"My apologies. I didn't explain it clearly."
Looking at the gazes fixed on him.
Especially the captain of this group, the kid with the straw hat who looked extremely naïve, whose expression had also become serious, arms folded across his chest, while staring straight at him.
Kouzuki Sukiyaki did not hesitate any longer. Changing his tone, he quickly sighed and said, "The chaos in Wano Country indeed began with that man Kurozumi Orochi. That man deceived my son, the hero of Wano Country, Kouzuki Oden, and lured the Beasts Pirates into Wano using the country's interests, ultimately seizing control of Wano."
"In order to maintain peace in Wano back then, my son, Kouzuki Oden, did not declare war on those people, and in the end, he died in a conspiracy. From that moment onward, the destruction of the Kouzuki Family and the disaster of Wano Country began."
"My family all died. Only one granddaughter remains alive."
As he said this, Kouzuki Sukiyaki seemed overcome with emotion. A sorrowful expression appeared on his face, his eyes reddened, and he lowered his head. Only after a moment did he recover and look at Princess Vivi in front of him.
"This lady is correct. The chaos in Wano began at that time. However…"
He gritted his teeth, anger appearing on his face.
"The merchant of Artificial Devil Fruit, Ian, sold us defective Artificial Devil Fruits. Once eaten, not only would you fail to obtain any ability, but you would also laugh uncontrollably forever. Even if your relatives died, you would only laugh wildly. He arrogantly plundered Wano Country's wealth, and he…"
His eyes filled with grief and anger.
"He also killed my only grandson!"
Everyone: "...?!"
When those words fell, everyone in the Straw Hat Pirates was shocked. It seemed none of them had expected such a thing to have happened.
Even Luffy's face darkened.
On the other hand, Teach, who had long seen the darkness of the world, didn't have much of a reaction. In fact, this kind of matter didn't even count as particularly dark.
It was just selling defective Artificial Devil Fruits. At least those artificial Devil Fruits still had the possibility of granting Devil Fruit abilities.
Some truly unscrupulous people would even mold one out of mud for you. Not only did it taste awful, but for ordinary people, it could even kill them if eaten!
But regardless, he didn't want to fall out with the Umbrella Corporation because of this.
To be honest, the relationship between the Straw Hat Pirates and the Umbrella Corporation was very good, and the Umbrella Corporation had saved the Straw Hat Pirates multiple times. If they fell out over something like this, it would be utterly ridiculous.
"Luffy, we shouldn't get involved in Wano Country's affairs."
Teach said with a serious expression. "We don't know what exactly happened, and…"
His deep gaze looked toward Kouzuki Sukiyaki.
"This old guy just lied to us earlier. Don't let yourself become someone else's tool."
Everyone: "…"
Hearing Teach's words, everyone fell silent.
Especially Sanji, Franky, Zoro, Usopp, Nami, Vivi, and even Chopper thought Teach was right.
After all, compared to the people in front of them, their relationship with Ian was closer.
Especially Nami… Ian had shown her enormous kindness!
"Teach is right!"
Nami didn't hesitate at all. Her tone was serious. "Let's leave. This is no longer something we can interfere with. Compared to this guy, I trust Mr. Ian more."
Seeing this scene, Kouzuki Sukiyaki inwardly realized things were going badly.
He had waited so long for outsiders like this group to arrive.
And according to Inuarashi, this group of pirates was extremely strong. They had even defeated pirates whose strength rivaled the captain of the Beasts Pirates.
Moreover, they were a group of rather naïve youngsters!
Originally, he planned to drag Ian into this and perhaps avenge Momonosuke.
But he never expected that this group of pirates would have such an unusual relationship with Ian.
What a miscalculation!
Kouzuki Sukiyaki's mind raced continuously, thinking of ways to pull these pirates into the matter.
His good son, the heroic hero, Kouzuki Oden, had died. Now his good grandson, the savior who would save Wano Country, Kouzuki Momonosuke, had also died.
No matter what, he absolutely could not give up this opportunity!
But seeing that the Straw Hat Pirates in front of him were really about to leave, Kouzuki Sukiyaki could no longer hold back. Even without thinking of a plan, he hurriedly tried to keep them.
"Please wait a—"
First, keep them here, then think of a way!
However, before he could finish speaking…
"Gufufufu!"
Suddenly, an extremely lecherous laugh came from outside, causing Kouzuki Sukiyaki, who had been about to speak, to have a drastic change of expression.
Damn it, why did this guy come?!
With the sudden laughter, the Straw Hat Pirates and Kouzuki Sukiyaki's group all turned their heads toward the doorway.
What immediately entered their sight was…
A group of samurai holding weapons, looking terrified at the square-faced, vulgar-looking man slowly walking in under the escort of guards.
"Grandfather!"
At this moment, a woman dressed as a samurai looked at Kouzuki Sukiyaki with guilt on her face.
"Sorry, we couldn't stop him!"
Facing the woman dressed as a samurai, Kouzuki Sukiyaki didn't say anything. Instead, he looked at the square-faced man with hatred in his eyes.
"Kurozumi Orochi! What are you doing here?!"
Back then, Oden had treated this man extremely well and had even recommended him to Sukiyaki, making him his subordinate.
Yet in the end, this man betrayed him, overthrew Wano Country's rule, and destroyed the Kouzuki Family.
How could he not feel hatred?
"Gufufufu, Sukiyaki, don't be so angry!"
Facing Kouzuki Sukiyaki's fury, Kurozumi Orochi didn't care at all. Instead, he grinned smugly like a villain who had gotten his way.
"You tricked me, too, didn't you? I didn't expect you all to hide yourselves so deeply. Honestly, when I heard that you were still alive, I couldn't believe it. It almost scared me to death!"
"You traitor!"
Hearing Orochi's words, Kouzuki Sukiyaki glared at him furiously and gritted his teeth. "If it weren't for that merchant of Artificial Devil Fruit—"
"Looks like you already know, huh? Gufufufu!"
Before Sukiyaki could finish speaking, Orochi let out his signature laugh and looked at him with a ferocious yet playful expression.
"I heard you were insulting Mr. Ian in front of Mr. Ian's friends?"
As he spoke, he glanced at the Straw Hat Pirates beside them, who were also staring at him vigilantly.