After Roy left, Roy sat alone in the room, his fingers tapping lightly on the table.
Moonlight streamed in through the window, casting a silvery-white patch on the floor. The sea breeze whistled through the skull-shaped eye sockets of the Onigashima.
He was mentally calculating the next move in the game.
Straw Hat Luffy has landed in Wano Country. Kin'emon will lead him to Kyoshiro, Kyoshiro will then take them to meet Kozuki Hiyori.
Although Kozuki Oden's retainers are currently unaware that Momonosuke has already been dealt with by Roy.
However, the existence of Kozuki Hiyori still manages to unite those who have lurked in Wano Country and want to restore their rule.
Law will join Luffy's alliance as planned, and together they will attack Onigashima.
During this process, Law will face Kaido head-on, which will be the most difficult battle of Law's life.
Only in this way can Luo's full potential be brought out.
Roy has mentored many people— Bullet, Tesoro, Yamato.
But Luo was the most special one he had ever trained.
It's not because Law has exceptional talent, but because his Op-Op Fruit is simply too important.
The legendary Op-Op Fruit) Awakening to grant immortality upon awakening. Even if Roy doesn't use it, Roy's determined to hold onto this power tightly.
Flower Capital
After leaving the secret passage on Onigashima, Luo went directly to a secluded neighborhood in the Flower Capital.
The buildings there were low and dilapidated, a stark contrast to the ornate Japanese-style buildings in the heart of the Flower Capital.
He walked through a narrow alley, stopped in front of an inconspicuous wooden door, and knocked three times.
The door opened a crack, Bepo's bear nose peeked out from the gap.
"Captain! You're finally back!"
Law pushed open the door and went in; the Heart Pirates crew members were all there.
Penguin leaned against the wall, wiping his knife, while Shakky crouched by the window, observing the street outside through binoculars.
Several new members were gathered around a low table, studying a map of the Flower Capital.
"Captain, Kaido? --"
"Bepo asked nervously, his two furry bear paws nervously rubbing together."
"Proceed as planned."
Luo leaned the Kikoku against the table, sat down at the low table, and looked at the map.
"We continue our alliance with the Straw Hat Pirates."
Target -- Onigashima.
Penguin paused for a moment while wiping his knife:
" Straw Hat Luffy?"
"Yes. He's already on his way to Wano Country, and he's about to make a big move."
We'll follow him; our target is the Beasts Pirates.
Luo spoke calmly, as if stating a fact that was already set in stone.
Bepo's bear ears twitched, and a remarkably human-like worry appeared on his furry bear face:
"But Captain Kaido of the Four Emperors."
"Can we really beat him?"
Even if we can't win, we have to fight.
Only on the brink of life and death can one truly know their limits.
He did not tell the crew about Roy's arrangements.
That's between him and Roy; nobody else needs to know.
Let's go back to the present.
Luffy by Kin'emon, Luffy and his crew traversed the barren fields and headed deeper into Kuri.
Kuri, the former residence of Kozuki Oden.
The building was already dilapidated, with charred beams and pillars leaning precariously against the remaining roof, and weeds spreading in from the half-collapsed courtyard wall, swallowing up the stone path that had once been trodden.
The dry well in the courtyard was covered with moss. A gust of wind blew by, and the decaying wooden door creaked, as if some ancient spirit was sighing.
Kin'emon, the hinges of which had fallen off, and paused for a moment on the doorframe.
" Oden..."
His voice was so soft it was almost carried away by the wind.
But no one urged him on.
Raizo stood behind him, his wrinkled face expressionless, except for his red eyes.
Luffy put his hands behind his head, tilted his head, and looked around:
"Oh--this is where Kozuki Oden lived."
No one answered him.
Kin'emon took a deep breath and turned around, his samurai-like serious expression returning.
Let's settle here for now.
Although this place is dilapidated, its remoteness makes it difficult for the Beasts Pirates to discover it.
The group walked through the overgrown courtyard and entered the main house, which was still relatively intact.
Zoro found a spot in the corner, sat down, placed his three swords on his lap, closed his eyes, and began to sleep.
Sanji kicked away the scattered broken tiles on the ground, clearing a clean spot for Nami to sit down.
Robin leaned against the window, his gaze sweeping over the remaining charred marks on the wall, lost in thought.
"Hey--I'm starving! Is there anything to eat?!"
Luffy plopped down on the ground, tilted his head back, and started shouting loudly.
"Keep your voice down! We're stealthing!"
Nami lowered her voice and yelled at him, her fist already raised.
But Luffy clearly didn't understand the meaning of the word "stealth" and continued shouting at an unrestrained volume:
"But being hungry is being hungry! Kin'emon, is there any meat in Wano Country?"
Kin'emon looked troubled. "I haven't been back to my country for a long time either, it's really..."
"I'll go see if I can hunt any wild game nearby."
Sanji stood up and dusted off his trousers.
"We should be able to find something in this desolate wilderness."
He glanced at Nami as he spoke, and his tone immediately became flirtatious:
"Miss Nami ~ Please wait a moment, I'll prepare a delicious meal for you right away--"
"Go now!" Nami kicked him in the butt.
Sanji, clutching his butt, floated away at an astonishing speed.
In less than half an hour, he returned carrying two rabbits and several river fish.
There was no kitchen, no stove, but that was no problem for a master chef.
Sanji set up a makeshift fire in the yard and quickly prepared the ingredients using the seasonings he had on hand.
The oil dripped onto the charcoal fire, sizzling and filling the entire mansion with its aroma.
Luffy's drool was flowing like a river.
"Meat! Meat! Meat!"
He jumped and leaped around the fire like a starving monkey, only to be kicked away by Sanji.
"Not ready yet! You'd better wait patiently!"
When it was finally time to eat, Luffy's hands turned into rubber, and he devoured most of the food at a speed that was imperceptible to the naked eye.
Nami was so angry that her veins bulged, and she punched him on the head, creating a large, smoking bump.
"That's enough! The others haven't eaten yet!"
"Mmm--It's so delicious--"
If Bepo were here, he would probably hold Luffy's hand with tears in his eyes, marveling that there are humans in this world who can eat even more than him.
After a hearty meal, the atmosphere finally relaxed from the fatigue of the journey.
The embers in the fire were still crackling, and their warm yellow light illuminated the people sitting together.
Kin'emon knelt in the center, his hands on his knees, his square face filled with solemnity.
Gentlemen,
He lowered his head.
I am extremely grateful.
Thanks to everyone's help, Oden's unfinished ambition has finally become possible.