"Ask away!" Shimotsuki Kozaburo said helplessly.
"Why did you flee Wano back then?" Ryan finally asked the question he had wanted answered most. As one of Wano's absolute old guard and a descendant of the Sword God Shimotsuki Ryuma, Shimotsuki Kozaburo undoubtedly knew many hidden secrets.
After all, Wano held many secrets. The Kozuki clan, the carvers of the Poneglyphs, had been in Wano.
Moreover, many clues indicated that Wano had once been an ally standing beside Joy Boy, and likely held no insignificant position.
"This..."
Shimotsuki Kozaburo's straight brows furrowed slightly, and he was completely stunned. Ryan actually knew about this? As far as he knew, Ryan had never even been to Wano!
He gave Ryan a deep look, then fell silent.
How could I make an excuse that sounded reasonable? Shimotsuki Kozaburo pondered.
Ryan was in no hurry and simply waited quietly for his answer. After all, he held the advantage now. The other man was completely in his grasp.
No one could escape the fear of death, and Shimotsuki Kozaburo was no exception.
"For freedom. Back then, I had an argument with Kozuki Sukiyaki, then left with my retainers," Shimotsuki Kozaburo said slowly.
The allure of a lie was that even if you doubted it, you had no way to tell whether it was true. Seven parts truth, three parts falsehood.
He had indeed argued with Kozuki Sukiyaki back then, but it had not been for freedom.
"Mm. Then why did you go to the East Blue? The world is so vast, so why did you settle there of all places?" Ryan slowly drew his sword and idly examined it.
And then!
The moment Shimotsuki Kozaburo saw Ryan's sword, he could no longer look away. He stared at it intently, his entire mind immersed in it.
"Speak!"