Chapter 70: Kozuki Oden

——That brutal battle would later become… a legend.

"Hey, Oden. Join my crew."

"……What… did you say?"

"If you join my pirate crew, I’ll spare you and your family. I’ll even smooth things over with Orochi. Worst case, my siblings’ powers can cover it up. …So? What do you say?"

"Tch… That’s… an offer I can’t accept…!!"

"…………WORORORO!! Then I’ve got no choice but to kill you!!"

The ferocious battle that unfolded in the depths of Udon’s forest reduced it to ashes, leaving nothing but devastation in its wake.

"!! RAAAAAH!!! I’m… not done yet…!!"

"!! …What a waste… A man of your strength could’ve brought so much more destruction…!!"

"I won’t… let you ruin Wano… I CAN’T afford to lose…!!"

"—I see. But I will destroy this country—this whole world! You were strong… but this is the end!!"

And so, the clash between the fool of a lord who sought to save Wano and the self-proclaimed "Sovereign" who aimed to conquer it reached its climax—with each delivering their ultimate strike.
It was also a gesture of respect. Even as irreconcilable enemies, they poured their full power into their weapons, as if honoring the fight they’d shared.

"—Momonosuke’s Paradise…"

"—Roaring Thunder…"

Their Haki erupted, black lightning crackling as it tore through the air, shaking the earth and splitting the heavens.
The two warriors, locked in their final stand, unleashed their all in perfect unison—sending shockwaves across Wano.

"—Ten Sacred Blades!!!!"

"—Hakke!!!!"

——And with those world-shattering blows… the legend of the "Beast" spread throughout Wano.

The captured Daimyo of Kuri, Kozuki Oden, and his nine retainers were imprisoned in the Flower Capital, branded as "traitors to the Shogun" as they awaited punishment.
The public met the inexplicable incident with cold indifference; no one spared them sympathy.
Even as the samurais’ fate was sealed, the people of Wano saw only spectacle—eager for the rare entertainment of an execution.

——The ten vile samurai would face their sentence three days later!! Before a crowd of thousands!!

——They would be BOILED ALIVE!!!

---

We had triumphed over Wano’s most formidable resistance.
Oden and his nine samurai retainers were captured and thrown into the prisons of Rakucho District. One escaped, but… her, I let go. She’ll say something amusing later, so I deliberately didn’t chase her.
More importantly—we won. Kaido won. He crushed Kozuki Oden head-on.
So we celebrated. We drank.

"Ahahaha!! You did it, Kaido!! You’re the strongest!! No one left in Wano can touch you—or us!!"

"WORORORO!! Flattery won’t change that!! Of course I’m the strongest!! That’s a given!!"

We laughed like fools, reveling in victory. Bandages wrapped Kaido’s stomach, dressing the sword wound Oden had given him—but now, it was a badge of honor. Whether it hurt when he laughed, I didn’t know. To Kaido, pain meant nothing. Even half-dead, he’d always drink after a fight. Some things never change.

But as pirates, we had work to do. Orochi handled Oden and his samurais’ execution, then consulted us on the next steps. Simple enough.

"—Kaido, Nue. The wounded are treated. And the Numbers have returned from patrolling our waters."

"WORORORO!! Good work, King!!"

"King, once the execution’s over, take the Numbers and burn down Kuri’s castle, will you?"

"Yeah, I know."

As Kaido and I drank, King arrived with updates. We’d left post-war cleanup to him—alongside managing the Beasts Pirates’ territories. Queen and Joker had their own tasks too.

The All-Stars and their "Tobiroppo" subordinates ran the crew efficiently. Kaido and I just set broad directives; the All-Stars handled the rest. They were captains in their own right, leading divisions of a thousand or more, mobilizing fleets or allied crews as needed.

Power flowed to the strong—newcomers could rise to officers overnight if they proved themselves. (The Numbers? Think of them as elite enforcers I loan out for defense or raids.)

——That’s how we operate! Smooth, free, meritocratic!

"Also, Joker and the Oniwabanshu report the other daimyo and yakuza are preparing for war in secret."

"Oho~!! They’re still scheming?! But they’re nothing compared to Oden!"

"Crush them now?"

"If they attack~!! —Oh, King, you’re curious about that swordsman… Shimotsuki Ushimaru, right?"

"WORORORO! Then he’s yours!"

"! Gladly."

King sought approval to handle the remnants. Kaido, still riding high from killing Oden, waved him off. I was in a good mood too. Ushimaru? A famed swordsman, but beneath Oden’s tier. We’d stomp them—personally, because rebels deserve special attention.

---

——Days later, after feasting and drinking…

"Kaido! Nue! Welcome! I’ve reserved the best seats—fine drinks, fine food! Enjoy the show!"

"Yeah, Orochi."

"Morning~! You’re chipper!"

"Why wouldn’t I be?! You crushed that fool, and now we get to execute him!!"

Execution day. Kaido and I joined Orochi in the Flower Capital’s square, seated in the VIP section.
Orochi was giddy. Beside him, Higurashi and Semimaru smirked at the massive pot—filled to the brim with oil. Boiling alive was a rare spectacle, and the crowd flocked to see it. How delightful. These Wano citizens shared my tastes—there’s joy in watching the weak suffer. They’re smarter than Oden’s lot, at least; they know not to bite the hand that feeds.

Orochi hates hypocrites who pretend to be righteous. Me? I love them. Their screams when the tables turn? Priceless.

"Oh! Did you prepare what I asked?"

"Hm? Oh, that. It’s ready… but what’s it for? Want it served after?"

"Ehehe~ It’s a secret ♡"

"WORORORO! Don’t ask, Orochi."

"Huh? Oh, sure, whatever."

I practically skipped with glee as I collected the item I’d asked Orochi for, then took my seat at the VIP stage—Orochi, Kaido, and me, in that order. A server poured us drinks, and my personal feast arrived (Orochi and Kaido got nothing, but hey, their loss).

"You two aren’t eating?"

"Wait, you’re seriously gonna eat during an execution…?"

"WORORORO! Only this brat could treat death as a damn side dish."

"Ehhh?? Why’s everyone acting like I’m the weirdo? It’s just like pairing booze with suffering—misery makes food taste better! Today’s menu: Human Despair!! Misfortune’s sweeter than honey!!"

"I mean… I get it, but…"

I lectured them on the culinary joys of others’ agony, but Kaido just laughed, and Orochi—while admitting he "understood"—clearly lacked the appetite. Tsk. Wasteful.

If they can drink, they can eat. Orochi’s still shackled by ethics. Pathetic. Morality’s the biggest buzzkill in life. Being "good" can be fun, but you don’t need rules for that. True evil, though? That demands total freedom. Ditch the guilt, and the world’s your playground. Maybe I’ll write a self-help book: Nue’s Guide to Unshackled Joy. Instant bestseller.

