Wano Country, Kuri.
After appearing at a coordinate point in the nearby sea, the six of them immediately used levitation in combination with basic Geppo, stepping on the air's recoil force to move forward at high speed.
With a near-flight ability, Wano's so-called natural barriers were meaningless to them.
After landing in Kuri, Shimozuki Hikogoro was visibly emotional upon returning to his homeland, eager to know what changes had occurred in Wano over the past few years.
Had that bastard Orochi and Kaido already ruined the country beyond recognition?
However, it quickly became clear that the common people of Kuri were living much the same as they had years ago. There didn't seem to be any obvious signs of suffering.
Roger stroked his beard.
"That's strange. With Kaido's personality, he should be after Wano's Seastone and weapon-forging industry."
Rayleigh glanced around at the civilians nearby. They didn't seem particularly oppressed.
And more importantly… ever since they entered this street, everyone had been staring at them.
"Outsiders. May I ask how you entered the country?"
A samurai holding a sword approached, one hand already gripping the hilt at his waist.
At that moment, Hikogoro suddenly rushed forward.
"Lord Yoshino Juro!"
The two clearly knew each other. After a brief exchange, they quickly stopped reminiscing and led Rowan's group away from the street.
"Hikogoro, you should know how conspicuous foreign clothing is in Wano. Why didn't you have your benefactors change?"
"I… I didn't sleep at all last night. It's been so many years since I returned… I completely forgot. My apologies!"
Hikogoro bowed slightly, then spoke in a low voice as they walked.
"I need to take our benefactors to see Lord Oden immediately. Lord Oden, he…"
Yoshino Juro sighed.
"Lord Oden went to Hakumai today."
"…?"
Hikogoro froze, then asked,
"Is Lord Oden still performing that dance?"
Yoshino Juro replied,
"Everyone now calls him the Foolish Lord. Only we, because of Lord Yasuie, still believe that Lord Oden has his reasons. But… it's already been five years."
Five years…
Hikogoro stood there in a daze.
Back then, it was Lord Yasuie who told them to set out to sea to seek help. At that time, he was also the only one who still believed in Lord Oden.
But five years had passed. No matter the reason, after five years…
"He spent a few years as a pirate, yet believed a pirate's promise. Maybe he thought all pirates were like Roger and Whitebeard?"
A voice interrupted.
Rowan, still wearing his mask, stepped forward.
"The Revolutionary Army will arrive here within a day. Right now, what you need to do is take us to Oden—or to your lord, Shimozuki Yasuie."
"As for top-tier combat strength, it shouldn't be a problem for now. But Kaido has ties with the World Government. Just as you can seek reinforcements, they can also bring in the World Government's power."
"I need you to understand this: if the World Government intervenes, the Revolutionary Army will withdraw. Because if it turns into a direct confrontation, Wano may be erased from the map entirely."
The moment those words fell, Hikogoro shuddered.
"I… I understand."
Without hesitation, the two samurai exchanged a glance and quickened their pace toward Oden's residence in Kuri.
Behind them, Roger and Rayleigh also exchanged looks, both understanding the implication behind Rowan's words.
The existence of the ancient weapon Pluton was critical.
If the World Government discovered the presence of Rowan, Spark, and the Revolutionary Army in Wano—especially after the deaths of three Celestial Dragons—they would very likely intervene directly.
And if Pluton were exposed at that point…
The same strike that erased God Valley might very well descend upon Wano itself.
"...Huff…"
At that moment, Dragon suddenly began breathing heavily, sweat forming on his forehead.
Rowan glanced over.
"Haven't you been handling transport for years now? Still not used to it?"
Dragon forced a smile.
"A single-mast cargo ship and ten fully loaded twin-masted ships carrying nearly four thousand people—are those even comparable? Maintaining this level of levitation drains way too much stamina."
Roger, standing nearby, seemed to recall the special nature of his current body and spoke up.
"Maybe I could give it a try."
Rowan frowned and shook his head slightly.
"Once an object is levitating, if the user changes, everything that was floating will immediately drop. At this altitude, the ships could break apart. And your condition doesn't mean infinite stamina. If you go all out at once, you might last just over an hour."
