Beta-read by Pure Red Crane
Lesson 9: Class Reunions Are A Bit Like High School Itself. Some People Are Still Trying To Impress,
And Others Just Want To Sneak Away Early
"It's him, Shutenmaru! He's here!"
The leader of the Atamayama Thieves brigade, real name Ashura Doji, turned to meet the new opponent. He had sensed their presence through their Haki, and he couldn't help but curse his luck. His original plan was to raid the village quickly and leave before anyone else arrived. However, he was too engrossed in a conversation with an elderly woman about the country's deterioration. Stomping forward atop a massive sharkodile with a few of his men already in its jaws, the All-Star Jack the Drought had arrived in Okobore-chō.
"So, you're the leader of the Atamayama Thieves." Jack rumbled. "A certain pirate should've come through here. Goes by the name Straw Hat Luffy."
Shutenmaru's eyes narrowed. "If I tell you I don't know the guy, would it change your attitude?"
Jack scoffed. "The only reason we let you live this long is because Kaido wishes to have you as a subordinate."
"In that case, here's your answer." In a burst of speed unbefitting his massive size, Shutenmaru rushed forward. Jack quickly drew his shotels to block, but it was in vain. In one fluid motion, Shutenmaru leapt over Jack's head, cleaving through one of his blades and scoring a deep diagonal cut across the All-Star's chest.
"Don't play games with samurai!" the thief declared.
"Jack-sama!" his subordinates shouted in shock.
"Curse you…" Infuriated by his own carelessness, Jack was determined not to be taken off guard by the samurai. He dismounted and gripped his remaining blade, bringing it down on Shutenmaru's weapon.
The clash of steel echoed through the air. The two warriors locked in a fierce struggle before separating, creating an opening for Jack. He swung his shotel at Shutenmaru's neck. The samurai deftly dodged at the last moment, countering by bringing his sword down to cut Jack's shoulder. Jack managed to block the attack by using the remnants of his shattered blade before launching a swift counterattack, slashing cleanly across the thief's chest. Their eyes locked, and they exchanged a series of powerful strikes that sent shockwaves through the vicinity, blowing away anyone unfortunate enough to be in their proximity.
"What a high-level battle!" one of Shutenmaru's men gawked. At this rate, there wouldn't be a town left to battle in.
Far off to the side, three men watched the battle unfold. Despite the incredible match before them, one of them couldn't help but yawn out of boredom.
"Man, they're really going at it. Kinda makes you wonder why they had us come along for this if they're not even gonna let us fight," the young man mused, suddenly sitting up as an idea struck him.
"Hey! Maybe we'll get lucky, and one will kill the other! Then we could fight the winner!" he said excitedly.
"Somehow, I doubt Kaido-san would appreciate that," deadpanned another older man.
The third man focused on a wanted poster in his hand. "For now, we should investigate more into this Straw Hat Luffy's whereabouts. The locals also mentioned he was accompanied by someone named 'Perm-Head' and someone matching the description of his vice-captain."
The older man gazed up toward the mountain. "Rumor has it that there have recently been sightings of ghostly lights coming from the mountaintop where Oden Castle once stood. Orochi's scared shitless thinking it's actual ghosts, but maybe it's someone a bit more alive?"
The youth jumped to his feet, a wide grin stretching across his face. "Let's find out! Whether they're alive or dead, they've got to be more interesting than what's happening down here. Maybe we'll even get to fight them!"
"What do you mean you traveled through time? How is that possible?!" Nami exclaimed.
Kin'emon raised his hand. "I promise I shall answer all your questions in due time. But before that, I must provide further context regarding Oden-sama and the rest of the Kozuki clan." The group relaxed, seating themselves, eager to hear the samurai's explanation.
Kin'emon took a deep breath as he began his story. "Long ago, Oden Castle once stood here. But that was just a moniker. Its true name is Kuri Castle. The people of Kuri called it by that title out of their love for Oden-sama."
"You mean Momo's dad?" Luffy asked.
"That is correct!" the young samurai declared proudly.
"Wait, so all of that was true? You really are the Akazaya Nine? And Kozuki Oden was really your father?" Shinpachi questioned, still trying to process everything that was just revealed.
"It is difficult to believe, but I can assure you that the people sitting before you are exactly who they say they are," Katsura answered.
"Our lord Oden was a rather boisterous fellow. Despite being the son of Kozuki Sukiyaki, the shogun of Wano at the time, his willful ways and repeated acts of violence earned him banishment from the Flower Capital." Kin'emon continued, a smile forming as he reminisced about the good old days.
"Yeah, Old Man Oden was a wild one. The guy would go on and on about the kind of messes he would get into back when he was still a brat." Gintoki rubbed his cheek, still sore from Kagura's slaps.`
"Wait, Gin-san, so you and Katsura-san both knew Kozuki Oden?! Why didn't you tell us?!" Shinpachi asked in shock.
