The overall strength within Wano Kuni is not low, but with both the former Daimyo and General dead, their strongest are just a few gang leaders.
Those people are all constrained by Hyogoro, and judging by Hyogoro's recent situation, he hasn't been involved in such matters.
The combat power of these rebellious forces isn't particularly outstanding. The local forces of Wano Kuni are sufficient to deal with them. The Shinsengumi wasn't established just to be a ceremonial guard; it was to maintain internal stability.
"Wait, just pretend you don't know about this matter."
"My lord, do you mean..."
"No need to inform Hotei and the others, just treat it as a drill and check their ability to respond to sudden situations.
Just let King and Drake know about it, so that we don't cause a big scene that's hard to manage."
"As you command."
In the period right after Kozuki Oden's death, although Kurozumi Orochi became a scapegoat, many people still didn't believe it, such as the bandits of Kuri.
Initially, indeed, there were some who resisted with force, but now they have all become key members of the mining fields, contributing to the mineral output of Wano Kuni.
These years, everything within Wano Kuni has been peaceful, and everything is developing positively. Although the Shinsengumi serves as an internal security force, it has gradually evolved into a retiree home, at most helping find missing dogs and cats or catching petty thieves.
This just happens to coincide with these people's actions, serving as a test of their actual capabilities.
"As you command."
The Greninja took a few steps back and then disappeared into the shadows. Arceus simply didn't regard this matter as significant. It's not that easy to stir up trouble in Wano Kuni.
No matter how meticulous the plan is, even if everything they've planned can be executed smoothly, it's all in vain if they can't overcome the formidable barrier of the Hundred Beasts' leadership.
Even Kaidou, who is enthusiastic about battle, isn't interested in this type of combat. They're too weak, their attacks probably couldn't even sober him up.
The next day, in the Flower Capital.
The Greninja had returned here the previous night, but didn't bother King and Drake. It wasn't an urgent matter, and could be discussed the next day.
With their capabilities, charging into the Flower Capital is impossible. Although Kozuki Hiyori is just a puppet, there's ample military ceremony for the General here. At this moment, Hotei is leading a patrol outside the palace.
This is the job of the General's Guard. It sounds solemn, but it's actually quite easy, at least during Hotei's years in office.
But he held strict standards for his subordinates, fearing that their slackness might displease the Hundred Beasts and lead to his dismissal. Accustomed to the benefits of his position, he couldn't accept returning to his previous life as a wanderer.
"Sir, you're back."
Seeing Greninja's return, Hotei respectfully stepped forward to greet him. As the current captain of the Shinsengumi, he and the head of the current Hiyori Imperial Court Guards, Greninja, are theoretically of equal rank.
But he clearly understands that there's a chasm-like difference between their statuses.
"Beastmen" are common in the Hundred Beasts Pirates; be it giant beasts, the Fur Race, or Fishman Race, they are abundant. The closed-off Wano Kuni has also grown accustomed to this matter, even Kawamatsu has indirectly benefited, and ordinary residents no longer see him as a bizarre Kappa.
Less common amphibians and reptiles like Greninja and Elizabeth have been accepted here long ago.
Furthermore, Greninja's influence isn't just limited to that. The population of Wano Kuni also serves as a training ground for Hundred Beasts' personnel. In addition to a large amount of high-quality weaponry, it also supplies a lot of elite forces.
Besides those in the Imperial Court Guards, Greninja commands an additional ninja force, commonly known as the Kouga Style Ninja, now becoming the mainstream ninjas of Wano Kuni. He himself is revered by those ninjas as the God of Ninjas.
"The New Year Festival is approaching, keep your spirits up."
"Yes!"
Arceus said it wasn't necessary to mention this matter to them, so he didn't. He just hinted, and whether they perceive anything is up to Hotei's own insight.
But from his reaction, it seems he didn't catch the deeper meaning in Greninja's words.
Afterwards, Greninja found King and Drake to convey Arceus's intentions. Although the New Year Festival is a large celebration, for the Hundred Beasts, it's not particularly significant.
They often hold banquets from time to time, and the New Year Festival is just a slightly larger-scale banquet. Ordinary pirates might relax, but those in key positions still maintain their roles.
The enemy wouldn't halt their plans because of a holiday. King and Drake are those who would attend the feast in the first half and return to duty in the second half. Under normal circumstances, they would each be responsible for the first and second half of the night.
Drake prefers to be on duty in the first half of the night, as she claims it's easier to stay up all night rather than waking up halfway through the night, which is too torturous.
...
"Brother King, it looks like there's fun ahead."
"Boring. Do these small fry actually inspire any fighting spirit in you?"
"Not really, but Brother King, don't you think it's amusing? They think we know nothing; we pretend we know nothing, but we actually know everything. Their expressions will be amusing when the time comes."
Perhaps thinking of some amusing scenario, a peculiar smile appeared on Drake's lips.
"I don't think so, but remember to keep your mouth shut and don't go around talking carelessly."
"Don't worry, don't worry. I have the tightest lips, didn't you know?"
She understood what King was referring to. Figures such as Kikunojo were also part of the exercise, and if she leaked any information beforehand, it would ruin the effect.
The greatest difference between them and those outsiders is their sustained loyalty to the Kozuki bloodline.
"Back then, it was either fireworks or drinking. This time is more interesting; hopefully, they add more tricks."
"You better hope the people of Wano Kuni aren't that incompetent. If this kind of rebellion forces you and me to act, then they would be far too inept."
"True, but Brother King, how do we act like we know nothing?"
"You don't need to act, just tone it down a bit. If there's nothing to do, go on patrol, I have other matters to handle."
King trusts Drake a lot; although she seems carefree, she knows her boundaries well. Except for her endless cycle of borrowing and repaying money, she is someone worth trusting.
If anyone thought she was naive and tried to extract information from her, they'd only trap themselves in the end. So he simply told Drake to tone it down a bit.
Afterwards, he drew his sword, his special "guest-dismissal order," indicating he was done listening to Drake's chatter.
Drake, taking the hint, left the area, while King began sharpening his blade.
"Trash holds no worth in existence..."