Kozuki Oden Entrusts His Orphans

The bustling street appears peaceful and prosperous, but beneath this glamorous exterior lies a deep-seated devastation in people's hearts. Their eyes are filled with vacant stares and numbness, as if they have lost all hope for the future.

Although this is Kuri, the main base of the Kozuki Family, it is also the site of a battlefield that has lasted for twenty years. The fact that the Kozuki Family can maintain such superficial glory is a testament to their profound heritage.

Himura Yukiyo, who was following Roy and others, was filled with shock. Only now did she know that the monster named Kaido was considered the strongest in the entire world, and had even been called the strongest creature in the world. He was a freak that no one could kill. And the Phantom Sword Pirates she joined was also a terrifying force that could influence the world structure. As the captain, Roy had the powerful combat power to destroy the country.

Both Kaido's Beasts Pirates and Roy's Phantom Sword Pirates possess the immense power to overthrow the entire Wano Country on their own, something that is simply unimaginable to Himura Yukishiro, who has never left Wano Country.

What's even more terrifying is that, judging from their titles of Four Emperors and Shichibukai, it's not hard to guess that there are nine more monsters like them. In addition, their conversations about the Three Admirals of the Navy and the Five Elders of the World Government further fueled Himura Yukishiro's deep fear of the outside world and made her feel fortunate to have latched onto such a powerful ally.

However, this also brought a deep sense of crisis. After all, according to those seniors, a swordsman like her who had just broken through to the level of Master Swordsman was a figure of great stature in the entire ocean, but on Roy's ship, she was only barely worth noting and could be marginalized at any time.

Eager to demonstrate her value, Himura Yukishiro cautiously looked around before stepping forward and whispering, "Lord... Madara, I have an immature idea, but I don't know if I should say it?"

Roy's lips twitched, and he almost habitually assumed she had something to say but didn't know whether to.

"Speak freely and boldly, no one will notice us here."

Seeing that the crowds around them seemed to ignore them completely, as if they were outside the world, Himura Yukishiro gasped. This was the first time she had seen Roy take action, and her awe of Roy deepened once again.

"Here's what I'm thinking: since you can control the enemy's mind, why not have Lord Yagyu lure out the Wano Country General, Kurozumi Orochi Kurozumi Orochi, and then control him, using him to launch a sneak attack on Kaido?"

Roy shook his head. "In Yagyu Jubei's memories, Kurozumi Orochi is quite powerful, having already made considerable progress on the path to becoming Great Sword Master Yagyu Jubei. Moreover, you underestimate Kaido. A sneak attack might work on other Four Emperors, but it's practically harmless against an immortal monster like Kaido, unless it's someone of Hawkeye's caliber attempting a sneak attack."

"However, on the other hand, with Hawkeye's pride, how could he possibly stoop to doing such a thing?" Roy narrowed his eyes, recalling the few times Hawkeye had taken action in the original work, "He's the kind of guy who would choose to break through head-on even against Whitebeard."

Although she didn't know who Hawkeye was, Himura Yukishiro secretly kept it in mind.

It should be noted that, apart from Kaido, this is the first time Roy has shown a serious expression. Even when speaking of Kurozumi Orochi of Wano Country General, Roy used a relaxed and casual tone, as if the strongest person in Wano Country, who was on par with Kozuki Oden, was just an insignificant figure in Roy's eyes.

"So, you've come to Kuri Wano Country to take action against the Three Calamities and clip Kaido's wings first?"

"You're overthinking it. The Four Emperors' strength comes from within. Even if the Beasts Pirates are wiped out, as long as Kaido is still alive, the title of Four Emperors will not change in the slightest." Roy looked at Oden Castle on the mountaintop. "I came here this time for Kozuki Oden, the head of the Kozuki Family. For me, Kozuki Oden is just an appetizer before my main course. If I can use his power to make a breakthrough in my swordsmanship, I will have a better chance of defeating Kaido."

Himura Yukishiro's eyes widened. Judging from Roy's tone, he seemed to be a swordsman of great skill as well. Moreover, the fact that he could use Kozuki Oden, the greatest swordsman of Wano Country, as a whetstone meant that Roy's swordsmanship was at least at the level of a swordsman.

Himura Yukishiro thought to herself, "Besides that strange ability, I never expected Lord Roy to be such a powerful swordsman! But I don't think I've ever seen Lord Roy's sword before?"

"Lord Madara, judging from your tone, you seem to have completely different attitudes towards Kurozumi Orochi and Kozuki Oden. But I've heard that their strengths are roughly equal, otherwise their war wouldn't have lasted for twenty years."

"He declined to a level similar to Kurozumi Orochi because he had indelible injuries in his body, preventing him from maintaining his full strength. However, I don't believe that someone like him would be without any backup plan. In my opinion, he should have a way to temporarily recover to his full strength, but it may come at a huge price, such as... his life. I think this is the main reason why Kurozumi Orochi dared not push him too hard."

Roy's idea was to force Kozuki Oden to return to his peak condition and then fight him. As for whether Kozuki Oden lived or died after the battle, Roy said he didn't care. After all, from the moment he prepared to take action against Momonosuke, the two sides were on the same side, fighting to the death.

"Cough cough..." A very charming middle-aged man, who would have been a heartbreaker for young women in Roy's previous life, suddenly coughed violently, with blood clearly visible in his veins.

"Oden-sama, you must take care of yourself!" Foxfire Kin'emon said worriedly from behind him.

"Don't worry, I'm used to it." Kozuki Oden raised his right hand in a gesture of respect, then continued, "What's the current situation?"

"The situation is becoming increasingly unfavorable for us. In terms of high-end combat power, we are still far behind the Beasts Pirates. The families that follow us are also starting to lose morale and are unwilling to commit troops to this war that we are almost certain to lose," said Foxfire Kin'emon with a grim expression.

"Well, things have come to this point, it seems I have to make a backup plan." Kozuki Oden looked solemnly at Foxfire Kin'emon and handed him a Vivre Card. "You, along with Kanjuro, Raizo, and the others, take Tao Tao and head out to sea. Follow the guidance of this Vivre Card to find the Mink warriors on Zou."

"If there is still time, have Nekomamushi and Inuarashi bring warriors back to support us. If Wano Country has already been destroyed... then you should take Tao Tao and live in seclusion on Zou, living out your lives under assumed names."

"A lord's disgrace is a lord's death. At this critical moment, how can I abandon my lord and flee? That would be contrary to my samurai spirit!" Kin'emon said excitedly, his face showing his emotion as he listened to Kozuki Oden Foxfire Kin'emon's tone as if he were entrusting his son to someone.

"Kin'emon, I am not discussing this with you, but rather issuing an order as the head of the Kozuki Family, your lord."

"I..." Foxfire Kin'emon, unable to hide his sorrow, covered his face and wept bitterly.

Okay, according to the latest manga news, Foxfire Kin'emon group are from twenty years ago. I'm at my wit's end. If I follow Oda, my entire outline will collapse. Fine, I'll just let myself go completely in the Wano Country arc.