Chapter 245: We Have a Traitor Among Us
Kaido of the Four Emperors was an overwhelming force for the Straw Hat Pirates, and even Luffy, who was at the fourth stage, would be no match for him. Nami and the others realized that, even if they joined forces, they wouldn't stand a chance against Kaido. It was a significant problem to have on their ship.
Nami and Chopper furrowed their brows, and Rodney, brandishing his sword, addressed the unconscious Momonosuke, saying, "Kaido of the Four Emperors is not a guy even Doflamingo would dare mess with. You better think twice before protecting this brat."
Rodney continued, "Considering his father was the legendary hero, Kozuki Oden, it's surprising that he turned out to be such a cowardly son. He should at least inherit the spirit of a man who left scars on Kaido."
Kozuki Oden, the daimyo of Kuri in Wano, was an advanced user of Haki, particularly the Armament Haki known as Ryou. He managed to leave a scar on Kaido during their battle, and the scar remained even after healing.
Despite his strength, Kozuki Oden had fallen in battle against Kaido.
As the former second division commander of the Whitebeard Pirates and later a member of Gol D. Roger's crew, Kozuki Oden possessed the "Voice of All Things," the ability to understand the language of Poneglyphs and Sea Kings. Nobody knew what he had discovered on Laugh Tale during Roger's journey, but when he returned to Wano and faced various hardships, he was eventually killed by Kaido and Orochi.
"Rodney, are you saying that this kid's father was the second division commander of the Whitebeard Pirates?" Nami inquired.
Rodney nodded and said, "He was Ace's predecessor as the second division commander. He could have defeated Kaido if it weren't for a trick, but he was ultimately killed. If it weren't for the circumstances, that battle would have been his victory, and Kaido wouldn't just have those two scars on him."
What had Kozuki Oden seen on Laugh Tale? Rodney didn't know, but the transformation of a once-arrogant, ruthless man who had remained indifferent to any sacrifice into an overly naive "Little Lord" intrigued him. It hinted at a great secret, possibly one concerning the world itself.
Narrowing his eyes, Rodney, radiating an aura of immeasurable power, became even more curious about what was hidden on Laugh Tale. However, he needed all four Road Poneglyphs to reach that destination. He already possessed one, stolen from Big Mom. Zou had another, while Kaido likely held the third. The final one, despite its location on Fish-Man Island, wasn't in their possession. Rodney contemplated that if all else failed, he might have to seek out Rayleigh for answers.
After some thought, Rodney turned his attention to the small crimson dragon on the deck. He believed Momonosuke might still be useful to some extent. Cat Viper and Inuarashi would likely value this young master.
"This kid has a unique identity, and he's from twenty years ago. His mother used the Time-Time Fruit's ability to send him to this era. He has a younger sister, around twenty-six years old," Rodney explained.
Momonosuke's group could be considered time travelers in the world of pirates. Unlike Rodney, who hailed from another world, they had jumped through time. For them, the events from twenty years ago were like yesterday.
Momonosuke's mother, Kozuki Toki, had the ability to manipulate time with the Toki Toki no Mi. Due to special circumstances, she had traveled from 800 years ago to become Kozuki Oden's wife. In the final battle, to ensure the survival of the Kozuki bloodline, she had sent Momonosuke and a few others twenty years into the future, to the present time.
In essence, Momonosuke, who was now not even ten years old, had a twenty-six-year-old sister.
"Twenty years ago? Is there really a Devil Fruit power like that?" Rodney questioned.
"Anything is possible with Devil Fruits. There's even one called the 'Face-Face Fruit,' where anyone who sees you will show you respect. Trust me; it's real. In fact, during the battle against Whitebeard's crew, when the user of that fruit intervened, the fighting stopped," Rodney explained.
Rodney continued, "By the way, can you contact Zoro?"
"Of course," Nami nodded and took out a Transponder Snail. She dialed Zoro's number.
The snail closed one eye as it transmitted Zoro's voice, "Nami, what's up?"
"Mr. Rodney wants to talk to you," Nami replied.
"Rodney?" Zoro questioned, "What does he want?"
Taking the receiver from Nami, Rodney asked, "Zoro, do you have a swordsman named Kin'emon with you?"
"Yes, I do," Zoro replied, "What's going on?"
Taking a deep breath, Rodney revealed, "I know who betrayed Kozuki Oden."
Kin'emon: !!!
His eyes widened as he listened intently. Kozuki Oden was his lord, and he had sworn unwavering loyalty to him. The events of twenty years ago, when their movements were discovered ahead of time, leading to the failed surprise attack and the subsequent capture and execution of Kozuki Oden, had haunted him. If it weren't for the betrayal, maybe... maybe things would have been different.
"Can you provide evidence? I don't know you, and I can't simply believe your words," Kin'emon said, suppressing his anger and excitement. He had always wanted to uncover the identity of the traitor who had led to the downfall of Kozuki Oden and their lord's tragic death.
Rodney replied, "I understand your skepticism. However, I have information that suggests that the traitor among the Red Scabbards is Kanjuro, a trusted confidant of Kaido."
Kin'emon: "!!!"
He gasped, his eyes fixed on the receiver. Kanjuro, the quiet and seemingly loyal member of the Red Scabbards, was suspected of betrayal? It was a shocking revelation.
(End of this chapter)