Rhett immediately sought out Oden. The Whitebeard Pirates were still in their growth phase, with only a handful of capable fighters. Without opponents, they could only watch idly.
Oden's twin blades left their sheaths. He stomped forward, closing the distance instantly as crossed slashes cut through the air—
"Two-Sword Style: Paradise Ten Strikes!"
Rhett didn't dodge. Black Tide met the attack head-on—
CLANG—!
The metallic collision shook the entire deck, the planks beneath Rhett's feet denting slightly.
Oden's strike carried tremendous force, yet Black Tide didn't budge an inch.
"Not bad strength," Rhett chuckled. Did you think I'm like those other transmigrator pushovers? Mist suddenly billowed out, enveloping them both.
Within the fog, Oden's vision was completely obscured. Yet he remained calm, activating Observation Haki to its fullest—only to find Rhett's presence flickering intermittently. His usually reliable Haki seemed to malfunction.
"Mist Style: Mirage!" Rhett's voice echoed from all directions as seven phantom images attacked simultaneously.
Oden snorted, spinning his blades—
"Two-Sword Style: Oden's Heavenly Spin!"
Sword light whirled like a hurricane, shredding all seven phantoms instantly! But the real Rhett had already circled behind Oden. Black Tide, wreathed in blood mist, came crashing down!
"Mist Blade: Crimson Tide!"
Oden reacted swiftly, blocking with a reverse grip—yet the impact still sent him skidding back, cracking the deck underfoot.
"Interesting!" Oden laughed uproariously as Conqueror's Haki erupted around him, black-red lightning coiling around both blades.
Rhett raised an eyebrow. "Conqueror's coating? Heh, looks more like Conqueror's Flow to me. Let's compare then!"
BOOM—!
Their Conqueror's Haki collided, churning the clouds above and whipping the sea into towering waves! Crew members scrambled back as even Roger and Newgate showed surprise.
"These brats' Haki... Not bad!" Roger grinned.
Oden's Haki-clad blades rose as he leapt—
"Two-Sword Style: Paradise White Cascade!"
Rhett met him head-on, Black Tide sheathed in Armament—
"Black Tide: Sea Sunder!"
KABOOM—!
The shockwave from their clash tore through the deck, sending geysers of seawater erupting around them!
Oden landed and suddenly sheathed his swords, assuming an iaido stance—
"Two-Sword Draw!"
Rhett's eyes narrowed as Black Tide gleamed crimson—
"Mist God Style: Phantom Strike!"
They moved as one!
SWISH—!
Blade and sword energy intersected, time seeming to freeze for an instant.
CRACK...!
Oden went flying but managed to stabilize himself, while a shallow cut appeared on Rhett's shoulder.
They stood back-to-back in utter silence.
"...A draw? Rhett didn't win?!" Shanks' eyes bulged.
"No," Rayleigh adjusted his glasses. "Rhett held back. Otherwise, his blood mist would've entered Oden's body during that last exchange."
Oden turned with a booming laugh: "Hahaha! Magnificent! Your mist and swordsmanship are exceptional!"
Rhett sheathed Black Tide, smirking. "You're not bad yourself. The samurai of Wano live up to their reputation."
Buggy and Shanks rushed over starry-eyed: "Rhett, you fought for over three days straight!"
Rhett blinked. Three days? Time flies when you're having fun... Damn stamina monsters. I hate them, understand them, become them.
Meanwhile, Roger and Whitebeard's battle reached its conclusion.
"Gurarara! What a bout!" Whitebeard bellowed. "Boys! Prepare a feast!"
During the banquet...
Whitebeard sat regally with his naginata beside him. "Roger, what brings you here?"
Roger grinned. "Newgate! I came to borrow someone!"
The Whitebeard Pirates erupted.
"You joking?!" Marco frowned. "We don't lend out family!"
"Damn right!" Jozu clenched his fists. "Want another fight?"
