Return to Onigashima, Prophecy

Sirius and the other returned to Kaido's back, looking down at Oden Castle from above.

The raging flames had completely engulfed the castle, and it was likely that it would collapse completely before long.

"Ufufufufu! Let the flames cleanse all traces of Kozuki!"

Kaido laughed heartily, lowering his head, "King!"

From below, outside the flames, a black shadow shot up from among the pirates surrounding Oden Castle. In just a few breaths, it had ridden the air currents to Kaido's front.

Without a doubt, it was King, who had transformed into a giant Pteranodon.

"I'll leave this to you,"

Kaido said, "Don't let anyone come out."

While he was too lazy to personally eradicate the last bloodline of Kozuki, he didn't mind letting the flames devour everything.

"Please rest assured."

King nodded, "But Mr. Kaido, what if someone tries to go in?"

Sirius lowered his head and looked down. Several black shadows darted out from the forest. After a brief entanglement with the Beasts Pirates, they charged straight into Oden Castle.

If nothing unexpected happened, they should be the Kozuki samurai. After escaping Flower Capital, they had rushed back without stopping, finally returning to Oden Castle now.

"Ufufufufu, little fish who escaped the boiling oil ran back to the grill themselves? Isn't that perfect?"

Kaido laughed heartily, "Queen is here too. You two stay here and keep watch. Don't let anyone leave alive!"

"Yes."

After giving his orders to King, Kaido soared into the sky and flew directly towards the clouds.

It seemed he was returning to Onigashima.

Everything was over.

Sirius relaxed completely, lying on Kaido's back and gazing up at the starry sky.

So many things had happened on this trip.

He had witnessed the peak battle between Kaido and Oden.

He had befriended Oden and listened to his adventure stories.

He had even given him Enma.

But the most important thing was, of course—

Sirius patted his chest, the fullness there so apparent.

Ancient Text, the stack of papers recorded knowledge of the Ancient Text.

This was Oden's second gift to Sirius.

The Poneglyphs, which recorded all the secrets of the world, were written in the Ancient Text.

To unlock all the secrets, to reach the Final Island and fulfill the dream of holding a feast on all islands, it was impossible without mastering the Ancient Text.

After Ohara was destroyed two years ago, Oden was the only person besides Nico Robin, who was still wandering in West Blue, who understood the Ancient Text.

Sirius hadn't even thought of this matter at first. He had simply wanted to hear Oden's stories out of sheer desire, and he hadn't expected Oden to give him such a grand gift.

Sirius's gaze suddenly swept over Yamato beside him. The girl was pouting, looking very unhappy.

Although he had only met Lady Toki twice, she was still a friend's family member.

It wasn't strange for the girl to be sad.

Unlike Kaido, Yamato was kind and full of a sense of justice.

Sirius didn't say anything. He had already said what needed to be said.

Only by overcoming sadness can one learn to mature, and this might not be a bad thing for Yamato.

However, Uncle Kaido was indeed a bit too arrogant this time.

King and Queen could indeed prevent anyone inside Oden Castle from breaking out by force.

But they didn't know about the underground secret passage in Oden Castle, nor did they know about Lady Toki's abilities.

Not a single person would die in this great fire in the end.

The only one who died, Lady Toki, did not perish in the flames.

The Kozuki legacy had not ended here.

But that was something that would happen twenty years later.

Sirius quietly gazed at the starry sky as time slowly passed.

Soon, around midnight, they arrived at Onigashima.

Although it was already very late, Sirius and Yamato didn't rush back to rest. Instead, they scurried off to the kitchen.

They had no choice. Besides the meal at noon, they hadn't had a single drop of water all day. Both Sirius and Yamato were starving.

The chef quickly prepared a sumptuous late-night meal for the two of them. Having already witnessed Sirius's appetite, he made a lot, filling two tables completely.

This was exactly what Sirius wanted.

And so, amidst Yamato's shout of "Sirius, let's have a rematch!", Sirius began to feast.

However, he hadn't been eating for long when Jack and Black Maria, having received the news, arrived.

Jack pushed open the kitchen door first, with Black Maria right behind him. The two of them rushed noisily towards Sirius and Yamato.

At this moment, Sirius's mouth was stuffed full, leaving no room for him to speak. So, Sirius waved at them to greet them.

"Did you two go to the battlefield with the Kozuki Clan?"

Jack got straight to the point, his round face full of shock.

"Mhm, mhm, mhm,"

Yamato nodded repeatedly and said proudly, "Sirius helped me sneak onto the ship."

Black Maria sighed regretfully, "It actually succeeded. I should have gone with you if I had known."

She wasn't one to sit still and be bored.

But immediately, she said excitedly, "So, Yamato, did you see the heroic figure of Mr. Kaido fighting?"

"Of course!"

Yamato became even more excited when the battle was mentioned, "Father and Oden fought for several days! It was almost a draw!"

"H-how is that possible!"

Black Maria's face instantly lost all color, and she said in disbelief, "Someone can actually fight Mr. Kaido to a draw?"

That's because you're too ignorant. In this day and age, let alone people who are evenly matched with Uncle Kaido, there are even those who can defeat him.

Sirius finally swallowed the food in his mouth and then said, "However, after three consecutive days of non-stop fighting, Uncle Kaido still won in the end."

"I knew it!"

Jack, who had been frowning moments before, instantly broke into a smile, "Boss Kaido is invincible!"

"Mhm, mhm, mhm!" Black Maria echoed, nodding repeatedly.

Why don't you two just get together?

Sirius picked up a dinosaur leg and thought to himself, Their ages and heights are suitable, and they're both brain-dead fans of Uncle Kaido.

"But who exactly is this Oden?"

Black Maria asked curiously, "How could he fight Mr. Kaido to this extent?"

"Oden?"

Yamato's spirits instantly soared, and she said with some pride, "He's my friend! Shall I tell you about it? Oden's adventure story!"

Jack and Black Maria exchanged glances, then nodded simultaneously, "Okay!"

They were also very curious: what kind of person could make their idol fall into a difficult battle!

And so, while Sirius was desperately eating, Yamato told them stories for two hours until they could no longer stand it and went back to sleep.

The next day was the same. Jack and the others didn't have a good impression of Kozuki Oden; after all, to them, that man was a villain.

But the bizarre and magnificent grand voyage of Kozuki Oden that Yamato spoke of was truly captivating to them.

On the third day, King and Queen returned with the pirates.

Oden Castle had already been burned to ruins, with not a single survivor.

But they also brought bad news.

Lady Toki had left a prophecy before her death.

"When the world is dark and the moon is like you, hold on to the remnants until dawn.

After twenty years of clear moonlight, when nine shadows are cast, the sun will rise in the east."