Chapter 15 : Shimotsuki Yasuie!!

"What's that?"

Shimotsuki Yasuie, the Hakumai daimyo of Wano Country and the samurai entrusted by Kozuki Oden to protect his wife and children, looked up in shock.

In the sky, beneath the dark clouds, a colossal figure was quietly approaching.

As it passed through a gap in the clouds, the moonlight illuminated it, revealing its form.

"A dragon!"

A golden dragon with its wings spread wide!

"Enemy attack!!"

The warriors of the Shimotsuki clan immediately drew their swords, shouting furiously, "Everyone, prepare for battle!"

This is bad, really bad!

If Kaido's forces are here, does that mean Oden's plan has been exposed?

What's happening with Oden right now?

The samurai scattered across the courtyard quickly gathered together, swords drawn, ready to defend.

"Lady Toki!"

The Shimotsuki warriors turned to the visibly concerned Kozuki Toki, saying, "Please, take the children back inside quickly. Leave the defense to us!"

Kozuki Toki, who had sailed with both the Whitebeard Pirates and the Roger Pirates, was no mere noblewoman. She didn't hesitate and responded firmly, "Then, I leave everything in your hands!"

Shimotsuki Yasuie nodded gravely, "This is my vow to Oden!"

Although that man had his faults, he bore the burden of fighting for all of Wano Country.

I won't allow his family to fall.

Kozuki Toki hurried into the castle tower, where her children still slept peacefully.

At the same time, the golden dragon descended from the sky, its massive wings stirring up strong winds, blowing back the hair of the Shimotsuki clan warriors, causing their hair to cling tightly to their scalps.

The leader stood firm, but the other samurai were visibly shaken.

What kind of monster is this?

"Who goes there?"

Shimotsuki Yasuie raised his sword, pointing it at the descending dragon.

"I am Yamato!"

Before anyone else could respond, Yamato, standing atop the dragon, leapt down, brandishing her mace and smashing it into the ground, shouting, "Where is that man, Kozuki Oden's family?"

"You're really in a hurry."

Ian sighed, feeling a bit helpless. Yamato was eager to join the fight between Kaido and Kozuki Oden.

With a swift motion, Shimotsuki Yasuie deflected the attack, but in the next moment, his expression shifted slightly. The sheer force behind the strike caused his arm to bend ever so slightly.

Still, Yamato was repelled by his counterattack.

When Shimotsuki Yasuie got a clear look at the assailant, he couldn't help but be momentarily stunned.

It was just a child, about the same age as Momonosuke! Could this really be someone sent by Kaido or Orochi?

He found it hard to believe that such a formidable enemy could be just a child.

"The family of Oden won't go with anyone!" Shimotsuki Yasuie's tone softened slightly. After all, what adult would take a child seriously?

"Child, it's late at night. You should hurry back home."

"I'd like to go back too," Ian said leisurely, lowering himself with the flap of his wings. "But this is a task given to us by Kaido-sensei. If we don't complete it, there will be consequences when we return."

"Could you make this easier for us?"

Ian was actually quite content with his current situation in the Beasts Pirates. Although Kaido often roughed him up, everything else was pretty good.

He wasn't eager to leave just yet.

Shimotsuki Yasuie's eyes widened. Another childish voice! Was this one also a child? And he mentioned Kaido!

"You... were you sent by Kaido?"

Shimotsuki Yasuie found it hard to believe.

"Dad told us to come!" Yamato declared, lifting her mace. "Hurry up and hand over Oden's family! We're in a hurry!"

Dad? She's Kaido's daughter? And that beast in the sky is Kaido's disciple?

Shimotsuki Yasuie's expression grew dark. Kaido, that madman, actually sent his young daughter and disciple on this mission?

"No matter what, I will never hand over Oden's family to you!" Shimotsuki Yasuie shouted with resolve. "Go back, you brats!"

Even if it's Kaido's child, a child is still a child. Shimotsuki Yasuie couldn't bring himself to harm them.

