18: Chapter 17: Pops?
18: Chapter 17: Pops?
Because of Teach’s change in attitude, everyone else also began treating Oden normally.
As it turned out, Kozuki Oden was a remarkably charismatic and distinctive man.
Those who liked him adored him, while those who disliked him hated him intensely.
“Come on, drink another barrel!” Teach lifted a barrel, forced Oden’s mouth open, and poured the alcohol directly down his throat.
Five days had passed since Teach changed his attitude toward Oden.
The Moby Dick had been repaired, and their supplies had been fully replenished.
This was the Whitebeard Pirates’ final night in Wano Country.
After several days of normal interaction, and with the crew’s departure imminent, Oden forced his way into the banquet.
This time, no one said anything.
“That brat Teach is far too rude!
How dare he treat Oden-sama like that?” Kin’emon grumbled from a corner of the banquet, his injuries having somewhat recovered.
“I think Oden-sama seems quite happy…” Denjiro, the most composed of Kozuki Oden’s retainers, said quietly.
“Forget it.
This is their last night here.
Let Oden-sama enjoy himself,” Izo advised.
“Hahahaha!
Brother Teach, it’s a real shame we won’t see each other tomorrow!” Oden seemed genuinely reluctant to part with Teach, but then his true motive showed.
“Whitebeard, why won’t you let me join you?” Whitebeard ignored him.
Although Teach appeared to have let go of the grudge caused by that sword wound, Whitebeard still had his reservations.
The banquet continued deep into the night, while Oden remained frustrated.
Once it ended, his retainers carried him back to the Daimyo’s mansion.
The Whitebeard Pirates also settled down for the night, intending to leave Wano Country the next morning and embark on a new adventure.
“Oden must still be hungover, right?
After Teach poured that much alcohol into him, no normal person could possibly be sober by now.” Aboard the Moby Dick, which had already set sail, Marco watched Wano Country gradually disappear into the distance.
“That’s for the best.
If he were sober, he’d definitely be making a scene and demanding to board our ship,” Vista said.
He felt somewhat regretful.
Aside from himself, the only other true swordsman aboard was Whitebeard, and Whitebeard was not a pure swordsman.
As for the others who used swords, none of them could compare to Vista.
If Oden joined, Vista would finally have someone to spar with regularly, though he would undoubtedly be the one getting thrashed.
Oden was far stronger than him, but only by getting thrashed could he improve quickly.
Marco’s Mythical Zoan ability and Teach’s rapid progress were already putting tremendous pressure on him.
Vista had once been stronger than both of them.
Now, Teach was improving faster than he was and would surpass him sooner or later, while Marco had already grown stronger than him.
“Teach, what do you think of Oden?” Vista asked.
Of everyone aboard, Teach had clashed with Oden most severely, yet he had also been the first to accept him.
Teach did not answer.
He merely watched the receding coastline with a faint smile on his lips.
Clang!
A long iron chain flew toward the ship from the distance and wrapped around the mast several times.
“Whitebeard!
Don’t think you can abandon me that easily!
I won’t give up!” At the other end of the chain, Oden clung tightly to the links as he was dragged through the sea.
“Oden-sama, this is far too reckless!
You can’t leave!” Izo shouted as he watched Oden being dragged through the water.
He then jumped into the sea and wrapped his arms around Oden, trying to stop his willful behavior.
“That’s truly astonishing…” Marco said, speechless.
“Teach, what do you think?” Vista asked again.
“What can I think?
It mainly depends on Pops’s decision,” Teach replied with an indifferent shrug.
You’re offering yourself up to me.
In the future, I’ll be sure to take good care of your children.
Teach had never forgotten the humiliation Oden had caused him or the sword wound Kin’emon had inflicted.
He had merely buried his resentment deep within his heart.
The closer Oden tried to get to him, the more Teach hated him.
“Should I let Oden join?” Whitebeard suddenly appeared behind them, muttering to himself.
In truth, he had spoken quite loudly, clearly intending for Teach to hear him.
Oden was unpredictable.
Whitebeard could keep him under control, but if he disrupted the unity among his sons, that would be unacceptable.
Marco and the others also looked toward Teach, wanting to see whether he had truly stopped caring about their previous conflict.
“Pops, don’t you think the difference in strength within our family is too great?” “None of us have fully matured yet.
If we rely entirely on you, then when we encounter powerful pirate crews or a Marine admiral, casualties will be inevitable.” “Let Oden join us!
He’s powerful and would be a reliable fighter.
With him aboard, everyone will be much safer until they become stronger!” Teach earnestly analyzed the advantages and disadvantages for Whitebeard, sincerely urging him to accept Oden.
He was one hundred percent sincere.
“Gurararara!” “You truly are an excellent son, Teach!” Whitebeard was extremely satisfied.
He had already witnessed Teach’s monstrous talent.
Now, he had also seen the boy’s ability to consider the bigger picture.
Teach could think about the well-being of everyone in the family.
Combined with his enormous potential and visibly rapid growth, Whitebeard was convinced that when he eventually grew old, Teach would be able to take his place and lead the Whitebeard Pirates forward through the turbulent seas.
Whoosh!
Whitebeard grabbed the iron chain and hauled Oden and Izo out of the sea and onto the ship.
The moment he landed on deck, Oden asked eagerly, “Whitebeard, does this mean you’ve agreed to let me join?” “Oden-sama, stop being reckless!
Come back with me!
Everyone is still waiting for you at the Daimyo’s mansion!” “You bear the future of Wano Country on your shoulders!
You are its next shogun!
How can you abandon your country?” Ignoring the difference in status between lord and retainer, Izo seized Oden’s hand and tried to drag him back toward the sea.
Then he glared at Whitebeard.
“Whitebeard, you absolutely cannot agree to this!” Izo struggled with all his strength, but the difference between him and Oden was far too great.
Oden remained rooted in place, staring hopefully at Whitebeard.
“I’ve already refused him many times.
Now that he’s aboard my ship, he’ll naturally have to follow my rules.” Whitebeard cast Izo a sidelong glance before turning to Oden.
“I can allow you to join.
From now on, you’ll be my—” “Pops!” Oden exclaimed, thinking himself clever.
He understood the rules.
Everyone aboard the ship was family, Whitebeard was Pops, and everyone else was his child.
What did it matter?
He did not care.
He would do anything to sail the seas.
Bang!
Whitebeard gritted his teeth and threw a punch.
That shameless bastard had actually called him Pops!
“Wah!” The punch struck Oden in the abdomen, causing him to curl up like a shrimp and stumble backward repeatedly.
Oden ended up slumped against the ship’s railing, his eyes vacant and drool running from his mouth as though he had lost consciousness.
Whitebeard glared at him in exasperation.
“From now on, you’re my brother!
Don’t call me Pops again!” Being called Pops by Oden made Whitebeard deeply uncomfortable.
Looking at that face, which appeared nearly as old as his own, he had been unable to stop himself from throwing a punch.
“Heh heh…” Still slumped against the railing, Oden let out a series of inexplicable chuckles.