Becoming Samurai

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Centuries back... We Minks made a solemn vow... Long, long ago... Their journey started on the back of an elephant... A massive elephant carries a Mink village across the sea under a bright sun. We are family!! A giant tree rises over an ancient Wano town as the Minks declare their bond. With the Kozuki clan samurai of Wano. Wano, huh...!I We don't know when that time will come... But we... We promised that we would always... Assist one another when faced with hardships. At the Kozuki crest, cloaked figures stand with Inuarashi and Nekomamushi. I'd love to see the outside world-nya!!

Aboard a ship in rough seas, the Minks react with shock. There are that many!I That's right!! There's more than five islands in the world!! I heard there were a bunch of different ones!! Hey!! Where can we find this island!!I I'm hungry-nya... A massive angry sea creature bursts from the waves. Dammit all!!! Wano is horrible!! Our family!I Yeah, right!! We shouldn't have come here!! Doggo-ne!! We should never have gone out to sea!! Gyaaaah!! I have nothing to do with them!! I am a kappa!! A cat monster, a dog monster, and a kappa...!! Is this beach cursed!I Burn them at the stake!! A kappa is still a demon, though. The three monsters are tied to stakes on the shore while onlookers watch in horror. Waaaaah...

Oden sits by the river after catching a massive fish, wiping his brow with a satisfied "PHEW..." while muttering, "NOW I HAVE ENOUGH INGREDIENTS TO MAKE TONIGHT'S ODEN..." A strange sound interrupts him: "JEEZ! AAH!!" and "ざばっ!!!" as the fish flops wildly. He glances over, "HMMI" In a row of close-ups, stern and laughing faces react with "GYA HA HA HA!" Oden stands tall in the center, declaring, "NOW, FAREWELL!!" as he turns away. An angry voice protests from the left, "HOW DARE YOU BULLY A BUNCH OF KIDS!I DISGRACEFUL!!" Another adds, "BEING AFRAID OF THOSE WHO LOOK DIFFERENT ONLY HIGHLIGHTS YOUR IGNORANCE!!" and "YOU SHOULD ALL BE ASHAMED!!" Oden walks off while someone yells after him, "YOU'RE LEAVING US LIKE THIS!I"

At Kuri-Kuri Castle, a group stares in shock at the arriving monsters. "WHY DID YOU BRING THESE MONSTERS HERE, SIR ODEN!I" someone demands. Oden replies simply, "THEY FOLLOWED ME." A wide view shows the castle and waterfall as the crowd reacts with "WHAAAA!I" In the next scene the minks explain their situation: "WHEN WE WERE ALMOST BEATEN TO DEATH!!" "WE WERE ALREADY STARVING..." "YEAH!!" with sounds "PURRRR... NYA NYA NYA!" and "もぐもぐ..." Nekomamushi and Inuarashi are labeled as they thank Oden: "THANK YOU FOR HELPING US BACK THERE." Inside, an older woman and child listen as the minks continue, "MENTIONS OUR BOND, TOO!! YOU'RE OUR FAMILY!!" "YEAH, I BET HE DID!! AN INSCRIPTION IN OUR COUNTRY..." "THE MINK TRIBE!! MY FATHER MENTIONED IT TO ME!!" and "THIS IS HARD TO BELIEVE... THEY REALLY ARE TALKING ANIMALS..." The woman notes, "AND NOW YOU'RE OUR SAVIOUR AS WELL!! STILL..."

Oden laughs while eating, "I HAVE A CAT'S TONGUE!*" as Nekomamushi yells, "STOP THAT, NEKO-MAMUSHI!!" and complains, "BUT THIS IS WAY TOO HOT!!" A note explains the phrase. Oden teases, "WAHAHAHA!! HEY, CAT!! ODEN WOULD NOT BE ODEN IF IT IS NOT BOILED AND EATEN HOT!!" Kawamatsu the kappa sits alone, recalling, "DRIFTED TO THIS COUNTRY AFTER OUR SHIP SANK!! WHEN WE ASKED FOR HELP... MY MOTHER AND I..." and "AND WHAT DO YOU MEAN TO BEI" He continues his story: "'YOU WOULD BE MORE LIKELY TO SURVIVE IF YOU CLAIMED TO BE A KAPPA.' WITH HER DYING BREATH MY MOTHER TOLD ME, 'FISHMEN ARE ALWAYS DISCRIMINATED AGAINST IN THIS WORLD...'" and "MY MOTHER WAS INJURED, SO WE WERE UNABLE TO RETURN HOME. PEOPLE THREW STONES AT US BECAUSE WE WERE FISHMEN." He concludes, "SO NOW, I AM KAWAMATSU THE KAPPA. I LIVE OFF THE LEFTOVERS OTHERS THROW AWAY."

