Moonlight like frost enveloped the silent cemetery. Shimotsuki Ushimaru looked up at King hovering mid-air, his brow slightly furrowed. He slowly exhaled a turbid breath, holding his long sword vertically before him, the cold blade reflecting the pale moonlight.
"Shimotsuki Style·Moon Shadow Slash!"
A low voice echoed through the night sky as Shimotsuki Ushimaru's figure suddenly became indistinct, as if merging with the moonlight. A sharp blade light cut through the night, precisely splitting King's body in half. Yet no trace of victory appeared on Shimotsuki Ushimaru's face—instead, his expression grew more solemn. This victory had come too easily.
Sure enough, the bisected King suddenly transformed into countless black bats, reforming behind Shimotsuki Ushimaru. Before he could turn around, King had already swung King of Hell, sending a blazing flame slash roaring toward him.
"Damn!"
Alarm bells rang in Shimotsuki Ushimaru's mind, but it was too late to dodge. The scorching slash struck his chest with tremendous force, blood immediately gushing forth. His body flew backward like a kite with its string cut, crashing heavily against a cold tombstone with a dull thud.
"Cough... cough..."
Shimotsuki Ushimaru struggled to prop up his upper body, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth. Excruciating pain radiated from the wound on his chest, but he still tightly gripped his long sword, his gaze burning as he stared ahead. Under the moonlight, King's figure appeared particularly sinister and terrifying, those icy eyes seeming to see through human hearts.
Just then, hurried footsteps and the clanking of armor came from the distance. A squad of fully armed samurai appeared at the cemetery's edge, led by the Capital Guard Captain. They held torches, illuminating the dim cemetery.
"Lord Ushimaru!" the guard captain shouted, clear urgency in his voice. "We received reports of unusual activity here..."
King coldly scanned the arriving reinforcements before returning his gaze to Shimotsuki Ushimaru. The corner of his mouth curled into a cold smile, his voice piercing like ice: "We'll stop here for today. I'll come for your life another day."
With that, King walked directly to where the Devil Fruit had been placed earlier, tucking it into his robe. His massive black wings suddenly spread, casting a huge shadow under the moonlight. In the blink of an eye, his figure vanished into the vast moonlit night, leaving only a few black feathers slowly drifting down.
The guard captain hurried forward, carefully helping Shimotsuki Ushimaru up. "Sir, your injury..." His voice filled with concern as his eyes fell on the gruesome wound on Shimotsuki Ushimaru's chest.
"It's nothing." Shimotsuki Ushimaru forced himself to stand, blood still seeping from the chest wound. He stared in the direction where King had disappeared, his grip on the sword tightening unconsciously, knuckles turning white from the force. "This enemy... is more dangerous than anticipated." His voice was low and grave.
The guard captain immediately ordered: "Quick, prepare a stretcher!"
"Unnecessary." Shimotsuki Ushimaru raised his hand to stop them. "Prepare a carriage for me. I must go to the Flower Capital immediately to report to Lord Sukiyaki." His tone brooked no argument. Despite his severe injuries, his dignity as a samurai prevented him from showing weakness before his subordinates.
"Yes." The guard promptly responded, immediately turning to make arrangements.
Soon, a plainly decorated but sturdy carriage was prepared. With the guards' assistance, Shimotsuki Ushimaru boarded the carriage, where several medical personnel were already waiting. They immediately began treating Shimotsuki Ushimaru's wounds with skilled and gentle movements.
"The wound is deep but hasn't damaged any internal organs," the lead physician said quietly while continuing to bandage him. "More thorough treatment is needed immediately."
Shimotsuki Ushimaru nodded slightly, his gaze drifting through the window into the distance. Under the moonlight, the outline of the Flower Capital was already faintly visible.
Just as Shimotsuki Ushimaru was heading to the Flower Capital, King had already returned to Kuri.
"Big Brother Kaidou," King said as he landed beside Kaidou.
