From Pirate to Revolutionary Mentor

Chapter 97 The Reliance of the Shimotsuki Yasuie Family

Wano Country, Kuri, Daimyo Mansion Reception Room.

After reaching an agreement on the bottom line, the forces that came to the aid from the outer sea and the forces of the Daimyo's mansion in Kuri finally did not clash; to be precise, the Oden faction had no choice but to submit.

After glancing at Oden's retainers, Shimotsuki Yasuie simply acquiesced to the other side's demands.

He was more clear-headed than anyone else.

As the daimyo of Hakumai for decades, he has a clear understanding of the people of this country. He also has some knowledge of the Orochi who was originally disguised under his command, as well as the pirate from the outer sea.

Wano Country is currently on the edge of a precipice; its peaceful and prosperous state is merely a facade, and it will be shattered to pieces in one step.

Orochi was able to overpower Kozuki, and his reliance on the Beasts Pirates for military strength was evident.

He was not unfamiliar with this pirate from the outer sea.

Three years ago, the Beasts Pirates and other pirates fought a major battle with other pirates in Ringo. That was Wano Country's chance, but...

Shimotsuki Yasuie glanced at Oden.

The revolutionaries were sometimes right; Prince Oden possessed the demeanor of a lord, but lacked the decisiveness of a ruler.

But in any case, he is Kozuki, the lord of this country.

Oden was unwilling to seize that opportunity, just as he had been unwilling to tell anyone before that he had been forced to perform that dance. He believed that Orochi and Kaido would keep their promise.

If Shimotsuki Hikoichiro and the Revolutionary Army had arrived a day earlier, Oden would not have agreed to this alliance; he would still have trusted Kaido and Orochi.

The enemy is already assembling its high-end forces. This is the intelligence brought by the samurai, and it's also the reason why he sent Oden to the Hakumai Daimyo's residence today.

"call……"

After exhaling, Shimotsuki Yasuie looked across at the other side and said, "Neither I nor Lord Oden are people who cannot relinquish power. Wano Country needs your help now. I beg you!"

He emphasized the phrase "in the present-day Wano Country".

Kin'emon and the others' expressions hardened, but they ultimately lowered their heads and retreated.

During the five years that Oden danced, they visited the daimyo's residence in Hakumai many times. They chose to believe in this lord who had supported Lord Oden since his youth.

"Now that we've reached a basic agreement, let's talk about the follow-up issues."

Kevin began, "We need to understand the Beasts Pirates' intelligence, including whether their high-end combat forces are concentrated or dispersed."

"Currently, our existence seems to be sudden. After the closed Wano Country was taken over by them, there are not many people in this world who have the ability to fly."

"In other words, we can launch a surprise attack, even a surprise attack of four thousand people, which we can control with our flight capabilities."

"Finally, there's the location where the war breaks out. A clash of top-tier forces would be extremely destructive to the center of the battlefield, so we need to obtain information about when they will converge on Onigashima!"

Faced with these questions, Kozuki Oden, sitting in the middle opposite him, looked completely bewildered.

For the past five years, all he could think about was that the five years would pass as quickly as possible, and that Wano Country would no longer be oppressed after Kaido and Orochi left.

He never considered how to break the deadlock after being deceived; the most likely outcome was simply to charge in alone with a knife.

"In fact, they have recently been assembling mid-to-high-end combat forces."

Shimotsuki Yasuie glanced at Oden as he spoke: "This afternoon, Lord Oden and I discussed their actions, which clearly indicated they didn't intend to keep their promise. Now it seems the timing was just right."

"During this time, even Kaido stayed on Onigashima to guard against Lord Oden's power. His two top lieutenants also remained on Onigashima."

"I have a more detailed analysis of the Beasts Pirates, including their sorcery abilities. I can share that with you all after this conversation."

Kevin nodded.

It has to be said that this old man with the round face looks more like a lord than Oden.

Kevin had no experience with large-scale warfare, so after gesturing to Dragon, whose forehead was covered in cold sweat, he left the rest of the arrangements to him.

After all, this world is different. In a world with supernatural abilities, high-end combat forces must be restrained.

Otherwise, even if they were scattered, a single breath attack from Kaido would render nearly a hundred people incapacitated.

In this regard, Dragon and Uncle Bear, who has already taken command of the Revolutionary Army's Southern Army, are the real experts.

After swallowing a plate of sashimi with one hand, Dragon raised his hand to wipe the sweat from his brow: "Next time, you can just serve big chunks of grilled meat. I really can't get used to this."

