Chapter 35: The Storm Before Dawn
Kai cut through the night sky like a streak of gold, his wings blazing faintly against the dark clouds. The winds howled around him as Wano's mountains slowly came into view, their silhouettes sharp and unwelcoming. His eyes were calm, but beneath that calm, anticipation burned fiercely.
When he reached the hidden house nestled within the mountains, he landed silently. The air was still, yet heavy with the feeling that something massive was about to unfold. Without wasting time, he pushed the door open and stepped inside.
Inside, Toki and Hiyori were seated together, speaking softly. Both turned the moment Kai entered, their expressions shifting from calm to attentive.
"Well," Kai said with a grin, "it's time we take back Wano."
Toki didn't hesitate. She nodded immediately, her eyes steady. Hiyori, however, stiffened slightly, the weight of those words clearly settling on her shoulders.
Kai stepped forward, his tone sharpening. "Hiyori and Kawamatsu will go with Ushimaru and the other samurai. You'll take care of Kurozumi Orochi and secure the Flower Capital."
He paused for a moment before continuing.
"Me and Toki… we'll deal with the Beast Pirates."
Hiyori blinked in surprise. "Just the two of you? Will that really be enough?"
Kai and Toki exchanged a glance—then both smirked.
"It won't be a big deal," Kai replied casually. "Besides… there's already someone waiting for me."
A certain white-haired girl flashed through his mind, and his grin widened.
"With three of us," he added, "the Beast Pirates won't be a problem."
Hiyori looked between them, still worried, but eventually nodded.
That night, Kai lay down to rest. His body had been pushed constantly over the past weeks, and now the power of Harald was still settling within him. The fusion wasn't complete yet—but once it was, the war would begin.
Meanwhile, Toki stepped outside into the darkness.
Her body dissolved into a swarm of bats, scattering into the night sky like shadows given life. The swarm moved swiftly, cutting through the air toward the hidden base of the remaining samurai.
Deep within a concealed cavern, warriors stood gathered—silent, waiting.
The swarm of bats entered through narrow cracks in the rock, swirling together before merging into Toki's form. The moment she appeared, every samurai dropped to one knee.
Ushimaru lowered his head. "Lady Toki."
"Rise," Toki commanded calmly.
They obeyed instantly.
"Send the message," she continued, her voice unwavering. "At dawn tomorrow, the war to reclaim Wano begins."
A ripple of tension spread through the room.
"All samurai will follow Princess Hiyori," she said, "and launch an assault on the Shogun's castle. Orochi must fall. Udon must be reclaimed. The Beast Pirates must be broken."
Her eyes gleamed faintly.
"This ends tomorrow."
For a moment, silence filled the chamber.
Then—
"For Wano!"
"For Princess Hiyori!"
"For Lady Toki!"
The cave erupted with roars of determination.
Ushimaru bowed deeply. "It will be done."
Messengers departed immediately, vanishing into the night to spread the call of war across Wano.
—
Inside Onigashima's grand hall, the atmosphere was far more relaxed.
Kaido sat with a massive jug of sake in hand, his laughter echoing through the chamber. King stood nearby, his expression as unreadable as ever.
"Lord Kaido," King reported, "the remaining samurai are mobilizing. There are large movements among the hidden factions."
Kaido took a long swig before bursting into laughter.
"Wororororo! The rats are gathering? Good!"
He slammed the jug down, eyes gleaming with excitement.
"Let them come. We'll crush them all at once."
Yet even as he laughed, something nagged at him.
His grin slowly faltered.
"…Why hasn't my stupid daughter challenged me this week?"
King remained silent.
It was unusual. Normally, Yamato would storm in every few days, swinging her kanabo and declaring she would defeat him and liberate Wano.
Kaido frowned deeply.
"I even offered her the position of Shogun," he muttered. "And she refused."
He took another drink, irritation rising.
"She says she wants to go to sea… then why fight me for Wano?"
He paused, remembering her answer.
"If I become Shogun, how will I go out to sea?" Yamato said in matter of fact tone.
Kaido stared blankly for a moment.
"…What kind of logic is that?"
He drank again—then laughed, then growled, then laughed again.
King sighed quietly.
Inside her room, Yamato slept peacefully, completely unaware of Kaido's Confusion.
—
In the Flower Capital, tension was far less amusing.
Kurozumi Orochi slammed his hand against the armrest of his throne.
"What is that damned Kaido doing?!" he screeched. "Why aren't the Beast Pirates crushing those samurai already?!"
The ninja before him trembled.
"They are gathering in large numbers, my lord. It seems… they are preparing for war."
Orochi's face twisted with fear and rage.
"No… no, this can't be happening…"
His voice dropped into a whisper.
"They wouldn't dare…"
—
Far away, in the Calm Belt, on Rusukaina, the atmosphere was entirely different.
A powerful kick echoed through the jungle.
A massive beast was sent flying, crashing through trees as if they were nothing.
At the center of the clearing stood a young woman—tall, graceful, and terrifying.
Boa Hancock lowered her leg slowly, her expression calm.
A giant gorilla roared and hurled a tree toward her.
"Slave Bullet."
A heart-shaped projectile struck the tree midair, petrifying it instantly. Her next kick shattered it into countless fragments.
Around her, beasts—gorilla, crocodile, tiger—stood quietly, completely subdued.
"Sister," Boa Sandersonia called out, "it's already night. Are you done training?"
Boa Marigold followed behind her. "We have a raid tomorrow morning!"
"You training-obsessed girl!" Gloriosa shouted, clearly irritated. "You are the Empress of Kuja now! Your first raid is important!"
Hancock turned toward them, flicking her long black hair back.
Her beauty struck instantly.
All three froze—then blushed.
Gloriosa snapped out of it with visible effort.
"You girl! How will the Kuja react if their Empress is late on her first raid?"
Hancock placed a hand on her hip.
"They will forgive me," she said calmly.
A faint, confident smile formed on her lips.
"After all… I am beautiful."
Her white-and-red serpent shifted, coiling beneath her so she could sit. Around her, even the wild beasts bowed their heads.
Gloriosa gulped.
Sandersonia and Marigold stared in admiration.
Across the sea, the storm that would shake the world was about to begin. A Empress was about to leave on her first journy.