Chapter 42: Seeds Orochi Planted
Fuming from the rejection and humiliation he faced at King's hands, Orochi retreated to the safety of his palace, a swirl of resentment and schemes building in his mind. Each step back to his quarters was a reminder of how his desires had been thwarted, not just by Komurasaki's indifference, but by King's ruthless intervention. The affront cut him deeply. He was the Shogun, the supreme power in Wano, and yet he had been dismissed by a mere subordinate of Kaido. Orochi's pride burned, and he vowed that he would not let this insult go unanswered.
As he paced his chambers, Orochi's mind raced through his options. His initial thoughts were dark and impulsive—a plan to retaliate against King, to remind him that his power in Wano was not absolute. However, he quickly realized that openly challenging King would be a grave mistake. King was one of Kaido's most trusted All-Stars, fiercely loyal and terrifyingly powerful. Any direct confrontation with him could not only backfire but also jeopardize his alliance with Kaido. Orochi knew he had to be more cunning, more underhanded, if he wanted to satisfy his wounded pride without endangering his own position.
A smile crept onto Orochi's face as he considered his next move. He would strike not at King, but at the one person King had intervened to protect—Komurasaki. Orochi's obsession with her had only grown stronger after her resistance. He viewed her rejection not as finality, but as an obstacle to be overcome. If he couldn't have her by persuasion, he would secure her in other ways, more manipulative ways, that would erode her resistance.
The first stage of his plan involved spreading rumors in the Flower Capital. Orochi would ensure whispers circulated among the populace, alluding to Komurasaki's supposed betrayal of Wano by aligning herself with the Beasts Pirates. By questioning her loyalty in the eyes of the people, he would force her into a more vulnerable position, one that would make her reconsider his offer of "protection." He chuckled to himself, envisioning the panic she might feel as she found herself turned against by the very people she sought to entertain.
But Orochi's schemes went deeper still. He sent for Fukurokuju, the leader of the Oniwabanshu, and tasked him with subtle surveillance of Komurasaki. Every movement she made, every interaction with King or any other member of the Beasts Pirates, would be noted and reported back to Orochi. He would use this information to chip away at her resolve, twisting her circumstances until she had no choice but to come to him.
Yet even these measures did not quench his thirst for revenge against King. Orochi's final strategy was to plant seeds of dissent within the ranks of the Beasts Pirates. If he could covertly sow rumors that Komurasaki's presence caused a distraction to King, he could hope to stir discontent or jealousy among the other members. Orochi knew that Kaido's crew was volatile; even small tensions could flare into conflicts if handled correctly. And if it reached a boiling point, King might find himself under scrutiny from his own comrades, ultimately forcing him to release Komurasaki.
Satisfied with his layered schemes, Orochi reclined in his chamber, his anger soothed by the anticipation of Komurasaki's eventual submission and King's downfall. Though subtle, his plans were in motion, and Orochi believed that it was only a matter of time before he had the last laugh.
As Orochi's mind buzzed with schemes and plans, he knew that his vengeance against King would need to be carefully orchestrated. He couldn't act impulsively; he needed leverage, something that would make King vulnerable, something subtle enough to work in the shadows.
Late one night, in a dark, secluded corner of the Flower Capital, Orochi summoned Fukurokuju, the captain of his ninja guard and leader of the Oniwabanshu. Fukurokuju, a man of cool calculation and absolute loyalty to Orochi, had always been an indispensable ally in the Shogun's plots. This time, however, their meeting would involve a more delicate maneuver—one that was meant to weaken King from within.