After a brief discussion, Darius ordered two officers to stay behind, entrusting them with the task of guarding the prisoners.
With everything arranged, the Marine force—now reduced to 2,000 troops—set out once more. Although their numbers were smaller, their morale had never been higher.
After all, their commander was none other than Monkey D. Luffy.
The Flower Capital, Shogun Castle
Kozuki Sukiyaki, seated on an ornate dais within the grand hall of the castle, remained oblivious to the fact that his entire frontline army had been decimated. Instead, his irritation was focused on another matter.
"What?! Hyogoro and the local Yakuza bosses refuse to come and pay their respects to me?" he bellowed, slamming a clenched fist onto the armrest of his throne. "Bastards! What do they mean by this? Do they think so little of their Shogun?"
Standing beside him, a young woman with flowing emerald hair, delicate features, and a graceful figure hurriedly stepped forward. Her calm demeanor contrasted sharply with Sukiyaki's fury.
"Grandfather, please don't let this upset you. Let's hear what Denjiro has to say first," she said gently, placing a soothing hand on his shoulder.
At her words, Sukiyaki's fiery temper subsided slightly. He cast a glance at Denjiro, who knelt at the base of the platform, his forehead nearly touching the floor.
After a moment's hesitation, Sukiyaki begrudgingly nodded, allowing Denjiro to speak.
"Sukiyaki-den, Hiyori-den," Denjiro began, his tone respectful but measured, "according to information we've gathered, Lord Hyogoro has been living in quiet solitude since his release from the Marine. He seems intent on retiring and no longer wishes to involve himself in either the underworld or political affairs."
Sukiyaki's brow furrowed deeply, dissatisfaction evident in his expression. Yet, he reluctantly accepted this explanation.
"And what about the other Yakuza bosses? Are they also planning to retire?" he demanded.
"This..." Denjiro hesitated, glancing briefly at Kozuki Hiyori, who sat elegantly beside her grandfather. The two had worked together for years, and Hiyori immediately understood his unspoken concerns.
"It's alright, Denjiro," Hiyori assured him with a soft smile. "Just tell us the truth. Grandfather won't blame you."
Encouraged by Hiyori's words and Sukiyaki's reluctant nod of approval, Denjiro organized his thoughts before continuing:
"The Yakuza bosses across Wano seem deeply dissatisfied with the Shogun's actions against the Marine. They claim that the Marine has provided significant aid to civilians throughout the country, and even their own underworld factions have benefited greatly.
While they cannot control the actions of others, they refuse to lead their men against the Marine, who they see as benefactors to Wano. They claim to have their own code of honor and morals."
As Denjiro finished, he bowed his head even lower, bracing for Sukiyaki's inevitable outburst.
True to form, Sukiyaki's face turned an alarming shade of purple, his fury boiling over. He leaped from his seat, overturning the low table before him with a loud crash.
"Traitors! How dare they defy me?!" he roared, pacing back and forth like a caged beast.
Just as Sukiyaki prepared to unleash his wrath further, a samurai burst into the hall, disregarding all protocol. The man dropped to his knees, his face pale and drenched in sweat.
"Shogun, terrible news! Lord Gankuro's army has been defeated. The enemy is advancing toward the Flower Capital!"
"Nani?!"
Sukiyaki froze in place, his rage momentarily replaced by sheer disbelief. Denjiro and Hiyori, too, were stunned into silence.
Sukiyaki's shock quickly gave way to paranoia. Without a shred of restraint, he lashed out, delivering a brutal kick to the messenger's chest.
"Liar! Who sent you to spread such falsehoods?" he bellowed. "How could my army of samurai be defeated by mere Marines? Have you been bribed by outsiders to spread lies and demoralize my troops?"
The messenger writhed on the floor, gasping for air, but he managed to stammer a response. "Shogun, I swear... I speak the truth..."
But Sukiyaki's fury was unrelenting. He unsheathed the sword at his waist, the blade glinting ominously in the lamplight.
"I'll deal with you myself for your insolence!" Sukiyaki snarled, raising the sword to strike.
Denjiro reacted quickly, rushing forward to restrain him. Wrapping his arms around Sukiyaki, he pleaded urgently: "Shogun, please! Calm yourself! This is not the time to act impulsively. If the enemy truly approaches, we must summon the retainers and formulate a plan."
Hiyori joined Denjiro, her voice steady and soothing as she took Sukiyaki's trembling hand. "Grandfather, Denjiro is right. Please summon the lords immediately. We need their counsel to protect Wano."
It took considerable effort, but the two eventually succeeded in calming Sukiyaki enough to lower his sword. His breathing was labored, and his eyes remained filled with unyielding rage.
"Damn those Marines... this Shogun will not let them go unpunished," Sukiyaki growled, his voice laced with venom.
He turned to Denjiro. "Summon the retainers at once. We will devise a strategy to crush them."
Then, his gaze softened slightly as he looked at Hiyori. "Hiyori, return to your chambers and stay there. Do not leave, no matter what happens."
Without waiting for her reply, Sukiyaki handed her a short wakizashi, its blade gleaming with an unsettling finality.
Hiyori knelt before him, accepting the blade with both hands. Her expression was calm and resolute as she bowed deeply.
"Grandfather," she said, her voice firm, "as a daughter of the Kozuki family, I will never bring dishonor to the legacy of our ancestors."
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