The minks eat ravenously. Inuarashi says, "I WASTED ALL THAT FOOD!" while Nekomamushi adds, "OH NO, I FORGOT MY MANNERS." Oden sits with them, replying, "I WILL NEVER FORGET WHAT YOU DID FOR ME TODAY." Kawamatsu bows, "BUT YOU FED ME DELICIOUS FOOD, TOO. I AM SO GRATEFUL. NOT ONLY DID YOU SAVE ME," as Inuarashi scolds, "NOW YOU'RE ACTING LIKE AN ADULT!!" Outside, Oden laughs, "HYAHAHA HA!! WHAT AN INTERESTING CAT!!" while the minks struggle with the heat: "PBBFFFT!! IT'S STILL TOO HOT!!" and "MINCH MINCH MINCH." They offer, "I'LL HELP YOU FINISH IT!" "I'M SORRY, KAPPA!" Oden stands and declares with a grin, "MEETING YOU GUYS HAS MADE ME REALISE... THAT THERE ARE MANY CREATURES IN THE WORLD I HAVE YET TO SEE. NOW I AM REALLY EXCITED FOR MY NEXT VOYAGE!!" He waves, "TAKE CARE!!"

Close-up faces of angry retainers glare with bared teeth. "YOU DIDN'T EVEN ASK US!I WE DON'T WANNA LEAVE!!" they shout. "NO, LET US STAY HERE!!" another yells as motion lines and "GWOOOH!!" erupt from their struggle. In the next tier, an afro-haired man protests, "WHY DO YOU KEEP DOING THAT!I YOU LENT MONEY TO THAT OROCHI FELLOW, RIGHT!I" A stern figure replies, "OH, WELL... EVEN THOUGH HE IS ON HIS OWN NOW, HE USED TO WORK FOR YASUIE... SO I CANNOT JUST LEAVE HIM TO DIE..." Nearby voices discuss, "IT SHOULD BE FINE, BUT WE ARE RUNNING LOW ON FUNDS. WELL... CONSIDERING THEIR STRENGTH... THIS GROUP KEEPS GETTING BIGGER..." At the bottom, Kin'emon stands with the retainers, declaring "WE CAN DO THIS!! YASUIE IS NO BIG DEAL!!" while one chants "TIP... TOE... SLOW AND STEADY... THIS IS THE ESSENCE OF WALKING LIKE A NINJA."

Kin'emon glares, thinking of "THAT DAMN ODEN..." A sign reads "HAKUMAI". Voices demand, "WHY WERE YOU TRYING TO STEAL SO MUCH MONEYI BECAUSE SIR ODEN NEEDED MONEY!!" and "IF YOU ARE GOING TO EXECUTE US, THEN GET IT OVER WITH ALREADY!! YOU HEDGEHOG!!" The scene shifts to a shocked group around a chest as Lord Yasuie appears. "WAIT, LORD YASUIE! IF YOU DO THAT, HAKUMAI WILL RUN OUT OF...!!!" they cry. Yasuie offers, "I WILL GIVE YOU THE MONEY YOU TRIED TO STEAL...!!!" Close-ups show intense faces asking "DO YOU LOVE ODENI" and "ARE YOU BEING SERIOUS!I IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH YOUR IS THIS SOME SORT OF TRAPI EVEN MORE!I" Yasuie hands over bags, saying "USE IT WISELY. TAKE THIS, TOO!!"

Lord Yasuie and retainers stand in town. "TO DRESS PROPERLY. IF YOU DO, THEN USE THIS MONEY..." Yasuie instructs. Retainers laugh "AHAHAHA!! THESE DO NOT SUIT US AT ALL!!" Yasuie continues, "IF HOODLUMS LIKE YOU WERE TO BECOME THE RETAINERS OF ODEN AS YOU ARE RIGHT NOW... AND FILL YOURSELVES WITH KNOWLEDGE AND WISDOM. BUY SOME BOOKS... LEARN SOME MANNERS." A woman corrects, "WRONG!! IT HAS TO COME FROM THE GUT!! LIKE THIS, 'SESSHA'....!!!" with a note explaining the samurai self-address term. At the bottom, retainers eat and bow, saying "WHY ARE YOU LOT SUDDENLY ACTING SO STRANGELY!I IT IS SO CREEPY!! THIS DEEP-FRIED TOFU IS SIMPLY EXQUISITE!! LORD ODEN, WE BID YOU A GOOD MORNING!! YOU WOULD JUST BRING SHAME TO HIS NAME!!"

