Ritter wasted no time seeking out Oden. The Whitebeard Pirates were still in their expansion phase, with only a few truly strong members. With no worthy opponents, most of them were just sitting around watching a bunch of brawlers who fought by the day was, frankly, boring.

Oden drew his twin swords. With a stomp of his foot, he closed the distance between him and Ritter in an instant, blades crossing as they slashed

"Two-Sword Style: Tao Blossom Tenfold Slash!"

Ritter didn't dodge. The Black Tide greatsword swept up to parry.

CLANG—!

The deafening clash of steel made the deck tremble. The wooden boards beneath Ritter's feet dipped slightly.

Oden's strike was powerful, but Black Tide held firm without a single crack.

"Not bad," Ritter said with a smirk. What do you think I am, just another cannon-fodder isekai protagonist? Thick fog burst forth, swallowing them both.

Within the mist, Oden's vision was completely obscured but he remained calm, activating his Observation Haki to locate Ritter. Yet strangely, his senses flickered in and out, his normally reliable Haki suddenly behaving erratically.

"Mist Veil: Mirage Wall!" Ritter's voice echoed from all directions as seven illusory figures charged at Oden.

Oden snorted, then spun his blades in a fierce whirlwind.

"Two-Sword Style: Revolving Sky!"

Ritter blinked. Revolving Sky? What is this, my brother-in-law's move??

The whirlwind of swordlight shredded the mirages instantly but the real Ritter had already slipped behind him. His greatsword surged with crimson mist as it came crashing down.

"Mistblade: Blood Tide!"

Oden reacted just in time to raise a blade and block, though the force still sent him skidding backward, leaving cracks in the deck where he landed.

"Now that's more like it!" Oden laughed, as Conqueror's Haki erupted from him, black and red lightning snaking around his twin swords.

Ritter raised a brow. "Is that advanced Conqueror's coating? No looks more like Ryuo fused with Conqueror's Haki. Alright then let's match it!"

BOOM—!

Their Haki collided, clouds boiling above them, waves rising from the ocean around the ship. Even the most seasoned crewmates staggered back. Roger and Newgate both looked on in astonishment.

"Not bad for a couple of brats," Roger grinned.

Oden, blades wrapped in surging Haki, leapt high into the air.

"Two-Sword Style: Tao Blossom Waterfall!"

Ritter didn't flinch. He raised his Haki-shrouded greatsword.

"Black Tide: Ocean Sever!"

KA-THOOM—!

The resulting shockwave tore the deck apart. Seawater exploded upward like geysers.

Landing lightly, Oden suddenly sheathed his swords and settled into an iaijutsu stance.

"Two-Sword Draw Style!" (Oden doesn't have many canonical moves I'm making some up here.)

Ritter's eyes narrowed. His greatsword glowed with a dark red light.

Mist God Style: Phantom Strike!

Both moved at once!

SHNK—!

Swordlight and air blades slashed past each other. For an instant, time stood still.

Crack…

Oden was hurled back, barely regaining his footing. Ritter stood still, a shallow cut on his shoulder.

They paused, standing back to back. The entire ship fell silent.

"…A draw? Ritter didn't win?" Shanks gawked.

"No," Rayleigh adjusted his glasses. "Ritter was clearly holding back. If he hadn't, the blood mist would've entered Oden's body the moment that final strike connected."

Oden turned, laughing heartily. "That was amazing! Your fog and swordsmanship are both impressive!"

Ritter sheathed Black Tide, the corner of his mouth lifting. "You're not so bad yourself. The samurai of Wano truly live up to their reputation."

Buggy and Shanks ran over, eyes sparkling. "Ritter, that was awesome! You guys fought for over three days!"

Ritter blinked. Three days? Man, time flies when you're busy being a tanky DPS. He now fully understood why bosses in RPGs always have multiple phases.

Meanwhile, Roger and Whitebeard's duel was also winding down.

"Gurararara! That was a good brawl. Alright, everyone let's throw a feast!" Whitebeard roared.

During the celebration, Whitebeard sat on his throne-like chair with his bisento resting nearby. He glanced at Roger and asked curiously, "So, Roger, why'd you come here?"

Roger grinned. "Newgate, I came to borrow someone."

The Whitebeard Pirates exploded in protest.