"You never asked." He said simply.
"Like that question would just come up in casual conversation! Don't put that kind of important information on the same level as asking if you got a haircut!"
From there, Kin'emon recounted everything about the remarkable life of the man known as Oden: his chaotic youth, the infamous Mountain God Incident that resulted in his exile, his epic journeys across the land, chance meetings with his future loyal retainers, his transformation of Kuri into a thriving domain as its daimyo, and his eventual departure upon meeting Whitebeard and Roger, a particular fact that shocked the pirate crew.
Luffy quickly turned to Gintoki and Katsura behind him. "So does that mean you guys knew Gold Roger, too?"
Gintoki waved him off. "Nah, we never met the guy. Everything we know about Roger and the rest of the outside world we heard secondhand from Oden. The guy loved telling us stories of his adventures."
Kin'emon frowned. "Unfortunately, once he arrived home, all was not well. By then, Orochi had seized power and allowed Kaido entry into the country. Once he witnessed the suffering of the people, Oden-sama rushed to the capital to do away with the tyrant. But it was not to be. In a desperate move to safeguard himself, Orochi devised a sinister plan: he revealed he had taken hundreds of hostages from the people of Wano. To ensure their safety, a pact was struck. Oden-sama was compelled to play the role of a foolish lord. In return, Orochi vowed to spare both the hostages he held and the citizens of Wano. He further promised to depart from Wano in five years alongside Kaido."
"To prevent Orochi from offering our citizens as tribute to the Beasts Pirates and to shield innocent lives from being entangled in the clash between himself and Kaido, Oden-sama reluctantly accepted the terms. He took to dancing naked in the streets of the Flower Capital once a week, a public display that naturally eroded the people's faith and respect for him, unaware of his true, noble intentions. He even journeyed through different regions to ensure nothing changed. Out of concern for his loved ones, Oden-sama refrained from explaining his motives even to us, his devoted retainers. He endured this humiliating act for a grueling five years. By the end of it, only a handful remained unwavering in their loyalty to him."
The somber account left the room in a palpable atmosphere of anger and disdain, their fists clenched tightly in resentment towards Orochi for the torment he had imposed upon Oden.
"Those years were not easy," Momonosuke spoke up, looking downcast before giving a faint smile. "But they were not all bad either. Despite everything, my father still wished to give me and my sister, Hiyori, a proper education. Unfortunately, there were not many schools that would accept the children of a 'foolish lord.' But through a connection from a friend of my father's, he found a school that welcomed us with open arms: Shoka Sonjuku, the school under the pine trees, overseen by Yoshida Shoyo-sensei. It was there that I first met Gintoki and Katsura."
For a brief moment, a mix of nostalgia and somberness flashed across the faces of Gintoki and Katsura as they, too, reminisced of days long past.
"Oh, I remember that day too," Gintoki smirked. "We got ourselves a pesky kohai who tagged along wherever we went and challenging us to practice matches every chance he got."
Momonosuke's brow furrowed. "Wait, why are you acting like that's all I did? Besides, Zura didn't join the school until a year after I joined, so he should be my kohai."
"Well, yeah, but for a senpai to lose to his kohai is pretty embarrassing, you know? And considering you lost to him every time you guys faced off, it was just easier to say he was your senpai to save face. Problem solved." Gintoki shrugged as he dug through his ear.
"That doesn't solve anything! If anything, it makes it worse!" Momo retorted.
"He is not incorrect, though. As I recall, we had a total of 37 matches, all of them resulting in my victory. You still have a long way to go, my young kohai." Katsura chimed in.
"Not you, too!" Momo yelled before pointing at Gintoki. "And don't talk as if all I did was fight. You're the last person I want to hear that from! How many matches did you and Takasugi engage in? As lazy as you were, I recall nearly 500 fights between the two of you. You were practically at each other's throats!"
The mention of Takasugi's name caused the duo to stiffen up momentarily, something the young boy took note of quickly.
"Actually, what happened to Takasugi and the others anyway? What about Shoyo-sensei?"
"...I'm afraid that is a long story in and of itself. One that will have to wait until later. For now, Kin'emon-dono, if you would please continue." Katsura requested.
Kin'emon nodded as the grimace returned to his face. "Once the five years were up, Oden-sama confronted Orochi to confirm their deal. But Orochi, the vile serpent, revealed he had no intention of leaving. It was only after the tragic loss of a dear friend's wife that Oden-sama finally took action. As his loyal retainers, we stood by him as he faced Kaido and his forces, embarking on our journey to Onigashima. The battle was fierce; Oden-sama and Kaido clashed, but our lord was stronger than he anticipated, leaving a lasting scar on the pirate. But, tragically, just moments before Oden-sama could deliver the finishing blow, he was defeated, again due to the trickery of the Kurozumi clan, who interfered with their battle!"
