Ringo Village, a modest settlement nestled along the river in the Flower Capital, was known for its tranquil life. The villagers made their living ferrying passengers across the river and fishing its abundant waters.
Although news of Orochi's death had spread, bringing fewer travelers and lower incomes, the villagers managed. As long as they weren't too idle, the river provided enough to keep hunger at bay—a rare fortune for the lower class in Wano Country.
But tranquility never lasts. On this day, a raucous group of Yakuza and ronin descended upon the village, shattering its peace.
"Brother, we hit the jackpot," a scrawny thug reported eagerly to the towering Yakuza leader, a burly man carrying a massive sword nearly as tall as himself. "This village has enough boats. If we take them all and make a couple of trips, our army can cross the river easily."
The leader grinned, his voice booming with satisfaction. "Haha, excellent! Gather the boats now. Lord Gankuro will reward us handsomely for this."
At his command, the mob surged into the village. Though their goal was to seize the boats, the Yakuza couldn't resist helping themselves to whatever they found—hanging fish, chickens pecking freely, and even small personal belongings.
Inside their homes, the villagers watched with fear through cracks in doors and windows. Some clenched their fists in silent rage, but most kept their heads low, praying the invaders would leave once they had what they wanted.
The leader, seeing his men looting aimlessly, frowned. He kicked over a thug attempting to raid a chicken coop and barked, "Idiots! We're not some lowly thieves anymore! We're soldiers in the army of His Majesty, the Shogun. Do your job and secure the boats! Lord Gankuro's rewards will be worth more than this petty junk."
The scolding seemed to work. The Yakuza grumbled but redirected their attention to the village's small pier, where they began untying fishing boats and preparing to take them away.
For the villagers, the boats were their lifeline. Watching the Yakuza take them was too much to bear. Anger overcame fear, and one by one, they emerged from their homes, armed with whatever they could find—kitchen knives, broken sticks, even harpoons.
"Get your filthy hands off our boats!" one man shouted, brandishing a rusty blade.
"You're not welcome here! Leave before we make you!" another yelled.
More than seventy villagers gathered, surrounding the Yakuza and cutting off their escape. The thugs, momentarily startled, dropped their loot and reached for their swords.
But the leader wasn't worried. He smirked, eyeing the villagers' makeshift weapons. Kitchen knives? Harpoons? He sneered inwardly. These people had no real combat training.
During Orochi's reign, the possession of swords was outlawed, and martial arts dojos were shut down. The villagers before him had likely never even held a proper blade.
The leader stepped forward confidently, his massive sword resting on his shoulder. Pushing aside a nervous subordinate, he addressed the villagers in a booming voice.
"How dare you oppose us! We are Samurai of the Kozuki family, under the command of His Majesty, Shogun Kozuki Sukiyaki. Are you trying to rebel against the Shogun's orders?!"
The villagers faltered, their courage wavering. The name "Kozuki Sukiyaki" carried weight, even though many knew the Shogun had been declared dead years ago. Few dared question his sudden return. The thought of rebelling against the Kozuki family—a name steeped in history and reverence—made them tremble.
Seeing their hesitation, The leader smirked. The Shogun's name still works wonders, he thought. Sensing an opportunity to bolster his authority, he raised his voice, his tone dripping with disdain.
"What are you doing, fools? Kneel before the Shogun's army! Or do you want to be branded traitors to Wano?!"
The word rebellion struck fear into the hearts of the weaker villagers. Some dropped their weapons immediately, falling to their knees.
"Sir, we didn't mean it! Please forgive us!" one cried.
"Yes, we wouldn't have dared if we'd known you were the Shogun's men!" another stammered, bowing his head low.
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