Chapter 169 Samurai, Geisha
Brett recognized the guy in front of him.
Known as Kyoshiro, he was the leader of the local ronin in the Flower Capital, the most famous samurai leader in this country—essentially like a yakuza boss. Even now, a group of samurai followed behind him.
He was Kurozumi Orochi's subordinate, probably drawn here by Brett's actions at the castle tower.
Of course, this identity was just a disguise he used to infiltrate Kurozumi Orochi's inner circle. His real name was Denjiro, one of the Nine Red Scabbards under the former Kuri daimyo, Kozuki Oden.
When reading the manga, this was also a guy who left Brett speechless.
What exactly had he and Kozuki Hiyori's undercover plan accomplished?
If Straw Hat didn't come, even if they went undercover until death, it probably wouldn't have any meaning.
Though Brett had no good feelings toward the Kozuki clan and their affiliates, he was too lazy to make enemies of them.
After all, it was this country that suffered because of Kozuki Oden, and it would likely be the people of this country who would have to accept this country's rule again in the future.
It had nothing to do with Brett or Fish-Man Island.
"Udon?"
Denjiro, using the alias Kyoshiro, changed expression after hearing Brett's question.
People of Wano Country naturally couldn't not know which direction Udon was in.
This guy was an outsider!
His tone became sharper. "Who exactly are you? Why did you come out of Shogun Orochi's castle tower?"
The castle tower had been damaged. Could this guy have come to cause trouble for Orochi?
As someone from overseas, he couldn't possibly not know Kaido's power.
Yet he still dared to cause such a commotion in the Flower Capital—what an audacious fellow.
Thoughts flashed through Denjiro's mind like lightning.
"I'm just someone asking for directions."
Brett looked down at Denjiro from above with interest.
So, would Denjiro, ostensibly Orochi's loyal subordinate, oppose him for Orochi's sake?
"Asking for directions? That's quite troublesome—I can't turn a blind eye to this."
Denjiro's smile was as inscrutable as a fox's. He kept his eyes squinted, making it impossible for others to see his expression clearly.
But his disguise was meaningless to Brett—he could hear clearly.
This guy was quite helpless inside.
The blade in Denjiro's hand was gradually dyed black with Haki. This power was called Ryuo in Wano Country. In terms of technique, the samurai of this country were even ahead of the sea's average level—many powerful samurai could use flowing techniques.
"I'll have to ask you to come back with me and explain what you've done."
Denjiro smiled.
Brett said nothing.
Denjiro's subordinate samurai had already begun clearing the area, making the surrounding civilians disperse.
Denjiro slowly took a breath.
Since he was Orochi's enemy, he'd just drive him away.
Thinking this, the next instant, he'd already powered his legs and rushed at Brett like lightning, gripping his black blade with both hands as a sharp slash followed.
To avenge his lord, Denjiro had never stopped training. Swordsmanship, Haki—he'd been practicing them day after day for decades.
All for the day predicted to come in twenty years, when he could avenge his lord and help the Kozuki family restore peace to this country!
The blade tore through the air, the slash as captivating as a moon!
Leave this country, outsider! It's already devastated—there's nothing worth coveting here.
Denjiro's sharp blade slashed horizontally.
Brett felt a slight chill.
Not bad swordsmanship.
Much stronger than that idiot Hyouzou, who took a year or two to comprehend the breath of all things and only recently mastered flying slashes.
Just with this swordsmanship and Haki, this guy wouldn't be weak even in the New World. Except for a few special cases, he'd absolutely defeat any other Marine Vice Admiral.
Then—
Ting.
A light sound.
Denjiro's originally squinted eyes gradually widened, his exposed pupils filled with shock.
This—this was—
One hand had caught his blade.
Like a hand forged from seastone, unbreakable and impossible to shake even slightly.
This guy—
So strong!
Denjiro realized this.
Though he'd tried to estimate this man's strength as highly as possible, it seemed he'd still underestimated him!
"Just because I asked for directions, you drew your sword on me," Brett casually yanked, pulling Denjiro toward him, then grabbed his head and lifted him up. "How unfriendly, samurai."
The surrounding ronin samurai were terrified. That first samurai of Wano Country, Boss Kyoshiro, was being toyed with like a child? The power gap was this enormous!
Denjiro's head felt like it was splitting—as if his skull was about to be crushed.
Who exactly was this man?
Overwhelming power! Extremely formidable Ryuo!
Was he an opponent Kaido and Orochi had provoked overseas?
Brett threw the samurai in his hand to the ground. "Or should I praise you—you're really loyal to your lord Orochi?"
Denjiro's sword-holding hand trembled.
He had only one lord!
"This humble woman can answer your question!"
A quite gentle and pleasant voice.
Brett turned his head. A gorgeously dressed oiran approached gracefully on tall wooden clogs, followed by several terrified attendants still trying to dissuade her.
"Komurasaki!"
Cold sweat instantly beaded on Denjiro's forehead. "What are you doing here?"
This man's power was beyond what he could match!
Coming here now, how could he possibly protect you?
"There was trouble at the castle tower—this humble woman was quite worried."
The woman had blue hair arranged with elaborate ornaments, wearing gorgeous divination kimono. She was as brilliant as the sun itself. Just by approaching gracefully, she radiated heart-stirring beauty.
No one could deny her beauty.
But Brett wasn't buying it.
Are you kidding? He maintained perfect composure even facing the Pirate Empress.
"That's perfect then."
Brett smiled. "If you'd told me earlier, wouldn't there have been no trouble?"
"Kyoshiro-san was just doing his duty. Please don't make things difficult for him."
The beautiful oiran bowed deeply to Brett.
Denjiro's face instantly turned deathly pale.
He'd been saved by the daughter of the lord he'd always wanted to protect!
Just like that day—unable to be of any use, only able to rely on others' help?
Denjiro was deeply shaken.
"As for Udon, it's in that direction."
The oiran straightened up, her slender finger pointing in a certain direction.
Brett looked in the direction she pointed, then nodded lightly. "Much appreciated."
Next, he'd find stonemasons to obtain seastone processing methods, and this trip to Wano Country would be complete.
Lightning began crackling across Brett's body.
Preparing for takeoff.
As he was about to leave, Brett glanced at the oiran again, then looked at Denjiro.
Regarding these people, it was probably a case of pitying their misfortune while being frustrated by their failure to strive?
He smiled. "Orochi should have fled to find Kaido. If you want to do something, you'd better hurry."
Then Brett transformed into a ray of light and shot into the sky in an instant, leaving only Denjiro and the oiran with stiff expressions.
Both looked at each other in shock.
This man—he knew?
Brett flew through the sky, each step on air launching his body forward like a rocket.
His mouth carried a slight smile.
What happened to the Kozuki people didn't really matter, but if it could cause some trouble for Kaido, that wouldn't be bad either.
****
50+advance chapters at patreon.com/Eatinpieces