"—Let the public execution of Kozuki Oden and his nine retainers… COMMENCE!!"

Ah, showtime! Oden’s crew was dragged in, cuffed and guarded. Honestly, they could’ve snapped those chains anytime. I would’ve escaped after some fun… but no, they’re too honorable. What a shame. With their strength, they’d have made perfect lieutenants for our world-ending spree.

"So even the ‘Fool Lord’ couldn’t beat Kaido…"

"I thought he was the real deal… What happened?"

Pfft. Wrong. Oden was strong—just not strong enough. I respected that. Even now, as he glared at us and barked:

"Give me a chance!! I must survive—!"

Sigh. Should’ve joined us. Greed’s fine, but weaklings can’t afford principles. Power—whether political, intellectual, or brute force—is the only currency that buys survival. Oden had the best kind: strength. But he bet against the stronger house.

"Quit begging and GET IN!!"

"GYAAAH—!!"

"Huh?"

A guard, shoving Oden, slipped—plunging into the boiling oil. I zoomed to the edge, stretched out my hand—

"Lemme just—"

"—Ugh, warn me next time! I wanted to SEASON you first~!"

"!!"

I dusted his half-submerged torso with salt and pepper. Would’ve preferred batter or breadcrumbs, but fine. Quick fry it is. I jabbed him back under with my spear.

"—GLURK…"

"Hmm. High heat means fast cooking. Don’t wanna overdo it—"

"W-What’s that girl DOING?!"

"She’s… barbaric!!"

—Ugh, noisy. I’m busy monitoring crispiness—OH!

"Oops. Burnt. Here, you take it."

"E-Eh?! Y-Yes!!"

I skewered the charred guard and handed him off. Don’t drop him! Gravel ruins the texture! Use a cloth or something! Waste not, want not—no leftovers allowed!

"I’m baaack~"

"Hey, Nue. The crowd’s turning green."

"Meh. First-timers always overreact. Fear’s an acquired taste."

Honestly, if boiling alive shocks them, their lives must’ve been dull. It’s fun! Like deep-frying—exciting at first, then just… Tuesday. Mmm. Now I want tonkatsu.

"—All ten of us will enter!! If anyone lasts the full time… YOU SPARE THEM!!"

"Lord Oden…?!"

"Last? In this?!"

"It’s INSTANT death!! MUDHAHAHA!!"

Oh? That kind of game. Yeah, survival’s possible. Nostalgic, really. Reminds me of when Kaido and I took a dip in boiling oil. He’s already barking orders:

"Bring a clock!!"

"Yes, sir!"

"—ONE HOUR!!"

“!”

“Wororororo!! Let’s see you endure this!! You've been in there long enough to pass out in a normal bath!!”

Oh, that’s actually a pretty reasonable amount of time. Yeah, staying in an oil bath for an hour really is tough. Even if you’re used to hot baths, that’s enough to make you lightheaded—it’s dangerous. You could get dehydrated. Gotta drink water afterward. I tend to soak in the bath for a long time too, so I usually have a glass of water or a bottle of fruit milk afterward. Who’s-Who brings me fresh milk, so I use that to make it myself.

“You’re not taking that back, are you?”

“Of course not!!”

“Such stubborn pride...!”

“Still clinging to your dignity at the bitter end... pathetic.”

Yep, seems like the crowd isn’t thrilled. Well, I guess they never really thought he’d survive this. Honestly, maybe me or Kaido could take it, but for someone like Oden, whose body isn’t exactly built for this, it might be pushing it... Hm, maybe I’ll coat the other stuff in tempura batter while I wait.

Anyway, looks like it’s finally time for the execution. If they were really going to dunk everyone in, I’d have them all dipped in batter first—but of course, that’s not how this is going to go...

“WAAAAAHHHHH!!”

“Don’t leave our lord alone!!”

“We follow him!!”

“We’ll see you in the next life, brothers!!!”

“──All of you, stay on that plank!!!”

“!?”

Oooh... Yep, Oden jumped in first, then lifted the plank with all the samurai on it right onto his shoulders. The others are shouting, saying it should be them instead, but Oden just orders them to stay put. And if it’s an order, retainers can’t disobey. That part of him... is actually pretty cool.

“What the hell!? The retainers aren’t even touching the oil!!”

“Wororororo!! Technically, there are ten of them in the pot!! You’re not breaking the rules, Oden!!”

“Yep yep!! Just like he said, so there’s no problem!!”

Kaido and I laugh, impressed. It sounds like a stretch, but hey, he did say ten people in the pot, and here they are. Carrying them like that probably is the best move, considering they wouldn’t keep their word otherwise. I mean, it’s not ideal, but it’s smart. He should’ve made that call earlier, but still—he’s grown. Good for him!!

“Oden-sama!! Please, put us down!!”

“Worororo!! What’s wrong, it hasn’t even been a minute yet!!?”

Munch munch... mmm~♡ The sashimi’s delicious♡

Always best to start with the fresh stuff. No good letting it sit out, especially outdoors. I dip piece after piece into soy sauce and eat. The fish from Wano is so good, it makes my cheeks puff up with happiness—I can’t help but press a hand to them.

“What’s with that guy’s skin?”

I’m not sure it’s a skin thing... But who knows? Maybe with enough training, anything’s possible. The Oniwabanshu should probably toughen up too. They’re ninjas, after all.

“The heat alone is enough to roast us alive...!!”

“If you start whining like that again, I’ll slap you, Raizo!! We’re just hitching a ride!!”

“Don’t move, Neko!! You’re shaking the plank!!”

Seriously, though, they are ninjas—they should train harder. Can’t they figure out some way to use Haki or jutsu or something to deal with this? Anyway, I should eat the ramen before it gets soggy.

Slurp slurp There’s so many kinds—soy sauce, miso, tonkotsu, salt... they’re all so good I can’t pick a favorite! And there are even more types, too! Though lately, I’ve really been into spicy miso tonkotsu. That rich flavor is amazing. Ah—but there’s udon and soba too. Maybe I should’ve started with those? The flavors are stronger... But it’s fine! I’ll just rinse my mouth with water and keep going!!

Pwaah~♪ “Mmm~ Food tastes amazing today too~ So happy~♡”

“They said it’d be over in an instant, but this is kind of underwhelming...”

“I expected more screaming. Something more dramatic.”

“Honestly, that girl... what was her name, Nue? Watching her eat is more...”

“...Yeah, her appetite’s weirdly satisfying. It's making me hungry, even at a time like this...”

