Ebisu Town - Overlook
Ebisu Town lay fragmented by the death of their hero. Standing in the pool of blood,
[Shinobu] "It's been more than 20 years since Oden-sama sacrificed himself. And still..."- barked the woman, bearing emotions on her chest. "Tch! Why waste my breath? You don't understand what suffering in silence and being betrayed feels like..."- the woman snarked
The kunoichi bore her emotions, not knowing the Shadow
would indeed know the plight. Trust. The bigger the trust, the deeper the sense of betrayal. It had been a long 20 years in search of light. The Beast Pirates' reign had ended. Though the people of Wano saw their suffering lessen, for the Spada Pirates were rulers by apathy, freedom still escaped them. The Nine Red Scabbards were their last hope. Suddenly, they had turned on their own people. Shinobu was shaken.
She turned to leave, but Tama spoke out of place once more, pulling at her cloak.
[Tama] "Sensei! Sensei! I saw the "bad man" making the Beast Pirates flee! If we show him the underwater passage, maybe he can dispatch on the Beast Pirates there! That's how they're getting in the capitol"- the young girl said
[Shinobu] "You're worried about the people, Tama. You've grown."- the woman responded lowly. "However, we don't ask a wolf to clear out the sheep den."- the woman openly said
Shinobu was a woman of complexity. This underwater passage seemed to be crucial to the Beast Pirates. However, the veteran kunoichi harbored hatred in her heart for pirates, even those who helped defend Ebisu Town. Akira faced an enemy that swords alone could not slay. He'd need to find the right words or threats to proceed. Not all prophecies are carved with a sword.
Flower Capitol - Castle Rear
X and Prometheus had walked into a battlefield. The Mayhem Giant, Uvogin, was engaged in a deadly battle against the Red Scabbards in a four versus one encounter. The imprint of a fierce clash was evident on the ground and the back of the castle, where a gaping hole yawned. Despite the numerical advantage the samurai held, both sides seemed weary. The ones who executed Yasuie were felled, revealed to be Beast Pirates. Kin'emon's words shone a light on the dim mystery: Uvogin had used the Beast Pirates to draw out the Red Scabbards, those who knew the location of the Poneglyph.
Prometheus commented on the incredible feat of playing the Beast Pirates and matching the infamous Red Scabbards in battle, but it was clear the battle was turning against the Giant. The FIrebringer nodded as X called to him, drawing his scythe weapon, the flame of the blade flickering in his eyes. All heads turned to the newcomers as X spoke.
[Uvogin] "I-I-It's you! Prometheus! What is this?! Don't tell me you're here to betray me?!"- the giant responded, genuinely shocked at X's appearance, once in Udon.
[Kin'emon] "More interlopers..."- Kin'enom whispered to his allies, before his eyes widened upon X's suggesting they beg. "Beg? You are speaking to samurais! The soul of Lord Oden coarse through us! We are prepared to lay down our lives for this country and its people! Bring them all on."- said Kin'emon with passion, casting the other samurai to cheer and get up with renewed motivation
The samurai stood tall, finding their second wind. Kawamatsu moved next to his samurai brethren, shoulder-to-shoulder with the other three Red Scabbards. Their overwhelming strength seemed inevitable. True samurai, their honor knew no limits. Mere words could not satiate them. They were ready to fight all who threatened Wano and its people, determined not to take Yasui's death lying down.
Suddenly, a giant shadow was cast over the battlefield as Uvogin stood up, towering menacingly. His immense frame loomed over the castle, his wounds ignored in the face of battle.
[Uvogin] "Tch! Isis' dream is on the line, I won't falter..."- the giant whispered to himself, finding love to overcome pride. "I'll hand you Paige One on a silver platter, X. A sect of the Beast Pirates are under my command. I'll lead you to them... through the underground passage."- the giant begrudgingly said
Uvogin put his pride aside. The giant's declaration that he would deliver Page One was as much begging as X would get from him. The behemoth prepared himself for battle, his fists clad with black Haki. Whether it would be enough to sway the newcomers, fated to alter the course of this legendary battle, would be a bookmark on Wanos history.
On the other side, there was a marked reaction to Uvogin's words. The mention of the "underground passage" elicited widened eyes from the Red Scabbards as they looked to Kin'emon. Their reactions revealed that this path meant more than just a passage. What were they hiding?
[Raizo] "Kin'emon! If the Beast Pirates have found the passage, that means... We must g-!"- said the shinobi, before being interrupted
[Kin'emon] "I know. We must protect Lord Oden's legacy. Give no quarter!"- screamed Kin'emon, his spirit draped over the battlefield, signaling the start of battle
The battlefield crackled with tension as the two sides prepared to clash, each driven by their own motives. The secrets of the underground passage, the honor of the samurai, and the chaos brought by Uvogin and his allies would soon collide in a confrontation that would decide the fate of the Flower Capitol.