Infinite Anime [152-154] (Patreon)

Chapter 152: Slaying Orochi

"Oh my, isn't this our Oni Princess? Sorry for not welcoming you sooner."

Orochi stood up when he saw Yamato, with a drunken grin.

Yamato frowned instinctively at Orochi's appearance, but didn't forget Gusion's instructions. She led Gusion forward. "Shogun, we're here on important business."

Orochi put on a show of enthusiasm, as if he'd forgotten the party scene he was in, quickly rushing up and trying to pull Yamato to a seat.

Yamato looked disgusted but didn't evade, walking along with Orochi as Gusion followed behind, quietly observing the surrounding military arrangements.

The head ninja of the Oniwabanshu was likely hidden somewhere in the room, invisible but present, with an almost imperceptible gaze trained on them. Besides that, the most dangerous threat was the old man who stuck to Orochi like a shadow.

This monk-like elder was Kurozumi Semimaru, a member of the Kurozumi family. He'd lived overseas before but had developed his Barrier-Barrier Fruit ability to an exceptional level.

Because Orochi was family and had fulfilled the clan's dream of ruling the country, Semimaru made it his life's mission to protect him. Even with Kaido's daughter arriving, rumored to be delivering food, Semimaru remained vigilant, never letting his guard down against Gusion and Yamato.

Once he understood the defenses, Gusion relaxed. Meeting Orochi face-to-face tonight was the right call—Orochi's party meant his personal security was weaker than usual. There were no powerhouses like Kyoshiro present, and the Oniwabanshu were out gathering intel. The only guards in the room were Semimaru and the head ninja.

Orochi wasn't careless, just overconfident in Semimaru's power. Even Kozuki Oden hadn't managed to break through the barrier and kill him; now, with the country under his thumb, Orochi felt untouchable.

Gusion and Yamato exchanged a glance—the tacit understanding built over the past few days was clear.

Yamato recalled Gusion's plan. Though doubtful, she decided to trust him. He'd said she didn't need to bring her weapon—the spiked club—as it would alarm Orochi, so she'd left it with Gusion, who promised to return it when needed.

But Gusion himself wasn't carrying a weapon either. Yamato couldn't figure out how Gusion planned to assassinate Orochi. After all, even if you attacked bare-handed, an Ancient Zoan user like Orochi wouldn't die instantly. If he survived the first blow, Semimaru would protect him, and the main Oniwabanshu force would arrive in seconds.

Still, Gusion asked only for trust.

"Oni Princess, does Kaido have any instructions?" Orochi led Yamato forward. Suddenly, a bad feeling struck him, but before he could react, Semimaru pulled him back.

Yamato's acting was poor; the moment she prepared to strike, killing intent showed on her face, alerting Semimaru.

Semimaru acted without hesitation—whether or not it was a false alarm, he triggered his barrier instantly to protect himself and Orochi.

At that moment, he saw the black-clad man beside Yamato suddenly draw a long blade and assume an iaido stance.

Gusion noticed Semimaru's reaction but wasn't disappointed in Yamato's acting. Without her identity, they couldn't have gotten close to Orochi at all. As long as they reached him without top-tier guards nearby, Orochi's head was as good as theirs.

At the next moment, Yamato unleashed Conqueror's Haki, as Gusion had instructed. This wasn't to clear out weaklings, but for its natural intimidation effect—even if it couldn't knock out strong enemies, it might make them hesitate for a split second.

Her sudden Haki startled the Oniwabanshu leader lurking above, making him hesitate and miss his chance to attack Gusion and Yamato.

Gusion moved.

He unlocked Mazuko—his power surged instantly. His body was covered in dark red Haki, which flowed along the blade. Even with the sword sheathed, it glowed with a crimson aura.

Accompanied by a shrill whistle, steaming breath shot from his mouth, lightning crackled, and the tatami mats beneath his feet flipped as a sonic boom echoed in the room!

With thunder roaring, wind howling, and the sonic blast ringing, Mazuko was drawn.

Gusion moved like a blur—only a few meters separated him from his target, but Orochi was already beneath his blade!

Seeing the overwhelming force of Gusion's attack, Orochi realized only now that he faced a deadly swordsman. But he wasn't panicked, believing that Semimaru's barrier was impenetrable—even Oden hadn't broken it.

But in the next instant, Gusion was inside the barrier before either of them realized what happened. The Haki-infused blade sliced across Orochi's neck.

Storming into the enclosed space, Gusion's blade sent blood spraying. With all his power behind the attack, Orochi—whose stats were barely above average—stood no chance.

And Gusion's momentum didn't end there. Before Semimaru could adjust the barrier, Gusion's follow-up slash cut him down as well!

The wind raged within the collapsing barrier. As Semimaru died, his power faded and the barrier shattered, sending a whirlwind through the room, scattering tatami and blood.

