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OPI Chapter 347: Underworld Armies and Hidden Alliances
🕑 Added 2025-04-19 22:00:51 +0000 UTCStarfish World, Mary Geoise.
“Crocodile, that bastard… he acted without authorization!”
Nusjuro frowned in obvious disgust as he read the report delivered by Marshal Raymond.
The document detailed Crocodile’s activities in the Land of Wind and Sunagakure within the Shinobi World.
“But his actions have been effective.”
Ju Peter crossed one leg over the other while holding a steaming cup of coffee in his hand.
“Using intelligence far beyond what most people in the Shinobi World can grasp, a mysterious identity, and overwhelming power, he’s constructed a web of lies that won’t easily be exposed in a short time. With that, he’s gained Sunagakure’s trust and seized control over the Land of Wind.”
“This way, we don’t even need to deploy a large force. Just a few high-level combatants are enough to establish the Land of Wind as our Shinobi World base of operations and go to war against other nations and villages.”
“Even if something unexpected happens down the line, the losses will be minimal. And we don’t have to worry about the transport efficiency of small-scale Dimensional Gates. You could say it’s a near-perfect plan.”
As he spoke, Ju Peter’s eyes glowed with admiration.
“This Crocodile is not only strong—he’s a strategic asset as well. If you don’t like him, just hand him over to me. His methods seem far more suited to Cipher Pol.”
“Hmph. Keep dreaming, even in broad daylight.”
Nusjuro snorted coldly.
Ju Peter had expected that answer and merely chuckled, dropping the subject as he turned his attention to savoring his cup of coffee.
“But is not deploying a large force really a good thing?”
“If we rely solely on top-tier combatants, how are the captains and soldiers supposed to earn merits? If the military’s promotion channels get clogged, the talent supply chain will eventually break down!”
Nusjuro’s voice was stern.
“All right. Anyway, since Crocodile is currently in control of the Land of Wind, let’s follow his plan for now. We’ll just provide some support from the rear.”
Warcury intervened to ease the tension in the room.
“After all, according to Lord Imu, until it’s confirmed that the King of the Dead has successfully pinned down Ōtsutsuki Hagoromo, there are no plans to upgrade the Dimensional Gate to medium scale.”
The other four nodded in agreement.
At that moment, Saturn asked curiously, “What about the Moon? Who did the military assign to take command over there?”
They were highly interested in the alien spaceship that revealed the existence of an extraterrestrial civilization.
It also highlighted how the World Government had long neglected threats from space.
“Shiki.”
Nusjuro replied with a sour expression.
“There’s no one else available. Kaido, that bastard, flat-out refused. He said he’d only get involved once a war broke out. Until then, he’s too busy guarding Zou. That son of a—”
“Hahaha. Well, it is Kaido we’re talking about. Having him sit alone on the desolate Moon counting stars all day really isn’t a good match.”
Saturn chuckled, clearly amused.
"Speaking of which, that brat Borsalino probably would enjoy a job like this."
"Exactly. Just two days ago, that punk actually submitted a report to Zephyr, saying he'd be happy to trade places with Shiki—send him to the Moon, and let Shiki go to the Zero Magic World instead!"
Nusjuro grew increasingly irritated as he spoke, looking utterly exasperated.
"As if I'd ever approve of something like that! He hasn’t earned the merit or seniority. Who’s going to be the next Air Force Marshal? Shiki? Or Kaido? What a joke!"
...
Meanwhile, in the Teigu World.
Inside the study aboard Noah’s Ark, little Enma sat in her chair, gently swinging her legs back and forth.
"So, has the King of the Dead made any moves yet?"
Previously, in order to monitor the King of the Dead’s actions, Imu had instructed Enma to secretly enter the Underworld of Starfish World and observe.
"Not yet, Father," Enma replied, shaking her head. "The King of the Dead must first gather his Wraith Commanders and Revenant Troops. After that, he’ll sail down the River Styx—which flows through Hell and connects all Underworlds—in order to reach the one linked to the Shinobi World."
"Gather them?"
Imu was puzzled by the idea. Did such a task really take time for someone like the King of the Dead? Shouldn’t he be able to summon them instantly?
