Infinite Anime [137-139] (Patreon)

Chapter 137: A True Heroic Man

Under Yamato’s guidance, Gusion closed his eyes and used his haki to sense the world. Once he grasped the trick—almost as if breaking through a membrane—his mind suddenly cleared, like clouds parting to reveal a bright and vivid world.

Even without opening his eyes, he could now perceive everything around him.

“Gusion-dono, I’m coming at you.”

Yamato gave a warning before throwing a punch at Gusion.

Gusion stood there, his feet unmoving. With just a slight tilt of his body and a cock of his head, he dodged Yamato’s lightning-fast punch.

Yamato threw several more punches, but Gusion, eyes closed, evaded them all with ease.

“Gusion-dono, you really are a genius. You learned Observation Haki so fast—this is the hardest one, I think.”

Yamato exclaimed in admiration.

But Gusion, upon opening his eyes, frowned slightly. “No, it still feels like I’m missing something.”

He already had strong perception abilities and an innate combat intuition, allowing him to achieve basic Observation Haki-like effects.

For example, back in the Demon Slayer world, when he fought that explorer team, the sniper shot at him from a distance, yet Gusion dodged without even looking, using minimal movement to evade precisely.

Now that he’d learned Observation Haki, it just felt like the fog of his previous perception had lifted, making things clearer, but it didn’t fundamentally change his combat power.

Gusion glanced at his space menu’s skill levels. After learning Observation Haki, this skill shot straight to level 20—higher than his Armament Haki before entering this world.

He figured this was because he already had a strong aptitude for perception, and learning Observation Haki only systematized it.

“But you say it’s lacking? I spent years to get to your level.”

Yamato gave him a strange look. “Honestly, I used to think I learned things quickly, but you’re much faster. If it weren’t for the timing, I’d almost think you were...”

She paused, seeming to fall into her own thoughts.

She’d almost blurted out that Gusion was the hero mentioned in the diary, destined to come to Wano and save the country—but the diary said that would happen twenty years from now, and only eight years had passed.

She also started to doubt whether everything in that diary was true, and if she herself was really Kozuki Oden.

Gusion noticed Yamato’s change and didn’t rush to say more, letting her process it.

“I’ve pretty much learned the basics of Observation Haki. Why don’t we take a break, and I’ll tell you more about the outside world?”

Gusion sat down. He wasn’t in a hurry to leave Wano now. Since he’d started helping Yamato, he wanted to finish what he started, and he could learn a lot from her as well.

When Yamato heard about stories, her eyes sparkled and she eagerly scooted closer. “Last time, you finished talking about Skypiea, but you never told me about Fishman Island. Is it really a city under the sea?”

Seeing Yamato’s childlike curiosity, Gusion smiled and began describing the wonders of the outside world.

..

Meanwhile, Kaido, who was watching the live broadcast, was dozing off like a bored viewer binge-watching a series, wishing he could skip the dull parts.

No matter how many tales Gusion told about faraway islands, Kaido wasn’t surprised—he’d been battling across the seas with the Rocks Pirates since he was 15.

He knew the world well, so Gusion’s stories didn’t interest him. What he wanted to see was Gusion educating his daughter.

But Gusion’s stories dragged on for most of the day, and he didn’t educate Yamato at all. This frustrated Kaido, who wished he could storm over and force Gusion to get to the point.

Just as Kaido, drunk and irritable, was about to lose his temper, the broadcast took a turn.

“How nice... My understanding of the outside world only comes from Kozuki Oden’s diary, but the diary is pretty rough. It’s not as detailed as your stories, Gusion-dono.”

After hearing about another adventure, Yamato sighed. “But I do know a lot about Wano. If you’re interested in Oden’s deeds, I can tell you about them too.”

Gusion hadn’t expected Yamato to bring up Kozuki Oden on her own. From her expression, it seemed like she still idolized Oden, so he decided to prod her further.

“Sure. My knowledge of him is only from what the locals and you have told me. Why don’t you tell me about Oden’s childhood and how he grew up?”

Gusion went along with Yamato’s suggestion, but he was already laying a trap.

When Yamato heard that Gusion was interested in her idol, she perked up immediately.

