Tales from Elseworld Vol.1

Two to Tango

Wano celebrates its liberation defeating Kaido and Big Mom the previous night. It took a great effort from the allied forces to defeat the former Rox pirates who reigned over their territories for five decades ruling the New World. The moment the emperors fell in battle citizens of all countries celebrated the victory around the grand line. A new era of freedom unfolds after being under oppression giving hope to those that didn't have any before. Wano exemplifies this better than any country as generations grew under the impression their previous shogun was a criminal and the current one Orochi was a saint.

Kin'emon enters the Flower Capital's holding cells taking a seat across from Kanjuro drawing a dragon on a canvas dabbing an ink on the brush not bothering sparing Kin'emon a glance. Kanjuro scribbles calligraphy across the sides marking his signature waving the drawing holding it up to the light blowing dust off examining it once more. The former scabbard places it aside grabbing a fresh paper beginning work once more. Kinemon stares at his closest friend and confidant waiting for him to acknowledge his presence wondering if he gave every visitor this treatment.

"Kanjuro—" Kin'emon snatches The former scabbard's wrist forcing him to cease the drawing. "Why did you do it? Tell me why you betrayed us after all this time. I thought you cared about the mission, about Wano country, about your brothers in arms!" Kinemon tightens his grip as Kanjuro pulls away.

"You still don't get it do you? Despite sharing joys and sorrows with you all meaning you no harm earning your absolute trust. The one thing I did was continually send Orochi information. My loyalty has only been with the Kurozumi family. I've never wanted anything more than avenging my parents after their persecution and death."

"All this time you wished to be rid of your pain. When Usopp the straw hat marksman was placed in a trap by your doing you offered to take your own life for the failure during Dressrosa's raid." Kin'emon slams his fists down on the table staring at his former comrade, "You kidnapping Momo delivering him to Onigashima is unforgivable."

Kanjuro draws a bird taking up the entirety of the sheet, "I was a trained theatre actor growing up on the streets here. You should've seen it coming Kin'emon. The fact you didn't tends me to thinking you don't know me as well as you think you do."

"You really don't hold any remorse for your actions do you? None whatsoever?"

"No." Kanjuro finishes the bird holding it to the light a moment showing Kin'emon. "Do you like it? Isn't my best work what say you Kin'emon?"

Kin'emon snatches Kanjuro's collar hoisting him across the table, "I tried to cut off your head after finding out what you did on the boat ride to Onigashima. You don't deserve to live keeping an oath as Wano's retainer only to betray us."

"You have nothing to threaten me with. My purpose for the past twenty years is fulfilled. Now whenever death comes I shall welcome it as I've always wanted to since the death of my parents—"

Kin'emon tosses Kanjuro in his chair glaring daggers through him. He walks toward the metal door knocking on it as the jailer escorted by guards unlock the cell. "You deserve to rot in here Kanjuro beheading you would be too good for what you've done."

The fire fox samurai exits the jail staring up at fireworks shooting through the night sky stepping in the large crowd. Booths line the capital streets selling out food, booze, and fireworks continuing their celebration. If he didn't know any better he would've thought this is what life would've been like every so often had Kaido and Orochi not taken over the country. Citizens sprint through the roads following a parade stampeding down Main Street. Kin'emon trails the people witnessing the straw hat pirates atop of a float waving to people below feasting away. He glances a final time at the pirates leaving the commotion behind heading home.