No Truth or Lies, Only Unshakable Facts

"Regarding this matter, I think you might have some misunderstanding. I only came here because of your Lineage Factor, and the principles of the Time-Time Fruit and Devil Fruit transference..."

After a brief, private conversation, Kozuki Toki pondered for a moment before finally nodding vigorously.

"I understand, but in return, I would like to ask you..."

With a slight upturn of her lips, Huayue nodded and readily agreed.

"A fair deal. It seems Kozuki Oden had other plans. Well then, I'll accept your Lineage Factor with a smile."

The next moment, as the spirit dissipated, Kozuki Toki, pale-faced, looked at the daimyo Shimotsuki Yasuie who had come from Hakumai in Wano Country and nodded slightly.

"Please, Master Kang."

"It's alright. I brought my men here as soon as I received Oden's handwritten letter, but..."

Shimotsuki Yasuie's expression was solemn, and his tone was serious.

"If Oden fails, we must be prepared for the destruction of Wano Country. The enemy will never let the pirates of Kuri go, and we absolutely cannot expect them to keep their promises."

"It's alright. When the time comes, Lord Kang can simply flee for his life. As for Momonosuke and Hiyori..."

On the other hand, news came from the Flower Capital that Kozuki Oden Kuri dared to defy the shogun, and his retainers were about to be boiled alive.

Eight days later, in the Flower Capital.

Facing the crowd of countless residents of the Flower Capital Kozuki Oden jumped into the boiling oil without hesitation and shouted loudly to Kaido in the audience.

"Kaido, if I can last an hour in this scalding oil cauldron, you better let them go!"

Upon hearing this, the people of Wano Country below looked impatient and glanced at the ' Foolish Lord ' who had brought shame to the samurai of Wano Country, and couldn't help but complain.

"What a spineless coward. What's wrong with dying sooner?"

"That's right, that's right! The fact that this kind of guy is alive is nothing short of a disgrace to Wano Country!"

On the viewing platform, Kurozumi Orochi laughed heartily, his tone full of sarcasm.

"Hahaha, this is a torture that will kill you if you go in, how could you possibly stay in the oil cauldron for half an hour!"

However, Kaido's lips curled into a satisfied smile.

"Interesting! This stage is tailor-made for you. Show off your talents on stage, you're a real treat! Woohoo!"

With Kozuki Oden determination, Kaido before him and asked in a loud voice.

"No sooner said than done?"

"Funny! Hey, get me a clock, set the time to one hour, let me have some more fun, woo-la-la-la-la!"

At the edge of the execution platform, many retainers were in tears, and Kin'emon shouted loudly.

"My lords, we cannot let our lord embark on his journey alone! Oden, let us meet again in another world!!!"

The next moment, many of Oden rushed into the boiling oil without regard for their own safety. Seeing so many of his retainers determined to die with him, the last trace of doubt in Kozuki Oden's heart vanished.

"You will all stay here on Banqiao!"

Even though he was bound by Seastone handcuffs, Kozuki Oden still lifted the bridge and carried his nine retainers on it.

On the viewing platform, Kurozumi Orochi stared in disbelief, while Kaido couldn't help but burst into laughter.

"That's fine, Oden. Let's start the time now. One hour. If you can hold out for one hour, I'll let the ten of you leave!"

At this moment, the oil in the pot was scorching hot, and the onlookers outside were sweating profusely, believing that it was impossible for them to stay in the oil for even a minute.

They probably jumped in and were fried to a crispy exterior and tender interior in the scalding oil. When Shinobu saw this, she couldn't help but burst into tears.

Amidst the crowd, a figure draped in a pure white haori looked around before ultimately choosing to sit at a distance and watch the farce unfold, a slight frown on his brow.

Just then, a ball rolled to Huayue's front, and a small figure walked towards him.

She wore a demon mask and a shrine maiden's attire. Her gradient white hair was smooth and elegant, and a pair of bright red bull horns on her forehead made Huayue feel inexplicably familiar with her.

"Hey kid, what are you doing here? There are things here that you shouldn't see. Go back and find an adult."

Upon hearing this, the child wearing the Hannya Mask picked up the ball, turned around, and sat down next to Huayue.

"My mother passed away, and my father is over there. There's not much for me to play with..."

After a while, Huayue, looking helpless, leaned close to her ear and complained.

"Hey, are you trying to make me feel guilty for the rest of my life with just one sentence? Unfortunately, from the day I gained eternal life, my perception of things has only been two kinds: unfamiliar and familiar."

"Eternal life? What is that? Is it powerful? Father always talks about becoming stronger and dragging the whole world into a huge war, things I don't understand."

"However, those people always seem afraid of Father, so no one wants to play with me. Big brother, you're very strong, aren't you? Stronger than Father, right?!"

With the Hannya Mask removed, Shinobu smiled as she faced the innocent smiles of the children and Huayue in the distance, who was trying to tell everyone what Kozuki Oden had done.

"Of course! Although we can't be certain yet, my brother is the strongest being in the world!"

"The reason I'm staying in this world is simply to wait for a few enemies I've never met before to advance towards my brother's planet from the other side of the distant starry sky."

Just then, the onlookers suddenly knelt down and shouted their pleas.

"Please, Lord Orochi, please rescind this execution!!!"

"Me too, please be lenient with these guys."

"Lord Orochi, I beg you..."

However, the next second, arrows shot from afar instantly wounded those who pleaded for mercy. Accompanied by the people's cries of agony, the people of Wano Country also realized the terror of the Orochi.

As the crowds gathered at the execution ground grew larger and larger, Kurozumi Orochi ignored them, instead glancing at the clock beside him, secretly preparing for what was to come.

The crowd in the distance continued to encourage Kozuki Oden, while Huayue smiled, a hint of mockery in his eyes.

"Brother, why are you smiling so strangely?"

"Little one, do you believe in destiny?"

Amidst the little girl's bewildered expression, Huayue murmured softly, her tone filled with sarcasm.

"From the very beginning, this world has had neither truth nor lies, only undeniable facts..."

"That being said, these guys are just mistaking facts that are in their own favor for reality, and living because of them, like mistaking a fool being fried in oil for ' Your Foolish Lord '!"

"Because only in this way can they survive, but for the powerless who make up the vast majority of the world, the fact that it is of no benefit to them is the fact."

"The existence that determines the survival of the weak is determined by the strong!"