Chapter 198: The Two Heroes of the Red Scabbards

Unexpectedly receiving news of his relatives, Shimotsuki Yasuie's face lit up with joy, and even the sorrow etched between his brows dissipated considerably.

Moments later, Shimotsuki Yasuie composed himself and said solemnly, "I apologize for my doubts, Mr. Momoya. I hope you understand."

Adrian nodded slightly, not minding Shimotsuki Yasuie's earlier reaction.

At this moment, Shimotsuki Yasuie looked at Adrian with respect.

Due to Koshiro's teaching of swordsmanship, Adrian had endured great hardship, traveling from the distant East Blue to the heart of Wano Country in the New World to deliver the letter.

It must have been an arduous journey on the seas…

What a noble and virtuous man!

With this thought, Shimotsuki Yasuie invited Adrian to his residence, intending to show his gratitude to this righteous man with a grand reception.

The two walked together.

Along the way, Shimotsuki Yasuie shared many stories about Shimotsuki Kozaburo, mentioning that he hailed from the Shimotsuki family in the Ringo region, which had produced the legendary 'Sword God' Shimotsuki Ryuma in past generations.

Adrian responded occasionally, but his mind was silently pondering.

'It seems Roronoa Zoro indeed has a connection with Shusui...'

"Wait a minute!"

"Moria was taken down, so Shusui can't leave Wano. And I took Yubashiri from Loguetown ahead of time, which means Roronoa Zoro only has Wado Ichimonji and Sandai Kitetsu left?"

"No, he also has the Great Grade sword, Enma!"

At this moment, Shimotsuki Yasuie suddenly said, "If Ushimaru knew about this, he would be even more delighted!"

Adrian frowned slightly, "Ushimaru?"

"Did I not mention it earlier?" Shimotsuki Yasuie slapped his forehead, "The current daimyo of the Ringo region is named Shimotsuki Ushimaru."

Ah, this...

Adrian blinked.

This daimyo's face somewhat matches Roronoa Zoro.

Also his sword moves, which had a hunched-over, lunging posture very similar to Zoro's charging attacks.

There were many similarities between them two but more importantly, they both had a dedication to their swordsmanship.

Ushimaru trained even while he was imprisoned.

Zoro begged his rival, the one who he wanted to snatch the world's strongest swordsman from, to train him, for his swordsmanship.

Adrian snapped back to reality and asked, "Should I visit the Ringo region as well?"

"No need, no need, Mr. Momoya."

Shimotsuki Yasuie waved his hand, laughing heartily.

"I'll send someone to inform Ushimaru about this. He'll be very pleased! He might even come to Hakumai himself!"

Not long after.

Adrian followed Shimotsuki Yasuie into a traditional, simple-looking palace in Wano Country.

Shimotsuki Yasuie instructed the servants to prepare a feast.

After a satisfying meal.

Adrian made a request.

"Mr. Momoya, you want to exchange a named sword?"

Shimotsuki Yasuie touched his chin, looking at the good-grade sword Yubashiri hanging at Adrian's waist.

After many glances by the people, Adrian decided that Shuxue shouldn't be out more than needed.

"Is it the one at your waist?"

"Not Yubashiri, but another Great Grade Sword."

Adrian shook his head, raised his arm, and grasped the void beside him.

With a ripple of faint waves, the pure white sword Shuxue, with a silk ribbon at the end of the hilt, appeared in his hand, moving gently with the wind.

A gleam of envy flashed in Shimotsuki Yasuie's eyes as he praised, "What a beautiful sword!"

Adrian swung Shuxue casually, explaining, "It's because it's too beautiful that I want to exchange it."

Shimotsuki Yasuie nodded slightly, but his face showed difficulty.

If it were just a good-grade sword like Yubashiri, Wano Country has plenty of those.

Even Shimotsuki Yasuie's own daimyo treasury has a good-grade sword similar to Yubashiri.

But a Great Grade Sword is different.

Even in Wano Country, which is rich in craftsmen and famous swords, Great Grade Swords are very rare treasures.

"It's like this, Mr. Momoya," Shimotsuki Yasuie said, choosing his words carefully, "I don't have a Great Grade Sword of the same level, but I know a very skilled swordsmith."

"As far as I know, that swordsmith has at least one Great Grade Sword," Shimotsuki Yasuie said, "but I can't guarantee he'll be willing to exchange it with you."

"That swordsmith is a descendant of the legendary swordsmith Kotetsu, named Kozuki Sukiyaki, living in the Kuri region."

Shimotsuki Yasuie left for a moment, then returned with a detailed map of Wano Country, spreading it out on the table.

"To reach Kuri, you need to pass through the Flower Capital and Udon."

Adrian nodded silently, memorizing the detailed map of Wano Country.

However, he didn't plan to follow Shimotsuki Yasuie's marked route, intending to fly directly to Kozuki Sukiyaki's residence in Amigasa Village.

If he remembered correctly, the Second Generation Kitetsu he sought was in Kozuki Sukiyaki's possession, likely the same Great Grade Sword Shimotsuki Yasuie mentioned.

Shimotsuki Yasuie had someone fetch pen and paper to write an introduction letter for Adrian.

After all, 'Mr. Momoya' had just arrived in Wano Country, and Kozuki Sukiyaki wouldn't easily trade with an outsider without some trust!

At this moment, two peculiar-looking men entered the palace.

The man on the right had a face much larger than usual, with lightning-shaped black eyebrows, a crescent moon scar on his forehead, a hairstyle resembling spider legs, and wore a traditional blue kimono.

The man on the left was nearly twice as tall, obese, with an exposed chest, purple flower tattoos on his arms, and a sake gourd with the character 'Heaven' on his waist. He had fluffy pink hair tied in a topknot.

Adrian felt slightly uncomfortable with the tall, fat man's pink hair.

"Raizo, Ashura Doji, why have you two come to my place today?"

Shimotsuki Yasuie greeted them in surprise.

Adrian recognized them as Ashura Doji and Raizo, two of the Nine Red Scabbards and retainers of Kozuki Oden.

The pink-haired Ashura Doji needed no introduction.

But Raizo was a devil fruit user, with the Paramecia-type Scroll-Scroll Fruit, allowing him to manipulate scrolls at will.

Facing Shimotsuki Yasuie's question, Ashura Doji answered loudly, his voice filled with displeasure and confusion.

"Isn't it because of our 'foolish lord'!"