"Are you kidding me?!" Marco scowled. "You think we'd let you take one of our own?"

"Yeah!" Jozu clenched his fists. "You looking for a fight?"

Ritter stood beside Roger, scanning the Whitebeard Pirates before his eyes finally rested on Oden the man in the kimono with two blades at his waist, watching them with interest.

Whitebeard snorted. "Fine, say it then. Who do you want to borrow?"

Roger pointed directly at Oden. "Him. Kozuki Oden."

Dead silence.

Oden blinked, then burst into laughter. "Interesting! What do you want from me?"

Roger's eyes blazed. "I heard you can read the Poneglyphs. I'm going to the final island and I need you. Don't you want to uncover the secrets of the world?"

Whitebeard's expression darkened. "You realize what you're asking, Roger? Are you prepared to go to war with the Whitebeard Pirates?"

Roger stood up solemnly. His gaze was filled with conviction, a lifetime's worth of yearning for truth.

"Edward… I've never asked for anything in my life. But this journey I can't take it without Oden.

To uncover the truth of the world… to unravel its hidden secrets that's the final dream I'm chasing. I know what I'm asking is outrageous, but I need him. Desperately."

He actually began to kneel.

Ritter slapped himself. Damn it I forgot that Oden originally joined Roger's crew like this…

"Captain?!" Rayleigh's pupils shrank.

Jabba shouted, "Roger! Don't you dare kneel to Newgate, you idiot—!"

But before Roger's knee could touch the ground, two strong arms caught his shoulders.

It was Ritter.

Blood mist coiled around him. His crimson eyes burned, his voice tight with emotion. "Roger… don't kneel."

Ritter had once admired this moment Roger, willing to kneel for his dream.

But Ritter had grown up on Roger's ship since the age of three. Roger, Rayleigh, and Jabba were the three men he respected most in the world. And he would never allow one of them to abandon their pride.

No matter who it was for.

No matter what the reason.

Roger looked up in shock. He could feel Ritter's strength anchoring him in place.

Once sure Roger wouldn't kneel again, Ritter turned to face Newgate.

"Because the truth of this world is worth seeing," he said, stepping forward, blood mist circling him, red eyes locked on Whitebeard's. "And he deserves to see it."

Whitebeard narrowed his eyes. "Kid… are you telling me how to treat my family?"

"No," Ritter's voice was quiet but rang crystal clear through the air. "I'm saying that Oden has the right to choose his own path. If he can read the Poneglyphs, then he must have always dreamed of uncovering the world's secrets."

At that moment, Oden stepped forward, both hands gripping his swords. His eyes shimmered with conflicting emotions.

"Captain…"

Whitebeard gazed at him in silence.

"I want to go," Oden said, his voice trembling but resolute. "I studied the Poneglyphs for this exact reason to see the world for myself."

Marco couldn't hold back. "Oden! You know how hard it was to get you on this crew!"

Oden turned to face his former crewmates and bowed deeply. "I'm sorry, everyone. But this journey I have to take it."

Whitebeard's expression finally changed. He stared at Oden for a long moment, then suddenly burst into laughter.

"Gurararara! Alright then!"

He slammed his bisento into the deck, making the ship quake.

"If that's your choice, then go!"

Ritter let out a slow breath as the blood mist faded. Things had gone far more smoothly than he'd expected Oden's resolve, and Whitebeard's generosity, had both exceeded his expectations.

I owe you one, old man.

Roger stepped forward laughing. "Thanks, Newgate! I promise we'll bring him back safe and sound!"

Whitebeard snorted. "If a single hair is missing, I'll sink your damn ship."

Oden's eyes were slightly red, but his smile was bright. "When I return, I'll bring the best sake with me!"

And so, for the first time in history, a feast between the Roger Pirates and the Whitebeard Pirates was cut short.

As the Oro Jackson slowly sailed away, Marco approached Whitebeard.

"Pops… Oden…"

Whitebeard watched the distant ship, a soft smile playing on his lips.

"Ritter was right… Everyone has the right to choose their own path. That's what it means to be family."

Carried on the sea breeze, Oden's final shout echoed back across the waves:

"I'll be back I promise!"

Under the setting sun, two legendary ships sailed in opposite directions each toward their own destiny.

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