Orochi spared no effort in spreading the rumors, and as a result, not only the common people knew about it, but other daimyos also heard the news.
Wano is a large country in the Grand Line, but when something big happens, it spreads quickly throughout the country. Although there is no News Coo, messages can be delivered between villages through flying arrows.
Moreover, due to Mogura Port, Shimotsuki Yasuie has had many dealings with the Beasts Pirates.
And among the many daimyos, he has the best relationship with the Kozuki family. Previously there were rumors that if the Sukiyaki didn’t have a son, then Shimotsuki Yasuie would be the next in line to be Shogun.
Furthermore, Shimotsuki Yasuie has helped the Kozuki family a lot. When Kozuki Oden was deceived by Kurozumi Orochi and lost all his money like an idiot, his retainers went to Shimotsuki Yasuie’s house to steal money.
Naturally, they were caught, but Shimotsuki Yasuie did not pursue the matter. Instead, he gave them money and even funded their education in etiquette, allowing them to grow in all walks of life.
During the years when Kozuki Oden was away, if it weren’t for his help, Kuri region would have turned into a mess. While Kozuki Oden’s retainers could handle small matters, they didn’t have anyone reliable for larger issues.
At this stage, the Beasts Pirates have established farms and ranches in Kuri and Hakumai. When Shimotsuki Yasuie saw what was happening in his jurisdiction, he didn’t stop them because he could see that their actions were beneficial to the common people of Hakumai.
That’s why after hearing the rumors spread by Orochi, he knew that things weren’t so simple. The discerning people of Wano Country could see that the Beasts Pirates and Kurozumi Orochi were not really on good terms.
They could guess that Kurozumi Orochi’s initial purpose was to utilize Kaido’s strength to deal with them. However, as things progressed, it seemed that he lost control. Beasts Pirates had their own ideas, which clashed with Kurozumi Orochi’s intentions to a significant extent.
Because of their close relationship, Kozuki Oden and Shimotsuki Yasuie had talked about many things. If the arrival of the Beasts Pirates could really improve the living conditions of the people of Wano Country, then he wasn’t entirely opposed to it.
But when he saw the rumors spread by Orochi, he knew that there was a big problem. According to the personality of the retainers of the Oden family, they might really go and attack them directly.
The act of executing Kin’emon completely contradicts the behavior and style of the Beasts Pirates ever since their arrival in Wano Country. Furthermore, considering that the rumors are being spread by Orochi’s trusted aides, he feels that there is a big problem.
It is still early before the date that Orochi announced. In order to prevent them from doing something impulsive, Shimotsuki Yasuie immediately went to Oden Castle in Kuri. The moment he laid eyes on them, he knew that he had come at the right time.
“What are you trying to do?”
“Yasu-sama, we are going to rescue Kin’emon.”
“Just the few of you? Beasts Pirates alone have at least a thousand members, not to mention there is also Kurozumi Orochi’s people. Where do you get the confidence to attack such numbers? What have you learned all these years? And haven’t you paid attention to the situation in Wano Country at all?”
If only they knew more, they wouldn’t believe the news about Kin’emon’s execution. Right when Shimotsuki Yasuie was scolding them, O-Tsuru arrived with a letter sent by the Beasts Pirates.
She had never experienced something like this before and was a bit at a loss, so she came here.
“Yasuie-sama and everyone, someone gave me this.” Saying that, she pulled out the letter from the Beasts Pirates.
[Kin’emon, disguised as a member of the Beasts Pirates, entered Udon’s Mining Camp with the intention of breaking prisoners out of the prison. During the process, he injured seven guards and destroyed a house, and has been punished with twenty years of hard labor at the mining camp.]
Attached to the back were a series of bills, including medical expenses for those injured by Kin’emon, the cost of rebuilding the house, as well as Kin’emon’s own medical expenses and other expenses. Of course, the most crucial part was the description regarding the redemption amount.
[Sufficient compensation can reduce the prison term]
“Sure enough, they never intended to kill Kin’emon. You almost fell for Orochi’s trap. You can’t even see something so straightforward, you people are really naive.”
Shimotsuki Yasuie was very intimidating to them, and they were like children in front of a teacher, unable to lift their heads under Shimotsuki Yasuie’s reprimand.
Even Kanjuro was no exception. Although he was a spy, in extremely special situations, a spy is the most loyal. Before receiving a new mission, they would do their best to gain the trust of their target, and Kanjuro was currently in this state.
And he was very keen on playing this role and had completely immersed himself in the role of Kozuki’s retainer.
“Yasuie-sama, Kin’emon–“
“Don’t be impatient, O-Tsuru. This matter can probably be settled with money. Let’s raise the money to redeem Kin’emon first. We’ll have to wait for Oden to come back for anything else.”
Both Kurozumi Orochi and the Beasts Pirates were difficult to deal with for them; Beasts Pirates because of their strength, and Kurozumi Orochi because of his position as the proxy Shogun.
In Wano Country, the position of Shogun holds great importance, and without the presence of rightful heir Kozuki Oden, some of the people may not necessarily support them. Orochi’s current actions have not yet crossed their threshold, so they need to wait for the return of Kozuki Oden before taking any further action.
Furthermore, Shimotsuki Yasuie was worried about another matter. The interests of the Beasts Pirates and Kurozumi Orochi were not aligned, and if this issue led to a complete unification of the Beasts Pirates and Kurozumi Orochi, with Kaido’s military might and Orochi’s title of Shogun, Wano Country would be truly doomed.
In the end, Shimotsuki Yasuie only took Denjiro with him. Firstly, it was because Denjiro and Kin’emon were already acquainted long before they joined Oden.
Secondly, it was because Denjiro had always been skilled in negotiations or rather, swindling. He had a knack for acquiring things at low prices through cunning means. He intended to take Denjiro with him to engage in a thorough discussion on the price for redeeming Kin’emon.
However, they didn’t notice that up above in the clouds, Shayna had retracted the flames in her hand because of Shimotsuki Yasuie’s arrival.
Without much rest during his return journey, Shimotsuki Yasuie brought Denjiro to Onigashima. Hakumai was responsible for managing the ports of Wano Country, and they naturally have capable sailors, ensuring they wouldn’t experience mishaps in the inland sea like Kojiro.
After explaining their purpose, they didn’t have to spend too much time before they met the negotiator- King.
“I am Hakumai’s daimyo Shimotsuki Yasuie. I am here on behalf of my friend, Kozuki Oden, to redeem his retainer, Kin’emon. This is his colleague, Denjiro.”
“According to our rules, he should work in the mining camp for twenty years.”
“We already know about that. Please name your price.”
“10,000 platinum.”
Upon hearing these words, both Shimotsuki Yasuie and Denjiro’s expressions drastically changed. Although they were prepared to pay a hefty sum, the amount mentioned was simply beyond negotiation.
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