CHAPTER 197- Betting on the Tiger—Wano’s Final Gamble

The golden morning light spilled across Kozuki Hiyori's bare shoulders like scattered coins, warm and gentle.

Her long lashes fluttered slightly before she slowly opened her eyes, still groggy from sleep.

The first thing she noticed—Luo Yu was gone.

Startled, she sat up in silence, staring at the now-empty room.

"Hiyori, are you awake? May we come in?" came Sukiyaki's voice from outside the door.

Hiyori snapped out of her daze, quickly wiped the drool at the corner of her mouth, threw on her clothes, and replied,

"Grandfather, you can come in."

Sukiyaki carefully pushed open the door, scanning the room. Though he had prepared himself for this outcome, a sigh of disappointment still escaped his lips.

"He left already, didn't he…?"

"About last night…"

Hiyori's cheeks turned crimson. She quickly waved her hands.

"Nothing happened, Grandpa… I mean—maybe I wasn't pretty enough…"

"Nothing at all?" Sukiyaki rolled his eyes."No wonder it was silent all night. Grandpa stayed up for nothing…"

He shook his head and muttered again,

"Still, it's not his fault. The Marine Headquarters is preparing to go to war with two of the Four Emperors. Wano isn't even part of the World Government."

"The real fault lies with me. If only I'd taught Oden better, Wano wouldn't be in this pitiful state."

"Father…" Hiyori lowered her gaze.

In the past, she would've flared up at anyone who dared to insult her father.But now—after Luo Yu's scathing truths—she had no retort.

Once revered as a legendary hero, Kozuki Oden now echoed in her mind with a new, bitter name: "a noble idiot."

"Enough, Hiyori. Don't dwell on it," Sukiyaki sighed, trying to change the subject.

"Whether that Marine helps us or not, Kaido's declaration of war against the Navy is a huge opportunity for Wano."

"Even if the Navy doesn't defeat the Beasts Pirates outright, so long as they inflict heavy damage, it'll be a victory for us."

"And at that time… I'm afraid we'll need to trouble you again—to approach that man."

"Trouble me again?" Hiyori's eyes flashed with a spark of light and excitement. She instantly caught Sukiyaki's meaning.

Sukiyaki noticed the shift in her expression, and before he could speak, Kyoshiro stepped into the room.

"Lord Sukiyaki, what did you say to make the princess look so cheerful?"

"Cheerful?!" Hiyori jolted and waved her hands nervously."No—no! I'm not happy about anything… especially not… that sort of thing! Uncle Kyoshiro, you misunderstood!"

"We misunderstood?" Sukiyaki shot her a side glance. Of course he could tell—his granddaughter was very interested now.

The elegant, revered courtesan of Wano… had clearly developed feelings for the outsider.

But Sukiyaki's face suddenly turned stern.

"Kyoshiro, weren't you headed to the Shogun's palace to meet Orochi? Why have you returned so quickly?"

Hiyori's flushed face immediately turned serious.

If Kyoshiro was back early, something must have gone wrong.

The so-called meeting was meant to gather intel on the possibility of Wano's opening—yet now, he'd returned with urgency.

Kyoshiro's expression was grim.

"Lord Sukiyaki, Princess Hiyori… there's been an incident."

"Ashura Doji, long hidden on Mt. Atamayama under the name Shutenmaru, suddenly issued a rallying call yesterday—for all samurai to rise and open Wano's borders."

"The entire country is in an uproar. Even Orochi is alarmed."

"He's summoned all the Oniwabanshu and ordered every warrior in the country to assemble at the Flower Capital."

"From my rough estimates, there'll be over twelve thousand samurai gathering soon. But Ashura's faction only numbers a few hundred."

"This isn't a rebellion—it's a death march."

Hiyori and Sukiyaki's faces turned pale.

"But Uncle Kyoshiro… why would Ashura Doji act now? He's always been patient—even ten years ago, when others attacked Onigashima, he didn't join."

"Is it because Kaido's gone? He thinks now's the perfect moment?"

"If so, he's gravely underestimated Orochi's cunning."

Both men turned grim. They knew Kaido had deliberately spared Ashura, allowing him to roam like a beast king of the hills—but never with true power.

At most, he had a few hundred swordsmen.

Even if he could inspire hidden samurai with his title as a former Red Scabbard, it was nothing compared to Orochi's vast military.

A direct confrontation would be suicidal.

"Is there any way to stop him?" Hiyori asked anxiously.

Kyoshiro shook his head.

"If I intervene now, Orochi will suspect our true loyalties. Our identities will be exposed."

"The only option left… is to convince him to fight for us."

"But right now, he's disappeared. Finding him won't be easy…"

Hiyori's expression darkened. She clenched her fists, then gave a small, bitter laugh.

"Grandfather… Uncle Kyoshiro… I regret it."

"Last night, I should've forced him."

Kyoshiro and Sukiyaki were stunned.

"Even if it only made the admiral owe me a personal debt—it would've been something."

"Still, I have an idea. It's dangerous… but this might be our last chance."

She drew in a sharp breath.

"Father may have been called a fool, but what Wano lacks most… is someone willing to take the initiative."

"Uncle Kyoshiro, I want to gamble—on an outsider. Will you gamble with me?"

Kyoshiro and Sukiyaki exchanged glances.

Neither had expected such decisive words from Hiyori.

But when they saw her unwavering gaze, they both slowly nodded.

This wasn't just Wano's gamble.

This… was their final bet on survival.