Summary:
Orochi plans to take the shogunate with Higurashi’s help.
As Oden continues his journey with the Whitebeard Pirates, he eventually encounters Roger’s Pirates. There will be a clash between Whitebeard and Gol D. Roger.
Orochi became Oden’s deputy while he was at sea, but the other daimyos suspected him because he was a member of the Kurozumi family. Orochi’s past is revealed. As a child, he and his family became hunters because of what his grandfather did. Orochi hid in the forest and found a deserted cabin. Inside was an old man and woman, Semimaru and Higurashi.
Higurashi explained the truth about Orochi’s grandfather. As Shogun Kozuki was infertile, the daimyos of the Shimotsuki, Kurozumi, Uzuki, Amatsuki, and Fugetsu families fought to be the next heir. Orochi’s grandfather tried to take over by murdering the other daimyos, but the Kozuki Shogun eventually succeeded in giving birth to Sukiyaki’s heir. The assassination plot was revealed, Orochi’s grandfather committed suicide, and people began to despise the Kurozumi name.
Orochi reasoned that all his woes stemmed from Sukiyaki being born, and that he would have become Shogun if Sukiyaki hadn’t been born. Higurashi revealed that she was also a member of the Kurozumi family and had the power to transform into other people. She gave Orochi a devil fruit, which allowed him to transform into an eight-headed snake. Orochi planned to usurp the throne.
Orochi needed to raise funds to purchase weapons. While working undercover as a servant, he stole money from Yasui and asked Oden for loans without repaying him. Higurashi then disguised herself as Oden to convince the Shogun to let Orochi into the palace, where he became the Shogun’s loyal servant. Years later, Higurashi disguised herself as Sukiyaki, pretended to fall ill, and spread the word that Sukiyaki had died of the disease, allowing Orochi to rise to power.
Overseas, Oden reached his fourth year under the Whitebeard Pirates and fathered another child, Hiyori. They approached the island that Gold Roger was plundering. Oden decided to fight Roger and was defeated, but Whitebeard appeared and they began to clash.
The anime adds the following:
Orochi fleeing from pursuers before meeting Higurashi and Semimaru.
In the manga, the persecution of the Kurozumi family is revealed later when Orochi explains it to Oden.
Orochi is shown eating the Hebi Hebi no Mi, Model: Yamata no Orochi and transforming with it first.