Chapter 182 – Loguetown Heroes Gather, The World's Balance Shifts!
"Roger actually even stole Linlin's red Poneglyph!"
Kaido looked at the newspaper's headlines with mixed feelings. He never thought the man who once destroyed their Rocks Pirates would become Pirate King.
The paper detailed how Roger became Pirate King, writing out his journey and even the great battle against Shiki.
But anything about Renji and the Rocks Pirates was completely hidden.
It seemed the World Government did not wish for people to remember Rocks or Renji.
"You seem to have ignored the report below."
It was true Roger became Pirate King, but there was another shocking piece of news: a few days ago, Roger had gone to Marine Headquarters and surrendered.
That was the reason the World Government was now spreading the story everywhere.
"Roger fulfilled his dream, becoming the freest pirate!"
Bullet, who had once sailed with the Roger Pirates, understood Roger's dream well.
Surely now, no one could be freer than Roger.
Bullet was also among the few who knew Roger was terminally ill.
But what puzzled him was why Roger would surrender. Even with illness, was there really any need to end his life this way?
He saw the bold words: Public Execution.
In Loguetown, with a mix of humiliation and respect, they would execute him before the world.
The beginning and the end, all in the same place.
It was meant to show the world: no matter who you are, even Pirate King, death is inescapable.
"Should we do something?"
Old John glanced at Renji, hesitant. He had heard that the final island contained treasure.
If Roger had reached it, then surely he had claimed the treasure.
Though John had recently given up treasure hunting to manage finances for Renji, he could not help but be tempted.
This was the legendary One Piece!
How could he not be moved?
"What exactly do you want to do?"
"Of course steal the treasure! Roger has surrendered, so his crew will hold it!"
This was likely what every pirate thought.
Perhaps Roger kept a share hidden, and the rest would be divided among his crew.
"John, is treasure still worth your eye? Think bigger. One day we will control the wealth of the whole world. Stop thinking only of robbery."
"But… fine."
John opened his mouth, but the words stuck in his throat.
Weren't they pirates?
He had plundered for decades. Suddenly becoming civilized left him at a loss.
But Renji had spoken, and he had changed.
Could he really admit his vision was small, that he only liked looting?
Perhaps the old John would have, but not now.
"So we just sit and watch? We still have much to develop. The schematics you gave me need more research."
Bullet, beyond battle, had a passion for military technology.
After Renji gave him the task, he thought briefly and accepted.
The submarine had already given him many ideas. With more blueprints from Renji, he wanted to keep studying. Though part of him wished to bid farewell to his old captain, he knew it was unnecessary.
He had left the Roger Pirates disappointed.
With such power, Roger had succumbed to illness and chosen this fate.
It was a pity—Bullet would never get to defeat him.
So, there was no need to go.
"I'll go out for a while. Wano will be left to you."
Renji looked at Kaido, John, and Bullet.
He did not trust Kaido to manage Wano. In the anime, Kaido had ruined it. Now, these others would help.
"Are you going to break him out?"
Kaido asked, startled. Could Renji be thinking of a prison break?
"No need."
Bullet shook his head. If Renji intended that, it was pointless.
"No, I just want to witness the Pirate King's fall. Since he chose surrender, it means he doesn't want to live. Besides, I am not close to him."
Renji had little connection with Roger.
He only wanted to use the scene to draw others in.
Many would be there to witness Roger's death—Dragon, Doflamingo, Crocodile.
But Renji's focus was Mihawk. He planned to approach him in Loguetown.
He did not expect much.
Mihawk was solitary; persuading him to join would not be easy.
"I'll go alone."
Renji cut off Toki before she could speak.
Her face fell, puffing with frustration. She glared at him, but could not bring herself to insist.
"Boss Kaido! A man named Kozuki Oden has broken into Wano!"
As they spoke, a figure rushed in shouting.
Kozuki Oden?
So he had returned after all.
Renji was not surprised.
"Kaido, go meet that man."
"Beat him out of here!"
Kaido spoke indifferently. The Kozuki family had already been thrown into prison. If Oden had sense, he should just be driven away. If not, he could join his kin in jail.
"Whatever you decide. You're the one standing as Wano's ruler now."
Renji nodded without further comment. He was only curious—Oden seemed to have no followers now.
In this situation, what choice would Oden make? Would he continue to fight Kaido, or leave on his own?
