Chapter 112: A Samurai’s Conviction
"Ah, crap. Twilight Pirates! Everyone, retreat! Retreat!!"
George's casual warning echoed across the battlefield. The Twilight Pirates and their subordinates, turning to see what had caused his sudden outburst, paled and fled in unison. The Big Mom Pirates and the Beasts Pirates, initially confused, followed suit.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Giant boulders rained down from the sky.
Boulders larger than even giants plummeted towards them. Ordinary humans wouldn't stand a chance.
The retreating pirates screamed.
"Are you trying to kill us?!"
"Stop it, George-san!!"
"Sorry, sorry. Here comes another one!"
"You monster!?"
Even Katakuri and the other executives had retreated, realizing they couldn't focus on their opponents while dealing with the falling rocks.
"What the hell is that…? I thought George wasn't a Devil Fruit user!"
"It's been years since we've had a large-scale battle. It wouldn't be surprising if he acquired a Devil Fruit… And that ability…"
It was the power to manipulate objects, likely the Fuwa Fuwa no Mi.
The Big Mom Pirates had an extensive intelligence network. After Shiki's defeat, they had searched for any information about the Fuwa Fuwa no Mi, but nothing had surfaced.
Kanata had defeated Shiki, and one of her executives had acquired the fruit – It wasn't a coincidence.
"…Maybe the Twilight Pirates have a way to extract Devil Fruits from their users."
"What? Is that even possible?"
"It's just a guess. But one of their executives has an ability similar to the Fuwa Fuwa no Mi."
Katakuri didn't believe it was a coincidence.
He glared at the man who was relentlessly dropping boulders like meteorites. They had to deal with him before they could even approach the Twilight Pirates… He suddenly felt a chill and looked down.
Kuro, shrouded in darkness, was spreading his power silently.
"Crap, they noticed me."
He stuck out his tongue playfully, like a child caught in mischief, and accelerated the spread of his darkness.
Katakuri, sensing the danger, shouted.
"Don't just look up! Watch out for the darkness below! You'll be swallowed if you touch it!!"
"It's not that simple… But…"
– The difference is only a matter of time.
By the time Kuro finished speaking, the darkness had already enveloped the feet of the Big Mom Pirates, including their Homies.
"I'm going to eat you all – Black Hole!!"
Homies were dragged into the darkness below, vanishing without a trace.
Many had escaped thanks to Katakuri's warning, but not all of them were so lucky.
As long as they didn't touch it, it wasn't a problem. But once they were caught, there was no escape. They would be pulled into the darkness by infinite gravity, and left to rot.
It didn't matter how many grunts they had. Kuro would devour them all.
"He's the most troublesome one – Take him down first!"
Kuro was the reason the Big Mom Pirates had suffered such a devastating defeat during their previous raid. They had no intention of letting him escape this time.
Naturally, the Twilight Pirates wouldn't allow it.
"Get back! You're just in the way after you've cleaned up!"
"Aye aye! Then I'll get out of here!!"
Kuro turned and fled as Junshi and the others stepped forward, blocking the approaching Big Mom Pirates.
Katakuri, leading the charge, attacked, along with Daifuku, Oven, Amande, and many other siblings. The Twilight Pirates executives met them head-on.
Only Katakuri and Cracker had chosen to fight one-on-one. The other Big Mom Pirates formed pairs to maintain a numerical advantage as the battle began.
However, the Twilight Pirates executives wouldn't be overwhelmed so easily.
"Hyaah!"
A Haki-clad fist slammed down. It was a simple attack, but the force behind it could easily crush both allies and enemies.
The battlefield erupted in chaos as they dodged the attack. They decided to focus on Feiyun and formed a united front against her.
"We need to deal with that giant, or she'll destroy everything! Any ideas?!"
"Ideas…?"
Feiyun was ten times larger than an ordinary giant. Even the Numbers, twice the size of ordinary giants, were dwarfed by her. They couldn't fight her head-on.
The only possibility was Cracker, who could create an army of biscuit soldiers, but he was currently occupied with other Twilight Pirates executives.
Perospero clicked his tongue, then, thinking he might be able to restrain her with his ability, wrapped candy around Feiyun's leg.
"…It's not working!!"
It shattered the moment she moved.
He couldn't even bind her properly. Covering her entire leg with candy would take time, and her next attack was approaching.
