"Kaido!!"
Toki's voice trembled as she glared at Chenlong, standing ominously behind Edie. Although she had never met Kaido in person, she had heard the terrifying tales—a man who could transform into the mythical Azure Dragon, wielding immense, destructive power.
"Allow me to correct two of your misconceptions," Edie began, his tone calm and measured. "First, I am not a subordinate of Kurozumi Orochi, nor of Kaido. My relationship with Kaido is one of mutual cooperation, nothing more. Second, the figure behind me is not Kaido but my own subordinate."
Subordinate? Not Kaido? Toki's eyes widened in disbelief.
Everyone knew that no two Devil Fruits were alike; each one was unique, granting its user a singular ability. How could this man possibly wield powers similar to Kaido's without being him?
Taking a steadying breath, Toki asked, her voice laced with unease, "Mr. Edie, what is your purpose in visiting us so late at night?"
Even as she spoke, her mind raced, frantically searching for a way out of this dire situation. The timing of his arrival, right after Oden's defeat, left little doubt about his intentions. He had come for her children—Momonosuke, in particular. The boy who carried the blood of the Kozuki family.
She knew she had to act quickly. She had to find a way to send Momonosuke to safety, to the future, twenty years from now if necessary. As she spoke, Toki began to gather her strength, preparing to activate her time-altering abilities at a moment's notice.
"Chen Long, restrain her," Edie commanded, a glint of resolve flashing in his eyes.
Without hesitation, Chen Long vanished, moving with a speed that left Toki no time to react. Panic surged through her as she tried to defend herself, but it was too late.
In an instant, her katana was torn from her grasp, and her wrist was ensnared in Chen Long's unyielding grip. He lifted her effortlessly off the ground, leaving her helpless.
"Mother!" Momonosuke's voice cracked with fear as he cried out, tears streaming down his face. He collapsed to the floor, his small body trembling with terror.
In contrast, Kozuki Hiyori, though two years younger, displayed a remarkable resilience. Frozen in shock, she remained silent, her wide eyes fixed on the terrifying scene unfolding before her.
Edie approached Toki with measured steps, pulling a pair of seastone shackles from his pocket. "Kozuki Toki, I know who you are—a Paramecia-type, the Time-Time Fruit user. Were you planning to send your child to the future just now?"
Toki's eyes widened in disbelief. "You... how do you know?"
Only a select few retainers were aware of her ability. Could there be a spy among them?
"Don't be alarmed," Edie replied calmly, his voice devoid of malice. "I have no intention of harming you or your children. Chen Long, release her."
Chen Long obeyed immediately, lowering Toki back to the ground. Edie seized the moment, clasping the seastone shackles around her wrist with a decisive click, effectively neutralizing her abilities.
Toki's strength drained from her as the shackles locked in place, her ability to manipulate time now blocked. Helpless, she could only stare at Edie, a mixture of fear and uncertainty clouding her thoughts.
Edie maintained a gentle smile, as if the tense atmosphere moments ago had nothing to do with him. With an air of nonchalance, he explained the purpose of his visit.
"I'm a scientist. I came here tonight to ask you to assist me in my experiments."
Toki, weakened by the seastone shackles that drained her strength, sank to the floor. She looked up at Edie, her voice trembling with confusion. "What do you mean?"
"Exactly what I said," Edie replied, his tone casual. "The ability to travel through time is extraordinary. Have you ever heard of a 'time machine'? A man-made device that can move freely between the past and the future."
As he spoke, Toki's fingers curled tightly into fists, her knuckles turning white as she desperately searched for a way out of this situation. The reality of what Edie wanted from her slowly began to sink in.
So, he wants me as a test subject? But...
"People can only travel to the future, not back to the past," Toki countered, trying to find some flaw in his reasoning.
Edie shook his head, a hint of condescension in his smile. "That's a common misconception. But the pursuit of scientific truth demands that we remain humble and open-minded."
He wasn't interested in debating the limits of time travel with her. Instead, he cut straight to the point. "I can save you."
Toki's eyes narrowed. "So, that's my reward for being your 'assistant'?"
"Exactly," Edie confirmed, his voice calm and steady. Despite the fear coursing through her, Toki couldn't help but feel a slight sense of relief. At least he wasn't here to kill them outright. But the thought of what he might ask of her still filled her with dread.
Edie couldn't help but smile, a hint of admiration in his voice. "I appreciate your calmness, ma'am."
Toki, trying to steady her nerves, asked, "What do you want me to do?"
"Kozuki Oden is imprisoned in the Flower Capital," Edie began, his tone measured but carrying a weight of inevitability. "He will likely be sentenced to death tomorrow for treason. And as for your children, Kurozumi Orochi won't show mercy, especially not to your son."
He paused, letting the gravity of the situation sink in. "You wouldn't want your entire family to meet their end together, would you?"
Toki's composure cracked. Desperation seeped into her voice as she responded, "I will obey your orders!" She felt as if she had no other choice, her only hope now lying in the hands of the mad scientist before her. In her heart, she clung to the prophecy Kozuki Oden had shared with her— that in 20 years, someone would come to free Wanokuni.