"But…But that's just awful!" Nami gasped while Sanji and Kagura clenched their teeth in anger. Chopper and Carrot had tears welling in their eyes as Brook and Shinpachi's fists tightened. Kiku, Momo, Katsura, and Gintoki sat in somber silence, burdened by the painful memories they had just revisited.
"And then what happened to Oden?!" Luffy finally asked.
Kin'emon struggled to get the words out, tears forming in his eyes. "Oden-sama and us retainers were imprisoned in the Flower Capital and sentenced to be boiled alive. But Oden-sama struck a deal with Kaido. If all of us could endure standing in the pot for an hour, he would release us. With complete conviction, our lord entered the boiling pot. But before we could join him, he lifted a plank upon his shoulders and ordered us to stand on top, proceeding to hold us all up! And because we were all technically in the pot, it still counted, a fact that Oden-sama no doubt accounted for! During this agonizing time, he revealed to us that the Kozuki clan had closed Wano's borders to protect it from an external threat and that Wano should be ready to welcome a certain figure after 800 years. He did not name the threat or the figure, but it was undoubtedly something he learned during his travels abroad. After a grueling and painful hour, Oden-sama survived the boiling, but at the last minute, Orochi ordered a firing squad to execute us!"
"What?! No way! That's messed up! What a dirty thing to do, Orochi!" Luffy erupted in anger.
"In his final words, Oden-sama urged us to open Wano's borders before throwing us far away from the pot to allow us time to escape!" Kin'emon choked out, his frustration taking over. Kiku and Momonosuke began sobbing as well.
"And while Oden-sama's stunning death might be 20 years in the past, to all of us, it was mere months ago. The end of the heroic samurai known as Kozuki Oden still appears fresh and vivid when I close my eyes!"
"What a truly great man…" Brook wept.
Sanji extinguished his cigarette before lighting a new one. "It's a wonder the rest of you survived in that situation."
Kin'emon regained his composure enough to continue. "Indeed. At that point, we had no allies. Our only choice was a desperate escape back to Oden Castle. For in his quest to eradicate the Kozuki clan, Orochi's next target was Momonosuke-sama! At that point, we knew that someone had to reach this place no matter which of us fell. However, Kaido's forces had already reached the castle. They set it ablaze, with Momonosuke-sama, his younger sister, Hiyori-sama, and their mother, Toki-sama, still inside. We were prepared to die alongside them, but it was Toki-sama who allowed us to escape. It was difficult to believe, but rumor had it that she had not been born in our era, but long, long ago, arriving in our time using an esoteric power that allowed her to leap forward in time."
"A devil fruit power, most likely," Chopper interjected.
"I remember Old Lady Toki telling us about how she was originally born 800 years ago. We thought she was just trying to spice up her stories and make them more interesting, but clearly she wasn't." Gintoki added.
"I remember that too. You called my mother a living fossil, and she and Sensei gave you a massive bruise on your head. It was the first time I ever saw my mother act so intimidating." Momo commented.
"Well, Gin-chan has a knack for getting on people's nerves, so it's understandable-aru," Kagura stated matter-of-factly.
"You're the last person I want to hear that from, you brat." Gintoki scowled.
Kin'emon continued. "To save the life of her son and Wano's only hope, Toki-sama sent him and us four retainers forward in time, 20 years into the future! All to fulfill Oden-sama's wish to open this country's borders and strike down Orochi and Kaido! And it worked! When next we woke up, we found ourselves in the castle, right here in the state you see today."
"Yes, Oden-sama's death was truly a tragedy." Katsura began. "However, it did not mark the end of this country, at least not immediately. After his execution, Orochi confronted the remaining daimyo across Wano, giving them a choice: pledge servitude to him or perish. But we are samurai. We would never kowtow to someone like him or Kaido. Under the daimyo's flags, samurai from all across the country gathered to wage war against Orochi's and Kaido's forces. Even after the daimyo fell, we fought on. For ten long years after Oden-sama's death, the samurai of this country fought valiantly in what is now known today as the Joui War."
"So, did you fight as well, Zura?" Momo asked.
"It's not Zura, it's Katsura. But indeed. However, Gintoki, Takasugi, and I did not join the war effort until its second half. We needed time to train and mature. Gintoki actually managed to make quite a name for himself. He became known far and wide as the legendary Shiroyasha, the White Demon who brought victory to his allies and fear to his foes."
This took the pirates by surprise. "Hold on a second. You're telling me this guy," Sanji pointed at the bum behind him, scratching his ass, "is actually some famous war hero?"
