PIRATES: I WORK IN NAVY FROM NINE TO FIVE

"People… They're everywhere… What the hell is going on?!"

On the castle wall, Orochi's expression contorted in an instant.His fingers gripped the railing tightly as his eyes scanned the scene unfolding below.

So many figures—more than he could ever have anticipated.

He had thought Ashura Doji's eight hundred warriors were already the full extent of this so-called rebellion.But now, those expectations had been completely overturned.

Everyone present, even Kyoshiro and Kozuki Hiyori, stood frozen in place.If they weren't witnessing it with their own eyes, they wouldn't have believed it:

Wano could still muster such strength?

But there was no time to dwell.

Ashura Doji charged in on a massive ox, leapt from its back, and landed with a thunderous crash before the castle gates.

Looking up at Orochi with fire in his eyes, he roared:

"Head Mountain Bandit Leader Shutenmaru, Red Scabbard Ashura Doji—800 warriors reporting for the opening of Wano's borders!"

His voice was like thunder splitting the skies.

At once, the eight hundred warriors behind him stepped forward in unison and bellowed in response:

"参上!"(We have arrived!)

The word echoed across the heavens like a war drum, snapping everyone from their stupor.

And this, it seemed, was only the beginning.

From every direction, more figures charged in, fast approaching from the far corners of the city.

Then—

"ROAR!!"

A deafening bestial cry shattered the air.

Hundreds of Mink Tribe warriors dropped from the skies like lightning strikes.

Landing side by side were the two kings of the Minks:

"Day King of the Minks, Red Scabbard Inuarashi—500 Mink warriors reporting for the opening of Wano's borders!"

"Night King of the Minks, Red Scabbard Nekomamushi—500 Mink warriors reporting for the opening of Wano's borders!"

Their thunderous declarations shook the ground.

Towering Mink warriors formed ranks like iron towers.

The crowd—already stirred—was now in complete shock.

They had hoped for something when Ashura Doji appeared.

But no one expected two more Red Scabbards, bringing with them 1,000 warriors from the Mink Tribe!

It was unthinkable.

And yet… the storm was still building.

From yet more directions, unfamiliar but commanding voices rang out—

"Wano's Flower Capital—Hyogoro the Flower, leading 1,000 former Udon prisoners, has arrived to open the country!"

"Wano's Rabbit Bowl—Blood-Script Daizen, leading 500 clan warriors, has arrived to open the country!"

"Wano's Hakumai—Kangoro of Broken Hats, leading 500 clan warriors, has arrived to open the country!"

"Wano's Ringo—Lady Aide of Yūgao, leading 500 clan warriors, has arrived to open the country!"

"Wano's Kibi—Snake-Eyed Yatabei, leading 500 clan warriors, has arrived to open the country!"

The plaza below the gates grew darker and denser by the second, filled with the black tide of armor and steel.

So many of the names being shouted—once believed lost to history—sent tremors through the hearts of those present.

And then came the name that nearly broke the crowd:

Hyogoro the Flower—also known as the Godfather of the Underworld, Wano's legendary gangster-swordsman.

Long thought dead for over twenty years…

He now stood alive, leading 1,000 freed prisoners from Udon, with the four great yakuza bosses of Wano by his side.

What had begun as Ashura Doji and 800 men—was now a swelling army of 5,000 strong.

The momentum became overwhelming.

Hope, once a flickering ember, now burned brightly in thousands of hearts.

Then, a new voice joined the chorus—

"And I, Red Scabbard Kawamatsu the Kappa, lead 500 summoned warriors to join the opening of the country!"

His numbers were modest, but the moment another Red Scabbard emerged, the atmosphere boiled over.

For twenty years, people had resisted the Beast Pirates and Orochi in small, broken pockets.

The only truly notable rebellion had been ten years ago, when three daimyō joined forces—only to be crushed.

Now, four Red Scabbards had returned.

They were joined by the underground kings, the Mink Tribe, and samurai from all across Wano.

Over 5,000 warriors stood ready under one banner.

For the first time in two decades… the country's walls began to crack.

Civilians and destitute samurai who had gathered to watch now found their blood boiling with something deeper—

A desire to stand and fight.

Meanwhile, atop the castle walls, Orochi—who had planned to enjoy a spectacle—was slowly unraveling.

His expression twisted hideously as he locked eyes with Hyogoro.

"BASTARDS!! You… this is outrageous!!"

"Red Scabbards? Yakuza bosses? How the hell was Udon breached without me knowing?!"

His voice broke into manic screams.

"You think this little ragtag force means anything?! Don't forget—the shogun of Wano is me!"

"I command 12,000 elite warriors! And behind me stands the Beast Pirates!"

"Even if you somehow win today, when Kaido returns—he'll wipe you all out!"

"Tell me, who else do you have?! Who gave you the balls to rebel like this?!"

Orochi's deranged shrieks echoed across the battlefield.

The surge of hope that had just risen in the hearts of many suddenly wavered.

The name Kaido still held crushing weight.

The Red Scabbards were powerful. The army now had numbers. The yakuza were feared and respected.

But Kaido…

Even Oden had died trying to defeat him.

If Kaido came back… would all of this be reduced to ashes again?

Would Orochi's head simply be replaced by another puppet?

The inferno of passion that had begun to rise now began to smother under the weight of fear.

Even Kozuki Hiyori and Kyoshiro stood stiff, their expressions frozen.

Now they truly understood what Luo Yu meant.

Wano doesn't just need courage or unity…

It needs a true monster to stand against the Beast.