Flashback panels show retainers training fiercely. "MUST BE THE BEST SAMURAI IN THE ENTIRE COUNTRY!! HE WILL ONE DAY BE THE SHOGUN OF WANO!! AND THE PEOPLE WHO WILL SUPPORT HIM THROUGH IT ALL..." they declare. A large panel reads "GUARDIANS!!!" with impact "DON!!" as voices shout "NO... THE ENTIRE COUNTRY'S... ALL OF YOU MUST MAKE YOURSELVES THE CAPITAL'S... A SERVANT'S DUTY IS TO PROTECT THEIR MASTER!!" Oohs and reactions fill the air. Later, a box states "THREE YEARS LATER, 30 YEARS FROM THE PRESENT THE FLOWER CAPITAL". In the present, retainers warn "WAIT THERE, MR. MOUNTAIN!! OINK! OINK OINK MOUNTAIN JR.! GET IN THE CRATE!! WAHAHA!! BE SURE TO HIDE YOUR MONEY TO AVOID GETTING ROBBED!! I HEARD THAT THE DAIMYO OF KURI AND HIS FOLLOWERS WILL BE VISITING THE CAPITAL! LORD ODEN AND HIS RETAINERS ARE THUGS, AFTER ALL."

The grand procession of Oden's retainers arrives in the capital, their majestic and dignified appearance leaving the crowd in awe. Citizens react with shock: "YOU HAVE GROWN INTO A FINE MAN, INDEED!!" "ODEN!!" "YO, DAD!!" "EVERYONE IS SHOCKED!!" and "IT ALMOST LOOKS LIKE A SHOGUN'S PROCESSION!" One onlooker exclaims, "OH MY!! WHATI THEY ARE... HIS SAMURAI...!I" while another notes, "WE'RE ODEN'S RETAINERS... ALWAYS SO DIGNIFIED!I" Oden himself grins confidently, declaring, "BUT I AM NOT SURE I HAVE CHANGED ONE BIT. IF I HAVE BECOME A FINE MAN, IT IS THANKS TO YOU..." The narration reflects on the moment: "THAT SOME MAY HAVE EVEN DROPPED DOWN TO THEIR KNEES... THE ONLOOKERS WERE IN SUCH AWE..." and "THIS WAS THE LAST TIME THE TWO WOULD EVER SPEAK." Oden's retainers stand proudly behind him as the massive impact of their presence shakes the scene with dramatic sound effects.

At Port Itachi, the wreckage of a massive ship is visible as Whitebeard's crew discusses the situation. They note, "THAT SAME YEAR-KURI: PORT ITACHI" and "WE'LL NEED TO HEAD OUT TO FIND SUPPLIES. ANY VOLUNTEERS!I" while observing, "THE CARGO HOLD FLOODED, SO OUR PROVISIONS ARE AS GOOD AS GONE!!" and "POPS!! IT'LL TAKE A WEEK TO FINISH THE REPAIRS!!" Whitebeard sits on a barrel, surrounded by his crew including a young Marco and others. He states, "I CAN SENSE THAT THERE ARE OTHER HUMANS NEARBY." The crew reacts with surprise as something approaches: "STOMP STOMP STOMP" "SOMETHING'S COMING...!!" "SOMETHING INCREDIBLE...!!" Whitebeard raises his hand, commanding, "HEY, ALL OF YOU... STAND BACK...!!" The scene builds tension as the massive figure draws near.

Oden charges forward with a massive grin, laughing "HA HA HA!!!" as he leaps dramatically toward the ship. He declares, "WE MAY NOT KNOW EACH OTHER, BUT... MY NAME IS KOZUKI ODEN!!!" and boldly requests, "JOIN YOUR CREW!! I WANT YOU TO LET ME..." The impact creates huge "ドカァァァァ!!!" and "バキィ!!" effects. Whitebeard reacts with surprise, gripping his naginata as Oden lands before him. Oden continues, "CONGRATULATIONS ON MAKING IT HERE!! YOU MUST HAVE TRAVERSED ALL THAT TERRIBLE WEATHER AND THE WATERFALL!!" Whitebeard responds, "SO THIS IS THE PIRATE SHIP!I" and "GRIP...!! THIS DOESN'T LOOK GOOD." The page ends with the chapter close: "...CH. 963 /END" as Oden makes his dramatic request to join the crew.

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