Just after Kin'emon and his group rescued Kawamatsu, news broke in the Flower Capital that one of the Nine Red Scabbards was facing immediate execution. This was exactly what the plan dictated: once Jack's convoy was intercepted, Kanjuro would promptly hand Ashura Doji over to Orochi. Given the Shogun's paranoid and vengeful nature, he would undoubtedly arrange a public display of power.
"Young Master, everything is going exactly as you predicted. Orochi is preparing for an execution in two days," Haruko informed Yamato.
"The show is about to begin. Have Drake and Hawkins go over to assist. Since they are both part of the Worst Generation, they will certainly recognize our targets," Yamato replied with a smile while tending to her plants.
As long as those samurai killed Orochi, the Beasts Pirates could enter the fray in full force. The real battle would only begin then.
On the other side of the region, Kin'emon and his group were dumbfounded. They had barely pulled Kawamatsu to safety before the reports reached them.
"What is going on? Who is the person about to be executed? Is it Ashura or Denjiro?" Kin'emon asked, his brow furrowed.
"I think it must be Ashura. He was taken away before I was. This must have been calculated," Kawamatsu noted grimly.
"This is not good. This is likely an even bigger trap. The enemy knows very well that once we hear this news, we will risk everything to save him," Raizo added.
Everyone agreed with Raizo's assessment. This was an open scheme; it simply depended on whether they were brave enough to venture into the dragon's den.
"Raizo, I must trouble you to go to the capital to gather intelligence. We need to make preparations here," Kin'emon said. Ashura Doji had to be saved; otherwise, the Nine Red Scabbards would be incomplete, and they would lose a major fighting force for the final confrontation against Kaido.
"No problem, leave it to me," Raizo nodded before vanishing in a flash.
Soon, the group returned to Ebisu Town to regroup with the rest of the alliance. Inside a small house, Nami, Robin, Shinobu, Brook, Momonosuke, and Carrot were all waiting.
"Kin'emon, how was it? Was the rescue successful?" Nami asked urgently.
"Kawamatsu was saved. But another disaster has struck: Ashura Doji has fallen into Orochi's hands and is scheduled for execution," Kin'emon reported.
"What?! So that news was actually true? We thought it was a fake report meant to deceive us," Nami and the others were shocked.
"It is true, and it is a nightmare. Orochi will be executing him in the capital, in front of a massive crowd. There will be countless enemies there, so saving him will be a monumental task," Usopp said, his voice trembling slightly.
"We must prepare carefully this time. Otherwise, not only will we fail the rescue, but we will also get ourselves killed," Franky pondered.
The next morning, Raizo returned with a detailed report.
"How is it, Raizo? What is the situation in the capital?" Kiku asked.
"I have checked the area. Although there are many enemies in the capital, they are mostly Orochi's subordinates, and their strength is not outstanding. The most troublesome ones are the Oniwabanshu. However, two experts from the Beasts Pirates have arrived: X Drake and Basil Hawkins. It seems they are specifically looking for Law and Luffy," Raizo said.
"But Law and Luffy are still in Kuri. Still, they can definitely recognize us since we met at the Sabaody Archipelago," Sanji noted.
"It's more likely that Drake and Hawkins are targeting our crews specifically," Robin mused.
Kin'emon pondered for a moment before making a difficult decision. "Then there is no other way. We will have to take down Orochi together. Although this might alert Kaido prematurely, we have no other options now."
Their initial plan had been completely disrupted. Originally, they wanted to strike directly at the source, bypassing Orochi to defeat Kaido. They believed that once the Yonko fell, the Shogun would have no backing. However, the situation had developed too quickly.
"Kin'emon, are we really going to change the plan?"
Kin'emon nodded heavily. "We must. However, even if we defeat Orochi first, the ultimate objective remains: the crusade against Kaido. Perhaps taking down the Shogun now will make the final battle easier. There are countless people in Wano Country waiting for Orochi to fall."