"Got a problem with that, jackass?" Gin retorted. "And Zura, don't try to act all humble yourself, Mr. Rampaging Noble."
"It's not Rampaging Noble, it's Katsura."
"It does make sense. The three of you were the best students in our class." Momonosuke said. While he was still annoyed by the whole senpai-kohai bit, he honestly couldn't deny the raw ability demonstrated by his classmates back then. He had no doubt their skills had only reached new heights since then.
"Indeed. And though Gintoki has parted ways with his warrior persona, I myself have continued to fight from the shadows. In fact, the reason I did not accompany Shinpachi-dono and the others here and had Elizabeth show them in my place was because I was on an important mission in the heart of the Flower Capital."
"Oh! That is impressive to hear, Katsura-dono!" Kin'emon praised him.
Katsura nodded. "Yes, it was a mission that should do well in tripping up the enemy's forces."
It was the dead of night. Katsura, followed by a group of joui rebels dressed in black, quietly infiltrated the inner sanctum of the Shinsengumi base.
"Now, men, begin the mission," Katsura ordered quietly.
"Yes, sir." The men all pulled out the tools they needed to accomplish the job: towels, mops, and several bottles of floor wax.
The rebel forces washed, buffed, and shined the floors through the night until early dawn. Once the deed was done, they made their escape.
"Wahahahahaha! We did it, men! We successfully overwaxed the Shinsemgumi's floors!" Katsura congratulated his men.
"Those bakufu dogs will have to think twice before walking anywhere in slippers!"
"Starting today, they will suffer a living slippery hell!" the men cheered, dashing back to their hiding place.
"Just like that," Katsura stated proudly as everyone else tried to wrap their heads around what the hell this dumbass was saying.
"Is this guy just an idiot?" The Straw Hats and Akazaya thought to themselves.
"I see. It looks like you got a good handle on your operation here. Impressive." Luffy complimented the man with a smirk.
"You understand well, Luffy-dono." Katsura exchanged a knowing glance with the pirate captain.
"Yep, he's an idiot." They confirmed in their heads.
"Anyways…" Kin'emon started up again. "We found ourselves in a world truly unknown to us. We walked about the land and learned of its nature. We saw rows of factories and towering smokestacks sending their filth into the air. Undrinkable water. Tightly controlled food supplies. Our ruined city, the land barren and dry! The proud Kozuki name scorned…" Kin'emon paused to recollect himself.
"This is not the land of Wano that we knew. It seemed we could not find any who would fight on our side. But we were wrong. Even after 20 long years, there were those who trusted in Toki-sama's final words and prepared themselves for our return. After that, we got to work."
He elaborated on how he instructed Kiku to spy on the enemy forces while he and the other four departed in search of allies. However, they were quickly spotted as they were sailing away and pursued. He recounted how they lost Raizo and Kanjuro in Zou and Dressrosa and how he and Momo eventually found themselves stranded on Punk Hazard, where they finally met the Straw Hat crew and Law. Luffy and the rest of the Straw Hats also smiled at the memory, back when they first met a young pink 'eel' and his 'father' on the bipolar island at the start of their journey into the New World.
"Looking back, it's been one peril after another, but I consider myself fortunate to have met all of you. Now, while Orochi's forces have singled us out, our saving grace is that they do not seem to take us seriously! To them, we are little more than ghosts, and they have not even bothered to distribute wanted posters. We have reentered the country, and still, they do not realize it."
"You did not even tell this one, your own comrade." Kiku pouted.
Kin'emon scratched his cheek sheepishly. "Erm, I said I was sorry…"
"Hey, quit flirting!" Sanji yelled.
"It is of greatest importance that our plan is not discovered!" Kin'emon emphasized, his serious tone returning.
Luffy nodded in understanding. "Okay, got it!"
"On our side, we have Luffy-dono and his Straw Hat crew, Law-dono and his Heart crew, the mink forces of Inuarashi's Musketeers and Nekomamushi's Guardians, and the various samurai we are rousing who have the will to fight back! Our ideal number is 5,000 strong! However, we do not wish for war. We must gather information covertly and devise a plan to take down the enemy leadership. The time is two weeks from now, on the night of the Fire Festival. We'll sail for Kaido's base on Onigashima, the Island of Ogres, and execute a raid!"
"An island? Even within Wano, we must cross the sea?" Brook questioned.
"Indeed. Which means we will require ships. But because the island is visible from the shore, they need not be great sailing vessels."
Kiku took over the explanation. "The Fire Festival is the country's grand annual celebration. Kaido is revered as the deity safeguarding our land. On that day, Orochi will lead a ceremonial procession to Onigashima as an offering, but it is merely a guise. The real purpose is to commence a feast for the magistrates and the Beast Pirates."