“We’ve got places to be. I’m not wasting any more time watching this ‘fool lord!’ Let’s go grab a bite ourselves!”

“……!!”

As I’m happily enjoying my meal, her anger finally boils over, sparked by the jeers from the crowd. Ahaha, here it comes! This is the fun part!!

“Who’re you calling a fool lord!!! Say that again and I’ll kill you!!!”

“Wha—what’s with that woman!?”

“She’s got a sword!! Look out!!”

“A kunoichi!?”

Haa... haa...

Haa... haa... Huff, huff Mmm, the stew’s simmering nicely—it smells so good. The execution’s finally getting to the juicy part. This is where the big reveal starts.

“Guh... stop it.”

“You’re the fools, not him!!!”

“!!!?”

“Captain, it’s Shinobu!”

“That woman... what the hell is she doing!?”

She tackles the heckler and shoves a blade to his throat, shouting at the top of her lungs. The Oniwabanshu and samurai notice. This is it—the start of her solo exposé. This is when the public’s view of Oden starts to change.

You could call it the ultimate redemption speech. Honestly, if you came to enjoy a public execution, your moral compass is already off—but recognizing your mistake and seeing the truth about Oden? That’s still a good thing. Mhm, this isn’t going in our favor at all...

──Well, it wouldn’t, under normal circumstances♡ Now let’s see how well this works out.

“Who do you think you owe your peaceful lives to!? If Oden-sama dies here, you’ll all see what he was holding back!! Just how much misery he kept from falling on you!!!”

Shinobu’s speech begins, and I sit back grinning, watching. I even feel several people in the crowd shift as I extend my Observation Haki.

“Orochi isn’t a ‘shogun’ or a ‘tyrant’!! Orochi doesn’t want power for its own sake!!”

Then she starts recounting the day Oden stormed the castle. That Orochi only became shogun to destroy this country—to take revenge on its people.

『Years ago—my grandfather committed a crime and was forced to commit seppuku!! The family fell from grace!! I could’ve lived with that!! But even the relatives he left behind were hunted down by ‘champions of justice’ they didn’t even know!! Beaten! Thrown into rivers!! Killed!! I was so scared of those idiots I couldn’t sleep at night!!!”』

The Kurozumi family once lost in a political struggle, condemned for their crimes and cast down.

But the one executed back then was just the family head. The rest of the clan survived.

Mercy, maybe. Or just oversight. Whatever it was, it allowed them to live—and that’s when their tragedy really began.

『The criminal who started it all was already dead!! But even children with the name ‘Kurozumi’ were treated like criminals!!』

『……!!』

『That’s why every last soul in Wano deserves to be punished!! This is the mess you made yourselves!!!』

──So yeah, Orochi and the Kurozumi family actually do have a kind of twisted logic behind them. Shinobu lays it all bare.

“And what came out of that back room was a tribute to Kaido!! A mountain of weapons and hundreds of kidnapped people!! Once handed over, that was it—their lives as human beings were over. Lord Oden was furious!! But right then, Orochi made a proposal.”

Ahh, yeah, that did happen, didn’t it? That tribute was pretty decent. The weapons came in handy, and the people? They were fun enough. We did let them go properly afterward. Just recently wiped out a whole bunch and made some money off it, so it worked out. Too bad he quit dancing, though. A broken deal’s a broken deal—we’ve got no obligation to keep our end. Not like we ever promised anything in the first place. Orochi just stopped handing them over, so we went and took them. Simple. It’s not like we’re his subordinates. We’re pirates. If Orochi’s not sending tributes anymore, we’ll just take what we want.

“The enemy isn’t even interested in this country. They’re just ‘avengers.’ It’s obvious you’ll lose more than just the fight.”

Hmm? But, like, if they’d fought back then and actually won, wouldn’t they have saved a ton of people? No use talking in what-ifs, I know, but since they brought it up—I can’t help but think it. I’ll bring that up later too.

“That’s why Lord Oden accepted the deal!! Even if he lost everything, by doing a naked apology dance at the same time every week for the Kurozumi clan, he could save a hundred lives each time!!”

Yeah, except… he didn’t save anyone. Oh—ugh, too much wasabi. That sting—owwwww…!!

“They made a promise: that once the ship they were building was done… they’d set sail from this country five years later!!”

Come on. Believing in a promise like that was the first mistake. They should’ve had a backup plan for when it got broken. Sure, there were spies everywhere, so that would’ve been tricky—but that’s no excuse. Having zero contingency? That’s just dumb. I mean, they’re weak, after all.

“Every week, he’d travel through the regions to check in and make sure nothing had changed…!!”

Yeah. If there was any point to it, it’d be just that. Because Oden was making the rounds, they couldn’t do anything too major. That’s probably the only meaningful part of the dance. The patrols mattered more than the dancing.

“Oden-sama kept protecting this country the whole time!!! Who’re you calling a fool lord!!? Say it again!!!”

“!!!”

—And with that, Shinobu finishes her confession.

The crowd buzzes. Emotions are shifting.

There’s definitely a part of them thinking, “We were wrong.” That’s there… but it’s not all. They’re still wavering. Still thinking. Still trying to make up their minds.

They could go either way. People are easily swayed. The shock of the confession and the tension in the air are pushing them toward believing it—even if they’re not sure it’s true.

Give it a few more seconds, and the crowd might just believe her—but the world’s not that kind.

“What!? The whole time!!? Don’t give me that crap!! That ‘fool lord’ was doing whatever he wanted and causing this country nothing but trouble!!”

“!! What did you say!!?”

From within the crowd, a man steps forward and says it boldly, loud enough for everyone to hear. Bold timing, strong delivery. His malice is showing through, but you gotta hand it to the Kurozumi clan—they’ve got some real actors. Not just Devil Fruit users, but real talent for theatrics.

Shinobu, seething with rage, rushes toward him—but the man, disguised as an old hag, doesn’t stop talking.

“Protecting the country, huh!!? He left the country just because he wanted to go out to sea! He abandoned us for years!! You think we didn’t suffer while he was gone!?”

“You… after being protected, how dare you say that—”

“If he’d done his duty as heir from the start, Orochi would’ve never taken over in the first place!!”

“…!! That’s…”

Oof, harsh truth, huh? It stings when someone hits you with facts you can’t argue against, doesn’t it? Bet that shut them up. Heh, things are getting juicier—it’s making the food taste even better. I sip and chew while watching this improv theater unfold.

“And there’s no proof any of that story is even true!!”

“What!? Are you saying she’s lying!? There are people alive today because of Oden-sama—”

“No, I know the truth!!! When Kuri was attacked, that fool lord’s retainers didn’t even fight—they holed up in the castle like cowards!!”

