Not much of a foreword today, though it does look like the site is having problems with notifications again, so be prepared for that. Other than that, enjoy the chapter!
Lesson 14: A Bald Head Reflects More Than Just Light
"Zenzou-san? What are you doing here?" Shinpachi asked, not expecting to see the blue-clad shinobi.
"It's just as I said. I wanted to talk to Momonosuke-kun here about something important," Zenzou answered. Unlike usual, his piercing eyes showed themselves through his mop of brown locks, his gaze never leaving the young heir.
Momo shifted uncomfortably, his injuries from training still stinging. "Where's Zura?"
"He's still with Kin'emon-san and Inuarashi-san. He said he'd be back later this evening."
"Should we give you two some privacy-aru?" Kagura asked.
"Nah, it's fine. It's nothing that private, especially since it technically concerns you two, or at least your boss." Zenzou stated simply as the two Yorozuya members' eyes widened in surprise as they sucked in a bated breath. Momonosuke's frown deepened as his grip on his broken shinai tightened.
"...What did you want to discuss?" Momonosuke finally asked slowly.
"I'll just get straight to the point: How long do you plan to keep this up?" Zenzou asked bluntly, his gaze never faltering.
"Excuse me?" Momo asked in confusion, his reaction mirroring that of Kagura and Shinpachi.
"No one else is willing to talk to you about this yet, but I'd like to remind you that this entire rebellion is centered around you. I understand you're still just a kid, but we can't have you falling apart at the seams like this a week before the raid just because you had a little spat with your childhood friend."
"H-how dare you! You are in no position to speak to me in such a manner!" Momonosuke roared back, his hands trembling in anger.
"True, I may no longer be in any position to question you like this, but there was a time when I would've been," Zenzou stated plainly, unperturbed by the young boy's outburst.
"What does that mean?" Momo asked through gritted teeth.
"It means that I was once a member of the Oniwabanshu, just like Raizo-san and Shinobu-san once were. And just like them, I left after they went against their duty."
"Their duty?" Shinpachi wondered aloud.
"The Oniwabanshu isn't just a group of ninjas for doing the dirty work of the Bakufu. My old man taught us that our duty wasn't just to protect the Shogun but the duty of the Shogun. And the duty of the Shogun is to protect the people and the country, even if it means risking his life. If the Shogun fails in his duties or can no longer safeguard the nation in his role, then it becomes the Oniwabanshu's task to not only execute him but also to bear the weight of that sin for the rest of their lives." Zenzou explained, his firm posture and steely gaze emphasizing the gravity of his words.
Momonosuke listened in rapt attention, his anger forgotten and replaced by shock as the shinobi continued his speech.
"My old man attempted to do just that after Orochi took over, but he was betrayed by that forehead-bastard Fukurokujo before he could and was forced on the run. Not long after, I was forced out as well. Since then, I've drifted from job to job, with no greater duty to myself other than my next paycheck and honing my skills as a shinobi. And that was enough for me. Even this was all just meant to be another job."
"That's a little cold-hearted, don't you think, Zenzou-san?" Shinpachi interjected.
Zenzou just shrugged. "It's typical for any shinobi. Consider this: if a samurai is akin to a dog—loyal, devoted, honorable, and ready to die for his master—a shinobi is more like a cat. A cat remains aloof, serving anyone who provides for it, performing any deed, noble or not, without attachment. Our only true loyalty is to our craft, the continual perfection of our skills. That's probably why, despite everything, I can't bring myself to hate that forehead-bastard completely. He and the others simply moved on to another master who had more food to offer." Zenzou continued his explanation as he turned back to the Kozuki heir.
"Raizo-san and Shinobu-san are the exceptions to this case, of course. They'd fight and die for the Kozuki, so I know what this means for those two. Those two taught me a lot, so as their kohai, I suppose I want to see their dream come true as well. But that's not gonna happen so long as you let yourself get hung up on your fight with that perm-head like this."
Momonosuke looked down at the ground, finding himself unable to face the ninja fully. Having said his piece, Zenzou turned to leave before he gave Momonosuke one last word of advice. "I don't know how you intend to move past this, but I can only hope you'll figure it out soon. Oden is long gone. Right here, right now, the one we need to step up to the plate is you, kid. Because if your head is not in the game, people like me are gonna jump ship real fast."
