Chapter 1 The Dragons Curacity and the Voice of Mist
The Oden Castle burned in flames as Toki declared her last words. From the back of the castle, a kappa-like Fishman jumped into the river with a 5–6-year-old girl in his arms.
"Lady Hiyori, don't worry. I will protect you."
The girl didn't respond. Her eyes were lost. Her mother had sent her brother into the future with her father's retainers.
While she was left with Kawamatsu to survive in a land where everyone hated her father, and it was ruled by her father's enemies.
In her innocent heart, she only repeated one question—"why?"
Why had her mother left her to survive in this land? And her brother was sent into the future? Why was her brother the future of Wano? Was it because he was a boy while she was a girl?
The Fishman, one of the Akazaya and a retainer of Oden, Kawamatsu, ran while holding Hiyori in his arms towards the forest.
Soon, snow began to fall as the temperature began to drop. Their breaths became visible in the cold, as a thick fog covered the forest.
Kawamatsu stopped, gripping his sword in one hand. "Show yourself!" he shouted, as the fog and snow weren't natural.
---
Hiyori was still questioning everything when a calm voice echoed through the forest, carried by the wind.
"Why must a cowardly boy be the future of Wano? Instead of a brave girl who didn't even cry or show any fear in front of Kaido?"
The words pierced straight into Hiyori's heart.
Kawamatsu looked around, his Observation Haki covering a large area but not detecting anyone. "Stop speaking nonsense and show yourself!" Kawamatsu shouted.
"On one side is a brave girl with a strong spirit. On the other is a cowardly boy who fears everything, is a pervert—so why must the boy be the future while the brave girl stays just a shadow?"
The words kept coming, all landing in Hiyori's heart.
"Why?" she questioned aloud.
"Do not listen to those words, Lady Hiyori!" Kawamatsu shouted, but his words were completely ignored by Hiyori.
She walked forward, asking again, "Why?"
Kawamatsu tried to reach her, but the wind became a barrier, sending him flying back.
As the fog completely surrounded the area, Hiyori stood alone, looking into the fog without fear, just seeking answers.
"Because no one believes in you. They think because you are a woman, you can't grow stronger. No one believes a girl like you can become the future of Wano. Not the people of Wano, not your father, mother, the Akazaya—even the enemies of your father, no one believes it."
Hiyori gritted her teeth, tears forming in her eyes. "Just because I'm a girl? Why? If I had been a bo—"
"Do you also believe that?"
Hiyori froze.
"Do you also believe that as a girl, you can't become the future of Wano?" the voice repeated.
"Can a girl like me become the future?" Hiyori asked in confusion.
"Do you want to protect the land of Wano?"
"Yes, I do."
"Are you ready to fight the Dragon who defeated your father? Are you prepared to risk your life? Are you ready to pick a sword and fight?"
"Yes, I am!" Hiyori shouted.
Just then, wind blades came cutting across her cheeks as blood started flowing. Hiyori touched her cheeks. Her hands trembled.
"Then prove it. Walk forward. But be prepared—every step you take will cost you. Every step will cause you pain. And if you want, you can stop at any time," the voice said.
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Outside the forest, Kawamatsu coughed up blood as he stared at the towering man standing before him.
"Why are you here?" he asked struggling to stand up.
"Wororororo… you see, my brat was hell-bent on coming here. Who would have thought I would meet a girl with that kind of spirit? If only that cowardly brat had 1% of her spirit," Kaido laughed, drinking from his massive gourd.
Kawamatsu drew his sword. "I will protect Lady—"
Kaido swung his Hassaikai, sending Kawamatsu flying as he coughed up blood.
"Well, it's the first time that brat has asked for something for himself. So stay out of kids' matters."
Kaido looked toward the fog.
"Now even I'm interested in where this is going… Wororororo." Kaido laughed with interest.