Beyond the bustling, tightly packed crowd, a figure could be seen deep in the square.
He knelt on both knees, his forehead pressed firmly against the ground.
Only after a long time did he slowly raise his head, still kneeling.
But he was so tall that even on his knees, he stood as high as an ordinary person.
"I am Kozuki Oden!"
"A sinner of Wano Country!"
Those two declarations echoed across the square, instantly silencing the noise that had filled it a moment before.
Among the crowd, countless farmers bearing marks clenched their fists, tears filling their eyes.
"I did not die!"
"By a twist of fate, I survived, and as you can see, I became a Marine!"
Kozuki Oden spoke slowly.
"I have returned to this country once more."
"Carrying the guilt and anger I once felt, my regrets for this country, and my hopes."
"This time."
His eyes shone, his expression turned cold, and his words were like ice and snow on a bitter wind.
"I will cast aside every foolish notion and fantasy I once harbored."
"And drive this nation's enemies out of our homeland, once and for all!"
The square was silent, but soon cheers and shouts erupted.
"Drive Kaido out!!"
"Defend Wano Country!!"
"Support Kozuki Oden! Support the Kozuki Family!"
The roaring voices nearly sent the gathering out of control.
In a corner at one side of the square, several figures stood quietly, watching it all.
"The people's support is a form of strength, too."
"Rallying public support was Oden's best option."
"This way, the people of Kuri will become our greatest allies."
"And we can't underestimate the samurai hidden in the crowd, either!"
Behind Xia Le, Bullet, Kuzan, Kizaru, and the others spoke with feeling.
Though they stood at the highest ranks of