In a flash of speed, the shinobi vanished, leaving only swirling leaves in his wake and three young minds deep in thought.
Shinpachi turned towards Momo, looking down at the boy. "Momonosuke-kun, are you okay?"
Momonosuke said nothing at first, his face scrunched up in contemplation. He was still somewhat frustrated at the rude form of address from Zenzou, but he found he could not entirely deny his words either. It reminded him of the talk between him and Luffy back on Zou several weeks ago, when Kin'emon finally revealed his true identity, and he made their request for his aid. Luffy, being Luffy, continued to address him rudely and even outright refused Kin'emon. It was his words that came after that that solidified his respect for the pirate captain.
"Are you just a figurehead, Momo?! Are you just gonna stand there and cry?! Speak up for yourself! Aren't you supposed to be the leader of these mighty warriors?!"
At that moment, he wasn't treated as just some child but as a future leader of Wano. It was something Momo deeply appreciated, more than Luffy himself may have realized. But here he was, acting like that same bratty child Luffy always called him out for being. He shook his head in frustration, now directed at himself. In a surprising move, Momo slapped both his cheeks, refocusing his mind.
"Yes, I'm alright, Shinpachi-san. Thank you. I also apologize for how I've been acting lately." Momo replied as he faced the two Yorozuya members, his cheeks tinged red from the slap.
"It's okay, Momo-kun. After all that stuff Gin-chan said, anyone would be upset-aru." Kagura nodded in understanding.
"Gintoki…" Momo trailed off, his frown returning. "The truth is, I am still angry with him. But Zenzou-san, despite his rudeness, did make a point: If I'm going to be of any help in reclaiming this country, then I need to find a way to work through this rather than just letting my feelings get the better of me."
"Momonosuke-kun, while the two of us may not have the same history with Gin-san as you do, we understand exactly how frustrating he can be. If there is anything about him you want to discuss, we are here for you. I'm sure Katsura-san will also be happy to do so once he returns from whatever mission he's on." Shinpachi reassured him.
Kagura pumped her fist. "Yeah, even if it's just to complain about all his bad habits, we're here to vent with you-aru! Trust us, we got plenty of things about that guy we can gripe about together!"
Momonosuke finally cracked a small smile. "I would appreciate that. But for now, I think I will take you up on your previous offer and take a small break. But afterward, could we resume our training?"
Shinpachi smiled. "Of course."
"Hey, Kin'emon! The trail's gone cold! I'm outta leads!" Franky shouted into his smail in a frenzy.
Back in the abandoned village, Kin'emon had just received an urgent smail call from Franky. The cyborg had just come to learn that the carpenter he had been working under had pawned off the blueprints for Kaido's fortress ten years ago in order to settle a debt. After reporting to Kanjuro and racing around the Flower Capital, following the trail of people who had attained them, he eventually reached a dead end after the last guy claimed that an unknown thief stole the plans from him.
"You say the plans for Kaido's castle are somewhere here in Kuri?!" Kin'emon sought confirmation, concern etching his face. Katsura and Inuarashi, standing beside him, mirrored his worry with beads of sweat on their foreheads.
"That's what he said, but I got nothing else!" Franky admitted in frustration.
Kin'emon closed his eyes momentarily to recompose himself. "Thank you for your efforts, Franosuke. For now, please help with the other missions in the capital."
"You got it!" with a click, the call ended, leaving the three to contemplate their next move.
"This is troubling. We need those plans to strategically position our forces within the fortress," Katsura stressed.
Kin'emon nodded in agreement. "But who would need to acquire the plans for Kaido's fortress?" He pondered this deeply for a few minutes before a sudden thought occurred to him. There was really only one other man in all of Kuri who would have any interest in those plans and what they could be used for. "...Could it be…?"
Kin'emons thoughts were interrupted as Wanda, Carrot, and the rest of the rebel alliance returned from their last run on Orochi Farms. "We've taken quite a haul! Look, Inuarashi-sama! Kin'emon-dono! We have plenty of food and weapons from the factory! There's more yet to go, but Kaido's subordinates are beginning to catch on..."
Inuarashi nodded in acknowledgment before his eyes became stern. "Did you leave the note?"
"Yep! But will this actually work?" Carrot wondered, handing them the copy of the note she made.