"Whoa–!!"
He narrowly dodged her massive fist, then turned to Queen and King, who had arrived. "Do you have any way to stop her?!"
The Beasts Pirates had the Numbers. If they could restrain her, even for a few seconds, Perospero could use his ability to restrict her movements.
King and Queen exchanged glances, then nodded.
King headed towards the fallen Numbers.
Queen approached Perospero.
"Hey, Perospero! I'll explain the plan!"
"Do you have a solution?!"
"We have these guys called Numbers! They're not as big as that giant, but they're bigger than ordinary giants! They can hold her back!!"
Once she was restrained, it was Perospero's turn. However, it would take time to awaken the fallen Numbers.
That's where Queen came in.
"King's going to wake up the Numbers! We have to keep her attention focused on us and buy time! Got it?!"
"Yes, I understand, Perorin♪ We should be able to manage for a while."
Perospero and Queen used their combined power to distract Feiyun, buying time.
It sounded simple, but Perospero doubted it would work.
The Big Mom Pirates' strength lay in their numbers. There was no reason not to utilize it.
"Opera! Help us!!"
"Okay, fa!"
Charlotte Opera, the fifth son of the Charlotte Family. He was the user of the Kuri Kuri no Mi – the Cream-Cream Fruit, a Paramecia-type Devil Fruit.
Cream flowed from his body, spreading towards Feiyun's feet. The moment it touched her, it ignited, burning her.
While it wasn't ideal to use his ability near Perospero because the heat would melt the candy, they needed his power to keep Feiyun focused on King.
"How do you like it, fa! The sweet power of cream, fa!!"
"Get out of my way!"
"Gyaaa!!"
Feiyun stomped her foot, scattering the cream, sending burning globs flying towards Opera.
The wind pressure and the tremors from the impact made it difficult to even stand, and Opera, hit in the face by the burning cream, cried out in pain.
He was quickly pulled back to avoid further injury, and Perospero stepped forward. He poured candy over the extinguished cream, attempting to restrain Feiyun's leg, but… despite his efforts, the candy shattered when she moved.
Queen, seeing this, couldn't help but complain.
"You idiot, Perospero! The Numbers won't be able to stop her like that, you bastard!"
"Don't rap! It's annoying!!"
Perospero snapped at Queen's criticism. They narrowly dodged her descending fist.
"Haa… Haa…! Damn it, where's King?!"
"Even if he gets here, it won't work like that, Perospero! You're too soft!"
"Then what should I do?!"
"You're not using your ability properly!"
Queen raised his leg to explain.
"Listen, restraining a human's leg isn't about solidifying the whole thing. It would take forever to do that with someone her size!"
"I know that! I'm asking you what I should do–"
"Harden the joints!!"
Just like a human leg, joints were essential for movement.
If they hardened each joint – her toes, ankles, knees – they could stop her, even with her massive size.
Once her legs were immobilized, they could simply attack from a distance.
"I see…"
"We've bought enough time. Get ready to use your full power!"
The Numbers were starting to stir. King had done his job.
Feiyun was trying to crush Queen and Perospero, who were scurrying around her feet. She hadn't noticed the Numbers approaching from behind.
Perospero prepared himself, and the Numbers attacked from behind.
"Jukikikiki!!"
"Hachachacha!!"
Two of them, Juki and Hacha, grabbed her legs, preventing her from moving. Another, Goki, swung his massive club.
Feiyun, struggling to move, blocked the attack with her arm, then punched Goki in the face with a Haki-clad fist.
In that opening, Perospero used his ability, his candy began wrapping around Feiyun's joints.
"Alright!! Now, let's beat her down!!"
The Numbers rushed towards Feiyun, whose legs were now immobilized.
She glanced at the candy hardening around her joints, then took a deep breath.
"Laaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!"
Her deafening roar forced everyone to cover their ears.
Perospero, Queen, even Juki and Hacha, who were desperately clinging to her legs – they all instinctively covered their ears, which disrupted their balance.
In that instant, Feiyun smashed the candy with her foot, freeing herself, then grabbed Juki and Hacha, tossing them aside.
"Guh…! Damn it, we almost had her…! Then I'll harden your joints again!!"
He had figured out how to use his ability. He would immobilize her legs before she could move again.
The candy flowed towards her feet, about to engulf them – and vanished the moment it touched the ground.
