After leaving Kaido, Yamato made her way to Maria's quarters.
"Maria, Haruko, the main event is about to start. Get ready to watch the live broadcast," Yamato said as she sat down, skillfully lighting a cigarette.
"Back so soon? You must have bickered with Lord Kaido again," Maria said with a knowing smile.
Yamato shrugged. "I only said one sentence."
"So, Young Master, you got kicked out by Lord Kaido after just one sentence?" Haruko chuckled.
"That happens all the time. I'm used to it," Yamato replied, appearing completely indifferent.
Maria and Haruko exchanged a glance and smiled. They quickly set up a video Transponder Snail, preparing to watch the unfolding situation in the Flower Capital in real-time.
Flower Capital.
Two days passed quickly. In the open space below the capital, a large area had been fenced off for the public spectacle. Samurai under Orochi's command stood guard around the perimeter, preventing anyone from getting close. In addition to the local guards, X Drake and Basil Hawkins had brought hundreds of men from the Beasts Pirates to reinforce the security.
In the middle of the arena sat a massive iron pot. The oil inside was already boiling, sending thick plumes of white smoke into the air. At the head of the venue stood Orochi, his eyes filled with a sinister glee, flanked by the elite Oniwabanshu.
A massive crowd had already gathered around the site.
"Gentlemen, after twenty years, the execution by boiling has returned! Can you guess who this one is for?" Orochi asked, clearly satisfied with the turnout.
At his signal, a group of samurai dragged a prisoner forward. The man had curly pink hair and was shockingly thin. It was none other than Ashura Doji, one of the Nine Red Scabbards.
"Could it be... is that Ashura Doji? One of the vassals who served Kozuki Oden?"
The older citizens in the crowd recognized him immediately, while the younger generation watched with confused curiosity.
"Some of you remember him, don't you? That's right, he's one of the so-called Nine Red Scabbards. I didn't expect him to still be alive, but it's perfect. This way, I can personally send him to see his master using the exact same method Oden died by," Orochi laughed wildly.
In the crowd, several hidden figures felt their blood turn to ice. Killing intent began to permeate the air.
"It's time. The oil is boiling. Begin the execution! Do it!" Orochi waved his hand impatiently.
His men dragged Ashura Doji onto the wooden plank suspended over the pot. A wave of intense heat hit the prisoner.
"Is this the end? I'm so unwilling... to die in such a humiliating way," Ashura Doji thought, closing his eyes. He still had a vengeance to satisfy.
"Everyone, watch! Watch how Oden's stubborn cronies die! So what if they lived twenty more years? In the end, they still have to die!" Orochi shouted.
Orochi knew there were many in Wano waiting for the Red Scabbards to return and reclaim the country. He wanted to destroy that last spark of hope. Today it was one of the Scabbards; next, it would be the others, and finally, Kozuki Momonosuke.
"Attack!"
A loud shout rang out, blades flashed through the air, and smoke bombs blanketed the entire venue.
"Enemies! Protect the Shogun!"
The venue fell into chaos. While the ordinary citizens panicked, Orochi's guards remained steady.
"Ninjutsu: Storm Technique!"
The Oniwabanshu used their techniques to blow away the smoke instantly. As the air cleared, figures charged in from all directions.
"Damn it, they really came! Kill them all!" Orochi ordered.
"Save Ashura first, then kill Orochi!" Kin'emon shouted, his face partially hidden by a headscarf.
The alliance followed their pre-arranged plan. One group focused on the rescue, while the rest charged directly toward the Shogun. The arena transformed into a battlefield as Orochi's men and the Beasts Pirates clashed with the Straw Hat and Heart Pirate alliance.
"Damn bastards, they actually want my life!" Orochi's face twisted in rage.
"Rest assured, Your Highness. With the Oniwabanshu here, the thieves will never reach you," Fukurokuju said.
Onigashima.
The events in the Flower Capital were being projected clearly by the Transponder Snail.
