Taoist priest, who is so popular in One Piece

The fox called "Onimaru" by Kin'emon was a companion of the former Reiko daimyo Shimotsuki Ushimaru.

Like Chopper, he was originally just a Komako, but by chance he ate the Animal-type Human-Human Fruit, the Mythical Beast Species, the Dairudo Form. Not only can he speak human language, but he can also transform into the legendary monster - Dairudo.

After Kaido came to Wano Country and Kurozumi Orochi overthrew the Kozuki clan, Linghou also turned into a snowy cemetery.

The Komakitsu who luckily survived became the keeper of this cemetery.

Until a few years ago, Kawamatsu, one of the Nine Red Scabbards, came here.

"Lord Kawamatsu said that the samurai swords buried here would definitely come in handy this year. From that time on, I worked with Lord Kawamatsu to collect Reiko's samurai swords and drive away those bandits at the same time."

Onimaru transformed into the Dai-Nyudo form again, and while leading Kin'emon and the others, he said:

"It's just that Lord Kawamatsu never came back after going out one time. I borrowed Lord Kawamatsu's former name of [Gyuguimaru of the Robber Bridge] and continued to act in Linghou."

Hearing this, Kin'emon's face turned unhappy.

Kawamatsu did not travel through time with him and the others back then, but was instead burdened with the responsibility of taking care of Hiyori-sama.

But after so long since they returned, they still haven't found any trace of He Song.

Either the two of them hid too deeply, or... they have been caught.

Kin'emon clenched his fists. Not to mention Kawamatsu's safety for the time being, if Lord Hiyori also died in this accident, he really didn't know how to explain to Lord Oden and the others after his death.

At this time, several people have arrived deep in Linghou, where there is a house half buried by wind and snow.

Arriving at the door, Onimaru hesitated, looked at Kin'emon and said:

"Sir, do you really want to let outsiders know about this place? Not to mention that guy is holding the national treasure and won't return it..."

"Hey, don't let the person in question hear you if you say bad things. I've already explained some things very clearly."

Zoro looked unhappy.

"Okay, okay, don't be angry, Zoro." Chopper smoothed Zoro's hair and said with a smile: "After all, no one would easily believe that someone who died hundreds of years ago gave you a sword."

"Hmph." Zoro crossed his arms and said no more.

His purpose was simple, just to find clues about the Shimotsuki clan, which Onimaru had mentioned a lot before.

But he would not have a good impression of him just because he was Shimotsuki Ushimaru's partner.

Similarly, even if he knew that Zoro's master was from the Shimotsuki clan, Onimaru would not get close to Zoro.

The only master he served was Shimotsuki Gyumaru, not any Shimotsuki Kozaburo or Koshiro.

Not to mention those who had already left Wano Country a long time ago.

"It doesn't matter. There is no rush for Qiu Shui's matter. The most important thing now is to liberate Wano Country."

Kin'emon Okimaru said, "Lord Zoro is not a thief, but the inheritor of the national treasure. We have no reason to ask for it directly."

This made Zoro nod his head. Kin'emon had indeed learned his lesson. It seemed that beating him up at the beginning had a good effect.

After a moment of silence, Guimaru nodded and opened the door.

As soon as they walked into the room, they were frightened by the scene in front of them.

Inside the huge house, countless samurai swords are neatly arranged, and each sword is polished to perfection.

Kin'emon looked at Onimaru.

If he had only guessed before, now he was sure.

In the past few years, Onimaru not only collected all the samurai swords of Linghou here, but also polished them day and night so that they could be used as weapons at any time.

In addition, he had to fight against bandits who coveted these samurai swords at any time. You can imagine how difficult his life was over the years.

No wonder Chopper was surprised at the severity of Onimaru's injuries when he was treating him.

Even the users of mythical beast-type devil fruits have old wounds that cannot be healed.

Just when Kin'emon had not yet recovered from his shock, Onimaru chose to say goodbye to him.

"My mission is accomplished, Master Kin'emon."

"Wait a minute." Kin'emon stopped Onimaru who was walking to the door: "Why...why are you willing to do this? You should know that even if we succeed, it will still be..."

Kin'emon suddenly didn't know how to express himself.

