Chapter 197: The Token

After distributing the prepared food to the village residents, Shimotsuki Yasuie waved goodbye to the grateful villagers and, gathered his belongings, then silently left the village alone.

When he reached a secluded area, the dignified and confident demeanor that Shimotsuki Yasuie had maintained in front of the villagers instantly disappeared. Even his previously straight back now appeared hunched.

Every time he saw those emaciated villagers, Shimotsuki Yasuie couldn't help but think of the man he once had high hopes for.

Over ten years ago, Kozuki Oden had spent a great deal of effort to transform Kuri, which was once the largest lawless area in Wano Country, into the happiest place in the nation. From that moment on, Shimotsuki Yasuie's view of Oden completely changed. He believed that this man would undoubtedly become a great leader of Wano Country!

Since then, Yasuie began training Oden's retainers to learn etiquette, gain knowledge, and train themselves, all for the future of Wano Country.

But Yasuie never expected that while his subordinates were fervently planning for the future of Wano, the highly anticipated "Leader" Oden, the future "Great Lord" of Wano, would abruptly abandon the country and its people, taking only Nekomamushi and Inuarashi with him to set sail!

"We are planning for the future of Wano, why did the shogun abandon us first?!"

After Oden set sail, the shogun, Kozuki Sukiyaki, mysteriously fell ill and, on his deathbed, appointed Kurozumi Orochi as the new shogun.

Yasuie thought to himself that life is something this; if you can't resist it, you can just endure it silently.

The Kurozumi family had been annihilated by the previous shogun for a failed rebellion, leaving only Kurozumi Orochi as the sole survivor. However, no matter what, the Kurozumi family was still a prominent family in Wano. It wasn't entirely unacceptable for Orochi to become shogun.

But after becoming shogun, Orochi colluded directly with Kaido of the Beasts. He not only opened numerous weapons factories, forcing young civilians to labor in them, but also brutally ruled the country, suppressing anyone who disobeyed.

Just as Yasuie was preparing to unite others to overthrow Orochi's brutal rule, Oden returned!

The people of Wano and Yasuie were all thrilled by Oden's return. They believed that Oden, the great lord, would surely drive Orochi and Kaido out of Wano!

However, Yasuie was greatly disappointed. The supposed savior Oden made a peace agreement with Orochi and Kaido, vowing not to harm each other.

Trying to restrain Orochi and Kaido with promises and oaths? Yasuie couldn't believe that Oden, after years at sea, still had such naive ideas! Even though Orochi and Kaido had many hostages, this was about Wano! Even if it involved bloodshed and sacrifice, it was absolutely worth it!

No matter how many times Yasuie advised Oden, he only danced. No matter how much the people of Wano hoped Oden would restore the Kozuki rule, he still danced.

"Foolish prince…"

"Can you really not see the future of Wano?"

"Can you really not see the true nature of Orochi and Kaido?"

Yasuie was confused and pained, but he was powerless.

Ding—

A crisp metallic sound brought Yasuie back to reality. He composed himself and looked towards the direction of the sound.

He saw a stranger in a white cloak standing in the middle of the road, holding a beautifully sheathed sword, looking at him calmly.

Yasuie looked around and realized they were in a secluded place. He asked seriously, "Who are you?"

At this moment, Yasuie had to prepare for the worst. If this white-cloaked warrior was an assassin sent by Orochi…

He could only hope his death would alert Oden and help him regain his spirit.

"Lord Shimotsuki Yasuie, I have long awaited this meeting."

Yasuie remained cold and stern, "Who are you, and what is your purpose? Were you sent by Orochi to take my life?"

"Orochi?" The man raised an eyebrow, sheathed his sword, and waved dismissively. "Such a lowly character doesn't deserve my attention."

Yasuie was puzzled and silently stared at the man, waiting for him to speak.

"Lord Yasuie, have you heard of a man named Shimotsuki Kozaburo?"

Hearing the familiar name, Yasuie's pupils contracted slightly. "Kozaburo?! Where did you hear that name?"

"Don't worry, Lord Yasuie," the man smiled, "Before we get to that, let me introduce myself. I am a…"

"A what?" Yasuie looked at him in confusion.

The man paused, then remembered his alias used at Isshin Dojo and switched his words. "I am known as Momoya, and I was sent by someone to investigate the current situation of the Shimotsuki family in Wano." {I am fricking rolling my eye}

Yasuie asked, "Momoya, the person you mentioned, is it Kozaburo?"

"No, Kozaburo passed away several years ago," Momoya shook his head, "the one who sent me is Kozaburo's only son, Shimotsuki Kōshirō."

Yasuie asked, "How can I trust what you say?"

"Kōshirō foresaw this and gave me a token." Momoya reached into his robe and took out a white envelope with a red emblem of crossed swords at the top right corner. "Please take a look."

"This is indeed the Shimotsuki family's emblem."

Yasuie nodded, took the envelope, and read the letter silently. After a long time, he slowly looked up, his eyes slightly red.

"Momoya, you once stayed in Shimotsuki Village in East Blue—" Yasuie's voice choked with emotion as he mentioned the village name. "How is Kōshirō now?"

Momoya understood that Yasuie must have read something in the letter that confirmed his identity, which made him so emotional. He said directly, "Kōshirō is doing well, teaching swordsmanship at Isshin Dojo. By now, his daughter should have been born."

"Haha, cough, cough!" Yasuie tried to laugh but ended up coughing violently. After a while, he said with relief and excitement, "Good! Good! East Blue!"

"The Shimotsuki family still has our bloodline remaining!"