The windows of the wooden cabin glowed with a dim yellow light. Inside, a dozen or so people sat around a small table. They had settled on the floor.
The flame of the old kerosene lamp on the table flickered, casting their shadows across the walls. Night had fallen, and the faint light seemed to wrap everyone in a wave of weariness.
After Kozuki Sukiyaki recognized her when they arrived, Hiyori recalled what the group had discussed on the way and decided to reveal her identity.
In fact,
even without her saying anything, they had already guessed most of it from Franky's words. There was little left to hide.
Once everyone had recovered from the shock of learning Hiyori was a princess, she and Tengu Hitetsu slowly recounted what had happened to Oden.
More than twenty years ago, after returning from his travels, Oden learned that Kurozumi Orochi had seized power and allied with Kaido to take control of Wano Country.
Oden had tried to start a war, but Kurozumi Orochi had threatened the lives of the people and forced him to agree to a five-year truce.
To protect the people, Oden danced naked in the Flower Capital every day, earning the name "Fool of a Lord" among the citizens. In secret, though, he never stopped building up his strength.
Then, five years later,
Kurozumi Orochi predictably broke their agreement and continued oppressing the people. He joined forces with Kaido to establish factories, so Oden led the strength he had gathered in a raid on Onigashima.
The battle raged with earth-shaking fury, but at the crucial moment, Kurozumi Semimaru's scheme threw Oden off balance, and he was defeated. Kaido publicly executed him and his retainers in the Flower Capital.
At the last moment, Oden protected Denjiro and his other retainers.