"At the very least, he'll be angry," Kin'emon commented as he reread the note: The Atamayama Thieves Brigade was here - Shutenmaru.
"Angry is actually an understatement." Kin'emon thought to himself grimly. "I'm sorry, old friend. But you pushed me to this. I warned you the last time we met — one way or the other, I will have your loyalty."
As twilight enveloped Wano, the day's last rays retreated, casting long shadows over the land. The sun, now a mere sliver of gold, dipped lower, merging with the horizon. Far from the quieting shores, the sea transformed into a tumultuous expanse, whipped into a frenzy by the fierce currents that cascaded down the colossal waterfall that stood as one of the country's significant entryways. Against this backdrop of natural tumult, the skull-shaped citadel of Onigashima was alive with a different kind of chaos.
"They're approaching from the southeast seas!" One Beast Pirate reported.
"Shoot them under! Don't you dare let that hag into this country!" Kaido roared. "They've got the koi fish pulling their ships! How do they know about the waterfall-climbing method?!"
Its inhabitants were caught in a surge of anticipation and unrest, none more so than their very leader. His attention was fixed on the raging waters at the country's edge, where an audacious soul was now braving the treacherous waterfall, attempting an entrance that few dared to consider. A bold maneuver that challenged not only the physical barriers of Wano but also the authority and control Kaido wielded over his territory.
"Their intelligence gathering is said to be the very best in the business..." Another grunt tried to meekly explain before being cowed by his captain.
"Silence! I don't care how they found out! Just sink them!" Kaido commanded.
"It's not working! The cannons are being deflected!" another pirate exclaimed in panic.
Just outside of the country's borders, the colossal Queen Mama Chanter ascended the waterfall, ingeniously leveraging the enormous koi fish to tow its bulk upwards. Despite the overall friendly appearance of the sentient vessel, its crew was far from harmless. A towering barrier of candy completely snuffed out any offensive efforts aimed at the ship. The Beast Pirates' defense system crumbled under an onslaught of retaliatory cannon fire, razor-sharp air slashes honed to a deadly precision, and a variety of other attacks fueled by devil fruit powers. Near the ship's foremost mast stood its captain, the dreaded matriarch of Totto Land, Charlotte Linlin, more widely known and feared as the Yonko Big Mom.
"MA-MA MA-MA! HA HA HA! Here I am, Kaido! Here we come, Straw Hat! And it's time for you to return to me, Zeus! Climb those falls!"
"Fish that climb waterfalls?" Charlotte Smoothie, the 14th daughter and 35th child of the Charlotte Family, voiced in wonderment.
"It's hard to believe my eyes! Perorin!" Charlotte Perospero, the family's first son and eldest child, commented.
"Don't let them in! What are you doing, you fools?!" Kaido bellowed at his trembling subordinates.
"The idea that they would climb the falls never occurred to us, sir!"
"Are Linlin's brats with her?!" Kaido questioned angrily.
"It seems there's a number of them onboard…"
"Those brats are her officers! If they disembark, it'll be a full-scale war!" Kaido swung his club around in a fury, scattering the frightened men lest they get crushed by their own captain.
"But, sir! We don't have enough manpower ready to fight them atop the waterfall!"
"Mama, we just breached the last of their defensive lines! We'll be reaching the top of the falls in a few minutes!" Charlotte Mont-d'Or, 19th son and 30th child, reported.
"Good, very good!" Big Mom grinned, thoughts of revenge against the no-good brat who ruined her tea party and destroyed her precious portrait of her deceased mother filling her mind. She contemplated all the ways she could torture the Straw Hat captain before finally stealing his soul for her collection.
Charlotte Galette, 18th daughter and the 42nd child, walked up to her mother from behind. "Mama, once we reach the shore, they'll no doubt have prepared their forces. We should discuss a plan of attack while we can."
"Hm, indeed. No doubt that overgrown lizard is gonna hit us with everything he's got once we do." Big Mom grinned before her eyes narrowed as her face shifted to a more serious expression, much to the confusion of her children.
"But before that…" Big Mom muttered low before turning her eyes to the helm of the ship. "...First, we should deal with the foolish intruder who managed to sneak his way onto our ship."
