"Kaido!!"
Lady Toki firmly fixed her gaze on Chen Long behind Scientist.
She had never seen Kaido before, but she had heard that he was a dragon, a powerful ability user who could transform into a mythical beast, a blue dragon.
"Correct your two misconceptions."
Scientist spoke unhurriedly, his tone calm: "First, I am not Orochi's subordinate, nor am I Kaido's subordinate; I just have some cooperation with Kaido. Second, the one behind me is not Kaido; he is just my subordinate."
Subordinate?
Not Kaido?
Lady Toki was stunned.
It is well known that there are no identical abilities in the world; every Devil Fruit is unique.
Taking a deep breath, Lady Toki asked nervously:
"Mr. Idi, what brings you here late at night?"
While stalling for time, she pondered countermeasures.
The visitor meant no good!
Coming here on the night Kozuki Oden was defeated, he was undoubtedly after her two children.
Momonosuke…
The boy who inherited the Kozuki Family bloodline.
She had to find a way to send Momonosuke away, send him to the future, to 20 years later!
She secretly accumulated strength, ready to activate her ability at any moment.
"Chen Long, suppress her."
Scientist gave the command.
Chen Long instantly disappeared from his original spot.
Oh no…!
Lady Toki's face showed anxiety; she had no time to act.
Her vision blurred, the samurai sword had already slipped from her hand, her wrist was tightly gripped by Chen Long, and her entire body was lifted up.
"Mother!"
Momonosuke cried out, terrified.
He plopped down on the ground, trembling all over.
In contrast, Hiyori, two years younger, was a bit stronger.
She was stunned by the scene unfolding before her, too scared to make a sound.
Scientist stepped towards Lady Toki, reaching to take a Sea Stone handcuff from his waist.
"Lady Toki, I know you; you're a Paramecia-type Time Fruit ability user. Were you trying to send your children to the future just now?"
"You… how did you know?"
Lady Toki's face was filled with disbelief.
Only a few retainers knew that she was a Time Fruit ability user.
Was there a spy nearby?!
"Don't be nervous; I won't do anything to you three, mother and children. Chen Long, release her."
Scientist came before Lady Toki, grabbed her wrist, and put the Sea Stone handcuff on her.
With a click, Lady Toki's ability was sealed.
Scientist wore a gentle smile, as if the tense atmosphere just now had not been caused by him.
He explained the purpose of his visit:
"I am a scientist, and I came here tonight simply to invite you to be my experimental assistant."
Lady Toki felt her body go limp; Sea Stone was the bane of ability users.
She slumped to the ground, looking up at Scientist:
"What do you mean?"
"Literally."
Scientist said, "The power to traverse time and space is incredible. Have you heard of a 'time machine'? A man-made object that can freely travel through the past and future."
Lady Toki clenched her fingers tightly, her knuckles turning white.
She was still trying to think of a countermeasure.
So that's it…
He wants me to be an experimental subject?
However.
"Humans can only go forward to the future, not back to the past."
Edie shook his head, "Everyone's understanding has limitations, but the scientific pursuit of truth requires us to always remain humble."
He wasn't interested in discussing truth with an amateur, so he changed the subject:
"I can save you all."
"That's right, is this my reward for being your 'assistant'?"
Lady Toki spoke calmly, a sigh of relief escaping her heart.
Edie couldn't help but smile, "I admire your composure, Lady."
"What do you want me to do?"
"Kozuki Oden is imprisoned in Flower Capital, and he will likely be sentenced to Death Penalty tomorrow for treason. His daughter aside, Orochi will not spare his son."
Edie paused:
"Lady, you wouldn't want your husband and son to go to the underworld together..."
"I will obey your command!"
Lady Toki spoke hastily, losing her composure.
She was at her wit's end, able only to plead with this mad Eddie before her.
20 years!
In 20 years, someone will liberate Wano!
She remembered what Kozuki Oden had told her back then.
"I want to see him, before the execution," Lady Toki looked at Edie with pleading eyes.
"Very well, Lady. After all, I am not some Devil, and I cannot bear to see the tragedy of a husband dying without seeing his wife."
Edie nodded and turned to walk towards the balcony.
Chen Long transformed into a Blue Dragon, lowering his dragon head, humbly acting as a mount.
"Let's go, take your two children."
... The next day.
Flower Capital.
Kuri's Daimyo, Kozuki Oden, attempted treason and was sentenced to the Boiling Pot execution by Shogun Orochi, to be carried out in three days!
This news quickly spread throughout Flower Capital, astonishing the populace.
Early in the morning, the execution platform had already begun to be constructed.
General's Castle.
Kaido, that old drunkard, was already tipsy in broad daylight.
"Hiccup... You went to Kuri last night and captured Kozuki Oden's wife and children?"
"That woman is an Ability User, very helpful for the research of Artificial Devil Fruit."
Edie nodded.
Artificial Devil Fruit, this excuse was so useful.
Although he had never seriously researched it for more than a few days, it was all just an excuse to scam for funds.
No, can a Eddie's work be called a scam?
This is for the pursuit of truth!
It's just that in the process of pursuing truth, he might have deviated a few steps, Kaido would understand.
"To ensure that this woman cooperates with my research, I need her children as hostages."
"Ohohoho... Suit yourself."
Kaido was very tolerant of Edie, or more accurately, he was very tolerant of his own people.
As the leader of a major force, Kaido was very easy to talk to.
Orochi's face was ashen, and he gritted his teeth.
"No, everyone from the Kozuki Family deserves to die!"
He suddenly stood up, stepping on the tea table, and pointed at Edie, angrily shouting, "I can provide you with Devil Fruit Ability Users, but hand over his wife and children to me! I want their whole family to die together!!!"
"Hmm?"
Edie glanced at him, "Do you have an opinion?"
A mere puppet Shogun, not understanding his place.
He subconsciously seriously considered whether he should find a way to simply kill Orochi... For him, it wouldn't be difficult.
Kaido frowned, his expression displeased.
Orochi opened his mouth, but eventually snorted and sat back down.
The tense atmosphere immediately dissipated.
Yamato dared not defy Kaido, and kept his mouth shut with a gloomy face.
"I'm going to see Kozuki Oden. I've long admired this foolish lord."
Ignoring the impotently enraged puppet Shogun, Edie turned and left.
He had been in Wano for two years, residing in Flower Capital for two years.
During these two years, he saw Kozuki Oden perform his comical naked dance every day.
The Kozuki Family's prestige was ruined, and the title of 'Foolish Lord' was placed upon Kozuki Oden.
Edie felt that this nickname was not misplaced.
If a person is foolish, they cannot blame others.
One must know that Kozuki Oden was once the second division commander of the Whitebeard Pirates, and also had a deep friendship with the Roger Pirates.
If he had just invited a few people to help when he returned to the country, Kaido wouldn't have been able to stir up trouble here.
So, weakness is not a reason for demise, but foolishness is!
Soon after, Flower Capital Prison.
Edie stood in front of the cell, looking at Kozuki Oden, who was sitting blankly.
After the battle with Kaido, Kozuki Oden was seriously injured, with layers of bandages on his body.
For some unknown reason, Kaido had not taken Kozuki Oden's two famous swords.
Ame no Habakiri, Enma.
These two swords lay quietly in the corner of the cell.
Seemingly noticing someone's arrival, Kozuki Oden looked up and slightly frowned when he saw Edie:
"It's you..."
He recognized Edie.
He always saw this person passing by when he danced every day.
Seeing this foolish lord, Edie showed a sunny and gentle smile:
"Good morning, Kozuki Oden, my name is Edie, and I am a Eddie."