Outside the Shogun's Mansion.
Denjiro paced back and forth anxiously, glancing at the gate of the Shogun's mansion from time to time.
An Azure dragon still hovered above the Shogun's Mansion, yet there was no sign of Hiyori coming out.
"How come there is no news?"
Denjiro grew more and more restless.
According to their original plan, they wanted to approach Caelan with beauty, hoping to enchant him with music and dance.
If Caelan truly couldn't resist, there were twelve geishas serving him one after another, which would allow Hiyori to protect herself as much as possible.
But Denjiro had been stopped outside the door, and not even the other eleven geishas were allowed in.
He was completely in the dark about Hiyori's situation.
According to their agreement, even if Hiyori had sacrificed herself, word should have been sent out.
After thinking it over, Denjiro finally decided to go up and ask.
"Guard, I wonder how Komurasaki and Chiyo who went in yesterday are doing?"
Denjiro asked the same guard from yesterday.
"Caelan-sama has ordered that they are his property and have nothing to do with anyone else."
The servant glanced at Denjiro and relayed Caelan's words.
"Can I meet Caelan-sama?"
Denjiro's face twitched.
He wanted to enter, see Caelan's attitude, or at least contact Hiyori.
"No. Caelan-sama said he likes your gift very much, but he doesn't want to see…" The servant looked at Denjiro, hesitated, then whispered with a strange expression, "He said, 'Get lost.'"
The servant didn't know how Denjiro had offended Caelan, but it was Caelan himself who had instructed him to deliver this humiliation word for word.
"What!?"
Denjiro's face contorted with anger.
He had personally brought two beauties to Caelan, yet instead of being treated as a guest, he was insulted and dismissed.
Caelan had taken everything and refused to even acknowledge him.
How could he be so shameless!?
Denjiro clenched his fists and nearly rushed in to argue.
But when his eyes lifted to the green dragon circling overhead, his fists slowly relaxed.
With that dragon watching the mansion, he couldn't even get close to the door.
"Tch!"
Denjiro snorted coldly, his eyes burning with resentment.
He gave one last look at the Shogun's Mansion, fixing the sight firmly in his mind.
Then he turned and left, preparing to return to the brothel to discuss countermeasures with Kin'emon and the others.
But how was he supposed to explain this?
The spy plan had failed to send back any information. He hadn't even seen Caelan, and now Hiyori had been dragged into the situation.
The so-called beauty trap had ended in complete failure.
…
In the brothel, Momonosuke was sleeping soundly in a geisha's arms, drooling on her snow-white chest.
He was the one who had proposed to seize Wano as quickly as possible, yet he didn't care at all, leaving every plan to Kin'emon and the others.
Kin'emon and several others were gathered, preparing to let various forces enter the Flower Capital, ready to pressure Caelan into abdicating.
Kin'emon said seriously, "The Kozuki retainers hiding in Kuri, and Ashura Doji's bandits from the mountains, we'll have them bring weapons and enter the Flower Capital in groups. There are more than 4,000 of them, more than Caelan's current number of troops."
Raizo added, "As for those who still believe in Oden, we'll have them go to the Flower Capital to petition as well, so that Caelan can see the will of the people of Wano."
"As long as everyone is in place, I believe Caelan will make concessions," Kin'emon agreed. "After all, even the Yonko Kaido never openly ruled Wano. He only controlled it indirectly by propping up Orochi."
"I think the people must be very dissatisfied with this foreign ruler. As long as we raise our voices, countless people will respond."
As he spoke, Kin'emon couldn't help but laugh.
Wano belonged to the people of Wano and the Kozuki clan.
The scar that had stained this country for so many years couldn't be erased by Caelan's temporary intimidation.
"But… just two days ago, hundreds of protesting samurai were killed in the Flower Capital. Will Caelan really care about our protest?"
Raizo still had concerns.
The day before yesterday, the Azure Dragon had breathed fire, burning hundreds of warriors and a dojo to ashes.
If Caelan struck at them directly, it could turn into a horrific massacre.
