One Piece: Conquering Wanokuni at Start

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"I bet you!"

With a quick, nervous glance, she couldn't help but look at Alex, realizing she was stepping right into the trap. Alex tried to cover his face, hiding the small smile tugging at his lips.

While threats could certainly force someone's hand, the feeling that comes from betting willingly is entirely different. Only when the heart accepts the reasoning behind the action can it achieve long-term stability.

Eliminating Kurozumi Orochi and ridding Wanokuni of Kaido's threat—that was Alex's purpose in coming here. And Kaido had already been dealt with, which made things easier.

Toki felt this was a worthwhile gamble, while Alex saw it as an additional victory in the plan he was already committed to.

"In that case, Lady Toki, please come with me," Alex said, opening the door and stepping outside.

With no other choice, Toki gritted her teeth and followed Alex through the doorway.

"Mother!"

The moment she stepped out, a joyous voice greeted her. A petite figure familiar to Toki rushed forward, throwing herself into her arms.

"Hiyori!"

Toki immediately wrapped her arms around her daughter, scanning her up and down to ensure she was unhurt. Seeing no signs of injury or chains, relief washed over her.

"Mother, I'm okay! Thanks to this big brother Alex, who saved us from the bad guys and let us stay safe here."

Hiyori looked up at the tall figure beside them, her eyes full of gratitude. After all she'd endured—losing family and facing such traumatic events—a savior felt like a miracle.

Hearing this, Toki glanced at Alex, then managed a small, bitter smile as she gently smoothed Hiyori's hair. "Yes, as long as you're safe, that's all that matters."

"Mother, what's this?"

Hiyori noticed the strange handcuffs around her mother's wrists, confusion crossing her face.

"These are to restrain your mother," Alex explained. "She planned to keep you safe here while she left to handle something dangerous, even at great risk to herself."

The outside world was filled with people like Orochi and Kaido—a place no child should have to face alone.

Upon hearing this, Hiyori's face crumpled, tears welling up in her eyes. "What? No, Mom, you can't! Now it's just you and me—I don't want a life without my family!"

In Oden Castle, Alex could still observe Toki's resolve clearly. But now, after hearing about Hiyori's, she couldn't help but cry twice as hard.

"Sorry, I won't do it. I won't leave Hiyori alone," Toki tried to reassure her, his own tears starting to flow as he held her, touched by the moment.

It was a moving sight, yet Alex knew that even if the bet failed, she would still take the risk. She would plant the seeds of rebellion that could bloom over the next twenty years to liberate Wanokuni.

"It's dangerous outside. Please, stay here, Lady Toki. You'll be well looked after," Alex said, giving her a look that showed how serious he was.

As they moved towards the main hall, he didn't linger on the sight of mother and daughter clinging to each other, lost in their sorrow.

"Emily."

At his call, a tall, elegant woman named Emily, dressed in a kimono, appeared at his side.

"Explain to Lilith and the others that their primary task is to look after the two people in that room—especially Toki. Understood?" Alex instructed, brushing a hand against her cheek.

Emily flushed slightly but nodded with firm resolve.

In this vast mansion, it was, of course, not only Lilith and her two companions who served him, but they were the most loyal in Wanokuni—a necessity in times like these.

Though they might be no match for someone as skilled as Toki , their presence was enough to let her know the watchful eye upon her.

As Alex gazed towards the tallest tower in the Flower Capital, the heart of Orochi's City, he knew his focus had to shift. It was time to enact the most crucial, straightforward part of his plan.

Meanwhile, unlike the tense atmosphere outside, inside the Shogun's mansion, a grand banquet filled with opulence was underway. The hall sparkled with extravagant displays, and the mood was lively, fueled by endless rounds of sake.

Kurozumi Orochi, bald and broad-headed with a garish crown, the very picture of a tyrant, was guzzling wine as he enjoyed the dance of the geisha entertaining him.

Around the banquet table, a spread of rich foods and wine enticed Orochi's followers, the sycophants who'd pledged loyalty to him.

"So hehehe, Kozuki Oden is finally taken care of! I'm the true shogun now, and all of Wanokuni lies under my control!" Orochi declared, his laughter slurred with drunken glee.

The sycophants raised their glasses quickly. "Congratulations, Shogun Orochi! From now on, you are the most powerful in all of Wanokuni!"

Orochi, who reveled in flattery, laughed louder. But his smile faltered when his eyes landed on the empty seat beside him. A frown tugged at the corners of his mouth. "Tch, that Kaido… he won't even come to my celebration!"

He grumbled, his drunkenness stirring up frustrations. "He killed my own loyal retainer, Higurashi, all to make sure the Nine Red Scabbards didn't escape, but he couldn't even bring Kozuki Oden here to die at my hand. How frustrating!"

Ordinarily, Orochi wouldn't dare vent about such matters openly.

But surrounded by his most devoted followers, and in his merry state, he felt compelled to unleash his grievances.

"The Nine Red Scabbards have vanished into Kuri; not a trace of them in Wanokuni. Likely, they've fled out of fear of you, Lord Orochi," one of his sycophants offered, careful not to criticize Kaido, a figure no one dared to offend.

"Hmph, if only they'd stayed! I would have had them cooked up to satisfy my appetite," Orochi sneered.

Just then, the Den Den Mushi in his robe suddenly rang.

Surprised, Orochi retrieved the snail, recognizing the markings—it was Kaido's signature Den Den Mushi, rumbling to life with a message.