Chapter 131: Kozuki Oden

"Lord Oden, it's uncertain whether Ashura Doji is trying to subdue other bandits to strengthen his forces against us."

Kin'emon pondered aloud.

"No matter. Currently, Ashura Doji and we are positioned to the south and north, respectively."

"We'll handle the northern bandits and let Ashura Doji deal with the southern ones."

"When most of the bandits are eradicated, we will inevitably cross paths again."

"At that time, we shall truly determine the victor."

"I will once again defeat Ashura Doji and, in doing so, defeat his bandits too, restoring true peace to Kurazukuri!"

Kozuki Oden declared confidently.

"We believe in you, Lord Oden. You will surely win!"

"With Ashura Doji also sweeping the bandits, it's as if he's helping us, saving us the trouble of doing it all ourselves."

Kin'emon expressed his confidence in Kozuki Oden.

With both sides tacitly choosing to clear out the bandits of Kurazukuri, the region gradually returned to peace.

At least now, those who set up stalls or harvested crops at home no longer feared sudden bandit raids robbing them of their money and food.

Especially in the southern part of Kurazukuri, where Li Yuan had sent administrators and provided loans of food and seeds to the people.

Those who previously went hungry now had food, and some had even rented land.

As long as they were willing to work and farm diligently, they would have their own harvest after the season.

Li Yuan's name began to gain fame in Kurazukuri and gradually spread.

In just a month, thanks to the joint efforts of both sides, the bandits in Kurazukuri were nearly wiped out.

The remaining bandits no longer dared to continue their ways, fearing they might be next.

"Captain, following your instructions, we've cleared out the southern bandits and even those in the underworld who oppressed the people."

"Our forces now number over seven hundred, and we control the entire southern Kurazukuri."

Ashura Doji reported excitedly.

Once a feared bandit, Ashura Doji was now a hero of Kurazukuri, respected and revered wherever he went—a feeling he had never experienced before.

"Well done!"

Li Yuan paused his reading, or rather, his study of swordsmanship manuals.

Even in the chaotic Kurazukuri, there were many swordsmanship traditions, all of which Li Yuan had collected.

Studying Wano's swordsmanship broadened Li Yuan's perspective, and many traditions were eye-opening.

Wano's swordsmanship was more detailed and refined than what he had seen during his time with the Rocks Pirates.

Many of these techniques were new to him.

The swordsmanship manuals he had looted from the Kingdom of Alex, the premier swordsmanship nation of the West Blue, paled in comparison to those from Kurazukuri.

"Ashura Doji, this is a swordsmanship manual I compiled for you, combining various traditions and my own techniques."

Li Yuan handed a swordsmanship manual to Ashura Doji.

"Thank you, Captain!!"

Receiving the manual, Ashura Doji's eyes reddened.

In Wano, samurai traditions were passed down, and one could only learn a samurai's swordsmanship with the previous generation's approval.

Stealing or learning another's swordsmanship was difficult and looked down upon in Wano.

Ashura Doji had no inheritance, having taken the legacy of a fallen samurai and, with his talent, reached his current strength.

Li Yuan's swordsmanship was, in his eyes, the strongest, far beyond his own capabilities.

Li Yuan's willingness to teach him swordsmanship was a sign of complete trust.

He fully understood the importance and power of Li Yuan's swordsmanship legacy.

"As my crew member, teaching you swordsmanship is only natural."

"If you master this manual, I'll teach you even more advanced techniques!"

Li Yuan said, patting Ashura Doji on the shoulder.

"Yes, Captain! I will study your swordsmanship diligently!"

Ashura Doji replied gratefully.

"Also, this is a manual I've compiled, covering swordsmanship below the level of a swordsman."

"Distribute it to trusted subordinates, but ensure it doesn't leak."

Li Yuan handed over another manual.

This was an experiment he conducted to train his subordinates.

By simplifying his swordsmanship and offering it to loyal subordinates, he aimed to train them.

Especially in Wano, a nation rich in swordsmanship talent, there were surely many with potential.

If successful, he could expand this approach.

Perhaps every island in his territory could have an Unlimited Sword School, nurturing and recruiting talented individuals into his pirate crew.

"Rest assured, Captain, I'll complete your task."

