A cook, vice-captain of the Rocks Pirates?

It turned out to be the case.

Newgate finally understood Roger's intentions and the deeper meaning behind Roger's words two years ago.

But he still didn't budge.

“That’s Oden’s own business; I won’t make the decision for him.”

Newgate's voice was deep and firm.

"Besides, even if he agrees, I won't easily hand my family over to you, a guy who could cause a huge mess at any moment."

This is his bottom line as a captain and as a father.

Just as tensions were running high and the atmosphere was frozen again, a voice full of boldness and curiosity broke the deadlock.

"Hahaha! This is so interesting! Unraveling the truth of history? The final island? This sounds like a very exciting adventure!"

It was Kozuki Oden.

He pushed aside Gatz and Marco, who were blocking his way, and walked up to the two captains.

His face, which always carried a touch of innocence, was now filled with an infinite longing for unknown adventures.

Chapter 203 Kozuki Oden Departs

"Roger, can your ship really reach the end of the world? Is the best wine and the best meat in the world there?"

Oden's question, as always, went off-topic, but it hit the nail on the head.

"Of course!"

Roger grinned.

"Everything you want to know is there, as well as scenery you've never seen before!"

"Okay! I'll go with you!"

Without a second thought, Oden made the decision. He turned around and bowed deeply to Newgate.

"Dad! Please allow me to be willful just this once! I promise you, I will definitely come back to be your son again and continue washing the dishes on the ship!"

Oden's tone was sincere and full of pleading.

Looking into Oden's clear eyes, which burned with the flame of adventure, Newgate fell silent.

He knew he couldn't keep this man.

Just like an eagle, once its wings have grown, it will inevitably yearn for a wider sky.

Forcing him to stay by your side will only break his wings and destroy his soul.

"Gulalalalala..."

Newgate finally laughed, a laugh filled with helplessness, yet also with a hint of pride and satisfaction as an elder.

"Since it's your own decision, then go ahead."

He patted Oden's shoulder heavily with his huge hand: "But remember, if you die out there, I won't be coming to collect your body."

"Hahaha! I am Kozuki Oden! I won't die!"

Thus, at Kozuki Oden's own request, this seemingly imminent conflict was resolved in a dramatic way.

Although the members of the Whitebeard Pirates were filled with reluctance, they respected Oden's choice.

On the night before the Oro Jackson was to depart, Ryan once again found Oden gazing at the stars alone on the beach.

"Mr. Oden."

"Oh! It's Brother Ryan!"

Oden turned around, his face filled with excitement at the prospect of embarking on a new journey.

Raine didn't waste any words; he simply looked calmly at Oden, his eyes so deep they seemed to see into the future.

"I calculated the time."

Rein slowly began to speak: "More than four years have passed since we left Wano Country."

"Yes, time really flies!"

"Your journey with Mr. Roger this time may take you through the vicinity of Wano Country."

Raine's tone remained calm, but it caused Oden's smile to fade slightly.

"I just want to remind you to be careful about a person, and also about something."

"Who is it? What is it?"

"Be careful of that guy who's always following you around, the one who seems the least noticeable but is the most eager to please you."

Ryan's gaze sharpened: "Some venomous snakes are masters at disguising themselves as harmless earthworms."

"As for that matter..."

Renn sighed softly.

"Wano Country is a huge, top-quality piece of meat that the whole world wants. After you, the strongest master, left, there's no guarantee that even more ferocious beasts won't try to take advantage of the situation and devour it."

"I've heard that Kaido of the Beasts has been making increasingly big moves in the New World lately. He seems to have been coveting Wano Country's unique geographical location and abundant resources for a long time."

Raine's words were like a bucket of ice water poured on Oden's burning heart.

He recalled Rein's words from two years ago, and also thought of the faint undercurrent within Wano Country when he left.

"You mean... Orochi... and Kaido?"

For the first time, Oden's expression turned serious.

"I'm just a chef, I only trust the smells I make."

Renn withdrew his gaze and resumed his calm expression.

“I smell a stench of decay from your country, and I also smell a greedy, carnivorous craving from Kaido.”

That's all I have to say. Take care of yourself.

After saying that, Raine turned and left, leaving Oden standing alone on the beach with a furrowed brow, lost in deep thought.

He knew that Ryan never spoke without reason.

The gears of history, along with his choices, have officially begun their relentless and magnificent rotation.

The next morning, as the first rays of sunlight pierced the clouds and cast golden light upon the two battered legendary ships, the moment of parting finally arrived.

Kozuki Oden, carrying his twin swords and a pile of luggage, mainly a month's worth of specially made jerky and various seasonings prepared for him overnight by Rein, stood on the temporary bridge connecting the two ships.

