Aboard the Jackson, Roger heard Linlin's roar echo across the distance. He turned briefly to glance toward Cake Island, then refocused on Rayleigh with a burning intensity in his eyes.
Rayleigh slowly pulled open his shirt, revealing his well-defined chest. Roger swallowed, and only when Rayleigh carefully withdrew the parchment from his embrace did Roger eagerly reach out to take it.
The parchment was covered in intricate white symbols—Poneglyphs recording the path of the Road Poneglyphs. Even with Roger's ability to hear the Voice of All Things, these ancient inscriptions were indecipherable. Only the most skilled historians and the Kozuki Family could read them. This was why Roger had previously sought Whitebeard's assistance without hesitation.
Roger carefully held the parchment and made his way to Oden's room. Perhaps it should now be called "Oden-day," given that he was missing half of his body. Severed at the waist, prosthetics were useless, leaving him mostly confined to his room with Kozuki Toki. His limited mobility, combined with his fiery temper, often made him volatile.
Overcome with excitement, Roger forgot to knock and pushed the door open. Immediately, a large bowl flew at him. Instinctively, he tilted his head to dodge, and the bowl shattered on the ground. The contents, Oden himself, spilled everywhere.
Roger's excitement cooled slightly. He frowned, surveying the scene: Oden stood on his bed, roaring at Kozuki Toki by the bedside.
"Why is it always this again?! Can't you prepare something different for me?!"
Flustered, Toki stammered, "S-sorry, but Oden, didn't you used to love Oden the most?"
"You know that was before!"
Tears glistened in Toki's eyes. As she wiped them away, she noticed Roger standing at the door. He silently observed the couple, and when their eyes met, he nodded once before stepping closer to Oden's bedside.
Seeing Roger, Oden's volatile mood softened. He took a deep breath and said, "Captain Roger, you're here. Did everything go smoothly?"
Roger nodded and handed him the parchment. Oden examined it carefully, then spoke in a deep, resonant voice, "Yes… this records the last Road Poneglyph. With it, we can pinpoint the exact location of the End."
Roger glanced at Toki, tears still streaking her face, and hesitated briefly. "Oden… this can wait. You should speak with Toki properly first."
A wave of guilt surged through him. His words contradicted his true feelings; in truth, he was eager to learn the final Road Poneglyph's location above all else.
Oden met Toki's gaze, a twinge of guilt flickering across his eyes. He knew his temper and behavior had been unreasonable, but he couldn't control it fully.
After a moment of silence, he spoke, "Toki… I'm sorry. I shouldn't have treated you that way."
Startled at first, Toki's grievance erupted into tears. She threw herself into his arms, crying, "You don't need to apologize. I know your heart is heavy… as long as you can be happy, that's enough!"
Oden's chest tightened. Words failed him, so he patted her back repeatedly, clumsy but sincere, trying to convey his concern.
Roger, standing awkwardly as a third wheel, wasn't accustomed to such intimate displays. Most of his life had been spent among burly men, not tender moments like this.
Fortunately, Oden remembered the critical matter at hand. Once Toki's emotions settled, he asked her to wait outside. Protecting her from the full truth of the Poneglyph was essential—too much knowledge could be dangerous for someone as vulnerable as her.
Toki wiped her tears and exited.
Alone, Oden began dictating the parchment's contents to Roger, focusing on the precise location of the final Road Poneglyph. With every word, Roger's blood boiled with excitement, and his face flushed crimson with anticipation.
But the thrill was short-lived. A sudden sharp pain stabbed his chest.
"Wah!"
Roger coughed violently, spewing a mouthful of crimson blood across Oden's face. The iron scent froze Oden in place. Roger's complexion paled instantly as he swayed, nearly collapsing into Oden's arms.
Alarmed, Oden shouted, "Roger, what's wrong? Krokas! Cro—Ugh!"
Roger weakly raised a hand to cover Oden's mouth. "Don't shout… it's just… happiness. I'm fine."
He forced a smile, glancing at the blood-stained sheet. "Sorry… dirtied your bedding. Toki will have to clean it later."
Oden's voice softened, "Stop joking. You need rest. Now that all the Road Poneglyphs are accounted for, reaching the End is only a matter of time."
Roger gave a bitter smile. "But… I don't have much time left."
Oden's expression tightened. Silence hung in the room until Roger quietly asked, "Oden… once we reach the End, what will you do?"
Oden's fists clenched, eyes burning with hatred. "Of course… I will overturn this world. The Black Dragon and the World Government he serves… they will be swallowed by the flood of a new era!"
Oden's hatred for Lloyd ran deep, but the Black Dragon was untouchable in his current form. Even at full strength, Oden stood no chance. All that remained was hope—hope tied to the elusive End.
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