Ashura Doji was astonished by Li Yuan's willingness to teach swordsmanship even to lowly subordinates—his generosity was overwhelming.

If he were in Li Yuan's position, he couldn't imagine doing the same.

"By the way, Captain, Kozuki Oden has nearly cleared the northern bandits of Kurazukuri."

Ashura Doji mentioned.

"Good, saves us the trouble of doing it again."

"Spread the word: in three days, we will defeat Kozuki Oden and drive him out of Kurazukuri. This is our territory!"

Li Yuan smiled slightly.

"Yes, Captain!!"

Ashura Doji was thrilled at Li Yuan's words.

He had lost to Kozuki Oden before and was dissatisfied. Now, with Li Yuan facing Kozuki Oden, he was confident in Li Yuan's victory.

Li Yuan was far superior, surpassing Kozuki Oden in strength.

"Lord Oden, we've cleared the northern bandits of Kurazukuri. The only one left is Ashura Doji in the south."

"However, I've heard that Ashura Doji has submitted to a powerful swordsman named Li Yuan."

Kin'emon reported.

"Yes, I've heard. According to Kurazukuri's residents, Li Yuan is a good man. He's distributed food to those who couldn't afford it."

"And under his governance, southern Kurazukuri has been peaceful, giving people hope for the future."

Kozuki Oden said.

He had a favorable impression of Li Yuan, as Oden was known to be kind-hearted and somewhat naive.

"Lord Oden, those are just Li Yuan's tactics to win people over. We must not be fooled by them."

"We started clearing Kurazukuri first, and Li Yuan came later. He's clearly here to take Kurazukuri from us."

Kin'emon quickly interjected, fearing his well-meaning lord might give away the hard-earned half of Kurazukuri.

If that happened, those following Kozuki Oden would gain nothing.

Most were not from noble samurai families but followed Oden for his charisma and strength, as well as the greater benefits and status he could provide.

"Don't worry, we'll fight it out. If he lacks strength, it's no fault of mine."

Kozuki Oden, though naive, wasn't foolish and loved battling strong opponents.

If Li Yuan could make Ashura Doji submit, he must be formidable, and Oden relished the chance to face such a monster.

"Kin'emon, notify everyone. In three days, we will meet Li Yuan."

Kozuki Oden said excitedly, clutching his sword, Enma.

"Yes, Lord Oden."

Seeing Oden's resolve, Kin'emon felt reassured.

He believed Oden was the strongest, and no enemy could stand against his lord.

"Lord, our scouts report that the Kurazukuri bandits have been nearly eradicated."

"Now, Li Yuan and Kozuki Oden control Kurazukuri from the south and north, respectively."

"Soon, they will surely come to a head."

Kanjuro informed Kurozumi Orochi.

"Really? So soon?"

"Who do you think is stronger: Kozuki Oden or Li Yuan?"

Kurozumi Orochi asked curiously.

"Definitely Li Yuan. He's a monstrous swordsman, and Kozuki Oden is no match for him!"

Kanjuro asserted confidently. He had witnessed Li Yuan's prowess and knew the weight of his name in the world.

No matter how strong Kozuki Oden was, he couldn't surpass Li Yuan.

As a former cadre of the Rocks Pirates, Kanjuro was certain of this.

"If that's the case, we'll wait and see. I wonder if others will just stand by."

Kurozumi Orochi said.

Li Yuan and Kozuki Oden's activities in Kurazukuri couldn't possibly go unnoticed by other daimyos or Shogun Kozuki Sukiyaki.

They were simply choosing not to interfere with Li Yuan and Kozuki Oden's actions.

Regardless of who ultimately eradicated the Kurazukuri bandits, it would benefit Wano as a whole, bringing Kurazukuri back under Wano's control.

"By the way, how's the unrest and public discontent we stirred up?"

Kurozumi Orochi inquired.

"Don't worry, the unrest and discontent all point towards the Kozuki family. Many in Wano are dissatisfied with them now."

Kurozumi Higurashi smiled.

For her, with her Clone-Clone Fruit abilities, this was a trivial task.

-Support me on Ko-Fi for 35+ advance chapters there.

https://ko-fi.com/zxc1015

Thanks!