Chapter 167: Kozuki Hiyori's Transformation!!The night was ink-dark, enveloping the entire Wano Country.However, the Shogun's Palace in the Flower Capital was brightly lit, with lanterns strung together like a golden river of stars, winding around vermilion pillars and upturned eaves, casting a warm glow on the black tiles and white walls.Inside the main hall, the sounds of silk strings and bamboo flutes were incessant.Geishas, dressed in Furisodé embroidered with gold patterns, moved through the hall with delicate steps, their sleeves fluttering like butterfly wings. They plucked the Shamisen, and their graceful songs mingled with the scent of wine, filling the entire room.Orochi was leaning back on the main seat covered with white tiger fur; his luxurious golden kimono made his figure appear even more bloated.The blue robe draped over him was adorned with fresh flowers, yet it could not hide the vulgarity in his expression.He held a translucent jade cup in his hand, and as the sake swirled, his gaze never left the center of the stage.—That figure, whose face was half-hidden by a white folding fan, had long since captured all his attention."Guhehehe... Ko-Murasaki, you truly are beautiful!"Orochi let out his characteristic crazy laugh, his shifty eyes staring intently at the beauty, his gaze so greedy it seemed ready to devour her.He forgot to sip the jade cup in his hand, and the liquor dripped down the rim, wetting his collar without him noticing... Ko-Murasaki, in the center of the stage, was undoubtedly the most dazzling light in the hall.Her emerald-colored long hair was pinned up high with a crimson gold hairpin, and two blooming red camellias were tucked beside her temples. Dangling pearl tassels swayed gently with her breath.She wore a magnificent kimono embroidered all over with peacock patterns.The patterns of peacock tail feathers were woven with gold and silver threads, shimmering with brilliant luster under the light.A vermilion sash was tied around her waist, outlining her graceful and slender figure.Her delicate features seemed meticulously carved by the heavens. Below her willow-leaf eyebrows, her eyes were bright like autumn water, slightly upturned at the corners, carrying a hint of aloof charm;Her vermilion lips were pursed into a graceful curve, mostly hidden by the white folding fan, revealing only her small chin, adding a hazy allure... She merely stood there, neither dancing nor singing, yet she made all the surrounding geishas pale in comparison.The elegance and charm displayed in her every movement were the unique charisma of an Oiran.No wonder Orochi was so obsessed with her!!...Meanwhile, the tables were laden with all sorts of delicacies."May the Shogun Lord enjoy boundless good fortune!""Only the Shogun is worthy of appreciating this song and dance!"Orochi's retainer Fukurokuju, trusted members of the Kurozumi Family, and flattering wealthy merchants sat on both sides, all raising their cups to flatter him."Guhehehe—!"Orochi's crazy laughter exploded in the hall, and his shifty eyes, already narrowed to slits, were now so crinkled in laughter that his pupils were invisible.He waved his arms excitedly, like a child who had received candy, his tone filled with greedy delight:"Ko-Murasaki, Ko-Murasaki, with you here, this banquet truly becomes interesting! Hurry, sing another song for this Shogun!"Just as this extravagant revelry reached its peak,"Bang—"The hall door was violently pushed open, and a cold wind, carrying night dew, instantly rushed in, making the lantern light flicker.A ninja dressed in black combat attire stumbled in, his face beneath the mask deathly pale. He dropped heavily to one knee, clasping his hands in a salute.His body trembled violently from urgency and fear, and his voice was a cracking shout:"R-reporting to the Shogun Lord! Something terrible has happened on... Onigashima!!""—Clang!"The jade cup in Orochi's hand fell to the floor immediately, and the pristine white fragments scattered.The smile on his face instantly froze, his pupils sharply contracted, and the flush of blood caused by wine and desire immediately drained from his cheeks, leaving only extreme terror.His legs gave out, and his obese body slumped onto the Shogun's chair like a pile of mud.His back hit the chair back hard, his chest heaving violently, his eyes filled with unbelievable panic:"W-what?! Onigashima... What could possibly happen on Onigashima?!""Those unrelated, leave immediately!"Fukurokuju's voice, cold as ice, broke the deathly silence in the hall.He suddenly stood up, sweeping his wide sleeve, and his sharp gaze swept across the astonished geishas and wealthy merchants filling the hall.The Oniwabanshu warriors, who had been waiting, immediately stepped forward, holding long swords. The clanking of scabbards sounded in unison. They approached expressionlessly, their tone leaving no room for doubt:"Please leave the premises immediately. No lingering allowed!"The