Chapter 18: 18. Your Highness The Fool, A Clown

There are six regions in Wanokuni: the Flower Capital, Kuri, Kibi, Udon, Ringo, and Hakumai. At the apex of these areas stands the Flower Capital, the heart of Wanokuni and its most prosperous city. The streets look like a lively parade from an older time. Rows of ancient buildings line the cobbled pathways, filled with tourists, while vendors selling unique wares occupy every corner. The vibrant scene, full of laughter and chatter, paints a picture of peace and prosperity. This is the daily life of the Flower Capital—at least, as long as no particular individual shows up. "He's back again..." "His Highness the Fool graces us with his presence this week." The joyful atmosphere dims, replaced by murmurs of contempt echoing through the crowd. The cause of this disruption is none other than Kozuki Oden, who stands before Shogun Orochi, dressed in nothing but a loincloth, performing his outlandish dance once again. "He's so annoying," someone mutters in irritation. Adults pull their children close, warning them, "You mustn't grow up to be like that man... It's far too shameful!" In a mansion overlooking the Flower Capital from a second-floor balcony, Alex watches Kozuki Oden's strange dance below. It's the second time he's witnessed Oden's performance since he arrived in Wanokuni last week, and the first time left a strong impression. As the saying goes, "Money can make anything happen." Using the wealth he amassed with his More-More Fruit powers, Alex quickly turned himself from an outsider into a respected guest, even purchasing a mansion in the Flower Capital. Not long after he settled in, he encountered Kozuki Oden—the same Oden who had once commanded Whitebeard's Second Division and whose loyalty Roger had sought. Yet here he was, disgraced, playing the part of the fool for the people of the Flower Capital. "It's hard to believe that this clown was once the rightful heir to all of Wanokuni," Lilith muttered with disgust as she poured tea, watching Oden's display with a scowl. Alex hadn't shared his plans with the three women who accompanied him. Posing as Wanokuni natives from a distant region, they spent a week mingling with the Flower Capital's residents, eventually adopting the locals' disdainful view of Oden. "I heard from a geisha that he once held the title of general," Lilith continued, her tone laced with contempt. "But apparently, he's too scared of Kurozumi Orochi and Kaido to stand up to them, so instead, he just plays the fool." "Exactly. And this man is supposed to be one of Wanokuni's strongest?" Emily chimed in, shaking her head. "He caused all sorts of chaos here in his youth, but now he's useless. He's nothing like Lord Alex." Alice nodded in agreement, sharing their frustration with Oden's reputation. Listening to their conversation, Alex kept his gaze fixed on the scene below. There was one particular word in their discussion that resonated deeply with him. That word was "stupid." In Alex's mind, Kozuki Oden could only be described that way. It wasn't his odd dancing that earned him this label, but rather his naive, almost childish approach to life. Oden had believed in the "promise" of a five-year shipbuilding plan, agreed to save lives with a humiliating dance, and ultimately abandoned any resistance against Orochi to protect the hostages. Alex couldn't tell if Oden was genuinely foolish or simply feigning it. Did he truly believe that dancing like that could somehow save Wanokuni without a fight? His blind trust in an enemy and his willingness to sacrifice his people's trust for a few hostages left Alex astonished at Oden's flawed understanding of leadership. Thinking only of immediate lives while ignoring the greater suffering of Wanokuni under Orochi's reign would doom the nation to years of misery. If Oden had truly understood the tyranny Orochi represented, he would have known that sacrifices would be needed to set Wanokuni back on the right path. And with the resources of Whitebeard and Roger's pirates, Oden had more options. Even if it meant risking himself, it would have been better than leaving Wanokuni in the clutches of a tyrant. But here he was, dancing for Orochi, too naive, too foolish, and too reckless to understand the impact of his actions. The tragic twenty years of Wanokuni were tied to Oden's misguided decisions, in Alex's view. Shaking his head, Alex reflected on the character he saw in front of him. The Oden created by the manga's author might have been meant to be a unique hero, but to Alex, he came off more like a "clown" dressed as a hero. Apart from his strength, Oden seemed to lack other virtues, and his life in Wanokuni—marked by impulsive choices—had been a failure. Only his dramatic execution in the oil pot had been noteworthy. But at the root of Wanokuni's plight lay Oden's own poor decisions, without which neither Kaido nor Orochi would likely have succeeded in taking control. Taking a sip of tea, Alex glanced at Emily, who often mingled with the locals, and asked, "Have you heard anything about the Orochi Army's recent activities?" Emily thought for a moment before recalling something. "When I was in Udon, I overheard some of the Orochi soldiers talking. It sounds like they're planning to move against a man named Hyogoro soon." "Hyogoro?!" Alex's interest was piqued. Emily confirmed with a nod. "Yes, I'm sure of it." "Good work, Emily. You've earned a reward," Alex said, his words bringing a bright smile to her face. Noticing the jealous looks from Lilith and Alice, she couldn't help but flash a smug grin. Alex paid no mind to their rivalry, his thoughts now focused on the significance of Hyogoro's arrest. Hyogoro was the "underground boss" of the Flower Capital, a figure whose capture was significant. Over the past five years, Oden's foolish behavior had drained the Flower Capital's will to resist Orochi, and any last glimmers of hope were fading. Yet, this incident would also be the trigger for Oden to finally confront Kaido—a clash that would change the course of Wanokuni's history. Alex hadn't expected that, after just two weeks in Wanokuni, the real drama was already about to unfold!