With a start, the Big Mom Pirates snapped their heads toward the same place their captain was now focused on. To their complete shock, they saw an unknown figure clad head to toe in a heavy cloak and clothing, with a large green parasol resting closed against his shoulder. He sat leisurely, facing away from them and eyeing the top of the waterfall.
"How?! We didn't sense his presence at all despite him sitting right there!" Smoothie thought to herself in complete disbelief. While the rest of the children shifted in aggression and confusion at the stranger's sudden appearance, only Perospero began to curse under his breath as he quickly figured out the man's identity.
"Sorry for the intrusion. I was sitting at the bottom of the falls, trying to think of a way to get up, when I saw your ship pass by. I'm just here to hitch a ride up with you. Hope you don't mind." The stranger answered calmly as he continued to sit as if the Yonko crew behind him was of no consequence whatsoever.
Charlotte Daifuku, 3rd son and 4th child of the Charlotte Family, stomped forward in a fury at the audacity of the statement. "Does this look like a taxi service to you?! Who the hell do you think you are?! Do you know whose ship this is?! Well, it doesn't matter, 'cause now—"
As Daifuku raised his hand to his stomach to unleash his power, he was abruptly halted as a candy cane staff swung out in front of him. Puzzled, he turned to his brother. "Big Brother Perospero?"
Perospero said nothing, his eyes still locked onto the stranger in front of them and a nervous sweat forming on his brow, much to the surprise of his brothers and sisters.
"Ma-ma Ma-ma! Listen to your older brother, Daifuku. Even if all you children attacked him at once, you wouldn't stand a chance." The pirate matriarch smirked fiendishly as she alone stepped forward to confront the stranger, one that she had not seen in years. "So, you want to explain what the hell you're doing on my ship?"
With a slight groan, the stranger finally stood up and turned to face her. His head and face were also completely covered. His mouth and nose were wrapped in bandages and a pair of goggles covered his eyes, all topped off with a leather aviator cap.
"As I said, I'm just hitching a ride up the falls with you to enter the country. I'm not here for you or Kaido. I'm only looking to visit my children. As a parent yourself, I figured you could sympathize with that. Though with you, I suppose I should use the term 'parent' loosely." The stranger answered, a slight hint of derision leaking in.
"Feh! I don't want to hear that from a guy who let his own son take his left arm!" Big Mom spat.
The stranger took a moment to gaze at said arm, now replaced by a mechanical prosthetic, before turning back to her. "Regardless of our failings as parents, whatever business you have in this country is none of my concern. Once we reach the top, we'll go our separate ways, no fuss."
Big Mom sneered. "You really think I'd let you go that easily? Napoleon!"
"Yes, Mama!" In a sudden move, Big Mom's hat leaped off her head before quickly transforming into a giant sword with insane-looking eyes and a wicked, sharp-toothed grin on the edge, landing perfectly in her hands.
"The Yato are one of the few races I don't have as part of my collection yet. And I just know you'd make a perfect addition to it, Umibozu!" She cried out as she swung her sword down toward the man, intent on cutting him in two.
In response, Umibozu quickly drew his umbrella, swinging it towards Napoleon to block. Before either weapon could make contact, their swings stopped short as if hitting an invisible wall. From the point where the two weapons would've clashed, black lightning began to fill the space, shredding the surrounding atmosphere as the air became charged with pure power. The weaker members of the crew started to drop one by one, unable to stand up against the surge of strength emanated by the two fighters.
"This man has Conqueror's Haki, too?! Who is he?!" Daifuku shouted.
"I see that you are as uninformed as usual, brother," Perospero retorted through gritted teeth as he attempted to protect himself and his siblings behind another candy barrier. "That man is none other than the world's strongest bounty hunter, also known as 'The One Man Buster Call'! The Pirate Buster, Umibozu!"
"I've heard of him! He earned that moniker after nearly annihilating all of Pirate Island and capturing a majority of its inhabitants years ago!" Smoothie stated, concern now setting in. "This is bad! If this fight continues, the whole ship will be destroyed!"
"Look! We're about to breach the top!" Mont-d'Or pointed to the top of the falls.
After another few seconds of struggle, the two combatants finally disengaged just as Queen Mama Chanter finally breached the top of the waterfall, momentarily airborne after being pulled by the koi. As she took in the sight of Wano in the distance, Big Mom couldn't help but break out in a sinister laugh. "Ma-ma ma-ma! Ha ha ha ha! Like it or not, here we are, Wano!"