Sanji took a drag of his cigarette. "I get it. So they'll get thoroughly drunk like fools until we burst in and take out their leaders." His nonchalant demeanor quickly shifted to his typical love-stricken swooning. "Watch out, Okiku! If you witness my heroics, you might fall for me instead of that pervy samurai!"
"Should we tell him, Gin-chan?" Kagura asked off to the side.
"Nah, let him figure it out for himself later. It'll be funnier that way."
"Kiku's actually pretty strong, Sanji," Luffy said.
"Now, now, Sanji-dono! Do not be mistaken! I am a happily married man! Kiku and I are just comrades." Kin'emon quickly stepped in to correct the chef.
"Otsuru is doing well, by the way," Kiku interjected.
"You saw her?!"
"Yes. She did not recognize this one."
"I see. Well, it is good to know she is fine. But, I cannot see her yet." Kin'emon gave a mixed sigh of relief and disappointment.
"You can't have all the ladies! You're married! It's not fair!" Sanji yelled.
"Shut up." Nami deadpanned.
Kin'emon went into further detail about the plan, revealing a flyer featuring two flaming birds over a viper and a reversed crescent moon, representing the time and location of the rebellion – the day of the Fire Festival during the second hour of the bird at Habu Port. The plan involved distributing the flyers to those with the moon tattoo on their left foot, who were expected to be their allies. Zoro and Usopp were tasked with this mission in the capital, something Luffy noted that Zoro definitely was not helping with.
Franky was gathering information on Kaido's mansion, working under the carpenter who built it, while Robin was infiltrating Orochi's banquets as a geisha to monitor his forces. He then gave instructions to the others, placing Brook in charge of acquiring food supplies, instructing Nami to train herself as a kunoichi, and for Sanji to use his cooking to help locate allies (though he was only half listening to this as he drooled at the thought of geisha Robin and kunoichi Nami). He told Chopper and Carrot to join Inuarashi at Kuri Beach.
Kin'emon then pulled five leaves from his sleeve and handed them to the pirate crew. "Place these leaves on your head. Using my jutsu, I will provide you with new attire to better blend in with the populace. Ready? Good! Now, here goes…Fuku Fuku Jutsu!"
POOF!
"Wow!" Carrot marveled at her new outfit, a gracefully light green kimono adorned with vivid orange and green floral patterns, her distinctive ears concealed beneath a delicate polka-dotted veil.
"I'm a ninja!" Chopper cheered, wearing a straightforward yet fitting green ninja outfit.
"Woooah! Nami-swaaaaan!" Sanji, adorned in a vibrant yellow and white striped yukata, swooned at Nami's new outfit, a striking kunoichi outfit featuring alluring shades of blue and orange that left little to the imagination.
"Now that you are all acclimated to Wano, you may proceed with your missions…" Kin'emon started.
Nami interrupted the samurai. "Hang on, Kin'emon! Is this really how a kunoichi dresses?!"
"It is exactly how a kunoichi dresses!" He answered quickly with a thumbs up and a bloody nose.
"Why do I get the feeling you're lying?!"
"No, trust him. That is definitely how kunoichi dress in this country." Gintoki affirmed with a straight face, blood also dripping from his nose.
"I concur." Shinpachi also affirmed as he fixed his glasses, in no better state than his boss.
"He is correct." Momonosuke nodded, doing no better at hiding his inner thoughts.
"Now, allow me to summon your guide. She is a true kunoichi. Shinobu!" Kin'emon snapped his fingers. Sanji and Brook quickly shifted their attention as the ceiling board shifted open.
"A real kunoichi!"
"Now, this is a treat!"
"I heed your call!" A stout but still considerably tall woman descended from the ceiling before taking a knee. She had prominent eyebrows, a robust nose, and a round face accentuated by brown pigtails and heavy makeup, along with a vibrant pink kunoichi outfit in a similar design to Chopper's.
"She looks completely different!" Nami retorted as she slapped Kin'emon, his ruse revealed.
"Sanji's going into shock!" Chopper panicked as Sanji collapsed to the floor, shivering.
"What are you dressed as?" Luffy asked Brook, completely uninterested in the scene behind him. The skeleton sported a time-worn, ghostly white kimono, accessorized with a triangular headband and two arrows piercing his body, completing the spectral look.
"I thought I was a man with panties on his head, but I was wrong."
"I should hope that you'd be!" Shinpachi retorted.
"These are your two options…" Kin'emon held up two fingers as he shakily got back up.
Nami tucked the upper part of her outfit in to hide her cleavage. "Hm…As long as I wear it right, it'll do."
"Well, well, isn't it nice to be so young?" the kunoichi mused. "My name is Shinobu! In the past, I was Kin-sama's honorary little sister. Now? Not so much. My specialty is the seduction jutsu!"