"You're back, King. Did you get the item?" Kaidou asked him.
"I've got it," King replied, directly taking out the Devil Fruit and handing it to Kaidou.
"Good. Worororororo." Kaidou laughed heartily after receiving the Devil Fruit—another top-tier Devil Fruit had fallen into his hands.
"King, did anything happen along the way?" Kaidou asked as he stored the Devil Fruit away.
"Big Brother Kaidou, I was discovered by Shimotsuki Ushimaru while retrieving the Devil Fruit. We fought, but when others arrived, I left immediately," King reported to Kaidou.
"Is that so? King, it seems you need to go to the Flower Capital. Ensure there are no problems there," Kaidou instructed.
"Yes, Big Brother Kaidou." Without hesitation, King immediately flew off toward the Flower Capital again.
After receiving basic wound treatment, Shimotsuki Ushimaru directly entered the Shogun Palace in the Flower Capital.
"Lord Ushimaru," people along the way greeted him respectfully, noticing his travel-worn appearance.
But Shimotsuki Ushimaru had no mood to respond at that moment and headed straight to where Sukiyaki was.
Soon, Shimotsuki Ushimaru arrived at Sukiyaki's residence.
"Lord Sukiyaki, Shimotsuki Ushimaru requests an audience," Shimotsuki Ushimaru called out directly toward the house.
"It's Ushimaru. Come in quickly," Sukiyaki responded from inside.
"Yes, Lord Sukiyaki." Shimotsuki Ushimaru promptly entered the room.
"Ushimaru, what happened to you?" Sukiyaki asked immediately upon seeing Shimotsuki Ushimaru's still-bleeding wound.
"Lord Sukiyaki, Kaidou's subordinate King went to the graveyard in Ringo and recklessly disturbed the offerings for the deceased. I couldn't stand by and fought him, which is how I got these injuries," Shimotsuki Ushimaru explained.
"Offerings? What were they?" Sukiyaki inquired.
"Lord Sukiyaki, it was a Wizard Fruit that turns people into Wizards. Outsiders generally call it a Devil Fruit," Shimotsuki Ushimaru replied.
"So it was a Devil Fruit. That explains it," Sukiyaki said with sudden understanding.
"Lord Sukiyaki, you knew about this?" Shimotsuki Ushimaru asked.
"Yes, just two days ago, Kaidou had people spread information across various regions that he's purchasing Wizard Fruits. I heard that one Wizard Fruit can be exchanged for at least one hundred Platinum," Sukiyaki stated directly.
Note: In Wano Country's economy, 1 Platinum = 1,000 Gold, 1 Gold = 100 Silver, 1 Silver = 100 Berry. Thus, 1 Platinum = 10 million Berry.
"What? There's such a thing?!" Shimotsuki Ushimaru exclaimed.
"Exactly, so I believe someone informed King about the Wizard Fruit in the northern graveyard, which is why he went to retrieve it," Sukiyaki said.
"Lord Sukiyaki, is it truly wise to allow Kaidou and his group to continue expanding in Wano Country? They've been growing too rapidly lately. I've heard that many people in Kuri have started supporting Kaidou," Shimotsuki Ushimaru addressed Sukiyaki.
"Ushimaru, say no more. Appointing Kaidou as the Kuri Lord was my command, and no one is permitted to defy it," Sukiyaki suddenly spoke sternly.
"Yes, I understand, Lord Sukiyaki," Shimotsuki Ushimaru replied upon hearing this.
"However, you are right—we cannot let them develop like this any further," Sukiyaki considered for a moment.
"Very well, Shimotsuki Ushimaru, secretly arrange for people to collect Wizard Fruits from various regions and deliver them to the Shogun Palace. These may become bargaining chips in future dealings with Kaidou. I will also issue orders to the other regional Daimyos," Sukiyaki stated.
"Yes," Shimotsuki Ushimaru agreed.