Shimotsuki Yasuie!

"What was that?"

The man entrusted by Kozuki Oden to protect his wife and children, Wano Country's famed samurai and Daimyo of Hakumai, Shimotsuki Yasuie, looked up in shock.

Beneath the dark clouds overhead, he saw a colossal creature silently approaching.

As it passed through a gap in the clouds, moonlight spilled through and illuminated it.

It was a dragon!

A Golden Flying Dragon spreading its wings as it descended!

"Enemy attack!!"

Shimotsuki Yasuie instantly drew his sword and rose to his feet, roaring, "Everyone, prepare for battle!"

This was bad, bad, bad!

If Kaido had really sent people here, didn't that mean Oden and the others' attack had been exposed?

Oden, what was happening on your side right now?

The samurai scattered throughout the courtyard immediately gathered around him, drawing their blades as they stood on guard.

"Lady Toki!"

Kanjuro turned and looked at the somewhat flustered Toki. "Please hurry back and watch over the two children. Leave this place to us."

Toki had traveled the seas with both the Whitebeard Pirates and the Roger Pirates. She was no frail noblewoman. Rather than refuse, she immediately said solemnly, "Then I'll leave everything to you!"

Shimotsuki Yasuie nodded gravely. "This is my promise to Oden!"

That man had made mistakes, but he was already carrying the weight of all Wano Country into battle.

Then I would not let his rear fall.

Toki hurried into the castle tower. The children were still asleep.

At the same time, the golden dragon descended from the sky. Its enormous wings whipped up a gale, flattening Shimotsuki Yasuie's blue pompadour against his scalp.

He stood firm, but every samurai behind him changed expression.

What kind of monster was that?

"Who goes there!"

Shimotsuki Yasuie raised his sword and pointed it at the descending flying dragon.

"I'm Yamato!"

Before Ian could speak, Yamato, who stood atop his head, leaped down and swung her club as she crashed toward them. "Where is Kozuki Oden's family?"

You really were in a hurry.

Ian sighed inwardly. Yamato really wanted to join Teacher Kai and Kozuki Oden's battle.

Shimotsuki Yasuie swung his blade backhandedly to block. His expression changed slightly the next instant as the astonishing force transmitted through the blade bent his arm a little.

Still, he sent Yamato flying back.

After seeing the attacker's face clearly, Shimotsuki Yasuie could not help but freeze.

She was just a child about Momonosuke's age!

Were they not people sent by Kaido or Orochi?

He found it hard to believe that the enemy could be a child like this.

"Oden's family will not go with anyone!"

Shimotsuki Yasuie's tone softened unconsciously. What adult would seriously fight a child?

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

"Though I'd like to go home too,"

Ian flapped his wings and descended leisurely. "Teacher Kaido gave us this mission. If we don't handle it properly, we won't have an easy time when we go back."

"Could you do us a favor and make this convenient?"

Things had been going rather well in the Beasts Pirates so far.

Although Teacher Kai beat him up often, every other benefit was top-notch.

Ian did not want to leave for the time being.

Shimotsuki Yasuie's eyes widened. That was another young voice!

Was this one a child too?

But Teacher Kaido!!

"You... were sent by Kaido?"

Shimotsuki Yasuie found it hard to believe.

"Dad sent us!"

Yamato raised her club. "Hand over Oden's family already! We're in a hurry!"

Dad?

She was Kaido's daughter!

The monster in the sky was Kaido's disciple?

Shimotsuki Yasuie's expression darkened completely.

That madman Kaido had actually sent out his daughter and disciple at such a young age?

"No matter what, I will never hand Oden's family over to you!"

Shimotsuki Yasuie roared, "Go back! Brats!"

Even if they were Kaido's children, children were still children. Shimotsuki Yasuie could not force himself to attack them.

This guy was actually a decent person?

Ian studied the man carefully, finding him more familiar the longer he looked.

