New World, Wano Country
In the region of Kuri, under the cloak of night, stood a dilapidated shrine. Led by Shinobu, the man once known as Kuri's strongest monster and leader of the mountain bandits, Ashura Doji, arrived at the desolate location.
"Alright, Shinobu, why'd you drag all the way out here?" Ashura asked, his voice rough. "I almost didn't recognize you when I first saw you."
Shinobu, whose once-renowned beauty had given way to a plumper form, lowered her head with a troubled expression. "You'll understand soon enough, Shutenmaru. As for my appearance... I've just been so worried about Hiyori-hi that it's affected my appetite."
The two ascended the stone steps. Shinobu pulled open the shrine's weathered door, revealing a small figure seated under the faint glow of a single lamp. Ashura frowned, unable to recognize the person at all. But then, a familiar voice spoke, and a shiver ran through his entire body.
"Shutenmaru, are you ready to die for Her Highness?"
Ashura's expression hardened instantly. His body trembled slightly as he stepped inside the shrine. "Yasuie-sama... You're still alive..."
Shimotsuki Yasuie, hearing his na, slowly turned. When Ashura saw his face, his eyes widened in understanding. Yasuie was no longer the proud Daimyo he once was; his features were altered, his deanor foolish and comical.
"So... that's how it is," Ashura murmured, his voice thick with emotion. "You've worked so hard all these years, enduring so much humiliation."
Yasuie, who had survived by adopting the persona of the jester Tonoyasu, had tears welling in his eyes. "No... it's all been worth it. Perhaps Oden-sama allowed to live this long for this very mont." He looked directly at Ashura, his gaze sharp and clear. "You understand why I had Shinobu bring you here, don't you?"
Ashura knelt on one knee. "It's for Hiyori-hi and Denjiro, isn't it?"
"That's right," Yasuie confird. "And you must also realize this is a trap set for us by Kaido and Orochi."
"Of course, I do," Ashura declared, his voice filled with conviction. "But we're her retainers! How can we just stand by and watch our lord's daughter die? How can we abandon a friend?"
"I heard you were planning to join the Beasts Pirates," Yasuie noted.
"I am. It's the only way we'd have any chance of getting into Onigashima to rescue them."
"Mm," Yasuie nodded, then his tone beca stern. "But your strength alone won't be enough. Even if you made it inside Onigashima, I'm afraid you wouldn't be able to save them by yourself."
Ashura knew he was right. He had been preparing to go to his death. But now, with Shimotsuki Yasuie before him, a spark of hope ignited within him.
"Please, Yasuie-sensei, tell what to do!"
"To save Hiyori-hi and Denjiro, we have to walk into this trap, even knowing what it is," Yasuie said, his voice firm. "But we must gather the strength of more people. I need you to do a few things for . First, I've located Hyogoro and Kawamatsu at the Udon Prisoner Quarry!"
"What?" Ashura's eyes lit up. "That's incredible! With Hyogoro-sensei and Kawamatsu on our side, we can rally many samurai to our cause."
"Exactly, but there's a problem. They're both imprisoned and guarded heavily by the Beasts Pirates. They're bound in heavy shackles. I need you to find the keys and free them."
"I understand. I'll rescue them, no matter what it takes."
"Good. Act quickly, because we don't have much ti. According to the information I've gathered, Kaido has indeed left Wano Country and is still in the first half of the Grand Line. It will take him at least half a month to get back. This is our last chance. If we wait for him to return..."
Ashura understood the gravity of the situation. "I won't fail."
"One more thing," Yasuie continued. "I want you to try and contact Nekomamushi and Inuarashi. If you can, it would be even better to get a ssage to Izo. With the power of the Whitebeard Pirates behind us, even Kaido would have to think twice."
"Orochi has blockaded all of Wano's ports, but I'll find a way."
"As for ," Yasuie concluded, "I'll spend the next few days secretly contacting all the samurai who still resist Orochi and Kaido. Our success or failure rests on this single attempt." He let out a long sigh, a flicker of weariness in his eyes. "Only two years left. If we can just get through this, we will surely see the dawn that Lady Toki prophesied: 'Like the moon, you are ignorant of the dawn. If there is one wish that may be fulfilled, it is in twenty years of moonlit nights, that nine shadows shall be cast. Then you shall know the brilliance of the dawn.'"
A profound sense of hope and determination filled the small shrine, binding the three of them together in their desperate cause.
Holy Land, Mary Geoise
Bang!
The sound of a fist slamming against a desk echoed through the office. Fleet Admiral Sengoku glared at the intelligence report spread before him. "What in the world is that monster Kaido plotting?"
The docunts detailed Kaido's movents. Five days ago, he'd appeared at Thriller Bark, crushed Gecko Moriah, and abducted two of his crewmates. The sheer force of his Conqueror's Haki had blown away the perpetual darkness of the Florian Triangle, freeing every shadow Moriah had stolen. Those freed sailors and pirates had quickly spread the word: Kaido of the Beasts was on the move.
It had been fifteen days since the Yonko left the New World. In that short ti, his actions had thrown the first half of the Grand Line—known as Paradise—into utter chaos. First, the discovery of the legendary City of Gold, then a eting with Doflamingo, and now this assault on Moriah. Each incident was a major headline on its own.
But the ripple effects were even more terrifying. The pirates in Paradise were buzzing with excitent, energized by the presence of a living legend. Every rookie with a dream wanted a glimpse of a Yonko. anwhile, the Marines stationed across Paradise were paralyzed with fear. Following orders from Marineford, they were on lockdown, too afraid to patrol lest they run into Kaido himself. This power vacuum was giving every petty pirate free rein, and the pressure on Marine forces was mounting.
This was just what Kaido was doing openly. What he was planning in the shadows was anyone's guess. One thing was certain: Kaido, one of the Four Emperors of the New World, captain of the Beasts Pirates, and the "World's Strongest Creature," hadn't co to Paradise for a vacation. He had a major, unknown plan that threatened the stability of the seas.
The identities of the crew mbers he took from Moriah offered a small clue. The girl, Perona, seed insignificant. But the doctor, Hogback, was a renowned genius surgeon and the mastermind behind Moriah's zombie army. What could Kaido possibly want with him?
Sengoku knew there was only one person who might have so insight, and he was on the other side of the wall. With a heavy sigh, Sengoku stood and walked out of his office. The bright sunlight of Mary Geoise did little to lift his mood. He soon arrived at a large, circular conference room where several powerful figures were already gathered.
This was the ergency eting of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, convened by Marineford in response to the recent defeat of Sir Crocodile...
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