Jian Du's face lit up with excitement as he watched Kuonuki Toki's body being pierced.
Toki's identity was crucial to Wano Country.
Kurozumi Oden had already disappointed the people of Wano Country.
However, due to Toki's appearance, the people of Wano Country still saw a glimmer of hope.
Because of this, the people of Wano Country still held onto expectations.
Now, Toki was dead.
Once this news spread, the people who still held some hope would eventually waver, or even completely lose hope in this country.
"Ittoryu, Ikken Benri."
Hyogoro suddenly appeared behind Toki and thrust his sword forward.
A sharp and powerful sword qi instantly pierced Toki's body and then slashed towards Jian Du's neck.
Jian Du's eyes widened as the scene from ten years ago exploded in his mind.
Clang!
His long sword blocked the attack, sending Jian Du flying back. He crashed into a wall, which cracked and stopped him in his tracks.
Hyogoro reappeared before him, and Jian Du let out a low growl.
His long sword swung, and blood spurted from his neck.
However, Jian Du ignored it.
As a Zoan-type, Golden Lion fruit ability user, he had awakened his fruit's abilities, possessing astonishing stamina and rapid recovery.
Therefore, the wound on his neck healed during his brief exchange with Hyogoro.
"Hyogoro, this is what a yakuza boss should be like, isn't it?"
"As long as the target can be eliminated, anything goes, even if the target is of noble birth, or even your master."
Jian Du was not angered by Hyogoro's attack, which had nearly killed him again.
On the contrary, Toki's death made him incredibly excited.
Especially since Hyogoro had also pierced Toki's body with his sword.
"Hyogoro, do you have some misunderstanding about me?"
"I am a man of great principle."
"How could I do something so treasonous?"
Hyogoro, as expected of a strong swordsman known as 'Goken,' especially mastered the more powerful Armament Haki, 'Ryuo.'
His application of Armament Haki, whether in his fists or on his dagger, possessed immense power.
Furthermore, he could switch freely between dagger and fist attacks.
Jian Du found himself struggling to cope with Hyogoro's fierce attacks.
But what made him even more annoyed was that Hyogoro, after doing such a thing, refused to admit it.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Just then, three assassins were sent flying. Then, before Jian Du's eyes, their bodies rapidly turned into withered bones and disappeared in a gust of wind.
Jian Du was startled by this sudden turn of events and quickly pushed Hyogoro away, retreating to the side.
"How is this possible?"
"Why are you completely unharmed?"
Jian Du's gaze swept over to the side, looking at Toki, who was completely unharmed and still holding Kozuki Hiyori and Kozuki Momonosuke, his heart filled with shock.
Jian Du had clearly seen his sword pierce Toki's body.
Hyogoro's sword qi had done the same.
"Pfft!"
"Did you see Lady Toki bleed?"
"Is there blood on your sword?"
Seeing Jian Du's astonishment, Hyogoro sneered.
Jian Du looked at his sword and then tried hard to recall the moment he assassinated Toki.
There was no blood.
His clothes were not stained either!
"Are you a Devil Fruit user?" Jian Du looked at Toki, his realization filled with dread.
Other than being a Devil Fruit user, he couldn't imagine how Toki had managed to evade his assassination.
Toki did not answer Jian Du's question but quietly watched him, paying no mind to the remaining assassins closing in around them.
"Attack him together, kill him."
"Whoever kills this woman will surely be reported to the Shogun and handsomely rewarded."
Jian Du did not know what Devil Fruit Toki possessed, nor how his three subordinates had turned into ashes and disappeared.
Therefore, he needed someone to test the waters.
Upon hearing Jian Du's words, Hyogoro immediately returned to defend.
It was merely a precaution.
How could Jian Du allow Hyogoro to retreat unscathed? He immediately engaged him in a fight.
On the other side, the remaining assassins launched a full-scale attack on Toki without hesitation.
Toki, holding the two children, moved with graceful agility.
Surprisingly, all the assassins' attacks were dodged.
They couldn't even understand how Toki could dodge them, and when they wanted to change their attack methods to deliver a finishing blow, they found themselves compelled to continue as they were.
The assassination ended in a moment, and Toki had already moved out of the attack range.
However, Toki was clearly breathing heavily, her chest rising and falling rapidly, and sweat beaded on her forehead.
The remaining assassins, seeing this, immediately realized.
Although Toki was a Devil Fruit user, her stamina was a significant weakness.
With just a shared glance, an unspoken understanding was reached, and they attacked Toki again.
Toki's expression changed slightly, but at this moment, as long as Hyogoro hadn't dealt with Jian Du, she had to persist.
But just then, the assassins who had been close to Toki were instantly sent flying and all killed.
"Marshal Benedict?"
The sudden change stunned Toki. Seeing Benedict's figure, she was filled with surprise and joy.
But soon, Toki asked with confusion, "Marshal Benedict, didn't you leave with Oden?"
"Of course, it was a precaution," Benedict said with a smile.
"Before I complete your request, I don't want anything to happen to you, after all, there are answers I need from you."
Upon hearing this, Toki understood and was deeply grateful.
On the other side, Jian Du, who was still entangled with Hyogoro, was shocked to see Benedict appear. He dared not continue fighting Hyogoro and immediately fled.
He was well aware of Marshal Benedict's power.
How could Benedict let a Devil Fruit user with considerable combat prowess escape?
Seeing Jian Du about to flee, Benedict instantly flew in front of him and delivered a fist the size of a sandbag without hesitation.
Jian Du was horrified and held up his sword to block.
Clang!
Jian Du's sword, covered in Armament Haki, snapped under the force of Benedict's punch.
Then, to Jian Du's terrified gaze, the sandbag-sized fist landed on his face.
Bang!
Benedict's fist pushed Jian Du's face into the ground, instantly creating a pit five meters in diameter.
The entire ground caved in, and sharp spikes rose around it.
A cracking sound followed.
Jian Du, deceased!
Hyogoro stood on the wall, witnessing Jian Du being killed by Benedict's punch. His pupils contracted sharply.
How terrifying!