“What…!?”

“Kuri was attacked…?”

Kawamatsu and the others are speechless at the old hag’s words, question marks forming above their heads. So? How are they gonna recover from that?

“What are you talking about!!? That’s ridiculous…!!”

“I used to live in Kuri!! I saw it with my own eyes!! Those samurai and their families came out of the castle without a scratch!! And later I heard—they were sitting around sipping tea in there while the rest of us suffered!!”

“!? No!! That’s—”

“What’s ‘not true,’ you traitor!!? There’s more!! That fool lord of yours was paid huge sums every time he did those stupid naked dances!!”

“!!”

Inuarashi tries to protest, but the hag cuts him off with another bombshell. Damn, she’s ruthless. The way she talks—it’s not just fast, it’s relentless. Keeps the other side from ever catching their breath. The Kurozumi clan’s manipulation game is on point.

“Actually… yeah, I heard something like that…”

“Yeah, I remember a merchant from Kuri mentioning it too, right…?”

"That damn fool's been lining his own pockets with the money he got from them…"

"What—!? Don't be ridiculous!! Who's saying that crap!? It's all nonsense!!"

"But even one of the castle maids said it!! That Oden's in league with the Beasts Pirates!! Word is, the pirate ship he sailed on used to belong to one of Kaido's crew!!"

"...!!"

Shinobu couldn't respond. She probably didn’t even know the full truth—and besides, the claims were a twisted mix of lies and half-truths. That’s what made them hard to refute. The fact that the people had already heard those rumors made it worse. The crowd in the square began voicing them, one after another—whispers of Oden and his retainers' supposed misdeeds. Not that any of them were our operatives. Their stories ranged from exaggerated to completely fabricated. I couldn’t help but chuckle and say to the maid at my side as she poured my drink, “Ahahaha!! Isn’t this hilarious? What do you think, dear maid ♡?”

“Hehehe... All I can say is, there are some truly wicked people in this world…”

The maid beside me—none other than Stussy the Joker, one of my top executives and an agent of CP0—smiled knowingly as she watched it all unfold with me. Ahh, really, I’ve got to hand it to her.

Stirring up rumors, fanning the flames, dividing a nation—it’s all standard fare for CP, the World Government’s intelligence branch. And I added just a pinch of my own spice. Everything went so perfectly, I can’t stop laughing. I mean, come on—the other side’s been way too careless. They didn’t counter the rumors, didn’t take a single step to counter our moves. Oden even accepted our money.

Honestly, it was too easy. Sure, he used the money to rebuild Kuri, and yes, I did give it from the heart, you could say—but still, the fact remains: he took it. And it’s also true we had a peaceful tea party.

Well… maybe not entirely peaceful. I did beat him bloody, gave him a few nice scars. But he stood tall, fought with pride—so I healed him, made sure the wounds wouldn’t even show. I'm just so kind, aren’t I? ♡

Still, the people misunderstood. They thought it meant something else. And so, my good deed backfired ♡ So tragic… I mean, it’s so tragic, I just can’t stop laughing...

“—Shinobu. Do not confuse the people.”

“! Fukurokuju…!!”

Oh? A surprise appearance—and Fukurokuju cuts in at just the right moment! Notably, without denying the accusations. Sharp move. He knows exactly what’s going on, even though we’re improv-ing the whole thing. Compared to him, Shinobu’s still so green. Doesn’t know what to do, does she? Doesn’t know whether the rumors are true or false, and that makes it impossible for her to defend against them. Not like she can make something up either.

“Don’t act on your own.”

“Grr… I’ve already chosen!! I shared life and death with them!! I am a retainer of Lord Oden!! I won’t follow you!! If anything happens to them—I’ll die with the Kozuki!!”

Oho… Look at her go. Must be Oden’s influence, huh? The guy's got a real talent for pulling people in—even those with no real debt to him. That’s the mark of a Conqueror. He’s got that charisma. Too bad nothing he does ever works out.

“…No. This time, we’ll all live. And this time—we’ll bring you down!!”

“—A dream.”

“…!!”

Ahahaha, now even Fukurokuju’s laughing. Poor little Shinobu, she's so pitiful it’s delicious. What a fun reaction. Well then—I suppose it’s time to “cook,” and maybe tease her a little while I’m at it. As I approached her with that in mind, the jeers from the crowd got even juicier.

“That fool of a daimyo… Was he really that much of a scumbag…!?”

“O-Orochi-sama!! Please—cancel this execution!!”

“Y-Yeah… I mean, what if it’s all true…?”

“What the hell are you saying!? Kill him!! Let him die already!! People have suffered because of him!!”

“That’s right!! Stop screwing with the country just to satisfy your ego!! Just die already, you damn fool!!”

“You bastards…!!!”

Ahaha, looks like we’ve passed the point of no return. Some still believe Shinobu, but others believe Higurashi’s words and the rumors we planted. Sure, those who liked Oden from the start might side with her—but plenty of others don’t. No, no—she’s just too pitiful. I’ve got to torment her more.

“—Geez, Shinobu-chan, you really shouldn’t go around saying weird stuff like that ♡”

“Nngh…!!”

“You sure seem to be taking Oden’s side, but do you really understand? That he never gave a damn about the people?”

“Shut up!! Don’t spew nonsense!! Lord Oden fought alone for years to protect the people!! He cared about them!!”

Oh, still got some fight left in her. That’s great. That makes it more fun for me.

“So he acted on his own for years—and that was supposed to be for the people? If he really cared, he would’ve stayed a daimyo and protected the country instead of running off to be a pirate.”

“There weren’t invaders like you back then!! If it weren’t for you… if you and Orochi hadn’t shown up…!! You’re the ones who ruined everything!!”

“If we hadn’t shown up? Ahahahaha!! That’s rich. If we’re going back to the beginning, then maybe Oden should’ve just stayed home. Maybe someone should’ve made sure Orochi never had a reason to seek revenge. Or—maybe it’s just because you’re all too weak♡”

“!!”

Yeah, that’s right. From where I’m standing, this is all because the Kurozumi were weak—and now they’re getting their revenge. The people of Wano are stupid, pitiful, and helpless. It’s no one’s fault but their own.

“Maybe we did do it—but the fact that no one could stop us? That’s your failure. Blaming the ones who act won't make them stop. If you don’t want to suffer, get stronger and protect yourself. Simple, right? Why not try to get rid of us with brute force?”

It doesn’t matter if you’re a kid, a civilian, or anyone else. If no one’s around to protect you, how do you defend yourself from those who want to hurt you?

Wait for the Navy to arrest them? After you’re already dead?

Punishing someone after they kill you doesn’t help you. There’s no guarantee anyone will protect you. No certainty the guilty will ever pay.

