Kin'emon's eyes were red, and he gritted his teeth to keep himself from losing his composure.
Izo turned his face away, his shoulders trembling slightly.
Inuarashi and Cat Viper exchanged a glance, their eyes filled with complex emotions—they had followed Oden for many years and had never seen him in such a humble posture.
Hyogoro silently watched Oden, but the light in his eyes grew brighter and brighter.
Yasuie sighed softly, but a relieved smile appeared on his face.
This once arrogant " Lord Fool " has finally truly grown up.
Oden raised his head, his forehead already bleeding, but his eyes were more resolute than ever before.
"I know I no longer deserve your trust."
But today, I still have to say--
"This time, I will no longer trust Kurozumi Orochi, and I will no longer trust Kaido."
I will never trust any outsider who tries to take advantage of Wano Country again!
"I will reclaim Wano Country!"
"Let this country, which has been locked up for two hundred years, truly open its doors!"
"Let the people of Wano Country be free to go out to sea!"
"May those who died for Wano Country rest in peace!"
He stood up, his gaze sweeping over everyone present.
"Gentlemen, would you like to go crazy with me one more time?!"
After a brief silence--
" Oden!!!"
Kin'emon was the first to kneel down, his forehead striking the floor heavily, his voice choked with emotion yet resolute.
" Kin'emon, I swear to follow Oden to the death!!!"
" Kanjuro, I swear to follow you to the death!"
" Raizo, I swear to follow you to the death!"
" Kikunojo, I will follow you to the death!"
" Izo, will follow you to the death!"
" Inuarashi, I swear to follow you to the death!"
" Cat Viper, I'll follow you to the death!"
" Kawamatsu, I swear to follow you to the death!"
" Denjiro, I swear to follow you to the death!"
The Nine Red Scabbards knelt in unison, their voices resounding throughout the palace!
Hyogoro stood up, strode over to Oden, clasped his hands in a fist salute, and knelt on one knee.
" Oden —no, Oden!"
"My life should have been returned to the Kozuki Family long ago!"
"This time, I'm entrusting these old bones to you!"
Behind him, dozens of ronin leaders knelt down at the same time!
Shimotsuki Yasuie stood up, straightened his robes, and solemnly walked to Oden, kneeling on one knee as well.
" Oden, the Shimotsuki Family is willing to serve you valiantly for the opening of Wano Country!"
Behind him, the samurai of the Shimotsuki Family all knelt down in unison!
Oden's eyes reddened slightly as he looked at the scene before him.
But he fought back his tears and nodded emphatically.
"Good!"
"This time, together we will—reclaim Wano Country!"
The meeting ended, and everyone dispersed.
Oden returned alone to his quarters in the rear palace.
Pushing open the door, I saw a gentle figure sitting by the window, mending children's clothes by the moonlight.
Kozuki Toki looked up and saw the scar on Oden's forehead; a flicker of heartache crossed her eyes.
Without asking any further questions, she simply put down her needlework, stood up, and went to greet him.
"Husband, is the meeting over?"
Oden nodded, took her hand, and gently pulled her into his arms.
"Hour..."
"Um?"
I've made up my mind.
"This time, no matter what, we must reclaim Wano Country."
Even if it costs me my life.
Kozuki Toki didn't speak, but simply rested her head against Oden's chest and wrapped her arms around his waist.
I will support whatever decision my husband makes.
Her voice was gentle, yet carried an undeniable firmness.
"Having traveled from eight hundred years ago and met my husband is the greatest fortune of my life."
"Being able to watch Momonosuke and Hiyori grow up with my husband is the greatest happiness of my life."
"If my husband is willing to risk his life for Wano Country, then I will accompany him and fight alongside him."
Oden's body trembled slightly, and he hugged his wife even tighter.
"Thank you, Shi..."
The two embraced quietly, enjoying the rare tranquility before the war.
However, this peace lasted for less than three minutes.
Oden's body stiffened abruptly!
An unfamiliar presence appeared outside the room!
That aura was so powerful it was terrifying, yet as calm as an abyss.
Moreover, they're so close, practically right outside the door!
Who arrived and when?
Why didn't I realize it at all?!
As Oden instantly released Kozuki Toki, he reached out with both hands—
Ame no Habakiri and Enma, two Famous Sword, were drawn simultaneously!
He took a step forward, shielding Kozuki Toki behind him, his blade pointing straight at the door!
"Who?!"
The door opened silently.
A figure in black slowly walked into the room.
Moonlight streamed through the window, illuminating that young yet aloof face.
A black trench coat, short blond hair, and black eyes that seemed to hold an endless abyss.
Roy.
Oden's pupils suddenly contracted.
"Ro... Yi?!"
Roy didn't look at the knife in his hand, but calmly glanced around the room.
Kozuki Toki, and two children who were fast asleep on the tatami mats in the inner room.
Roy approached Oden, sat down cross-legged, and looked at Oden.
"Long time no see, Oden."
"Don't be nervous, I'm here with no ill intentions."
Oden stared at him, the veins bulging on his hand gripping the sword, but Roy didn't emanate any hostility.
That calmness stirred up a complex emotion in Oden's heart.
It had only been a few short years since they parted ways on Roger's ship.
At that time, Roy, though powerful, was still just a "young man with great potential" in Oden's eyes.
But now, the man standing in front of him has gone from "having great potential" to "being a threat to him".
With a bounty of 2.5 billion, he wreaked havoc in Mary Geoise, severely injured Sengoku, and allied with Kaido...
All of this has happened in just a few short years.
And now, he sits cross-legged in front of me, as calm as an old friend.
That subtle sense of oppression sent alarm bells through every nerve in Oden's body.
This man is very strong.
So strong that he could fight himself.
Kozuki Oden remained vigilant, his twin swords held horizontally in front of him, his gaze fixed intently on Roy.
They showed absolutely no remorse for seeing an old friend.
"I told you, Oden! I came here with no ill intentions," Roy said calmly, waving his hand as he saw that the group still looked wary.
"No malicious intent?"
"Breaking into my house late at night, and you call that without malicious intent?"
Roy looked at him, a faint smile playing on his lips.
"If I had malicious intent, I wouldn't have come alone."
"After all, taking you down isn't something that can be done in a short time, is it?"
As soon as he finished speaking, an invisible Telekinesis instantly enveloped the entire room!
Kozuki Oden felt his body sink, as if his twin swords were bound by an invisible force, and he couldn't even muster the strength to swing them!
His pupils suddenly contracted!
This power... is a Devil Fruit ability!
Moreover, it's unbelievably powerful!
But Kozuki Oden was, after all, Kozuki Oden.
He let out a low shout, Conqueror's Haki erupted!
Dark red arcs of electricity crackled around him, tearing a gap in Roy's Telekinesis Field!
The dual swords can finally move!
But just as he was about to retaliate, Roy withdrew his Telekinesis.
"Just kidding!!"
Roy looked at him calmly.
"I told you, Oden, I came here with no ill intentions."