บท 374: The passing time
The bandits of Mt. Atama had once posed a significant threat to Kuri for a long time. At that time, Ashura Doji, known as the monster of Kuri, led the mountain bandits, and ordinary people had no way to deal with them.
Later, Kozuki Oden subdued Ashura Doji, and with it, the banditry in Kuri was eliminated. In Oden's absence, there were some disturbances caused by these mountain bandits, but the returned Ashura Doji managed to suppress them.
However, with both of them now dead, control over Mt. Atama Thieves was lost. Initially, due to fear, they remained well-behaved for a while. Yet, as time passed, they eventually resumed their plundering.
But without a leader, these mountain bandits couldn't create much trouble. The strength of Denjiro and others was more than sufficient to deal with them, and the Shinsengumi following closely behind outnumbered and out-equipped the bandits by far.
Sending out to oversee them was merely a precautionary measure.
As for the order stamped with Kozuki Hiyori's seal, King didn't fake it this time. He simply conveyed truthfully the actions of the bandits within the country.
Kozuki Hiyori, being unfamiliar with the affairs of Mt. Atama, readily signed the order in full cooperation.
Outside Mt. Atama's stronghold, rain incessantly pelted Denjiro's face. Water droplets dirtied his glasses, momentarily blurring his vision. After some practice, the Shinsengumi members were able to endure the rain.
As for Greninja, this weather was the most comfortable for him.
Buzz~
A disturbance in the air shattered the unique silence beneath the rain curtain, and a massive Water Shuriken materialized in Greninja's hand.
As the shuriken made of water reached a certain size, Greninja threw it towards the stronghold gate.
Boom!
The gate wasn't a water absorbing Charizard*; when the flying Water Shuriken touched the stronghold's wooden gate, it instantly exploded into pieces with a loud boom. [*This is talking about how Ash's greninja water shuriken was ineffective against Alain's Charizard.]
"Do I need to teach you the rest as well? I will report your performance truthfully."
"."
Denjiro and others didn't say anything, but they quietly unsheathed their swords. Kozuki Hiyori was now in the hands of the enemy, leaving them almost helpless in this situation.
This was how the Beasts Pirates chose to use these three people. Their survival had symbolic significance, but since they are still not willing to join the Beasts Pirates, this was the only way to make them work passively.
It was a test. Although they weren't top-tier fighters, they were not weak. Some dangerous tasks, such as attacking strongholds, could be fully entrusted to them.
Inside Mt. Atama's stronghold, the bandits inside were still trying to comprehend what had happened to their shattered gate when the sounds of battle outside had already reached them. Shinsengumi's reward system was straightforward—reward with money.
Driven by the lure of money, they mercilessly attacked the bandits.
However, this wasn't the most important part. These bandits were once Ashura Doji's subordinates, so looking at Denjiro leading the charge, their eyes were filled with confusion.
"Denjiro-sama?!"
"Surrender, the times have changed."
Facing the bandits in front of him, Denjiro had no choice. For them, Kozuki Hiyori was far more important than these few individuals.
In the end, some chose to surrender, while those aware of their crimes, knowing they couldn't escape Wano Country's legal system, and those loyal to Ashura Doji, raised their weapons and fought back.
It was a battle without suspense. The bandits only had some outdated firearms, and whether they could fire in such rainy weather depended entirely on luck. On the other hand, the Shinsengumi were equipped with Wano's newly forged equipment.
And together with the three former retainers of the Oden, who had no choice but to contribute, this group of bandits was quickly eradicated.
The bandits, already criminals, were relatively easy to handle. However, the gaze of those who had once been loyal to Ashura Doji, looking at Denjiro and his group, made Denjiro's vision even blurrier.
The gears of fate continued to turn; everything wouldn't stop because of an individual's existence or death.
It was now the latter half of the Year 1505.
World Government's search for Ryleth never ceased, but the clues abruptly ended after tracing to a black market in the New World. That was the last place Ryleth was seen.
In the current New World, besides the major territories held by Whitebeard, Kaido, and Charlotte Linlin, there were also many scattered buffer zones and small territories.
And the location where Ryleth disappeared was dangerous, with the nearest island being Hachinosu, once the territory of Rocks – Fullalead.
According to the normal course of events, the one supposed to occupy this island was Ochoku. As a remnant of Rocks, he survived until after the Summit War but ultimately fell at the hands of Blackbeard, with some mysterious credit to Marine Captain Koby.
It's unclear why this Captain was able to participate in a battle of such magnitude.
But now, Ochoku is dead, and the island has become even more chaotic. This increased the difficulty of the World Government's investigation by an unknown magnitude.
Meanwhile, on Onigashima, Elizabeth had laid an egg. Then, the egg was sent to the Beasts Pirates Pokémon Center, where it was cared for by Chansey. Upon the repeated requests from the Ohara's biologists from Sky Island, they were granted the privilege of monitoring the situation using surveillance monitors.
Several scholars worked tirelessly, observing the egg continuously, witnessing this rare miracle. However, they underestimated the incubation period of this egg.
Mandrell successfully requested a transfer and at the same time, his appearance on Fishman Island became more frequent. Meanwhile, his subordinates, like the scholars, also observed their boss, eager to see when Mandrell would evolve.
The Hancock sisters gradually integrated into life on Onigashima. Olga felt like she gained a peculiar little sister. For example, she would sometimes get restless when they bathed together.
Apart from adding several more red crosses on the map, many things went smoothly, such as Tesoro's proposed plan.
Beasts Fruits underwent a massive restructuring internally. Although the company's name remained the same, many new departments emerged. Compared to the initial Beasts Fruits, the current one had become a holding company.
With money paving the way, Tesoro also established connections with some World Government officials. In the current environment, expanding business in this manner is inevitable. Just like that, he could welcome the arrival of Celestial Dragons with a smile while cursing them in his heart.
Without tearing apart the pretense of cordiality, the only way to counter a Celestial Dragon is with another Celestial Dragon. Not long ago, he gained the favor of a jewelry-loving Celestial Dragon by obtaining a "natural" blood diamond. Through him, he dealt with a Celestial Dragon who had designs on Stella.
However, this only increased his disgust for the Celestial Dragons.
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