"If Nami weren't here, my spirit would be broken!" Sanji pounded the floor in anguish.
"I understand, young man. Nothing is deadlier than a mature woman. However, Kin-sama, you should know I did not come alone. I happened to bring my students along as well to aid us."
"I can tell," Gintoki remarked as he looked up to the ceiling.
"Oh? So you can sense the presence of my students, young man?" Shinobu asked, impressed.
"No, more like this is just a feeling I'm familiar with." Gintoki picked up a brick before throwing it through the air, hitting a particular spot in the ceiling.
The rotted wood quickly collapsed, spilling another kunoichi onto the floor with much less grace than her teacher. Also, unlike her teacher, this one was a genuine beauty; long, light purple hair and dark red glasses accentuated her face, coupled with a beauty mark under her right eye. She wore a sleeveless martial arts training uniform top, a red band cinched around her slender waist, dark purple forearm sleeves, and a matching scarf.
"Yes! A real kunoichi, for real this time!" Sanji quickly recovered, hearts forming in his eyes.
"Uh, wait. You have already seen one - me." Shinobu interjected, completely ignored.
"I see that your senses are as sharp as ever, Gin-san." The new kunoichi quickly recovered, launching herself through the air towards the perm-headed samurai with open arms. "Now! Come and pierce me with that other sharp thing between your legs—kyaahh!"
Her approach was stopped fast as she launched herself directly into the waiting fingers of Gintoki as he jabbed her in the eyes, breaking her glasses and causing her to screech in pain as she rolled on the floor.
Gintoki growled in annoyance. "Geez, damn bitch. Why is it always like this—?"
BAM!
Gintoki's griping was quickly interrupted as a sandal planted itself into the back of his head, kicking him with enough force to send him spiraling through the air.
"Chainsawman!" Gintoki grunted as he hit the floor before the same sandal drove his face even further into the ground. Standing over him was an infuriated Sanji, cloaked in a fiery red aura to match.
"You bastard. How dare you do such a thing to a lady. I hope you've made your peace…"
"That brute! How could he do such a thing?!" Carrot exclaimed.
"Hey, she isn't doing so good! She's all red and hyperventilating!" Chopper cried out in worry as he looked over his new patient.
"Not for the reasons you're thinking, Chopper-san." Shinpachi dryly remarked.
"From an outside perspective, it would look pretty bad-aru," Kagura noted.
Nami quickly rushed over, cradling the kunoichi's head. "Hey, are you okay?!"
"My first introduction into this fanfic, and you've managed to humiliate me completely. As always, your sadism play is top-notch, Gin-san! I promise to be your pig-bitch for all eterni—TEE!" The kunoichi squealed as Nami unceremoniously dropped her head back onto the floor.
"Ahh! Nami! Why did you drop her like that?! She could be really sick!" Chopper panicked.
"Trust me, Chopper. Her sickness is something even you can't cure." She answered as she now eyed the ninja as if someone just dropped hot garbage in front of her.
"Ehhh?!"
"You'll want to listen to the lady on that. She's been like that for as long as I can remember." An amused voice called out from above. Perched on the rafters was a certain blue-clad ninja smirking as he watched the scene unfold from up high.
"Yes, allow me to introduce my two students - Hattori Zenzou and Sarutobi Ayame. You may call her Sacchan, though. Their respective specialties are in espionage and assassination." Shinobu presented the two ninjas.
"Here, she'll need these." Zenzou tossed an extra pair of glasses into Nami's hands.
"Thanks. Sanji-kun, lay off the guy. She's fine." Nami called over to the chef as he continued to dig his heel into Gintoki's head. Sanji quickly pirouetted over to Sacchan's side just as Nami placed the new glasses on her.
"My dearest, I hope you are not too hurt after what that brutish man did to you. Rest assured, your gallant protector is now by your side." Sanji took her hands into his.
The violet-haired ninja immediately removed her hands, giving him a complete look of indifference. "Sorry, not interested. Come back once your hair becomes a natural silver perm, both above and below."
"Below where, exactly?" Nami wondered, though she quickly decided she didn't want the answer.
Meanwhile, Luffy and Chopper turned their attention to Zenzou. "So, did you train under Raizo, too? Can you do ninjutsu like him?" Luffy wondered.
"Nah, I'm better." Zenzou bragged.
"Really?! Can you show us? Please, please, please, please!" Chopper begged excitedly.
"Well, if you insist." Zenzou conceded as he jumped down.
As Nami stood up, she accidentally bumped into a loose wooden beam. The beam teetered, leaning over just enough to line up with Zenzou's descent, ending with the beam getting buried right where the sun didn't shine.
