Inside Oden's mansion, candlelight flickered as the bitter scent of medicinal herbs hung thick in the air.
The Red Scabbards bustled about—some carrying hot water, others holding bandages, while a few carefully changed the bloodied gauze on Toko's wounds.
Marco and Stella's help had ensured most of the injuries were healed.
Oden, however, was still nursing his pride.
Toko had been retrieved—
After being sent flying by Whitebeard, he'd had to crawl his way back.
"Tch—easy there, Kawamatsu," Oden hissed through gritted teeth, sweat beading on his forehead.
Kawamatsu immediately lightened his touch. "Apologies, Lord Oden! My hands are too rough."
Denjiro stood nearby, brows furrowed. "That Rhett... every wound deliberately avoided vital points. What terrifying precision."
Nekomamushi chewed on herbs, mumbling indistinctly, "Not the time for admiration, but still... if not for Boss and the others, we'd still be—"
Inuarashi snorted coldly. "Hmph! If they hadn't interfered, we would've—"
"Inuarashi," Oden suddenly spoke, his voice low but firm. "This time... I was truly wrong."
The room fell silent.
The Scabbards all turned to him, their gazes complex.
Oden slowly sat up, wincing but with eyes clearer than ever. "I was naive. I thought compromise would bring peace, but instead, I plunged Wano into ruin."
With that kind of resolve, how'd you still manage to faceplant?
Clenching his fists, Oden continued, "But now... we still have a chance to make things right."
Just then, the door swung open as Rhett, Whitebeard, and the others entered.
"Well, look at this lively scene," Rhett remarked, glancing around before smirking. "Guess Oden's not dead yet."
Perona floated in the air—since Rhett-sama didn't like it, neither did she.
Peeking at Oden's injuries, she stuck out her tongue. "Wow, that looks rough!"
Marco sighed and patted her head. "Perona, behave."
Whitebeard strode forward, looming over Oden. "Gurarara! You damn brat."
Oden smiled wryly. "Newgate, spare me the teasing..."
Rhett dragged over a chair, straddling it backward and resting his arms on the backrest. "Alright, enough catching up. Time to talk business."
His gaze swept the room, tone turning sharp. "Kaido may have fled, but his forces remain. We've got Orochi under control, but Wano's mess isn't cleaned up yet."
Tesoro leaned against the wall, flipping a gold coin. "According to our intel, the Beast Pirates' operations—especially their weapon factories—are Kaido's lifeline."
Enel picked his ear, scoffing. "Just a bunch of trash. One Raigo from this god would wipe 'em out."
Rhett shot him a look. "Kaido's definitely calling reinforcements. Don't worry about that."
He turned to Oden. "So—what's your plan?"
Oden took a deep breath, eyes blazing. "First, publicly try Orochi so the people witness the Kozuki's return. Second, purge Kaido's remnants and liberate the oppressed craftsmen and laborers. And lastly..." He paused. "Reopen Wano's borders... in the future."
Whitebeard raised a brow. "Oh? No more isolation? Why not now?"
Oden shook his head. "Isolation only rots Wano from within and weakens its defenses. Captain Roger once said—'This world is far vaster than we imagine.' After fulfilling that prophecy, I want Wano's people to see that ocean too."
Rhett cut in bluntly, "Speak plainly. You suck at riddles."
Oden hesitated but continued, "I'll say what I can. At Laugh Tale, when that person reappears after 800 years, this country must be ready to aid them. Toko can communicate with Zunesha."
He steeled himself. "Pluton lies beneath Wano—an Ancient Weapon. We must—"
"Enough," Rhett interrupted. Just as he'd suspected. "Fine. Oden, if I ever need Pluton's power, you'll support me unconditionally."
He stared at Oden, half-expecting reluctance—but Oden answered without hesitation.
"Very well, brother. You see further than I do. If you ever need it... I'll open Wano."
Wano's a major exporter of seastone, after all. And there's that other big request... but we'll deal with that after the war.
Wouldn't outright conquest be easier? And Pluton's more trouble than it's worth right now.
Rhett was in a mood where he just wanted clarity. Even without setting foot on that island, his past-life memories gave him a rough idea. Let's not forget—he'd spent decades with Roger. That man's charisma was undeniable.
Right now, I'm enjoying the thrill of waiting for the wind to rise. If the breeze is too weak, then I'll become the wind myself—to turn the windmill.
"Rhett, what should I do now?" Oden asked earnestly.
"I wasn't finished. Give me a 30% discount on Wano's specialty goods."
"Wha—?! Of course! I can just—"
Rhett raised a hand, leaning back. "Right now, you need to reclaim the people's trust... trust that idiot lost by dancing."
Oden frowned. "Meaning?"
Rhett's eyes shifted to the Red Scabbards. "Denjiro, Kin'emon—you lot, come here."
Though still wary of Rhett, the Scabbards understood his intent and stepped forward.
Man, I kinda wanna Tsukuyomi Oden just once. Dude's weak, but with loyal followers like these, how'd he mess up so bad?
Lowering his voice, Rhett spoke with authority. "Listen carefully. Spread the word—let all of Wano know Oden wasn't weak. He endured humiliation for their sake."
Denjiro's eyes sharpened as he dropped to his knees in a deep bow. "Lord Rhett, you mean—"
"Exactly." Rhett smirked. "Tell them Oden danced daily to save hostages held by Orochi and Kaido. That he endured mockery and shame... but never gave up on them. Now get up—I hate this kneeling nonsense."
Kawamatsu clenched his fists. "But it's the truth! Lord Oden really did—"
"And the people didn't know," Rhett cut in. "They only saw a fool dancing, not the sacrifice behind it. Now, make them understand—their 'foolish daimyo' was protecting them in the most degrading way possible."
Kin'emon took a deep breath and nodded solemnly. "Understood! We'll see it done!"
Rhett added, "Remember—sell the details. Like how every dance freed a hundred prisoners. How Kaido threatened to massacre the Flower Capital if Oden resisted. Make them feel how their lives hung on Oden's 'stupidity.'"
The Scabbards scattered, whispering the "truth" into the crowds.
Time passed—
At first, the people were skeptical. But soon, the stories took root.
"Did you hear? Every time Lord Oden danced, a hundred prisoners were freed—"
"My cousin's neighbor was saved that way!"
"Kaido swore he'd burn the capital if Oden fought back—"
Fueled by the Scabbards' efforts, rumors spread like wildfire.
The people's expressions shifted—from scorn to shock, then from shock to guilt.
An elder suddenly collapsed to his knees, tears streaming. "Lord Oden... we wronged you!"
One by one, the crowd knelt, chanting Oden's name. The jeers of yesterday had become a tide of reverence and remorse.
Rhett watched from a high platform, satisfied. "There we go."
Oden gazed at the kneeling masses, eyes reddening. "Rhett, I..."
"Save the dramatics." Rhett clapped his shoulder. "Now—do what you must. Reclaim this country... as its hero."