Brimming with excitement, she began: “Kozuki Oden’s life was legendary...”

Yamato recounted everything in detail, embellishing with the rose-tinted lens of fandom, but the general summary of Oden’s youth was simple.

At age 0, just born, Oden hurled his wet nurse across the room—Gusion couldn’t help but feel inferior, thinking his own innate strength was a joke.

At age 2, he could catch two rabbits at once, showing incredible leg strength; at age 4, he hurled a boulder to kill a giant bear.

At age 6, he started frequenting the red-light districts—at first Gusion thought he’d misheard, but for Yamato, this was a point of pride. At age 6, Oden was already bedding women—how impressive is that!?

At age 8, he got into drunken brawls with gamblers and beat up a whole group of adults; at age 9, he was blacklisted by the yakuza, set fire to their casino in anger, and was arrested for violent assault.

At age 10, as a prisoner, he worked at the quarry—the very prison Gusion was now in. Thanks to the Kozuki family’s talents, he eventually became head stonemason.

At this part, Yamato looked at Gusion with worship, asking if Oden wasn’t amazing, even being a stonemason. Gusion could only twitch his lips and nod.

At age 14, Oden diverted a river during a drought, causing a massive flood and becoming a wanted man again.

And the highlight: at age 15, he threatened a temple abbot and hid out in the temple, abducting respectable women every night to form a harem. The women were usually already married, which incited public outrage and led to the infamous Harem Uprising. Oden fought back with joy.

Yamato told this part with the same idol-worshipping fervor.

“Stop!”

Gusion held up his hand, looking odd. “Yamato, don’t you think there’s something wrong with this?”

“What’s wrong? Isn’t this exactly what everyone likes—a real hero, Kozuki Oden?”

Yamato looked puzzled.

Gusion held his forehead, feeling that the people of Wano—and Yamato herself—were a bit off. How could they consider someone like this the hope of their country, a destined hero?

“Yamato, do you think abducting married women and forcing them to do those things is heroic?”

Gusion asked seriously.

Yamato replied without hesitation, “Isn’t it? He’s Kozuki Oden—everyone loves him, so whatever he does must be right.”

Gusion nearly gagged. So a privileged kid, using his status as the shogun’s son to evict monks and abduct women, forcing himself on them in a sacred place—this counts as right?

“Have you ever considered how those women felt? Or their husbands? Don’t you think Oden’s actions were monstrous, ruining other people’s happiness?”

Gusion pressed further.

This time, Yamato paused. Clearly, she had at least some basic ability to think. She instinctively realized something was wrong, but because of her gender identity issues and lack of understanding about men and women, she couldn’t articulate what exactly it was.

“Let me give you an example. Oden’s wife, Toki—you know her, right?”

Gusion tried another approach to help Yamato understand.

Yamato nodded. “I was lucky enough to meet her once. She’s a beautiful, strong woman.”

“Good. So, imagine: while Oden was alive, your father Kaido kidnapped Toki and forced himself on her. Would that be a heroic act?”

Gusion gave the example.

Before Yamato could react, on Onigashima, Kaido smashed his sake jug in a rage.

“What is this brat saying!? How could I ever do something like that!?”

Kaido was furious. He had a fearsome reputation as a pirate, but he prided himself on fighting fair. When the old hag interfered in his battle with Oden, he was livid.

That’s why, after the fight, he didn’t bind Oden, even treated his wounds, and put him in a lightly guarded prison, returning his swords.

His meaning was clear: if you break out, let’s fight again.

But Oden was stubborn. He felt a loss was a loss, so he chose to die in the boiling pot. Kaido couldn’t stop him—after all, victory goes to the winner, and he wasn’t sentimental. If Oden was dead, so be it.

Despite being a pirate, Kaido never had Oden’s promiscuous tastes, never forced any woman to do anything. As one of the Four Emperors, the world’s strongest creature, why would he need to?

At 47, he only had one daughter, Yamato, so his private life was actually quite clean.

Now, Gusion using him as an example truly enraged him.

“I stormed into the castle and didn’t even kill Oden’s son, let alone touch his wife. This brat...”

Kaido’s expression darkened, murderous intent swirling.

