SailorStar9: So with Chapter 287 uploaded, this is Chapter 288 of this fic. For everyone who put this fic on your favorited and followed lists and/or story alerts, thank you, but remember everyone, a lot of authors (myself included) sustain on readers' reviews.

Pairings: Married!Ace/Sasha, Sibling!Luffy/Sasha, Sibling!Sabo/Sasha, Background Protector!Law/Sasha

Disclaimers: One Piece belongs to Oda Eiichirō-sensei. Me, on the other hand, own absolutely nothing, except my OC, the pairing and the fic idea.

Chapter 288: Arc 17: The Straw Hats Run! Save the Captive Tonoyasu


"I see." Dogstorm noted, after Wanda and Carrot reported back about the insurgent between Ashura and Holdem. "I feel sorry for Ashura Doji."

"But we did it for the greater good." Kin'emon nodded. "It cannot be helped. Let's go a Bakura Town. Our plan is foiled." he and Dogstorm boarded their steeds. "And we don't know what to do yet. But for the time being, we need Ashura to be hostile towards the Beast Pirates. Because we definitely need him."


At the execution grounds...

Tonoyasu was tied to the wooden cross and lifted up fro the gathering crowd to witness the public execution.

"It's beautiful..." the death-row prisoner gazed at the falling sakura petals.


In Ebisu Town...

"Tonoyasu's been caught?" Usohachi echoed as the rest of the Straw Hats hurried to where the Picture Tanishi was placed.

"What the hell is going on?" Onami pressed. "I can't believe Tonoyasu is Ushimitsu Kozo."

"Ushimitsu Kozo," Orobi trailed. "The great thief who steals money and goods from the rich and gives them away to the poor and weak every night."

"Thief?" Franosuke echoed. "That old geezer?"

"What is this all about?" Usohachi wondered. "I thought he was a saint."

"Why's everyone laughing" Onami was puzzled.

"Is Tonoyasu really Ushimitsu Kozo?" Orobi frowned.

"Even if it's true, that's not what's really important." Shinobu replied.

"I remember." Kanjuro gasped. "That hairstyle... Tonoyasu is a fake name."


In Bakura Town...

"Let's look for Ashura." Kin'emon instructed and he dashed in with Dogstorm on their steeds. "What is that?" he turned to the Picture Tanishi.

"No way..." even Dogstorm was shocked by the image displayed. "That's..."

"He is alive." Kin'emon was stunned.


In Ebisu Town...

"His real name is Shimotsuki..." Kanjuro choked.


In Bakura Town...

"Yasuie-dono!" Kin'emon screamed.


In Ebisu Town...

"The Daimyo of Hakumai, Yasu the Hedgehog." Shinobu spoke. "He was very austere and never smiled. I didn't realize because he's nothing like he used to be."


At the execution grounds...

The former residents of Hakumai recognized their former leader. "Stop the execution! I'm from Hakumai. I'm glad to see you again. Untie him, damn it! Yasuie-sama!"

"People did not forget me yet?" Yasuie laughed. "That makes me happy. It is no use, everybody. Orochi will not let me go. First, I want to apologize to everybody about two things. Then, I want to say one thing to the stupid Orochi. After I say those things, I can leave fro kingdom come, laughing."

At that declaration, Daikoku fired the first shot. "The next shot will be a killing blow." he warned. "I will read the charges of the accused." he opened the parchment. "Last night, he committed a theft in the Flower Capital. He has fallen dreadfully. He is the former Daimyo of Hakumai, who makes a living as a male geisha. His name is Shimotsuki Yasuie. For the heinous crime of rebelling against the Shogun Orochi-sama in the past, as an offering to the Oiran Komurasaki's grave, we hereby sentence him to dishonorable death. Now, according to his statement, he was Ushimitsu Kozo, who caused a disturbance to the public."

"That was a lie." Yasuie admitted. "I said it because I wanted to get all the attention if I die anyway. I'm sorry that I lied. I'm no hero like that."


In Bakura Town...

"Yasuie-dono." Dogstorm pulled to a stop.

"Why did he tell such a lie?" Kin'emon wondered.


At the execution grounds...

"Yasu-san, don't die." the residents of Ebisu Town charged into the capital. "If we lose you, who else will support us?"

Usohachi used his sniping to knock out the guards using rocks and cleared a path for the charging citizens.

Orobi used the Hana Hana Fruit to create a row of extended hands on the ground and trip over the charging samurai guards.

"Shogun-dono is such a idiot." Yasuie taunted. "I feel sorry for his subordinates. Now, everyone. Look at the beautiful Flower Capital. The view of Wano is magnificent. For generations, this scenery was developed by the Kozuki Clan and the common people. We take pride in it. You can't take the credit for that, you fool." he rebuked Orochi. "Kurozumi Orochi. Do you hear me, Orochi? There used to be immense forests and fields with vegetation. Rivers. Villages. And you're just contaminating them with dirt of greed. You're nothing but vermin."


In Bakura Town...

"Yasuie-dono..." Kin'emon teared, with Dogstorm.


SailorStar9: Any OOC-nes is regretted. *Sighs* Don't you just hate plot bunnies sometimes? Reviews are much appreciated.