However, her glee was short-lived, as she quickly caught sight of something moving fast through the cloud-covered skies. Despite being clad in all black, the creature flying toward them was given away by the large flame jetting out of its back. As the rest of the crew noticed the flying creature, some of them had to do a double-take once they realized what it was.
"A pteranodon!?" Mont-d'or's jaw dropped in surprise.
Big Mom clicked her tongue in derision. "It's him!"
"King!" Perospero cried out.
Before the Big Mom Pirates could take any action, King made a dive bomb straight for the front of the ship, spinning midair and colliding with the vessel with a kick powerful enough to halt the ship's momentum and cause it to flip over, much to the crew's horror.
"Aaah!" The Big Mom Pirates screamed as their ship toppled over, sending them back down the falls just as quickly as they had arrived. To add to their horror, the children watched as their captain toppled over the side, sending her plummeting straight into a whirlpool alongside the bounty hunter. They could only watch helplessly as they were sent careening over the edge and back from whence they came.
King watched from the skies, scoffing in derision at the foolishness of the pirates for trying to invade their territory. "Hmph! So much fuss over one measly ship!"
"Though it's strange. I could've sworn I felt two Conquerors signatures just now…" the Conflagration All-Star shook his head, deciding to report it to his captain later as he made his way back to Onigashima.
Meanwhile, as Big Mom sank into the dark depths of the sea, completely drained of all her power, Umibozu paddled against the current, unable to raise his head above water lest he be discovered by King from above. Fortunately, he could hold his breath for a good amount of time, leaving him to sit below the surface of the sea as he watched the female Yonko sink further and further out of sight.
"Hmph. Maybe not the best way to go out, but good riddance, I say." Umibozu thought to himself. "For now, I'll just have to see where the current takes me. Hopefully, it won't be too far from where Kagura-chan lives. That Perm-head had better be taking good care of her like he promised."
With that, Umibozu took off into the inky blackness, allowing the current to lead the way, but not before making a mental note of their last location to come pick up Linlin's body later. Her wanted poster did say Dead or Alive, after all, and 4.388 billion was a lot of berries.
In the Flower Capital, just as the city's residents were beginning to settle in for the evening, a loud crash and a terrifying roar sent the people into a panic as they fled for safety.
"The Tobi Roppo are here to kill the soba cook!" a man cried out as he dashed away. "They're the six strongest headliners, and they've sent two of them!"
"Why do we have to resort to this?" X-Drake grumbled, standing amid the debris of a demolished house in his human-allosaurus hybrid form, his sturdy green scales shimmering under the moonlight.
"Because it's necessary to make an example," Page One answered as he loomed over him in his full spinosaurus form, the only indication of his previous human form being the long purple hair spilling over the side of his massive head. "Kyoshiro reached out to Queen-sama to dispatch assassins for the soba cook who dared defy them, and we are here to carry out that order."
Drake rolled his eyes, then shifted his gaze to their unexpected third accomplice. "And what brings you here, Hawkins?"
Hawkins approached on his Komashika, flanked by several of his men. "I'm here in pursuit of a particular individual. This opportunity should justify the mission's risks and rewards, Drake."
As the three Headliners continued to exchange words, the Shinsengumi arrived on the scene, taking in the sight of the destruction already caused by the dino devil-fruit users.
"Vice Chief! What do we do?!" officer Kumanaku Seizou, a stern-looking officer with a mole on his forehead, asked.
Hijikata's jaw clenched in frustration. "We already got word from the officials that we can't interfere with the Tobi Roppo's 'investigation.' It's out of our hands."
"But sir—!" Officer Sasaki Tetsunosuke, a round and short officer, began before being quickly silenced.
"I know! But orders are orders." Hijikata paused briefly to gather his composure before addressing the gathered squads. "Listen, men! Even if we can't do anything to stop them directly, that doesn't mean we will stand on the sidelines! Spread out and help with rescue and evacuation! The protection of the citizens is our top priority! If you happen to spot Sangoro the soba chef, arrest him! The sooner we capture him, the sooner this chaos ends."