"Everyone! I'm leaving!"

Oden waved his arms vigorously at the Whitebeard Pirates, a bright smile on his face, but his eyes were a little moist.

"Damn Oden! Don't embarrass us in public! Don't come back if you dare go hungry..."

Gatz couldn't finish his sentence and started crying like a 300-pound child, wiping away his tears with his huge fists.

"Have a safe journey, Mr. Oden, yoi."

Marco's face also showed a hint of reluctance.

"Remember to brush your teeth on time, and don't put everything in your mouth."

Dorum's admonitions, as always, were full of shipwright's characteristics.

Newgate didn't speak; he simply crossed his arms and quietly watched his son, who was about to embark on a long journey, his eyes filled with complex emotions.

In the end, Oden boarded the Oro Jackson.

"My men! Raise the sails! Set sail for the end of the sea!"

At Roger's command, the Straw Hat Skull Flag, brimming with the spirit of adventure, fluttered in the wind.

The Oro Jackson sailed through the waves and soon disappeared at the horizon, leaving only a receding silhouette and a promise of an era.

The atmosphere on the deck of the New Moby Dick became somewhat somber.

The ship was missing a guy with boundless energy who could tear the sky apart, a glutton who could argue with Gatz from morning till night, and a family member who always brought trouble but also countless laughs. Everyone felt a sense of emptiness.

"Pshaw, it's just one less person to wash the dishes, what's the big deal?"

Gatz rubbed his swollen eyes and stubbornly insisted.

"Yes, that means there will be fewer holes in the deck in the future."

Dorum echoed, but there was no hint of ease in his tone.

"All right."

Newgate's voice broke the silence. He slowly stood up, his mountain-like figure exuding an undeniable aura of dominance.

"The time for sentimentality is over. Oden has his adventure to pursue, and we have our own journey to take."

He looked around at his crew, and a flame reignited in his deep eyes.

"Our dream is to travel the world, find all the finest ingredients, and host the world's best banquets! This dream won't stop just because one person is missing!"

Newgate's words were like a shot in the arm, energizing everyone.

Yes, their voyage must continue.

……

Chapter 204 A Living Island!

Kozuki Oden's departure was like a piece being ripped out of the vibrant heart of the New Moby Dick.

The noise on the ship seemed to have subsided a few degrees.

Gatz became somewhat silent; he could no longer find that glutton who could argue with him from morning till night over the last piece of roast meat.

During training, they all seemed somewhat listless, mechanically swinging the anchor and smashing shallow craters into the deck that caused Dorum's heart to stop.

"Hey, Dorum, do you think Oden is even getting enough to eat on Roger's ship right now?"

Gatz, unusually, didn't roar, but instead asked in a muffled voice.

Dorum was holding a small notebook, painstakingly recording the new repair items. Hearing this, he sighed, "I don't know, but the shipwrights on Roger's ship must be having a hard time."

Marco was also a little unaccustomed to it. He used to have to spend half of his energy worrying about whether Oden would bring back some strange things from some strange place, or whether he would dismantle the ship while playing around with Gatz.

The ship was so quiet now that it felt almost unreal to him, and even his signature yoi sound had lost some of its lazy tone.

Newgate leaned back on his throne, drinking his wine, and quietly watched it all.

He knew that the loss of family members would always bring pain, but it was an inevitable part of growing up.

But he also knew that the ship could not remain in this desolate atmosphere indefinitely.

"Alright, everyone, perk up!"

Newgate's booming voice dispelled the somber atmosphere on the deck.

"Oden has his own adventures, and we have our own journeys! Just because there's one less person to wash the dishes, do you even want to skip your meals?!"

"Want to eat!"

Gatz yelled out instinctively, then scratched his head somewhat embarrassedly.

"Gurarararara! That's right!"

Newgate laughed heartily; "Our dream is to travel the world, find the finest ingredients, and host the most spectacular banquets! This dream won't stop just because anyone leaves!"

The captain's heroic spirit reignited everyone's enthusiasm.

The sails of the New Moby Dick were once again billowing in the wind as it sped towards the unknown seas.

And so, in a somewhat mundane yet comforting atmosphere among family members, they sailed for nearly a month.

That day, when the ship sailed into a completely new sea area, everyone was stunned by the sight before them.

This sea was unlike any other place they had ever seen before, even more bizarre and fantastical than the Sea of ​​Time Stop and the Sea of ​​Thunderclouds.

The sky was no longer simply blue, but instead displayed a magnificent hue, like a huge, shimmering gemstone.

Countless tiny, rainbow-like streams of energy weave through the clouds, as if the sky itself were a giant, living organism.