Chapter 623: Koushirou's Scheme!
"Now that the Dragon Hunter Pirates have gone in… what do we do next?"
A warrior of the Shimotsuki Clan stared at the enormous cave entrance, confusion clear in his voice.
The Dragon Hunter Pirates were no longer here. That meant it was time for the samurai to move.
And they had to move fast.
Once the Dragon Hunter Pirates came back out, they would not have another chance.
Still, even with the enemy gone, the samurai could not shake the pressure in his chest. It was like the shadow of the Dragon Hunter Pirates was still hanging over the land.
Koushirou looked at the cave, and an eager light flickered in his eyes.
"Seal the exits."
His voice was calm, almost gentle.
But the words were ice.
"If they go first, they will complete the sacrifice."
"With the sacrifice of the Dragon Hunter Pirates… we might truly have a chance to become gods!"
As he spoke, the excitement on his face twisted into something sickly, almost feverish.
A second samurai stepped forward, his tone strained.
"But Miss Kuina is still inside!"
"Lord Koushirou… are you planning to sacrifice Miss Kuina too?"
His distress was real.
He had grown up in Shimotsuki Village with Kuina. When they were younger, even a few years ago, he had carried feelings he never dared to confess.
The thought of Kuina being offered up with them made his heart clench.
Koushirou did not answer him.
Instead, a blade flashed.
A long sword slid cleanly into the man's chest.
The samurai's eyes widened.
Then he collapsed.
"There is no room for hesitation in this operation," Koushirou said, his voice flat.
"I hope all of you remember what we are doing this for."
"We will make Wano Country the strongest place in the world."
He turned his fierce gaze on the remaining men.
"If anyone still doubts me, you should end your own life right now."
"That way, at least you can die with dignity."
The samurai around him did not mourn their fallen comrade.
Not even a little.
Instead, their faces lit up with fanatic devotion, as if this was proof of righteousness.
"I swear to serve Lord Koushirou to the death!"
Their voices rang with absolute faith.
Clap. Clap. Clap.
Applause echoed behind them.
Everyone turned.
A group of samurai stood there, perfectly composed.
At the front was the current head of the Kozuki clan, Momonosuke.
The applause had come from his hands.
"Uncle Koushirou," Momonosuke said, smiling with cold mockery, "you really are something."
"You can even abandon your own daughter."
Koushirou's brow tightened.
"Momonosuke."
His tone carried warning.
"This is not something you are qualified to interfere with."
"I believe you remember our agreement, yes?"
Momonosuke's smile did not move.
"Of course I remember the agreement."
"But now, we are getting involved with the Island of Gods."
The samurai behind him drew their swords in unison.
At the same time, figures emerged from the surrounding darkness.
Beasts Pirates.
Muskets rose, black barrels aimed directly at Koushirou and his men.
Koushirou's eyes narrowed.
"Momonosuke… what is the meaning of this?"
He already understood.
This was not a casual visit.
Momonosuke laughed softly.
"The meaning?"
"Uncle Koushirou, you should understand better than anyone."
"If you can be heartless enough to sacrifice your own daughter, then do not act like I am the only one capable of being despicable."
His smile sharpened.
"You want to seize the Island of Gods too."
"If that is the case… then let us begin."
Koushirou's aura surged.
Sword intent poured out of the blade in his hand, sharp enough to make the air feel thin.
"A handful of samurai and some Beasts Pirates trash think you can force me to give up this place?"
Momonosuke's eyes stayed steady.
"Koushirou, do you think I came with only these people?"
He lifted a hand.
"Kaido."
The sky darkened.
Winds howled.
The clouds twisted as if the heavens themselves were being dragged into a spiral.
A colossal dragon form filled the air above them.
The next instant, Kaido descended.
Conqueror's Haki exploded outward like a tidal wave.
Weaker samurai, whether Kozuki or Shimotsuki, dropped on the spot, eyes rolling back as they lost consciousness.
"Kaido…"
Koushirou's expression turned even more ashen.
Kaido had been missing for a long time.
And now he was here.
Compared to the Dragon Hunter Pirates, Kaido was nothing but a junior.
But for Koushirou, facing Kaido was another matter entirely.
Back then, when Koushirou and his older brothers fought, they could only leave wounds on Kaido.
And that was only because Kaido had not intended to kill him.
Koushirou did not have the strength to defeat Kaido now.
He tightened his grip on his sword and spoke directly.
"Kaido. I have connections with the Dragon Hunter Pirates."
"If you attack me now, the rest of the Dragon Hunter Pirates will not let you escape."
"Dragon Hunter Pirates?"
Kaido threw his head back and laughed.
"Wororororo!"
Momonosuke stepped forward, voice calm, like he was reciting an obvious truth.
"Let us not even discuss whether the main members of the Dragon Hunter Pirates can still come out of the Island of Gods."
"Even if they do come out, their first choice will be to kill you."
He looked at Koushirou like he was looking at a fool.
"Are you really threatening Kaido with the Dragon Hunter Pirates?"
Then Momonosuke's smile returned.
"Uncle Koushirou, hand over whatever opens the Island of Gods."
"Do that, and I might allow you to leave safely."
"Go back to Shimotsuki Village in the East Blue."
"Open your dojo again, and live properly."
Momonosuke completely ignored Koushirou's threat.
In the past, because of Kuina, Momonosuke would never have dared to touch Koushirou.
But now?
Koushirou had tricked the Dragon Hunter Pirates.
Even if they survived, they would likely come out badly injured.
That kind of power was not something ordinary people could endure.
And the Dragon Hunter Pirates were never ordinary.
They would pay a price.
Koushirou's face twisted with anger.
"You…"
But he could not refute it.
Just then, another figure stepped forward from the crowd.
The atmosphere changed instantly.
A dangerous pressure rolled out, sharp and violent.
Three swords at his waist confirmed his identity before he even spoke.
Zoro.
The moment he appeared, pirates and samurai alike hurriedly backed away.
Nobody wanted to get cut down by Zoro's blades while he was in this kind of rage, just for being in the wrong place.
"Teacher."
Zoro's voice was low, trembling with fury.
"Is everything Momonosuke said true?"
"You sacrificed Kuina for this?"
"And you betrayed Luffy's older brother too?"
"Zoro…"
Koushirou opened his mouth, trying to speak.
But before he could, the Straw Hat crew stepped into view behind Zoro.
They stared at Koushirou with hatred that did not bother to hide itself.
Koushirou understood.
No words could wash this away now.
Even if he had once been close to Zoro, that bond would not save him here.
So he asked the only question that mattered.
"Zoro… are you standing with the Kozuki clan now?"
.....
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