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

"..."

The room suddenly became much quieter.

After a long time~

"I didn't expect someone to guess it!"

Tenguyama Feiche—no, Kozuki Sukiyaki—let out a long sigh there:

"We've only just met, and we've only spent such a short time together..."

"This is another unexpected surprise!"

Tenguyama Hitetsu was there, sighing and mocking himself, but his words also betrayed his astonishment.

Just as he himself said, he and Link had only met for the first time, and he hadn't shown any unusual behavior. Yet, in such a short time, his identity had already been revealed.

For over a decade, he had lived in anonymity, wandering among the mountains and forests, but in the end, he could not hide his identity well.

He had considered the possibility that his identity might be exposed, but he never imagined it would happen at this time, in this place, and in this setting.

And, facing such a person, under such circumstances...

Tenguyama Hitetsu, also known as Kozuki Sukiyaki, raised his hand, which was covered with age spots, and gently covered the long red nose mask on his face.

Then slowly pluck it off.

Suddenly, a face that looked remarkably similar to Kozuki Oden appeared in Link's eyes.

However~~~

This face looked much older and more weathered than Kozuki Oden's.

Especially in his eyes, there are many historical etched marks, as if he has experienced too much. Just by looking at him, you can feel the weight and depth of his character.

This former shogun, who single-handedly caused the entire Wano Country to fall into Orochi's hands, should have been announced dead.

