There are many ways a person can die.
However, the death of Oden Kōzuki in the original work, while brutal, was also frustrating, even pathetic and foolish.
Oden Kōzuki possessed absolute strength.
He had Kenbunshoku Haki that could hear everything.
He had Haōshoku Haki that could contend with Whitebeard and Roger.
On the sea, he possessed top-tier Busoshoku Haki.
His swordsmanship could cleave through the defenses of the formidable Kaido.
These four qualities alone were enough to ensure that if Oden Kōzuki harbored ambition, he would have been a paramount figure in a chaotic era.
Yet, this formidable warrior was an idiot.
His wisdom did not bring peace to Wano Country. Instead, knowing Kurozumi Orochi's schemes against the nation, he abandoned his people for the sake of his own freedom and to see the outside world, pushing the country into an abyss.
His might did not bring safety to the citizens who believed in the Kōzuki clan. Instead, after a simple confrontation, he yielded after a few words, and under the ashamed gazes of his people, in full view of the public, he danced to amuse them.
All of this dealt a severe blow to the morale of Wano Country's samurai.
It also caused the citizens of Wano Country to lose faith in Oden Kōzuki.
The current resistance, only now attempting to protect their people, was again threatened everywhere by Kurozumi Orochi and the Beast Pirates using the citizens of Wano Country as leverage. Unable to ruthlessly press forward, they constantly found themselves at a disadvantage.
Benedict's words caused Oden Kōzuki's expression to become solemn.
The Nine Red Scabbards, due to Benedict's words, immediately became vigilant and prepared for battle.
Even if they were not Benedict's match, they would give their all for their lord.
"What do you mean?" Oden Kōzuki stared at Benedict with a displeased expression, speaking in a deep voice.
"Literally," Benedict said, word by word.
"If you are a pirate, regardless of whether you are the shogun of Wano Country, the Genbu Marines would sentence you to death."
"The reality is, you have left the pirate ranks and become the shogun of Wano Country."
"At the invitation of Lady Toki, I have come here."
"I can help you reclaim Wano Country and help you fulfill your wish of establishing the country."
"But there is one condition: you must tell me the 'truth' you saw on the Laugh Tale."
The strength of the Nine Red Scabbards was not weak.
Even without intentionally eavesdropping, they could still hear the conversation between the two.
This was the first time they had heard about their lord reaching Laugh Tale.
Although some of them had accompanied Oden Kōzuki on his voyages, after returning to Wano Country and reading the Poneglyphs, he had left alone with Roger's ship.
Those who did not board the ship naturally did not know that Oden Kōzuki had been to Laugh Tale.
Now, how could they not be interested?
Oden Kōzuki remained silent for a moment.
His time as a pirate was the happiest period of his life.
During that time, he traveled the world, saw the customs and traditions of various places, and reached the final island, where he saw the so-called 'truth.'
"Change the condition."
Oden Kōzuki knew that with the strength he currently possessed, it was impossible to fight both Kurozumi Orochi and the Beast Pirates simultaneously.
Over the years, due to his wrong decisions, many samurai who were willing to follow him had been dealt with one after another.
Currently, the only available troops were about two thousand men.
This force was enough to deal with Kurozumi Orochi, but if the Beast Pirates were involved, they could only retreat.
Therefore, if Benedict was willing to help, it would undoubtedly be a pleasant thing.
However, if the 'truth' was to be the condition, Oden Kōzuki could only refuse.
This secret was not to be revealed until the time was right.
"Changing the condition is also acceptable."
"You should still remember the route to Laugh Tale, right?"
"Draw me the route to Laugh Tale."
Benedict naturally knew that it was unlikely to get the so-called 'truth' directly from Oden Kōzuki.
Even if Oden Kōzuki said it, he wouldn't entirely believe it.
"No!" Oden Kōzuki still replied.
Benedict frowned and said displeasedly, "With your attitude, it will be difficult for us to cooperate."
"Don't you want to save your country?"
"Don't you want to avoid disappointing the citizens who believe in the Kōzuki clan?"
"Don't you want to continue being a cowardly escapee?"
Oden Kōzuki's expression remained as calm as water, completely unaffected by Benedict's words.
This outcome made Benedict somewhat surprised.
Could this guy really be so foolish, truly unconcerned about the life and death of this country?
Kin'emon the Fox Fire and the other Nine Red Scabbards instinctively looked at Oden Kōzuki after hearing Benedict's words.
Oden Kōzuki was their lord, and as his retainers, they should be loyal.
However, at times, they were also very disappointed with Oden Kōzuki's actions.
If Oden Kōzuki had stayed to fight for the country back then, there would not have been any opportunity for Kurozumi Orochi to control most of Wano Country's military and territory and threaten them with the lives of its people.
There would not have been the Beast Pirates occupying Onigashima and constantly harassing them.
"Some things are not to be spoken of until the time is right."
"The route, it's not that I won't draw it for you, but because the route is ever-changing."
"It moves and appears in different places at different times."
"Laugh Tale is not an island, but an entrance."
Oden Kōzuki finally responded to Benedict after a period of silence.
"A moving entrance?" Benedict summarized, saying hesitantly.
Oden Kōzuki nodded and said, "The specific method is recorded in the Poneglyphs."
"Back then, although I accompanied Roger to Laugh Tale, Roger was the one who was always guiding us."
"In that special sea area, the fog was dense, and the compass was useless. Everything depended on Roger's calculations and senses to navigate."
"I don't recommend you go there," Oden Kōzuki said to Benedict. "It's too early."
Benedict smiled upon hearing this and said, "Whether it's too early is not for you to decide, nor is it for the so-called truth to decide."
"All I want is to get there and know this truth."
"In other words, the truth there has no bearing on me."
"Because I will change this world."
"The World Government will disappear, and the Celestial Dragons will also disappear."
"A new civilization will advance the gears of progress because of me."
"The culmination of the truth is that I will create a brand new world."