"Huh?"
"What?"
Perospero and Queen stared blankly, stunned.
The giant had vanished. They couldn't comprehend it.
They followed her movements and saw her towering over them.
"With that massive body–"
"How is she so fast?!"
Every combat member of the Twilight Pirates, without exception, underwent rigorous training. Feiyun was no different.
She possessed both Armament and Observation Haki, and she had also mastered the Six Powers.
"You're in the way. Disappear."
She was determined to finish them this time.
Their surprise, their momentary lapse in thought – it was a fatal mistake against someone like Feiyun.
She reinforced her massive fist with Haki, slamming it into the ground, creating a giant fissure.
– Queen and Perospero were down.
***
The Big Mom Pirates' arrival had been a boon to the Beasts Pirates and the samurai.
However, the overwhelming difference in numbers was quickly being overturned by the arrival of Kuro and Feiyun.
The Oniwabanshu and the samurai, exhausted but determined, continued to fight alongside the Beasts Pirates.
"Damn it… Those samurai serving the shogun are strong…!"
Izo, tasked with leading the Oniwabanshu and the samurai, fought alongside the Twilight Pirates at the front lines. He would occasionally look towards Kanata.
He wanted to fight Kaido, the one who had killed Oden. That was his reason for being here. He couldn't shake the thought, but he couldn't abandon his duty either.
Just then.
"Gotcha!"
He reacted too slowly to the blade approaching from behind and would have sustained a deep wound – but in that instant, a massive figure, towering over him, intercepted the attack.
"I saw you from afar and thought it might be you! Long time no see, Izo!!"
"Ashura Doji!"
They stood back to back, whispering.
"Are you here to avenge Oden-sama?"
"Yes. I've even enlisted the help of pirates from overseas."
"Pirates…"
Ashura Doji frowned, seemingly troubled.
But it wasn't the time for such thoughts. "Are your skills still sharp?" he asked, raising his voice.
"Who do you think you're talking to?! I've learned many things overseas, but I haven't forgotten how to fight!"
"Then let's go! I'll cover your back, Izo!!"
He charged into battle, cutting down samurai one after another.
Izo, wielding a pistol in one hand, covered Ashura Doji's blind spots, occasionally firing shots to stop enemies, creating openings for Ashura Doji to strike.
They had served the same lord. They understood each other's movements without a word.
"By the way, where are the other retainers?"
"I don't know! I'm trying to gather our scattered comrades!"
They took a moment to catch their breath, standing back to back, exchanging information.
Ashura Doji had been living in hiding, clinging to the words Toki had left behind, believing that his comrades would return in 20 years.
"20 years? Did she really say that?"
"Those were Toki-sama's words. I have no choice but to believe them."
"The moon knows not of the dawn, my friend. If you so wish, your determination shall cast nine shadows on the moonlit night for twenty years – and you shall become the one who knows the dazzling dawn."
Ashura Doji hadn't seen the other retainers.
On the night Oden was executed, he and Denjiro had stayed behind to buy time for their comrades to escape. Denjiro had disappeared, and Ashura Doji was now gathering their remaining comrades alone.
"…I see."
"Don't pity me. This is the path I chose. I decided to believe in Toki-sama and fight for the 20 years until Kin'emon and the others return."
But now, he no longer had to wait.
Someone was trying to defeat Kaido. He felt a sense of satisfaction seeing Kaido being beaten, but he wondered who it was… He approached the battlefield and found Izo.
"Do you know who's fighting?"
"It's Kanata-dono."
"Kanata… That merchant who didn't get along with Oden-sama?!"
They had constantly bickered, and she was known as the shogun's assassin in Wano.
Oden had told them that she wasn't the culprit, but the truth was unclear.
Ashura Doji himself didn't know her well, but if Izo was with her, then she could be trusted.
"…Can she defeat Kaido?"
"Perhaps… but she's being interrupted."
Izo knew how strong Linlin was. They had clashed several times during his time with the Roger Pirates. Her strength, both as a crew and as an individual, was exceptional.
However, in a head-on battle, Kanata had the advantage. Assuming it was one-on-one.
"Even Kanata-dono will struggle against both Kaido and Big Mom."
"If Izo and I can restrain Kaido…"
"Are you confident you can restrain him?"
Ashura Doji fell silent.
