The night before the execution was heavy with silence. The wind over Wano Country carried the scent of smoke and iron, as if the land itself understood that something irreversible was about to happen.
Kai watched from the shadows as Kozuki Toki visited her husband one final time. She left with Oden's two swords and her children—Momonosuke and Hiyori—her expression resolute despite the tremble in her hands.
When night deepened and the guards grew lax, Kai shrank to ant-size and slipped into the prison unnoticed. The corridors were damp and dim, torches flickering against stone walls as if fearful of what they illuminated.
Inside the cell sat Kozuki Oden, shackled yet unbowed. His back was straight, his eyes calm despite the weight of chains and impending death.
Oden's gaze shifted slightly. "I don't know who you are," he said evenly, "but I don't need rescue."
Kai expanded back to his normal size, his small figure cloaked in shadow and an oni mask covering his face. For a moment, he said nothing. Then his voice echoed softly in the cell.
"You disappoint me, Oden. I watched you for two years… and you lost all my respect."
Oden's brows furrowed, but he did not interrupt.
"You were a strong man," Kai continued, "but also the greatest foolish lord. You were idealistic. You did not understand what you lost."
Oden's eyes sharpened. "Explain yourself, masked child."
Kai stepped closer, golden eyes glinting behind the mask. "Even now, you only think of your defeat. But you don't understand what it means for Wano."
Oden's jaw tightened slightly. "You speak boldly for someone who hides his face."
"I hide nothing," Kai replied calmly. "Your loss wasn't yours alone. It was Wano's loss. A king holds responsibility for his nation's future. You gambled that future on a traitor's promise."
Silence filled the cell.
"You failed," Kai said quietly, "as a king. As the hope of Wano. When I came here, I expected to see history repeat itself. I hoped you might live up to the name of Sword God Ryuma."
Oden's eyes widened slightly at the comparison.
"But I was wrong," Kai finished. "It is a disgrace to Ryuma's name to be compared to you."
For the first time, Oden's calm cracked. "You dare—!"
"I dare," Kai cut in sharply. "Because someone must."
The two stared at each other, pride and conviction colliding in silence.
Oden finally spoke, his voice lower. "You watched me?"
"For two years," Kai confirmed. "I saw you dance. I saw you trust Orochi. I saw you stop your own samurai from searching for hostages."
Oden closed his eyes briefly. "If I broke the promise, innocent lives would have been lost."
"And because you kept it," Kai replied, "thousands more will suffer for decades."
The words struck harder than any blade.
Oden exhaled slowly. "You speak like someone who has seen the future."
Kai did not answer directly. "I speak like someone who understands consequences."
Oden's chains rattled as he shifted. "Then tell me, masked child. What would you have done?"
"I would have gathered every samurai," Kai said without hesitation. "I would have stormed Onigashima before Kaido strengthened his grip. I would have removed Orochi publicly and secured the loyalty of the people."
Oden laughed bitterly. "Easy to say from outside the fire."
"And yet you stand in it," Kai replied. "And tomorrow, you will boil."
Silence lingered once more.
Oden looked up, his expression changing subtly. "If what you say is true… then I have indeed failed."
Kai's voice softened slightly. "You still have one chance to act like a king."
Oden's eyes narrowed. "And that is?"
"To ensure your retainers survive. To give them a future. To admit your mistake before your people."
Oden stared at the masked child for a long time. Then, unexpectedly, he laughed.
"You are cruel," Oden said. "But perhaps… you are right."
Kai turned toward the door.
"Tomorrow," he said quietly, "be a king."
---
Morning arrived beneath a gray sky. The Flower Capital was packed with citizens who had gathered to witness the execution. Some came in grief, others in bitterness, and some in fear.
Kai moved through the crowd in ant form, slipping between sandals and woven robes. He wasn't there only for Oden. He was searching for someone else.
On the platform above, Kaido and Kurozumi Orochi sat watching the massive oil pot begin to boil.
Soon Oden and his retainers were brought forward in chains.
Oden looked at Kaido and said firmly, "Give my retainers a chance."
Kaido smirked. "One hour."
Without hesitation, Oden leapt into the boiling oil, lifting a wooden platform above his head. His retainers stood upon it as he bore the unimaginable pain alone.
The crowd gasped.
Kai continued searching. Then he found her.
White and green hair. Red horns. A face he could never mistake.
Yamato.
She was hiding among the crowd, watching in awe and grief.
Kai grew back to normal size beside her. She startled, but seeing a boy her age calmed slightly.
"Yoo," Kai greeted casually.
She blinked. "Yoo. My name is Yamato. Are you from Wano?"
"Nope," Kai replied. "I come from East Blue. Loguetown—the hometown of the Pirate King."
Her eyes sparkled instantly. "Sugoi! You traveled from East Blue to Wano? How old are you?"
"Eight," Kai grinned. "Same as you. Wanna hear about the sea?"
She nodded eagerly, then turned back toward the platform. "Why is he smiling even now? He's so cool."
Kai shook his head. "He's a strong man trying to act like a king. He lost a fight he would have won. He lost the future of Wano. He's a loser trying to do one thing right—so maybe his retainers can save what he lost."
Yamato frowned slightly. "That's harsh."
"It's honest," Kai replied.
Time passed slowly as Oden endured the boiling oil. Finally, Oden shouted, "My retainers! People of Wano! I, Kozuki Oden, was the most foolish lord!"
The crowd froze in shock.
"A boy came and met me," Oden continued. "He made me realize that what I lost wasn't a fight—but Wano's future. I was the worst king. I humbly apologize!"
Kai's eyes widened slightly beneath his mask.
"My retainers," Oden cried, "when you escape, save the future of Wano that I lost!"
With his final strength, Oden hurled the wooden platform far away, sending his retainers flying toward freedom.
He turned toward Kaido and Orochi, laughing. "Oden ni soro!"
A gunshot echoed.
Kaido's bullet struck his head.
But the people of Wano completed the phrase in unison through tears. "Niete nanbo no Oden ni soro!"
Oden sank into the boiling oil, smiling until the very end.
The crowd wept openly. Even Kai felt tears blur his vision.
"So… you finally understood," he whispered.
Oden's retainers ran without looking back. They cried, but they did not stop.
Kai raised his hand quietly.
"Do not worry," he murmured. "I will carry Wano on my back… as I promised you in that cell."
Golden energy flared around him as he activated his power.
"Take Over — Kozuki Oden."