Night fell.
Under the enthusiastic guidance of the technician ladies, the guests soaked in hot springs, enjoyed foot massages, and experienced some high-end services they had never tried before.
After the full set of treatments, the guests' bodies felt as if they had been polished to perfection. They lounged on the plush, comfortable fabric sofas, their minds and bodies experiencing unprecedented satisfaction.
They were utterly enchanted.
"It feels... like achieving nirvana."
"Same here."
"This truly is the Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss."
"Heavenly Abode... lives up to its name!"
Although the prices were somewhat steep, they now felt the money was well spent. Even Orochi Shogun probably hadn't experienced such supremely comfortable services.
In comparison, other hot spring establishments were garbage—not even the largest entertainment venue in Flower Capital, the Pleasure Quarter, could hold a candle to this place.
They absolutely loved it here.
Just as the guests were preparing to head home or considering staying overnight, Heavenly Abode had one more surprise in store.
Gurd entered the lounge.
"Honored guests, our establishment has prepared a special performance. We kindly invite you to proceed to the rooftop."
"Another performance?"
The guests exchanged glances.
Those who could afford to be here were either wealthy or influential, and ordinary performances rarely piqued their interest. But after so many pleasant surprises today, they couldn't help but feel a surge of anticipation.
Moments later, all the guests had gathered on the spacious rooftop, where the open view allowed them to clearly see the scenery outside.
However, with the sky already dark, sightseeing didn't seem appropriate. The guests wondered what the establishment had up its sleeve.
"Please wait a moment. The performance will begin shortly."
Gurd's gaze turned toward the darkness beyond.
Rewards came with risks.
Not all pirates were fools. If he blatantly took advantage of Kaido's resources without delivering results, even if Kaido himself was magnanimous enough to let it slide, the executives would skin him alive.
Especially that King.
Not only had he attended, but he'd also contributed a whopping 1,000 gold coins. Aside from his affection for the boss's daughter, there was undoubtedly a warning in that gesture.
[Kid, I've got my eye on you.]
Oni Island, banquet hall.
Kaido and his three top executives were gathered, their eyes fixed on the Video Snail monitoring the Hot Spring Club's every move.
King's expression was icy.
He had long been aware of Gurd's behind-the-scenes manipulations.
If it was for the crew's benefit, fine—no expense was too great if it could change Yamato's attitude. But if this was just a scheme to swindle money from Yamato and the others...
The consequences would be severe.
"Muhahaha, this brat's got some guts!"
Queen watched with great amusement.
It had been a while since he'd encountered such an interesting kid. Despite not even being a Headliner, he'd managed to play the entire Beasts Pirates like a fiddle.
"Balls of steel" didn't even begin to cover it.
He'd contributed gift money too!
But unlike the cautious King, Queen was more interested in seeing what tricks Gurd had up his sleeve and how much more entertainment he could provide.
"Oh, it's starting!"
Suddenly, large searchlights on the southern side of the hot spring club flicked on, illuminating the wilderness outside with stark clarity.
Unbeknownst to anyone, the wilderness was now filled with a massive gathering of warriors—the Kozuki Remnants!
"Muhahaha, this kid's definitely entertaining!"
Queen's eyes gleamed.
As one of the world's top scientists, his mind was anything but dull. He quickly pieced together Gurd's plan.
This was an open scheme!
Even King's demeanor shifted slightly, a hint of approval flashing in his eyes.
Using Yamato's identity to force the Kozuki Remnants into a trap not only reaped great benefits but also handed them their answer.
That brat must have planned all this the moment Yamato was imprisoned—possessing not just unfathomable ambition and audacity, but a mind to match!
But it's still not enough!
A glint of anticipation flashed in King's eyes.
Hot Spring Club, rooftop observatory.
"Kozuki Samurai!"
At the sight of the warriors gathering under the lights, all the guests were shocked, some even trembling with fear, ready to flee.
As the wealthiest class in the country, everything they owned came from Orochi Shogun, making them mortal enemies of the Kozuki clan. Many had even betrayed the Kozuki in the past.
Now, seeing so many warriors, how could they not be terrified?
"Ladies and gentlemen, there's no need to worry. This is merely a special performance."
Gurd smiled reassuringly at the guests before tearing off his formal attire, revealing his muscular torso and the massive sword in his hand.
"The stage is set, the actors are all here—now, it's showtime! Enjoy!"
With that, Gurd leaped from the rooftop over ten meters high, crashing down like a cannonball, his legs embedding deep into the ground!
"BOOM!"
The earth shattered, dust billowing into the air.
The next moment, Gurd emerged from the smoke, hefting his greatsword as he stood before the Kozuki Samurai, seemingly ready to take on hundreds alone.
The guests rose to their feet, eyes wide with shock.
No one had expected this manager to be so ferocious, daring to face the Kozuki Samurai single-handedly.
"My blood is boiling!"
Gurd gripped his sword, eyes glowing red.
The thirst for slaughter was rising.
"Come, warriors!"
"..."
At this point, the samurai realized their every move had been anticipated.
"It's a trap!"
The crowd stirred but quickly steadied.
They had already resolved to march to Oni Island and die for the Kozuki clan. Now, with the option of Kaido's daughter and a real chance of success, the choice was obvious.
Whether it was a trap didn't matter—death was certain either way. They had no time to wait, no energy to overthink.
If they missed tonight and Kaido's daughter returned to Oni Island, there would never be another chance to strike a blow against Kaido.
The decisive battle was now!
"Kill this meddling pirate!"
"Even if we all die here, we must kill Kaido's daughter!"
"Let Kaido feel the wrath of Kozuki!"
With unshakable resolve, the warriors roared as they charged at Gurd.
"Perfect!"
Gurd bellowed, raising his two-meter-long greatsword. His muscles bulged, veins throbbing as he swung with all his might!
"BOOM!"
The earth quaked violently, splitting open from the sword's impact, the fissure rapidly spreading forward.
In an instant, the battlefield was ravaged as if struck by a powerful earthquake.
"Aaaah, help!"
Dozens of warriors who failed to dodge in time screamed as they plummeted into the chasm, while the rest staggered, hearts filled with terror.
No one had imagined this pirate could cleave the earth itself. Caught off guard, they were instantly devastated.
But this was only the beginning!
Gurd's eyes blazed as he channeled all his strength through the sword into the ground.
The earth trembled again.
The warriors crouched low, watching the trembling pebbles and the swelling, cracking ground beneath them, pupils shrinking in dread.
Something was coming!
"Cliff Sword!!!"
With Gurd's roar, blade-like stone pillars erupted from the ground, instantly piercing through the samurai's chest and lifting him into the sky!
"AAAAAH!!!"
The screams echoed across the battlefield!
Yet this was only the beginning!
"BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!!!"
One after another, the raz
or-sharp stone pillars rose from the earth, nearly covering the entire battlefield and plunging the Kozuki Remnants into despair.
When the dust finally settled, dozens of jagged stone pillars stood tall upon the land, each impaling the corpses of samurai at their peaks.
A veritable hell on earth!