Forging Alliances
1512 - Flower Capital - Third Person POV
In the Flower Capital's teahouse, the air was thick with tension as Dominic faced Hiyori and Denjiro, their weapons lowered but eyes wary. Hiyori's voice was sharp, her turquoise hair glinting in the lantern light. "You know our names, stranger, and you claim to oppose Orochi. But what's your plan? Why should we trust you're not one of Orochi's spies, weaving an elaborate trap to flush out every rebel in Wano?"
Denjiro's voice was gruff, his hand still on his sword. "Speak plainly. What do you intend, and how do you think you can challenge Kaido? He's a monster, not a man. Men die against him—Oden did."
Dominic leaned back, his voice calm but steely. "My plan's simple: in one month, during the Fire Festival, I'll overthrow Orochi and defeat Kaido. The festival's chaos—crowds, sake, distractions—gives us the perfect chance to strike. I'm gathering fighters, rebels, anyone who wants Wano free. You're Kozuki's last hope, Hiyori-hime, Denjiro. Join me, and we'll make Wano breathe again."
Hiyori's voice was skeptical, her blue eyes narrowing. "You speak boldly, but what if this is Orochi's scheme? He's cunning, cruel. He'd dangle hope to crush us. How do we know you're not his pawn?"
Dominic's voice was blunt, his eyes unwavering. "I don't need your help, Hiyori. I could free Wano alone—Kaido's nothing to me. My family's powers outmatch his army. But I'm not here to hand you freedom; I'm offering you a chance to fight for it. Join or don't—it's your choice. Wano's people deserve to earn their liberty, not have it gifted."
Denjiro's voice was low, his gaze searching Dominic's face. "You're either mad or stronger than any man I've met. If you're serious, how do you plan to rally others? Wano's broken—fear rules us."
Dominic's voice was steady. "I'll find your allies—Oden's retainers, scattered rebels. I'll train them, arm them. The Fire Festival will be their moment to rise. You know where to find them, Denjiro. Will you help me gather them?"
Hiyori's voice was hesitant, her fingers twitching. "Dominic-sama, are you certain you can defeat Kaido? He's no mere warlord—he's a dragon, a calamity. Even Oden fell to him."
Dominic's smile was fierce, his voice dripping with confidence. "You have no idea what I'm capable of, Hiyori-hime. Kaido's a big lizard to me, nothing more. He'll fall, and Orochi with him. The question is, will you stand with me when he does?"
Denjiro sat silent, his jaw tight, then spoke, his voice resolute. "I'll join you. I'll gather Oden's retainers, find the rebels. One month, Fire Festival. We'll be ready."
Hiyori's voice was soft but firm. "For my father, for Wano… I'll trust you, Dominic-sama. Don't betray us."
Dominic nodded, his voice warm. "You won't regret it." He paid the bill, sake untouched, and left the teahouse, his cloak blending into the night.
---
The next day, Dominic apparated to Ebisu Town under a *Disillusionment Charm*, its streets filled with forced smiles and ragged clothes. He sought Shimotsuki Yasuie, a former daimyo and Oden's ally, finding him among laughing townsfolk, his face lined but kind. Dominic shed his charm, his voice direct. "Yasuie, I'm Dominic. I'm here to free Wano. In one month, at the Fire Festival, I'll take down Orochi and Kaido. Join me, bring your people."
Yasuie's voice was wary, his smile fading. "A bold claim, stranger. Orochi's spies are everywhere. What if this is a trick to root out rebels? Kaido's not a man you challenge lightly—he burned Oden alive."
Dominic's voice was firm, echoing his words to Denjiro. "I don't need you, Yasuie. I could crush Kaido alone. My power's beyond him. But Wano's people must fight for their freedom, not take it from me. On Fire Festival day, I'll face Kaido and Orochi's crew. You're invited—join if you want, or stay here laughing while Wano rots."
