One Piece: Ascending the Divine Path

In the quarry prison, there is one cell that is quite special.

The other prisoners were driven out of their cells every day by the guards to mine.

Only this cell was different; the cell door hadn't even been opened for four years.

The guards didn't even know if the people locked in the cell were still alive; they were simply following orders to throw in a poisoned fish every day.

In fact, the person imprisoned in this cell is not only alive, but living a good life.

The fish-man, Kawamatsu, lay quietly on the cold, damp, hard ground, his limbs and neck bound by strong chains, connected to the ground and the wall.

I've been locked up here for four years now, and I wonder how Onimaru and Hiyori are doing.

Looking back on his past experiences, Kawamatsu was filled with melancholy.

After Hiyori-sama, he originally wanted to commit seppuku, but he encountered Onimaru, the pet of the former Suzuki daimyo Shimotsuki Ushimaru, a komainu that could transform into human form.

Kawamatsu then abandoned his suicide attempt because he remembered Lady Toki's prophecy that if a major uprising were to occur thirteen years later, weapons would be indispensable.

So, he changed his name to Ushimaru and together with Onimaru, he robbed people of their weapons.

But not long after, he was caught stealing food in the city.

This is also a very important point of regret, because it would be so stupid to try to steal fried tofu and get caught, right?

Even oden is better, right? At least it has some connection to Lord Oden.

But I can't die!

Even if subjected to torture that would have killed an ordinary person, one cannot die.

Even if you're locked up here and can only survive on one poisonous fish a day, you can't die.

How can I die without making up for my lord's regret?

It was at this moment that Kawamatsu heard a click.

He was momentarily stunned.

Then it suddenly dawned on me that it was the sound of the door lock being turned on!

  

Could it be that Kaido has finally lost his patience and is about to kill him?

Damn it! In the end, I still can't wait for that moment, and I don't even know if Lady Hiyori is safe. Is this all I can do to see Lord Oden?

"Mr. Kawamatsu!"

Is this a deathbed replay? Why do I feel like I'm hearing Hiyori-sama's voice?

It wasn't just the sound; I also saw Hiyori-sama push open the door and enter.

After the hallucination of sound, is it just an illusion?

"Mr. Kawamatsu! I've come to save you!"

闶阆.

Kawamatsu stared blankly as Hiyori Kozuki took out a key and unlocked the shackles binding him. This revolving lantern was really realistic.

"Kawamatsu, how long are you going to stand there daydreaming?!"

An impatient voice came from the prison gate.

Kawamatsu instinctively looked in the direction of the voice, "Hey! Ashura! What's wrong with your hair—"

wrong.

Is it not a hallucination?

Kawamatsu suddenly turned around, staring blankly at the girl before him. "Hiyori-sama?"

"It's me, Mr. Kawamatsu! We've come to rescue you!"

Hiyori's eyes were also a little wet.

For her, Kawamatsu was like a father figure.

"Lord Hiyori! I never expected to see you again!"

Kawamatsu jumped up excitedly, almost dancing with joy, his voice choked with emotion, "It's so good to see you safe and sound!"

"Alright, now is not the time for sentimentality."

The Ashura Child at the door said rudely, "If you waste any more time, that guy will get angry."

"That guy?"

Kawamatsu was taken aback.

"Yes, Mr. Kawamatsu, let's go out first. Everyone should be arriving soon."

Hiyori Kozuki quickly replied.

Everyone?

Are there other people?

Kawamatsu was overjoyed. It seemed that Hiyori-sama had not wasted her time all these years!

He nodded quickly, "Okay, Lady Hiyori, let's hurry, it wouldn't be good if we alerted the Beasts Pirates!"

"disturb?"

Ashura Child scoffed coldly, "What's the point of alarming us now?"

He Song remained bewildered.

But he immediately understood what Ashura Doji meant.

After walking out of the prison with Hiyori Kozuki, Kawamatsu did not see the night patrol guards, but instead saw the prison warden Babanuki standing quietly in the night.

"Lord Hiyori, watch out!"

Kawamatsu instantly stood in front of Hiyori Kozuki, his fists already completely black.

Even though his beloved sword isn't with him, he's still the strongest warrior in Wano Country!

Babanuki immediately took two steps back in alarm. "Hey, don't let him do anything reckless!"

He was still self-aware enough to know that Kozuki Oden's retainers were not opponents he could handle.

"Mr. Kawamatsu!"

Hiyori quickly spoke up to stop her, "Don't get agitated, he's one of us now."

"One of our own?"

Kawamatsu looked at Hiyori Kozuki in disbelief.

What is Hiyori-sama saying?

"Don't tell me you don't believe it, I don't want to believe it either."

Ashura Child snorted.

