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The Strongest Frost Loli (84)
🕑 Added 2024-07-23 17:00:05 +0000 UTCChapter 84 - Octavia/Roger
Octavia and Caterina traversed numerous islands, passing through Sabaody Archipelago and Fish-Man Island, before finally reaching the New World.
There were a few instances where people mistook Octavia’s figure for Kanata’s, but they managed to avoid any major incidents and returned to the familiar seas of the New World.
“So this is the New World… The sea itself doesn’t seem any different from Paradise,” Caterina remarked while looking around curiously.
“What do you think this is? The climate and weather are even more unpredictable than in Paradise, but it’s still the sea,” said Octavia.
She incinerated a sea beast that had attempted to swallow their ship whole, then consulted her Log Pose, guiding their vessel through the treacherous waters.
Their journey was surprisingly smooth.
Sea beasts, Sea Kings, pirates, Marines – Octavia handled them all with ease. Even with Caterina as extra baggage, it hadn't been a problem.
Their strength was on a different level.
She effortlessly blew away pirates who couldn’t even use Haki properly and shattered Marine warships like paper.
She spent her days reading newspapers, occasionally glancing at the Log Pose to confirm their course. She smiled whenever she saw the names of familiar pirates in the articles.
She had considered the possibility of encountering Kanata, but judging from the newspapers, her daughter wasn’t currently in the New World. But even if they did meet, she wasn’t sure what she would say.
She had her own thoughts as a mother, but after all these years, she didn’t know how to approach her daughter.
She had visited Kanata once in Water Seven, but that was all she could do. She had offered to give Kanata anything she desired, any information she sought, but her daughter hadn't asked for anything. There was nothing Octavia could do as a mother. It was better to avoid meeting for now.
– With that thought in mind, she continued her journey, eventually reaching Hachinosu.
“So this is Hachinosu… It’s quite… gaudy, isn’t it?” Caterina remarked.
“That skull was already here. Some Devil Fruit user must have created it long ago,” Octavia replied.
The massive skull-shaped rock formation at the center of the island had been there before they used it as a base. Octavia didn’t know why or how it was created. “Who would even make something so tacky?” Caterina’s gaze seemed to say.
“So where is this thing you’re looking for?” Caterina asked, changing the subject.
“It’s in the basement of this island.”
Octavia set off, walking with a familiarity that suggested she had never left. Caterina followed close behind.
The island, once a bustling hub for the Rocks Pirates, was now deserted. The rise and fall of empires was a common tale, but seeing the island in its current state brought back memories for Octavia.
She felt no sympathy for the pirates who had once lived here. They were mostly good-for-nothings who deserved their fates.
“Do you think anyone’s using this island as a base?” Caterina asked.
“Not judging by its current state. There might be a few sailors who stop by occasionally, but…”
It was difficult to be self-sufficient on this island. It wouldn’t be suitable as a base unless you had a large organization.
And using the former base of the Rocks Pirates would surely attract the attention of the World Government. Any organization with a decent intelligence network would avoid it, and those who didn't wouldn’t have the resources to use it as a base.
…Of course, there were a few exceptions, organizations that defied logic and reason.
“This is it.”
“There’s a basement here?”
They entered a building, navigating a maze-like passage that led underground.
They opened several hidden doors, following a path concealed from prying eyes – and finally reached the place where Octavia had left her treasure. Or so she thought.
“Hmm? There’s another Road Poneglyph…?”
There had only been one Road Poneglyph here before, but now there were two, including a red one.
Someone had brought it here. But it wasn’t a problem. The basement was spacious enough to accommodate a few extra stones.
The problem was… the other one.
“Someone stole it. This place was supposed to be a secret…”
“If someone can enter, no matter how well you hide it, they’ll find it eventually. What was here?”
“A sword… Xebec’s memento.”
One of the Supreme Grade Twelve Craftsmen blades – Muramasa.
It was the sword that Rocks D. Xebec had once wielded. After Rocks’ death, Octavia had retrieved it and hidden it here, a secret grave for a man who deserved no other.
She hadn't visited in a while, but she had assumed it would be safe. It seemed her optimism had been misplaced.
Whoever stole it must have been a determined treasure hunter. There was no other reason to search such a well-hidden location.
Octavia sighed, looking up at the two Road Poneglyphs.
“I wonder who took it…”
“Should we look for it?”
“Yes. Whoever took it must know about the Road History Poneglyphs. If we wait here, they might return.”
“What? We’re staying here?”
“Of course not.”
She would simply check on the basement occasionally while exploring nearby islands. If whoever stole the sword knew about the Road History Poneglyphs, it would narrow down the list of suspects.
She knew most of the powerful pirate crews currently active in the New World.
They could actively search for the thief, but she wasn’t sure if that was the best approach.
“…I wouldn't mind if that child has it,” she said.