Yasuie's voice was quiet, his eyes distant. "You speak like Oden, fearless and mad. Why the Fire Festival?"
Dominic's voice was strategic. "Everyone's together—Orochi's distracted, Kaido's men drunk. It's our chance. Bring fighters, or don't. Your choice."
Yasuie stood silent, his voice soft. "I'll think on it, Dominic. That's all I'll promise."
Dominic nodded, his voice final. "Fire Festival. Don't miss it." He turned, leaving Yasuie staring, the weight of Wano's future on his shoulders.
---
Under his *Deathly Hallows Cloak*, Dominic apparated to Onigashima, Kaido's island fortress, its jagged cliffs looming under a stormy sky. His Haki scanned the layout—towers, armories, beast pens—mapping the battlefield. A thunderous crash drew him to a courtyard, where a young woman with white hair and horns swung a kanabo, shattering a boulder. Dominic shed his cloak, standing beside her, his voice silent.
Yamato's voice was sharp, her kanabo pointed at him. "Who the hell are you? How'd you get here? Answer, or I smash you!"
Dominic didn't speak, throwing a playful punch. Yamato swung her kanabo in an overhead strike, their blows meeting with a shockwave. Her weapon slipped, clattering away, and Dominic's voice was impressed. "Not bad."
He sat on the ground, pulling delicacies from his inventory—roast pork, rice balls, fruit tarts, and sake. He ate, his voice casual. "Good stuff." Yamato stared, drool forming, then wiped it, her voice flustered. "What're you looking at?"
Dominic chuckled, his voice warm. "Eat if you want. Plenty here."
Yamato hesitated, then dove in, her voice muffled. "This is amazing! Better than Onigashima's slop!"
As they finished, Dominic's voice was blunt. "I'm gonna kill your father, Kaido."
Yamato's voice was shocked, her eyes wide. "Are you crazy? That monster'll rip you apart! He's not human—he's a dragon, a god of destruction!"
Dominic's voice was calm, his smile fierce. "He's nothing to me. I'll kill him, that's certain. It's just a matter of when. Wanna join me? We'll liberate Wano together."
Yamato's voice was thrilled, her fists clenched. "Hell yeah! I've wanted him gone forever! Count me in!"
Dominic's voice was strategic. "The battle's on Fire Festival day, one month from now. Be ready." He eyed her explosive handcuffs, his Advanced Armament Haki flaring as he shattered them, tossing them away. They detonated in the distance, and Yamato's voice was anguished. "That monster! How could he do that to me, his own daughter?"
Dominic's voice was steady, outlining his plan. "Fire Festival, we hit Orochi and Kaido hard. Rebels, my family, you—we'll end their rule. Wano's people will fight for their freedom. You in?"
Yamato's voice was fierce. "All the way. For Oden, for Wano!"
---
Dominic apparated to a thieves' hideout in Kuri, a den of outlaws led by Ashura Doji, once Oden's retainer. Under a *Disillusionment Charm*, he strode in, his voice bold. "Ashura Doji! I challenge you!"
Ashura, scarred and hulking, drew his blade, his voice gruff. "Who's this fool?" Their fight was swift—Dominic's speed and Haki overwhelmed Ashura, pinning him. Dominic's voice was blunt. "I don't care what you've done these ten years, Ashura. You were Oden's man, and now Wano's dying under Orochi and Kaido. I'm attacking them on Fire Festival day, one month from now. You're invited—join or hide here like a coward."
Ashura's voice was bitter, his eyes averted. "Why should I trust you? Wano's lost. Oden's dead."
Dominic's voice was sharp. "Can you face Hiyori-hime, Oden's daughter, knowing you did nothing? I'll fight with or without you, but Wano needs its warriors. Fire Festival—remember the date. The war starts, and you decide where you stand."
Ashura's voice was low, his fists clenched. "I'll… think on it."
Dominic's voice was final, his eyes piercing. "Don't think too long." He walked away, leaving Ashura in the dust, the challenge ringing.