geishas were terrified and pale, hurriedly lifting their skirts and retreating out of the hall with bowed heads.Where there had been graceful singing and the soft padding of dance steps, there was now only the sound of panicked footsteps.The flattering wealthy merchants dared not say more, bowing and retreating with pale faces, not even daring to pick up the fallen wine cups.Ko-Murasaki maintained the composure of an Oiran. She slowly closed her folding fan, holding it before her lips. A subtle glimmer flashed in her emerald eyes... She then followed the crowd, retreating from the main hall with delicate, elegant, and calm steps.The hall doors were closed again, cutting off all external sounds.The hall, which had been filled with song and dance, instantly fell into a heavy, dead silence, broken only by Orochi's ragged breathing and the grim expressions of Fukurokuju and the others.The air was thick with unease, as if a storm was imminent... The night was ink-dark, and the Flower Capital of Wano Country had long since fallen asleep, with only scattered lanterns swaying in the alleyways, casting mottled shadows.A shadowy figure moved like a ghost across the rooftops, their toes lightly touching the tiles, leaving behind barely audible sounds.His figure was agile, running and leaping between the staggered eaves. His garments sliced through the evening wind, like a lone wolf traveling by night, speeding directly toward the Courtesan District.Moments later, he reached his destination. Under the cover of night, he leaped lightly through a wide-open window, landing without a sound."What happened on Onigashima?"A gentle and melodious voice rang out in the room, stripped of the seductive charm of Ko-Murasaki the Oiran, gaining clarity and determination.At this moment, Kozuki Hiyori had removed the gorgeous Furisodé and heavy makeup.She had changed into a simple, light cyan kimono. Her emerald hair was loosely tied up, secured only by a wooden hairpin. Her bangs fell forward, obscuring some of her features, yet making her appear even more fresh and lovely.Her beautiful face held a hint of urgency she couldn't hide, and her fingertips unconsciously gripped the corner of her clothing.Kaido of Onigashima was the biggest obstacle to her overthrowing Orochi's rule and restoring the Kozuki Clan.That island, infested with Beasts, carried the suffering of Wano Country for twenty years.The figure in the shadows slowly stepped out. He was tall and straight, his mask covering most of his face, revealing only a pair of sharp eyes.He said in a deep voice: "Kaido the King of Hell, and that newly promoted Sea Emperor are fighting on Onigashima.""The specific battle situation is unknown, but rumors say the intensity of their fight is comparable to destroying the heavens and earth, and they have already shattered more than half of Onigashima.""Given this situation, they will likely have to conscript people from Wano Country afterward to repair that ruin."His tone carried unconcealed astonishment; clearly, this sudden war between the Four Emperors had also exceeded his expectations."What?"Kozuki Hiyori's pupils suddenly contracted, then immediately brightened, and her eyes burst forth with unbelievable light."Someone actually dared to attack Kaido?!"She was not entirely ignorant of the title of the Newly Promoted Four Emperor.Even though Wano Country had long maintained a policy of isolation, the wealthy merchants who frequented the Shogun's Palace and the correspondence between Orochi and Kaidoallowed her a glimpse of the outside world.It was just that, in her view, the Four Emperors had stood firm for many years.They balanced each other out. Although friction was constant, no one had ever dared to truly tear off the mask and engage in such a devastating, life-or-death battle.That was Kaido, the man known as the "World's Strongest Creature," who couldn't even die by suicide.She had originally thought that overthrowing Orochi and defeating Kaido would require mobilizing all resistance forces and paying with countless amounts of blood to achieve.But she never expected this newly promoted Four Emperor to be so casual and decisive, starting a war with Kaido at the slightest provocation.An indescribable excitement and hope ignited in her heart like a spark,giving her beautiful face a touch of color, and making her eyes grow increasingly determined..."Denjiro, tell me.""