IW: Chapter 182 - Heroes Gather in Loguetown, the World's Landscape Changes!
"Roger actually stole Linlin's Red Poneglyph!"
Kaido looked at the news plastered on the newspaper, a wave of emotion washing over him. He never expected Roger, who had once destroyed their Rocks Pirates, to become the Pirate King.
The newspaper detailed how Roger became the Pirate King, recounting all his adventures along the way, including the epic battle with Golden Lion.
However, all information regarding Bai Ye and the Rocks Pirates was hidden.
It seemed the World Government was unwilling to let people remember Rocks and Bai Ye again.
"You seem to have overlooked the report below!"
While Roger becoming the Pirate King was true, there was another piece of news: Roger, the Pirate King, had surrendered to Marineford a few days prior.
It was precisely this that prompted the World Government to launch a massive propaganda campaign.
"Roger, that guy, achieved his dream and became the freest Pirate King!"
Bullet had once been part of the Roger Pirates, so he clearly knew what Roger's dream was.
Surely no one was freer than Roger now?
Bullet was also one of the few who knew Roger had contracted an incurable disease.
However, Bullet found it strange why Roger would surrender. Even with a terminal illness, there seemed to be no need to end his life in such a way, did there?
He saw the four large characters for "Public Execution" above.
A public execution in Loguetown, in a way that was both humiliating and respectful?
East Blue, known as the weakest sea and also Roger's hometown, held significant meaning for Roger's execution.
The place of beginning and end?
It was meant to show the entire world that becoming a pirate, even the Pirate King, would ultimately lead to death.
"Should we do something?"
Old John looked at Bai Ye, hesitating to speak. He heard there were treasures on the final island.
If Roger had already reached the final island, did that mean Roger had taken the treasures on it?
Although he had recently retired from treasure hunting, effectively washing his hands clean.
Following the principle of 'live and learn,' after being appointed by Bai Ye to handle the financial issues here, Old John had been continuously studying this knowledge. The more he learned, the more he felt he was no different from an illiterate person before.
But this was the legendary Great Treasure.
How could he not be tempted?
"What do you want to do?"
"Of course, we'll snatch that Great Treasure! Since Roger has surrendered, that treasure will surely fall into the hands of his crew!"
This was probably the thought of all pirates at the moment.
Perhaps Roger hid a portion, and the rest was equally divided among his crew.
"Old John, do those treasures still appeal to you? Think bigger. In the future, all the world's wealth will be earned by us. Don't always think about stealing, stealing, stealing!"
"But... Alright!"
Old John opened his mouth, but his words got stuck in his throat.
What he wanted to say was, weren't they pirates?
He had been robbing for so many years; suddenly becoming a civilized person made Old John feel somewhat at a loss.
But since Bai Ye had said so, what else could he say?
Should he say, "My scope, Old John, is small, and I just like to rob?"
If it were before, Old John would have said it directly. But now, he was no longer the same person he used to be.
"Sitting idly by? Indeed, we still have much to develop. I've looked at the blueprints you gave me; they still require time to research."
Bullet wasn't just fond of combat; he was actually very interested in military engineering.
So, when Bai Ye assigned him this research task, he only thought about it for a moment before accepting it.
Because the last submarine had indeed given him many ideas, and then Bai Ye also gave him many more blueprints. He also wanted to research them first, and although he really wanted to see off his old Captain at this time.
But Bullet also realized that his presence at this time would be somewhat redundant. He had already left the Roger Pirates. In fact, he was somewhat disappointed with Roger.
Despite having formidable strength, he ended up in such a state due to an incurable disease.
It was just a pity that he would never be able to defeat Roger in this lifetime!
In that case, there was no need for him to go and see him off.
"I'll go out for a bit. Wano Country will be temporarily left to you all."
Saying that, Bai Ye's gaze fell upon Kaido, John, and Bullet.
