Pirates: From Vice Captain to Lord of the Dead

"At least there's a certain lecherous cook here. You don't have to worry about her safety. You might as well worry about your own injuries."

"."

Kyoshiro was silent.

Don't worry, horny cook.

Why don't you listen to what you are saying.

Looking around and seeing no one around, Kyoshiro regained his composure.

"I believe you. Can you take me to find her? I'll lead the way wherever you want to go."

"Let's not talk about why I should agree to you. Do you think you can trust me?"

"I trust your knife, or rather, I have no choice."

Kyoshiro wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, held the knife against the ground and tried to support his body.

The princess probably left on purpose because she didn't want to drag him down and expose her identity. He could guess what she was thinking, but the princess was the only one left in the Kozuki family.

Now that Kurozumi Orochi is dead, as Oden's retainer, his only remaining goal is to protect Hiyori and defeat Kaido.

It's just an extravagant fantasy.

If he couldn't even maintain peace, things like revenge and founding a new country would have little meaning to him.

A cool breeze blew, causing the hem of her clothes to flutter.

Zoro looked into the other's eyes for a moment.

"They should be going back to Bianli Village. From now on, don't mention Qiu Shui to me anymore."

"I understand. Bilgasa Village is in the southwest."

Kyoshiro used his knife to support himself and dragged his injured body out.

"Let's go through the alley. I want to avoid the eyes and ears of the soldiers as much as possible."

"I know it without you having to tell me."

Zoro followed and headed towards the alley.

"I'm an idiot here!"

"I know!"

"Can't you just follow me?"

"How can I see clearly in such a dark place?"

"That's Rabbit Donburi over there! Do you want to go to jail?!"

"Stop talking so much! Lead the way!"

Shouting all the way, two figures slowly walked from the Flower City to the remote and deserted village in the southernmost part of Jiuli.

Denjiro, who was always calm, gradually lost control of his temper.

Invisible hands gently push away the hazy clouds, revealing a charming night.

The bright moon shines through the bamboo forest, the colorful pebbles at the bottom of the stream are clearly visible, the gurgling stream and the crisp chirping of insects together compose a symphony of midsummer.

crunch~

In the small house among the bamboo forest, an oil lamp was dimly lit, and the shabby wooden door was slowly opened.

"Zoron!"

"I'm so glad you're okay! Reiner even said you might have been captured by Kaido."

"We almost went to Rabbit Bowl to break out of the prison."

Everyone sitting around the wooden table turned around and saw Zoro supporting Kyoshiro.

Chopper and Usopp burst into tears of excitement, their hearts finally at ease.

"Denjiro!"

Seeing the seriously injured figure, Hiyori's eyes tightened and he hurriedly stood up and went forward to support him.

"this!"

Hearing Hiyori calling his real name in front of so many people, Denjiro glanced around nervously.

"It's okay, they already know my identity."

Hiyori smiled calmly.

Helping him to the table, Chopper came forward dragging the medical kit.

Denjiro was obviously still a little confused.

"What's going on and why is this happening?"

"I'll explain this later."

Chopper interrupted solemnly, helping the other person down to the ground.

This knife wound.

Zoro's attack was really heavy-handed.

"You've lost too much blood. Let me help you deal with it first."

"A talking demon cat?!"

Denjiro's pupils were filled with surprise.

"It's the reindeer bastard! Can't you see I have horns on my head!!"

Chopper rolled his eyes and yelled fiercely.

While Chopper was treating his injuries, a short figure wearing a mask came over and knelt down.

Tengu Feiche's tone was calm and peaceful:

"I almost didn't recognize you. It's been a long time since we last met, Denjiro."

"This sound!"

Denjiro's pupils were startled again, and he almost jumped up.

"Could it be...! Sukiyaki-sama?!!"

"Ah~"

"I didn't expect you to still recognize my voice after all this time."

Tengu Hichet slowly took off his mask, revealing his wrinkled face and white hair in front of Denjiro's incredulous gaze.

He was the previous general of Wano Country.

Kotsuki Sukiyaki.

Chapter 341 Reiner: You look down on others.

A dim light emanated from the window of the cabin. Inside, a dozen people were sitting on the floor around a small table.

The flame of the old kerosene lamp on the table flickered, casting shadows on the wall. It was late at night, and the faint light swept over everyone with a sense of weariness.

After arriving here and being recognized by Kozuki Sukiyaki, Kozuki Hiyori decided to confess her identity after remembering what the group of people talked about on the road.

In fact.

Even if they didn't say it, they had guessed most of it from Franky's words, and there was nothing left to hide.

After everyone was surprised at Hiyori's identity as a princess, Oden's past experiences were also told by her and Tengu Hitotsu.

More than 20 years ago, after returning from the sea, Oden learned that Kurozumi Orochi had usurped the throne and colluded with Kaido to control Wano Country.

At that time, Oden tried to start a war, but Kurozumi Orochi threatened the lives of the people and forced him to make a five-year agreement.

In order to protect the people, Oden danced naked in the Flower Capital every day and became the "Fool Prince" in the eyes of the people. Secretly, Oden did not forget to accumulate strength.

Until five years later.

As expected, Kurozumi Orochi violated the agreement, continued to persecute the people, and cooperated with Kaido to open a factory. So Oden decisively led the assembled forces to raid Onigashima.

The battle was raging, and at the critical moment, Kurozumi Kuromechi designed an interference that led to Oden's defeat. He and all his retainers were publicly executed by Kaido in the Flower Metropolis.

At the last moment, Oden protected his retainers such as Denjiro, and died after leaving behind his sword and the prophecy of the founding of Wano Country twenty years later.

Later, Hiyori and his retainers went into hiding, preparing for the final rebellion 20 years later.

Hiyori did not mention a single word about how Kotsuki Toki used his ability to send Momonosuke, Kin'emon and several other retainers to the future.

It’s not that she is wary of Reiner and the others, but Hiyori has no idea what their purpose is in coming to Wano Country.

and.

Twenty years have passed, and there is no news of Momonosuke and his companions returning.

There was worry and a bit of loss in the depths of Hiyori's eyes.

Back then, her mother left her in the care of Kawamatsu, while Momonosuke went to the future with Kin'emon and others. The two of them deliberately separated to prevent accidents when traveling to the future.

Now it seems that it is possible that they may have met with an accident.

Now that Kurozumi Orochi is dead, Wano Country is bound to be in turmoil. If the prophecy of the founding of the country in twenty years is true, the chance to defeat Kaido may be this time.

Since Momonosuke and Kin'emon didn't return, the responsibility of leading the samurai in the rebellion would be left to her alone.

Hiyori had to prepare for the worst.

Twenty years were too much torment, and the warriors could no longer wait.

Thinking of this, Rihe felt even more heavy-hearted.

"I see. But I never thought Uncle Tengu was actually your grandfather."

Luffy stuffed food into his mouth and asked with a puffy face:

"So you guys are going to defeat Kaido too?"

"also?"