Rest Before The War ²³

Oh~ one more thing, this chapter has not been revised or edited, so it might contain some errors. ◑﹏◐

So enjoy. (๏ิ₃๏ิ)

~☆~

[Chapter 23] - Rest Before The War

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It was already around noon when we got back to Wano.

The maids prepared us lunch.

"Have your retainers returned yet?"

Toki beside me shook his head.

Toki:"No! But they must be coming..."

I found myself thinking about the Red Hems.

Kin'emon, Denjiro, Raizo, Ashura Doji, Inuarashi, Nekomamushi, Kawamatsu, Kikunojo and Kurozumi Kanjuro.

As much as the group broke up after Oden and Toki died, they never forgot their friendship.

Another ally was the Kyoshiro Family, they weren't as old as the Nine Red Sheaths. But they were very loyal to the Kozuki Family.

In fact they had just been created by Denjiro, long after Oden died.

The Kozuki Family had one more ally, which was the Shimotsuki Family.

The Family of the legendary Shimotsuki Ryuma.

The "God of the Sword".

I really wanted to meet him, but he was already dead, due to his unknown illness.

'It's really a shame...'

The Shimotsuki family is composed of 7 you may be Shimotsuki Ryuma, Shimotsuki Ushimaru, Shimotsuki Kozaburo, Shimotsuki Yasuie.

In the future they would have a few more members.

Koushirou, Kuina and Toko. Koushirou was the son of Shimotsuki Kozaburo, Kuina was the daughter of Koushirou, and Toko was the daughter of Shimotsuki Yasuie.

With my intervention, Ushimaru's death was annulled, Kozaburo had already left for his adventure.

So he should be on Shimotsuki Island by now.

'It's funny that the village has the same name as your family...'

The Mt. Thieves of Atama was another ally of the Kozuki Families.

Their leader was, Ashura Doji, he would split from the Kozuki Family after Oden's death only to come back from Shimotsuki Yasuie's death.

I didn't like him as a standard, but I also understood his option to run away and take the Mt. Thieves of Atama.

Last is the Yakuza, led by Hyogoro one of the leaders who commanded the Yakuza along with Kyoshiro and Kurokama.

Hyogoro was the one who put the collar on all the other divisions of the Yakuza, he was also more benevolent and protective than the other leaders. The making of being respected throughout Wano.

The Kozuki Family had many allies, though many of them died in the course of the battle against Kaido.

'Well my interference changed a lot.'

'But it also made me curious... How the future will unfold...'

I spend the afternoon talking to Toki, Rouge, Kikunojo and Kikuhime. The last two get even closer to me.

Every now and then I look at Rouge and Toki but they don't seem bothered by Kikuhime and Kikunojo's moves.

'I don't care about Kikuhime, but... Kikunojo? Why don't you help me?'

I didn't understand girls.

'Women are a complicated animal...'

After afternoon tea I decide to go for a walk around Kuri.

Walking through the "streets" I see that this land is nowhere near prosperous.

"How can this be called a city? It's more like a village..."

"I imagine when One Piece World merges into the Pocket Solar System, and travel between worlds is allowed..."

I walk the dirt streets, and look at the wooden houses.

"It reminds me of old-age Japanese movies..."

Looking from side to side I see the citizens looking at me.

"Is there something weird about me?"

The men looked at me with red eyes, they wanted to jump on me. But, something prevented them.

The women looked at me with twinkle in their eyes, they also wanted to jump on me. But something also prevented them.

'I know these eyes...'

Without realizing one I started walking faster.

After a few laps, I returned to Castle Kuri.

It was almost nightfall when I arrived.

I found Toki, Rouge, Kikunojo, Kikuhime, Hiyori and Momonosuke. Getting ready for dinner.

Toki:"How was the walk."

"It was good... I just thought I was a circus monkey."

Everyone:"Hahaha~"

Toki:"Don't pay too much attention to it, your haircut, your clothes and even your way of acting are very different from what is usual here in Wano."

Kikunojo:"I'm sure men looked at you with envy and women with lust."

All:"...."

"...."

"Dude I'm hungry..."

I quickly change the subject, and move to the dining table.

From behind I hear Toki, Rouge, Kikunojo and Kikuhime's low laughter.

'You pay me...'

I enjoy traditional food from the Kuri region, which to my surprise was great.

After eating, I go to my room to prepare...

I walk in and sit on the edge of the bed.

'When will Rouge and Toki arrive...'

I slowly remove my clothes, leaving only my underwear on. While I wait for two.

After a few minutes I hear the doors creak, signifying they have arrived.

"You took so long..."

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