Shimotsuki Yasuie

Shimotsuki Yasuie, also known as "Yasu the Hedgehog", Tonoyasu, or just Yasu (ヤス), was a member of the Shimotsuki Family, and a taikomochi who lived in Ebisu Town near the capital of Wano Country. He was the adoptive father of Toko.

Back when the Kozuki Family ruled over Wano Country, Yasuie served as the daimyo of Hakumai. Twenty years after Kurozumi Orochi's takeover of Wano, Yasuie sacrificed himself in an effort to mislead the shogun's forces and enable Kozuki Momonosuke's revolution to continue.

Appearance
Yasuie was a thin short man with a thick spherical head. He had tiny blush marks on his cheeks, stubble around his mouth, and a thin mustache on his upper lip. Like the other residents of Ebisu Town, he was always smiling but not from eating a SMILE.

His epithet came from how his thick blue afro spiked out like hedgehog spines. Kanjuro and Shinobu did not recognize him until they saw it. As Tonoyasu, his hair was covered by a bandana with purple polka-dots and tied in a top knot. He wore an orange kimono with stitched patches and waraji sandals.

Over 25 years ago, Yasu's face was much cleaner and less spherical; he wore a dotted kimono with a dark robe over it. He also appeared to be much taller than he was in the current storyline.

Personality
Yasuie was always shown smiling. He was very easily excited, as he gushed over Zoro's accomplishments and showered the swordsman with compliments. He could also be self-deprecating, as he did not object when Zoro accidentally referred to him as "Kasu" (trash) instead of "Yasu".

Although he might act like a clown most of the time...he has been loved by everyone in this town for a long time now. He is our Buddha.



Though eccentric, carefree, and fun loving, Yasuie was extremely kind and compassionate, using the money his daughter earned to support the citizens of Ebisu Town, providing provisions to those who are too sick and injured even if it means starving himself. He enjoyed helping people, even those as amoral as Bingo, Bongo, and Bungo. His friendly and compassionate personality gave him a strong charisma, as when he joined the conversation with Kanjuro and Shinobu about the rebellion, neither of them brought up the fact that they did not know who he was.

According to Shinobu, he was a strict man in the past, but lost much of that attitude over the last 20 years. He took his position as daimyo extremely seriously, especially when it came to protecting the Habu Port. In much of the same way, he expected Kozuki Oden to devote his time proving himself as Sukiyaki's heir. He was also extremely generous as not only did he gave away all the money to most of the future Nine Red Scabbards tried to steal, he also gave them extra money to them and encouraged them to buy books to educate themselves for the sake of supporting Oden. He was also perceptive as he did not quickly believe Orochi's claim that Oden stole money from him, knowing that Oden was not the kind of person who would hide his misdeeds.

Yasuie was proud of his deeds as Tonoyasu. With his last breath, he declared to die not as a daimyo of the Kozuki Family but as a fun-loving jester of Ebisu Town.

Toko
Toko is Yasuie's adopted daughter that he took in after her parents died. Although the two were separated after Toko was sold off to work in the Flower Capital, they maintained a close bond, with Toko giving Yasuie her earnings from her work. When news about his capture and planned execution reached her, she ran to the Flower Capital, despite being targeted by the shogun. Right before his execution, one of his last thoughts was an apology to Toko for leaving her behind.

Kozuki Family
Kin'emon as well as the Nine Red Scabbards and the Future Shogun Momonosuke! Today, your plans now have no more setbacks. I have given directions to a new meeting location to our imprisoned allies of in the Rasetsu District. This is all I can do with my feeble life. No one has been able to take Kaido's head for over twenty years!! Go!! Onwards to Onigashima!! See your revenge to the end!!

