"At the very least, until we achieve our dreams and ambitions, you need to shoulder this responsibility!"
As he spoke, Xia Le smiled.
"Would peace and prosperity in Wano Country alone satisfy you, Oden?"
"What about the entire world?"
"How many people are still suffering oppression, torment, and war?"
"How many have lost their homes, drifting through one day after another, lost and filled with hatred and fear?"
His voice grew serious, taking on a slightly lower tone.
"The Marines have a fine mission."
"For justice."
"Just two simple words, but living up to them is far too difficult."
"We have so much to do, even if we can never do it perfectly."
"But as long as tomorrow's world is better than today's, more peaceful, and a little kinder, that will be enough."
"Won't it?"
Xia Le spoke softly.
Kozuki Oden fell silent, his eyes filled with astonishment.
Xia Le's words were nothing short of a wake-up call for him.
As long as tomorrow's world was better than today's, more peaceful, and a little kinder, that would be enough.
Once, his dreams had encompassed only Wano Country, confined to a single nation, a single island.
Even after leaving that country, he had never thought much beyond it.
Only now, upon hearing those words, did he begin to glimpse Xia Le's ambition and see a broader world.
"Would you feel at ease leaving Wano Country in someone else's hands?"
"Aren't you afraid another Kurozumi Orochi might emerge?"
"Oden!"
At some point, Xia Le had placed his right hand on his shoulder.
Kozuki Oden's heart trembled, and he looked up into Xia Le's eyes.
"Right now, everyone in this country supports you. You alone are the one they all want."
"Become the shogun!"
Xia Le turned and left without another word.
Kozuki