki Hiyori.
"Lord Denjiro, take a good look at the current state of Wano Country. Apart from us old people, kids in their teens don't even know who the Shogun is! They don't understand the meaning of a Shogun!"
"They attend schools established by Kaido, chanting praises for the Wise King. At this rate, will anyone still be willing to rebel?"
"By protecting her, you're not protecting Kozukis; you're destroying their hope. If things continue like this, when Lord Momonosuke returns, will anyone be willing to stand by his side?"
"We're old now. Our descendants are unwilling to walk this path any further. So while we still have the strength, we must do something!"
Though this plan had been in the works for a long time, it held little actual substance. It was merely to create a distraction in the Flower Capital during the New Year Festival, while the Beasts Pirates were celebrating, drawing the attention of the Shinsengumi. They then intended to take this opportunity to target Kozuki Hiyori.
Apart from that, their other target was Kojiro, whom they viewed as the greatest "traitor."
Their enemy was too powerful, so they can only start from the traitors among their own people.
As for why he spoke so much to Denjiro, it was because of Denjiro and the others' strength. Despite having a numerical advantage of hundreds to one, they were still somewhat afraid when facing Kozuki Oden's retainers.
They had thought Hiyori would arrive alone, but unexpectedly, not a single one of the retainers was absent.
"So, you want to assassinate Lady Hiyori?I think you'd be better off heading to Onigashima's gates and committing seppuku together. That would have a much greater impact. I'd even volunteer to be your kaishakunin," Hearing them, Kawamatsu said, his anger surpassing even Denjiro's. [TN: The person who is appointed to behead a person who has just committed seppuku.]
After all, Kawamatsu had long carried feelings of self-blame. Hearing their words only made him feel disgusted.
Kawamatsu had a point; this plan might very well achieve their objective. But judging from their demeanor, they clearly lacked the courage to follow through with it.
Denjiro was about to say something else when Hiyori pulled him aside.
"Lady Hiyori, it's dangerous."
"It's fine. I just want to ask you all: If it were Momonosuke standing here instead of me, would you still do this?"
"You accuse me of lacking the spirit of rebellion. So, are you saying this is all my fault? That I'm the one who brought the Beasts Pirates to Wano Country? If you're so eager to resist, then tell me—what were you doing back then?!"
At that time, she was just a child. By the time she understood what had happened, the fate of Wano Country had already been sealed, and she had no power to change it.
Originally, her bond with Momonosuke as siblings had been strong, but over the years, living as a puppet, her feelings had changed.
Why was it that Momonosuke got to leave, while she had to stay behind?
Why were these people trying to kill her, claiming it was so more people would be willing to help Momonosuke?
She was Kozuki Oden's daughter. Normally, she should have been living a life of luxury. But Kozuki Oden was not very bright, and anyone could easily deceive him. In fact, the most carefree time of her life had been when she was with the Whitebeard Pirates.
For the daughter of a daimyo to live like someone in poverty* was something only Kozuki Oden could have accomplished. Now, though her current life was top-notch in every aspect except for lack of freedom, her occasional outbursts were driven by her frustration with the sheer "unfairness" of it all.
Only someone who also lived as a puppet could truly understand how she felt.
And now, these people want to assassinate her, which was something she couldn't accept.
She hadn't done anything wrong, yet her very existence had become a mistake.
"Born into the Shogun's family and subjected to these circumstances—these are things beyond anyone's control. But for Wano Country to return to its former rule, your death is necessary. This is all for the future of Wano Country! Sunacchi!"
Faced with Kozuki Hiyori's questions, they gave no convincing answers. They stubbornly clung to their belief that what they were doing was right. Amid the repeated cries of "Sunacchi," they raised their weapons and charged at Kozuki Hiyori.
"Shinobu! Take Lady Hiyori and get her out of here!"
As fellow citizens of Wano Country, they all understood that once someone had shouted "Sunacchi," no words of persuasion would have any effect—it could only be resolved through force.
No matter what their intentions were, as long as they wanted to harm Hiyori, they were the enemy. But Kozuki Hiyori wasn't willing to just flee. Instead, she pulled out a dagger.
The current her isn't someone powerless, someone who sings in the Red-Light District every day. She is Oden's blood, and after some diligent training, she now possesses some strength.
But in the next moment, something completely unexpected happened.
Clang! Clang!
Two slashes appeared out of thin air from behind Kozuki Hiyori, flying directly into the crowd. The power of the flying slashes was immense, and those who had just been charging in a group fell down in large numbers in an instant.
"Th-that's Enma! And Ame no Habakiri! Those are Lord Oden's swords!"
One of the person who participated in assassination shouted in fear. Behind Kozuki Hiyori, Enma and Ame no Habakiri, which had been modified into Honedge, had already unsheathed themselves. Their blades gleamed with a cold light, and the slashes just now had come from them.
Whenever Kozuki Hiyori comes to pay respects to Oden, she would always carry Enma and Ame no Habakiri without exception. Having been transformed into Honedge, these swords now possessed consciousness of their own.
In this moment, they delivered a devastating psychological blow to the enemy.
"Lord... Oden. It's Lord Oden's ghost!"
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