Yasuie was a strong supporter of the Kozuki Family, so much so, that he was even willing to lay down his life just to be of help to them. Even when the title of shogun was rumored to be going to him by the time of Sukiyaki's death, he acted against it because he firmly believed that only the Kozuki Family should be the ones to have such power. He held very high expectations for Oden because of this and would discipline while he was under his care, to make the late daimyo take his responsibility of becoming the next shogun seriously. As a result, he also believed that Oden's son, Momonosuke, would be the future shogun after Oden. He also stood along the other four daimyos in standing up against Orochi to show their disgust against the shogun’s cowardly ways of claiming his title. After witnessing his demise, Oden's daughter Hiyori broke down in tears.

While Yasuie was not against Oden's desire to set sail and traveling overseas, he believed Oden could only do so after he proved himself a great samurai.

Even though most of Wano lost respect for Oden during the five years after his return, Yasuie remained on good terms with him. In fact, Oden trusted Yasuie to protect his family when he decided to fight Kaido.

Ninja-Pirate-Mink-Samurai Alliance
Yasuie is a loyal supporter of the Kozuki Family, and stood by Oden during the Beasts Pirates' takeover of Wano Country 20 years ago. When he came across the secret message Kin'emon sent, he showed his willingness to join the fight to Kanjuro's group immediately. At the time neither Shinobu nor Kanjuro could recognize him and felt awkward to mention that, but when his hair was exposed at his execution site, they realized who he was. Kanjuro also regretted not realizing his identity sooner when he was executed and called his death a grave mistake.

Despite not knowing their connection to the Kozuki Family, he provided shelter to Law and the Straw Hat Pirates in his home in Ebisu Town. When the masses started laughing and crying at Yasuie's death, Zoro was furious and tried to stop them, believing it was an insult. After Zoro and Sanji started a commotion, the Straw Hats present at Rasetsu Town retrieved Yasuie's body so he would not be left on display.

Nine Red Scabbards
Learn manners and buy books. Fill yourselves with knowledge and wisdom. If hoodlums like yourselves were to become Oden's retainers right now. You will just shamed his name!! He will become the Wano Country's Shogun one day, and his supporters must be the best samurai in the entire country! All of you must become the Capital's No, the entire Country's Guardians



Most of the future Nine Red Scabbards once tried to steal money from him during their youth. Despite his first impression of them as a bunch of odd people, Yasuie gave away all the money they tried to steal after confirming their loyalty to Oden while also gave them extra money to buy books to educate themselves, encouraging them to learn knowledge and wisdom in order to effectively support Oden. Thus, the Nine Red Scabbards held immense respect for Yasuie.

When Yasuie reunited with them, he assured them that he would help them, even though they did not recognize him. However, when he was captured and his hair style restored, they realized who he was and watched as he gave up his life in order to misdirect Orochi's forces into believing that the rebellion's symbol was nothing more than a prank. Kin'emon tearfully expressed his gratefulness of the former daimyo's sacrifice. After his death, most of the members of the Nine Red Scabbards who saw his execution were tearfully heartbroken, with Kanjuro voicing his regret of being unable to save the former daimyo to the point of willing to commit Seppuku. Even Ashura who has distanced himself from the Kozuki Family's revolution is noticeably distraught over his death. This made him decide to rejoin his team. Out of respect for Yasuie, Kanjuro took it upon himself to give him a burial.

Unknown to Yasuie, Kanjuro is actually a loyal member of the Kurozumi Family, and that he was a spy sent by Orochi to infiltrate the Kozuki Family from the very beginning. Kanjuro was notified of the changing of time and place for the rebels to meet, but was misinformed of the correct port so Yasuie's sacrifice was not in vain.

Ebisu Town
While living in Ebisu Town under the alias Tonoyasu, Yasuie took upon himself to care for the poor residents, going from door to door to see if they needed help, giving his own food rations if he deemed necessary. He showed unconditional kindness to anyone, from the old and sick to the young and playful, even joining them in their silly fun-loving antics by constantly behaving like a happy go lucky fool. Yasuie was deeply touched when he heard them rushing into the Flower Capital trying to save him from execution, which gave him greater contentment to accept his death as he proudly declared to die as their friend. Because of his kindness, he was beloved by the town's residents and they were devastated when he was executed.