Rhett stood beside Roger, scanning the Whitebeard Pirates until his gaze landed on Oden—the kimono-clad man with twin swords at his waist, watching them with keen interest.
Whitebeard's voice turned icy. "Who exactly did you come for, Roger?"
Roger pointed. "Him! Kozuki Oden!"
Silence.
Oden blinked, then burst out laughing: "Intriguing! What do you want with me?"
Roger's eyes burned with passion: "I hear you can read Poneglyphs. I'm heading for the final island—I need your help! Don't you want to learn the world's secrets?!"
Whitebeard's eyes narrowed. "Roger. You know my stance. Are you declaring war on my crew?"
Roger stood solemnly, his gaze unwavering. "Edward, I've never asked for anything else in my life. This journey requires someone like Oden."
"To uncover the world's truth, to solve its greatest mystery—this is my final wish, the meaning behind all my adventures. I know it's too much to ask, but this means everything to me."
To everyone's shock, he began to kneel.
Rhett slapped his own forehead. He'd been so focused on Oden joining Roger's crew that he'd forgotten how it happened.
"Captain?!" Rayleigh's pupils constricted.
Gaban roared: "Roger! You can't kneel to Newgate, you bastard—"
Before Roger's knee could touch the deck, two hands caught him under the arms.
Blood mist churned around him, crimson eyes blazing. His voice shook with barely restrained emotion: "Roger. Don't you dare kneel."
When Rhett had watched the original story, he'd admired Roger's willingness to kneel for his dreams.
But Rhett had joined Roger's crew at three years old. Roger, Rayleigh and Gaban were the elder brothers he respected most. He would never allow this—no matter who it was for, no matter the reason, this humiliation was unacceptable.
Roger looked up in surprise, feeling Rhett's iron grip.
Only when certain Roger wouldn't kneel did Rhett turn to Whitebeard.
"Because the truth of this world is worth seeing." Rhett stepped forward, blood mist swirling as he met Whitebeard's gaze unflinchingly.
Whitebeard's eyes narrowed. "Brat. You presume to lecture me about family?"
"No," Rhett's quiet voice carried across the deck. "I'm reminding you that Oden has the right to choose his own path. If he can read Poneglyphs, then he must want to see the world's secrets for himself."
At that moment, Oden strode forward. Gripping his swords, his eyes shone with complex emotions. "Captain..."
Whitebeard studied him silently.
"I want to go." Oden's voice trembled but held steel. "I'm the one who can read them. When I studied the Poneglyphs, I dreamed of uncovering the world's secrets. So..."
Marco shouted: "Oden! Do you realize what you're saying?"
Marco knew better than anyone how hard Oden had fought to join this crew.
Oden turned to his crewmates and bowed deeply. "Forgive me, everyone. But I must make this journey."
Whitebeard's expression finally shifted. After a long pause, he threw his head back laughing: "Gurarara! Fine! Very well!"
His naginata slammed down, shaking the deck. "If this is your choice, then go!"
Rhett exhaled silently as the blood mist dissipated. He hadn't expected it to go this smoothly—Oden's resolve, Whitebeard's magnanimity, both surpassed his expectations.
Guess I owe you one, Whitebeard.
Roger laughed heartily. "Newgate, thank you! I'll return him unharmed!"
Whitebeard snorted. "If he loses a single hair, I'll sink your ship."
Oden's eyes grew moist, but his smile was radiant. "I'll bring back the finest sake!"
This marked the first time the Roger and Whitebeard Pirates parted without finishing their customary feast—
As the Oro Jackson slowly sailed away, Marco stepped up beside Whitebeard. "Pops, Big Brother Oden..."
Whitebeard watched the fading ship, a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. "Rhett was right... Everyone has the right to choose their own path. Precisely because we're family, we must support him."
The sea breeze carried Oden's final shout: "I'll definitely come back—!"
Under the setting sun, the two legendary pirate ships sailed in opposite directions, each heading toward their own destiny.