"He will definitely consider it. The fact that he only killed samurai and not civilians shows that he still cares about public opinion. As long as more than 4,000 samurai and countless civilians act together, he'll have to hold back."
"Even if he doesn't return Wano, he won't dare attack so many people."
Kin'emon spoke with confidence.
He had read the intelligence Caelan himself had spread. From the strongest bounty hunter in the East Blue to the current God Slayer, he had always stood for justice and never slaughtered civilians.
Either he was truly just, or he was seeking fame.
Such people could stand on the moral high ground and manipulate others at will.
"That's right. According to Caelan's past behavior, he never went on a killing spree elsewhere. I think it will be the same in Wano."
Kikunojo nodded in agreement.
"Then we'll succeed."
"Even if we fail, we must show the people of Wano that the Kozuki clan's legitimacy still exists, so that they don't completely lose hope."
Kin'emon stood and spoke with conviction.
Whether they succeeded or failed, they could not allow the Kozuki clan's Wano to fall into another's hands so easily.
"The Kozuki clan will live on in Wano!"
Everyone stood together, voicing their determination with Kin'emon.
"What a pity. If only Kawamatsu, Inuarashi, and Nekomamushi were here."
Kin'emon sighed.
Inuarashi and Nekomamushi were still in Zou, and Kawamatsu was still imprisoned in the quarry of Udon.
If the three of them were here, their chances of success would be far greater.
"Don't worry. After we reclaim Wano's shogunate, we'll call them back to share in the joy," Raizo said with a smile.
"Alright, alright!"
The mood grew heated.
Kin'emon, satisfied with their resolve, said, "Now, we just need to wait for Denjiro's information and adjust the details."
Raizo, Kikunojo, and Ashura Doji all nodded.
Just then, Denjiro entered with a gloomy face.
"What happened?"
Seeing Denjiro's expression, the others' joy vanished, and they hurriedly asked.
"The spy plan failed, and we've lost contact with Hiyori-hime.
"I sent a beauty to Caelan as a gesture, but I wasn't even allowed to see him. I was humiliated three times in a row. How hateful!"
"The first time: He called my geisha a whore. The second time: He refused to let me into the Shogun's mansion. The third time: He took in Hiyori-hime and another geisha, then told me to get out."
Denjiro slammed the table and recounted everything angrily.
The more Kin'emon and the others listened, the more their brows furrowed.
This behavior was completely different from what they had heard about Caelan.
"Hadn't he always been courteous to you? Why would he insult you like this?"
Raizo asked in confusion.
"I don't know either. Maybe the rumors were false, or maybe he just doesn't like… me." Denjiro was still baffled and furious.
He had no idea what he had revealed that had caused Caelan to treat him this way.
"We were just discussing how to use our people to force Caelan to yield, and we thought it was certain. But now…"
Kin'emon and the others shook their heads, sighing.
Caelan's actions were completely beyond their expectations.
In fact, since Caelan had come to Wano, nothing had gone as they anticipated.
"What if Caelan really kills us and all those who resist?"
Kikunojo suddenly grew worried.
The other retainers felt the same unease, shaken by how Caelan had treated Denjiro.
"Don't be afraid. If he kills so many people, the entire Wano will rise in chaos. The warriors and citizens of Wano are righteous, they will never allow Caelan to have his way."
Kin'emon fell silent for a moment before finally speaking.
It was clearly their clan's selfish desire, yet they were ready to drag all of Wano into it. Such was the resolve of Kozuki samurai.
"That's right. Wano can only belong to the Kozuki clan. If not, then Wano might as well be destroyed."
"I believe the people of Wano, who have always lived under the Kozuki clan's light, will be proud to dedicate themselves."
The others nodded in agreement, convinced by this reasoning.
"Then the plan is set for the day after tomorrow. No matter what, we will act."
Kin'emon said firmly.
"Glory to the Kozuki clan!"
Raizo, Denjiro, and Kikunojo rose together in response.
(To be continued.)
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