Kurozumi Orochi
Are you listening Orochi!? The vast expanse of Trees, Bushes, Rivers and Villages! You tainted it all with your insatiable greed, you are nothing more than a Pest!!!

41 years ago, Kurozumi Orochi was a servant to Yasuie and the former acted subservient to the latter. Orochi ungratefully repaid Yasuie's kindness by stealing money from him, and attempted to accuse Oden for it, which Yasuie doubted. Yasuie did not know of Orochi being a descendant of the Kurozumi Family until he revealed it long after leaving Yasuie's services.

Yasuie held incredible hatred against Orochi, wanting to deliver a message and calling him "stupid" as a final request. During his execution, Yasuie viciously insulted Orochi for his cowardice and greed, referring him as a pest. With a last act of defiance against Orochi, Yasuie took the blame for the captured alliance members and humiliated Orochi in front of the whole kingdom by showcasing his cowardly and paranoid behavior about the Kozuki Family's return.

Wano Country Citizens
Due to his great benevolence and generosity since his rule as Hakumai Daimyo, Yasuie was extremely popular among the Wano Country citizens so much that Oden stated countless would support Yasuie in succeeding Sukiyaki as the shogun. Even after losing his power and authority, the Wano Country citizens still held utmost love and respect for him. When Yasuie was captured and sentenced to execution, they expressed their relief and joy for his survival. They were deeply shocked when Yasuie openly insulted Orochi and claimed to have distributed the Kozuki Family revolution symbol around the Flower Capital as a prank on Orochi and were very understanding towards his intentions.

Flower Capital
When he was captured and his identity revealed, the capital residents showed their support and gathered to ask for his release, showing their love for the former daimyo.

Abilities and Powers
As the daimyo of Hakumai, he had control over the region and its inhabitants until he lost the position. In the present day, he showed himself to be very conniving and well-spoken, tricking authorities into believing he was Ushimitsu Kozo in order to give himself a platform to trick Orochi and forces.

Past
When Kozuki Sukiyaki ruled over Wano Country, Yasuie served as daimyo of Hakumai. 41 years ago before Kozuki Oden's exile from the capital, he took in Kurozumi Orochi as a servant. Following the Mountain God Incident, Oden was exiled from the Flower Capital, and Yasuie allowed him to stay at his residence in Hakumai. Yasuie later got mad at Oden for living as a vagabond instead of rising to his father Sukiyaki's challenge. Oden told Yasuie how he wanted to set out to sea, and Yasuie replied that he had to become a competent samurai before he could be so selfish. Oden eventually decided to journey to Kuri, and Yasuie was amazed at the mess Oden made in his room. Orochi claimed that Oden stole money before leaving, but Yasuie suspected otherwise. He was impressed with Oden after receiving the news of him bringing order to Kuri.

Sometime after the future Nine Red Scabbards were assembled, Yasuie caught them stealing money from him. Instead of punishing them, Yasuie allowed them to take the money and encouraged them to use it to become better people for the sake of Oden and Wano.

Around two years after Oden joined the Whitebeard Pirates, Yasuie and the other daimyo gathered at the palace in the Flower Capital for an important meeting with Sukiyaki. Yasuie was surprised to see Orochi there and learned that he came from the Kurozumi Family, having been previously unaware of Orochi's heritage.

20 years ago when Oden and his nine retainers marched to Onigashima to take down Kaido, one of the Four Emperors and a huge supporter of the tyrannical shogun Orochi, Yasuie and his men went to Oden Castle to protect Oden's family. On the day of Oden's execution, Yasuie received a message that explained the reason why Oden was acting like a fool during the past five years.

After Oden's death, Orochi approached Yasuie and the three other daimyo and gave them the choice to submit to him. The daimyo all refused, and they and their samurai mounted a fight, but were defeated by Kaido.

Yasuie managed to survive, and took on the name Tonoyasu and resided in Ebisu Town. He adopted a little girl named Toko, but at some point, he sold Toko to the Flower Capital. Toko sent him money, which he used to support the people of Ebisu Town.