Gathering her courage, Toki made a request, her voice trembling with emotion. "I want to see him before the execution."
Edie looked at her, his gaze softening slightly. "Alright, ma'am. After all, I'm not a devil. I wouldn't deny a wife the chance to see her husband one last time."
With a nod, Edie turned toward the balcony. Chenlong, his loyal creation, transformed into an Azure dragon once more. The massive creature lowered its head, humbly offering itself as a mount.
"Let's go. Bring your children with you," Edie instructed, his voice carrying both authority and a strange, twisted sense of mercy.
The next day, the Flower Capital was abuzz with shocking news: Kozuki Oden, the Daimyo of Kuri, had been accused of rebellion and sentenced to execution by the Shogun Kurozumi Orochi. The execution was set to take place in just three days, leaving the people of the capital in a state of disbelief and sorrow.
As dawn broke, the execution platform had already been erected in the city square, a grim reminder of the fate that awaited the once-revered samurai.
Meanwhile, in the General's castle, Kaido, notorious for his love of drink, was already deep in his cups, despite the early hour. He swayed slightly, his voice slurred as he addressed Edie, "Hiccup... You went to Kuri last night and captured Kozuki Oden's wife and children?"
Edie, ever composed, nodded in affirmation. "That woman is a Devil Fruit user. She'll be very helpful in our research on artificial Devil Fruits."
Artificial Devil Fruits—what a convenient excuse, Edie mused. Though, in truth, he had scarcely dedicated any real effort to that research. The project had always been more of a ruse, a means to secure the vast sums of money necessary for his true pursuits.
But was it really deception? After all, science was about the pursuit of truth, and if a few white lies were told along the way, surely they were justified in the name of progress.
Edie allowed himself a small smile. Kaido would understand—eventually.
"In order to ensure that this woman cooperates fully with my research, I need her children as hostages," Edie stated calmly, his gaze unwavering.
Kaido, already deep in his drink, shrugged nonchalantly. "Oh, cluck...whatever you want."
Kaido's leniency towards Edie was not unusual. As a leader of a vast and powerful force, Kaido had a reputation for being accommodating, particularly with those he considered valuable assets. He was always eager to recruit talent and expand his influence.
However, Kurozumi Orochi's reaction was anything but accommodating. His face turned a deep shade of crimson as he gritted his teeth in fury. "No! Every single member of the Kozuki family deserves death!" He suddenly stood up, stomping on the tea table with a loud crash, pointing a trembling finger at Edie. "I can provide you with other Devil Fruit users! Hand over his wife and children to me! I want their entire family wiped out!!"
Edie merely glanced at Orochi, his expression one of mild disdain. "Do you have any objections?" he asked, his voice icy.
Orochi, in his blind rage, seemed to forget his place. He was, after all, nothing more than a puppet general, propped up by Kaido's might. Edie briefly entertained the thought of eliminating Orochi altogether—it wouldn't be difficult, after all.
Kaido frowned, clearly displeased with Orochi's outburst. The room fell into a tense silence as Orochi opened his mouth, but, sensing Kaido's displeasure, he quickly shut it again and, with a huff, sat back down. His face remained twisted in anger, but he dared not speak further.
The oppressive atmosphere lifted as Orochi, cowed by Kaido's silent reprimand, retreated into sullen silence.
Edie, ignoring the impotent rage of the puppet general, turned to leave. "I'm going to meet Kozuki Oden. I've been a close friend of this idiot-sama for quite some time," he remarked, his voice laced with a mixture of irony and purpose. Without waiting for a response, he strode out, leaving the others in the room to simmer in their own thoughts.
When Edie transmigrated into the One Piece world, he found himself in Wanokuni, where he lived in the Flower Capital for the past two years. During this time, he often witnessed Kozuki Oden's daily antics—his absurd naked dances, which had become a public spectacle. The once-proud dignity of the Kozuki family was trampled, and the nickname "His Highness the Fool" was mockingly bestowed upon Oden.
Edie couldn't help but agree with the title. After all, Oden had once been the captain of the second division of the Whitebeard Pirates and shared a deep bond with the Roger Pirates. With such powerful connections, it would have been a simple task to call upon a few allies to help keep Kaido in check. But Oden, in his foolishness, never took that step.
Weakness wasn't the cause of his impending death—stupidity was.
Soon after, Edie found himself standing in front of the cell that held Kozuki Oden. The former daimyo of Kuri sat there, his body wrapped in bandages, a testament to the serious injuries he had sustained in his battle with Kaido. Strangely, Kaido hadn't taken Oden's two famous swords, Ame no Habakiri and Enma, which now lay quietly in the corner of the cell.
Sensing someone's presence, Oden slowly lifted his head. His expression darkened slightly as he recognized Edie.
"It's you…" Oden muttered.
He had seen Edie often—this man was always around, observing silently as Oden performed his humiliating dances.
Edie, with a smile as warm as the sun, greeted him, "Good morning, Kozuki Oden. My name is Edie, and I am a scientist."