That’s why, if someone threatens you, you have to fight back yourself.

Even if you’re weak. Even if you’re a child. If not, you’ll just die.

If you're okay with dying, then don’t fight. But if you want to live—you have to fight.

Humans are beasts too. In the end, you have no choice but to protect yourself and your people with your own strength. The only way to drive off the predators tearing into what’s yours—is power.

So don’t talk to me about who's right or wrong. That’s all nonsense. The ones who lose always cry about fairness, but the truth is simple—they should’ve just not lost. Shinobu doesn’t get it. The people don’t get it. None of them do. They still think this world is peaceful.

“…We failed. But next time—!!”

“Sure, sure. That’s great and all. But your kind—so noble in your ideals—are all brainless weaklings. And in the end, you’ll just rush ahead and get even more people killed, won’t you? Wouldn’t it be more fun to give up on all that and just accept our rule instead?”

“You’re saying we should be slaves!? Never!! I’d rather die than be a slave!!”

“…Ahahahaha!! ‘Rather die than be a slave,’ huh…? My, how noble~~”

I laughed before I could stop myself. Slavery? This counts as slavery? Rather die than submit? Hah… That takes me back. I get the feeling. I really do. I’ve been there. But now… it’s just a bit off the mark.

“…You’ve never been a slave.”

“!!?”

I leaned in and whispered it by her ear. Her face went pale. Ahaha, she’s scared—really scared. But she still doesn’t know true fear, not yet…

“So how many years do you think you could last?”

“Wh…What are you…!?”

“Hehehehehe… You’ll find out soon enough. I’ve got a special gift just for you. Later, though. This one’s still the main course. You’re up after ♡”

“………!!”

I left Shinobu frozen in horror and soared down to where Oden was, ready to prepare my masterpiece.

“Ugh, I swear… it’s so hard to control the heat when it’s this high…”

“!!? You—what the hell do you think you’re doing!!”

The samurai were visibly startled by my actions. I just gave them a casual shrug as I fished out what I’d dropped into the oil with my long chopsticks.

“Isn’t it obvious? I felt like eating some tempura, so I thought I’d make some ♡ I mean, with all the oden broth soaking in, I bet it’ll be extra tasty ♪”

“...!!”

“She’s actually doing this… right in front of Lord Oden, who’s fighting with everything he has...!!”

“Ahahaha!! Look at that, you’re so mad! No need to get all worked up—munch ♡ Mmm, not bad, actually. You guys hungry too? I don’t mind sharing a last meal with you before you die~ ♪”

“W-We don’t need it…!!”

“How far will you go to mock us…!!”

Oh, come on~ I’m being pretty nice, you know. If you're hungry, I’ll give you some. I mean, if your meat gets too skinny, it’s no fun to eat and doesn’t even taste good.

“C’mon, Oden, you want some too? It’s really good tempura~ and for a limited time, I’ll even feed it to you myself! Wow, what a blessing, right~? Say ‘ahh’ ♡”

“To even mock Lord Oden like this... damn it, Fukurokuju, let me go!! I’m gonna kill her…!!”

Just as I held out the tempura to Oden, Shinobu erupted again. So predictable. It’s like watching a yappy little puppy throwing a tantrum. You know what they say—weak dogs bark the loudest.

But then, something totally unexpected happened.

“!!”

“Ah!!?”

“Lord Oden!!?”

To everyone’s shock, Oden leaned forward… and took a bite of the tempura I offered. Whoa. I didn’t think he’d actually eat it. The samurai were stunned. Honestly? Even I was a little surprised.

“So? Was it good?”

“gulp... Yeah!! It was great—and just what I needed... now I’ve got a little strength back...!!”

“Lord Oden…!!”

Well damn. That was cool. He just ate it and thanked me like it was nothing. Now that’s the difference between him and his samurai. I mean, this is the guy who boiled oden over a fire meant for cremating corpses. Sure, the retainers are all up in arms about what I’m doing, but he’s no better himself. I’m basically just following in his footsteps here—they should be praising me for it!

And just as I was thinking that, voices rang out from the crowd.

“What the hell are you doing, Oden?! Just die already!!”

“Quit clinging to life, you dumb lord!! Die already!!”

“Hey! Don’t say that! He might’ve been trying to protect us!!”

“And how do you even know that’s true?! Honestly, maybe it would’ve been better if that idiot hadn’t been heir in the first place!!”

“Exactly!! He and his retainers are all criminals!! It’s because of their stupid actions that we’re all suffering!!”

“But he tried to help us, didn’t he!?”

“What good is trying if it doesn’t save anyone!?”

“You ungrateful bastard, acting like you weren’t being protected!!”

“Wanna say that again, punk!?”

“Hey, cut it out!!”

“No fighting!!”

Looking over, I saw the crowd had split into two factions and were now openly brawling. The debate over Oden’s character had ignited into a full-blown fight—those defending him and those condemning him.

Ahhh, and just like that, Oden becomes the cause of civil unrest. At this point, watching this all play out feels like enjoying a tragicomedy. What a performance.

They squabble over who’s right, who’s to blame, pointing fingers, punching the ones they declare evil, convinced they themselves are justice. And of course, it’s always the weak ones—the so-called criminals like Oden and his retainers—who get branded and cursed out.

Orochi, who once spat the words “filthy trash” with hatred, is now vindicated in the eyes of these so-called citizens. And Oden, who wanted to protect these very people, is forced to watch as they spit venom at him and rip each other apart because of his actions. And he’ll die seeing it all. No wonder his loyal followers cry for him. Some burn with rage toward his enemies and toward fate itself.

Right now, emotions are swirling violently in this place—a true storm of chaos. And watching it unfold sends a shiver down my spine. I can’t stop laughing.

“Ahahahaha!! What a talented bunch—this country’s people really know how to put on a show!!”

I laughed so hard my stomach hurt. Seriously, Wano folks are hilarious when you mess with them. They always show you something new, something dramatic. And the best part? This act isn’t even over yet. I flew into the air, ready to return to my seat, but turned to Oden for one last word.

“Well then, do your best to hang in there ‘til the end, okay~? If you can really become a proper oden like you're supposed to, I’ll make sure to gobble you up real nice later ♡”

“...Haa... Haa…!!”

“Hm? No reaction? Hmm... oh!! I’ll make sure the oil covers your upper body too, just to keep it nice and even ♪ Here we go, splash splash~ ♡”

“Ugh… grgh…!!”

“Lord Oden!!”

“You…!! Stop this right now!!”

