Kanjuro concealed some emotions deep in his heart, his face filled with solemnity and apprehension as he spoke in a low voice:
"No matter what's happening here with Hakumai, whatever the other side intends to do, I think... we should quickly leave the vicinity of this battlefield. Who knows when those guys might return. If we encounter them again, whether they're enemies or allies, we'll be in trouble."
"Kanjuro is right," Raizo maintained his composure, his voice trembling slightly. "Let's leave here quickly. Who knows if they'll turn their wrath on us."
As the scene before them resembled a hellish landscape, they found it somewhat blinding.
"Yeah..." Listening to Kanjuro and Raizo, Kinemon nodded heavily.
Just as Kinemon was about to heed Kanjuro and Raizo's words and leave this troubled place, Kikunojo stopped in her tracks.
At the same time, a somewhat gentle voice sounded in the ears of everyone present.
"You go ahead. I want to find out that man's identity and position."
"Huh?" The sudden statement surprised everyone, as they looked at Kikunojo, who was staring intently into the distance.
At this moment, Kanjuro couldn't help but feel a sense of strangeness emanating from Kikunojo. It was as if, in over a decade, he had never truly understood this companion.
"You go ahead," Kikunojo said, as she removed her sword from her waist and tossed it to the nearest Ashura Doji.
And Ashura Doji, using his remaining arm, grasped the thrown sword from the air.
While the others were puzzled by Kikunojo's sudden decision, Kanjuro, Ashura Doji, and Raizo were unable to hide their shock.
They couldn't understand why Kikunojo would suddenly make such a decision.
After all, from their perspective as retainers of the Kozuki Family, Hakumai belonged to the side of the rebellion. For Kikunojo to do this would undoubtedly be putting herself in harm's way.
"No! That's too dangerous!" Kinemon stepped forward, intending to dissuade her from this course of action.
However, Kikunojo's shoulder trembled slightly, shaking Kinemon's hand off her shoulder.
While others may not have noticed, Kanjuro had been observing the changes in Wano and the intelligence gathered by Denjiro from various parts of the country.
Udon, Kibi, and other places were filled with factories emitting smoke day and night, contaminated rivers, unable to drink, fields unable to grow crops due to environmental changes, and some remote villages and towns had disappeared...
In contrast, Hakumai was quite the opposite, even calling it a paradise compared to the other parts of Wano.
To Kikunojo, perhaps the people of Hakumai had long forgotten about the Kozuki Clan. After all, their current lives had nothing to do with the Kozuki Clan.
"Kanjuro, only by contacting the other side can we know their true attitude towards us. If I can test the result with my insignificant life, isn't there a better deal than this?" Kikunojo turned to look at Kanjuro, her tone firm and unwavering.
She didn't give the others a chance to object, instead, she prepared to walk towards Hakumai.
"Kikunojo..."
Watching Kikunojo's firm steps, Kinemon's face showed a mixture of emotions, but ultimately, he did not stop her.
Although they had not had dealings with the masterminds behind Hakumai, they all felt that Hakumai was extremely dangerous.
In their subconscious, they felt that it was difficult to understand how sending themselves into the lion's den would help the cause.
"Kikunojo, you're an important part of seeking assistance from overseas. If only my insignificant life can test the results, isn't there a better deal than this?" Kanjuro's voice rang out, trying to convince her to stop.
Seeing Kinemon's determined steps, Kanjuro's face showed a hint of helplessness. He couldn't understand why Kinemon would suddenly make such a decision. After all, even with their intact bodies, they were not a match for Kaido. Let alone now with their current condition, how could they defeat Kaido and help Lord Momonosuke seek revenge?
"Kikunojo..." The others looked at Kikunojo with a complex expression, but ultimately, they did not object.
With Kanjuro and the others joining Kikunojo in this venture, they came to the home of a friend.
However, their friend had long since disappeared, leaving behind only a deserted village.
Kanjuro, Lady Toki, and Kikunojo stood side by side at the shore.
The strong wind, swirling with sea spray, crashed against the rocks, shattering into misty water droplets that fell on the three.
The three silently gazed at the turbulent sea ahead.
"Lady Toki, we should find a shelter from the rain first."
Seeing the rain getting heavier, Kikunojo couldn't help but suggest finding shelter.
"Can you do me a favor? Everyone?"
Instead of answering Kikunojo's words, Lady Toki looked at everyone and said.
Kanjuro froze for a moment upon hearing Lady Toki's words.
Ashura Doji, on the other hand, quietly watched Kikunojo, wondering what she was suddenly going to say.
"Lady Toki, what do you want us to do?"
Kikunojo calmly looked at Lady Toki.
"I..." Lady Toki's expression was solemn as she was about to speak, but suddenly stopped.
Because she saw Kanjuro, Kinemon, and Ashura Doji with a missing arm.
It seemed that when she met Lady Toki's gaze, Kanjuro, Kinemon, and Ashura Doji didn't mind. They knelt down with only their left arms, clasping their fists over their chests, and solemnly said, "Madam, whatever your orders, even if it's going through fire and water, we will not regret it!"
Feeling the determination from Kanjuro and the others, Lady Toki said solemnly.
"I want to drive Kaido out of Wano, but I know very well that with our strength, we absolutely cannot defeat Kaido. So... I want to send Momonosuke to the future!"
Kanjuro and the others were a bit dumbfounded when they heard Lady Toki's intention to send Momonosuke to the future. They found it hard to understand how one could send someone to the future.
Kanjuro frowned slightly. Indeed, even when they were physically intact, they were no match for Kaido. Let alone now, with their current injuries, how could they defeat Kaido and avenge Lord Momonosuke? But to go to the future, this was even more unbelievable.
"I actually have the ability of the Super Time Fruit user. Although we can't defeat Kaido at the moment, according to the answer I and lord Oden have received, someone will come to Wano in the future to defeat Kaido and bring dawn to Wano..."
...
Meanwhile, as Kanjuro pondered about how to deceive in place of Kikunojo, who was determined to send Momonosuke to the future, he couldn't help but think.
After all, in the previous battle in Hakumai, he had witnessed Nicholas's terrifying combat prowess.
He had also seen firsthand the awe-inspiring power of Nicholas, who seemed to exude a shocking power with every movement.
That was an unquestionable strength, one that could contend with Kaido and even defeat him.
So—
Dealing with such a guy, he had to be fully prepared.
It could be said that this was the time to test his acting skills!