SWNOVELXO Chapter 11: Chapter 11: The Deceit, Foolish Oden!
The Land of Wano.
On the bustling streets, a burly man danced wildly, seemingly out of his mind, wearing nothing but a piece of cloth to cover himself.
This man was Kozuki Oden.
This had become a weekly ritual. The people mocked him, shaking their heads in disappointment. But through it all, his wife, children, and his nine loyal retainers never left his side.
Oden grinned broadly, striking ridiculous poses as he moved.
"Haha! Mom, look! That fool Oden is dancing again! It's so funny!"
A young girl pointed excitedly at Oden, tugging her mother's hand to come and see.
"Stop watching. Let's go home," the woman said coldly. She threw a glance of disdain at Oden and muttered, "He's the son of the former shogun Sukiyaki, and the daimyo of Kuri… yet look at him now. It's pathetic."
"Hahaha! Keep dancing, Oden the fool!"
"Idiot Oden!"
"Idiot Oden!"
"Aha~ Dang dang dang dang~"
Despite the ridicule, Oden continued to dance without missing a beat, ignoring the scornful voices around him.
"This is only the first year. I have four more to endure. I must hold out—for my family, for those taken hostage. When the ship is finished, Kaido and Orochi will leave. Then... I'll open the borders. Wano must open to the world!"
He chuckled again, steeling his resolve.
"Roger offered to help, but I refused. Was that foolish? …No! I have to believe in my decision—this is my duty."
Though he looked like a clown on the outside, inside, he was unwavering.
Not far away, someone had been silently observing him.
It was a woman dressed as a ninja—slender, with sharp features, twin ponytails, and a pink outfit. She had the elegance of a noble lady and the charm of a playful girl.
She was Shinobu, once a ninja under the Kozuki clan.
"I heard everything, Oden… the deal you made with Kaido and Orochi. You're a true man."
The Flower Capital – General's Mansion.
Black Maria poured herself a drink while lounging on the floor.
"General Orochi, Kozuki Oden is dancing again in the capital."
"Hahahaha! Yes, I know. Let him continue. Keep an eye on him."
"Understood."
As the subordinate left, Orochi continued drinking greedily, a twisted grin forming on his face.
"Ahahaha… if only Oden knew… five years from now, all of this will turn out to be a lie! What a joke!"
Beside him stood an elderly man with a shamisen in his hand—Kurozumi Semimaru, the user of the Barrier-Barrier Fruit.
"You're right. Kozuki Oden is just a fool, easily manipulated by us."
An old, hideous woman emerged from the shadows. She was Kurozumi Higurashi, who possessed the Clone-Clone Fruit.
"Exactly! Wano belongs to us now! Who cares who Oden is? He's no match for Orochi!"
Grinning maliciously, Higurashi whispered to Orochi, "Once Kaido finishes producing sea stone cuffs and completes the weapons factory and Devil Fruit experiments, all that power will be yours."
"Yes… all of it! This land is mine now! Even Kaido will bow to me! I'm Orochi, ruler of Wano! Anyone who stands in my way—dies!"
As he cackled, Orochi transformed into a massive eight-headed serpent—the mythical Yamata no Orochi. Each head hissed, and the center one wore a crown.
"Hehehehe…"
Higurashi giggled creepily, while Semimaru stood silently behind her.
Time passed—night fell over Kuri, Wano Country.
At the Kozuki household, Oden sat proudly at the head of the room. Below him stood his nine loyal retainers:
Kin'emon, Denjiro, Kanjuro, Kikunojo, Raizo, Ashura Doji, Kawamatsu, Inuarashi, and Nekomamushi.
"Come here, Momonosuke, Hiyori—let your father hold you!"
"Yes, Father!"
Little Momonosuke rushed into his father's arms.
Oden's eyes welled up with tears of joy. "Ahh… Momo is such a good boy. Father's so happy."
"Yeah, yeah."
Baby Hiyori couldn't speak yet, but she toddled over with her arms wide open.
"Hiyori's so adorable! Come here to Daddy!"
Oden pulled both children into his embrace. No matter how humiliating the day had been, moments like this gave him peace.
Toki smiled gently nearby.
"Oden, are you going dancing again in the capital?"
"Yes, Toki."
Oden rubbed cheeks with his children, still smiling.
"Can I at least wear some clothes this time?"
"No."
All nine retainers shouted in unison, "That's such a blunt answer!!!"
"Hahahaha!"
Oden burst out laughing.
"I actually enjoy it! Dancing like this clears my mind. It's good training for the spirit."
"Fix your hair, my lord!" the retainers shouted again.
"Ahahahaha!"
He laughed even harder, surrounded by the people he loved. Whatever the cost, it was worth it.
Crossing his arms, Kin'emon sighed, "Lord Oden… can't you tell us the real reason you're doing this?"
"Yes, we're your retainers. We would follow you through anything," Denjiro added, adjusting his glasses.
Oden waved it off with a smile. "Haha, I just thought it'd be a new kind of training. Don't overthink it."
Momonosuke looked up with bright eyes. "Father, I'll always be by your side!"
"You're choking me!" Momo gasped as Oden hugged him too tightly.
"Oden! Be gentle!" Toki chuckled as she covered her mouth to hide her laughter.
"Oof, I overdid it again."
Momonosuke painted dramatically, sticking out his tongue. "Ha… ha… I almost died…"
"Momonosuke, come to Mama," Toki said.
"Yes, Mother," the boy replied and walked over.
"Such a polite child," Oden murmured, his eyes full of warmth.
"Lord Oden, you're hiding something from us, aren't you?" said Kikunojo, who looked like a woman in a kimono but was actually a man. "You took my brother and me in. Please, let us share your burden."
"I told you—I'm training."
Oden still refused to tell them the truth. He believed the burden was his alone to carry.
"Hmm…"
Kikunojo sighed.
The retainers exchanged concerned looks. They had all visited Oden frequently, trying to understand this sudden change in him.
Even Kanjuro looked uneasy, though there was something calculating in his expression.
"Knowing Oden… he was never the brightest or most focused. All he ever wanted was to sail. But now… there's something different about him. Maybe I'm just imagining things. Or maybe…"
He trailed off in thought.