"Devil Fruit."
Seeing what was in the box, Akira Stone exclaimed. Even Whitebeard's expression changed slightly.
It was a round fruit with spiral patterns on its skin. Akira Stone hadn't seen a Devil Fruit before, but he knew about their shapes. This Devil Fruit was clearly a Paramecia, but he didn't know what kind.
Roger said, "Little one, I got this Devil Fruit by chance. Consider it an apology."
Akira Stone quickly waved his hand, saying, "No, no, Uncle Roger. This is too precious. I can't accept it."
Each Devil Fruit was valuable, and this one was a Paramecia. It might be a rare type, so Akira Stone couldn't accept it.
Whitebeard's expression also changed when he heard Roger. He had been angry at Buggy for attacking Akira Stone, but Roger offering a Devil Fruit as an apology was too much. He hadn't spoken, wanting to see Akira Stone's choice. He was pleased with Akira Stone's decision. Resisting temptation was the foundation of becoming strong.
Roger laughed, saying, "It's just a Devil Fruit. What's so precious about it? Little one, accept it. It's the Paramecia Kira Kira no Mi (Diamond Fruit). It should be useful to you."
"Kira Kira no Mi?"
Hearing that the Devil Fruit was the Kira Kira no Mi, Akira Stone was shocked. It was Jozu's ability. He had wondered why Jozu didn't have the Diamond ability. It turned out Roger had the Devil Fruit.
Though surprised, Akira Stone still didn't accept it. He said, "I can't take it. Uncle Roger, please take it back."
The Kira Kira no Mi was good, but not something Akira Stone desperately wanted. Moreover, using the Kira Kira no Mi as an apology was too much. He couldn't accept it.
Seeing Akira Stone's firm refusal, Roger thought even more highly of him. But he wouldn't take back something he had offered.
So Roger looked at Whitebeard, saying, "Whitebeard, to be honest, I need your help with something."
Whitebeard raised an eyebrow, asking, "Roger, you need my help?"
Roger said, "That's right. I want to find that legendary place. I've gathered all the clues, but I need someone's help. That person is in your crew."
Whitebeard said sternly, "You want someone from my crew? Explain yourself."
Roger said, "It's Kouzuki Oden on your ship. He's from the stonemason clan of Wano Country. I need him to help me decipher the secrets of the Poneglyphs."
Akira Stone was surprised. He had been with the Whitebeard Pirates for over six months and knew Kouzuki Oden. He had joined after Marco, meaning he was the future second division commander.
Having watched One Piece, Akira Stone knew that Kouzuki Oden was not only a member of the Whitebeard Pirates, but also the Roger Pirates, finding the treasure with Roger. Akira Stone had wondered why Kouzuki Oden was still a member of the Whitebeard Pirates when Roger was about to become Pirate King.
Now, Akira Stone understood. Roger hadn't invited Kouzuki Oden yet. It seemed Kouzuki Oden would be leaving soon.
Akira Stone had a good impression of Kouzuki Oden, who was very gentle. His two followers often hung around Akira Stone. They were Inuarashi and Nekomamushi.
On the Whitebeard Pirates' ship, there were only two ways to leave: leaving voluntarily or dying. Nobody had ever left voluntarily. Even in the future, only Blackbeard had defected.
Whitebeard's expression darkened. He said coldly to Roger, "Roger, you should know my rules. Once they're on my ship, they're my children. Unless they break the iron rule, I won't let them leave."
Roger retorted, "There's another way: leaving voluntarily."
"What did you say?" Whitebeard was furious. He treated everyone on the ship like family, so he was angry at Roger's words.
Akira Stone's expression wasn't good either. He was a member of the Whitebeard Pirates, so he was annoyed that Roger was poaching members.
Roger said, "You can call Kouzuki Oden over and ask him. If he's unwilling, I won't force him."
Whitebeard's expression was terrible. He said sternly to Marco, "Marco, call Oden over."
Marco was also annoyed, but he obeyed Whitebeard and went to call Kouzuki Oden.
Kouzuki Oden was different from other pirates. He was a noble from Wano Country. Even on a pirate ship, he wore a clean kimono. His walk and demeanor were different from ordinary pirates. He was more like a scholar.
Kouzuki Oden came and called out to Whitebeard, "Pops, you called me?"
Whitebeard directly said, "Roger wants you on his ship. What do you think?"
Kouzuki Oden's expression changed, but he calmly said, "To be honest, Captain Roger has already told me about this."
Whitebeard's expression darkened. He had a bad feeling. But he still asked, "What do you think?"
Kouzuki Oden didn't dare to look Whitebeard in the eye. He said, "Pops, I'm sorry."
Whitebeard's expression became terrible, and Marco roared, "Oden, are you crazy? Do you know what you're saying?"
Since the Whitebeard Pirates were founded, nobody had left, for any reason. Now Kouzuki Oden wanted to leave and join their rival Roger's crew. Marco, loyal to the Whitebeard Pirates, couldn't accept it and exploded.
"Marco."
Whitebeard softly called out, stopping the furious Marco. He said sternly to Kouzuki Oden, "Everyone on the sea knows that once they're on my ship, they're my son. I never force anyone to join or leave my crew. If you want to leave, give me a reason."
Kouzuki Oden looked ashamed, answering, "Pops, I'm sorry. I feel the warmth of a home here, and I've never thought of leaving. But for my family, for my dream, Pops, I'm sorry. It's my responsibility, and I have to fulfill it."
Kouzuki Oden's background wasn't a secret on the Whitebeard Pirates' ship. Everyone knew he was a noble from Wano Country, from the stonemason clan that created the Poneglyphs. What he said was about finding the legendary Poneglyphs. That was why Roger wanted him.
Whitebeard stared at Kouzuki Oden. After a long time, he sighed. "Everyone has the freedom to pursue their dreams. Oden, you were one of the first to follow me, and I've always treated you like my son. As a father, how can I stop my child from pursuing their dreams?"
Whitebeard paused, then said seriously, "I can allow you to leave, but I'll ask you a question. Are you leaving the Whitebeard Pirates forever, or just temporarily?"
Kouzuki Oden suddenly raised his head, looking at Whitebeard in disbelief, his voice trembling. "Pops, you… you're still willing to let me come back?"
Whitebeard laughed. "No father would stop their child from coming home. The key is whether the child who left home is willing to return."
"I'm willing, I'm willing, Pops, I'm willing."
__________________
for more advance chapters visit patreon.com/bars45.
For 10$- All advance chapters.