Chapter 146: Fierce Battle with Shimotsuki! Traces of the Amatsuki Clan?
As soon as the words fell.
Kozuki Sukiyaki's expression changed sharply.
He stared gravely at the man before him and slowly tightened his grip on the hilt at his waist.
"You actually know the secret of our Kozuki clan."
"You must have spent considerable effort investigating. However, we have no knowledge of any Poneglyph locations—you've come to the wrong person."
"As everyone knows, privately learning about that history will attract the World Government."
It was common knowledge.
The Poneglyphs recorded nothing but matters related to the lost one hundred years.
For this masked man to demand such information—didn't he fear the World Government learning of it and sending forces to hunt him down?
Toki couldn't help frowning.
"Eight hundred years have passed, and the Kozuki clan no longer knows even the location of the Poneglyphs?"
"I never expected that segment of history to be lost so quickly."
"It seems the upheaval eight hundred years ago… brought consequences far more devastating than imagined."
She let out a soft sigh.
She already had some guesses about what had happened eight hundred years ago.
But to think that now, when asked, they claimed complete ignorance—
Or was Kozuki Sukiyaki, the current shogun of Wano, lying?
Lotte merely raised an eyebrow upon hearing this. Using his Voice of All Things to eavesdrop on their hearts, he gained a clearer understanding of the current situation.
He lifted his head, locked eyes with Kozuki Sukiyaki, and grinned.
"Since the shogun himself has said so, then I'll take it you don't know."
Upon hearing this.
Kozuki Sukiyaki couldn't help but breathe a small sigh of relief.
It seemed the other party still feared Wano's military power and didn't dare act recklessly against them.
But Lotte's next sentence
Immediately made his heart leap into his throat.
"In that case, I won't make things too difficult. Just hand over the method to reach Zou Island, and we can pretend this never happened."
"Even if Wano has no Poneglyphs."
"There must be one on Zou Island."
Lotte spoke calmly.
The reason he planned to go to Zou wasn't just because a needed Poneglyph was there—
But also because it was likely one of the few islands where he could check in!
After all, that single giant elephant
Possessed destructive power that could even surpass that of an Emperor.
Even so, Lotte still intended to visit Zou. In these incredibly long years of change, if he could obtain any information from that giant elephant,
It would be of immense help to him.
Kozuki Sukiyaki continued staring gravely at the masked man before him.
"Young man, I don't know where you heard that name, but the Mink Tribe on Zou Island has deep ties with our Kozuki clan."
"Asking me to reveal information about them is absolutely impossible!"
Zou Island.
The mystical island nation, the dreamed homeland where the Mink Tribe had lived for generations.
It constantly moved—a magical island not fixed in any one region. Because it wasn't land, it couldn't be found using a Log Pose—only a Vivre Card could locate it.
To be honest.
The moment Lotte mentioned the word "Zou,"
Kozuki Sukiyaki had been startled. Very few people knew of Zou's existence—yet this mysterious intruder actually knew.
But no matter how strong the other party was, Sukiyaki had no intention of betraying the Mink Tribe. Zou and the successive generations of the Kozuki clan
Shared an extremely close bond—it absolutely could not be broken in his generation!
"This won't do, that won't do—are you just toying with me?"
"It seems in the end, we still have to let strength do the talking."
Lotte gripped the hilts of his dual blades tightly. His expression turned cold as he stared at the two men before him.
His tone carried a chilling edge.
Kozuki Sukiyaki's face changed dramatically and he moved to draw his sword.
But Shimotsuki Yasuie beside him stopped him.
"There is no need for the shogun to take action personally. Leave this kid to this old man."
"Youngsters these days really don't know the meaning of respecting elders. No matter what, Wano is the Land of Samurai."
"Since you want answers, come and try defeating this old man!"
Shimotsuki Yasuie drew the sword at his waist.
A brilliant, thick sword aura instantly erupted from his body, causing Lotte to reveal a delighted grin. Armament Haki coated his dual blades.
"Good! Looks like this is much simpler!"
"As long as I win, I'll get the information I want, right? That's refreshingly straightforward—much better than your shogun!"
Lotte stared at Shimotsuki Yasuie gripping his hilt.
He could sense the sword aura radiating from the other man like a rainbow piercing the sun—undoubtedly top-tier even among swordsmen.
Even though age had diminished his strength somewhat.
Even so.
He was still a rare and excellent whetstone for Lotte.
Shimotsuki Yasuie let out a cold snort, clearly displeased with Lotte's attitude. If the great Ryuma were still alive, how could he allow an outsider to act so arrogantly?
Now he had to shoulder this responsibility!
To protect the dignity of Wano's shogun—he absolutely could not let this kid succeed!
"Swish!"
A sharp sound of tearing air rang out in midair.
A dazzling sword aura instantly exploded along the blade, surging toward the young man ahead. Then Shimotsuki Yasuie stepped forward.
He closed in on the masked man in an instant.
He clearly had no intention of trading long-range slashes with the other. After all, the destruction from that would be far too great—the entire shogun's residence might be leveled.
First use a sword wave to pin him down, then force him into close combat.
This was the cunning plan of the seasoned Shimotsuki Yasuie!
Lotte naturally noticed this. The corner of his mouth curled upward as he swung his blade without hesitation. Water-like sword energy coated it and effortlessly cleaved through the incoming wave.
Then his blades clashed directly with Shimotsuki Yasuie's.
"Clang!"
A heavy metallic collision rang out!
Neither Lotte nor Shimotsuki Yasuie showed any intention of yielding.
The sword aura exploding from their clash sent tables and chairs flying—this was already with both of them restraining their power. Otherwise, this entire floor would likely be gone by now.
Toki watched the two combatants helplessly.
In the end, her captain would surely win. She simply turned her gaze toward Kozuki Sukiyaki, the shogun, gave a slight bow, and asked calmly.
"Lord Shogun, may I ask you one question?"
Kozuki Sukiyaki only now snapped back to reality. He looked at the girl in Wano clothing brought by the masked man.
He hesitated slightly but finally nodded.
"Go ahead—what is it?"
Toki gave a small nod.
"I want to ask about eight hundred years ago."
"What happened to the Amatsuki clan, which was once one of the five great families—why have they vanished without a trace?"
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