After saying that, Rowan sighed.
Before this, he hadn't used the Rooster Talisman very often.
In a sense, the power of the talisman had no upper limit, but its actual output depended on the user's base strength.
Back in Shimotsuki Village in the East Blue, a sudden burst of power had been enough to shake an entire island. But that was a momentary spike from an "unlimited" ceiling when it came to sustained use, it wasn't even as practical as the Float-Float Fruit.
At least Shiki could not only make islands float he could make them fly as well.
"Can you hold on until tomorrow?"
Dragon wiped the sweat from his forehead.
"I just need food. I should be fine."
Rowan nodded.
If someone came to help fight, the least you could do was feed them properly.
At the same time, comparing abilities Flying Thunder God and the Rooster Talisman were both at the level of a gold-tier treasure. But compared to this world's Warp Fruit or Float-Float Fruit, once Seastone was no longer a factor, the issue became stamina consumption.
Flying Thunder God required a marked coordinate and couldn't transfer something as large as an entire ship. The Warp Fruit didn't need coordinates, but its range was nowhere near as far.
At least by the Egghead arc, it still couldn't teleport between islands.
"Everyone, food will be ready soon."
Hikogoro quickly spoke up, reading the situation.
Kuma, standing behind them, pointed at Dragon.
"Just make sure he eats his fill. He eats a lot."
Rowan chuckled.
The Monkey family really did have their quirks being able to eat while sleeping was practically a talent. He just didn't know if Dragon had inherited that one.
…
Before long, the group arrived at what used to be the daimyo residence of Kuri.
At the beginning, Kuri had been a lawless region of Wano, filled with thugs, rogues, and wandering samurai. Nearly ninety percent of the population didn't produce anything. Later, Oden transformed the region and became its daimyo.
"Please wait here."
Yoshino Juro and Hikogoro went inside, while Rowan's gaze shifted toward a nearby tree.
Roger, still wearing his mask and keeping his head lowered, smiled faintly.
Those were Oden's companions the cat and the dog, members of the Mink Tribe from Zou. They had also been part of his crew.
However, Roger didn't remove his mask. For this rescue operation, his identity would only be revealed to Oden at the very end. After all, something like reviving the dead was better kept low-key.
Hikogoro had already been instructed about this beforehand.
Soon, a shadow on the tree disappeared.
Not long after, the two who had gone inside returned. Clearly, Nekomamushi who recognized Rayleigh had confirmed their identities and gone to inform Kozuki Toki.
Five years ago, before Oden returned to Wano, his family Toki and Momonosuke had already been attacked. With Oden out dancing, someone had to stay behind to guard them, so caution was necessary.
Inside the reception room, what was once a fairly grand daimyo residence in Kuri now looked somewhat worn down due to years of financial strain.
At the very least, there wasn't even any tea in the reception room.
It wasn't until Observation Haki picked up that the cat hurriedly ran out and back that Kozuki Toki finally entered to receive them.
Her clothes were patched all over, nothing like what a daimyo's wife should be wearing.
And this lady, Oden's wife, couldn't help but repeatedly glance toward Rowan, who was still wearing a mask.
"Vice Captain Rayleigh, please."
As someone who had once been part of the Roger Pirates' family, Toki still used the old form of address from back then.
After exchanging greetings, she moved to sit opposite them, then suddenly knelt down and bowed deeply.
"For all of you to come here for Lord Oden's sake… I am deeply grateful!"
As the one leading this group, Rowan drained the tea in his cup in one go before speaking.
"Rayleigh came to help Oden. I came here for another reason. Even though you are Kozuki Oden's wife, you still cannot speak for him. So please have him return immediately. There's no need for him to keep performing that humiliating dance."
Toki raised her head and paused for a moment, but still replied,
"Lord Oden will return soon. And as for what you called humiliating… I do not agree."
Seeing the firmness in her eyes, Rowan didn't mock her. He simply waited for Oden to return.
But just because Rowan didn't respond didn't mean the stubborn samurai present were pleased.
Above the rooftop, within the range of Observation Haki, a woman in a tight pink ninja outfit glared angrily at Rowan below.
