Naruto: From Konoha to One Piece

In the end, Denjiro couldn't convince them to back down. Yet, Shin understood him.

After all, given the prior state of Wano, there had been little hope for change, so everyone relied on the prophecy. This was the real reason why Lady Toki's prophecy had become so popular.

While the prophecy gave the people of Wano a glimmer of hope amidst despair, it also stripped them of any faith in defeating Orochi and Kaido early. Especially after Shin heard that the last group of Wano's warriors who had challenged Kaido never returned, no one in the whole country dared to resist anymore.

But looking back, Lady Toki's prophecy had indeed been correct. If not for Shin entering the picture as a variable, the liberation of Wano would truly have taken another 20 years.

Ten minutes later, Orochi swaggered into the room with a strange and unpleasant laugh. His head was large compared to his body, and he had an air that screamed villainy.

"Gehahaha! Miss Komurasaki! I've arrived!"

Orochi was accompanied by an elderly man, likely the one with the barrier-barrier fruit ability.

Shin's keen senses also picked up on several hidden presences around them—likely the guards Denjiro had mentioned.

Seeing Komurasaki, who was actually Shin's clone in disguise, Orochi leaned closer, practically drooling. What pleased Orochi even more was that "Komurasaki" seemed more receptive than usual, not as cold and distant as she had been.

Just as this scoundrel imagined finally winning her over, "Komurasaki" grabbed his arm with a smile, while her other arm transformed into a wooden spear and struck his heart.

"Wood Release: Cutting Jutsu!"

"Gaaaah!" Orochi convulsed like a fish on land, his body twitching as blood spurted from his mouth. With the wooden spikes ravaging his internal organs, his shrieks turned into gurgled whimpers.

"Orochi-sama!"

Exclamations erupted around them as several figures in peculiar attire suddenly appeared—Orochi's Oniwabanshu. 

However, despite their title, these so-called ninjas were hardly a match for skilled shinobi. As they rushed forward, "Komurasaki's" attendants—also Shin's clones—quickly overpowered them.

"Barrier Dome!"

Orochi's retainer, the elderly Kurozumi Semimaru, formed a gesture with his hands, and a transparent barrier materialized, creating a dome around him and Orochi's body.

"He's dead!" Denjiro exclaimed, rising to his feet in astonishment. Even as Semimaru guarded Orochi's corpse, Denjiro's face was filled with joy.

"Finally! The hatred held by our lord has been avenged today!" he declared with pride.

Yamato and Ace, who had barely lifted their weapons, exchanged confused glances.

"That's it? All that planning and caution... for this?"

Denjiro's initial warnings about the barrier's impenetrability had them on high alert. But before the defense could even be established, Orochi was already slain. It had all been taken care of by Shin's wood clone. This hardly felt like a battle.

As for Semimaru... What could an elderly man with missing teeth realistically accomplish? If Orochi had managed to survive even one strike, Semimaru might have been able to respond. But with Orochi taken down in a single move, his barriers were futile.

Staring at Orochi's fallen body, Denjiro even felt a pang of regret—knowing now how feeble Orochi truly was, perhaps he should never have put so much stock in a 20-year prophecy. He could have taken action himself long ago.

Just then, Orochi, who should have been dead, stirred. Raising his head, he blinked blearily as the wound on his chest rapidly healed, forcing out the wooden spikes embedded within. In moments, Orochi stood before them, whole once more.

"How... how is this possible?" Denjiro stammered, his eyes nearly bulging from their sockets. "Is he immortal?"

"Not exactly," Shin said, eyeing Orochi with keen interest. "That's the power of the legendary Yamata no Orochi fruit. It gives him eight lives."

"Eight lives…" Denjiro murmured in dismay. "Does that mean there's no hope?"

Not only that, but Denjiro had just openly revealed his true identity as a loyal retainer of the Kozuki clan, confident that Orochi had been killed. But now, here Orochi stood, very much alive.

Seeing Denjiro's despair, Orochi's eyes narrowed in malice. "You traitors! How dare you attack your own general? Kaido will tear you all to shreds!" 

"And you, Kyoshiro! So you're one of Oden's remaining loyalists after all! I'll make sure you suffer unimaginably!" Orochi sneered, his threats spiraling into hateful rambling.

Denjiro had expected many things, but not that Orochi would still be standing. Now, however, he felt oddly calm. Taking a breath, he stepped forward with steely eyes.

"Listen here, you fool. My name is Denjiro, one of the Nine Red Scabbards, Kozuki Oden's retainer, not 'Kyoshiro'!"

Seeing Denjiro's murderous gaze, Orochi stumbled back, visibly rattled. Trying to save face, he shouted, "You'll never break Semimaru's barrier! You can't kill me! Just wait—Kaido will make sure you suffer!"

"Well, if you're going to kill us all," Shin said with a grin, "you'll have to deal with some... powerful allies."

"What does that mean?" Orochi demanded, scowling.

"Oh, nothing much," Shin replied, gesturing at Yamato, "just that this is the son of your supposed ally Kaido... and you just threatened to wipe out his family."

"Wh-what?" Orochi's eyes widened in shock, his gaze shifting between Yamato and Shin.