“Don’t be so angry—he’s not really accusing you, just giving an example so Young Master Yamato can understand.”

Black Maria, watching the broadcast with Kaido, poured him more sake to calm him.

But she, too, glanced at the screen with a strange look, thinking this guy is bold, daring to gossip about Kaido in their own territory.

Back in the cell, Yamato finally reacted, blurting out, “That’s absolutely despicable! Too vile! Damn Kaido, he wouldn’t really do that, would he? Is that why Oden fought Kaido!?”

Gusion wasn’t surprised by Yamato’s answer, though hearing it in person was still a bit exasperating.

On the other end, Kaido spat out his drink and choked, his hand trembling as he pointed at the screen, speechless.

To make the world’s strongest creature’s hand shake with anger—only Yamato could do that.

“Calm down, calm down, I can already guess what Gusion is going to say next.”

Black Maria patted Kaido’s back and soothed him, feeling that Gusion was leading Yamato.

Sure enough, Gusion continued in the cell, “So now you get it. This is despicable behavior, not heroic at all.”

Looking at the shell-shocked Yamato, he drove the point home: “So why is it that when Oden does it, you see it as glorious and heroic, but when your father does it, it’s utterly vile?”

Chapter 138: I Like This Gusion

Watching the dumbfounded Yamato, Kaido slapped his thigh and couldn’t hide his grin.

If only he were more educated, he’d add, “Brilliant!”

Gusion had set up a trap for Yamato to fall into herself, so her logic was now directly contradicted, forcing her to think through what’s right and wrong.

She had just concluded, herself, that abducting someone else’s wife and forcing her into something she didn’t want was despicable.

Logically, that meant Oden’s abduction and forced orgies—especially in a sacred temple—couldn’t simply be called despicable. It was downright inhuman.

Realizing this, Yamato trembled and snapped out of it, looking at Gusion in horror as she backed away. “No, something’s not right. Let me think, let me think...”

She retreated to the wall, sat down, hugged her knees, and looked utterly lost.

Gusion, seeing her like this, couldn’t help but smile. He quickly wiped the grin from his face.

He thought, this isn’t right—he’s not supposed to be so devious. But why does seeing Yamato suffer an existential crisis feel so satisfying?

Meanwhile, on the other side of the screen, Kaido was laughing heartily. “I like this Gusion!”

He’d been annoyed by his daughter for years, but it was the first time he’d seen Yamato so stumped.

Sure, he could physically overpower Yamato with beatings or by starving her, but that never made her submit mentally.

He didn’t want to see her weakened by hunger or beaten bloody—he wanted to see her admit she was wrong!

Of course, Yamato hadn’t admitted defeat yet, but seeing her so lost and doubting herself was a pleasure in itself.

Kaido was growing increasingly fond of Gusion, even though he called himself a demon slayer and seemed destined to clash with their Oni race. But that didn’t matter.

After all, Gusion was an outsider—his demon-slaying had nothing to do with their kind, just a title.

In fact, in this world, the only remaining Oni were Kaido and Yamato.

Kaido thought if he could recruit Gusion into the Beasts Pirates, and have him educate Yamato every day, within two years she’d be a worthy heir.

“Not many people can get the better of Young Master Yamato. This prison labor idea was really clever.”

Black Maria flattered Kaido since he’d ordered Yamato to the labor camp.

Of course, Kaido never really expected Yamato to change—this wasn’t the first time he’d sent her to Udon Prison.

“Hmm... Let them stay a while longer, but don’t make it too obvious. Starting tomorrow, have them work with the other prisoners.”

Kaido thought it over. To keep things natural, he couldn’t keep giving them special treatment, or Yamato would get suspicious.

Yes, his daughter, though crazy enough to call herself Oden, wasn’t stupid. She was, in fact, pretty perceptive.

…

Another morning came. Gusion stretched, ready to practice Haki, when a guard appeared at their cell.

“Gusion, Young Master Yamato, starting today you’ll be mining.”

The guard opened the door, his gaze lingering on Yamato. “Queen-sama is in Udon Prison today. Don’t get any ideas about escaping.”

Truthfully, the lower ranks of the Beasts Pirates thought some of the rules were pretty lax. Kaido ordered Yamato imprisoned—this wasn’t the first or second time.