“Nope, not happening~ ♡ Splash splash splash~ ♪ Oops, did it get in your eye? Ahahaha!! You look so delicious~ I’ll add a bit more oil just in case. Can’t have you getting cold, now can we~? Ehehe ♡”

“Y-You…”

I used my spear to gently pour oil over Oden’s face and any spots that hadn’t been soaked yet. But he just silently endured it. Honestly, it’s impressive. His stamina, his will—unshaken. He barely flinched even with all that provocation. Though the samurai up top were gnashing their teeth in frustration. That part was a joy to watch.

Still, the fun part is knowing it’s all in vain. When a tragedy is just too perfectly staged… you can’t help but laugh. And boy, does food taste better when it’s served with this kind of entertainment!!

“...You all…!! If I survive this boiling… I want to open this country…!!”

“Eh!?”

Right then, as I was heading back to my seat, Oden blurted that out. Huh. Well, not that it matters, but from this distance, it’s easy to eavesdrop. Not that I need to—I can pretty much guess what he’s going to say.

──To sum it up: long ago, the Kozuki Clan sealed off Wano to protect it from some massive power. But now, having learned the truth of the world, Oden believes the country—and the world itself—has been waiting 800 years for a certain someone. And he wants to open Wano’s borders so that it can be ready to welcome and support that person.

If he’s so eager to take on the world, though, why not just join us? We’re trying to bring the whole system crashing down too, so our goals basically align. Then again, maybe it’s not just about truth—maybe it’s about will, or destiny, or whatever. But honestly, who cares? We could just smash the world anyway. That not allowed? Not that they’d tell me even if I asked.

“──I’ll say it straight… Haa... They’re going to kill me today. No matter what.”

"!!!"

"No way…!! But if he really manages to withstand the boiling!! A third of the time has already passed!!"

Oden declared it clearly, and his retainers were stunned—but yeah, that's how it is. Honestly, Kaido and I wouldn’t mind sparing him if he agreed to join us. It’s not like we need to kill him. But Orochi? No matter what, he’s dead set on killing them. This execution, the decision over Oden and his men, that’s all Orochi’s call. We’re just here to watch. If you want to put it simply, we’re here to enjoy the taste of victory. A small show to celebrate the completion of our conquest of Wano. And every scene leading up to that is like watching a masterpiece of theater unfold.

"I want you to open Wano in my place!!"

When Oden said that, his retainers responded. If it’s your dream, then it’s ours too, they said. Then, with a fearless grin, Oden clenched his teeth and kept enduring.

Well, when someone like him is about to die, it’s hard not to feel something—regret, admiration. So from here on, I’ll watch the end of Oden’s story, right alongside Kaido, and commit it to memory.

We’ve bested this man. Surpassed him. And now he’s going to die. Of course there’s joy in victory… but an ending always leaves behind a strange emptiness. I mean, we put him through hell, and now it’s over. The feeling of watching a worthy enemy meet their end… it’s more complicated than you'd think.

"Why is he still alive!?? Raise the heat!!!"

──30 minutes remaining. The flames grew even more intense.

Oden wouldn't die. No matter what. Orochi yelled to raise the heat, wondering why it wasn’t working… but…

"…Hey, Kaido. You see it too, right?"

"…Yeah. He should be long dead by now."

"Right?"

I exchanged a glance with Kaido. That’s right—Oden’s body should have long since shut down, pushed past its limits.

But he still lived. It’s not that the fire wasn’t working. It was—his body had already died. And still, he lived on.

──Then 20 minutes left… 15… 10… 5… 3… 1… inching closer to the moment of truth.

"30 seconds left!! Hang in there, Lord Oden!!"

"Why the hell are you still alive!! Just die already!!"

"Stupid lord!!"

"Just die already, you damn plague on Wano!!"

Only a few voices flipped to cheer him on. Most still jeered, hurling abuse at Oden.

And so, surrounded by this ugly crowd—whether cheering or booing—15 seconds… 10… 5… 1 second.

──Finally, the clock hit the promised mark.

"He made it through the boiling alive~~~!?"

"What kind of man is he…!!"

"Thank goodness…!! Lord Oden!!"

"This sucks! Just die already!!"

The crowd erupted. Their reactions were all over the place, but surviving an hour of boiling was undeniably a feat.

His retainers were overjoyed—though, it was all for nothing.

"Say what you will—we endured it!! Prepare yourself, Kaido!!!"

"You idiot!! Don’t provoke them, Neko!!"

"What for!? A win’s a win, ze!!"

Well, I see how it is. If you say it was their taunt that triggered what happened next, then I can understand why Inuarashi was angry. And if it sounded like they were defending the enemy, I can see why Nekomamushi was pissed too.

Not that I know what “prepare yourself” was supposed to mean. Are they planning to oppose us again after surviving the execution? After the sentence has been carried out, provoking us again could easily get them slapped with high treason. And another death sentence. Honestly… animals are so dumb.

"I’ve decided… a minute ago… we’re switching to execution by firing squad. And the whole family dies too!!"

"!!?"

"That’s just childish nonsense…!!"

"You broke your promise!! Lord Oden—!!"

Called it. The moment they pushed back, the officials raised their guns and surrounded Oden and his men. The civilians who tried to object were gunned down without hesitation. Orochi doesn’t hold back, huh? Actually, deciding here and now to kill the whole family makes me wonder if that wasn’t the plan from the start.

But yeah, it always was. Announcing it here just gives it a sense of legitimacy—makes it easier for the people to accept. If you leave survivors, they might grow up into another Orochi. So maybe… maybe Orochi’s actually being merciful? In this situation, surviving would be a greater hell.

"I leave it to you!! All of you…!! Open Wano’s borders!!!"

And then, at last, it happened──Oden flung the wooden plank as far as he could, giving his nine samurai retainers a chance to escape. In the confusion, even Shinobu got away, though Fukurokuju fumbled the catch a bit. But that’s fine. We’ll just catch little Shinobu later. Now then… looks like it’s almost over.

"Come on now, hurry up and chase after them~♪"

"Sir!!"

"Gun them all down!!!"

"After them!!"

“Erase the name of Kozuki!!”

He barked the order to his men, sending the samurai fleeing in all directions. Kaido and I were headed to Kuri anyway, but this came first. Kaido took a gun from one of his subordinates and spoke to Oden.

“Hmph… You played your hand well—but it doesn't matter. Your body’s already as good as dead. Think of this as a mercy. I’ll be the one to shoot you.”

“Sheesh… what a waste. It would've been fun if you’d joined us. But you’re the enemy—and you lost. As the victor, the least I can do is watch you to the end.”

“Yeah. This is the end of the Kozuki era!! Every last one of you will die…”

“...Yeah, I lost. But don’t you dare underestimate my samurai!!! Even if they survive and scatter… someday, I swear—I swear it, Kaido, Nue…!! My retainers will return, with allies at their side… and they’ll come for you!!”