"Not bad, huh?" Ian thought as he observed the man closely, finding him increasingly familiar.

"Who cares about your pity!" 

But Yamato, oblivious to this kindness, shot forward the moment Shimotsuki Yasuie hesitated. During the rush, Yamato completed the transformation, reemerging as a werewolf.

"Get out of my way! Thunder Bagua!"

This was a technique Yamato had mastered through countless battles with Kaido, and now, the iron club swung down, tearing through the icy air.

"Can she really do that?" 

Seeing Yamato's transformation, Shimotsuki Yasuie's expression hardened as he raised his sword to counter the attack.

*Clang!*

The sound was deafening.

Shimotsuki Yasuie's face suddenly changed, his body staggering back under the impact.

"What immense strength!!"

She's much stronger than before!

"Namuji Hyoga!"

Yamato's power was overwhelming. As she opened her mouth, a breath of frost erupted forth.

The freezing breath engulfed Shimotsuki Yasuie instantly.

"Lord Yasuie!"

The nearby samurai, seeing their lord under attack, didn't hesitate for a second. They rushed toward Yamato, surrounding her.

"Yasuie..." Ian finally recalled who this man was.

Shimotsuki Yasuie—he would one day be known as a sycophant and an old fool. But now, he still carried a serious name.

"But how did he end up here?" Ian wondered.

Could this be an ambush?

Behind him, Jack and Black Maria had already leaped into action.

"Then let's go to war!!" Jack roared with maniacal laughter.

Thick fur sprouted wildly across his body, and by the time he landed, he had fully transformed into a towering mammoth. With a powerful charge, he sent several samurai flying.

Black Maria transformed into her hybrid form—her upper body remained human, but her lower half turned into that of a massive spider. Strangely, a grotesque face with eyes and a mouth appeared on the spider's abdomen.

"These two are doing quite well," Ian thought to himself.

"Ian! Hurry up!" Yamato called out, looking at the Shimotsuki Yasuie family emerging from her icy breath. She raised her voice, "You need to capture the Kozuki family!"

"Why the rush?" Ian glanced down at her, slightly skeptical. "Are you sure you can handle this?"

"No problem at all!" Yamato responded confidently, pounding her chest.

Ian then turned his attention back to the Shimotsuki Yasuie. The man's body was encased in ice; though not completely frozen, he trembled slightly in the frigid air.

"Can't use Haki, huh?" Ian mused. Though this man was regarded as a model samurai by Oden, he wasn't known for exceptional combat prowess in the original story.

In fact, after Oden's defeat, he wasn't among the daimyo who united to resist Kaido. It seemed he really wasn't much of a fighter.

"Well, then, nothing to worry about."

"Alright, I'll be right back," Ian said, spreading his wings as he launched himself toward the top floor of the castle tower.

Typically, the most important people reside on the top floor, right? Although I'd like to stall for time, it's better to wrap this up quickly to avoid any unexpected incidents, Ian thought, swiftly moving away.

"Don't go!!"

Shimotsuki Yasuie's eyes widened in desperation as he leaped up, trying to intercept Ian.

Ian didn't slow down. With a single powerful flap of his wings, a blazing fireball shot out.

The fiery light illuminated the furious face of the Shimotsuki Yasuie, enveloping him and sending him crashing to the ground.

"Uhhhhhh..."

It's not wise to try to withstand your own flames with just your body rather than using Haki.

"Lord Yasuie!!"

The samurai were already screaming in panic.

"Ian! Didn't they say they were my opponents?"

From below, Yamato's voice rang out in frustration.

Aren't you worried that something might happen to you?

With that thought, Ian's body morphed into his orc form, and he charged headfirst into the top floor of the castle tower.

Meanwhile, Shimotsuki Yasuie, surrounded by flames and enduring intense pain, hissed, "Ignore me! Stop him!"

Two of the assembled warriors exchanged determined glances, gritted their teeth, and then launched themselves into action.

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