Chapter 448 – Wano 03.

    [Chapter Size: 2000 Words.]

    Third Person POV

    New Word.

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    "We''re almost there, big brother!" The girl named Tama was leading the way ahead of Luffy as they approached a house in the middle of the forest, characteristic of Wano. She guided him excitedly to the door and pushed it open with a flourish.

    "Tama, who''s with you?" A suspicious voice called from the other side of the door as it creaked open, revealing the presence of someone alongside the girl.

    "Sensei, sensei! I found a big brother! Look, I ate more than I ever have before. I''m so happy and full because of him!" she exclaimed, pointing to her slightly rounded belly, a result of all the food Luffy had shared with her. With a radiant smile, she added, "And I brought food for you too, sensei. Big brother said I could share it with you." Tama held out a bag of food and offered it to the man.

    The man, seated inside the house and wearing a mask, looked at Tama with sharp eyes, clearly surprised by the situation, though a hint of suspicion lingered in his gaze. He raised his head and looked toward the door as another figure approached.

    Finally, the person came into view, and the man''s eyes widened further behind his mask. "You..." he murmured, recognizing the newcomer immediately. After all, the face under the straw hat was well known from the newspapers he''d acquired through Kaido''s men.

    "So, you''re Tama''s master? Kozuki Sukiyaki..." Luffy said as he entered, glancing at the food Tama had brought and offering it to the teacher before him.

    "So, you know who I am?" the man asked, startled at being addressed by that name after so long, especially since he had kept it hidden. Still confused, he watched as his apprentice arranged the food before him, her gaze urging him to eat.

    "Of course, I know. You''re Oden''s father. Anyway, it''s a pleasure to meet you," Luffy replied with a smile.

    "So, you''ve come to Wano... Has the war with Kaido already begun?" the man asked, intrigued, as no sign of conflict had yet reached his ears.

    "Not yet. We''re feeding the country first, staying hidden from Kaido and his men while he focuses all his forces on Onigashima. We entered Kuri with a small group. We''re ending hunger in the towns before moving to other regions. I plan to transform all of Wano before we attack Kaido. After all, I want its samurai and citizens to fight for their land too," Luffy explained calmly, stepping closer to the man.

    "I see..." the man murmured, unable to say more as he processed what he had heard. He continued to observe Luffy carefully before speaking again. "But do you believe you can defeat Kaido? While I''m deeply grateful for what you''re doing for this country, I remain skeptical. I have my doubts that you''ll truly succeed."No?v(el)B\\jnn

    "Yeah, I get your doubts. After all, you''re expecting your grandson, along with some of the Red Scabbards who''ve traveled through time thanks to Kozuki Toki''s power, to appear and lead the charge here, aren''t you?" Luffy said with a grin.

    "How do you know that?" the man asked, visibly shaken once again. It was knowledge known to only a select few in Wano. He had remained in the shadows, waiting for the country to finally change. Even his granddaughter was unaware of his existence. He believed himself a great coward for it, having even failed at seppuku, the samurai ritual of suicide.

    "How I know doesn''t matter now. What matters is that prophecy has changed. We''re stronger than Kaido and Big Mom combined. Even they would need other allies, like another Yonko, to pose a real challenge to my crew. We already have enough powerful members that, even without me, they can defeat both Yonko," Luffy said confidently. "Anyway, I need to make a request."

    The man remained silent for a few seconds before turning to Luffy, his gaze narrowing slightly.

    "What do you want? I am an old man, a coward who spent all these years hiding, watching Wano descend to where it is now without the courage to do anything. I don''t know how I can be of any use," he murmured in the end, letting the guilt and resentment he carried show. He had witnessed Wano''s decline over the years but chose to remain in hiding after his son''s death, even concealing his name. Tama stood nearby, looking surprised ever since Luffy addressed him as Kozuki Sukiyaki.

    "Sensei..." Tama exclaimed in astonishment, her eyes welling up with tears as she listened. She had known he disliked seeing others but was unaware of these thoughts of his. For now, she tried to ignore them, even though she could see that he was starving and still hadn''t touched the food she had brought.

    "I need the swords," Luffy said, already knowing where Oden''s weapons were. "I know that sword belongs to Oden and is a direct heirloom for his children, Momonosuke and Hiyori." He threw another bombshell at the man.

    "What? The swords?" By now, the man thought Luffy knew all the secrets of Wano and eventually accepted it all. "Even if you are helping Wano, I cannot give them to you!" the man protested immediately, his voice firm.

    "I''m not asking to take them permanently, but the swords will be useful in the battle. You don''t have to give them to me—just lend them, and I''ll return them when it''s all over. Then, you can pass them on to both your grandchildren," Luffy replied calmly.

    The man froze for a moment and finally sighed, resigned. After all, what more could he expect from someone known worldwide for challenging even emperors?

    Zoro went off to train with the new sword, feeling the challenge it posed. Meanwhile, the others gathered at Oden''s father''s house. At some point, Yamato struck up a conversation with Oden''s father, asking animated questions without directly identifying herself as Kozuki Oden, as she had done before.

    Luffy discussed some of his plans while Lucy chatted with Tama, who played with Chouchou. Using her Akuma no Mi powers, Tama charmed a powerful Cerberus, quickly forming a friendship with the beast and Lucy. Lucy''s relaxed demeanor made Tama laugh, and they bonded quickly. Reiju, for her part, prepared more meals for everyone, as no one had eaten yet.

    "That sword?!" Sukiyaki exclaimed, surprised to see a sword at Kuina''s waist alongside her official blade. Kuina explained that she had defeated the zombie of Shimotsuki Ryuma and earned the sword.

    Everyone in Wano knew of Shimotsuki Ryuma''s desecrated grave, a legend in this land. Sukiyaki was even more astonished to learn that the dark-blue-haired woman''s name was Shimotsuki Kuina, a direct descendant. He could see how formidable she was with a sword.

    "What are you doing?" Lami, who hadn''t been very involved, asked as she saw Luffy walking out holding Enma.

    "I''m going to test this sword. Want to come with me?" Luffy asked, planning to do the same as Zoro was doing in the forest. Lami shrugged and followed him.

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