Enma quickly explained: "Ever since he conquered the underworlds of the Kabaneri and Demon Slayer worlds, the King of the Dead has liked bringing souls from those realms with him on his campaigns."
"Especially the Kabane and the demons—they make for decent foot soldiers. Even if they’re not as powerful as the elite souls from Starfish World, he still values their presence."
"But the King of the Dead doesn’t have access to Dimensional Gates like we do. He has to transfer those souls to the Underworld of Starfish World first, consolidate them there, and only then set out."
Imu nodded in understanding.
It made sense—the King of the Dead had conquered other Underworlds, so of course he’d want his army to include elements from different worlds.
What better way to reflect his status as Lord of Multiple Underworlds?
"Then why doesn’t he just keep the Kabane and Demons stationed permanently in Starfish’s Underworld? Wouldn’t that make them easier to deploy?"
"Father, here’s the thing," Enma replied gently.
"Souls are usually bound to the Underworld they were born in. If they stay too long in another one, they begin to weaken."
"They can’t adapt to the spirit particle environment of a foreign Underworld. Only stronger souls are able to resist that effect."
"Very well. Keep a close eye on the Underworld of Starfish World. I need to know exactly when the King of the Dead departs—and how the battle unfolds in the Shinobi World’s Underworld."
"Yes, Father!" Enma nodded firmly.
"Tell me—if the King of the Dead were to die, or be seriously injured, would you be able to take control of Starfish’s Underworld?" Imu asked suddenly.
"Ah… well…"
Enma hesitated, then answered cautiously: "If he dies, I probably could. But Underworld Lords are incredibly difficult to kill. Even if their bodies are destroyed, they can revive in their own Underworld in a severely injured state."
"And if he’s just severely injured—could you defeat him then?"
"That would be tough… Not just because of the King of the Dead himself, but because his Wraith Commanders are extremely powerful too. And there’s no way he’d bring all of them with him on a campaign."
Imu fell silent, deep in thought.
"I remember Byrnndi World died in the World of the Titans. Do you have his soul?"
"I do. He’s currently my strongest Wraith Commander. But unfortunately, he’s lost the power of his Devil Fruit—he’s nowhere near as strong as he was when he was alive."
Enma spread her small hands with a sigh.
"I see."
At this point, Imu was certain:
The King of the Dead’s army must include every powerful Marine admiral and infamous pirate from history.
Even Roger, who was executed five years ago—perhaps even Rocks himself.
But there was one crucial detail:
Souls lose their Devil Fruit powers after death.
...
The Shinobi World.
While Crocodile was stirring up trouble in the Land of Wind—
Kumogakure and Iwagakure had already reached a secret alliance agreement, though it had not yet been publicly announced.
At the same time—
A force of 5,000 shinobi from Kumo aggressively crossed the Land of the Moon and stationed themselves at the northernmost edge of the Land of Hot Water, near the border of the Land of Fire.
This immediately raised high alert within Konohagakure.
Given the jungle terrain along the Land of Hot Water's border, the Third Hokage appointed the newly instated head of the Aburame clan, Shibi Aburame, to lead a 3,000-strong shinobi force to confront them.
Combined with the few hundred patrolling shinobi already in the area, the forces were deemed sufficient.
Besides—
Both sides knew perfectly well.
Their primary target was that nameless powerhouse in the Land of Wind, so war was unlikely to break out.
Still, necessary precautions had to be taken.
During this period, Konoha clearly stated to the Hidden Cloud Village that they had never dispatched any shinobi to Rōran.
To prove this point—
Hiruzen even revealed to them that all Root shinobi had a jutsu seal on their tongues called the 'Tongue Root Eradication'.
In other words, if it truly had been a Root shinobi, there’s no way they could have said anything about Danzō.
The reason he was so eager to clear Konoha of suspicion was because that nameless powerhouse gave him an intense sense of unease.
Capturing the Third Raikage alive and single-handedly crushing over 3,000 Cloud shinobi in one fell swoop—
That was already beyond the capabilities of any current Kage.
If it had to be compared, only the likes of Uchiha Madara or the First Hokage might have been capable of such a feat.
