Chapter 190: Kaido Appears!

More than half a year ago, when Adrian was diligently training in swordsmanship at the Isshin Dojo in East Blue and had successfully reached the level of a master swordsman, he received a task named 'Last Wish' from his master, Shimotsuki Koushirou. This task had quietly sat in his task panel for over half a year.

Decades ago, Shimotsuki Kozaburo left the isolationist country of Wano from the New World and established Shimotsuki Village in the peaceful East Blue, never returning to his homeland for the rest of his life.

Decades later, unable to let go of the people and things in Shimotsuki Village, Koushirou chose to entrust his father's last wish to Adrian, who visited the dojo.

Adrian remembered one thing very clearly.

In the original story, when Wano Country was finally appeared, the Shimotsuki family/clan was reduced to just two lonely descendants, and the younger one was even an adopted daughter.

But that was already in the year 1522 of the Sea Circle Calendar.

The Wano Country that had been under the joint oppression and rule of Kaido and Kurozumi Orochi for nearly twenty years.

The current situation of the Shimotsuki family should be slightly better.

Although the rewards for the "Last Wish" task seemed meager now, Adrian wasn't doing it just for the task rewards.

It wasn't just because of Koushirou's unreserved teaching that allowed him to comprehend the "Breath of All Things" and master the "Ryūō" of Wano Country's samurai in advance.

It was also because Wano Country was currently undergoing an unprecedented upheaval!

During this upheaval, the new forces invading Wano Country and the old forces ruling it were engaged in a large-scale conflict!

Adrian had no intention of intervening in this transformation of ruling powers.

He had no particular affection for either Kaido or Kozuki Oden.

Kaido was fine.

No matter what, his initial impression was always that of the 'Emperor of the Sea' and the 'Brutal Great Pirate'.

Whatever evil Kaido committed, even if you didn't liked it, could still be understood.

But for Kozuki Oden, Adrian felt only disgust and aversion.

{??}

Let's recount the 'strange operations' that this Kozuki Oden, the heir of Wano Country, did in the original story. {}

Starting at age 6, he started roaming the Red-Light District and spent the castle's money at the pleasure halls.

Ahem, let's not count that.

By the time he was 8, he started drinking booze and began picking fights with gamblers.

Yakuza had banned him from their casino. This resulted in Oden setting their casino on fire and starting a conflict with them.

When he was 14, he attempted to help the Flower Capital citizens during a terrible drought as he was unable to bear the sight of people suffering from dried-out wells. He curved the river itself to run through the capital, however, this resulted in the Capital becoming flooded.

When he was 15 and still in hiding, he threatened the priest of a secluded mountain into sheltering him.

While secluded in a temple, he habitually kidnapped civilian girls to build a harem, causing the "Harem Revolt" as called by Wano Country's people...

And there's more, but let's not go into that.

Of course, these actions, seen as the "Heir of Wano Country," were completely… that is their to think what it was. Whether it was outrageous or an act of heavenly god, only they knew, but for Adrian it was just outrageous.

But why did his view mattered?

After all, the future of this country was his to squander, and others had no right to criticize.

But when Kozuki Oden finally decided to reform and revitalize Wano Country, even gathering followers aiming to protect it, he chose to go on an adventure?

And he insisted on joining Whitebeard's Pirates, despite their clear refusal?

Then wished to go with Roger pirate…

Adrian couldn't understand how Kozuki Oden's mind worked!

Even after adventuring with the two top pirate crews, the Whitebeard Pirates and the Roger Pirates, Oden showed no growth beyond strength and age.

For some inexplicable reason, Oden made an agreement with Kurozumi Orochi, who usurped the shogunate, and Kaido, who coveted Wano's resources.

Thus, he became a laughingstock, known as the "Foolish Lord," dancing in just a loincloth daily beneath the castle walls.

Adrian couldn't fathom how Kozuki Sukiyaki viewed his idiot son.

If he were Kozuki Sukiyaki, he would've directly shot him against the wall!

Speaking of the scene where Oden and the Nine Red Scabbards faced the "Boiling alive execution," the citizens of Wano were moved to tears.

???

Adrian couldn't understand how the brains of Wano's people worked.

Oden ended up in that situation because he brought it upon himself!

And despite all the mess Oden caused, the ones most harmed were the citizens who wept for his death!

Oden's last words were, "They can forget me, for all I care. My soul will live on!! Build strength while you can, for I am a story to accompany your drinks. I AM ODEN, AND I WAS BORN TO BOIL!"

Being a tale is more than enough, maybe even too much.

But born to boil? No thanks.

It would be too nauseating to drink to! Every boiled water or filtered water will have your taste if I think that. So, please no, thank you.

As for "Kozuki Momonosuke," often cursed by countless fans across dimensions, Adrian didn't have much animosity.

He never judged someone for potential future evils but for their present actions.

No need.

Really no need.

Just cut it off.

Remove the root of the problem, understand the truth, and cultivate the mind.

Adrian believed Momonosuke could surpass his predecessors, becoming an excellent ruler of Wano, continuing the isolationist, brain-dead feudal kingdom.

...

After another period of sailing.

The Abyss finally reached Wano Country.

This was a peculiar island situated on a high 'plateau'.

Surrounded by surging waterfalls on all sides, ordinary ships couldn't reach Wano by ascending the waterfalls.

This terrain naturally favored Wano's isolationist policy.

The only way to enter Wano was by "carp pulling the ship"!

"Wow! Such great waterfalls!"

Love marveled at the unique sight of Wano ahead.

"Actually, rather than the waterfalls, shouldn't the surging sea be more appreciated?"

Adrian gazed at the turbulent sea around the Abyss, a famous ukiyo-e scene, "The Great Wave off Kanagawa," slowly emerging in his mind.

It had to be said, under the Creator's personal preference, Wano's style was entirely different from other places!

At this moment, an immensely terrifying aura descended from the sky like divine wrath.

In an instant, the already gloomy sky turned completely dark.

Thick clouds gathered, winds rose, and one could see lightning, like silver snakes, flashing through the clouds, causing deafening thunderclaps.

Dragon!

A giant dragon exuded an extremely intimidating aura.

The fierce dragon head emitted a violent aura, with black mane fluttering like flames, and blue scales reflecting a chilling light under the lightning. Sharp claws were wrapped in blazing fire clouds.

The massive dragon body covered the sky, blocking out the sun.

"What... what is that..."

The little fox gasped, eyes wide with shock and panic.

Her white fur stood on end from the fright, turning into a fluffy ball, and her fox tail drooped, almost tucking between her legs.

"This is the power of a Devil Fruit!"

"Zoan-type, Mythical Beast Species, Fish-Fish Fruit, Azure Dragon Form!"

"A legendary mythical creature!"

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For all well wishers, thank you