Chapter 171 Kawamatsu, Yamato
In Udon's prison, Kaido was still battling Charlotte Linlin, completely unaware of the changes happening here.
All the Beasts Pirates had been knocked to the ground, and the prisoners' restraints had been completely removed.
Whether samurai, ronin, or craftsmen who had been imprisoned here to process seastone for the Beasts Pirates, all had now regained their freedom.
"Is that Kawamatsu-sama?"
The samurai looked in shock at the fat man rescued from a solitary cell.
This was not some nobody.
On the contrary, he was renowned throughout this country.
Kappa Kawamatsu, one of the Nine Red Scabbards under the former Kozuki Oden.
"Being imprisoned here due to a moment's carelessness is truly a samurai's dereliction of duty."
Kawamatsu was somewhat embarrassed.
Getting caught while looking for food because he was hungry—this was somewhat hard to admit.
Moreover, he still hadn't found any trace of Princess Hiyori even before being captured.
He felt melancholy.
"Don't dwell on it. We're not much better off than you."
Hyogoro consoled him with a smile. They were all just losers who had lost everything.
He turned to look at Brett. "We must all thank this gentleman—we were only saved this time because of him."
Kawamatsu also looked toward Brett. "My deepest gratitude!"
"No need for thanks."
Brett smiled and opened his right hand toward him. "Helping fellow countrymen is only natural, isn't it?"
Kawamatsu was stunned, then gradually showed a joyful smile on his face.
He saw the webbing between Brett's fingers.
"You—are you from Fish-Man Island?"
Kawamatsu suddenly felt like crying, his eyes becoming somewhat teary.
Ever since leaving Fish-Man Island with his mother as a small child and accidentally entering Wano Country, he had never returned to his homeland.
The appearance of that beautiful island had become somewhat blurred in his memory.
And now, being rescued by a fellow countryman—how could his heart not be moved?
Brett nodded and made up a story. "I never expected to encounter a countryman here either. How about it—want to come back to Fish-Man Island with me to take a look?"
"Compared to the past, Fish-Man Island has undergone earth-shaking changes."
Kawamatsu's face clearly showed yearning.
He really hadn't returned to his homeland for many, many years.
But—
"I can't."
Kawamatsu firmly shook his head. "I am a samurai under Oden-sama, and I still have a mission that can only be fulfilled by remaining in this country!"
"I'm sorry, countryman," he said apologetically, "I must stay."
He had to find Hiyori-sama!
"I see."
Brett nodded.
Not surprising at all.
Inuarashi and Nekomamushi had given up the throne of Zou to remain in Wano Country as retainers of the Kozuki family.
It was hard to know how to evaluate that.
But since this was Kawamatsu's decision, Brett respected it.
Kozuki Oden was, after all, his great benefactor.
"But never forget—no matter when, Fish-Man Island will always be your homeland."
Brett said seriously.
Fish-Man Island was truly lacking in talent. Kawamatsu's strength could rank third on the entire island, only below Brett himself and Jinbei.
"Yes."
Kawamatsu nodded heavily.
He felt very warm inside.
"By the way," Brett thought for a moment, "you can go to the Flower Capital to find an oiran called Komurasaki—you might have an unexpected discovery."
"Komurasaki?"
Kawamatsu was stunned, then nodded. "Alright."
The countryman who had saved him probably wouldn't deceive him, right?
Brett naturally wasn't deceiving him. If Kawamatsu really met Komurasaki, he'd probably be moved to tears.
After all, she was someone he'd lost and had been searching for a long time.
"Anyway, everyone, let's say goodbye here," Brett surveyed the prisoners. "Be careful from now on."
Direct combat would be completely impossible to cause any trouble for the Beasts Pirates.
They needed to use guerrilla tactics.
"Truly, our deepest gratitude!"
Hyogoro bowed deeply to Brett. "If you ever need help, please don't hesitate to use our strength."
"Sure thing."
Brett nodded readily, then looked at Kawamatsu. "My name is Brett. If you return to Fish-Man Island, remember to come find me."
"Yes."
Kawamatsu nodded heavily.
He decided that after helping the Kozuki family reclaim Wano Country, he would definitely return to Fish-Man Island to take a look.
He might not stay there permanently and would probably return to Wano Country, but at least he wanted to see his homeland.
"Well then, farewell."
Brett took to the sky again, trailing long lightning as he disappeared at the horizon's end.
The people who had finally regained their freedom fell silent for a moment.
"Let's find somewhere to hide first."
Hyogoro said, "We absolutely cannot let Kaido discover our whereabouts."
Kawamatsu said, "I want to go to the Flower Capital first. I'm very curious about this Komurasaki that Brett mentioned."
"Then let's agree on a meeting place."
Brett was thinking about Kawamatsu's situation.
The frustrating thing was that there were now two powerful Fish-Men in Wano Country, but neither would return to Fish-Man Island to help him.
Even that guy Jack was an enemy.
There wasn't much he could criticize them for though.
Neither of them had grown up on Fish-Man Island, so wanting to follow the men they admired wasn't wrong.
It was just regrettable.
If those two guys were willing to return to Fish-Man Island and learn advanced Haki, then in no time, Fish-Man Island's high-end combat power would be comparable to the Pirate Emperors.
Very regrettable.
But regret was useless—people's thoughts were the hardest to change.
Brett could only sigh inwardly, then fly rapidly toward Onigashima.
Both objectives for coming to Wano Country had been achieved. Now it was time to watch the show.
He'd already asked prisoners about Onigashima's location, so he didn't need to worry about not finding the place.
He'd been in Wano Country for almost a day now—who knew how the battle at Onigashima was going.
Brett's speed was very fast, but crossing all of Wano Country to reach Onigashima still took quite some time.
Reaching the coast and rushing onto Wano Country's inland sea, it was already deep night.
At this point, he could already see the turbulent waves on the sea surface.
The battle was still continuing.
"Looks like the warm-up just ended!"
Brett flew into the sky above. Below on a large ship, Kaido in his dragon-human hybrid form and Charlotte Linlin wreathed in blazing flames wielding her great sword were passionately clashing.
A black bird wreathed in flames circled in the sky, while below on another ship beside Katakuri, mochi continuously surged.
The battle had probably continued for a long time already, but would likely continue for much longer.
Brett's arrival startled quite a few people.
Kaido frowned. "That brat!"
His impression of Brett was already very deep.
After all, there weren't many people in this world who could block one of his attacks.
"Mamama!! Kaido!! It's not too late to surrender now!"
Charlotte Linlin laughed triumphantly.
"Stop being so arrogant!"
Kaido roared.
But Charlotte Linlin had no intention of immediately having Brett join the battle.
If they always needed an outsider's help, where would the Charlotte Family's face be?
Brett didn't actively attack, so no one came to trouble him, and he was happy to relax.
After watching the show from the sky for a while, he headed toward Onigashima.
He'd get something to eat first—his stomach was a bit hungry. Anyway, they wouldn't determine victory or defeat anytime soon.
Like lightning streaking across the sky, he gracefully descended and landed on the edge of Onigashima's skull.
Then—
"Who are you? Are you with the Charlotte Family?"
An excited voice rang out nearby.
Brett turned his head.
Someone wearing a hannya mask and dressed in white and red clothing was excitedly shouting nearby.
Oh.
It's you.
Brett smiled. "And who are you?"
"I'm Yamato!"
That person declared loudly, "The man who will become Kozuki Oden!"
"You're an enemy, right!"
He'd almost forgotten about this person.
Suddenly he had an idea.
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