NOVEL WEB Chapter 285: You Took the Wrong Path!
Just as Shimotsuki Koshiro was still trying to grasp what had happened, Yahiko raised his hand—calm and unhurried.
Then came the Chibaku Tensei.
In an instant, the remaining enemies, debris, and even the corpses littering the battlefield were dragged into the air by a powerful gravitational force. Chunks of rock and earth spiraled upward, clumping together into a massive sphere that floated ominously above the island.
"Th-This…"
Koshiro's eyes widened.
He had just begun to wonder about Yahiko's true strength, but witnessing this unnatural display left him completely stunned.
Was this… really something a human could achieve?
Before Koshiro could recover from the shock, a group of pirates approached from behind. They were members of the Dragon Hunter Pirates, each of them stepping forward and standing respectfully by Yahiko's side.
"Captain!" one of them said, saluting.
Yahiko glanced at them with his usual calm. "Any signs of intruders?" he asked.
"No," the pirate replied without hesitation. "These were the only pirates. All the ships are accounted for. No one escaped, and no one else got on the island."
None of them looked fearful, despite Yahiko's terrifying power. On the contrary—they stood tall, proud. This was their Captain, after all. The man they followed without question. To be a member of the Dragon Hunter Pirates, even a mere errand boy, was a badge of honor.
"Good," Yahiko nodded. "Send word to the captain. I'm heading back now."
Then, Yahiko turned to Shimotsuki Koshiro, who was still standing motionless, eyes fixed on the floating sphere in the sky.
"You're Kuina's father, aren't you?" Yahiko said, his voice soft yet firm. "If possible, I hope you don't bring unnecessary burdens into her life."
Koshiro blinked, unsure how to respond.
"Some things," Yahiko continued, "lose meaning in the face of absolute strength. What Kuina should pursue now... is no longer the same as what you once believed."
Though Yahiko's words sounded like a suggestion, the tone left no room for argument. Koshiro could feel the dominance radiating from him—an aura that was quiet yet overwhelming.
So this is what it means to be part of the Dragon Hunter Pirates...
"…I understand," Koshiro said, nodding slowly. "Thank you for your assistance. If not for you, Shimotsuki Village would've suffered greatly."
"I—"
"Goodbye," Yahiko interrupted.
Without waiting for Koshiro to finish, Yahiko flew upward and landed on the floating Chibaku Tensei. With one swift kick, the massive ball of debris shot across the sky like a meteor, slamming down just off the coastline.
He hadn't kicked it into the sea on purpose.
No—this was a message.
A warning.
This place is protected by the Dragon Hunter Pirates.
Attack it, and you'll join the wreckage.
Yahiko then descended onto a small boat, where more than ten pirate ships were already waiting for him. Together, they began to sail away from the island.
As he watched the fleet disappear into the sea, Koshiro finally exhaled.
"…Incredible."
Just then, an old man with a fishing rod appeared beside him, silent and calm.
"Koshiro," the old man said, staring out toward the water. "I told you, didn't I? Even if we master that, it doesn't mean we'll be invincible out at sea."
He paused.
"There's a difference between strength earned through discipline and strength granted by external forces."
The old man turned to him. "Your blade has gotten dull."
"I—"
Koshiro opened his mouth to speak, but no words came out.
He lowered his head, defeated.
He looked just like a student being scolded by a teacher, despite being the head of the Isshin Dojo himself. His disciples watched quietly, saying nothing. Their proud and composed master now stood motionless, humiliated by an old man who didn't even seem like a fighter.
"You planning to stand here forever?" the old man said gruffly. "Pick up your people. Let them rest. They've had enough shame for one day."
And with that, the old man vanished.
"…Sensei," Koshiro muttered, still processing everything.
Behind him, his disciples called out to him, snapping him back to reality.
"Take everyone and go back," Koshiro finally said, voice low but firm.
The disciples quickly obeyed, lifting their unconscious comrades and heading back toward the village.
Just as Koshiro was about to follow, a member of the Dragon Hunter Pirates approached him.
"Mr. Shimotsuki Koshiro," the man said politely. "Our captain would like a word."
Koshiro stopped. "Your captain? You mean… Ryuunosuke?"
Despite never having met him, Koshiro's heart tensed. Judging by Yahiko's strength, this captain must be on a whole other level.
And if he was contacting him now, could it mean…
The pirate held out a Den Den Mushi.
Ryuunosuke's voice came through clearly.
"Mr. Shimotsuki Koshiro. It's good to finally speak with you."
There was a pause, and then he added, "Well… I suppose this is the first time we've talked. Kuina is currently training, so I'll say hello on her behalf."
Koshiro straightened his back, nerves prickling. "Captain Ryuunosuke. I'm honored. What can I help you with?"
"I wonder," Ryuunosuke said, his tone casual yet sharp, "how much you already know about the Infinity Stones."
Koshiro's eyes widened.
Infinity Stones? Here?
"These kinds of things," Ryuunosuke continued, "they're tools. They're never meant to be relied on as your core strength."
"If you're building your future on something like that, then you're walking the wrong path. I hope you haven't gone too far down it already."
Another pause.
"Oh, and if Shanks comes looking and asks about this… just tell him."
The name struck like lightning.
Shanks? Red-Haired Shanks… one of the Four Emperors?
He's involved in this too?!
Koshiro's mind spiraled.
He had known that Kuina had touched upon things far beyond the East Blue's borders, but this… this was far beyond anything he had imagined. The name "Infinity Stones" alone was enough to shake his beliefs, but the mention of a Yonko investigating the same trail?
It sent chills down his spine.
Then Ryuunosuke spoke again—calm, but with meaning behind every word.
"Mr. Koshiro. You trained Kuina and Zoro—two swordsmen with unmatched potential. That alone proves your swordsmanship and your discipline are genuine."
"But if you truly believe your only path now lies through Wano…
Maybe it's time to let that ambition go."
"I don't want to stand against you one day, just because of a cause that's already lost."
"…Because if that day ever comes, Kuina will be the one who suffers the most."
The words pierced Koshiro to his core.
A silence followed. Then…
"…Thank you, Captain Ryuunosuke," Koshiro said finally, voice steady but weary. "I'll reflect on what you've said."
"If there's nothing else… I should go check on my students."
"I understand," Ryuunosuke replied, and the line went dead.
The pirate retrieved the Den Den Mushi, and Koshiro stood there in silence once more, the sea breeze tugging gently at his robes.
Meanwhile, far out on the water, Ryuunosuke placed the Den Den Mushi back down and turned toward Kuina, who had been silently standing nearby.
"Well?" he asked gently. "Satisfied with how that turned out?"
Kuina's lips trembled. She held back tears and gave a firm nod.
"…Thank you, Captain," she whispered.
Ever since she learned the truth about the Beasts Pirates, she'd been torn—haunted by the weight of her father's hopes and the reality of their situation.
Even eating, sleeping, and training had felt like battles of their own.
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