Kuri Daimyo Mansion, the home of Kozuki Oden.
At this moment, the atmosphere here is very lively. In a spacious hall, a group of people are gathered together celebrating something.
"Momonosuke, happy birthday. Father is sorry for coming back so late due to being busy. Here, this is your gift. See if you like it."
Speaking is Kozuki Oden himself, holding up a white tiger in front of Momonosuke.
It is evident that this should be something he just found in the mountains of Kuri.
Although Kozuki Oden cannot be considered a qualified ruler, he still does quite well in front of his family.
Just as Kozuki Oden was preparing to celebrate Momonosuke's birthday, a figure had quietly entered the Oden Castle.
"Father, thank you. I really like it."
Dressed in a kimono, Momonosuke's face is full of smiles. This little devil is also very happy today because it's his birthday, which means he can receive many gifts.
"When will the banquet start, Father? I'm hungry."
Meanwhile, in the arms of Toki, a little girl looks at the 'sumptuous' food on the table with eager eyes.
"Lord Hiyori, the cake is ready and can be served at any time."
Kinemon, standing respectfully on the side, speaks with a serious expression. Obviously, on the solemn occasion of the young master's birthday banquet, he will maintain this solemn demeanor.
"Lord Momonosuke, this cake was supervised and made by me from start to finish. I guarantee it will satisfy you."
Denjiro laughs foolishly on the side, also very happy for Momonosuke's birthday. He is happy not only for Momonosuke but also because everyone can gather together again.
Although nominally they are retainers of the Kozuki family, compared to the other guards in the Oden Castle, they not only have a slightly higher status but are also, in a sense, considered family to Kozuki Oden.
On the side, Kozuki Oden directly lifts Momonosuke high in the air.
"Momo, happy birthday!"
In the air, Momonosuke can't help giggling incessantly because today is his birthday.
Soon, the atmosphere in the room becomes more lively, with Momonosuke's laughter heard amidst various blessings and compliments.
Meanwhile, the figure that infiltrated the Daimyo Mansion has already reached the ceiling of the hall.
Although there were many patrolling samurai along the way, for her who has undergone systematic ninja training, everything is easy.
"So, that's Kozuki Oden, the extraordinary man of the Land of Wano, who traveled overseas with the top pirates on the seas and underwent various trials, becoming a man several times stronger than before! He should have become the savior of the Land of Wano and received the love of all the people as a wise ruler, but..."
Thinking of the scene she saw that day, the figure on the ceiling couldn't help but clench her fist.
She knew that if it weren't for the despicable acts of Orochi and his people, the people of Flower capital should have already welcomed liberation by now.
Through the cracks in the ceiling, listening to the continuous laughter, it can be seen that the people below are celebrating something.
"What?!"
"Who goes there?!"
Just as Kozuki Oden abruptly grabbed the chopsticks beside him and threw them towards the ceiling.
With a bang, the wooden ceiling shattered, and large debris fell from the air.
The several people who were celebrating Momonosuke's birthday were obviously stunned. Kin'emon and Kanjūrō immediately leaped up, blocking the falling debris with their bodies.
Meanwhile, Kiku, Hoyori, and Momonosuke were protected by Raizō and the others.
Momonosuke was already stunned by the scene before him, sitting dumbfounded in place.
"Who are you, intruder?"
Kin'emon shouted angrily, drawing his sword and looking towards the dust splashing up from the broken wooden ceiling.
As the dust at the door gradually dispersed, a figure emerged.
Seeing the figure that suddenly appeared, none of the people in the hall recognized who it was.
"Lord Oden."
The figure that suddenly appeared kneels on the ground and bows to the direction of Oden.
"It's you, Shinobu?"
Kozuki Oden furrowed his brows for a long time before recognizing the person in front of him.
"Yes, Lord Oden, it's me. I knew Lord Oden would still remember me."
Seeing that Kozuki Oden recognized her, Shinobu couldn't help but be excited.
"I remember you seem to be one of the attendants trained by my father in the past, right? How did you appear here?"
"Lord Oden, the attendants of the Kozuki clan, including Fūrokuju and others, have betrayed the Kozuki clan and joined Orochi. Anyone unwilling to surrender has been eliminated."
Hearing this, Kozuki Oden's pupils suddenly contracted, his face becoming very ugly. It can be imagined the resentment in the hearts of those loyal warriors who died before the Kozuki family.
"Lord Oden, it's not the time to talk about these things now. I received news from Orochi that they have sent people to negotiate an alliance with the traitors of Hakumai."
Shinobu said urgently.
"What?!"
"Is what you said true?!"
Hearing Shinobu's words, the entire hall exploded. It's already difficult for Kuri to resist the alliance of Orochi and Kaido. If they are also enticed by those people from Hakumai, then the Kozuki family might really be done for.
"What should we do about this!"
Kin'emon paces anxiously.
Meanwhile, Kanjūrō is also lost in thought, his face showing great concern. If what Shinobu said is true, then their troubles will be huge.
"Hahaha."
Just when everyone was restless because of this news, Kozuki Oden burst into laughter.
"Lord Oden, it's already this time. How can you still laugh?"
Kikuzo looked at Oden, who was laughing out loud, with some reproach. Although he knew that his lord was unreliable, he shouldn't mess up at such a critical moment.
When Oden stopped laughing, he said something that puzzled everyone.
"Don't worry, that guy won't do it."
…
Holding June, Nicholas crumpled up the information sent by the emissary of Orochi and, with lightning surging in his hand, turned the letter into dust that scattered in the wind.
"Does he really prefer to die rather than seek help from Roger and Whitebeard? You know, if Whitebeard and Roger's pirate crews come here, after receiving the intelligence, the World Government will send out the Navy and its top forces to wipe out the Land of Wano. And even we might have to hand over Hakumai."
June rubbed her head against Nicholas' chest to make herself more comfortable.
"Hehe, the Roger Pirates are now nowhere to be found, and as for Whitebeard, he's being closely watched by the Marines and the World Government. Do you believe that if the Roger Pirates or Whitebeard Pirates were to come to the Land of Wano, the World Government, upon receiving the intelligence, would immediately send out the Navy and their top forces to wipe out the Land of Wano?"
"And even we might have to hand over Hakumai. I mean, that idiot, do you believe he'd rather die than let the World Government know that he's here in the Land of Wano?"
"Well, well, you're a stupid bird, shitting all over the place again!"
Nicholas, who was originally discussing state affairs in a relaxed manner, was disrupted by a messy pile of fresh BirdShit made of gray and white, and he was instantly thrown off track.
And Nicholas' appearance naturally caused the beautiful woman in his arms to burst into laughter again.