The banquet hall fell silent.
All eight of Orochi's heads had their eyes wide open.
"Yamato's fiancé?"
According to his plan, as long as he found an excuse to eliminate Gurd—the mastermind behind everything—Yamato alone wouldn't be able to accomplish much.
As for Kaido, he wouldn't go so far as to turn against Orochi over a mere Headliner. Once the Fire Festival arrived, Orochi could just send more gifts to smooth things over, and the matter would be settled.
But the situation had changed.
If this brat before him was truly Yamato's fiancé, then his status within the Beasts was far from that of an ordinary officer—he had to be one of Kaido's most trusted confidants.
Orochi found himself in a dilemma, glaring furiously at Gurd.
"You're deceiving me!"
"Deceiving?"
Gurd tightened his arm around Yamato, pulling her close.
Yamato tilted her head in confusion, taking a long moment to grasp Gurd's implication. Images of marriage, children, and finally a bizarre scene of "a family of five" flashed through her mind.
Have... have babies with Gurd?
Steam practically erupted from the girl's head as her eyes swirled into spirals. Living among prostitutes day in and day out, she had long since learned about such matters between men and women.
Actions spoke louder than words.
Seeing their intimate display, Orochi's eyes turned bloodshot, his already volatile temper spiraling into madness.
"Grrraaahhh!"
All eight heads thrashed wildly, snapping at everything around them.
After a long bout of frenzy, Orochi finally calmed down, retracting all his heads back into his body and reverting to human form.
"Keh heh heh!"
Orochi panted heavily.
He could verify this with Kaido, but Kaido had always been tight-lipped about Yamato, never willing to discuss her.
All Orochi knew was that Yamato hadn't left Oni Island in over a decade and had constantly challenged Kaido—a battle-crazed lunatic.
Moreover, the outside world knew nothing of Yamato's existence. Contacting Kaido over such a trivial matter, risking Marine surveillance, would likely only provoke the man.
But then, something occurred to him!
He might not know much about Yamato, but he had thorough intelligence on Gurd!
Orochi's gaze darkened. "Brat Gurd, I've heard you have some... questionable relationship with Headliner Ulti. Care to explain that?"
"Ulti? She's also my fiancée."
Gurd replied calmly.
With Orochi's resources, he had surely already gathered intel on him. Hiding it was pointless—better to own up to it openly.
"Huh?"
Orochi froze.
What did that mean?
What did he mean by "also"?
"You bastard, you're mocking me!"
"Of course I wouldn't dare mock the Shogun. What I mean is that both Yamato and Ulti are my fiancées—both are my wings."
Gurd grinned, raising his hands and slowly clenching them into fists.
"I'll take them all!"
"..."
Orochi's jaw dropped in shock.
Take them all?
How could there be someone so shameless in this world?!
Even he, the Shogun, had only ever planned to take one wife in his lifetime, never entertaining such outrageous thoughts.
Fury and indignation surged within Orochi as he roared, "Don't joke around! There's no way Kaido would let his daughter marry a bastard like you!"
"Oh? Am I not worthy?"
Gurd pushed Yamato aside, standing up and straightening his collar. "I'm handsome, talented in both arts and combat, and Yamato and I are deeply in love—a match made in heaven. Who are you, an outsider, to wag your tongue about it?"
Handsome?
Orochi was left speechless.
Why don't you take a look in the mirror? With that fierce face, rugged muscles, and shiny bald head of yours, standing next to Yamato is like Beauty and the Beast.
What kind of match made in heaven is this?!
"Lord Orochi."
At that moment, Fukurokuju approached and whispered into Orochi's ear.
Orochi's expression shifted rapidly.
Fukurokuju had obtained information from the Hot Spring Shop's attendant—every night, Yamato would bathe with Gurd, and their relationship was extremely intimate.
One could even describe it as nightly revelry.
Their relationship was real!
"That damned couple!"
Orochi cursed inwardly, but all the killing intent on his face vanished, replaced by an insincere smile so exaggerated it was nauseating.
As if nothing had just happened.
"Guhahaha."
Orochi raised his cup with a beaming smile.
"My apologies, Brother Gurd. I was merely joking earlier. Yamato is my niece, and I was worried she might be deceived, so I tested you a little. Here, let me toast you as an apology!"
"No offense taken. The shogun was simply overprotective."
Gurd played along, raising his cup with a chuckle.
Now wasn't the time to turn hostile. With his and Yamato's combined strength, the likelihood of killing Orochi in a short time was slim.
Orochi's survival skills were top-notch—practically eight lives in one. His Oniwabanshu and Mimawari-gumi forces combined numbered ten thousand, not to mention Kyoshiro, who could reinforce him at any moment.
If they got bogged down in a prolonged battle, they'd be worn down eventually. Yamato might survive, but he'd definitely be dead.
Without absolute certainty, he couldn't afford to take the risk.
He still needed one more crucial advantage!
Orochi downed his drink in one gulp, then glared at the terrified geisha beside him. "What are you standing around for? Keep playing, keep dancing!"
"Yes, Lord Orochi."
As the shamisen music resumed, the banquet hall regained its lively atmosphere.
After several rounds of drinks—
"Guhahaha."
Orochi's cheeks were flushed, his drunkenness apparent as he chuckled. "Brother Gurd, I understand your and Yamato's desire to achieve great deeds, but developing Ebisu Town is too slow. It might take years to see even minor results."
"That's true."
Gurd nodded slightly.
Buying property and renting it out was indeed a long-term investment.
But it was stable.
And that was exactly his style!
"Guhahaha!"
Orochi grinned, malice gleaming in his eyes. "By the time of the Fire Festival, Kaido will return from his expedition. If you want to accomplish something noteworthy before then, Ebisu Town won't cut it. But if you truly wish to give Kaido a grand gift, I have the perfect place for you!"
"Oh? Please enlighten me, Shogun!"
Gurd straightened his posture, feigning interest.
Orochi slowly uttered a name.
"Ashura Doji."
"..."
Gurd narrowed his eyes.
"The bandits of Kuri's Mount Atama?"
"Exactly, them!"
Orochi's face darkened with unmistakable fear and hatred. "Ashura Doji was once one of Kozuki Oden's retainers. After Oden's death, he took the name Shutenmaru and led a gang of bandits to occupy Mount Atama in Kuri."
"Now, that bastard has long abandoned any pride as a samurai. He specializes in robbing merchants traveling between regions—even poor villages aren't spared. He's a notorious scoundrel."
"For all these years, Ashura Doji has been a thorn in the side of both myself and Kaido. If you can eliminate him, Kaido will be overjoyed when he finds out, and I will also reward you handsomely!"
Orochi chuckled darkly.
For years, he had wanted to take down Ashura Doji, but every attempt had resulted in heavy losses. That man was not an easy opponent!
If he could pit Gurd and his companion against Ashura Doji, regardless of who won or lost, it would benefit him either way.
Orochi stared at Gurd, his eyes brimming with murderous intent.
"Brother Gurd, do you dare to take on this task?"
"Lord Orochi, you've really given me a tough problem here!"
Gurd took a swig of alcohol, quickly weighing the pros and cons.
Ashura Doji was undoubtedly a formidable foe, but capturing him would bring significant rewards.
Most importantly, the man was a retainer of Kozuki Oden.
Whether now or in the future.
He had to die!
Bang!
Gurd slammed the bottle onto the table.
"It's just bandit hunting!"
"We'll do it!"
(End of Chapter)