Meanwhile, in Hakumai's daimyo residence.
After finishing his dance and making a round of inspection, Oden sat on the steps of the courtyard, gazing into the distance.
Five years were almost up.
Those people would soon honor their promise and leave.
Even if he had become a laughingstock, he had to endure endure until Wano opened its borders.
The significance of Wano to this world…
"Even if I don't know what you're thinking, if this continues, the hopes of everyone in Wano will become a joke."
Behind him, Shimotsuki Yasuie frowned deeply as he sat down beside him.
"Those who forced their way out to sea half of them died in whirlpools, another third went missing, and only a few lucky ones were swept back alive."
Oden clenched his teeth but said nothing.
Yasuie continued,
"The pirate crew you once sailed with their captain has already been executed. So we had no choice but to place our hopes on Whitebeard."
Oden closed his eyes. After a long pause, he finally spoke.
"Don't… don't let them go anymore."
That single sentence seemed to break something.
"The hidden ports are under their control. Wano doesn't even have shipbuilding techniques. Back then, even I failed to leave thirty-eight times. How could they possibly succeed?"
Yasuie's eyes were also wet.
"I told them you had your reasons. Under the shame of their lord, they were willing to die for you. So tell me what exactly are those reasons, you bastard?!"
In the face of the roar, Kozuki Oden fell silent once more.
Five years were almost up.
At a time like this, he couldn't let anyone know. As long as the time came, they would leave Wano.
At that moment, a retainer of the Shimotsuki family came running over, his face filled with excitement.
"Huff… huff…"
"Slow down. There's no worse news left now. You can speak calmly."
Yasuie patted the man's back.
But the words that followed made his hand freeze, even tremble slightly.
"W-What did you say?"
"Hikogoro is back? He brought reinforcements?"
"Yes… yes, Lord Yasuie. They are all at Kuri's daimyo residence. They request that you and Lord Oden go there immediately."
Kozuki Oden suddenly raised his head.
Rayleigh?
That man… even after Captain Roger was executed, he still came all the way to Wano to help him.
So… had Gaban and the others come as well?
The two exchanged a glance, then immediately stood up and rushed toward Kuri.
Meanwhile, inside the residence.
Rowan had already been seated for a while, calmly drinking tea. Beside him, Dragon had begun devouring food at an alarming pace.
At this rate, he might finish off what would've been ten days' worth of provisions for the entire daimyo residence in a single meal.
"Madam."
Kozuki Toki looked up at Rowan and gave a slight bow.
Rowan spoke,
"I'd like to meet Oden's nine retainers first."
Toki frowned slightly, but after seeing Rayleigh nod, she agreed. She then instructed Kin'emon, who had been standing behind her, to gather them.
There were two ninjas on the roof, and outside the window stood a cat and a dog. After making a hand signal, Kin'emon left the reception room.
Before long, he returned with several people.
Kanjuro was not among them.
Rowan frowned, then said,
"I remember there should be a Devil Fruit user among you who can bring drawings to life what you call sorcery. Was that retainer absent the entire day, or did he leave after we arrived?"
The moment those words fell, Ashura Doji was the first to show displeasure.
"Are you implying something with that statement?"
Rowan looked at the large man and shook his head slightly.
"Not exactly. But you should understand I'm not here to play games. I've brought the power to confront the Beast Pirates, along with nearly four thousand additional troops on the way."
"Before this, Hikogoro pleaded with me for nearly three years. That is one of the reasons I came here. Wano's isolation has left you ignorant of many things in the outside world. So right now, I need to know where Kanjuro is."
Kin'emon stepped forward, about to speak, but Denjiro, standing behind him, grabbed his arm and stopped him.
At this time, Denjiro still wearing glasses appeared calm and scholarly. Using the motion of pulling Kin'emon back, he stepped forward instead.
"Kanjuro left about a minute ago. He said that this gentleman has quite an appetite, so he went to find more food."
"It is our failure. You've come to help us, yet we cannot even provide something as basic as enough food…"
Before he could finish, Rowan suddenly stood up.
Then, turning to Rayleigh and Roger, he said,
"Stop them. Don't let anyone follow me."
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