Chapter 968

Roger predicts that someone will be born that surpasses them, as they’re too early at finding the One Piece. He said to Rayleigh that his child will find One Piece, but the first mate pointed out that Roger doesn’t have a child which Roger responded that he will eventually have one. Roger orders the crew to sail to someplace where the Marines aren’t waiting, saying he will be the first one to leave the Oro Jackson. Roger intends to meet Edward Newgate for the last time before he dies and asks Oden about Izou. Oden said that Izou is already very comfortable on Whitebeard’s ship and asks Roger to pass on a message to Izou to take care of Whitebeard for him.

After reaching an island, Roger said something to Rayleigh and then he finally stepped off the ship with a bundle of medicine from Crocus, as his disease was in its final stages. The crew bid him farewell in a waterfall of tears, despite Oden claiming in his journals that not a single tear was shed. Their next destination is Wano Country, where the crew dropped off Oden. Oden said that he will open the borders of his country before the day that Joy Boy appears. The crew bid their farewell to Oden, again with a rain of tears, despite Oden claiming that they parted with a smile.

Oden finally reunites with his family and his retainers and is surprised to see the warm welcome he receives from the citizens of Kuri, expecting criticism instead. His retainers explain how Toki helped the citizens and she and their children are the most popular people in the whole country and that people don’t talk about Oden’s past actions for which he thanks Toki. Oden then tells Kikunojo about Izou, which he already knows of. Oden asks about the whereabouts of Ashura and Denjiro and learns that Ashura is keeping the yakuza and bandits in Kuri under control while Denjiro is going around Wano borrowing money. The Scabbards then tell Oden about all that happened in Wano during his absence including his father’s death and Orochi’s atrocities on the citizens as well as his alliance with Kaidou. Toki tries to stop them from speaking. However, upon Oden’s insistence, Kin’emon explains that while he and some of his fellow retainers went to the Flower Capital to confront Orochi, the Beasts Pirates attacked Oden Castle and tried to kill Momonosuke, but the attackers were driven away by Kawamatsu and Inuarashi. However, Toki got struck by the initial arrow and received a permanent scar on her leg. Oden thanks Toki and angrily rushes out of Kuri with his swords despite everyone’s pleas. The citizens of the Flower Capital are happy to see Oden back to take over as the shogun. Oden defeats Orochi’s guards and finally prepares to kill him.