One Piece: Conquering Wanokuni at Start

"Princess Hiyori! Lord Momonosuke is your true older brother!"

When Kin'emon said this, Momonosuke nodded desperately with tears in his eyes.

In this strange environment, he naturally preferred to be with his blood relatives rather than his retainers, especially after noticing that these intimidating people showed respect to his sister.

However, these words did not create the touching reunion scene that the Red Scabbards had expected.

Instead, upon hearing this news, Princess Hiyori merely glanced at Young Lord Momonosuke, showing little interest or emotion.

This reaction was beyond the expectations of the Red Scabbards.

After all, Princess Hiyori had witnessed them being teleported to the future by Lady Toki.

Logically, even after twenty years, it seemed impossible that she would have no recollection of them, especially since they remained unchanged from twenty years ago.

"Princess Hiyori... do you remember me? I am—"

"Of course I remember you, O-Kiku, who used to play with me when I was young, correct?" Hiyori interrupted before the other could finish introducing herself.

O-Kiku was instinctively overjoyed but suddenly realized something and hurriedly asked: "You... you still remember us?"

"Of course. Though twenty years have indeed passed, I was six years old at the time and still capable of forming memories," Hiyori nodded, glancing at Momonosuke again. Some distant memories flickered in her eyes as she continued: "I also don't deny that Momonosuke is my biological older brother."

At last, the Red Scabbards showed expressions of joy. Momonosuke broke free from Kin'emon's grasp, wanting to step forward again to embrace his long-lost sister.

But Hiyori's next words froze everyone's expressions, leaving Momonosuke standing dazed.

"But that's all in the past... Those memories are useless to me now, and useless things can be discarded."

Hiyori spoke indifferently, her face revealing a coldness that sent chills through the Red Scabbards' hearts, as if the memories she had just acknowledged were merely illusions.

"What... what do you mean?! Princess Hiyori!" Inuarashi and Nekomamushi shouted in disbelief.

Both Momonosuke and Hiyori had been born into the same family, and now Princess Hiyori, who clearly remembered everything, suddenly spoke such harsh words. This was extremely difficult for the two Mink leaders to accept.

"My lady princess! We are your father's retainers, your retainers—Kozuki retainers!" Kanjuro also urgently interjected.

Although he too was concerned about Hiyori's changed attitude, as a member of the Kurozumi family, he was more interested in what had transpired during those twenty years—whether the head of the Kurozumi family, Lord Orochi, still ruled Wano.

Hearing Kanjuro express loyalty to the Kozuki clan, Hiyori shook her head and spoke more directly: "Then you are not my retainers... because now I am simply Hiyori, not Kozuki Hiyori."

In truth, if it weren't for that man who himself had no surname, she would not merely be "Hiyori" now. But as long as she considered that the man was fine with it, and it was only two characters difference, Hiyori secretly felt pleased about the arrangement.

Whatever Hiyori's private thoughts, there was no doubt that her statement had dealt a devastating blow to the Red Scabbards.

This rejection was crueler than a simple denial. They carried the entrustment of their lord and the mission to restore the Kozuki family. Yet the princess of the Kozuki family now refused to acknowledge even her family name!

"What happened to Princess Hiyori? What occurred after we arrived in this era?!" Denjiro asked with a panicked expression.

The Red Scabbards couldn't accept such words from their lord's daughter. Naturally, all their doubts and suspicions focused on what might have happened during that unknown period.

"I don't know! But we must get Princess Hiyori away from here first!"

As soon as Kin'emon spoke, as if following a premeditated plan, Raizo immediately threw several smoke bombs to the ground, instantly covering the area with thick white smoke.

Taking advantage of the limited visibility, Kin'emon and the others quickly approached Hiyori.

"Although we don't understand what happened, both the condition of Kuri beneath our feet and Princess Hiyori's strange behavior indicate something is terribly wrong! Princess Hiyori! You must have been deceived by unknown villains! Please come with us! Help us fulfill Oden-sama's wish and open Wano's borders!"

The moment these words were spoken, a sudden gust of wind dispersed the smoke created by the bombs. Nami and the others were already holding their weapons, positioned strategically around the area.

The sudden release of intimidating aura forced the Red Scabbards to halt their advance.

As samurai, especially those born and raised in Wano, they were particularly sensitive to the invisible phenomenon of sword presence after being trained by Oden.

Among the group of "guards" surrounding Princess Hiyori, the Red Scabbards sensed a deeper and more terrifying sword aura than their own—a feeling almost reminiscent of what they once felt from their master!

But... this! How was this possible?!

"Don't hesitate! These people are merely guarding the princess. If we can rescue her, we can also restrain them! Besides, should we give up just because the enemy is strong?!"

As the Red Scabbards hesitated, Kanjuro and Ashura Doji regained their resolve first and immediately rushed forward.

Inspired by their words, the nine Red Scabbards, except for O-Kiku who remained protecting Momonosuke, advanced once more.

"It's fine, Zoro."

Hiyori suddenly spoke, calling off Zoro who had been eager to fight.

Seeing that the swordsman didn't move much, and hearing Princess Hiyori's command, the eight attacking samurai became even more convinced that something suspicious was happening. They pressed forward, determined to rescue their lord's daughter.

"You rude uncles, don't underestimate us!!"

Though the deadly Zoro and others didn't make a move, Perona, who had been emotionally damaged, was under no such restriction.

In the next moment, countless ghost particles suddenly appeared in the air, on the ground, and throughout everyone's field of vision. Bypassing all awareness, they passed straight through the few who were caught off guard, then suddenly materialized inside their bodies, forming ghosts that exploded.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

The sound of weapons falling in unison echoed.

"I'm... I'm such a worm, showing disrespect to my lord's daughter."

"I don't look like a human, and a cat doesn't look like a cat. I should just die."

"I look like a red-haired clown, and I had the audacity to betray Lord Oden."

All eight attacking Red Scabbards knelt on the ground involuntarily.

Seeing this, Zoro completely lost the fighting spirit that a samurai would typically ignite.

If these warriors could barely handle the thirty or so soldiers at the port, it seemed the Red Scabbards weren't particularly impressive after all.