It was a possibility. And if Kanata had it, Octavia wouldn’t complain.
After all, it wasn’t uncommon for a child to inherit a parent’s memento.
***
– On that day, chaos erupted in Wano Country.
Kozuki Oden, the daimyo of Kuri, and his retainers were training when they received news that pirates had appeared at Itachi Port in Kuri.
Oden immediately rushed to the port with his retainers Kin’emon and Kanjuro chasing after him.
Meanwhile, a man emerged from the wreckage of the Oro Jackson, which had been washed ashore. “I’m beat,” he said, adjusting his straw hat.
“Climbing a waterfall by clinging to a carp… That was a first. Wahahaha!”
“A waterfall leading to an island surrounded by the sea… So this is Wano Country,” Rayleigh remarked.
Roger laughed cheerfully, while Rayleigh scanned the landscape.
Their ship was unharmed, but their cargo had been damaged by the seawater. They would need to resupply, Roger said, suggesting they explore Wano Country.
“Hold on. We need to get our bearings first – hmm?”
“Whoa, he looks strong!”
Roger, excitedly drawing his sword, saw a man emerge from the forest.
He was a large man, wielding two swords. He grinned at Roger, shouting, “A pirate ship!”
“Welcome! You braved the storms, you climbed the waterfall! You’ve finally arrived!”
He swung his swords, unleashing a powerful slash. Roger, unfazed, met Oden’s attack head-on.
The impact sent shockwaves through the air, and everyone braced themselves for a fight – then Oden spoke.
“My name is Kozuki Oden! I don’t know who you are, but let me join your crew!”
Roger and Rayleigh were stunned. Their first encounter was with the very person they had come to find.
“You’re Kozuki Oden?! We came to Wano Country looking for you! But we can’t let you join our crew!”
They sheathed their swords, and as Oden’s retainers, who had been chasing after him, caught up, they explained the situation.
They had come to Wano Country seeking either Kozuki Oden or Kozuki Sukiyaki. While they would be happy to have Oden join their crew… They had made a promise to Kanata.
Oden was confused. “How do you even know about me?”
“Kanata told us about you. That’s why we came here.”
“Kanata?! You mean Kanata-dono?! How is she doing?”
“Well, the last time we saw her, she was fighting another pirate crew,” Roger replied.
“Hahaha, that sounds like her. She might not look it, but she has a bit of a temper,” Kin’emon chuckled, recalling how Kanata had effortlessly copied his sword style.
“That woman! She’s always getting in my way!” Oden exclaimed.
“Oden-sama, Kanata-dono is right in this case, you know…” Kin’emon tried to reason with him, but Oden ignored him.
Roger and Rayleigh exchanged glances. “You know her, right? Don’t you get along?” Roger asked Kin’emon.
“Well… How do I put this… Oden-sama and Kanata-dono don’t really see eye-to-eye…”
“Next time I see her, I’m going to kill her!”
“…It’s like that. And she’s completely ignoring him.”
“Wahahahaha! She wouldn’t even acknowledge someone with your strength!”
Anyone who challenged Kanata with half-hearted strength would be effortlessly defeated. She was one of the strongest individuals in the world now.
Oden was strong, but not strong enough to even scratch her. Especially since she was a Logia Devil Fruit user. It would take considerable strength to even land a blow on her.
“Grrrr…!”
“Oden-sama, please give up… for now,” Kin’emon pleaded.
“Don’t be ridiculous! I want to go to sea! I want to have an adventure!”
Oden, determined to leave Wano Country, and his retainers, trying to control him – Roger and Rayleigh watched the scene unfold, sensing this would be a long discussion.
***
“If you won’t let me join your crew, I won’t read it.”
As expected, Oden refused Roger’s request.
Their goal was to have Oden decipher the Road Poneglyphs, but Kozuki Sukiyaki was ill and only a few close advisors and daimyos were allowed to see him. Oden, sulking, refused to cooperate.
They tried to negotiate, but it was pointless. The only thing that mattered to Oden was leaving Wano Country.
They decided to handle the damaged cargo while they thought of a solution.
“This might be more difficult than we anticipated,” Rayleigh said.
“I thought he would let us take him with us.”
Kanata had likely anticipated this as well, which is why she had warned them. And she probably knew it wouldn’t make a difference.
However, Roger, contrary to his usual impulsive nature, hadn't tried to force Oden onto his ship. It was an unusual move for him.
“Hey, partner, what do you think I am? I keep my promises!”
He hadn’t explicitly promised Kanata, but he had heard her request through Rayleigh.
He was known for his unpredictable nature, but he was also a man of his word. He always kept his promises to his friends. Well, except for the times he forgot…
“That’s admirable, but what are we going to do?”
“Hmm…”
He didn’t seem to have a plan.
Well, there was no rush. They could think of something while exploring Wano Country. Roger laughed optimistically.
