Next, the training entered its final sprint stage.
Tesoro continued to comprehend his inner strength in the Thunder Pool, but he focused more on ' Internal Forging ' within it to hone his Armament Haki and enhance his physique.
The others also worked hard to achieve their goals before leaving.
Two more months have passed in the blink of an eye.
That morning, Roy suddenly received a call from Kaido.
"Brubru--Brubru--"
The sound of the Den Den Mushi) pulled Roy out of his meditation.
" Kaido, what is it?"
Kaido's deep, serious voice came from the other end of the phone.
" Roy, there's something you need to know. Kozuki Oden is back."
The news of Kozuki Oden startled Roy.
"It seems Roger has found the ' Laugh Tale,' and now is the time to disband the Roger Pirates."
Roy for a moment; it had been almost two years since he last saw Roger.
"Hello!"
" Roy! Are you listening?!"
Kaido's words interrupted Roy's thoughts.
"Okay! Go on!"
"All right!"
Kaido took a swig of sake and continued speaking.
"According to reports from spies in the Wano Country,"
"He returned to Wano Country late last night and is currently secretly contacting his former subordinates in Kuri."
Kaido's voice carried a hint of solemnity.
"What's even more troublesome is that he also went to the Flower Capital and met with Kurozumi Orochi."
" Kurozumi Orochi didn't report to me what they talked about in detail."
Roy wasn't particularly concerned about Kozuki Oden's appearance, but the safety of the research base could not be compromised.
What do you want to do?
"Hehehe, I don't know yet. We haven't known each other long enough to know Kozuki Oden's purpose in returning."
"However, the research base cannot be lost! It concerns our future plans, doesn't it, ally?!"
"It seems we're on the same page, but..." Roy's tone shifted abruptly.
" Kaido, our Roy Pirates will not interfere in dealing with Kozuki Oden."
" Oden had a good relationship with Roger and Whitebeard, and we also had a good relationship with the Roger Pirates. We even met Whitebeard once, and he gave us some pointers."
"Therefore, our stance is delicate; we will not directly attack Oden."
Roy's voice was calm.
"But we can't just stand by and watch him destroy the research base. Kaido, you're better suited to handle this."
Kaido's deep laughter came from the other end of the phone.
"Hehehe... ally, are you trying to push all the problems onto me?"
"However, let's do it your way. I'll handle Oden."
"Yes! That would be best." Roy nodded.
"But I won't stand idly by. I'll act immediately. The security of the research base will be the responsibility of our Roy Pirates."
"As for Kozuki Oden... I'll leave him to your Beasts Pirates, Kaido. I trust you can handle him 'properly'."
"Handle it properly?"
Hearing Roy emphasize those two words, Kaido laughed even more wildly.
"Rest assured, my ally, I will make Oden understand who the master of Wano Country is now."
After hanging up the phone, Roy immediately gathered everyone together and explained the situation.
"Boss, are we really not going to get involved in dealing with Oden?"
Savi was somewhat puzzled.
"That guy is very strong. Can Kaido?"
"The situation is still unclear," Roy shook his head.
"Our alliance with Kaido is no secret; the World Government and the Navy must have been informed long ago."
"We still don't know what Kozuki Oden and Kurozumi Orochi talked about, why there wasn't a battle, or if the World Government might be involved."
Roy looked at everyone,
"We don't know any of this, but we can't abandon our base in Wano Country,"
Roy hardened his heart.
"If they really attack our research base, even if Oden had a special relationship with Whitebeard and Roger, I will absolutely not allow it."
Bullet crossed his arms, a bloodthirsty smile on his face.
"That's right! Who cares what their relationship is with Roger Whitebeard? Anyone who gets in our way will be eliminated!"
"Yeah, boss!"
"You're just overthinking things!" Tesoro chuckled.
Roy rolled his eyes in annoyance.
Am I overthinking things?
I was just being cautious. If I hadn't been so cautious, we would have been caught by the navy long ago.
"That's right! If it weren't for the boss, Tesoro would have been captured long ago!"
Savi raised his hands in agreement and made a face at Tesoro.
Is that what I meant?
"You brat! You want to get a beating, don't you!"
Tesoro glared angrily at the provocative Savi.
"I'm not afraid of you at all!"
Savi flexed his muscles.
The serious atmosphere at the scene was instantly shattered by the two of them.
Roy looked at the two who were now locked in a fierce struggle, and helplessly rubbed his forehead.
With a single press of his finger, he instantly pinned the two who were still locked in a power struggle to the ground.
"Boss, you went too far..." Savi rubbed his aching forehead.
"To deal with someone like you, you need to be more targeted."
Roy said irritably, then said seriously,
"Listen carefully— Kozuki Oden's return is no small matter; we must prepare for the worst."
Roy looked around at everyone.
"Now, let's split up and proceed."
" Stella, contact Kaido's side. We need to know everything that's happening in Wano Country right now."
" Tesoro, you're in charge of checking on the condition of the Ark Maxim. We need to be ready to set sail at any time."
" Bullet, you take the rest of the men and gather the supplies."
"Let's return to Wano Country immediately!!"
"Clear."
Upon receiving Roy's order, everyone immediately sprang into action.
Roy glanced at Hawk Eyes, who wanted to leave with him, and gestured for him to stay.
" Mihawk, how much do you know about Kozuki Oden's strength?"
Hawk Eyes pondered for a moment,
"When we fought two years ago, his swordsmanship and physique... were very strong."
While not on par with Roger and Whitebeard, he was still among the top Great Swordsman.
"Having sailed with Roger for the past two years, his skills must have improved considerably."
"If you were to fight him, how confident would you be?" Roy continued to ask.
Hawk Eyes was silent for a moment,
"It should be about right, but to determine the winner, we'll have to have a real duel."
"Indeed, this is troublesome..."
Roy frowned.
"What's even more troublesome is his identity,"
Killing him would be tantamount to offending both Whitebeard's and Roger's Four Emperors- level pirate crews simultaneously;
"If we don't kill him, the research base will always be under threat."
You've already made up your mind, haven't you?
Hawk Eyes looked at Roy,
"I could tell from the tone of your voice when you were talking to Kaido just now."
Roy gave a wry smile.
"You can't hide it from me. That's right, I've made up my mind—if Oden really dares to attack the research base,
Even if it offends Whitebeard and Roger, I will kill him.
"Well, hopefully he won't do anything irrational." Hawk Eyes shrugged.