But each time, Yamato escaped, and as long as she didn’t immediately challenge Kaido again, no one bothered to recapture her. It was almost an unspoken rule among the higher-ups.

But this time, Kaido had ordered that Yamato stay in Udon for a while, so the guards had to take it seriously.

Queen, a top executive who rarely bothered with Udon, had even arrived that morning in his boar cart, just to keep an eye on Yamato.

After all, Yamato wasn’t stupid—she knew she couldn’t escape with Queen around, so she’d behave.

Plus, with Queen’s rank, even if he punished Yamato, Kaido wouldn’t complain.

“Damn Kaido, so we have to work today...”

Yamato cursed her father first thing. “But my injuries are pretty much healed. How about you, Gusion-dono?”

“I’m fine. Mining is nothing.”

Gusion wasn’t surprised about being sent to the mines. He’d never expected to rest in the cell forever—mining was just daily physical training.

Actually, in Udon Prison, strong people could live quite well. Kaido believed in strength above all and rewarded hard work.

The more work you did, the more food tickets you got. You could eat plenty, and if you had extra tickets, you could even sneak them to others as long as guards didn’t catch you.

He and Yamato left the prison. On his fourth day in the One Piece World, Gusion finally saw the sun.

He noticed most prisoners didn’t wear handcuffs—since they weren’t that strong, it was easier to supervise them without losing labor.

In the quarry, the prisoners moved in groups under the watchful eyes of supervisors, entering the mines to work.

“Hey, what are you looking at!? Get to work!”

While Gusion was surveying the prison, thinking about possible escape routes, a man with an alpaca head came over, spitting everywhere as he spoke.

Thanks to his Observation Haki training, Gusion dodged the disgusting spit.

He recognized the man as one of the Beast Pirates’ Gifters, who’d eaten a SMILE Fruit, permanently transforming part of their body into an animal, looking like a monster.

Some Gifters were cute, but this alpaca-man was disgusting, especially with his spitting.

“Dodging, are you!? Get to work!”

The alpaca-man, annoyed, raised his whip to strike.

But before he could, a pale hand caught the whip mid-swing.

“Don’t touch my friend!”

Yamato shouted angrily, and with a flick, sent both whip and man flying.

The alpaca-man started to protest, but seeing it was Yamato, he wisely shut up and pointed instead. “Young Master Yamato, that mine over there is easier to dig.”

This minor scene didn’t attract any attention—everyone was used to Yamato in the labor camp.

“Let’s go, Gusion-dono. He said that mine is easier. We should dig more—the red bean dumpling soup here is really good.”

Yamato grabbed Gusion’s hand, leading him to the mine like she was coming home.

Sometimes, when hiding on Onigashima and too hungry to beg Kaido for food, she’d challenge Kaido, get beaten, and be sent to Udon, where she could work for food.

Once she was healed and strong, she’d escape and cause more trouble.

Gusion let her lead him, observing the other prisoners.

He realized he’d overestimated the average power level of the New World.

Most prisoners, former samurai who’d followed Oden and lost to Kaido, should’ve been strong.

But most had overall stats around twenty, or even less than ten, basically normal human level.

He realized: even in a world full of strong people, talent was everything—not everyone could become a true powerhouse.

These people, like the Beasts Pirates’ fodder, were just cannon fodder, good for bullying civilians, but useless against real strength—a single Conqueror’s Haki would knock them all out.

Even in the original story, when real battles happened, only the top officers mattered—everyone else was just disposable.

The Straw Hats’ alliance five or six thousand pirates actually only had a handful of real fighters, matching the Beasts Pirates’ officers.

In the end, this was a world where top-tier strength ruled.

Gusion picked up a pickaxe and started mining. Yamato was even more enthusiastic, clearly experienced.

“Yamato, thank you for helping me earlier.”

Mining was dull, but it didn’t stop Gusion from chatting. He saw another opportunity.

“We’re friends—of course I’ll protect my friend.”

Yamato said with a big smile.

“I appreciate the help, but Yamato, have you ever thought about this: with my strength, I could’ve caught the whip and knocked him down myself. If you hadn’t stepped in and I fought back, what would’ve happened?”