The head of the Kozuki family, Kozuki Sukiyaki~

But once again, it appeared before Link, on this island, and in this world.

~~~~~~~~~

[Thank you so much to the generous donor 'Once Upon a Time There Was a Eunuch' for this incredible donation again and again! Thank you!!!]

582 Kaido's confidence and indulgence!! Let them be!! Where are you going, bro?!

Kozuki Sukiyaki, the former shogun of Wano Country, and the de facto leader of this island and country.

He was also the daimyo of Kuri in Wano Country, the father of Kozuki Oden, and the grandfather of that brat Kozuki Momonosuke.

Despite their blood relation, Kozuki Sukiyaki has never met Momonosuke, and his relationship with his son, Kozuki Oden, is not good; they even severed their father-son relationship at one point.

Furthermore, they consistently opposed Kozuki Oden's departure to sea.

Later, during Kozuki Oden's voyage, Kozuki Sukiyaki fell ill. Kurozumi Higurashi used the power of the Imitation Fruit to impersonate him, usurped his identity, and announced that the shogunate would be passed to Kurozumi Orochi.

And shortly thereafter, news of Kozuki Sukiyaki's death was announced.

In reality, he was imprisoned underground in the Great Serpent City.

After narrowly escaping death, Kozuki Sukiyaki donned a mask and adopted the alias Tenguyama Hitetsu, living as a swordsmith in the village of straw hats.

This is a simple introduction to his journey, but the understated words convey just how thrilling it was.

Although it's unclear what possessed Kurozumi Higurashi and Kurozumi Orochi to decide to imprison Kozuki Sukiyaki instead of killing him to eliminate any future threats.

However, it must be said that this also spared the life of Kozuki Sukiyaki.

He later managed to escape from the prison cell, barely clinging to life. At that time, he helplessly discovered that Wano Country had been transformed into a desolate wasteland.

After obtaining Kozuki Oden's sword, he changed his name and disguised himself as Tenguyama Hitetsu, drifting to the village of Togasa in the Kuri region of Wano Country as an ordinary resident.

Some time later, he took in Ayu, the orphan of a factory slave, and conveyed to her the hope that "the returning samurai will destroy the evil spirits in a few years."

Then they encountered Ace and his group, and then Link and his group.

"Kozuki Sukiyaki is dead. Now, only Tenguyama Hitetsu is alive."

Kozuki Sukiyaki shook his head with a sigh, "It's best not to bring up this name again."

"I... am truly ashamed of the surname [Kozuki]."

During his tenure, he lost the country, and it fell into the hands of treacherous and wicked people.

As a result, the country and its people have suffered for more than 20 years.

Kozuki Sukiyaki felt that he would have no face to see the ancestors of the Kozuki family again in the future.

"With the Beasts Pirates involved, the final outcome for this country won't change."

Link, on the contrary, was there comforting him:

"You don't need to blame yourself too much. In fact, the excess of power was quite peaceful and did not cause any additional casualties. Sukiyaki... Lord Hitetsu, you have already done very well."

Kozuki Sukiyaki simply shook his head and didn't say anything more.

Such a knot in one's heart cannot be explained away in just a few words.

So~~~

"Then why don't we sit down, have a cup of tea, and have a good chat?"

Link casually brought out a round table and two cushions suitable for kneeling.

On the table was a pot of steaming hot, fragrant tea, along with three cups.

"Please~"

He gestured "please" to Kozuki Sukiyaki, then looked at Aokiji, his meaning quite clear.

Yes, savoring this fragrant tea in such a secluded and tranquil forest setting, while listening to the stories and legends of an elder, offers a unique and delightful experience.

.........

The other side~

Just as Link and Kozuki Sukiyaki started drinking tea and chatting.

On the outskirts of Wano Country, on Onigashima Island.

Boom! !

Streaks of lightning, shimmering with a purplish-black luster, crackled and popped as they descended upon the surrounding area.

Above the sky, there were dark, inky clouds that seemed to never disappear.

Gale-force winds and torrential rains are perhaps the enduring style and character of this island.

Such a harsh and dangerous environment should not be suitable for human habitation.

But there was a group of people who managed to occupy the island and even modified its interior.

It has been completely transformed into an environment suitable for human habitation.

In a way, this might also imply that human will can overcome nature.

And the force that accomplished all of this is none other than one of the Four Emperors of the Sea, the Beasts Pirates, led by Kaido, the "strongest creature in the world"!

Meanwhile, Kaido, one of the Four Emperors, was gulping down the wine from his red gourd.

"Brother Kaido~"

With flames erupting from his head, King once again stepped into the stone house where Kaido was drinking.

"The Straw Hat Pirates have almost all landed; it's time to start their operation..."

Jin said in a deep voice, "Should we issue a warrant for their arrest and capture across the entire island?"

"Hoo~ Hiccup"

Upon hearing the question, Kaido first put down his gourd and let out a long breath, then looked at King.

"Does Orochi know about this?!"

He didn't reply, but instead asked a question in return.

"Hmm~"

Jin nodded. "The relevant information has already been sent to him."

"Then we can ignore it!!"

Kaido immediately waved his hand and said, "Let him worry about this himself."

"Anyway, the Straw Hat Pirates are causing trouble in Wano Country, it doesn't really concern us."

Kaido said casually.

In his opinion, instead of paying attention to the commotion caused by Luffy and his crew, it would be better to think of ways to get a few more Zoan-type Devil Fruits.

"Given the Straw Hat Pirates' track record of breaking into the three major agencies under the World Government, there's nothing they wouldn't dare to do."

"They'll definitely cause a lot of trouble on this island, giving the giant snake a headache. We'll just send someone to deal with it."

"If Orochi can handle this, that would be best. Even if he can't, he can ask us for help, and then we can deal with them."

Despite his drunken state, Kaido's thoughts remained remarkably clear.

"Is that so? I understand, Brother Kaido~"

Jin thought for a moment, then nodded slightly.

Indeed, it's better to spend time and effort searching for them, alerting them, and having your strength depleted by them.

It's better to wait and see, and let them reveal themselves.

Kaido didn't go after the Straw Hat Pirates because he believed those restless guys would cause trouble, and it wouldn't be too late to show up then.

As for what kind of trouble will be caused on the island of Wano Country~

They didn't want to pay any attention to it, nor did they care to.

As long as it doesn't affect the interests of the Beasts Pirates, nothing else matters.

"Looks like I'll have to contact Udon and ask that idiot Quinn to keep a closer eye on the prisoner quarry and factory inside Wano Country..."

As Jin pondered this, he made sure that his own interests would not be harmed.

Then he saw Kaido pick up the spiked club on the table and slowly stand up.

"Where are you going, bro?!"

"Let's go to another shore, hiccup~"

Kaido, hiccuping as he walked out, walked past King's calm gaze.

"Just now, I received a call from Baohuang. He said that Apoo from the [Sea Cry] has discovered traces of two foreign pirate ships in the port of Renbu in the Himei region, southeast of Wano Country."

King awaited Kaido's next words. He knew that two ordinary pirate ships alone would not be enough to attract Kaido's attention or interest, and that it was not worth making him personally go there.

Sure enough, what he heard next was:

"If I'm not mistaken, those two pirate ships should belong to the Kid Pirates and the Hawkins Pirates."

Kaido spoke casually, his sharp spiked club repeatedly carving deep marks into the ground:

"Two more decent fellows have arrived on this island."

"The Kid Pirates? Captain Eustass Kid? And the Magician Hawkins?"

Jin raised an eyebrow as well.

"Like the Straw Hat Pirates, they're both Supernovas who just set sail this year and caused quite a stir..."

"And among the supernovas, two seemingly formidable and troublesome individuals~~~".

Chapter 583: The Arrival of Kidd and Hawkins!! [The Worst Generation]!! Kaido's Advance!!

"So these two guys, like the Straw Hat Pirates, have come to Wano Country?!"

Jin's eyes narrowed slightly, as if he was pondering something.

Something's not right, something's really not right!!

Jin sensed something was off and noticed that something was amiss.

"The powerful figures from the Supernovas have been arriving here one after another. Could it be that they've made a pact to form an alliance and work together against us?"