The morning sun had just begun to shine on the guesthouse roof when an envoy from the Shogun's castle hurriedly arrived, requesting an audience with Kaido.
The envoy stood outside the door, bowing his head respectfully, a note of urgency in his voice. "Mr. Kaido, my apologies for the disturbance. The Shogun urgently summons you."
Kaido opened the door, wearing a sleeping robe, yawning with bleary eyes. "So early? What does the Shogun need?" His voice still carried a hint of sleepiness; he had clearly been roused from a pleasant dream by the sudden visit.
The envoy bowed deeply, his forehead almost touching the ground. "The Shogun commands me to request your immediate presence at the castle. He says there is an important matter to announce." His tone was both respectful and rushed, clearly indicating the urgency of the matter.
Kaido glanced back at King and Queen standing behind him. The three exchanged a knowing look. The corner of Queen's mouth lifted slightly in a meaningful smile; King maintained his usual composure, merely giving a slight nod.
"Since it's the Shogun's command," Kaido casually grabbed his coat and threw it over his shoulders, a playful note in his voice, "we'll set off now. We mustn't keep our esteemed Shogun waiting." His voice held a hint of mockery, as if he had long anticipated what was about to happen.
King, Queen, Urouge, Sebastian, and the others immediately followed Kaido's lead. The group marched in step, heading toward the Shogun's castle under the morning sun. Their footsteps were exceptionally clear on the quiet morning streets, drawing sidelong glances from passing residents. Some peeked out from behind windows, others stood by the roadside whispering, clearly filled with curiosity about this imposing procession.
Inside the Shogun's castle council hall, Wano Country's important figures had already gathered. The air was thick with tension; everyone sensed something unusual about today.
Shogun Sukiyaki sat in the seat of honor. However, compared to yesterday, today's Sukiyaki had bloodshot eyes, and his dark pupils flashed with a strange, sinister crimson light. His complexion was slightly pale, and he looked utterly exhausted.
Daimyo like Shimotsuki Ushimaru and Shimotsuki Yasuke were arranged on either side, while Oden's retainers—Denjiro, Kawamatsu, Inuarashi, Nekomamushi, and Kurozumi Kanjuro—stood at the lower end. Everyone's expression was one of confusion and unease, clearly puzzled by today's emergency summons.
"Lord Sukiyaki, your eyes..." Shimotsuki Ushimaru was the first to notice the Shogun's unusual state, his brow furrowed.
"It's nothing. I was merely pondering affairs of state last night and couldn't sleep well," Sukiyaki waved a hand dismissively, his voice slightly hoarse. He then rubbed his eyes as if trying to hide something.
Shimotsuki Yasuke stepped forward and asked respectfully, "Your Excellency the Shogun, summoning us here today—do you have important matters to discuss?"
"Indeed," Sukiyaki looked around at everyone, his gaze resting on each face for a moment. "But we must wait for a few honored guests to arrive."
"Honored guests?" Shimotsuki Ushimaru was somewhat puzzled. All the important figures in the Flower Capital were already here. Who else were they waiting for? But he quickly realized—they were waiting for Kaido and his group.
Just as everyone was whispering amongst themselves, heavy footsteps sounded from outside the hall. Kaido strode in with several of his key subordinates, their heavy steps making the floor tremble slightly. Their arrival instantly made the atmosphere in the entire council hall tense.
"Mr. Kaido, please, take a seat of honor." Sukiyaki's attitude was completely different from yesterday, raising ominous forebodings in the hearts of those present. His tone carried a hint of obsequiousness, starkly contrasting with his usual authoritative image.
Without any pretense of politeness, Kaido sat down in the seat prepared for him, grinning to reveal his stark white teeth. "Your Excellency the Shogun, I wonder what matter has summoned me here today?"
Sukiyaki took a deep breath and suddenly raised his voice. "Everyone, after a night of deep contemplation, I have decided to follow the decree left by Oden and appoint Mr. Kaido as Daimyo of Kuri!"
As these words were spoken, an uproar swept through the hall. Everyone looked at each other, their faces filled with shock and disbelief.
"This cannot be!" Shimotsuki Ushimaru was the first to step forward in opposition.
"Your Excellency, please reconsider!" Shimotsuki Yasuke also urgently dissuaded him.
"Kuri is a vital territory of Wano Country. How can it be handed over to an outsider?" Denjiro's voice held suppressed anger.
Voices of opposition rose one after another. The expressions of Denjiro and the others were especially grim; they hadn't imagined Lord Sukiyaki would make such a decision.
Sukiyaki slammed the table and stood up abruptly, his eyes wide with fury. "How dare you! Do you intend to disobey the Shogun's command?!"
Shimotsuki Ushimaru stepped forward again, forcibly suppressing his anger as he asked, "Lord Sukiyaki, this matter is of great importance. Please explain the reasoning."
"Reasoning?" Sukiyaki sneered, a red glint flashing in his eyes. "Is the handwritten decree personally written by Oden before his departure not enough? It seems to me that with Oden gone, you wish to rebel!"
"We have absolutely no such intention!" Kazuki Mitsuyoshi hurriedly defended himself, fine beads of sweat appearing on his forehead. "It's just..."
"Just what?" Sukiyaki pressed step by step, his voice carrying a threat. "Do you intend to follow in the footsteps of the Kurozumi clan from decades past?"
Seeing Sukiyaki mention the Kurozumi clan's rebellion from decades ago, the assembled daimyo all knelt on the floor to demonstrate their loyalty.
Cold sweat beaded on Ugetsu Tempura's forehead, his voice trembling. "Your Excellency, please be discerning. We have absolutely no such intention. We are merely worried..."
"Enough!" Sukiyaki barked sharply, his voice echoing in the council hall. "This is Oden's final wish and my decision. Anyone who raises further objections will be treated as a rebel!"
The hall fell into a deathly silence. At that moment, Kurozumi Kanjuro suddenly stepped forward, knelt respectfully, and bowed. "This subordinate respectfully obeys the Shogun's command."
This act seemed to open the floodgates. The others also knelt and bowed one after another, though their faces were clearly marked with reluctance.
Kaido watched coldly throughout, a faint, inscrutable smile playing on his lips. His gaze swept over each person's face, as if appreciating a fine performance.
"Mr. Kaido," Sukiyaki turned to Kaido, his tone suddenly becoming gentle, completely unlike moments before. "From this day forth, I entrust Kuri to your care."
Kaido slowly rose to his feet. His tall figure cast a shadow in the hall, bringing an intangible sense of oppression to all. "Rest assured, Shogun. I will certainly make Kuri... completely new." When he spoke the final four words, a dangerous glint flashed in his eyes, his tone carrying a meaningful implication.
Denjiro and the others kept their heads lowered, but their tightly clenched fists betrayed the anger in their hearts. Inuarashi and Nekomamushi exchanged a glance, both seeing deep concern in the other's eyes. And Kurozumi Kanjuro still maintained that calm expression, as if none of this had anything to do with him.
Sukiyaki nodded in satisfaction, a look of weariness appearing on his face. "Good. Then this matter is settled. All of you may withdraw now. I need to rest."
Everyone gradually exited the great hall, but each person understood in their heart: the sky over Wano Country was about to change.
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