"Zenzou!" Luffy and Chopper yelled out in concern, mouths agape and eyes bugging out. The ninja was clearly in a lot of pain as he fondled his ass but tried to play it off coolly.
"Heh, don't worry about me. A ninja is always prepared." Zenzou said shakily as he began shimmying off his pants and held up a medicinal tube to Nami. "Now, take this Preparation H and rub it on my–"
Crack-THOOM!
"Are these really the only guides you have?" Nami asked Kin'emon, pointing at the trio of shinobi with her Climatact, one of whom was now smoldering and twitching on the floor as electricity continued to arc through him.
"We will split across various regions until the eventual gathering, but there are three samurai in particular who must be sought out. They will give us the strength of a hundred: Kawamatsu, Denjiro, and Ashura Doji. Like us, they were devoted retainers of Oden-sama. I am certain they are still alive!" Kin'emon declared.
"Hey, don't dodge the question," Nami growled, a tick mark forming over her head.
"Now, as I was saying, you've all been given your missions, but before you go, I feel I must ask you again." Kin'emon, flanked by Momonosuke and Kiku, returned to his kneeling position, addressing the assembled group with unwavering determination. The room fell into a solemn hush as they paid close attention to his words.
"Once again, I must stress the gravity of our mission. Our adversary is none other than Kaido, a powerful pirate whom even Oden-sama could not defeat. He poses a formidable challenge, and the odds of returning from this battle unscathed are not in our favor. However, as loyal retainers of Oden-sama, we are committed to carrying forward his dream and liberating the people of Wano! With the alliance we've forged, comprising Luffy-dono, Law-dono, and now Momonosuke-sama's dear childhood friends and their comrades, I implore you once more: Can we rely on your support?" Kin'emon's voice conveyed the weight of their collective aspirations as he bowed deeply.
In the dimly lit chamber, the gravity of the situation was palpable, and the tension hung thick in the air as Kin'emon earnestly beseeched their unexpected allies. The destiny of Wano rested on their shoulders, and they needed every warrior they could muster to confront the merciless Yonko and the oppressive Shogun.
"Kin'emon, after everything we've been through, do you even have to ask?" Luffy responded with a bright, reassuring smile, followed by a resounding chorus of agreement from his companions.
"Let's do this-aru!"
"For Oden! And for Wano!"
"We'll make sure Orochi gets his, too."
"No way in hell."
"Yeah! Let's kick Kaido's ass!"
"Let us bring a brighter tomorrow for Wano."
Kin'emon, with tears in his eyes, bowed once more. "Thank you! Your help is truly appre–"
…
…
…
"…Wait…What?"
All attention shifted to Gintoki lounging on the floor, idly picking his nose with an expression of complete disinterest. After a moment of bewildered silence, Shinpachi finally broke the ice.
"Eh, Gin-san, what did you say just now?"
Gintoki responded indifferently as he nonchalantly observed the booger he picked before flicking it away. "You heard what I said. Why in the hell should I get myself involved in any of this crap?"
The room fell into an uneasy silence, everyone attempting to process the unexpected response. Katsura, equally incredulous, was the first to react. "Gintoki! How could you possibly say such a thing?!"
Gintoki raised an eyebrow. "What are you talking about, Zura? You've tried to recruit me who knows how many times, and I've always given you the exact same answer. How is this any different? Sorry, but this whole thing sounds like it's going to be a pain, so I'll pass."
"You'll pass?! What the hell are you saying?! Didn't you just say you knew Oden?!" Sanji fumed.
"Yeah, I did. What's your point?"
Sanji stammered, not expecting such apathy from someone who claimed to know Oden. Before he could react further, Gintoki stood up, stretching casually.
"Shinpachi, Kagura, let's go. We just needed to help the Straw Hat kid find his friends, and we did. Our job is done. I'll be sure to send you guys the bill later." He declared as he moved past the stunned group and made his way for the exit. Shinpachi and Kagura called after him, trying to get him to stop.
"Gin-san!"
"Gin-chan, wait!"
Momo, after a long stunned silence, began to speak. "…Hey…"
"Man, what a day. I wonder what's going on down at the Pachinko parlor?" Gintoki mused aloud, ignoring the young heir behind him as he calmly approached the exit.
"…Wait a minute…" Momonosuke repeated, both his voice and his frustration rising.
"Of course, I could always hit up Hasegawa-san and grab a drink…Then again, he's probably not even in Kuri right now…"
"I SAID WAIT, YOU BASTARD!" Momonosuke shouted, his anger finally boiling over. He dashed ahead, blocking Gintoki's path.
Gintoki was unperturbed. "Is there a problem?"
"That's it?! All this time, and that's all you have to say?!" Momonosuke seethed.
"What do you want me to say? I already fought in one war. I'm not looking to get involved in another if I can help it."
"You're heartless!"