He wouldn't expect Kaido to govern Wano Country well. From the anime, Wano Country was a mess under Kaido's rule, so at this time, they needed to work together.
"Are you going to break him out of prison or...?"
Kaido looked at Bai Ye with some surprise, then realized a question: Was Bai Ye planning a prison break?
"No need."
Bullet shook his head. If Bai Ye was going to break him out of prison, in his opinion, it was completely unnecessary.
"No, I'm just going to witness the curtain call of the Pirate King. Since he chose to surrender, it proves he doesn't want to live. Besides, I'm not that familiar with him."
Bai Ye didn't have much of a relationship with Roger; it wasn't worth saving him.
He just wanted to use this scene to recruit some people.
Many people would witness Roger's death this time.
Dragon, Doflamingo, Crocodile—they all came. Among them, Bai Ye valued Hawkeye the most, and he planned to approach him in Loguetown.
However, Bai Ye didn't have much expectation for inviting Hawkeye to join.
After all, that guy was used to being a lone wolf; getting him to join was not a simple matter.
"I plan to go alone."
Bai Ye directly interrupted Tengetsu Toki's idea of wanting to go along.
This made Tengetsu Toki a bit deflated. She hadn't even spoken yet, and Bai Ye had already rejected her.
Thinking of this, she glared at Bai Ye, but still didn't have the courage to ask Bai Ye to take her out with him.
"Boss Kaido, a guy named Kozuki Oden has invaded Wano Country!"
Just as the few of them were discussing something, a figure ran outside the door and shouted.
Kozuki Oden?
That guy still came back!
Bai Ye wasn't too surprised.
"Kaido, go meet that guy."
"Kick him out!"
Kaido said indifferently. The Kozuki family had already been imprisoned. If that guy was sensible, he'd be kicked out. If not, he could just become a prison king.
"Whatever, you're the apparent ruler of Wano Country now anyway."
Bai Ye nodded, not saying much. He was just curious, it seemed Oden had no one following him now, right?
So, under these circumstances, what would Oden do after learning about the current state of Wano Country?
Continue fighting Kaido or consciously leave?
Wano Country, Flower Capital.
Looking at the familiar yet somewhat strange scene before him, Oden felt both emotional and bewildered.
He was emotional because Wano Country was getting better. He heard that the new governor, Kaido, had managed it in an orderly manner and had also eliminated the previous oppression, and everyone adored Kaido.
If it were before, he would have been very happy because Wano Country had improved.
But he was bewildered because the nobles were gone. He heard that many nobles and gangsters had been eliminated, and his father was also imprisoned. This also made Kozuki Oden very confused, as if after he went to sea, Wano Country no longer needed him.
Looking at the joyous faces of the crowd before him, Oden pondered: If he were to act now and seize everything Kaido had set up here, would it break the peace here?
If it would, he would rather leave.
Although Oden was a bit impulsive, in the anime, he chose to compromise with Kaido's threat to protect his retainers and the people of Wano Country.
"Oden, there's no place for your Kozuki family here anymore!"
Kaido transformed into a divine dragon and flew in front of Oden, staring intently at him.
Now he gave Oden two choices: one, fight and be killed here; the other, leave.
"Kaido, would you be willing to fight me in an uninhabited place?"
After Oden finished speaking, he stared intently at Kaido. He wouldn't just leave like this.
"Hmph! You refuse a toast only to drink a forfeit!"
Kaido snorted coldly, then directly soared into the distance. This was not a place for battle, and he didn't want to destroy the Wano Country he had built.
The two found an uninhabited place. After battling and sparring with Bai Ye, and fighting day and night with Bullet during this period, Kaido's use of Haki and his Devil Fruit had improved to a higher level. In fact, because he took more hits, his defense became even stronger.
"Hmph, if this guy loses to Oden, I won't let him off!"
Bullet, watching from afar, snorted. He didn't want Kaido to lose; that guy was his equal!