In the pleasure district of Wano, Oden looked at the familiar yet strange scene. He felt both moved and lost.
Moved, because Wano seemed to be improving. The new governor, Kaido, had organized things well and ended oppression, winning the people's love.
In the past, Oden would have rejoiced to see Wano flourish.
But lost, because the nobles were gone, and many had been killed along with the gangs. Even his own father was imprisoned. It made Oden feel useless—after leaving to sail, it seemed Wano no longer needed him.
Watching the cheerful people before him, Oden wondered: if he fought now to take back Kaido's rule, would he only shatter their peace?
If so, he would rather leave.
Though reckless, Oden in truth would compromise in order to protect his retainers and the people of Wano.
"Oden, there's no longer any place for the Kozuki in Wano!"
Kaido descended in his dragon form, staring coldly at Oden. He offered him two choices—fight and die here, or leave.
"Kaido, will you fight me once, in a place where no one else is?"
Oden's eyes locked on his. He would not simply walk away.
"Hmph! If you won't drink the toast, then drink the penalty wine!"
Kaido snorted and soared off toward an empty place. He would not destroy the Wano he had built.
The two clashed far from the city. After sparring with Renji and training endlessly with Bullet, Kaido had improved greatly in haki and fruit mastery. With his body hardened by many beatings, his defense was formidable.
"If he loses to Oden, I won't forgive him."
Watching from afar, Bullet sneered. He did not want Kaido to lose. They had fought to a draw—if Kaido lost to Oden, it would insult him.
Oden had joined the Roger Pirates after Bullet left, so they had never fought. But from what he knew, Oden was unlikely stronger than Rayleigh—and Bullet had fought Rayleigh to a standstill. Only Roger himself had defeated him.
"As long as he's careful, he won't lose."
So long as Kaido didn't foolishly take Oden's slashes head-on, he would be fine. Sword strikes in this world were not to be blocked casually.
Surely Kaido wasn't that stupid?
After all, Bullet had drilled him: use your strengths, but respect the enemy's.
From day to night they battled. Kaido clearly followed Renji's teaching, not meeting Oden's sword directly, instead relying on his resilience to wear him down.
Though Oden tired, he still had stamina to fight.
By the next day, Oden finally sheathed Enma. He chose to stop. He had not come to overthrow Kaido.
Wano was improving, and he had no reason to stop that. By abandoning the daimyo seat and leaving, he had already lost the right of succession.
This battle was only to test Kaido's strength to guard Wano.
"I will leave Wano. But I want you to release my father so we can go together."
Unlike the anime, he had no retainers now. Only his father remained. Without ties, Oden had no reason to stay.
He just wanted to take his father and go. He was a defeated man; continuing the fight would change nothing. He sensed other strong presences too—if he stayed, he would only lose. Better to leave by his own words than in disgrace.
"Fine."
That old man was useless anyway. If Oden took him away, so much the better.
Kozuki Sukiyaki was released. At the sight of Oden, tears filled his eyes, but his words caught in his throat.
The Kozuki family's age in Wano had ended with him.
"Father, let's leave Wano."
The moment Oden saw him, he urged departure, fearing his father would resist.
"…I understand."
Though filled with unwillingness, he could only yield.
In prison, Sukiyaki had heard much. He knew Wano's state, and though stubborn, he understood they had no power left. Even the people stood with the other side.
There was nothing left to cling to.
The two boarded a small boat, leaving Wano in defeat.
Looking back one last time, they knew they would never return. Wano no longer needed them.
"Oden, where do we go now?"
Sukiyaki, who had never left Wano in his life, was lost. He did not know where to go.
Even Oden was uncertain. He had already traveled the seas with Roger, even reached the final island and learned the "truth."
This return was meant to inherit his place and develop Wano, but Wano no longer required him.
"If you have nowhere to go, why not come with me?"
"And you are?"
"Monkey D. Dragon!!!"
From beneath a dark green cloak, a scarred face appeared before them.
East Blue, Loguetown.
Once a small, famed town, birthplace of the Pirate King, it now drew countless pirates.
They had all come for Roger.
After becoming Pirate King, he had been captured. Many sighed, and many more wondered.
Through the World Government's propaganda, his surrender had become their triumph—he was caught and would be executed.
Step by step, the man was led to the execution platform by marines.
(End of this chapter)
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