"Yes, sir!" The Shinsengumi quickly dispersed, the squads moving around to help direct the fleeing citizens and check the destroyed homes for anyone who may be trapped inside, leaving the Vice Chief and the First Captain to themselves.
"So we're just gonna hand the guy over to the Beast Pirates? That's cold, even for you, Hijikata-san," Okita commented, though the usual mirth he would've had behind such a jab was long gone.
Hijikata removed the spent cigarette from his lips, flicking it to the ground and extinguishing it with a forceful stomp. "I'm not proud of it, and before you say it, I know Kondo-san wouldn't be either. But as I said, our priority is to protect the citizens. And we will do what we must to fulfill that."
"Hey, how come we gotta run too?! It's Sangoro they're chasing, right?!" Franky panted as he, Usopp, Law, Sanji, and Gengai ran down a dark alleyway, away from the prying eyes of those currently hunting them.
"Don't forget, you knocked out one of those Yakuza, too!" Usopp shouted. Franky scratched his cheek sheepishly in response.
"It doesn't matter how it started! Once they spot you, it's going to kick off a manhunt for the entire crew!" Law yelled behind him, frustrated at the trouble the Straw Hats had once again dragged him into.
"We can't have that! It'll put Nami-chan and Robin-chan in danger!" Sanji stated. "At least Otae-chan and Tsukuyo-chan already left, so they won't be involved in this mess."
"Listen up! If you get caught, don't say a word about the samurai or the minks! Just let them kill you." Law ordered coldly.
"Yikes! Luffy would never say something like that!" Usopp panicked.
"Well, I prefer to be a bit more practical." Law deadpanned.
"What if we disguised ourselves before we fight?!" Franky tried to reason, demonstrating by pressing down on his nose and changing his hairstyle to cover his face completely.
"You think you could, Franosuke? You don't exactly blend in, to begin with!" Gengai retorted. "Maybe you could start by putting on some pants."
"Never! It would tarnish my pride as a pervert if I did!" Franky shot back as he changed his hairstyle back.
"Is that something to take pride in?!" Gengai questioned.
Ignoring the banter, Law briefly considered Franky's question before answering. "Only fight if you're absolutely certain you can win. Remember, every injury weakens us for the final battle. So, avoid fighting for now!"
"Who made you our captain?! If I get caught, I'm ratting everyone out to walk free!" Usopp blurted out, half-jokingly.
"Don't even think about it! Oooh, I'm gonna protect you so good!" Sanji shouted back.
"Yay, it worked!" Usopp cheered
"Will you two get serious?!" Law snapped, his patience wearing thin.
"Eeek!"
Sanji's head quickly snapped toward the direction of the scream. "I hear a lady!"
BAKOOM!
"Huh?!" Franky and Gengai's eyes went wide as they peered over the skyline. They watched in disbelief as a house flew through the air before returning to the ground in a resounding crash.
Usopp's jaw dropped. "A house?!"
"What's going on over there?!" Sanji wondered aloud, his expression becoming serious.
CRAAAASH!
"Please, stop this! We've done nothing, sir!" the soba cook whose home had just been destroyed begged Page One.
Page One lifted his head out of the destroyed shop, his jaws full of noodles as he greedily slurped them down. "You're a soba shop!"
"So what if we sell soba? We have nothing to do with Sangoro!"
"Our store! We'll be kicked out of the capital!" The soba cook's wife sobbed behind him, her despair palpable.
Page One stomped forward, lowering his massive head to make eye contact with the couple, his slitted pupils narrowing. "Tell me about the other soba cooks! Otherwise, shout for Sangoro as loud as you can! Shout for the fool who attacked the Kyoshiro family!"
"Hold it!" Hijikata suddenly stepped in between the dinosaur and the couple. "I already told you I can identify Sangoro for you! I've spread my men out to search for him as well! These people already said they have nothing to do with him! Threatening them will do nothing."
"Silence! The Tobi Roppo were the ones called in to hunt down the soba chef! This is our investigation, so know your place and keep your nose out of our business, you washed-up samurai!" Page One roared back.
Hijikata's hand tightened around his sword hilt, his expression resolute, not intimidated by the Headliner's ferocity.
