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

Nine figures were desperately weaving through the sea of ​​fire.

Kin'emon held the dying Kawamatsu in his arms, his steps faltering, but he dared not stop for a moment.

Behind him, Kanjuro's severed arm was still bleeding, his face ashen, yet he gritted his teeth and followed desperately.

Raizo was covered in wounds, and his scrolls were long gone; he could only run on instinct.

Kikunojo gripped the broken sword, guarding the flank of the group, wary of any potential pursuers.

Izo was covered in blood, and his katana was chipped, but he still gripped it tightly.

Inuarashi was being carried on the back of Nekomamushi. Although his broken leg was simply bandaged, blood seeped out with every step he took.

The cat viper was also covered in wounds and panting heavily, but it still ran desperately.

Denjiro carried the unconscious Kawamatsu and followed closely behind Kin'emon.

The nine people fled desperately through the inferno like stray dogs.

But in their eyes, an inextinguishable flame burned.

That was the flame of revenge.

It is the obsession to protect.

It was the Kozuki family's last act of loyalty.

"Faster! Faster!"

Kin'emon growled.

"That's... Madam Shi's residence!"

With their last ounce of strength, they rushed into a hidden alley.

At the end of the alley was an inconspicuous wooden house.

There was no firelight or pirates around the wooden house, only an eerie silence.

Kin'emon rushed to the door and pounded on it frantically.

"Mrs. Shi! Mrs. Shi! It's us!"

The door creaked open.

A gentle figure stood at the door.

Light Moon Time.

She was still wearing that simple kimono, her face calm and serene, as if the war outside had nothing to do with her.

But when she saw Kin'emon and the others covered in wounds and in a sorry state, a pang of heartache still flashed in her eyes.

"Come in quickly."

She stepped aside.

"There's also a hidden basement inside where you can take temporary refuge."

The nine people filed in and rushed into the wooden house.

Kozuki Toki closed the door, led them through the room, and arrived at the entrance to a hidden basement.

"Get out of here."

She said softly

"There is clean water and food inside, so you can rest for a while."

Kin'emon, however, did not move.

His eyes were filled with anxiety and grief as he stared at Kozuki.

"Lady Toki! Lord Oden... he..."

His voice choked, and he couldn't say the rest of the sentence.

Kozuki's body trembled slightly.

But she quickly regained her composure and nodded gently.

"I know."

"My husband... died in battle."

Kin'emon's eyes widened.

"How...how did you know?"

Kozuki did not answer, but looked at the firelight outside the window, a complex light flashing in his eyes.

She is a person with superpowers.

The user of the Time-Time Fruit.

She can see fragments of the future.

Although it was blurry and uncertain, she did see it.

I saw Oden facing Kaido alone, I saw that earth-shattering slash that wounded Kaido, and I saw Oden lying in a pool of blood.

I've also seen all of this happening right now.

"Mrs. Shi!"

Denjiro said urgently,

"Come with us! Let's leave this place! Let's go somewhere safe!"

"Yes! Let's go together!"

Others also offered their advice.

"It's too dangerous to stay here! The Beasts Pirates will be here soon!"

Kozuki looked at them and gently shook his head.

"I'm not leaving."

"What?!"

Kin'emon's eyes widened.

"Madam Shi! You..."

"listen to me."

Kozuki interrupted him, her voice gentle yet firm.

"I have my mission."

"My husband gave his life to bring hope to Wano Country."

"And I will use my abilities to keep this hope alive."

She raised her hand, and a faint light emanated from her palm.

That was the fluctuation of the Time-Time Fruit's power.

"I can send people to the future."

"Although it consumes a lot of resources, although it can only be delivered once, although I myself cannot follow..."

"But that's enough."

Kin'emon was stunned.

"Madam Shi...you want to..."

"I'll send you away."

Kozuki Toki's gaze swept over everyone present.

"I'm sending you, along with Momonosuke and Hiyori, off to the future."

