In One Piece, I Am the Ultimate Doflamingo

A few days ago. Wano Country. The Flower Capital.

Kikuhime, Denjiro, Kiku, Raizo, Ashura Doji, Kawamatsu, Inuarashi, Nekomamushi, and Kanjuro gathered together, making their way toward Hyogoro's residence.

A slender kunoichi trailed far behind them. "What are Kin'emon and the others planning?"

As Kozuki Oden's nine retainers approached, Hyogoro's men—who had been lounging around—immediately stood at attention, their faces twisting in anger as they blocked the path.

"Don't come near Boss Hyogoro's house! We don't welcome the foolish prince's people here."

The once-determined expressions of the nine retainers darkened.

"Shut your mouth."

Hearing the commotion at the entrance, a towering, broad-shouldered man with flame-like hair emerged. It was Hyogoro of the Flowers.

He glanced at the group. "Come in."

"Thank you, Boss Hyogoro!"

The nine retainers bowed respectfully before stepping inside.

...

Soon, ten people sat cross-legged in the corridor. Hyogoro took a drag from his kiseru, exhaling slowly before asking,

"How is Oden these days?"

As the head of Wano's yakuza, Hyogoro had become a major threat in Kurozumi Orochi's eyes, forcing him into seclusion.

"Oden-sama is still performing that ridiculous dance," Kin'emon said, his face darkening before he steeled his resolve. "Boss Hyogoro, Kaido has left! Only Orochi remains. The country's strength is dwindling by the day. If this continues, Wano will be doomed! Please, lead us in rebellion!"

Bam!

As one, the nine retainers knelt, their heads striking the ground in unison.

"Please, lead us in rebellion! Oden-sama has completely lost his will to fight! If we do nothing, Wano will be lost forever to Orochi and Kaido's tyranny!"

"That's not true!"

The ten men turned toward the corner.

A small figure stepped out—Shinobu—her voice urgent.

"Oden-sama is doing this to free the imprisoned citizens! He made a deal with Orochi and Kaido... this is his way of saving them!"

"What?"

"Oden-sama is enduring such humiliation for our sake, and we had no idea..."

"Masaka... Why didn't he tell us?!"

"Damn it! I actually lost faith in Oden-sama..."

...

The nine retainers were overwhelmed with emotion.

For a long while, the room was silent until Hyogoro finally spoke.

"Enough. Kin'emon, prepare yourselves—I will go see Oden."

...

Kozuki Oden's Estate

Knock, knock!

Kozuki Toki was surprised. Who would come to visit them at this hour?

"Boss Hyogoro, please come in."

As Hyogoro stepped inside, he immediately spotted Oden in the courtyard, drinking alone.

"Little Lord, I've come to see you."

Oden looked up blearily. "Ah... Boss Hyogoro..."

Smack!

"Ow!" Oden clutched his face, tumbling to the ground.

Smack, smack, smack, smack!

A short while later...

Oden and Hyogoro sat drinking sobering tea together.

"Kaido is gone! This might be our last chance!"

...

Oden remained silent. He had, of course, noticed Kaido's departure.

But he couldn't take that risk. What about the hostages?

Just thinking about it gave him a splitting headache.

"Hyogoro..."

"I understand."

Hyogoro stared into Oden's wavering eyes. He had watched Oden grow up—watched him transform from a wild troublemaker into... something far too naive.

But naivety would not solve Wano's problems.

"Oden, do you really think Kaido and Orochi will keep their promise?"

"So... you know."

"Everyone knows..."

Oden let out a bitter laugh. Of course he knew what kind of men they were. Once, he had been the same.

"Oden, look at Ringo and Hakumai!"

Hyogoro's voice grew more agitated.

"Those weapon factories are Kaido's real goal! What flows from them isn't just toxic waste—it's the blood and tears of Wano's people! This country is already on the path to destruction!"

Even in seclusion, information from all over Wano still reached him through the remaining samurai.

"Think of Shimotsuki Ushimaru! Think of Fuugetsu Omusubi, Shimotsuki Yasuie, Amatsuki Tenkou! Where are they now?"

Oden lowered his head, motionless, like a rotting log.

"Kozuki Oden!!"

Seeing Oden's utter indifference, Hyogoro's fury erupted. He kicked him hard, sending him sprawling.

This man—this pathetic husk—wasn't even the reckless Oden of the past. At least back then, he had the guts to defy even his own father!

"Right now, I can gather 5,000 samurai in the Flower Capital alone! In Kuri, Kibi, Udon, Ringo, and Hakumai, another 5,000 would rise if called! That's more than enough to face Orochi and Kaido's men."

"When Kaido returns, you defeat him—and Wano will be restored. The Kozuki Clan will rule once more."

As he watched Hyogoro lose his composure, Oden clenched his fists. He wanted to fight—but what about the hostages in Orochi's castle?

"Forget it. Just leave it be," Oden muttered.

Seeing him like this, Hyogoro turned away and walked toward the courtyard exit.

"Oden, I don't know what you learned overseas, but... "

"The hostages in Orochi's castle are lives. But every second, every minute, people across Wano are dying, too."

"In five days, I will attack Orochi's castle. I will fight, just like the samurai before me, and lead Wano's warriors to overthrow Orochi and Kaido."

This wasn't the first attempt to kill Kaido. Again and again, samurai had gathered, cornered with no other choice, launching desperate attacks.

This time, it was his turn.

...

That Night

Kanjuro moved stealthily through the darkness, carefully avoiding prying eyes as he entered Orochi's castle.

He was a spy.

A Kurozumi.

As Orochi indulged in fine sake, watching a lavish performance, he listened to Kanjuro's report. With each word, his face twisted further in fear.

"What did you say?! Hyogoro is planning an attack on my castle?! When?!"

"They're still gathering their forces, Orochi-sama. We should strike first!"

"No need to panic. Kaido will return soon," murmured Kurozumi Semimaru.

With his Barrier-Barrier Fruit's absolute defense, Orochi felt reassured. He waved a hand dismissively.

"Go. Send word to Onigashima—inform Queen and King."

...

"Huh?! The samurai are planning to attack Onigashima?!"

Upon hearing the report, Queen's eyes bulged, his tongue curling into waves.

"I knew it! Kaido-sama never should've gotten drunk!"

"Keep an eye on Kozuki Oden. The samurai are nothing but weaklings who break at the first strike," King sneered, shifting into his pteranodon form and flying toward Totto Land.

...

At That Moment—Whole Cake Island

Boom!

"Kaido!!!"

Napoleon and Hassaikai clashed violently.

As shockwaves erupted, Perospero and Katakuri exchanged glances, both silently relieved.

Thankfully, they had evacuated their family in time.

Once again, Totto Land's Cake Island would have to be rebuilt.

Far in the distance, a figure wreathed in black flames soared toward them.

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+220 chapters on p@treon/tambeerg