When Kozuki Oden arrived, some greeted him with smiles, while others gave him the cold shoulder. Although the two pirate crews had a good relationship, even the closest bonds could have their share of friction.
However, Shirakawa was very interested in him, especially after learning that he came from Wano Country.
As everyone knew, Wano Country was a nation of samurai, and almost everyone there was a warrior. Their swordsmanship was bound to be exceptional, especially that of a powerful man like Kozuki Oden.
So Shirakawa immediately left Rayleigh and asked Kozuki Oden to teach him swordsmanship and Haki.
Oden happily agreed to Shirakawa's request. Having someone to help him fit into the crew more quickly pleased him, while Rayleigh was just as glad to be rid of the trouble. Still, he felt a little resentful. Did he think I was inferior to Oden?
People were like that. They didn't appreciate what they had until it was gone, and then they regretted losing it.
Shanks, on the other hand, was delighted. Now Mr. Rayleigh could teach only him.
Oden's training was far more systematic than Rayleigh's, especially when it came to swordsmanship. A large part of Rayleigh's swordsmanship had been self-taught.
Oden's swordsmanship, by contrast, had been passed down through generations. Each generation had refined it, leaving only the essence behind. Every day, Shirakawa's understanding of the way of the sword improved noticeably.
Two months passed, and Oden had grown accustomed to life aboard Roger's ship. The other crew members had accepted him, too, and Oden had a wonderful personality.
He was lively and mischievous, and sometimes as childish as a little boy. The two Minks who had boarded with him were a cat named Nekomamushi and a dog named Inuarashi.
Those two had truly stunned Shirakawa when they first