Hearing this, the alliance began formulating a new battle plan.
Meanwhile, in Kuri, among the ruins of Oden Castle.
"Tora-o, why are you here? Where are the others?" Luffy asked.
Law looked at him with a flat expression. "I came to pick you up. You've made too much noise; you've already been exposed."
"Haha, sorry, I didn't expect that either," Luffy laughed.
Veins throbbed on Law's forehead. Did this idiot know what being exposed meant? It meant that Kaido already knew the Straw Hat crew had arrived. They had ruined the SMILE trade; the Emperor likely wanted them dead.
Suddenly, the transponder snail in Law's hand rang. It was Kin'emon, who quickly explained the urgent situation in the Flower Capital.
"Kin'emon, it's me! Are you guys okay over there?" Luffy yelled, taking the snail.
"Lord Luffy, it's great that you are safe," Kin'emon replied.
Law took the device back, his eyes narrowing. "No problem, Kin'emon. Since things have developed to this point, the previous strategy is dead. We will have to adapt. I will notify my crew of the change. We will go to the capital to save Ashura and take down Orochi."
"Much appreciated, Lord Law. Rendezvous with us in Ebisu Town. There is only one day left until the execution," Kin'emon said.
Law hung up and looked at Luffy. "The target has changed: first eliminate Orochi, then we go for Kaido."
"Alright, let's go—"
Before Law could finish, the sky above them turned pitch black. A massive vortex formed, and a blue dragon head slowly poked through the clouds.
"That is—Kaido!" Law widened his eyes.
Luffy stared at the massive creature. "So big! I saw a pink one before, but this one is blue!"
"This is Kaido. The one you saw before was his daughter, Yamato. Run! If he's here, he's coming for us," Law urged.
However, Kaido had already opened his maw. A crimson fireball formed in his throat. "Heat Breath!"
The blast tore through the sky, striking Oden Castle directly.
"Oh no, dodge!" Law shouted.
The ruins exploded, and the entire hilltop was practically melted away.
"Straw Hat, Trafalgar Law, get out here! I know you are here," Kaido boomed, his voice echoing through the valley. The Emperor had come the moment he heard the news; he wasn't about to let the people who ruined his business escape.
Luffy and Law crawled out from the debris, coughing up dust.
"How did this guy know we were here?" Law asked, bewildered.
"Don't worry about how he knew. Let's just focus on how to deal with this big guy," Luffy said, his fighting spirit surging.
Law felt a headache coming on. "Listen to me, let's just leave. Now is not the time to face him."
"Tora-o, we can't leave. Look, he's already seen us. We only have one choice: fight," Luffy declared.
Kaido stared down at them, his killing intent palpable. "You two stinky brats! You ruined my trade, and now you dare to come to Wano so brazenly. You are arrogant indeed!"
"Kaido, I will defeat you!" Luffy roared.
"Interesting. Defeat me? Just you? I don't know how you escaped Big Mom's hands, but I am different from that old hag. I will absolutely not let you escape!" Kaido's eyes flickered with lightning.
Luffy leaped into the air, launching himself at the dragon. Law stayed back, preparing to observe; if Luffy was defeated, he would need to use his abilities to save him and retreat.
Boom!
Luffy clashed with the dragon form, landing blows that seemed to do little more than irritate the beast.
"Such hard scales. Armament Haki isn't enough. Then, let's try the move I just mastered. Kaido, you better be ready for this!"
Luffy's eyes turned sharp, and wisps of red-black lightning began to crackle around his body.
"Haoshoku? Even a brat like you can use it?" Kaido noted, his expression shifting. He had seen Eustass Kid use the same power, but the Conqueror's Haki erupting from the Straw Hat was clearly on a different level.
"But so what if you have it? Do you even know what it means to truly wield that power?" Kaido smiled disdainfully, waiting for the boy to make his move.