Kaido was truly strong. Even with Izo and him working together, it would be difficult to restrain Kaido, who had defeated Oden.
If they had a few more people… He thought about it, but those capable of fighting Kaido were currently occupied with the executives of the Beasts Pirates and the Big Mom Pirates.
"If only we had one more… one of our comrades…"
Kin'emon, Kanjuro, Kiku, and Raizo had traveled to the future with Momonosuke.
Denjiro, Kawamatsu, Inuarashi, Nekomamushi… If any of them were here, they could buy time against Kaido.
Kaido was wounded, beaten half to death by Kanata, but…
Izo, however, disagreed.
"It's best to avoid Kanata-dono now. We'll only get caught in the crossfire."
"But! She can't win like this, can she?!"
"Even so! If we interfere, she won't be able to fight at full strength…!"
Izo knew how strong Kanata was.
She was stronger than Kaido, at least on par with Linlin. However, together, those two could potentially overpower her.
Interfering would only hinder Kanata. Her strength was beyond his comprehension.
***
"Yasuie-dono! You're safe!"
"Kawamatsu?! Is that… a child…?"
"This is Hiyori-sama. I rescued her from the burning castle that night."
"I see… It's a blessing she survived."
"And who is that…? Your daughter?"
"Yes. I thought it would be dangerous for her to stay in Hakumai… But now, there's no safe place left in Wano."
A short distance from the battlefield.
Kawamatsu, carrying Hiyori, had encountered Yasuie, who was accompanied by his daughter and a few surviving samurai.
Kawamatsu had been hoping to find Izo and approached the battlefield, but he couldn't risk bringing Hiyori into the heart of the conflict… He was pondering his options when he noticed Yasuie.
"You're concerned about the battle as well, Yasuie-sama?"
"Yes. I was wondering who was foolish enough to challenge Kaido and Orochi… And to think it was Kanata-dono."
They could see Kaido's massive frame being sent flying from afar.
It was difficult to determine who he was fighting from this distance, but they recognized Feiyun's gigantic form.
Kanata had no obligation to save Wano. She must have her own reasons. Even so, if she defeated Kaido and Orochi, Yasuie would pray to the devil himself in gratitude.
Orochi's reign had to end.
Oden had fallen, and Orochi was ruining Wano. The daimyos had risen up in rebellion, believing that.
However…
"We were defeated by Kaido… We're nothing but cowards, forced to flee."
"Don't say that! You're all heroes for choosing to fight!"
Most of the daimyos had fallen before Kaido.
Yasuie had barely escaped, and he was now wondering what he could do.
If Kanata defeated Kaido – the sun would rise over Wano once again.
"I wish we could help Kanata-dono… but we're powerless."
"I see. Hiyori-sama…"
Hiyori, the daughter Oden had entrusted to Toki.
Kawamatsu shouldn't leave her side.
They were close to the battlefield. Anything could happen.
"Leave Hiyori-sama to me, Kawamatsu."
"Yasuie-sama?"
"Izo is here, and Kanata-dono is fighting Kaido. If they win, Hiyori-sama will no longer have to live in hiding… Don't you think so?"
"But…"
"Kawamatsu!! Think about what's important!! If we miss this opportunity to defeat Kaido, there might not be another chance!!"
Kawamatsu, struggling with his emotions, bowed deeply to Hiyori.
"Hiyori-sama! Forgive me… I'm going to fight alongside Izo! I'm abandoning the duty Toki-sama entrusted to me, the duty to protect you… Please forgive me!"
"Kawamatsu…"
Hiyori looked at Kawamatsu with concern, then made her decision.
"I'll be alright. So please, help Izo."
"My lady… Thank you!"
He bowed to Hiyori again, then turned to Yasuie.
"Yasuie-dono… Please take care of my lady."
"Leave it to me. Though we're nothing but defeated soldiers… You come back safe as well."
"I will. I have a duty to protect Hiyori-sama."
Kawamatsu, wielding his sword, Soto Muso, ran towards the battlefield.
To fight alongside his returned comrade, to defeat Kaido.
Dark clouds gathered overhead, an ominous sign, but… Yasuie believed in Kawamatsu.
Hiyori watched him go, then, noticing the snowflakes landing on her nose, looked up.
"…Snow?"
– A sudden blizzard, out of season, was approaching the Flower Capital.