– A month passed.
There was no progress. They were starting to get bored of Wano Country. Roger even considered leaving and going on another adventure when he noticed Oden trying to sneak onto their ship.
He was easy to read. It wouldn't be difficult to stop him, but if they left Wano Country, he would surely find a way to follow them.
They had no choice but to continue negotiating, but Oden’s only condition was “Take me out of Wano Country.” It was a dead end.
As they were pondering their options, they heard that Oden was going to the Flower Capital.
“The Flower Capital?”
“It’s the capital of Wano Country. The shogun’s castle is there. It’s a wonderful place,” Oden explained.
“So the shogun is there?”
“Yes, my father.”
There were occasional arguments about Oden joining their crew, but Roger and Oden, who seemed to get along quite well, often ate together. That’s when this topic came up.
“It seems my father’s health isn’t very good. I’m going to visit him and introduce my retainers.”
“So you’re not here… This is our chance to leave!”
“Don’t be stupid! This could be good for you too! You know those glyphs you wanted to decipher? There’s a stone with the same writing in the castle. A red one.”
“The one we want the most!”
“Kanata mentioned it as well… So it’s in the castle…”
They had assumed it would be in some ancient ruins, and had been searching for it while negotiating with Oden. They hadn’t expected it to be in the castle.
Oden grinned, pleased to see Roger’s interest piqued.
“If you want me to read it, let me join your crew!”
“I can’t do that! I promised Kanata!”
“That woman…!”
Ignoring Oden’s outburst, Roger decided to tag along.
Sukiyaki was ill, and they hadn’t been allowed to enter the castle. While they could force their way in, it would damage their relationship with Oden, so they had avoided it.
They would visit the Flower Capital and then decide on their next course of action. Roger and Rayleigh decided to accompany Oden.
***
“…My father gave me permission to leave Wano Country.”
“What?!”
Even Oden seemed surprised as he informed his retainers.
They looked at him, questioning gazes, and he explained the situation.
“I met with my father at the castle, and… well, it wasn’t like he was on death’s door. He looked fine.”
“So he’s not critically ill, but his health has been poor?”
“Something like that. I told him I wanted to leave Wano Country with those pirates, and…”
Oden crossed his arms, recalling the conversation.
“He said, ‘I know you’ll go no matter what I say. So I’ll give you my permission, but with one condition.’”
“What?! Leaving Wano Country is illegal?!”
“That’s why he said he would ‘turn a blind eye’. He said he wouldn’t make a fuss if I left secretly.”
Sukiyaki knew that Oden would eventually leave Wano Country, no matter what he said. Roger’s arrival was a perfect opportunity.
He decided to let Oden go, in exchange for his silence.
There was another condition.
“He said he didn’t know how long he would live. So he asked me to return in two years, at least.”
“Two years… Can you come back?”
“I don’t know. I was prepared to never return once I left. I thought I would be disowned for the crime of leaving Wano Country…”
But if the shogun was practically giving him permission, it was a different story.
He had been disowned once, but it had been revoked, and Oden believed their relationship had been repaired. If Sukiyaki wanted him to become the next shogun, he wouldn’t refuse.
He couldn’t miss this chance with Roger.
“I’m leaving this country. No matter what anyone says.”
He announced his decision with a resolute expression. His retainers fell silent.
There was no stopping him now. The shogun had given his permission.
So, at the very least…
“I’ll go with you. I can’t leave you alone. You’ll cause trouble,” Izo said.
“Izo.”
Oden’s retainers knew he might never return. Izo, as his retainer and confidante, decided to join him on his journey.
He was one of the most intelligent members of Oden’s retainers, making him the perfect person to support Oden.
“…If Izo is going with you, I’m not worried,” Denjiro said.
“My brother will take care of you!” Kiku added.
“Izo will be fine,” Kanjuro agreed.
“You guys…!”
Oden shouted at his retainers, but their lighthearted banter was a testament to their trust in each other.
He looked at them, a fond smile on his face.
“Izo and I will be gone for a while… Take care of Wano Country!”
“Yes, sir!”
The next day, Oden explained the situation to Roger and formally requested to join his crew.
Roger and Rayleigh exchanged glances. “If the shogun has given his permission, then I guess we don’t owe Kanata anything,” Roger said. They agreed to let Oden join their crew.
They had obtained a Road Poneglyph, and they finished their preparations by midday, setting sail under the cover of darkness.
Having spent a month together, Oden and Izo had become friends with the Roger Pirates crew. They were welcomed aboard, and they finally left Wano Country.
And then…
“Stowaways!”
“Inuarashi?! Nekomamushi?! What are you doing here?!”
“Well… hahaha.”
“We just thought it would be more fun to be near Oden-sama!”
Inuarashi and Nekomamushi had also snuck onto the ship.
