One Piece: The user of the Nen-Nen Fruit, who overturned the sea.

Kin'emon's eyes were red, and he gritted his teeth to keep himself from losing his composure.

Yizang turned his face away, his shoulders trembling slightly.

Inuarashi and Nekomamushi 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.

Kang Jia sighed softly, but a relieved smile appeared on his face.

This once arrogant "foolish prince" has finally truly grown up.

Oden raised his head, his forehead already bleeding, but his eyes were more determined than ever.

"I know I am no longer worthy of your trust."

"But today, I still have to say—"

"This time, I will no longer trust Orochi, and I will no longer trust Kaido."

We will never trust any outsiders who try to exploit 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—

"Lord 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 Lord Oden to the death!!!"

"Kanjuro, I swear to follow you to the death!"

"Raizo, I swear to follow you to the death!"

"Kikunojo, I swear to follow you to the death!"

"I will follow you to the death!"

"Inuarashi, I swear to follow you to the death!"

"Cat Viper, I will 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-Sheathed Swordsmen 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-kun—no, Lord Oden!"

"My life should have been returned to the Kozuki family long ago!"

"This time, I'm entrusting these old bones of mine 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.

"Lord Oden, the Shimotsuki family is willing to serve you valiantly in opening up Wano Country!"

Behind him, the Shimotsuki family's samurai 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 to his quarters in the rear palace alone.

Pushing open the door, a gentle figure sat by the window, mending children's clothes by the moonlight.

When Kozuki looked up, she saw the scar on Oden's forehead, and a pang of heartache flashed in 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 peace 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, it's so close, it's right outside the door!

Who was it and when did they arrive?

Why didn't I realize it at all?!

As Oden instantly released Kogetsu, he reached out with both hands—

Tenyu Habakiri and Enma, two famous swords, 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 black figure 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.

"Luo...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 mat 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 on his hand gripping the sword bulging, but Roy did not 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 25 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 awareness of seeing old friends.

"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 harmless?"

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 force of thought 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 incredibly powerful!

But Kozuki Oden was, after all, Kozuki Oden.

He let out a low shout, and his Conqueror's Haki erupted!

Dark red arcs of electricity crackled around him, tearing a gap in Roy's psychic 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."