The Great Voyage: The Props Master on the Straw Hat Ship

"I never imagined you were the legendary Nine Red Scabbards. The legends and prophecies have actually come true. I've certainly broadened my horizons..."

Tengushan Feiche sighed and lamented there, half-jokingly.

"I never expected that I would live to see this day again, the day that will overthrow the rule of Kurozumi Orochi and Kaido and liberate Wano Country..."

These words were sincere and heartfelt; he truly hadn't expected it.

At his advanced age, having experienced so much and weathered so many storms, he couldn't help but shed tears at this moment!

"Please, you must let this old man...do something!!"

Two lines of tears kept sliding down from the corners of his eyes.

~~~~~~~~~

[Thank you so much to the generous donor 'Once Upon a Time There Was a Eunuch' for the incredible generosity! A huge thank you!!!]

577 Kuri!! Shutenmaru, you are our comrade!! I am a true ninja!!

"For the sake of Wano Country, I am willing to offer up this old body without reservation!!"

Tenguyama Hitetsu's words were powerful and sincere, moving Kin'emon and the others deeply.

This further convinced them that their ancestors must have been a prestigious and powerful family that had a very friendly relationship with the Kozuki family.

"Sir!!"

Kin'emon also sniffed, trying to suppress the emotions that had been stirred within him, as well as the gratitude he felt for being recognized and supported:

"Could you please explain the current situation around Jiuli to us in detail?"

He suppressed his emotions and solemnly said:

"Let's understand the current situation so we can make more accurate judgments and plans for the next step!"

This is also a major reason why everyone entered this forest in search of human habitation.

"it is good!"

Tenguyama Hitetsu wiped his cheeks and nodded vigorously.

"I will tell you everything I know without reservation, and explain the situation in Jiuli clearly!"

He then turned and went inside, took out paper and pen, and began to write and draw while giving a detailed explanation to everyone.

The Kuri area includes places like Toyama, Oden Castle, Hakuro Town, Kanrou Village, Togashi Village, Date Port, and more.

Among them, Date Port is where the Straw Hat Pirates landed, and the Straw Hat Village no longer exists due to the migration of a large number of villagers.

Oden Castle was reduced to ruins by a fire eighteen years ago, following the death of Kozuki Oden.

Now, all that remains there are the graves of the Nine Red-Sheathed Heroes and their companions, erected by the original inhabitants of Jiuli.

In addition to the factories under Kaido's command, the rampage caused by the pirate crew members who ran rampant on the island, and Orochi's overspending and decadent lifestyle, there's also the problem of the island's economy being squandered.

This resulted in very few towns in the Jiuli area.

The only known inhabited areas are Toushan, Boluo Town, and Jianlou Village.

"Jianlou Village, as the name suggests, is a village built by a group of residents who gathered next to Boluo Town and scavenged and picked up usable things from the leftover food and daily necessities of the wealthy and powerful living there in order to make a living."

Tengu Mountain Feiche provides a detailed introduction to these three important places.

"And Boro Town is where Anza, a key member of the Beasts Pirates, was stationed. He is called Holdem, the True Fighter."

His voice was slightly heavy, "He is also a powerful giver."

"A real fight? By the Gifters?"

Luffy tilted his head, somewhat confused by the titles.

"The real fighters are the backbone of the Beasts Pirates, some guys who are strong and can be entrusted with important tasks."

Link was explaining things to him from the side.

"The Gifter is someone who has eaten an artificial Devil Fruit and gained the ability."

"Is that so?"

Luffy nodded, seemingly understanding, "In short, he's a really strong guy, right?"

Well, that's not entirely wrong, considering that even a mere bat-like gifted individual under his command could easily stop the Fifth Emperor.

Just thinking about that iconic scene from the animation, where the bat gifted one easily blocked Luffy's advances with an arrow, despite Luffy's mastery of Observation Haki, his ability to foresee the future, and his Gear Fourth ability...

Link thought the production team must have lost their minds; it was utterly absurd!

"Holdem is indeed a rather difficult opponent."

Tenguyama Hitetsu nodded seriously.

"As for the area over the mountain, it's a gathering place for a group of bandits who rob and plunder. They are a group of ronin who have not joined either Kurozumi Orochi or the Beast Pirates. Their leader is named Shutenmaru."

Sake Tenmaru? Never heard of that name before~

Seeing the unfamiliarity and confusion on Kin'emon and the others' faces, Tenguyama Hitetsu continued:

"He has occupied Toushan for many years, and has 280 skilled men under his command who specialize in hijacking passing transport ships for supplies..."

"and many more!!"

Nami suddenly interrupted, "Didn't Kaido and Orochi come looking for trouble with him?!"