"You have no idea."
"Coward!"
"Yeah, that's me."
"Traitor!"
"Always have been."
"You—!"
"That's right," Gin answered before the boy could finish, his expression unwavering.
"You can't just walk away from this! Not after everything my father went through!" Momo shouted.
Gintoki delivered his response firmly. "I can, actually, and you should, too. Your family gave everything up so that you would live. Don't let that go to waste."
"And what would you know about that? How could you understand what it's like to lose your family?!" Momonosuke snapped. Aside from his eyes narrowing momentarily, Gintoki's face remained stoic.
"Listen, we lost. I know you weren't there to see it, but it happened. It may be recent for you, but most of us have already learned to move on. Sorry, but I'm not about to throw my life away for the sake of someone who's already dead. I intend to live my life my way and my way only." Gintoki stated, his steady voice making it clear he would not budge an inch on this matter.
"As the rightful Shogun of Wano, I have a duty to save my people!" Momo said desperately, his voice trembling, hoping to regain some ground.
"I hate to break it to you, but what you are doesn't mean shit. At the end of the day, you're just a kid. What exactly do you think you're gonna be able to do? Things may seem bleak from the outset, but the people of this country aren't so weak that they'll buckle just like that. Certainly not to the point where they need some brat who's been gone for twenty years to pull them out of the muck." Gintoki made his way past Momo, uttering one final word as he passed by him.
"Leave. This country no longer needs you."
Momo's heart sank as Gintoki's words echoed in the dimly lit room for what felt like an eternity. The young boy felt like his whole world was crumbling beneath him. Shinpachi, Kagura, and Katsura, unwilling to accept the bleak situation, called out to Gintoki.
"Gintoki!"
"Gin-san, wait!"
"Gin-chan, come back!"
Zenzou and Sacchan watched silently as Gintoki left, though they were clearly deep in thought. Nami, Chopper, Brook, and Carrot, on the other hand, couldn't hold back their anger. They shouted outrage at Gintoki's retreating back, their voices a chorus of disbelief.
"How can you just walk away?!"
"How could you say such a thing?!"
"Aren't you supposed to be Momonosuke-kun's friend?!"
"What kind of person just abandons their friend like that?!"
"You knave! Come back and face us!" Kiku roared with her sword drawn as Shinobu drew her shuriken, their faces twisted in rage. But Gintoki ignored it all, saying nothing as he kept walking.
Kin'emon and Sanji, their fury taking over completely, attempted to attack Gintoki. Kin'emon approached from the left, sword drawn and ready to slice the man's head off. Sanji came from the right, leg ablaze, and aimed right for his torso. But Gintoki was no longer in the mood for games. His eyes flashing red, and with his arms and bokutō coated in Haki, he simultaneously blocked Kin'emon's sword with his own while catching Sanji's leg in his free hand. After a brief struggle, Gintoki shoved them off and fixed a glare on the two, a mixture of apathy and readiness in his gaze, as the tension in the room threatened to escalate into a full-on brawl.
"Luffy! Aren't you gonna say anything!?" Nami implored her captain.
Uncharacteristically, Luffy had been stone silent this whole time as he watched the scene unfold before him, his expression betraying nothing as he fixated intensely on the silver-haired samurai. He opened his mouth, seemingly prepared to say something, but was cut short as a deep rumble of thunder shook the room's foundations.
"Straw Hat! Come here at once!" Law called from outside, urgency lacing his voice. Concerned, the group rushed out to see what could elicit such a reaction from the Heart captain.
"What up, Traffy?" Luffy asked.
"Just look." Law gestured toward a specific section of the sky.
Stretching ominously over the town below, an enormous vortex of thunderclouds spiraled in the heavens. Thunder rumbled, shaking the very ground, and lightning illuminated the darkened sky. For a fleeting moment, a vague, moving figure became visible within the tempest. Then, manifesting from the epicenter of the vortex, a massive claw with four menacing talons emerged. Following this ominous appendage, the rest of the creature came into view – a colossal azure dragon that nearly dwarfed the town in sheer size. Even from a distance, the group could discern the dragon's terrifying features: a gaping maw brimming with teeth sharper than any sword, a serpentine body covered with deep-blue scales tougher than any armor, four pointed horns capable of spearing the heavens, and malevolent eyes that struck fear into the hearts of all who dared to gaze upon them.
"A dragon?! What is that?!" Luffy said, mouth agape.
Law answered grimly. "That's Kaido."
So yeah, this was a pretty big chapter. I've been dying to write this chapter since I started planning out this story. I figured I could've taken the more comedic route and written off Gintoki's response as him just being lazy, but I felt like the story's overall tone at this part demanded a little more. In the next chapter, we'll see the conclusion to Act 1. Stay tuned!