As Sukiyaki watched his granddaughter kneeling before him, a cold glint flashed in his eyes.
"It had better be so," he said icily before turning away and striding out of the room with Denjiro.
Hiyori remained on the floor, her posture unwavering until the sound of their footsteps faded completely. Only then did she lift her head, her expression filled with sorrow.
"The reputation of the Kozuki family..." she murmured, clutching the dagger in her hand tightly.
Memories flooded her mind—of her parents' untimely deaths and her brother's disappearance. With the help of loyal retainers, she had wandered the land for years, barely surviving. Later, under Denjiro's arrangement, she had been forced to disguise herself as a courtesan in the red-light district to stay alive.
In those dark days, Hiyori had long felt she had shamed the Kozuki name. Yet, she had clung to the lofty ideals of restoring the Kozuki family and fulfilling her mother's prophecy, deceiving herself into believing it was all for a greater purpose.
Her grandfather's disdain for her was no secret, and his cold words over the past few days had only deepened her sense of isolation. As she gazed up at the clear sky, a single tear slipped down her cheek.
"Mother," she whispered, "Wano Country hasn't followed the path you foresaw. The evil dragon that darkened our skies wasn't slain by the samurai of the Kozuki family who returned after 20 years. Instead, it was driven out by the foreign Marine."
She sighed deeply, her voice trembling as she continued, "Though the Kozuki family reclaimed the throne, it wasn't my father or brother who achieved it. It was Grandfather, long thought dead and buried in the annals of history. And now, after only a few days as a princess, I haven't even adjusted to this new identity, yet the enemy is already at our gates. The Kozuki reign may end before it truly begins."
Hiyori looked down at the wakizashi in her hands. For a moment, she hesitated, then closed her eyes and cast the blade aside.
"I'm sorry, Grandfather," she said softly, her voice breaking. "I'm a coward. I don't have the courage to die for the Kozuki family."
Meanwhile, the retainers of the Kozuki family, summoned urgently by Sukiyaki, hurried to the castle tower. Upon their arrival, they found the shogun pacing anxiously, his hands clasped behind his back.
Sukiyaki wasted no time with formalities. As soon as the retainers knelt in their places, he bluntly explained the dire situation.
The retainers, initially confused by the unexpected summons, were left reeling after hearing Sukiyaki's account. Whispers broke out almost immediately, growing louder with each passing moment.
"This must be a joke! Lord Gankuro led over 2,000 Samurai. How could they have been defeated so quickly?"
"Exactly! His Highness told us these outsiders were weak. If they're so feeble, how could they destroy our forces so easily? Are the Samurai of Wano truly so pathetic now?"
"Damn it! I knew we shouldn't have provoked those butchers. They were peaceful before—why stir up trouble for no reason?"
"Shut up! You were the one shouting the loudest for war when Lord Gankuro set out!"
"Baka! What did you say? Say it again, I dare you!"
"I said you're a pig! Don't like it? Too bad!"
The arguments grew heated, and the retainers began shoving each other, some nearly coming to blows. The once-loyal court of Kozuki Sukiyaki devolved into chaos.
Denjiro, watching this disgraceful display, clenched his fists in frustration. His face twisted with contempt as he thought, Serving alongside these fools is the greatest humiliation of my life—and the greatest shame of the Kozuki family.
"Enough, you bastards!" he roared, his voice cutting through the commotion like a blade.
The retainers fell silent, startled by Denjiro's uncharacteristic outburst.
"The Shogun is present, and the enemy is at our gates!" Denjiro continued angrily. "As retainers of the Kozuki family, you disgrace yourselves by squabbling like children. Instead of devising a strategy to repel the invaders, you undermine His Highness's dignity with your shameful behavior!"
His words struck a nerve, and the retainers lowered their heads in embarrassment.
Satisfied that order had been restored, Denjiro turned to Sukiyaki and knelt before him.
"Your Highness," he said, his tone measured but resolute, "our top priority must be to defend the Flower Capital and prevent the enemy from breaching the city walls.
Although I can only muster an army of 500 Samurai, the gentlemen present are wealthy and influential. If they pool their resources and recruit from among the city's able-bodied, we could assemble a force numbering in the thousands.
With such a force, we can hold the capital until reinforcements arrive. However, to coordinate the defense effectively, I humbly request that Your Highness grant me authority to oversee the city's troops and issue proclamations throughout Wano."
Sukiyaki stared at Denjiro, his emotions swirling. After a moment, his eyes reddened with emotion.
"Look at this man!" Sukiyaki exclaimed, addressing the retainers. "This is a true samurai of the Kozuki family—loyal, wise, and unshaken in the face of danger. With subordinates like Denjiro, how could I ever doubt our cause?"
Turning back to Denjiro, Sukiyaki nodded firmly. "Very well. I place my trust in you, Denjiro. The defense of the Flower Capital is in your hands."
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