Standing atop the two corpses, Gusion flicked the blood from his blade. He didn't dodge as an attack fell from behind.

Bang—

Fukurokuju's strike was blocked by an invisible barrier.

"Bakudō #81. Dankū!" Gusion called.

The Oniwabanshu leader, Fukurokuju, stared in shock, forced back by the rebound.

"Barrier-Barrier Fruit?!"

He was stunned—wasn't Semimaru dead? Even if not, why would he protect Gusion?

Gusion turned calmly, sensing ninjas converging from all sides. "Orochi has rebelled and been executed by order of Kaido-sama. Will you die with him or serve your new master?"

Yamato immediately joined in, projecting her own Conqueror's Haki. "My father, the Governor-General of the Beasts Pirates, has appointed me as the new Shogun of Wano! Are you going to rebel too?!"

Seeing Orochi's corpse and hearing the declaration, the Oniwabanshu hesitated.

Orochi was dead—would they really die for him? That would be suicide.

Fukurokuju was the first to kneel. "I will serve Shogun Yamato!"

The other ninjas quickly followed suit. "We will serve Shogun Yamato!"

Gusion finally relaxed—his covert mission was essentially complete.

The real challenge was getting close to Orochi and escaping after the kill. The barrier most considered impenetrable was nothing to Gusion's teleportation ability. As long as no top-tier threat was present, Orochi's death was guaranteed.

And these ninjas were never loyal—when Kaido publicly killed Orochi in the original story, they switched sides just as quickly.

Now, with Orochi dead and Yamato present, they wouldn't risk their lives. At Gusion's words, they instantly understood their position.

"Yamato, let them up. The Shogun's residence needs some cleaning."

Yamato nodded with a smile—she hadn't expected the coup to go so smoothly. Gusion really was both brave and wise.

Then she realized she had no idea what to do next, so she turned to Gusion. "Gusion-dono, what should we do now?"

Gusion felt a headache coming on. Was Yamato really not that smart? If he left, could she rule Wano properly?

But now that he was involved, he could only take it step by step, stabilizing Wano's situation as best he could.

"Do you have a list of the ninja?"

Fukurokuju, quick on the uptake, stepped forward. "May I ask how we should address this great swordsman who has rid us of a tyrant?"

Gusion was inwardly amused—this guy was quick to switch sides, now calling him a savior right after trying to kill him.

"Gusion-dono is my advisor," Yamato said. "He has full authority to manage Wano alongside me."

Chapter 153: Kaido—That Fast?

Yamato thought it best to give Gusion full authority, so she could learn by watching.

Gusion was a bit exasperated, but Yamato's trust moved him. He resolved to do his best to clean up Wano.

"Advisor Gusion, I'll have the latest roster brought for your review," Fukurokuju said, noticing Yamato deferred to Gusion, who was likely to be the real power from now on.

"Good. Have the residence cleaned up and give me not just the ninja list, but also Orochi's main loyalists."

Fukurokuju nodded. "I'll seal the capital and make sure none of Orochi's remnants escape."

"Just arrest the core members—we don't need chaos. I have use for them."

Fukurokuju obeyed, and the ninjas disappeared swiftly.

After they left, Yamato hesitated. "Is this okay? Shouldn't we eliminate all of Orochi's minions?"

"Yamato, if we did that, we'd have to kill half the capital. Besides, if we wipe out the ninja, who will work for us? Do you think your father will send reinforcements?"

Yamato thought. "Won't he? The Beast Pirates have plenty of people…"

Gusion sighed. "Why do you think your father didn't have the Beast Pirates run Wano directly?"

"Wasn't that the agreement with Orochi…?" Yamato trailed off, realizing that didn't make sense.

"Pirates can't govern a country. Orochi was scum, but at least he knew some management. His underlings were locals. Do you really think a bunch of pirates could do better?"

Yamato was enlightened. "Are the ninjas considered normal people?"

Gusion shook his head. "They're just tools—Fukurokuju will serve whoever's in power. As long as our position is stable, he's useful."

Yamato nodded—they'd need the ninja corps for intelligence.

"What about the rest of Orochi's management?"

"We kill them all," Gusion said coldly. "They're rotten to the core—not made bad by Orochi, but bad from the start."

…

Meanwhile, on Onigashima, Kaido received word of Orochi's death.

"That fast? How did Gusion do it?" Kaido was surprised; he knew Semimaru's barrier was tough—only he could break it head-on.

He'd planned to intervene himself if Gusion failed, but Gusion and Yamato had killed Orochi on their first night.

"Gusion and the Oni Princess struck as soon as they arrived. He somehow bypassed the barrier and killed Orochi in one blow," reported the watcher.

"He bypassed the barrier? Without a Devil Fruit?" Kaido pondered but didn't press. Maybe it was some mysterious technique from Gusion's homeland.

He was a bit disappointed Gusion hadn't used a clever trick, but liked him even more.

