SailorStar9: So with Chapter 288 uploaded, this is Chapter 289 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 289: Arc 17: Zoro's Fury - The Truth About the SMILE!


In Bakura Town...

"Damn Holdem!" Ashura cursed. "How dare he set fire to my hideout? Is that..." he stopped in his tracks when he saw Yasuie on the Picture Tanishi.


On the execution grounds...

"There is another thing that I want to apologize for." Yasuie continued. "About the flyer with the symbol that went around recently: it has been 20 years since the name Kozuki perished. Now I cannot gather enough soldiers to seek my revenge and I feel bad about the Kozuki Clan. So I made the flyer. The symbol does not mean anything. That is just a prank."


In Bakura Town...

"What's this all about?" Ashura was shocked.

"There you are, Ashura." Kin'emon and Dogstorm found their fellow Akazaya.

"Kin'emon, Dogstorm, I can't believe it." Ashura started. "Look." he pointed to the Picture Tanishi. "It seems like Yasuie-sama is still alive."

"I just found out myself." Kin'emon admitted.

"It has become quite a spectacle." Dogstorm stated.


On the execution grounds...

"20 years ago, Oden died and Orochi asked the four remaining Daimyo, including me, if we would serve under Kurozumi or fight them." Yasuie continued. "What a laugh!" he taunted. "You had a great debt to Oden, but you seized the position of Shogun by a cunning trick. It was unacceptable. Daimyo and people from every region drew their swords without hesitation, but the monster named Kaido got in their way of retaliation and Wano was consumed in flames. I did not wish to, but I survived and lived secretly in Ebisu Town, but I did not want to just live on and die a natural death. So, channeling my inner child, I came up with the flyer prank idea and gave it a shot. Please forgive me. But Orochi is a bigger coward than I thought. He got flustered and jailed the innocents who had the moon tattoo which was a popular design."

"Damn Yasuie!" Orochi roared, closing in on the execution grounds in a carriage. "I will fill you with bullets.

"Here he comes." Yasuie was unfazed by the appearance of his former underling. "Orochi, it has been a while. Let's see... do you want me to recite the curse that binds your heart? 'A man of such small caliber shall never know the taste of oden for as long as he shall live.'"


In Bakura Town...

"Oden-sama and Yasuie-sama are like sworn brothers." Dogstorm recalled. "No way!" he realized Yasuie's true intentions.

"Yasuie-dono!" Kin'emon came to the same conclusion.


At the execution grounds...

With Zorojuro, Hiyori, Bonekichi chasing after her, Tōko raced to the execution site.


In Bakura Town...

"What's wrong?" Ashura spotted Kin'emon's tears.

"The raid operation that we were preparing for was somehow totally exposed." Kin'emon explained.

"We thought it was all ruined, but..." Dogstorm moved forward.

"I think Yasuie-dono is trying to get us out of trouble all by himself." Kin'emon added.


At the execution grounds...

This is it for me. Yasuie was resigned. You know what to do, Kin'emon, Akazaya samurai, and the future Shogun, Momonosuke. Your plan is now reset. To all your allies who are captured in Rasetsu Town, I gave a new rendezvous point. It is not much, but that is all I can do with my life.


In Bakura Town...

"Is he trying to sacrifice himself to keep our plan alive?" Dogstorm wondered.

"Yasuie-dono!" Kin'emon sobbed. "Thank you."


At the execution grounds...

No matter what the cowardly Orochi yells, his soldiers will not listen him anymore. Yasuie was certain.

"Daddy!" Tōko cred out.

"Yasu!" Zorojuro focused on the execution stand.

For 20 years, no one could chop off Kaido's head. Yasuie was prepared. But this time...! "Cover your children's eyes!" he declared. "The last Daimyo who served under Kozuki, I mean, Ebisu Town's happy-go-lucky guy will cross over to the other side. Let's sing as I go."

"Yasuie!" Orochi fumed and fired his shot.

"Shoot!" Daikoku ordered the firing squad and they riddled Yasuie's body with bullets.

Invade Onigashima. Yasuie ordered mentally before he drew his last breath. Avenge your lord. I shall wait the good news in the other world. Needless to say, you must protect your lord, and become the capital's, I mean, eventually become Wano's guardian angels. Understood?

"Daddy!" Tōko pushed past the crowd and get to her father.

Otoko... Yasuie peered an eye open to see his daughter. Forgive me, Otoko, for leaving you behind. Suijin-sama, I know this is a tall request, but please take care of this child.

"Cease fire." Daikoku called the attack off.

"Yasu-san!" the residents of Ebisu Town had, too, arrived.

"Daddy!" Tōko pressed against the bamboo fence as Yasuie fell to the ground. "Daddy!"

"Yasuie-sama..." the residents of Ebisu Town then started tearing and laughing at their leader's death.

"What's going on here?" Zorojuro was befuddled by the abnormal reactions.

"What's..." even Bonekichi was confused. "Happening?"

"Somebody died..." Zorojuro growled. "What's so funny about it?"

"Please wait!" the weeping Hiyori pulled the green-haired samurai back. "They're all crying... the people of Ebisu Town are always smiling because even when they're hurt or sad, they can't let it show on their faces. All facial expressions other than a smile were taken away by them and now, all they can do is laugh. Because of what Kaido and Orochi brought here; it's a fruit called SMILE."


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