Oden glared straight at us and smiled. A look of absolute conviction—he truly believed in what he said.

Seeing that—hearing that—both Kaido and I reflexively stiffened.

“...I’ll remember you. The one who dared to scar me. Your strength will be spoken of for generations.”

“Forget me if you want… hahh... but my soul will live on… hahh...”

Oden said this, breath ragged, voice strained—but still facing us head-on.

“Still… losing stings. So I’ll be training in hell… waiting for the rematch. Next time, I’ll win… hahh… hahh…”

—Let it be enough to become a tale shared over drinks.

“Die, you damn fool of a lord!!”

“Drop dead, idiot lord!!”

“Fool!! Fool!!”

Surrounded by jeering crowds, Oden spoke his final words.

“You boil to be…”

Kaido aimed the gun and placed his finger on the trigger.

The people didn't echo his words. All that filled the air were cries of “fool” and a few faint gasps.

And before anyone could hear the end of Oden’s last line, Kaido—

“—Oden, after all!!!”

“—!!”

—did not pull the trigger.

Oden did it himself—he shouted the final words, then Kaido fired.

The bullet tore through Oden’s skull, and his body sank into the pot.

Even with Observation Haki, it was clear—Oden was dead.

With a heavy heart, I waited for Kaido’s reaction. He stood in silence for a few seconds, face unreadable, then casually tossed the gun back to his subordinate.

“He’s dead. Let’s go.”

“We going after Oden’s men?”

“Yeah. Let’s end this in Kuri.”

“Okaaay.”

With just that brief exchange, Kaido and I headed to Kuri. Though we weren’t among those who loved Oden, we still felt the weight of his loss—something cold and vast left behind by the death of the strongest samurai in this land.

---

—And so, immediately following Oden’s execution, tragedy upon tragedy began to unfold across Wano.

The Beasts Pirates and the Kurozumi family launched the final phase of their takeover.

“What the hell is that monster!!?”

“Is it going to devour us…!?”

“Gokikigokiki!!”

“Stop as many of them as you can!!”

“Right!!”

Four of the men who would later be known as the Nine Red Scabbards stayed behind to hold off the pursuers.

But the Oden Castle in Kuri was set ablaze. Kaido’s men lit the fires and surrounded the grounds.

Before the Scabbards could arrive, Kaido and Nue stormed the castle, slaughtering samurai and cornering the Kozuki survivors.

“Your name?”

“…Hahh…!! Ugh…!! hahh… hahh…”

“Your father… was a fool.”

Kaido grabbed Kozuki Momonosuke by the neck, lifting him off the ground. He said this before killing him.

“The Kozuki line dies with you.”

“No…!! Hic…!!”

Kaido was curious. Curious about the boy who was the son of the man who had wounded him. But what he saw…

“Father was…!! A great samurai… and… hic... I—I’ll one day…!! Carry this country… on my shoulders!!”

Kozuki Momonosuke… was just a child.

A trembling, snot-nosed kid who could do nothing but cry before Kaido’s terrifying presence.

“So that dream… was just something you were told to say…? He’s this young…?”

“Uwaaahhh!! Fatherrrrr!!!”

How could this kid be Oden’s son? Kaido couldn't understand it.

Oden had been strong even as a child. But this boy had nothing—no presence, no fire. Kaido found himself doubting they were even related.

He lost interest immediately.

Meanwhile, as Kaido was speaking to Momonosuke—

“You’re Hiyori-chan, right? ♡”

“Waah… Mamaaa…”

Nue, who had come to the castle with Kaido, gently approached Kozuki Hiyori, who was trying to wake her mother, Kozuki Toki—Oden’s wife.

But her intent wasn’t much different from Kaido’s. It was simply curiosity.

“Mama’s okay. She’s still alive, and the injuries aren’t too bad. ♡”

“! R… Really…?”

“It’s true. But I’m going to kill her soon, just like your daddy. ♡”

“…!!”

In some ways, she was even crueler than Kaido.

Nue saw potential entertainment in the girl. So she decided—on a whim—to ruin her life. With a sweet, cheerful smile, she spoke with chilling malice.

“Everyone you love is going to die now, okay? ♡ Isn’t that just so sad? ♡”

"Why…? Why would you do something like this…?"

"Because you, your mommy and daddy, your big brother, and all your retainers are weak, Hiyori-chan♡ You see? The reason doesn’t matter at all♡ Knowing our goal won’t help you stop it anyway♡"

Nue spoke kindly, gently stroking Hiyori’s head as if explaining something to a small child. There was no malice or murderous intent in her gesture.

But inside, she was brimming with cruelty disguised as curiosity. Nue answered the little girl's innocent words with soft affection.

"I… I don’t want that… I don’t want anyone to die… No… nooo!!"

"Doesn’t matter if you don’t want it, Hiyori-chan♡ Words alone won’t stop anything. Misery will come crashing down no matter how you feel. The people hurting you won’t care about your feelings. Because they’re not you. They’re the ones who get to feel good without suffering, so why would they stop? It’s like eating a cow. Even if the cow begs you not to, people still eat it, right?"

"……!!"

Those words were far too toxic for a girl of only six to hear.

A child just barely beginning to understand the world. Still too young to fully grasp what it even means for someone to die. There was no way Hiyori could give the "right" answer to Nue’s twisted question.

──And yet… whether by bloodline, by fate, or mere chance, Kozuki Hiyori hesitantly opened her mouth to speak.

"…Then, does that mean I have to get strong and fight back?"

"! That’s it!! Amazing, Hiyori-chan!! You’re sharp!! So smart!! Is that your daddy’s blood showing? Yes, exactly! You have to get strong and use force—there’s no other way!!"

──To grow stronger and protect herself. That was the answer Nue had wanted all along. The fact that a six-year-old girl had reached that conclusion made Nue clap her hands in delight, showering Hiyori with praise like a teacher thrilled her student had solved a difficult problem.

But perhaps because of the praise—or the meaning behind it—Hiyori cast her eyes down. Her voice trembled with anxiety.

"I can’t… I don’t want to hit people…"

"Well, you might find it fun if you give it a try? Ahaha, though I guess that depends on your personal taste. You're such a kind girl, Hiyori-chan♡ But the world around you isn't kind. It’s full of people who want to hurt you and everyone you care about. So tell me—would you rather be the one who gets hit, or the one who hits?"

"…I don’t want either…"

"Then I guess that means you, your mommy, and your big brother are all going to die♡ You’d rather let them die than raise your hand to protect them, huh?"

"! No!! That’s not true!! I don’t want that!!"