Gusion quizzed her.

Now, Yamato instinctively frowned whenever he posed a question, expecting a trap.

But thinking it over, she answered honestly, “I’ve seen prisoners resist guards before—usually, all the supervisors gang up on them. But don’t worry, I’d help you fight them if it happened.”

Gusion shook his head. “You missed the core issue. If I fought back, it’d bring more supervisors or even Queen. But when you did it, nothing happened.”

Yamato froze, a sense of unease rising. After these days, she sensed another critique of her Kozuki Oden identity was coming.

“Gusion-dono... what are you trying to say?”

She asked hesitantly.

Gusion stopped mining and looked into her eyes, exciting Kaido, who was watching.

Chapter 139: Why Was the World’s Strongest Creature Captured?

With Yamato tense and Kaido eager, Gusion spoke: “It’s simple. Even if you deny it, you’re still respected in the Beasts Pirates, someone with status. That’s why they call you ‘Young Master’ and hesitate to touch you.”

He placed rocks in the mining cart and continued, “And deep down, subconsciously, you know your status, which is why you scolded the alpaca-man without a second thought—because you knew he wouldn’t dare retaliate.”

Yamato was stunned—she hadn’t realized that helping Gusion could be such a complicated issue.

But once someone points it out, you can’t help but think. Yamato recalled her words:

“Don’t touch my friend!”

That phrase ended the conflict, and it implied something: she assumed that calling Gusion her friend meant the alpaca-man had to stop.

Unconsciously, she’d put herself in a position of authority, able to command the Beasts Pirates’ guards. But she was supposed to be Oden—she shouldn’t have that authority.

“No... I didn’t think that far. I just didn’t want to see you get hurt. Seeing someone hurt my friend made me angry, that’s all.”

Yamato said, but her eyes lacked conviction, a hint of self-doubt creeping in.

Gusion didn’t push further, recognizing there were two sides to what Yamato did. Even if she weren’t Kaido’s daughter, she’d probably have intervened for a friend.

“Still, I’m happy you said that. But while mining, I thought of something else.”

Gusion smiled.

Yamato shivered at the word question but replied anyway, “Can’t we just mine quietly? Or tell me more stories about the outside world—just no more questions!”

Gusion relented, “Let me say this one thing, then I’ll tell you a legend from my hometown.”

At the mention of stories, Yamato’s interest returned. “Alright, go ahead.”

Gusion thought Yamato was pretty easy to cheer up—after all, she was only sixteen. He said, “You told me that after you started challenging Kaido and lost, you were always sent to prison—usually here. Maybe it’s a coincidence, but I feel Kaido is actually fulfilling your wish.”

“Huh? Kaido is fulfilling my wish? What do you mean, Gusion-dono?”

Yamato looked bewildered—she couldn’t imagine how this time he could make her doubt herself again.

“You told me your idol, Oden, was sent to the quarry at age ten, and later became head stonemason. Isn’t this giving you a chance to relive your idol’s path, since you call yourself Oden?”

Gusion smiled.

“Huh? I never thought of it that way. I’m supposed to become head stonemason here, not just dig rocks!”

Clearly, she thought her mistake was not following Oden’s actions closely enough.

On Onigashima, Kaido’s expression was odd. “I never thought of it like that...”

He sent Yamato to Udon simply because there were only two prisons, and the castle one was pointless. Out of sight, out of mind, plus forced labor, so Udon was his only real option. He never intended for her to relive Oden’s path.

“It doesn’t matter what you think—the question is what Yamato thinks right now.”

Maria smiled. “Looks like she’s about to fall into another trap.”

Kaido, not wanting to reveal his slow wit, kept quiet.

In Udon Prison, Gusion said, “Maybe I’m overthinking, but objectively, Kaido is cooperating with your cosplay, and working hard at it. But I think it’s letting you go further down the wrong path.”

Yamato puffed out her cheek in annoyance. “What do you mean, wrong path? Oden is—”

“A true hero, right?”

Gusion cut in. “A hero who abducts women?”

Yamato was stumped. She’d spent all night wrestling with why her idol did such bad things—surely everything he did should be good.

