"Vane, have you noticed we're being followed?"

On their way back through the Flower Capital, Gion suddenly paused. A frown tugged at her brow. Her instincts, honed through years of battle and experience, warned her of something. There was a faint presence—one she couldn't see, but could feel creeping closer with every step.

They had already walked several hundred meters, and yet the sensation had only grown stronger.

"Maybe I'm just being paranoid..." she muttered to herself.

"No, you're right," Vane said calmly, his tone devoid of surprise. "Someone is following us."

The one tailing them was no ordinary stalker—it was a ninja from Wano, likely a subordinate of Kurozumi Orochi. Ninjas were notorious for their ability to suppress their presence, trained in the arts of infiltration and deception. Some could even mask themselves from Observation Haki.

They were a class of their own—shadowy and elusive.

"So it's not just in my head," Gion said, reassured by Vane's agreement. She trusted his strength and senses more than her own in situations like this.

"It's a Wano ninja," Vane continued. "Probably sent by Kurozumi Orochi."

"Ninja? From Orochi?" she echoed.

"Yeah. Orochi's the current shogun, at least in name. After Kozuki Oden's fall, he seized power and now rules Wano."

"So… his people are spying on us?"

"Exactly."

Gion glanced at him, uncertain. "So what do we do?"

Vane's eyes narrowed. "We kill him."

"What?! Must you always resort to killing?" Gion protested, her voice laced with irritation.

"If we don't, they'll keep watching us. Even when we sleep," Vane replied bluntly.

The thought made Gion shudder. Ninjas had a reputation for being nearly invisible—hiding in shadows, rooftops, even using cloaking techniques. It wasn't far-fetched that someone might be lurking outside their rooms at night.

"So, Gion… your call?"

She didn't answer. Her silence was enough of a reply.

Even if she had objected, it wouldn't have changed Vane's mind. It was always she who ended up going along with his decisions, never the other way around.

Suddenly, Vane disappeared from her side.

He moved without sound, vanishing into the crowd like a ghost. He knew the location of the ninja—only one target, and no real threat.

The ninja had blended in well. He wore the plain clothing of a commoner and moved like any ordinary man. Nothing in his appearance hinted at danger. But from time to time, he would glance toward Vane and Gion, tracking them carefully.

His orders were clear: watch them, report their intentions, and do not engage unless instructed.

Kurozumi Orochi, the so-called ruler of Wano, was aware of major happenings in the outside world. Unlike most of Wano's citizens—isolated, ignorant, and disinterested in global affairs—Orochi was well-informed.

While the people of the Flower Capital indulged in luxury, and those outside starved in filth, Orochi's paranoia kept him alert.

He knew of Rhett Vane—one of the youngest rising pirate emperors.

Still, Orochi underestimated him. In his arrogance, he believed Wano to be untouchable. That Vane's arrival threatened his rule was a possibility he refused to admit, at least openly.

That's why he sent spies.

And if needed… assassins.

"Just watch them. That's all Lord Orochi asked for," the ninja told himself. In the bustling street, he kept a low profile. When Vane and Gion left the crowds, he would melt back into the shadows and follow from above—on rooftops, through alleys—unseen and unheard.

At least, that was the plan.

But when he blinked, Vane was gone.

He turned quickly, scanning the crowd—but only Gion remained. Vane had vanished.

"What…?" Panic surged in his chest.

"Looking for someone?" a calm voice said from behind him.

A hand clapped down on his right shoulder.

He froze.

The hand belonged to Vane.

"W-We know each other?" the ninja stammered, trying to play it cool. But sweat already dotted his brow.

"No," Vane replied.

"I just want to have a quick chat."

Without waiting for a response, Vane shoved him into a narrow alley, away from the busy street. The ninja stumbled, trying to recover his footing.

"What do you want?" the man asked, trying to mask his fear.

"To send you to your ancestors," Vane said coldly.

He wasn't interested in games. Kaido would never bother with subtle surveillance. He'd rather fight head-on. But Orochi? Orochi was a schemer, always relying on cowardly tactics and underhanded moves.

An ice blade formed in Vane's hand, its cold gleam catching the ninja's wide-eyed stare.

Before the man could react, the blade pierced his heart.

Even before the blood could spill, Vane pulled the blade free—then drove it in again.

The ninja's body trembled. His mind couldn't comprehend what had happened, but his body already knew—his life was slipping away.

Moments later, Vane stepped out of the alley.

Behind him, a small blaze flickered where the body once lay.

The fire devoured the evidence.

No one noticed.

---

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