After saying this, Dragon's expression turned serious: "Before this, the Revolutionary Army had also collected and learned some intelligence about the New World. Now that the Beast Pirates' top combat power has been gathered, things will be much easier."

The big bear nearby looked over: "The old way?"

Dragon chuckled. "Shiki the Golden Lion's ability to be invincible with the Float-Float Fruit, even earning him the title of Pirate Admiral, is also thanks to the Flying Pirates' mobility. The old method... as long as it works, isn't that enough?"

At this moment, Shimotsuki Hikoichiro had brought over a map of Wano Country, and the seven people from both sides stood around the map.

Dorag pointed to Oni Island, which was located below Usagi-i and Hakumai: "Mr. Fireseed uses his teleportation ability to create a king-on-king situation. I will land five ships at these entrances and exits of Oni Island to create an impact."

Kevin, standing nearby, understood that he was to go in first to complete the landing at the coordinate point.

However, the coordinates are a limitation of teleportation ability, so it's not appropriate to discuss them here.

"In a direct confrontation between two kings, even a central attack with high-level combat power cannot deplete one's own stamina. So, Kaido..."

Kevin then spoke up, "I'll do it."

Oden looked up and frowned: "You... you're probably not ready yet. With me joining in, it should be safer."

Dragon was about to say something when Kevin raised his hand to stop him: "Let him come along. We can leave Wano Country to the samurai."

These words caused the others to narrow their eyes slightly, but they did not say anything.

Dragon continued, "The five ships have nearly two thousand troops. We will maintain constant communication with Den Den Mushi from now on, and I will arrange the remaining two thousand troops as needed."

"Furthermore, how many samurai will be able to form a fighting force in Wano Country's campaign against Orochi?"

Shimotsuki Yasuie hesitated for a moment: "Three thousand."

Dragon narrowed his eyes: "Then, after we have overwhelmed the power of the Great Serpent, I hope that the samurai can also prepare large ships to support Onigashima at any time."

Shimotsuki Yasuie understood and bowed slightly, saying, "Don't worry, the samurai will complete the extermination of Orochi as quickly as possible."

Dorrag nodded.

"That's the basic situation. Big Bear and I will oversee the mobility of the entire army. We will also go to provide support at the end and maintain constant contact."

"After the main force arrives tomorrow, we'll rest for a day. Meanwhile, I need to organize intelligence, and we'll begin operations the day after tomorrow."

Rayleigh and Roger exchanged a glance.

"Then we two will take over the middle ranks of the Beasts Pirates."

Roger smiled and stretched his arms.

"This body is a bit weak, otherwise I'd like to fight that little Kaido. Back in the Rocks Pirates days, he was just a kid."

……

Time passed gradually, and night fell.

The revolutionary army was given lodgings, and Dragon continued to eat. Shimotsuki Yasuie took out his most treasured money.

In another courtyard, Shimotsuki Yasuie sat cross-legged, while Shimotsuki Hikoichiro, sitting to the left, was being questioned.

"So that Mr. Fire Seed has already made a great name for himself in the open sea."

Looking at the wanted poster in his hand, the bounty of over two billion was truly impressive.

"Three years ago, someone mentioned that Prince Oden would dance the *dance* for another three years... Hikoichiro, do you really think that gentleman could see the future?"

Hikoichiro lowered his head and replied, "Mr. Fireseed should have this ability. I heard some of it from Mr. Rayleigh. When Mr. Sabaody Archipelago first attacked a Celestial Dragon, he used three different abilities."

"Yeah?"

Frost Moon Kangjia tapped lightly with one hand, his mind racing with thoughts.

Through Shimotsuki Hikoichiro's account, and combined with his investigation of the Beasts Pirates over the past few years, he also gained some understanding of the situation in the outer seas.

The most basic thing is newspapers from the open sea. Under the closed-door policy, these seagulls that deliver newspapers no longer come to Wano Country, but in the past five years, some have resumed coming because of the Beasts Pirates.

The three abilities could not be sorcery.

According to intelligence, if a Devil Fruit user eats another fruit, the Devil's power will clash within their body, ultimately causing the user to explode and die.

If the user isn't a Devil Fruit user, it's currently unclear what the limitations of teleportation are. Even Seastone, a specialty of Wano Country, might not be able to counter it.

Therefore, after the war ended, there was only one path to take.

The difference in combat strength is too great. These four thousand people may not be the entirety of the enemy's strength. In addition, their ability to float and fly means that what was said earlier may have been a warning.

The natural barrier of Wano Country is useless.