"Twenty years later."

"At that time, Wano Country will truly open its borders."

"At that time, new hope will arrive."

"At that time, you will complete the mission your husband did not finish."

As soon as he finished speaking, the basement door was pushed open.

An old woman walked in, leading a boy and a girl by the hand.

"Madam Shi..."

The old woman was in tears.

"Do we really have to do this?"

Kozuki nodded, took Hiyori's hand, and gently kissed her cheek.

Then, she looked at her son, who still looked terrified.

Momonosuke.

Oden's son.

The heir of the Kozuki family.

"Momonosuke..."

She murmured,

"Forgive me, Mother, for not being able to be with you."

"But you must remember—"

"Your father is Kozuki Oden, the greatest samurai of Wano Country."

"You must be like him, a man who stands tall and upright."

Just then, a series of noisy footsteps came from the basement entrance.

"Someone has broken in!"

"Quickly search!"

"They're remnants of the Kozuki family!"

The sound of pirates is getting closer and closer.

Kin'emon's expression changed drastically.

"Madam Shi! It's too late! Hurry!"

Kozuki nodded and took a deep breath.

Her hands simultaneously shone with light.

The light grew brighter and brighter until it enveloped the entire basement.

"Gentlemen."

The sound of the moonlit night echoed in the light.

See you in twenty years.

"Please take good care of Momonosuke and Hiyori for me."

Tell them—their mother will always love them.

The light grew stronger and stronger, so bright that people couldn't open their eyes.

Just then—

"Mother!"

Momonosuke finally came to his senses and remembered his mother's words. Only then did he realize that his mother was about to leave him as well.

With tears streaming down her face, she desperately lunged towards Kozuki.

"I don't want to go! I want to stay with Mother!"

"Mother, let's go together! Let's go together!"

Kozuki looked at him, a hint of heartache flashing in her eyes.

But she did not stop.

The light continued to intensify, and the fluctuations in spacetime became increasingly violent.

"Momonosuke."

She said softly

"obedient."

"No! I won't listen!"

Momonosuke cried out,

"I don't want to leave Mother! Father is already dead! I can't lose Mother too!"

"Please! Mother! Take me with you! Let's go together!"

He struggled desperately, trying to break free from Kin'emon's embrace.

Kogetsu's eyes were slightly red.

But she knew she couldn't be soft-hearted.

If she goes along, given her condition, she will only become a burden.

Moreover, she has her mission.

That prophecy needs to be proclaimed by her.

She took a deep breath and raised her hand—

Snapped!

A crisp slap landed on Momonosuke's face.

Momonosuke froze, and his crying stopped abruptly.

He covered his face and stared blankly at his mother.

Kozuki's eyes were filled with tears, yet also with sternness.

"Momonosuke."

Her voice was sterner than ever before.

"Your father is Kozuki Oden."

"He is the greatest samurai of Wano Country."

"A hero who dared to face Kaido alone, and who managed to wound that monster even in his dying moments!"

"As his son, you shouldn't be showing such cowardice!"

Momonosuke trembled, tears welling up again, but he bit his lip tightly to keep himself from crying out loud.

Kozuki's eyes softened again.

She gently stroked Momonosuke's cheek.

"My child, your mother loves you."

"But mothers have their own mission."

"You must live on, and for your mother and father, see the day Wano Country opens its borders."

"Is that okay?"

Momonosuke nodded frantically, tears blurring his vision.

Kozuki smiled, a smile as gentle as moonlight.

Then, she closed her eyes and activated her power with all her might.

The light reached its zenith!

Go then—

"See you again in twenty years!"

Om-! ! !

Spacetime distorts, light explodes!

When everything returned to calm, the basement was empty.

Only when the moon shines, he stands alone in the same spot.

She looked at the empty basement and a relieved smile appeared on her lips.

She turned around, pushed open the door of the cabin, and went outside.