Wano Country Arc
Yasuie saw the swordsman Roronoa Zoro and decided to follow him, having a good feeling about him and paying for some sushi for him to eat. He believed his decision vindicated when Zoro earned a lot of money gambling and took out some members of the Kyoshiro Family when they decided to stop him. Yasuie gushed over Zoro's accomplishments as they walked toward Ebisu Town. After arriving at the town, Yasuie introduced Zoro to the people living there.

He later met Trafalgar Law, Usopp, and Franky after Zoro left to recover the stolen Shusui. After hearing that they were friends of Zoro, Yasuie invited them to his house and informed them that they just missed Zoro.

As Shinobu, Law, and Kanjuro argued over what to do about the captured Heart Pirates, Yasuie entered and showed them a copy of Kin'emon's secret message and talked about the rumors swirling around the Flower Capital, wondering if the final battle was at hand. After telling Kanjuro and Shinobu that he wished to join them, he went around Ebisu Town, helping those in need.



Before midnight that night, Yasuie went into the Flower Capital to commit robberies in order to pose as Ushimitsu Kozo. He was caught by Orochi's forces, who believed his confession that he was Ushimitsu Kozo. He was taken to the Rasetsu Town prison in the Flower Capital the next morning to be crucified, and he was happy to see that the crowds gathered around him knew who he was. He spoke to Orochi, saying that the Kozuki Family built everything good in Wano and that the current shogun had only ruined it. He then lied that he created the Kozuki Family's secret message as a childish prank, and that the crescent moon symbol that resulted in Orochi making dozens of arrests was a common, unrelated design. As Orochi approached the execution platform, Yasuie cursed him and eagerly anticipated the return of the Kozuki Family. He was then shot multiple times and killed by Orochi and his forces.

Postmortem
As Zoro and Sanji started a commotion by protecting Toko from Orochi, Franky retrieved Yasuie's body while fighting off the shogun's forces because of Shinobu's request to not allow his body to used on display by the enemy.

The alliance took Yasuie's body back to Ebisu Town and Kanjuro promised to give him a burial in Kuri. A grave was later made for him.

Legacy
Cover the eyes of your children! The last daimyo of the Kozuki shoguns-no! A foolish jester of Ebisu Town will now head into that good night! Singing all the way! And a hip-hip!

Yasuie was able to cause significant doubt in the Rasetsu prison guards, leading them to believe the crescent moon symbol signifying loyalty to the Kozuki Family was insignificant and that Orochi was mistaken in arresting people who bore it. Yasuie secretly bought more time for Kin'emon and the Nine Red Scabbards, Momonosuke, and their allies and set up a new gathering place to start off a new plan. Yasuie's death has greatly angered Zoro to the point that he would go after Orochi in revenge. Ashura Doji, who wanted to distance himself from the Kozuki Family, decided to rejoin his comrades to take down Kaido.

Despite Yasuie's intentions, Orochi still refused to release the prisoners, not wanting to admit he made a mistake. In truth, Orochi was informed by Kanjuro, a spy from the Kurozumi Family, of the change in time and place of the rebels' meeting place, thus allowing Orochi to destroy all routes to the rendezvous point. However, Yasuie's death was not in vain because Kin'emon misread Yasuie's message and ended up misleading Kanjuro, and Denjiro freed the prisoners after he was put in charge of the Flower Capital.

Anime and Manga Differences
The scene of Yasuie getting shot to death is censored and extended in the anime.

Trivia

 * Yasuie's name may come from Tokugawa Ieyasu, the first shogun of the last feudal shogunate in Japan.
 * Yasuie's appearance (as Tonoyasu) might be based on a popular Hyottoko mask.
 * A taikomochi is a male geisha.
 * The method in which he was killed, crucifixion and then firing squad, resembles the old Japanese crucifixion ritual. Specifically, his act of encouraging his allies before being executed at his crucifixion closely resembles the legend of Torii Suneemon.

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