"You haven't fainted?" Marco asked, surprised. Shirakawa's initial impression on him was that of a frail, weakling, even though they had already fought several rounds.
Shirakawa smiled mysteriously, then unleashed a brief but powerful burst of Conqueror's Haki, washing over Marco.
"You have Conqueror's Haki?" Marco exclaimed, shocked.
"What's so surprising about that?" Shirakawa retorted.
"Nothing. I'm just a little surprised," Marco said, feeling a pang of jealousy. He hadn't awakened Conqueror's Haki yet, and now he felt inadequate compared to Shirakawa.
"That kid on your ship is quite something," Oden remarked to Rayleigh and Gaban, who were enjoying a drink together. Even though Shirakawa's Haki burst was brief, Oden, with his exceptional senses, had felt its intensity.
"If he keeps growing, you'll have another incredible fighter on your crew."
Oden sighed inwardly. The Whitebeard Pirates only had two top-tier fighters: Whitebeard himself and Oden. The others, like Marco and Jozu, were still developing.
In a couple of days, they might be down to just Whitebeard. Roger's intention to recruit Oden was clear, and Rayleigh and Gaban had been tasked with persuading him. That's why the three of them had been inseparable lately.
After two more days and nights, the sounds of battle from the other island finally ceased. The three-day, three-night clash between Roger and Whitebeard had ended.
"Bring the sake!" Whitebeard's booming voice echoed across the water.
"Oden, come here too," Roger called out. He didn't know how Rayleigh and Gaban had fared in their persuasion attempts and wanted to try his luck at recruiting Oden himself, right in front of Whitebeard.
Oden smiled wryly. Roger's intentions were no secret. He grabbed two large jugs of sake and jumped over to the other island.
He found Roger and Whitebeard sitting cross-legged, their clothes torn and bloodstained.
"White-Kichi-chan! are you alright?" Oden asked, concerned.
"I'm fine. Just a few scratches," Whitebeard replied with a hearty laugh.
'Did White-Kichi-chan win?' Oden wondered.
"Oden, how about joining my ship for a while?" Roger invited.
Before Oden could answer, Whitebeard spoke up. "Roger, what are you doing?" His voice was low and dangerous.
"I'm just asking Oden if he'd like to join my crew." Roger remained unfazed by Whitebeard's displeasure.
"Impossible. Oden is my family. The entire Whitebeard crew is my family. I won't let anyone take them from me."
"It's not up to you, Whitebeard. It's Oden's decision. What do you say, Oden?"
Both Roger and Whitebeard looked at Oden expectantly. Oden smiled bitterly.
After a long silence, Whitebeard asked, "Do you want to join his crew?" His tone revealed his anger, though he was clearly trying to restrain himself.
Oden bowed deeply, his forehead touching the ground.
The sky darkened, and the sea grew turbulent.
"What's happening? Why is Pops so angry?" Marco asked, looking towards the other island with concern. He knew better than to interrupt Whitebeard in this state.
"It seems Oden's decision has upset Whitebeard," Rayleigh said, idly spinning a die between his fingers.
The die landed on a six.
"Looks like my luck's turning around."
"Oh no! It's the end of the world!" Buggy panicked, running around in circles. He had never seen such a display of power before. The oppressive atmosphere made it hard to breathe.
"Calm down, Buggy. The Captain's here," Shanks said, grabbing Buggy's shirt.
But Buggy's body detached, leaving only his torso in Shanks' hands. He continued running around, unaware of his missing limbs.
"Hey, Shanks! What are you doing with my body?!" Buggy finally noticed and reattached himself.
"You left it behind while you were running. I was just holding onto it for you."
"Oh. Thanks, Shanks," Buggy said, patting Shanks' head gratefully.
"You're an idiot," Shanks muttered under his breath.
Back on the island, Oden remained kneeling before Whitebeard.
"White-Kichi-chan, I'll only be gone for a year. Whether Roger conquers the Grand Line or not, I'll be back," Oden said.
"Alright," Whitebeard finally relented.
"White-Kichi-chan, you agree?" Oden and Roger were both surprised. They hadn't expected Whitebeard to give in so easily. Roger had been prepared for another fight.
"A little brother has his own dreams. I should support him," Whitebeard said.
"Roger, I'm entrusting Oden to you. If anything happens to him, you'll answer to me." Whitebeard's tone left no room for argument.
"Don't worry. I'll take good care of him."
"Thank you, White-Kichi-chan!" Oden bowed again.
The three of them left the island together. Whitebeard's expression was sombre, while Roger was all smiles. They parted ways without a word.
"Hey, Oden! You're on the wrong ship!" Marco shouted when he saw Oden board the Oro Jackson.
"Set sail," Whitebeard's voice boomed, heavy with disappointment.
"But, Pops, Oden..."
"Set sail!" Whitebeard repeated.
"Aye aye, Captain. Let's go." Marco obeyed, though he was confused.
Oden stood on the deck of the Oro Jackson, tears in his eyes as he watched the Moby Dick grow smaller in the distance.
"Alright, everyone, let me introduce our newest member. The former Second Division Commander of the Whitebeard Pirates, Kozuki Oden! Give him a warm welcome!" Roger announced.
The crew erupted in cheers.