In the council hall of Oden Castle in Kuri, dim candlelight flickered, casting the shadows of those present onto the ancient walls. Denjiro had just returned from the Flower Capital. He sat with Oden's retainers, bringing grave news. The air was thick with tension, as if even breathing had become cautious.
"Denjiro, what did Lord Sukiyaki say?" Ashura Doji was the first to break the silence, his rough voice echoing in the hall. His burly frame leaned forward slightly, anxiety gleaming in his eyes.
Kin'emon also couldn't help but urge, "Yes, tell us quickly." His fingers unconsciously tapped the tabletop, making faint sounds. The other retainers all turned expectant gazes his way, and the atmosphere in the entire council hall immediately grew taut.
Denjiro took a deep breath and slowly began. "After hearing the news of Lord Oden setting sail, Lord Sukiyaki flew into a rage and declared he would sever father-son ties once more." His voice was low and heavy, as if each word weighed a thousand pounds.
"What?" Raizo sprang to his feet, his eyes wide. "Didn't you try to dissuade Lord Sukiyaki?"
"I did my utmost," Denjiro shook his head helplessly. "But Lord Sukiyaki wouldn't listen to any advice."
Kin'emon slammed a fist on the table, rattling the tea bowls. "This won't do! We must find a way to salvage the situation."
Ashura Doji raised a hand to signal everyone to calm down. "I expected as much. However, things are not beyond repair. As long as we find Lord Oden as quickly as possible, Lord Sukiyaki will eventually retract his decree." His steady voice eased the agitated atmosphere slightly.
"Ashura is right," Kiku chimed in softly, her slender fingers lightly stroking her teacup. "The most urgent task is to speed up the shipbuilding progress and set sail to find Lord Oden as soon as possible."
Everyone nodded. After all, hadn't Sukiyaki and Oden severed ties before, only to reconcile later?
At that moment, Kawamatsu spoke up, his voice tinged with worry. "What's more urgent now is the matter of Kaido. For the past few days, the people of Kuri have been spreading the story that Lord Oden gave his Daimyo position to Kaido. The situation is very bad. Quite a few people are already starting to accept this narrative."
"Preposterous!" Kin'emon slapped the table and stood up. "The Daimyo of Kuri can only be Lord Oden! This must be a rumor spread by those pirates. They want to seize Kuri!"
Kurozumi Kanjuro cleared his throat. "I've already investigated. The news didn't come from the pirates. It was a few samurai who got drunk while drinking at Oden Castle that day. They spoke carelessly and accidentally leaked it."
Denjiro took over. "Lord Sukiyaki expressed a desire to see Kaido in the Flower Capital."
Ashura Doji furrowed his brow. "In that case, we must notify Kaido immediately and have him depart for the Flower Capital at once. These past few days, he's been moving about Kuri everywhere, and too many commoners have become acquainted with him. If this continues, the situation will become even harder to control."
"Understood!" everyone responded in unison.
Under the candlelight, each person's expression looked exceptionally grave.
The next morning, golden sunlight gently bathed the eaves of Oden Castle, gilding the ancient fortress with a warm halo. A light breeze stirred, causing the cherry blossom tree in the courtyard to sway gently. A few pink petals drifted down with the wind.
Kaido stood alone in the center of the courtyard, his tall figure particularly striking in the morning light. He stood with his arms crossed, a slight frown on his brow, his gaze profound as he looked into the distance, as if contemplating something important. The sunlight fell on his bronze skin, outlining the contours of his robust muscles.
At that moment, Ashura Doji walked over slowly with several retainers. He bowed respectfully. "Mr. Kaido, Lord Sukiyaki would like to invite you to the Flower Capital." His voice was especially clear in the morning air.
Hearing this, Kaido's frown deepened. He answered in a low voice, "Oden entrusted Kuri to me. I should remain here to protect this land." His voice was deep and powerful, carrying an air of unquestionable authority.
"Hmph! I think you're just trying to take advantage of the situation to seize Kuri!" Kin'emon suddenly stepped forward, glaring at Kaido with wide, furious eyes. "Your pirate ambitions are now plain for all to see!" His voice trembled slightly with anger, his hand already resting on the hilt of his sword.
"Looking to die?!" A cold glint flashed in Kaido's eyes, and his furious Haoshoku Haki instantly erupted.
The immense pressure washed over the entire Oden Castle like a tidal wave. The air in the courtyard seemed to solidify. Those with weak willpower fell to the ground unconscious one after another. Leaves in the courtyard rustled loudly from the shockwave, and even some of the older wooden furniture began to crack.
Faced with Kaido's Haoshoku Haki, Oden's retainers all felt immense pressure. Denjiro and Kawamatsu barely managed to hold their ground, but fine beads of sweat had already appeared on their foreheads. Inuarashi and Nekomamushi were half-kneeling on the ground, struggling against the oppressive force.
"Please, calm your anger!" Kurozumi Kanjuro hurried forward to mediate, his voice trembling slightly. "Kin'emon was merely acting on impulse. Please forgive him." He bowed deeply, his forehead almost touching the ground.
Kaido snorted coldly, slowly withdrawing his Haki. "Now I finally understand why Oden wanted to go to sea. So his subordinates are all samurai who disobey their lord's commands. How pathetic." His tone carried obvious disappointment and contempt.
"Muhahaha," Queen laughed loudly as he stepped forward, his obese body swaying. "Before this, I'd always heard from outside that Wano Country's samurai were men of their word. Who knew the reality was they specialize in defying their lord's orders." His laughter echoed in the courtyard, sounding particularly grating.
These words left the retainers present with livid expressions, yet they had no retort. Ashura Doji clenched his fists, his nails digging deeply into his palms; Kin'emon hung his head, his eyes full of remorse; Denjiro looked at the ground with a complex expression.
After all, they had indeed disobeyed Oden's command and could only bow their heads in shame at this moment.
A brief silence fell over the courtyard, broken only by the morning breeze gently brushing past, stirring the hems of everyone's clothes.
A moment later, Kaido spoke. "Since the Shogun has invited me, I shall make a trip to the Flower Capital." His voice had regained its calm, but still carried an air of unquestionable authority.
He had originally planned to go to the Flower Capital anyway; he had just been angered by Kin'emon's rudeness. Now, he could take this opportunity to go under a proper pretext. Kaido's gaze swept over everyone present, finally resting on the distant horizon.
And so, Kaido immediately set off for the Flower Capital with a few of his officers, led by Denjiro, Kawamatsu, Inuarashi, Nekomamushi, and Kurozumi Kanjuro.
The sunlight shone on their departing figures, casting long shadows on the stone-paved road. The courtyard was left with only a few drifting cherry blossom petals and those samurai still lying unconscious.
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