A Hot Potato

"Old... Old Man, I didn't expect you to still remember me." After hesitating for a moment, Kozuki Hiyori gritted her teeth and replied.

She had placed great hopes on this powerful man who ruled the seas.

However, as for how to address him, Kozuki Hiyori could only brace herself and go along with it.

Marco and the others were slightly stunned.

Whitebeard's expression also changed slightly. Then he sighed, plopped down into his chair, and said, "That bastard Oden had no sense of propriety back then. He kept saying that he and I were sworn brothers."

"That guy refused to be my son. Since you're his daughter, it's not inappropriate for you to call me Old Man!"

"Still, after we learned of the incident in Wano Country, we specifically had Izo investigate your whereabouts. Later, Kaido claimed that all of you had been killed, and the matter was left at that!"

At this point, Whitebeard grabbed the sake jar beside him and said, "But I want to know—are you here this time to ask us to help you restore your country?"

The moment those words fell, quite a few people present tensed up.

A flicker of hesitation crossed Kozuki Hiyori's face. Then, biting her red lip, she crouched slightly and performed the bow of a dancing girl. "Old Man, I know this request is excessive."

"However, Father always hoped that Wano Country could open its borders while he was alive. Though we and Father's loyal retainers have also been taking action, against Orochi, who has allied himself with Kaido of the Beasts, our efforts are merely a drop in the bucket."

At this point, urgency appeared on Kozuki Hiyori's face. "Old Man, the person Father respected most in life was you. Hiyori has no one left to rely on now.