"Oh, that's quite an interesting look in your eyes. You have something you want to say, or should I direct my complaints toward the Shogun?" Page One grinned sadistically as Hijikata's teeth gritted further. Already knowing the answer to his threat, he shifted his focus back to the couple behind Hijikata. "You heard me, now shout! Or the next thing I eat will be you!"
The soba cook, realizing he was in no position to resist, finally cowed to his demands. "Sangoro! Show yourself, curse you!"
"Hee hee hee! But if he's a coward, he'll never show his face at all...What shop should I try next? I'm in the mood for fruit." Page One laughed to himself as he stomped away towards another shop.
"That bastard," Hijikata muttered to himself. The Shinsengumi Vice Chief wanted nothing more than to draw his sword and slice that dinosaur's smug grin to ribbons. Still, he knew doing so would only put Kondo-san in hot water and put the Shinsengumi in a position where they would not be able to help anyone. As the soba chef continued to cry out for Sangoro, Hijikata knelt to the crying wife and handed her a card.
"I'm sorry about your shop. Once things have settled down, go to the central law enforcement office and speak with the staff there. They'll be able to help you. I promise you that they will not allow you or your husband to be kicked out of the capital for this." She accepted the card, tears streaming down her face. Hijikata stood, taking off after the Tobi Roppo. It wasn't too hard. He only needed to follow the screams.
"Please, Sangoro!"
"Take responsibility for your actions!"
"Show yourself, Sangoro!"
"Don't do this! We've done nothing to deserve it!" Hijikata finally caught up just as Page One threatened another chef.
"Then call for Sangoro the soba cook, all of you at once!"
KAPOW!
Appearing over the towering buildings in a flash, the much-sought-after soba chef barreled down from the sky before spinning and delivering a powerful kick directly into the side of Page One's face, much to the shock and awe of the law officer.
"I'm right here!" Sanji declared, his face twisting in fury at the damage caused by the Beast Pirate. Momentarily stunned, Page One toppled over, crashing right into a nearby building. The remaining soba cooks watched in amazement at the incredible feat of strength performed by their fellow chef.
"That's him! It's Sangoro!"
"He actually showed up!"
Page One slowly got back up, grunting before breaking out into a snicker. His face stung quite a bit, but he was no worse for wear. "Took you long enough!"
The Tobi Roppo pulled out a smail as he faced down Sanji. "This is Page One reporting! Target spotted in the sixth block of District Two!"
"Got it. Heading there now." Drake answered concisely from the other end, ending the call with a click.
"So you've got dinosaur powers, huh..." Sanji frowned at the apparent lack of damage done, annoyingly reminding him of a certain Yato punk he fought not too long ago.
"This guy was able to knock down a Tobi Roppo that easily? Just who in the hell is this guy? Is he really just a soba cook?" Hijikata muttered to himself.
"What are you doing, Sangoro?! Ignore them! It's all over if Drake and Hawkins show up!" Law hissed from a concealed alleyway, his warning unheard by Hijikata but sharp and clear to his companions. Usopp, Franky, and Gengai looked on with growing concern, realizing a confrontation was now inevitable.
"They won't identify me, and I won't get hurt! I can take care of an idiot like this in no time!" Sanji answered without turning his head, taking a confident puff of his smoke. "Yeah, it's nice to increase our ranks... but we can also decrease theirs."
"You guys go on ahead!" Sanji said as he began reaching into his kimono's pocket. As much as he loathed the idea of using this technology gifted to him by his worthless birth father, he knew it was exactly the tool he needed right now.
"We're fine as long as they don't find out who I am, right?" Sanji declared confidently, repeatedly tossing up a black can in his hand marked with the number '3' as he prepared to face off against the Beast Pirate executive.
A little shorter than usual, but we covered quite a bit. While his arc is far from over, Momonosuke got the kick in the pants he needed to start on his path. And Umibozu makes his debut as the first Gintama character to have Conqueror's Haki.
I debated for a very long time about who I wanted to give Conquerors to, especially since giving it to Gintoki never really crossed my mind. After all, most users need to have great ambition toward a certain goal of earning a significant position or striving to be the best in the world at something. None of which, of course, fits Gintoki's personality at all (lol). Same with a majority of the other Gintama cast members, really. In the end, I decided Umibozu made the most sense, given his title and previous ambition of strength before meeting his wife.
Next time, Chaos at the Banquet!