"Orochi did try to send someone to capture him, but they were utterly thrashed by that group."

Tenguyama Hitetsu continued.

"That's why Kaido admires Shutenmaru's abilities and has always hoped that he could join his crew, which is why he has tolerated him until today."

"But Shutenmaru kept refusing, repeatedly defeating the skilled fighters sent by Orochi. Moreover, he wisely only plundered transport convoys and did not attack towns or harass the Beast Pirates' base. This forced Orochi to give up, and the two sides have been deadlocked until now."

That’s it~

Everyone nodded to show their understanding.

"What does this Shutenmaru look like?"

Usopp was curious, and also felt a sense of admiration and longing.

"Not only does he possess superb strength to defeat powerful invading enemies, but he also has the backbone to refuse the attempts of Kaido and Orochi to recruit him. This is the true samurai!!"

He said with great conviction, "Such a person must be a very tall and mighty hero, right?"

Usopp's words convinced everyone that he was indeed a truly upright and honorable man.

Immediately, everyone waited for Tengu Mountain Fei Che's next words.

"The appearance of Shutenmaru is..."

Tenguyama Hitetsu had seen the other party a few times from afar and described its very distinctive features.

That's why Raizo and Kin'emon's eyes widened even more as they listened!

"Ashura Doji!!"

The two subconsciously exchanged a glance, both seeing the same guess in each other's eyes, and then simultaneously uttered a low shout.

The image depicted by Tenguyama Hitetsu is none other than the leader of the dark forces in this Kuri region before Lord Oden arrived to govern it.

He later became their companion, one of the Nine Red Scabbards, Ashura Doji!

The other person's physical characteristics were so easy to identify!

"He's our comrade!!"

Kin'emon felt waves of excitement and pride there.

As expected, they truly live up to their reputation as the Nine Red Scabbards. Even Orochi couldn't defeat them, and Kaido admired their prowess.

This is the true spirit of warriors!

While he was excited and proud~

"That powerful guy is actually one of your comrades?!"

Usopp, Luffy, and Chopper all looked at Kin'emon and Raizo.

He looked them up and down again, and then...

The level of suspicion in his eyes was practically overflowing and written all over his face.

Raizo and Kin'emon: "..."

What exactly do you mean by those looks?!

"Wow, there were such powerful figures among the Nine Red Scabbards!"

Luffy put his hands behind his head and said in a very casual tone:

"I thought there were only lecherous perverts, and fake ninjas too~"

Usopp and Chopper both nodded in agreement.

A lecherous pervert? A fake ninja...

The former's title caused Kin'emon's face to fall.

After all, old habits die hard, and while on the ship, he occasionally revealed his true nature, sometimes even hanging out with Sanji and Brook.

Their flirtatious behavior made them a well-known lecherous trio on the ship.

This is a nickname he can't refute.

And the fake ninja...

"I am a true ninja!!"

Raizo was filled with grief and indignation. Where did the other party hear such false rumors about so-called ninjas?!

There are also lower, middle, and upper-class ninjas, and the so-called Kage-level...

Why have I never heard of them? I only know about the Oniwabanshu!

Raizo wanted to argue, but seeing Luffy's eyes, he knew that the Straw Hat captain was determined not to be a real ninja and was stubbornly clinging to his own idea.

"That's right~"

Speaking of ninjas, Luffy did think of one.

"You're going to become a real ninja someday, aren't you?"

Luffy looked down at Tama, who was watching the commotion beside him.

Chapter 578: Luffy, who isn't particularly interested in Wano Country, and the others' plans and next moves!

"Since I've decided to become a ninja, I must become the real, the strongest one!!"

Luffy's tone was rather serious, "Don't try to become a ninja with only a superficial understanding."

"In reality, you haven't learned any real ninja skills, and you don't even know how to use chakra. How dare you call yourself a ninja? Don't make that mistake. You must learn everything you're supposed to learn!!"

Raizo, standing nearby: "~~~~~"

Why do I always feel that these words are somewhat deliberately implying something about me?

"What is chakra?!"

Xiaoyu blinked her innocent eyes, also quite puzzled by Luffy's words.

"Look, you don't even know what chakra is, and you still have the nerve to say you want to become a ninja?"

Luffy said with an "I knew it" look on his face, in a matter-of-fact tone.

"You can't afford to miss out on real skills, like the crucial knowledge and abilities in the ninja profession. You must learn them well and become a true ninja!!"

"Is... is this so?"

Ayu nodded her little head, seemingly understanding but not quite.

"I understand, Brother Luffy!!"

Besides Ace, Tama also refers to Luffy as her new older brother.

"I will work hard to become an excellent ninja!!"

"Haha, I'm really looking forward to it!!"

This idiotic captain successfully infected another person with his foolishly cheerful aura, and fooled Ayu.