The masked Mr. Fireseed was confident he could take on Kaido alone, and the other two people who had developed the ability to fly were equally powerful.

One was Rayleigh, and the other was a guy wearing a mask.

Lord Oden's expression suggests he recognizes her, so he might be a member of Roger's pirate crew.

No matter how you calculate it, the Revolutionary Army is stronger than Kaido.

Then we have to do it in another way.

Thinking of this, Shimotsuki Yasuie looked at Hikoichiro, who was not from the main family of Shimotsuki.

"You just heard the bottom line conditions that His Highness Oden and the Revolutionary Army have reached an agreement."

Hikoichiro didn't speak, but he was already nervous inside.

Shimotsuki Yasuie continued, "After the Revolutionary Army liberated Wano Country, the daimyo and shogun titles were no longer hereditary. Each term lasts four years, and four years will pass quickly. Your contribution in bringing support to Wano Country this time is immense."

"I'm getting old, and I'll be even older in four years. For the sake of Wano Country's peace, I've never really cared much about power. You, on the other hand, are young and have seen the vast world beyond the seas. Would you be willing to become the daimyo of Hakumai in four years, Hikoichiro?"

As soon as he finished speaking, Shimotsuki Hikoichiro, who was kneeling with his head bowed, could not suppress the restlessness in his heart, no matter how hard he tried to remain calm.

Hakumai is the most powerful figure under the Shogun's office in Wano Country.

How should I answer this?

Bringing the Revolutionary Army back to Wano Country is tantamount to saving Wano Country, right?

So...

Just as he was about to make a move, a scene from a long, long time ago flashed through his mind—the era of the Black Charcoal Clan's rebellion, and the past after their defeat and subsequent purge.

The gentleman at the head of the table is by no means a soft-hearted person.

I am not from the main branch of the Shimotsuki family. The branch family adheres to its duties, and the samurai also have their own path. The retainers are loyal to their lord.

My own thought just now was to commit seppuku!

"Bang."

His forehead touched the ground.

Shimotsuki Hikoichiro spoke up, "To be loyal to Wano Country, to the Kozuki clan, and to the Shimotsuki daimyo is the duty of a retainer and a samurai. I dare not, and have never thought of, taking a high position for myself."

As soon as he finished speaking, Hikoichiro looked up at Shimotsuki Yasuie and lifted his outer robe.

"If Your Majesty suspects me of harboring any disloyal thoughts, I am willing to commit seppuku to prove my loyalty!"

He drew the wakizashi and turned it to face himself.

His gaze narrowed slightly, but he heard no sound of protest. He sighed inwardly, then used force with both hands to thrust the wakizashi straight into his abdomen.

"Bang!"

At the last moment, the short sword wakizashi was knocked away.

Shimotsuki Yasuie's expression was displeased: "You risked your life to go to sea to find reinforcements. So many samurai died or went missing, but you were the only one who successfully brought the support back to Wano Country. How could I possibly doubt you?!"

Having escaped death, Shimotsuki Hikoichiro knelt on the ground, remaining silent.

Shimotsuki Yasuie continued, "The Revolutionary Army's narrative is suitable for overseas audiences, but for Wano Country, many things are still too early. Both Shimotsuki and our lord, the Kozuki clan, are of immense significance to Wano Country."

Hikoichiro replied in a deep voice, "Understood. The samurai and Hakumai, no, and all the people of Wano Country, will remain loyal to Kozuki!"

Without acknowledging or reprimanding, after a long silence, Shimotsuki Yasuie waved his hand, dismissing him.

In the quiet room, only Shimotsuki Yasuie sat quietly.

Hikoichiro cannot die, at least not now or for the next year or two.

This was just a test, and it turned out well. Although I was attracted to her, she clearly knew what the outcome would be.

An experience in the open sea can change a person, but how many people in Wano Country have actually been to the open sea?

The Revolutionary Army has too little understanding of Wano Country; they have no idea what Kozuki means to this country.

Even though Oden danced that kind of dance for five years, there were still people among the common people and samurai who believed in him.

Bringing in knowledge and understanding from overseas, four years may not necessarily change Wano Country. At that time, as long as we manipulate things from the shadows, the Kozuki clan can continue to serve as shoguns and establish this as a precedent. Then this will become the precedent of Wano Country.

Hereditary succession is not allowed, but the general of each generation is chosen by the Kozuki clan, which is not hereditary succession.

Shuangyue Kangjia smiled.

He is never afraid of his opponents being reasonable; what he fears most is his opponents being unreasonable.

……

I humbly request that you all subscribe.

(End of this chapter)