What did he say? Did he mean that the Shimotsuki clan had already perished? Even if they regained the country of Wano, it would be meaningless to the Shimotsuki clan, Shimotsuki Ushimaru, and the entire Reiko.

Kin'emon was in a complicated mood. He had a lot to say, but he didn't know how to explain it. He just felt very upset.

He remembered what Lord Oden said before he died, and also remembered the riddle that Byakuya had told him not long ago.

Faintly, he felt that he was about to figure out some things.

Perhaps he understood what Kin'emon meant, Onimaru looked outside the door. The snow was floating in the sky and slowly falling down, just like the past ten years.

Queen Ling seemed to have never changed, but he knew that the Queen Ling in his heart would never come back.

"For the sake of those who are still alive, Kin'emon-sama."

Onimaru turned around and looked at Kin'emon quietly, looking him straight in the eyes and said, "So that they don't live like me."

After saying these words, Guimaru turned and walked out of the room.

At that moment, Onimaru transformed into a Komako again, moving his limbs and slowly left.

...

"Zoro, what are you thinking about?"

Chopper asked, laying on Zoro's head.

"I was wondering if the devil fruit you ate was somewhat useless..."

"Huh? Zoro, you idiot! Zoro, you idiot!!!"

"For the living?"

Ignoring the fight between the man and the beast, Kin'emon muttered to himself:

"Then what are we doing this for?"

-

In the wind and snow, Komakokimaru's figure slowly appeared. He came to a small mound covered with snow and lay down.

He licked his wounds that were about to scab and raised his head.

In front of the mound, there was a broken samurai sword.

"Woo~"

Guimaru whimpered a few times, but the sound was not loud and soon dissipated in the sound of wind and snow.

This is the cenotaph of Shimotsuki Ushimaru, and it is also the only place where he can commemorate Shimotsuki Ushimaru.

Because he was too busy in recent years, he rarely had the opportunity to take a look.

But now, he can finally stay here forever, with his master and best partner.

Guimaru curled up in front of the cenotaph and slowly closed his eyes.

The wind and snow seemed to be getting stronger, and Guiwan even felt the chill piercing into his body.

He seemed unable to withstand such weather.

But...this is fine.

Just as Guimaru's consciousness was becoming increasingly blurred and he was about to fall into a deep sleep, the sound of footsteps was heard.

"Is this the grave of your partner?"

Zoro walked out of the wind and snow, looked at the cenotaph in front of Onimaru, his eyes locked on the broken sword.

"Nice knife..."

Onimaru stood up and yelled at Zoro.

I was careless and didn't even notice someone was following me.

He stood in front of the broken sword, baring his fangs and looking at Zoro.

I knew you were not a good person. You even wanted to steal a broken sword?!

"What are you looking at? I'm not here to steal the knife. No, I'm not here to steal the knife!"

Zoro was a little exasperated, he was confused by this fox.

Onimaru didn't move, but became even more alert.

He just admitted it!

"Heh, whatever you want."

Zoro laughed and sat down without paying attention to Onimaru's murderous look.

Then, he said to himself:

"I once had a great partner...or rival, if you will."

Guimaru did not relax. This guy must be trying to fool him.

"At that time, I had just entered the gym to learn swordplay, and she was the most powerful person of my age in the entire gym. I refused to accept her and vowed to defeat her..."

Zoro seemed to be unable to see Onimaru and just kept talking to himself.

At first, Onimaru was extremely alert and wary of Zoro's words.

But slowly, his body relaxed.

Perhaps it was because the story was so good, or perhaps it was mixed with real emotions, Onimaru had a new understanding of the man in front of him.

He must miss that person very much...

"So I swear that I must live on, no matter what means necessary, until the day I become the world's greatest swordsman, and let my name resound throughout heaven."

After saying these words, Zoro looked down.

He didn't know when Guiwan had fallen into a deep sleep beside him.

He laughed and said, "Sometimes, the living have to work harder for the dead."

Zoro stood up and looked again at the grave that symbolized Shimotsuki Ushimaru.

"You're in great company."

-

When Guimaru woke up again, he found a coat draped over his body and a jar of wine in front of him.

After a long time, he opened the jar and took a sip of the fragrant wine.

It was very warm, and it seemed that even the coldness in the body was dispelled.