Chapter 792: Chapter 791: If Oden Were Still Alive, The Assassination Begins
If those rebels can force King and Drake to take action, it means that the Shinsengumi bunch is just a waste of rations, consuming so much resources but of no use whatsoever, and King will clear the excess soldiers in his own way.
In battle, it’s quite reasonable to accidentally slash at the wrong target, and unintentionally hitting allies with unknown AOE effect is unavoidable.
Drake, as usual, teases Kikunojo daily and makes sure to clear all his debts before the New Year, with only one day left before the festival.
Within the Flower Capital, many workers have busied themselves, with festive decorations hung from the eaves, and vendors confirming their stalls. Meanwhile, inside the palace of the Flower Capital, Kozuki Hiyori is also preparing for the New Year festival, though she is not personally interested.
"Lady Hiyori, here is your schedule for tomorrow, please review it."
A minister kneels before her; he is the one responsible for rituals within Wano Kuni, having served from the time of Kozuki Sukiyaki all the way to Kozuki Hiyori’s era. He’s practically a three-generation elder and very long-lived.
The schedule is quite complex, beginning with rituals from dawn, including past generals and the legendary gods of Wano Kuni. After it all, she must receive domestic ministers and deliver a year-end speech.
On the first day of the New Year, these activities must repeat, with the main difference being the year-end speech turning into a New Year’s greeting.
"No need, you handle the arrangements."
"Yes, then I shall take my leave. Take care of your health."
As he departs, several maids bring new clothes inside, but within seconds, the sound of Hiyori’s angry voice erupts.
"Didn’t I say I hate this pattern! Why is it still here!"
Seemingly seeing something that disgusts her, Kozuki Hiyori directly overturns the tray holding the clothes, accompanied by the sound of shattering porcelain.
No one dares to respond to her anger; they merely kneel on the ground until she calms down.
They have become accustomed to it. Over the years, Kozuki Hiyori has grown somewhat irritable, being fine one moment and then suddenly becoming very volatile the next.
Yet she hasn’t lost her reasoning, merely venting on some items.
Arguing would only make her angrier—silence is the best approach.
"Lady Hiyori, please calm down, she’s new, I’ll reprimand her later."
Kikunojo intervened to smooth things over, bringing the matter to a close.
Of the three retainers staying there, Kikunojo, Denjiro, and Kawamatsu have slightly differing thoughts, but they all are compliant toward Kozuki Hiyori.
Denjiro does so because she is Kozuki Oden’s daughter, and solely by virtue of her identity, he chooses to protect her safety, taking all her orders seriously.
This is equally true for Kikunojo and Kawamatsu, though they have more considerations.
Due to personal understanding, Kikunojo sees himself as female, so he can better understand Kozuki Hiyori; a puppet’s life may appear glorious but is not truly easy.
Even if she can travel abroad, and has freedom within the Flower Capital, every major and minor decision must go through King’s approval, which is quite uncomfortable.
As for Kawamatsu, apart from his loyalty to the Kozuki Family, he harbors a sense of guilt.
"Kawamatsu, what’s wrong?"
Seeing Kawamatsu appear somewhat sad, Denjiro cannot help but ask.
"I was thinking, if I had tried harder back then, hadn’t let Lady Hiyori be captured, would everything be different now?"
He was responsible for taking Kozuki Hiyori away, only to be caught when Elizabeth tracked them down. Every time he sees Hiyori unhappy, a sense of guilt arises in him, making him entirely obedient to her.
Even if something goes against his will, he wouldn’t harbor any resentment.
"It’s not your fault; things have unfolded as they have due to Orochi’s machinations..."
"Hmm?"
"That fellow’s lies... although I don’t acknowledge them, I feel even if Lord Oden were alive, seeing Wano Kuni today, he might not be angry.
If it weren’t for Orochi’s lies... perhaps Lord Oden and Hundred Beasts would have gotten along quite well..."
Oden’s goal was to change Wano Kuni, to open the country, and Wano Kuni has achieved all this, having its own foreign trade, residents’ lives continually improving. Though far from full opening, it does not contradict Oden’s goals.
Denjiro has the most flexible mind, seeing and understanding these things, but he cannot accept or is unwilling to acknowledge everything.
"..."
"Nevermind, less than six years remain, let’s trust in Lady Toki’s prophecy, Kawamatsu, pretend I never said all that."
"I understand."
Years of living have given them a tacit understanding, choosing to ignore the recent topic, immersing themselves in the preparation for the New Year festival, though this year’s festival is fated to be unforgettable.
Everything began smoothly: prayers, speeches, parades, but when the crowd started to celebrate, Kozuki Hiyori did not join the festival, rather she moved to several grave sites.
All the blame was cast on Kurozumi Orochi, and Kaidou also acknowledged Kozuki Oden as a formidable opponent, hence he was buried here.
Fourteen years ago, Kaidou and Oden clashed during the New Year festival, so the festival is also Kozuki Oden’s death anniversary, Hiyori’s visit is merely to pay respects to Kozuki Oden.
Previously, only a few of Oden’s retainers and Shinobu would accompany her here, but this year, there’s slightly more people.
Those plotting assassination chose this location finally.
Based on the past actions of Kozuki Hiyori, they analyzed this conclusion—here, the people around her are fewest, making it the perfect moment to strike.
...
Fireworks exploded in the sky, but Denjiro and others had drawn their samurai blades because, alongside the fireworks’ bursts, the Flower Capital lit up with several fires, and nearby the sound of hurried footsteps echoed.
"What are you planning?!"
Denjiro and Kawamatsu shielded Kozuki Hiyori behind them, vigilantly scanning the surroundings.
They had noted an increase in people upon arrival but thought nothing of it, assuming they had come to pay homage to Kozuki Oden too. Yet when they approached armed with weapons and torches, even a fool realized something was wrong.
"We aim to awaken the spirit of rebellion in Wano Kuni."
"And what brings you here?"
"If even the General submits to Hundred Beasts, how would outsiders persist in resistance? We aim to awaken Wano Kuni anew through blood, initiating a transformation! Release the arrows!"