"It's hard to believe, but it's true."

Another voice rang out, "Kawamatsu, the current situation is, how should I put it, somewhat strange."

"Um?"

Kawamatsu then noticed that there was a figure standing in the shadows.

When he finally saw the figure clearly, he was instantly dumbfounded. "Eh!! Sukiyaki-sama!!!"

The previous shogun, Lord Kozuki Sukiyaki, who should have died long ago?

Ashura Doji didn't mock Kawamatsu this time, because his reaction when he saw this master last night wasn't much better than Kawamatsu's.

"Sukiyaki-sama? Is it Sukiyaki-sama?"

A similarly surprised voice came from the side.

He Song turned his head and saw several high-ranking prison officials leading a few prisoners over.

"Oh! Is that Hyogoro?"

Seeing an old friend, Kozuki Sukiyaki couldn't help but feel cheerful, "It's been so long!"

"You're still alive!"

The visitor was extremely excited.

"It's Boss Hyōgoro! And all you fellow heroes!"

Kawamatsu knows them!

The former leader of the ronin in Wano Country, Hana no Hyogoro, and his famous ronin followers.

"Kawamatsu?"

Even before his short stature nine years later, Hana no Hyogoro, whose imposing physique was still faintly discernible, was even more astonished. "There's Ashura too? Could this be Miss Hiyori?"

"What on earth is going on?"

The guards took them out separately, and Hyogoro assumed that Kaido had run out of patience and was about to execute them.

So what exactly is going on now?

"Let me explain this matter to you all."

Kogetsu and Ri said it solemnly.

So, after a series of such and such events...

"Really? Is that so?"

Hyogoro muttered to himself in bewilderment, "This mysterious outsider... has he even controlled the guards?"

Babanuki stood silently to the side without saying a word. You try it and you'll be controlled too.

Kawamatsu's reaction was much more intense. He exclaimed in alarm, "Lord Sukiyaki, Lord Hiyori, are you alright? Where is that man?! We must get him to release him from your control!"

"Oh."

Ashura Child chuckled.

"Now that the explanation is complete, it's time to get down to business."

A figure descended from the sky, calmly surveying the crowd, whose gazes were either heavy or blank. "Let's start by putting collars on you."

Although Kawamatsu didn't know who he was, he subconsciously clenched his fist.

Then, the familiar sharp blade was drawn, and it was placed between the necks of Hiyori and Sukiyaki.

Kozuki Sukiyaki shook her head helplessly, while Kozuki Hiyori sighed softly.

I'm used to saying yes.

Three boxes floated around Knight; two contained Devil Fruits and Berries, and the new box contained Seastone.

It wasn't a lot, but it was the limit that Babanuki could get without revealing his identity.

He calmly looked at the crowd whose expressions had suddenly changed, "You don't want to see the Kozuki family bloodline completely extinguished, do you?"

Kawamatsu looked stunned, his body went limp, and he subconsciously loosened his fist.

There's simply no way to resist it.

Wow, how could this man be so despicable!

So, a little later.

Everyone looked at Knight with complicated expressions.

Knight nodded slightly in satisfaction.

In this way, the nails are almost all in place, and only the last person is needed.

Don't worry, Yamato, the freedom you've been dreaming of is coming soon.

"Now, let's all do our jobs."

Knight said, "Hiyori and Ashura left to secretly gather resistance forces. Shimotsuki Yasuie is still alive and should be near Ebisu Town."

"Is this Lord Kang?"

Even in his current state of existential doubt, Kawamatsu's emotions couldn't help but surge with excitement.

Not to mention him, even Ashura Doji's eyes lit up.

After all, apart from Kozuki Oden, Shimotsuki Yasuie was the one who had shown them the greatest kindness.

"If that person is still alive,"

Hyogoro nodded solemnly, "The spirit of the samurai has not yet dissipated."

"As for you,"

Knight didn't care about any samurai spirit. He looked at the prisoners and said, "Just continue to sit here peacefully in prison."

"Babanuki and the others will take good care of you, using this place as a training ground to prepare for the final battle."

"That's a good idea."

Hyogoro nodded in deep agreement, "Since it's not time for the final battle yet, maintaining secrecy is extremely important."

If they escape from here, that would be a huge problem; the Beasts Pirates would mobilize instantly.

"Leave it to us, sir!"

Babanuki patted his chest and assured him, "I can't guarantee anything else, but taking care of these guys should be a piece of cake."

"Um."

Knight nodded slightly.

That's pretty much how things are going to be arranged in Wano Country.

We can make contact with Yamato first, but if we really want to take her away, we'll have to wait for an opportunity for the Beasts Pirates to launch an expedition.

Well then, it's time to leave.