Future chapters (15+) at patreon.com/FFAddict.
Additionally, I have many new works readers may be interested in. Go look, if you wish!
Chapter 9 Official Announcement! General Kaido! Goal Accomplished!
Where had the weapons gone? None of the 800 people present could answer as they faced the empty, frozen world. They sensed that this time the plan would likely fail again.
"Bastard! Don't let me find out who did it!" someone shouted.
The think tank carefully surveyed the scene, noting that there wasn't even a scratch on the icy surface, suggesting that the weapons had been stolen long ago.
It was extremely difficult to take such a large number of weapons under the serpent's ban. Even if one took a single weapon at a time, the transportation of thousands of forbidden items would not go unnoticed due to the noise.
Onimaru, who had guarded the bridge for thirteen years in an effort to capture weapons, might have a connection to this theft.
After some thought, one of them said, "Something may be concealed behind the bell, so I recommend we look around that area first."
The leader was puzzled but agreed to follow the advice.
"Search! Search thoroughly!" he commanded.
The 800 people began their search through the icy snow, sparing no piece of ice, exploring every ruin, and inspecting even the dead tree trunks. Some even searched for non-existent mechanisms. The intensity of the search could easily exhaust anyone, but fortunately, the group collaborated and narrowed down the search area quickly.
Soon after, a samurai yelled, "Found it!"
The news spread like wildfire, and samurais from near and far rushed towards the source of hope. They gathered at a door leading to a basement and descended en masse.
What they found below was an underground cave filled with swords on walls and wooden shelves, resembling the treasure trove of a king. Each weapon was well-polished and maintained, as if someone long cared for them. The gleaming blades were so sharp that they drew blood at the slightest touch.
The samurais were overjoyed, praising the fine swords. As the basement filled, they chose their preferred weapons. Some disputes over choice weapons broke out, but the leader quickly resolved them.
Laughter and whispers filled the air as they discussed their newfound arsenal.
"With so many weapons, Kozuki will have the strength to fight when he returns!"
"I never expected such a loophole in the ban, but we'll give Kaido a fierce surprise!"
"Now we need to utilize all these swords to strengthen our army!"
"We'll show the pirates that the samurais of Wanokuni are not to be trifled with!"
Their hearts swelled with joy as they clutched their chosen swords like precious treasures.
The think tank interrupted the excitement and directed, "Now that you've found the weapons, pack them up and take them away quickly. I will find a new place to hide them, then let's meet under the bridge in three days!"
"Good!"
"Reasonable!"
They were about to start packing when a voice echoed from the staircase.
"I didn't expect you to find this place."
Who was it?
Hearts raced as everyone turned towards the entrance, where the distinct sound of boots stepping on the staircase could be heard.
The samurai closest to the entrance looked as if he had seen a ghost. Beads of sweat poured down his face; he struggled to breathe and retreated frantically, losing strength and collapsing. His trembling finger pointed towards the entrance.
Sensing danger, the samurais exchanged wary glances and readied their swords.
The sound of boots hitting the ground came to a stop.
A tall man with black wings on his back stepped through the doorway, cradling a snow-white fox whose state of life was uncertain.
He was King, assigned by Kaido!
Within Wanokuni, newspapers were handed out by a seller, reaching nearly every household.
These papers bore the shocking news: Kurozumi had lost power, and now Kaido ruled alone.
On Flower Street, Commercial Street, in Jiuli and the Capital City, people laughed at the downfall of the big snake, despite uncertainty about the future.
Their laughter halted when the patrolling samurai knocked on their doors, causing residents to timidly peek out and inquire, "What's the matter, esteemed ones?"
"Take them all!" commanded the samurai with a grand gesture. His followers surged forward.
By then, it was too late to shut the door; the ramshackle homes couldn't withstand a well-trained army.
A forceful kick shattered doors and sent people tumbling as several samurai broke in.
Screams and crashing sounds followed.
Dragged from the rooms, those inside emerged with bruised, swollen faces and noses bleeding.
Such scenes unfolded in every township but the Flower Capital; it appeared Kaido aimed to drain Wanokuni completely.
The captured were detained, bound for the townships' arms factories and quarries.
As Kaido declared, "Wanokuni will only have factories or mines outside the Flower Capital. There's no need for anything else."
On Onigashima, Kaido waited for good news from King and the patrol, his system panel slowly descending before him.
With the level below 5%, two decimal places were added, showing the decline more clearly.
The rate trickled down to 4.82%.
Hearing someone approach, he asked without turning, "Are your things packed?"
"Yes, but..." came a worried, nervous, and unconfident reply.
A royalist stood by, head bowed, body twisted, fingers intertwined behind him.
Kaido, sensing her hesitation, said directly, "Speak your mind."
"I'm just... still a bit concerned that I might not fulfill the task you've given me."
He had stepped down as her secretary and named her acting general of Wanokuni, tasking her with governance and stabilization.
Her special ability had prompted this decision.
The royalist possessed the power of an artificial Demon Fruit resembling a flying squirrel, which let her share vision, sound, and even voice through a unique mechanical mouse.
This proved invaluable for surveillance and information transmission, allowing her, with enough mechanical mice, to monitor Wanokuni alone.
"Don't worry. I have faith in you. Use your talent well and update me with any changes."
"Understood."
"Encourage Queen to finish your mechanical mouse legion sooner. You'll feel less burdened once everything is under surveillance, right?"
"Thank you, Lord Kaido! I'll go right away."
After she left, the numbers on the panel shifted again, this time plummeting rapidly.
It seemed the efforts within Wanokuni had commenced, Kaido mused, watching the swift decline.
4.51%...
4.13%...
3.89%...
3.00%...
2.56%!
Finally, the rebel fraction shrunk to less than 3%!
"Objective One: Master Wanokuni (Completed)"
"Reward Issued"