—Can we ally ourselves with this New Four Emperor?"Kozuki Hiyori's voice held an uncontrollable tremor, her beautiful face flushed with excitement, and her emerald eyes shone with a brilliance never seen before.It was the ecstasy of suddenly glimpsing dawn amidst despair, the urgency of finally seizing a glimmer of opportunity after twenty years of endurance.She even began to fantasize that if they could use the power of the New Four Emperor, overthrowing the rule of Orochi and Kaido might no longer be an unattainable dream."It's useless."The voice from the shadows was heavy as iron, cold as an ice-tempered blade, stabbing fiercely into Hiyori's chest."I heard that Four Emperor has already left Wano Country!""What's more, the Kozuki Clan is now reduced to remnants. We have neither military strength nor treasure. How can we possibly invite an Emperor who stirs the seas to act?""Buzz—"Hiyori's body trembled violently. The hope that had just ignited was instantly extinguished, as if she had suddenly fallen from scorching sunlight into an ice cellar.She clenched her teeth, her lower lip turning white from biting, and her fingertips were white from clenching, causing wrinkles to form even on the cuff of her simple kimono.Why?Why would the heavens play such a cruel joke on her?She had clearly grown accustomed to the darkness, accustomed to disguising herself and enduring under Orochi's very nose, accustomed to the days of cautious maneuvering and humiliation.But when that light briefly shone, allowing her a glimpse of the possibility of freedom, and then she was forced back to where she started.That long-numbed pain suddenly became so sharp, so acute that she could barely bear it.Crystal tears welled up in her eyes, blurring the Moonlight outside the window.She no longer wanted to force a smile at Orochi.She no longer wanted to wear the Oiran's guise and navigate among wolves.She no longer wanted the people of Wano Countryto continue living in dire suffering... This twenty years of waiting had already exhausted too much of her courage and patience."Princess Hiyori, please do not act rashly."Denjiro knelt on one knee, his eyes beneath the mask firm as iron, his tone conveying earnest dissuasion."According to Lady Toki's prophecy, in two years, Lord Momonosuke will return, leading the Nine Red Scabbards and the Resistance Army!""At that time, they will surely overthrow the tyranny in one fell swoop and open Wano Country's borders!""Please endure a little longer. Victory will ultimately belong to us!"[Prophecy]?Hiyori's gaze suddenly became vacant, as if all her strength had been drained away, and she stood frozen in place.When she was young, she had unwavering faith in her mother's prophecy; it was the spiritual pillar that supported her through countless dark days and nights.For this, she did not hesitate to live under an assumed name, wasting twenty years of her youth.But as she grew older, she suddenly realized that the so-called prophecy had long since become merely her obsession to keep living.If the prophecy ultimately could not be realized, if that so-called "two years later" was just a mirage... would she still have the confidence to walk on alone?What meaning did everything she had held onto still hold?Time slowly passed in silence. The Moonlightoutside the window streamed through the lattice, spilling onto Hiyori's slender figure, casting a long, lonely silhouette.After a long while, she slowly exhaled, and the heaving of her chest gradually subsided.When she looked up again, the confusion and vulnerability in her eyes had vanished, replaced by an unprecedented determination.It was the resolve of burning one's boats, the clear-headedness of no longer relying on others."Denjiro," her voice was calm but carried undeniable strength,"I need you to immediately mobilize all intelligence networks and investigate everything about that New Four Emperor."His route, his companions, his style of action—do not overlook even the most minute detail.""Princess?!"Denjiro's eyes widened suddenly, and his body trembled.He keenly sensed that Princess Hiyori at this moment was completely different from the restrained and enduring person she usually was.Her eyes held no hesitation, no dependence; only the sharp edge of proactive action remained.She was like a winter plum quietly blooming in the dark night, finally revealing the proud spirit hidden beneath its softness.Meeting Hiyori's iron-firm gaze, the doubts in Denjiro's heart instantly vanished.He nodded heavily, gritted his teeth, and spoke with powerful conviction:"Yes, Princess Hiyori! Your subordinate will see to it immediately!"As his voice fell, Denjiro's figure flashed like a ghost, silently leaping out the window and disappearing into the deep night.Hiyori took small steps toward the window and raised her hand to push open the window pane.The evening breeze brushed her face, bringing the coolness of night dew, stirring the stray hairs by her ear.She looked up at the bright moon in the sky. The pure Moonlight spilled onto her beautiful face,and her emerald eyes sparkled with brilliant luster, reflecting the river of stars across the sky.She whispered softly, her voice light, yet every word was firm:"I... no longer want to merely wait.""Thank you for making me realize this."A faint yet relieved smile curved her lips, and her eyes held a hint of gratitude and longing,"I remember, your name seems to be... Luffy, right?"That was a name she had accidentally overheard during casual conversation in the Shogun's Palace.