Oden joined the Roger Pirates after Bullet left the ship, so he never challenged him. However, based on his understanding, Oden probably wasn't stronger than Rayleigh, and Bullet could fight Rayleigh to a draw. Among the entire Roger Pirates, only Roger could defeat him.
"As long as he's careful, he won't lose."
If Kaido didn't stubbornly choose to take Oden's slashes head-on, then he wouldn't have much of a problem. Slashes in the pirate world weren't something you could just take casually.
But he shouldn't be that stupid, right?
He had been teaching Kaido to utilize his strengths while also paying attention to the enemy's strengths.
The two fought from day to night. Kaido clearly followed Bai Ye's advice and did not choose to take the attacks head-on. Instead, he used his regenerative ability to continuously wear down Oden.
Although Oden's stamina was significantly depleted, he still had the ability to continue fighting.
They fought until the next day, and Oden put away his Enma. He also decided not to fight any further. He hadn't come to overthrow Kaido in the first place.
Wano Country was getting better and better. He had no reason to prevent Wano Country from improving. Ultimately, by giving up the position of Daimyo and leaving Wano Country, he had actually lost the right of succession.
Fighting Kaido was merely to see if Kaido had the strength to protect Wano Country.
"I will leave Wano Country, but I hope you can release my father from prison so we can leave here together."
Unlike in the anime, he had no retainers. Now, in Wano Country, his father was his only relative; he wasn't very familiar with others.
So, with no ties, Oden had no reason to stay.
He just wanted to take his father and leave Wano Country. Ultimately, they were failures. Even if he continued to fight, he couldn't defeat Kaido, and he had also sensed the presence of other strong individuals from before. So, if he stayed here, he would also lose. Naturally, he chose to announce his departure himself, which would be less embarrassing.
"Alright."
That old man was just taking up space. If Oden took that old man with him, he'd be quite happy.
Kozuki Sukiyaki was released from prison. The moment he saw Oden, Kozuki Sukiyaki was on the verge of tears, opening his mouth with many words he wanted to say, but they all got stuck in his throat.
The era of the Kozuki family in Wano Country had ended in his hands.
"Father, let's leave Wano Country."
The moment he saw Kozuki Sukiyaki, Oden immediately brought up leaving Wano Country. He was afraid his father wouldn't want to leave.
"I understand."
Despite all his unwillingness, he could only accept his fate now.
Kozuki Sukiyaki often heard about outside matters in prison. He understood everything about Wano Country now. No matter how stubborn he was, he knew that he had no advantage in terms of strength, and even the people of Wano Country had already sided with the other party.
So, he seemed to have nothing left to linger for.
The two left Wano Country on a small boat, looking dejected.
Looking back at Wano Country again, this was their last time seeing it. Perhaps, as failures, they would no longer have the possibility of setting foot in Wano Country.
Wano Country no longer needed them!
"Oden, where are you going next?"
Kozuki Sukiyaki, who had never left Wano Country his entire life, felt a sense of bewilderment the moment he left. He didn't even know where he was going.
Even Oden was the same. When he first went to sea, he just wanted to see the world. Now, having traveled almost the entire sea with Roger, he had even been to the final island and learned the 'truth'.
Now, Oden himself didn't know where he should go.
He had originally returned this time intending to inherit the position and develop Wano Country, but now, Wano Country no longer needed him for its development?
"If you have nowhere to go, how about coming with me?"
"You are...?"
"Monkey D. Dragon!!!"
Beneath a dark green cloak, a face that looked like it had been hit by a slipper slowly came into their view.
Loguetown, East Blue.
This originally somewhat famous place in East Blue, which had become popular due to being the birthplace of the Pirate King, was now welcoming a great number of pirates.
Countless people came for the Pirate King.
After becoming the Pirate King, that man was actually captured, which made many people sigh while also sparking an idea in their hearts.
Under the World Government's propaganda, Roger, who had originally surrendered, became someone they had captured and were now executing.
The man being led step by step onto the execution platform by the Marines...
...
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