Reunions between siblings... brothers often unfold like this.
No tears, just decades of unchanged affection.
After Izo's vigorous struggles, Kikunojo finally released his "frail and helpless" elder brother.
Michael patted Izo's shoulder.
"Frustrated? Well, you're the one who chose guns while your sister... brother chose swords."
In this Pirate King World, swordsmen are often the most physically robust among fighters of similar caliber.
Look at Zoro and Hawkeye—their sheer physical strength allows them to unleash massive Flying Slashes with minimal weapon movement.
And Kikunojo is also a swordsmaster capable of casually releasing Flying Slashes...
Izo adjusted his disheveled topknot, neither confirming nor denying Michael's words.
He knew perfectly well that physically, he paled in comparison to his brother.
This was something he'd long grown accustomed to.
"Kikunojo, you're now..."
"Brother, as Oden-sama chief guard, I am now stationed permanently within the shogunate," Kikunojo nodded before turning to the soldiers outside the door.
"You're dismissed. I'll personally escort them to meet Oden-sama."
With that, he strode into the shogunate compound.
Michael shot Yamato and Jack a meaningful glance, signaling them to follow quickly.
Poor Jack had to stoop low just to pass through the shogunate's gate—sometimes being too tall wasn't an advantage.
After walking some distance inside the shogunate, Kikunojo finally turned back.
His wary eyes studied Michael and the others.
"Brother, care to explain why you've brought outsiders to Wano Country?"
"That... is something Oden-sama should discuss with this gentleman personally," Izo replied.
"Oyaji simply tasked me with delivering a message to Oden-sama and serving as their guide."
"Then who exactly is he?" Kikunojo's hand instinctively hovered near his sword guard, ready to draw, his vigilance undiminished by Izo's explanation.
"Who am I? You'll know soon enough."
Michael offered no further explanation but, out of respect for Izo, didn't press Kikunojo further.
A single glance from Michael sent involuntary shivers down Kikunojo's spine—anyone suddenly swept by Michael's Conqueror's Haki would react similarly.
That Kikunojo merely trembled proved his strength matched Izo's.
Eyes wide with shock, Kikunojo fell silent.
He realized no force could stop a warrior whose mere gaze overwhelmed him.
Conversely, such a powerful individual wouldn't bother with subterfuge if intending harm.
His concerns eased, Kikunojo led them deeper into the shogunate where Michael finally met his "pen pal" from over a decade ago.
"Ahahaha! Izo! How's life been with Whitebeard all these years?"
"Your concern honors me, Oden-sama. Life with Oyaji has been good," Izo smiled before continuing.
"My return to Wano primarily serves to deliver Father's message."
"A message? What message?" Kozuki Oden leaned forward eagerly. "Out with it, no beating around the bush!"
"Even after becoming Wano's shogun over a decade ago, you remain unchanged, Oden-sama."
Izo sighed, then relayed the warning: Kaido might have allied with Blackbeard Teach to launch another invasion of Wano.
"What? Kaido?" Kozuki Oden's brow furrowed deeply.
Though he'd successfully repelled Kaido and Gecko Moria years ago, Oden knew their victory had hinged on fifty-fifty odds—luck played no small part.
Now with Kaido's return, Wano must hold their enemies at the waterfall borders.
Should invaders breach the inner sea, losing geographical advantage would turn the conflict into an even bloodier melee where victors emerged barely standing.
This Oden was no longer the foolish young lord of yesterdays.
Having served as the Shogun of Wano for over a decade, it wasn't for nothing.
Yet Kozuki Oden remained Kozuki Oden through and through.
"It seems my business with Kaido is destined to reach its final conclusion," Oden muttered to himself before lifting his gaze, only then noticing Michael and his companions.
"Hmm? And you are...?"
"Oden-sama, they were brought here by my Brother... but their identities are unclear," Kikunojo reported quietly.
"The one leading them... possesses terrifyingly powerful Conqueror's Haki."
With just that one remark from Kikunojo, Kozuki Oden's full attention snapped onto Michael.
"So, you're a friend of Izo's?"
"No, no, I wouldn't say I'm particularly close to Izo... but I do have ties with Whitebeard," Michael replied, shaking his head slightly, his eyes narrowing.
"And not just Whitebeard—I'm also an old acquaintance of yours."
"Of mine?" Oden looked puzzled, the air of the "Foolish Lord" suddenly resurfacing.
"Have we met somewhere before?"
"Of course we haven't..." Michael chuckled. "But... Kozuki Oden, surely you remember that letter?"
The moment Michael mentioned the letter, Oden's expression changed drastically.
He shot to his feet and strode over to Michael, scrutinizing the man who stood about the same height as Izo.
After a long silence, Oden finally spoke in a low voice:
"So... it's you?"
"Seems you haven't forgotten," Michael said with a smile. "Ah, what a nostalgic thought—back then, I was still a Marine."
As he spoke, his angelic Wings unfurled abruptly, filling the entire chamber with a pure, gentle Holy Light.
Oden stared in shock at Michael's Wings.
"Angel wings... Wait, you're that legendary former Marine Grand Inspector who defected and joined the Revolutionary Army—Michael?"
"Mhm, that's me."
Michael nodded.
It seemed that while Wano hadn't fully opened its borders yet, the flow of outside information was no longer entirely restricted.
Seeing Michael admit his identity so readily, Oden gave him a strange look.
"Isn't it a bit reckless for a Revolutionary to just reveal himself like that?"
"What's the harm?"
Michael raised an eyebrow.
"As someone here to collect a debt, it's only right to be upfront about who I am."
"A debt..."
Oden didn't seem surprised.
Instead, he let out a bitter laugh.
"I knew it. That letter from back then would eventually demand a far greater repayment for the favor."