Chapter 263 Betrayal and Hostage
Long ago—
Kurozumi Orochi, who plotted to steal Wano Country, planted an Undercover Agent beside the man he considered foolish, Kozuki Oden.
This Undercover Agent, like Orochi, was a Remnant of the Kurozumi Family. His family had been persecuted during the Kozuki Family's purge in Wano Country, and he had been utterly despondent at the time.
However, he gained Orochi's favor and sold his body and soul to Orochi. He had been secretly passing News to Orochi all along, and he always managed to provide him with substantial Intelligence in a timely manner.
Just like now.
Through the Intelligence painstakingly left behind by the Undercover Agent, Orochi grasped the movements of Momonosuke and his group, and also knew that Oden Castle was almost completely defenseless at this time.
Naturally.
The Oniwabanshu, who had surrendered to Orochi, based on the Intelligence left by the Undercover Agent Kanjuro, led their Ninja and easily arrived before Toki, Momonosuke, and Kozuki Hiyori under the moonlight.
Madam Toki, who was completely unprepared, became flustered when she saw the Oniwabanshu arriving with a large group.
However, her maternal instinct still made her shield her two children behind her.
Even Madam Toki was panicked facing the sudden appearance of the Enemy, let alone Momonosuke, whose mental fortitude was not great. At this moment, looking at the Oniwabanshu exuding murderous intent, he was already weak in the Whole Body and about to collapse to the Ground.
"Older Brother…"
Hiyori timely grabbed Momonosuke's Arm, preventing Momonosuke from embarrassing himself in front of the Oniwabanshu and others.
"Oniwabanshu, have you guys forgotten your Declaration of Loyalty to the Kozuki Family!? Do you guys intend to kill your Monarch!?"
Amatsuki Toki, standing in front of Hiyori and Momonosuke, said sternly as she looked at the Oniwabanshu before her.
Obviously, from Kozuki Oden's Words, Madam Toki naturally knew the relationship between the Oniwabanshu and the Kozuki Family, the Shogun of Wano Country.
Even when Kozuki Oden saw the Oniwabanshu beside Orochi after returning to the country, he still couldn't believe that these People would Betray the Kozuki Family.
Moreover, why would the Oniwabanshu under Orochi know their hiding place?
It should be known that when Oden Castle was built, the People who knew about this Secret location were very few.
Amidst her panic, Amatsuki Toki vaguely sensed something, and at the same time became even more worried about Kozuki Oden, who was far away in the Flower Capital.
"Gee haha…"
Raijin looked at Amatsuki Toki and let out a Taunt laugh.
"Why do you laugh?"
Amatsuki Toki coldly questioned.
"Hahaha, isn't this worth laughing at? Whether it was Kozuki Sukiyaki or Kozuki Oden, these leaders of the Kozuki Family, when did they ever treat us Oniwabanshu as Retainer? In their Eyes, we were just Sharp Blade used to eliminate dissidents. The previous Oniwabanshu disappeared after completing the cleanup of the Kurozumi Family.
Don't tell us that the Kozuki Family let them retire peacefully. That kind of Words can't even fool a three-year-old."
Fujin on the Side also said with a sneer.
"We were once Loyal to Kozuki Oden, but at that time, he never valued us at all. Even Sukiyaki was wary of us. If Sukiyaki had truly treated us as Retainer back then, with the Existence of the Oniwabanshu, how could Kurozumi Orochi have succeeded in seizing power?"
Jigoku Benten, with her purple hair in a bun, a Skeleton head ornament, and wearing a light blue Kimono, gently wiped the Biwa in her hand and said coldly.
"…"
Amatsuki Toki gritted her teeth and remained in Silence. Obviously, she also knew that these were just excuses these guys were making for their Betrayal.
Hiyori supported Momonosuke with her hand by his Side. Even though her Body was trembling non-stop from Fear, a look of strength appeared on her Face.
Extremely afraid, after seeing Momonosuke's even more pathetic Manner beside her, she could only make herself stronger, after all, she couldn't let People underestimate the Kozuki Bloodline.
Such a discordant Manner, in this dangerous situation, revealed a hint of bitterness.
Momonosuke also huddled close to Hiyori, his small Body trembling rapidly due to Fear.
Without any Samurai protecting them at their Side, facing the Oniwabanshu under Orochi, they had no Power of Resistance at all.
There was nothing more Despair-inducing than this situation.