"Oh ho, they're fighting, they're fighting," Yamato said, watching with the detachment of someone at the theater. "By the way, why do they wear those face masks? Do they really think that hides their identity? It looks so stupid."
"It is a bit silly, but they likely do it for the psychological benefit," Maria suggested.
"Wouldn't a real mask be better? Are they missing a screw in their heads?" Haruko asked, unable to grasp the logic.
On the screen, the scene was chaotic. The alliance was fighting fiercely against Orochi's guards and the crews led by Drake and Hawkins.
"That must be Trafalgar Law. He's wearing a hat; is he trying to hide his face too?" Yamato laughed. "Doesn't he know the Beasts Pirates already know exactly who he is? He met my idiot father just the other day."
"And that's Straw Hat. He didn't even try to disguise himself; he just put on some samurai clothes," Maria noted, pointing to the figure in red.
"Everything is developing just as you predicted, Yamato. The Nine Red Scabbards, the Straw Hat Pirates, and the Heart Pirates have joined forces. Orochi is doomed," Maria said.
"Once Orochi dies, it will be the Beasts Pirates' turn. Young Master, are we going to attack next?" Haruko asked.
"Of course. Wano is our territory. They've made a mess on our turf; we can't just turn a blind eye," Yamato smiled. "I want to see if they can survive the onslaught of an actual army. The Beasts Pirates have over twenty thousand men; it would be a waste not to use them. I won't give them time to slowly plan a direct strike on the Governor-General."
Yamato narrowed her eyes. "If a country wants to be rebuilt, it has to go through blood and fire. I'm going to return this mess to them in a more explosive way. That way, they will cherish their victory more."
"Yamato, you are actually quite kind to the people here. Even now, you're considering their future," Maria smiled.
"This place is my home, too. If I have to leave the stage, I want to walk out upright. Maybe one day I'll want to come back and visit," Yamato said.
On the screen, Orochi's forces were dwindling.
"Drake, our men can't hold them. Today is the day Orochi dies," Hawkins said, looking at his cards. He had divined a death omen for the Shogun.
"Then let's retreat. The battle has gone on this long and no one has come to support us. There's no reason for us to die here," Drake agreed. The two Supernovas took their remaining men and fled the scene.
"Those cowards! They abandoned us!" Orochi screamed.
He was now surrounded. Denjiro, still disguised as Kyoshiro, appeared and engaged Kanjuro in a fierce duel.
"Kanjuro, I never expected you to be the mole," Denjiro said coldly.
"There is many a thing you don't know. If it weren't for outside help, you never would have found me out," Kanjuro replied with a sneer.
"Enough talk! I'll take your head for Lord Oden!" Denjiro roared.
"You really think you can open Wano? Momonosuke is a coward and a crybaby. You're counting on a joke of a leader," Kanjuro mocked.
Kiku and Kawamatsu joined Denjiro, and the three began to overwhelm the traitor. Meanwhile, with the help of Luffy and Law, the Oniwabanshu were swept aside, leaving Orochi defenseless.
"Orochi!" Kin'emon glared at the Shogun.
"How dare you! I am the Shogun! You rebellious subjects, are you trying to revolt?" Orochi trembled, his bravado failing him.
"Revolt? You are the one who revolted when you stole this country from the Kozuki! Now, give it back," Kin'emon said.
"Finish it, Kin'emon! Before Kaido shows up!" Law shouted.
"Orochi, today you die!" Kin'emon raised his blade.
"Stop!" Orochi screamed as his body shifted into a massive eight-headed serpent.
"A Mythical Zoan!" Law noted.
"Slash!"
Kin'emon's blade, wreathed in flames, tore through the air. All eight heads of the serpent were severed in a single, fluid strike. Orochi let out one final, unwilling roar before his body reverted to a headless human corpse.
Orochi was dead.
"Lord Oden! Do you see this? We have finally beheaded the usurper!" Kin'emon cried, tears streaming down his face.
Nearby, Kanjuro fell under the blades of Denjiro and Kiku. The Kurozumi bloodline had finally perished.