"Speed up the food deliveries. I'll attend the ceremony tomorrow as the Yonko to endorse Yamato."

After his men left, Kaido took a drink and gazed at the moon with anticipation.

…

The Next Morning.

Gusion and Yamato emerged from a night of planning. The capital was tense—homes shuttered, the streets almost deserted.

The Oniwabanshu had arrested all Orochi's officials, and the city was locked down overnight.

Though the curfew was lifted, people remained uneasy. Most had benefited under Orochi's regime and now feared for their futures.

The government soon announced the truth: Orochi had rebelled and been executed by a hero. Many found this absurd—who could Orochi rebel against in his own country?

Learning Yamato would become the new Shogun only increased anxiety—everyone realized the Beast Pirates were stepping into the light.

Yamato's identity spread quickly; as Kaido's daughter, she represented the Beast Pirates.

People lamented Wano's misfortune—first under Orochi, now directly ruled by pirates. Some even preferred Orochi.

Many had profited from the Kurozumi regime, and now hated Yamato and the so-called hero.

As rumors spread, unrest grew—even in the countryside.

At noon, all of Orochi's officials were publicly executed in the busiest market, their heads falling without ceremony at Gusion's order.

The crowd was shocked, especially those with connections to the regime. Gusion's iron-fisted methods killed any hope of leniency; many resolved to either disappear or reform.

By sunset, a majestic blue dragon descended from the sky—Kaido himself, the country's protector.

With Kaido witnessing, Yamato was officially declared Shogun.

To Gusion, the ceremony was perfunctory, but in this world, power decides legitimacy. Now, Wano's people feared and resisted the Beast Pirates' rule, longing for the gentle days of the Kozuki clan. But Gusion was determined to make them forget the past—people care only about their livelihoods, not who rules.

If life under Yamato surpassed the Kozuki era, no one would call her an illegitimate pirate ruler.

Chapter 154: Advisor

After the ceremony, Kaido clapped Gusion on the shoulder. "Good job. King will deliver the food tomorrow—distribute it well. I don't want my factories having problems."

"No worries. I'll win over the people and maybe even increase our production," Gusion replied, saying exactly what Kaido wanted to hear.

Kaido smiled and handed Gusion a box—a real Zoan Devil Fruit, not an artificial one.

[Ancient Zoan: Ryu Ryu no Mi, Model: Tyrannosaurus Rex]

Origin: One Piece

Rarity: Epic

Type: Bloodline

Use: Eat any part to activate

Effect: +5 Constitution, +5 Strength, +4 Agility. Can transform into a T-Rex. Further development increases stats and unlocks more abilities.

Score: 680/700

[]

A top-tier fruit—even among the Beast Pirates, few have better. Kaido was clearly grooming Gusion as Yamato's right hand, akin to King.

Gusion hesitated—while the fruit suited his style, turning into a T-Rex wasn't very stylish...

Kaido didn't force him to eat it on the spot.

"It's a Devil Fruit, but without an index, we can't be sure what it is. I suggest you wait before eating it," Yamato whispered. "Who knows what my father might give you? You only get one shot."

Gusion smiled at Yamato's suspicion. "I think it's fine, but becoming a Devil Fruit user means you can't swim—I still want to sail someday."

Yamato grabbed his shoulder seriously. "If you go to sea, shouldn't you take me with you?"

"Of course. If we make it through Wano, you're coming."

Yamato was delighted. She still dreamed of adventure, but knew she couldn't abandon her responsibilities.

"I'll take you, but I can't promise to always stay with you," Gusion warned, knowing he'd eventually have to leave this world.

He explained further, telling Yamato not to do anything reckless if he disappeared.

"No way! I'd never abandon a friend!" Yamato protested.

Gusion was touched but insisted she put her own safety first.

"Fine, fine. I won't mention it again."

…

The Next Day.

The streets were crowded as food convoys rolled through. Nobody dared approach, as the escort was none other than King the Wildfire—Kaido's right-hand man, with a 1.39 billion bounty.

Tall, imposing, and covered head-to-toe in black, with white hair, dark skin, and black wings—he was a fearsome sight.

When Gusion and Yamato heard of his arrival, they went out to greet him.

"Thank you, King, for delivering food and saving us in a crisis," Gusion said, looking up at the six-meter giant.

He knew from the original story that King was a Lunarian—the last of a superhuman race, able to control fire and survive in any environment.

"I've completed Kaido's orders. Do your job," King said bluntly, eyeing Gusion with suspicion.

King didn't trust this sudden new advisor, but if Gusion proved himself, he'd accept him.

"We'll show you results," Gusion replied calmly. With King, only results mattered.

King nodded and left immediately.

Once King was gone, Gusion called for the security force to help transport the food—60% to the main warehouse, the rest redistributed to famine-stricken cities as per his plan.

He'd already studied Wano's finances and famine statistics, and had a plan in place.