Even because of excessive Despair, a Puddle of Water had already appeared under Momonosuke, or rather, he had peed himself from fright.
"Gee hahaha, is this the Heir of the next generation of the Kozuki Family? Facing this situation, he actually peed himself from fright??"
When they noticed Momonosuke's situation, the Oniwabanshu and a group of Ninja who had defected to Orochi laughed even more wildly and unrestrainedly.
Because the more pathetic the next Family head of the Kozuki Family was, the more it proved how wise their choice was.
Facing this situation, Amatsuki Toki barely remained calm, her Right Hand quietly hidden inside her Kimono, looking up at the Oniwabanshu who were laughing wildly.
The Oniwabanshu Gaze at Amatsuki Toki, gradually restrained their Laughter.
They had thought Amatsuki Toki would be instantly paralyzed with fright, but they didn't expect her to be so calm, and for a moment, they lost interest.
However—
"Hah!"
The tall and sturdy Daikoku suddenly shouted loudly at Momonosuke.
Thump!
Momonosuke collapsed to his Buttocks on the Ground, staring blankly at the expressionless Weapon in front of him, like a Zombie.
Indescribable Despair was constantly bombarding his thoughts, causing him to almost collapse.
But his throat seemed to be choked by a pair of giant hands, unable to vent his Fear through Sound, tears and snot flowed out uncontrollably, making him look particularly pathetic.
"Haha, hahaha…!!!"
Seeing Momonosuke's pathetic Manner, Laughter rang out again from all around, as if Taunt his cowardice and weakness.
"Guhahaha, that Kozuki Oden actually gave birth to such a useless waste!"
Looking at Momonosuke's pathetic performance, the Oniwabanshu couldn't help but recall Oden's once unrestrained and heroic figure. Although Oden was not a qualified Monarch, in some ways, he did possess a strong personal charisma.
Momonosuke's Eyes were filled with tears, his lips moved slightly, but in the end, he couldn't say Anything.
Just as the Oniwabanshu focused their attention on Momonosuke, Amatsuki Toki suddenly drew a Wakizashi forged from Liquor Iron Ore from within her Kimono and attacked the Oniwabanshu.
Chih!
A splash of Blood splattered.
Daikoku, who was slashed by the Dagger, had a tiny Wound appear on his abdomen.
"Hmm?!"
Suddenly attacked, Daikoku, feeling a slight numbness in his Wound, was suddenly enraged.
Without even thinking, he directly raised his large hand and slapped Amatsuki Toki hard.
Bang!
The brute Power directly sent Amatsuki Toki, who had no Power of Resistance, flying.
And Momonosuke and Hiyori, who were originally relying on Amatsuki Toki's Side, were blown to the Side by the Aftershock of the impact.
Bang!
Just then, several Smoke Bomb suddenly fell from the rafters. Along with the sound of explosions, a huge Smoke quickly enveloped the Figures of Amatsuki Toki and others.
And in the Smoke, a Figure rushed towards Momonosuke at high speed.
As for Hiyori and Madam Toki on the Side, the newcomer didn't care about them at all.
Looking at the Figure brushing past her and the Eyes of the other party that didn't even glance at her, the light in Hiyori's Eyes dimmed involuntarily.
The next second, dozens of Shuriken appeared in front of the intruder, blocking her path forward. At the same time, the Oniwabanshu and others quickly began to disperse the Smoke.
Helplessly, the intruder had no choice but to grab Hiyori, and with a few leaps, jumped back onto the rafters and disappeared.
"Hiyori…!!!"
Momonosuke propped himself up and shouted Hiyori's name in grief.
Obviously, he also saw the Figure that took Hiyori away.
"What are you yelling about?"
Daikoku, unwilling to let go of his anger, controlled his Power and direction, and kicked Momonosuke.
Momonosuke immediately let out a miserable cry, his Body flew more than ten meters away, and then fell heavily on the Ground, becoming motionless for a moment.
Wisps of Blood spread out from under him, and soon stained a patch of Ground red.
After giving Momonosuke a fierce Strike, Daikoku's Mood improved a lot.
"Daikoku, go easy on him, after all, our Mission is to send Oden's Family to the Flower Capital."
"Don't worry, I know my limits. He won't die, but whether he'll be crippled, I don't know."
Daikoku coldly looked at Momonosuke, who was lying prone on the Ground and motionless, and said disdainfully.
(End of Chapter)