PIRATES: I WORK IN NAVY FROM NINE TO FIVE

"What backup did Kaido leave behind?"

Orochi froze for a split second.Then his face darkened ominously, and he grabbed Hiyori's wrist, smiling with a twisted grin.

Kyoshiro's expression tensed.

He hadn't expected Hiyori to ask something so reckless.

If Orochi picked up even a sliver of suspicion, everything they'd plotted for years—every ounce of patience and preparation—would unravel in a moment.

Kyoshiro's fingers drifted toward his sword.The polished edge flashed coldly in the sunlight, sending a chill through the guards around them.

He remembered the vow he and Hiyori had made years ago.

If her cover as Komurasaki was ever blown, he would strike her down without hesitation—fake her death and help her escape.

"Orochi-sama," Kyoshiro said flatly, narrowing his eyes,"As the one who personally recommended Komurasaki to your side…If her words have offended you, I'll cut her down myself."

Gasps erupted.

In all of Wano, the courtesan Komurasaki was a living goddess.Even Orochi and Queen had once been ensnared by her charm.

But if anyone in this land could utter such a sentence and mean it—It was Kyoshiro.

"N-No, Kyoshiro, you're taking this too seriously!"Orochi barked a laugh and quickly let go of Hiyori's wrist.

"Komurasaki is my favorite—how could I possibly kill her?"

He smiled grotesquely, clearly trying to act composed.

"I brought her with me today so she wouldn't worry about Kaido's departure."

"Don't forget, I am the Shogun of Wano. I command over twenty thousand samurai!"

"I still have the Oniwabanshu, and of course, Kyoshiro—you."

"Besides, Kaido left me with reinforcements. I'm eager to see those Kozuki remnants crawl out of hiding so I can crush them once and for all."

He laughed again, the kind that made skin crawl.

"Relax, Komurasaki. I'm still the Shogun, after all—ha ha ha!"

With that, he slipped back into his palanquin and disappeared from view.

Hiyori opened her mouth, wanting to say more.But Kyoshiro gave a small shake of his head.

She swallowed her words and bowed her head in silence.

"Kyoshiro-sama, may I… take a walk nearby?"She asked softly.

Kyoshiro hesitated for a moment, then nodded.

"Alright. But don't stray far. If anything happens, call for me."

Hiyori blinked in surprise.

Usually, he refused such requests outright.But this time, he granted it.

Grateful for the brief moment of freedom, she offered a rare smile, turned her horse, and galloped away toward the grasslands.

The guards, seeing Kyoshiro's nod, didn't dare stop her.

Within moments, she had ridden several miles away.

But just as the wind cooled against her skin, a scream pierced the air.

"Otama—get back!!"

Far ahead, a man in tall wooden clogs and a tengu mask leapt in front of a small girl, shielding her from danger.

Suddenly—

WHOOSH! WHOOSH! WHOOSH!

Several black shadows descended from the sky with killing intent.

SPLAT!

Blood sprayed across the grass like crimson fireworks.

The man and girl were thrown through the air, rolling violently before slamming into a boulder several meters away.

Hiyori's face went white with shock.

She recognized them—of course she did.

That masked man was Tenguyama Hitetsu, the famed swordsmith.

And the girl…

Otama?!

The same child Kaido had inexplicably marked as a high-level threat.

Hiyori didn't know why the Beasts Pirates feared her, but she understood one thing:The enemy of my enemy… is my ally.

If Otama posed a danger to Kaido, then in the coming war to open Wano, she could become a critical weapon.

Which meant—she had to be saved.

Just as Hiyori tightened her grip on the reins, prepared to charge—

Dozens of figures dropped from the treetops, surrounding the area in an instant.

All clad in the distinct uniforms of the Oniwabanshu.

At their head stood none other than Daikoku, Orochi's most loyal enforcer.

Hiyori's heart sank.

If it were one or two foes, she might risk revealing herself.But dozens?

Alone, she would die before reaching them.

Daikoku's eyes fell on her.His face briefly froze in surprise, then twisted into a wolfish grin.

"Well, well, Lady Komurasaki!Weren't you with Lord Orochi, sending off the Beasts Pirates?"

"How strange… for you to be out here all alone.That must mean Lord Orochi is nearby too, yes?"

"Perfect timing. We just found the fugitives he ordered captured."

He turned toward the wounded pair, smiling like a butcher at a slaughterhouse.

"Heh. Thought you could run?"

"I told you before—there's no escape."

"But I'll give you a choice. Surrender quietly, and you might leave alive.Resist, and we'll send your bodies back instead."

"Oh—and don't bother screaming.Out here, no one will save you."

Tenguyama Hitetsu staggered to his feet, pulling Otama behind him.

He was pale, bleeding, but his grip on his blade was firm.

Damn it… I thought with Kaido gone, we'd finally have a moment to breathe…

He glanced at the girl beside him.

If he were alone, he might still escape.But with Otama… there was no time.

We're trapped.

A deadly silence gripped the grassy field.

Hiyori clenched the reins so hard her knuckles turned white.

Do I abandon everything and save them now? Reveal myself to Orochi… throw away the years of work?

Before she could decide—

A new shadow stepped onto the field.

Calm. Steady.A lone figure walking slowly toward the scene like a traveler on a quiet path.

The Oniwabanshu turned instantly, weapons drawn.

Daikoku narrowed his eyes.

"Who's there? Identify yourself!"

But even before the figure spoke, a chilling pressure crept into the air.

The wind stilled.

The grass seemed to flatten beneath unseen weight.

Hiyori's eyes widened.

Even from this distance…

She could feel it.

That's… no ordinary man.

And deep in her heart, she dared to hope—

Could it be… him?

The tides in Wano had just shifted.

And death was about to follow.