"Who cares about that!"

But Yamato did not understand that goodwill at all. The moment Shimotsuki Yasuie refused, she shot forward. During her charge, her transformation was complete, and wolfwoman Yamato appeared once more.

"Don't stand in my way! Thunder Bagua!"

Teacher Kai's move, which she had gradually learned through hundreds of repeated clashes, was unleashed. Her iron club swung forth wreathed in ice.

A Devil Fruit user?

Seeing Yamato's transformation, Shimotsuki Yasuie frowned slightly and swung his sword to meet her.

Clang!

A thunderous crash rang out.

Shimotsuki Yasuie's expression changed abruptly as his body staggered backward.

What terrifying strength!!

Far stronger than before!

"Mouth-Tearing Ice Fang!"

Yamato pressed her advantage, opening her mouth and unleashing a blast of icy breath.

Frost instantly engulfed Kanjuro.

"Lord Kanjuro!"

Seeing their lord attacked, the surrounding samurai did not hesitate in the slightest and instantly surrounded Yamato.

Kanjuro?

Ian finally remembered who this man was.

Shimotsuki Yasuie.

The future old Kanjuro, that flatterer.

At this point, he was still a proper Daimyo.

But why was this guy here?

Ian thought to himself.

Could there be an ambush?

Behind him, Jack and Black Maria had already jumped down.

"Then let's fight!!"

Jack laughed wildly.

Thick fur surged across his body. The instant he landed, he had transformed into a towering mammoth, charging forward and sending several samurai flying.

Black Maria transformed as well, her upper body remaining human while her lower body became that of a spider. Strangely, her spider body had a face, complete with eyes and a mouth. At that moment, vast amounts of spider silk sprayed from that mouth, catching the samurai off guard and coating them in webs that stuck them fast.

Those two were doing pretty well too.

Ian thought.

"Ian! Hurry up!"

Yamato looked at Shimotsuki Yasuie as he emerged from her freezing breath, then raised her head and shouted, "Go capture Kozuki Oden's family already!"

Was she really that anxious?

Ian glanced down at her. "Are you sure you can handle this?"

"Absolutely no problem!"

The little girl patted her chest, brimming with confidence.

Ian looked at Shimotsuki Yasuie again.

The man was covered in ice. Although he had not been frozen solid, his body was still trembling slightly from the cold.

Couldn't use Haki?

Come to think of it, although Oden had called this guy a model samurai, the original story really had not mentioned him possessing great combat strength.

Even after Kozuki Oden's defeat, he had not appeared among the Daimyo who joined forces to resist.

He probably really was not good at fighting.

Then there was nothing to worry about.

"Fine. I'll be right back."

Ian flapped his wings and flew up, ramming headfirst toward the top floor of the castle tower.

Generally speaking, important people lived on the top floor of the castle tower, right?

Though he wanted to stall for time, he should move quickly to prevent any accidents.

"Don't go!!"

Shimotsuki Yasuie's eyes went wide with fury as he leaped up, trying to intercept Ian.

Ian did not even pause the beat of his wings. He simply scattered a burst of flames as he flapped them.

Brilliant firelight illuminated Shimotsuki Yasuie's enraged face before engulfing him and blasting him back down.

"Arghhh!!"

Trying to withstand his flames with nothing but his body without using Haki was not a good idea.

"Lord Kanjuro!!"

The samurai were already crying out in panic.

"Ian! Didn't I say he was my opponent?"

Yamato's dissatisfied shout came from below.

Wasn't that because I was worried something might happen to you?

Ian thought as his body shrank into his humanoid beast form. The next second, he smashed into the top floor of the castle tower.

At the same time, Shimotsuki Yasuie, wrapped in flames, endured the agonizing pain and shouted hoarsely, "Don't mind me! Stop him!"

Among the samurai gathering together, two exchanged a glance. They gritted their teeth at the same time, then launched themselves into the air.