But after Gusion’s example with her father, she realized it really was wrong—downright monstrous.

“About this prison—Yamato, you said Kaido abused you, made you hide and starve. But you also said Udon’s food is good and you often come here to eat. So, why does Kaido send you here instead of starving you on Onigashima?”

Gusion’s question struck at her soul.

She’d only really starved early on, when she first called herself Oden, and Kaido locked her up and forbade anyone to feed her.

Later, a kind crew member who fed her was executed for disobeying Kaido.

But after a year or so, things improved. From age eleven onward, every time she lost to Kaido, she was sent to Udon, where she could eat.

Those years were when she grew rapidly, becoming strong enough to fight Kaido longer.

“What are you saying?” Yamato asked, faintly sensing the answer.

“My theory is Kaido realized you were growing and couldn’t starve, so he sent you to Udon, knowing you could work for food.”

Gusion spoke seriously.

He wasn’t making this up—based on Kaido’s own childhood, it made sense.

Back then, Kaido would let himself be captured by the navy just to get a good meal before escaping...

So, it was entirely possible he set things up so Yamato could eat and grow stronger.

It was like a father and daughter fighting, the daughter refusing to eat, but the father secretly putting more money in her piggy bank so she could eat out.

Of course, Kaido and Yamato’s situation was more complicated, and his methods much more hardcore.

In Kaido’s mind, prison was a restaurant. Sending his daughter there was perfect—after all, that’s how he’d grown up.

On Onigashima, Black Maria smiled at Kaido. “Is that true?”

Kaido turned away, not letting her see his face. “That’s just the kid’s imagination. I’m just punishing Yamato, those are the rules.”

“Oh~ so he’s overthinking,” Black Maria teased, smiling. She hadn’t even considered Kaido was so thoughtful.

Even she, as careful as she was, had only thought Kaido wanted to reform Yamato.

Kaido kept a straight face, watching the broadcast, waiting for Yamato’s reaction.

Back in the prison, Yamato struggled. “No way... That bastard would actually think about that? I thought...”

“You thought your idol Oden’s spirit was watching over you, letting you eat?”

Gusion interrupted, teasing.

Yamato frowned. “I wouldn’t say that...”

But then she stopped, realizing that a few days ago she would have, and did, think that way.

What was happening to her? She’d just reflexively argued with Gusion, which meant doubting her idol and questioning her Oden identity.

“My father Kaido is too crude—he’d never think so carefully, letting me treat prison as a cafeteria. No way he’d go to such trouble!”

Yamato insisted.

“Oh? Then let me ask: do you really know what kind of person Kaido is?”

Gusion smiled. “You know everything about Oden, someone who was a stranger to you, but you barely know your own father.”

Yamato was annoyed. “Of course I know—Kaido is my greatest enemy. As a samurai, I have to know my enemy to defeat him.”

“Really? Then do you know what your father did before coming to Wano? Do you know what legends are told about him?”

Gusion asked.

“Huh? When he brought me here, I was a kid—I don’t remember. How could I know?”

Yamato looked confused. “Do you know?”

“Of course. Your father is one of the Four Emperors, a famous figure on these seas. Ask any Beasts Pirates member or Wano official and they’ll know his stories.”

Gusion wasn’t lying. Beasts Pirates and adventurers all knew Kaido’s exploits—far more famous than Oden.

He continued: “Kaido, as a pirate, has challenged the navy alone and been captured 18 times, tortured over a thousand times, and sentenced to death 40 times. But every time, he broke the chains, shattered the guillotine, or snapped the spears. He’s sunk nine prison ships—no one’s ever been able to kill him, not even himself.”

He summarized Kaido’s achievements, then pointed out the key: “There’s a saying—Kaido is the world’s strongest creature. But why was the strongest creature so easily caught?”

Yamato was shaken. She’d never heard of her father’s younger days—the feeling was strange, knowing her father was already a legend before she was born.

Gusion’s words stunned her—her father was that strong?

“Why? If he got caught, how could he be the strongest?”

Yamato asked.

“People say he let himself get caught—because he was hungry.”

Gusion looked into her eyes before pushing the cart of ore to trade for food tickets. “Hungry. I’m going to have breakfast.”