Nue slowly, methodically cornered the young girl. She blocked off every escape route, one by one, until the girl had no choice but to walk down the path herself. Forcing her wouldn’t work. It wouldn’t last. Only when people choose for themselves do they truly become strong.

"Then what do you think you should do?"

"…………"

Hiyori fell silent at Nue’s question. She was still just a child, but she was a child of the Kozuki clan. A samurai’s daughter.

She would find the answer. Almost as if to meet Nue’s expectations, she hesitated, then finally said,

"…Then I should get strong and protect them myself…?"

"──Perfect answer♡"

Nue beamed as she praised the girl for arriving at that conclusion. Still, Hiyori looked up at her with uncertainty and asked,

"But… I’m just a kid. And they said girls should learn the arts, not fighting…"

"Being a kid or a girl doesn’t matter♡ Even little girls get attacked, you know? Sure, learning the arts and dressing up all pretty is important, but it’s not the only thing you can do. You can get strong too♡"

"But girls can’t beat boys…"

"That’s not true♡ I’m living proof! And I had a former comrade named Charlotte Linlin-chan—when she was just five, younger than you are now, she was stronger than giants as big as mountains. Now she’s one of the strongest people in the world♡ Girls can be strong too♡"

"…Really…?"

"Really, really!! So if you want to survive, you have to get strong yourself!!"

"…………"

Just as Hiyori was beginning to take Nue’s words to heart, Kaido burst into the room and flung Momonosuke inside.

"! Big Brother!!"

“──Hey, Nue. We’re leaving.”

“Ah, roger that~.──See you, Hiyori-chan♡ If you survive, let’s meet again~♡”

Hiyori rushed over to where Momonosuke had been thrown onto the tatami floor. Kaido ignored her and simply called to Nue before flying off.

As Nue gave a final, sweet farewell to Hiyori and followed Kaido, he muttered to her as if talking to himself.

“So that’s Oden’s son…? What a letdown. Burn and die along with the castle…”

“I heard the stories too, but it really seems like Momonosuke’s just a kid. In a situation like that, if he had it in him, he should’ve shown even a flicker of Conqueror’s Haki or something. But nope—just crying. Maybe he really doesn’t have any talent.”

“The Kozuki clan… Even Oden had it rough. If that’s his heir, there’s no future for them anyway… You, though—you looked like you were chatting with the daughter…”

“Hmm~ I dunno if she’s got talent, but I did plant a seed or two. You should’ve been a little gentler with Momonosuke, Kaido. Who knows? Maybe he would’ve awakened something.”

“Don’t be stupid. Hmph… What a waste of time. I’m going to drink again when we get back.”

“Aww, c’mon. If you’re gonna play the good dad, maybe you should start practicing now? Like, ‘Look who’s your widdle papa~♡ Peek-a-boo~♪’ Try rocking him to sleep or something~”

“Like hell I will.”

“Ehehe, too bad. That would’ve been hilarious. …Well then, once we’re back, maybe I’ll have a little fun with Oden’s corpse and that kunoichi girl~♪”

Kaido and Nue left the burning castle in Kuri behind and returned to Onigashima.

──But immediately after, Kozuki Toki, having regained consciousness, and the Red Scabbards who had arrived, began to change the course of fate.

“With the power of this mysterious Toki-Toki ability… I’ll send you all to the future.”

The Devil Fruit that Toki, born 800 years ago, had eaten—the Toki Toki no Mi.

Its power was to travel forward through time.

With that power, she sent Kin’emon, Raizo, Kanjuro, Kikunojo, and Momonosuke into the future.

She entrusted Hiyori to Kawamatsu, and then, stepping out from the castle herself, left behind a final message:

──“You are the moon, unaware of the dawn. Should the desire be fulfilled…”

──“On a moonlit night woven over twenty years, nine shadows shall be cast…”

──“And you shall become the one who ushers in the dazzling dawn.”

With those final words, Kozuki Toki passed away.

──And less than a month later, the Beasts Pirates and Orochi had taken control of the entire country.

The coalition of the remaining daimyō and yakuza families who rallied after Oden’s fall was crushed with ease.

They burned villages to the ground, killed countless people, and those who survived were captured—left to torture, enslavement, or execution in an endless cycle of torment.

Even great figures like Shimotsuki Yasuie and Shimotsuki Ushimaru were slain by Kaido’s subordinates. The leaders of the various provinces were taken prisoner and made into slaves.

And once again, someone was caught and subjected to this fate.

It was a kunoichi.

“This woman… Is she that kunoichi they mentioned?”

“Muhaha! So what, we making her a prisoner too?”

“No. Orders are to take her somewhere else.”

“Gh… I won’t… I’ll never break under any kind of torture…! Never…!!”

At the Beasts Pirates’ base, Onigashima, the bound kunoichi—one of Oden’s retainers—was surrounded by the Lead Performers, awaiting her sentence.

Torture or execution, it didn’t matter. Whatever they did, she swore she wouldn’t yield.

But her captors only smirked at her resolve. Once taken out to sea again, she glared at her escort and demanded:

“Gh… Where are you taking me…!?”

“Orders are to teach you what it means to be a slave. So starting now, you’ll be living in the Land of the Gods as one♡”

“!!?”

“Try not to act too uppity and get yourself killed, okay, dummy♡ Though honestly, you’ll probably end up wishing you were dead.”

──And so, the kunoichi was shipped out of Wano and sold off to an unknown place.

At the same time, in the wider world, having fully conquered Wano and seized numerous islands in the New World, the Beasts Pirates were officially recognized as one of the Four Emperors.

Countless pirates across the seas feared them—feared the Beasts Pirates—and yet still aimed for the Grand Line, for the New World.

“──Feels like we finally made it. But the real game starts now, Kaido.”

“Yeah… But we’re still a long way from building the strongest pirate crew. Gotta raise more hell.”

The two of them clinked sake cups on their own island, smirking with wicked satisfaction.

They had risen this far.

Feared as emperors on the world’s most brutal seas.

They’d once met on this ocean as young deckhands under the strongest crew of their time. From the belly of that ship, they’d built their own pirate crews, gathered comrades, ships, territories—everything. It had taken over twenty years to come this far from nothing.

But their pirate journey was still only halfway through. They had only just reached the starting line of the real battle.

“To enjoy ourselves… we’ll tear it all down!!!”

“Worororororo!!! No matter who stands in our way, you and I will crush them!!! We’re the ones who’ll become the world’s strongest pirate crew and take the world!!!”

Yes, the Great Pirate Era was only just beginning.

──To reach the summit. From that prison where it all began, the vow they once made in the bowels of a ship—they reaffirmed it now, and drained their cups.