章 225: The fire burns away all sins
Different places, different times, but the same two individuals.
Following a more intense battle than the first, the same outcome was reached.
Himura Kenshin, at the cost of a scar on his face, killed Kozuki Oden.
Silently, Kenshin gazes at Oden's lifeless body, slowly retracting his blade.
"Kenshin!"
From the crowd, Hyogoro couldn't help but call out, but Kenshin doesn't turn back, merely saying, "Boss Hyogoro, I'm leaving..."
"For what transpired in Wano, I apologize. I... won't be coming back."
There's a hint of sorrow in Kenshin's eyes as he removes the sword from his waist.
Approaching Oden's body, he flings the sword onto it.
Then, he traverses through the crowd, walking towards the distance.
Before long, he disappears from everyone's sight.
His silhouette bears a hint of desolation, devoid of the triumphant air that came with killing Oden.
No one stops him; perhaps it's best to let him be.
After all, the state of this country now is closely tied to him.
Watching his departure, Roger isn't sure if it was a good idea to have him come down from the mountain.
However, seeing Kenshin in this state, he can at least be certain that he is no longer a heartless individual. This Kenshin won't be consumed by darkness, body and soul.
Hyogoro managed to survive within Flower Capital, but he and the rebellion led by Ashura Doji basically perished in those flames.
Furthermore, Kurozumi Kanjuro also perished in the blaze, as he couldn't reunite with Kurozumi Orochi, who possessed the barrier fruit, in time.
It can be said that this conflagration nearly decimated both the Flower Capital's defenders and the rebels.
"What should be done with Kozuki Oden?"
In the silence, Roger suddenly speaks.
He looks at Makima, knowing that this woman surely has a way to handle it.
Makima gazes at the inferno engulfing Flower Capital. Although the dark barrier has been breached, they haven't had the chance to put out the fire yet because everyone is watching Oden's fate.
So, at this moment, the flames grow even fiercer.
The raging flames soar into the sky, the firelight intermingling with the black smoke, forming a monstrous entity, as if a giant demon, its roaring flames akin to the demon's maniacal laughter.
Others also look over, once again falling into silence.
Having paid a tremendous price, it seems the events in Wano have come to an end...
"Let this great fire consume the final remnants of sin."
Makima speaks softly.
They understand Makima's intent. She plans to throw Kozuki Oden into the flames of Flower Capital, allowing him to be melted away by the conflagration he unleashed, thus ending his final existence.
It's not a bad idea indeed, as who knows if keeping Kozuki Oden's corpse might lead to another reanimation?
However, such an act would be too lenient!
Hyogoro feels a bit reluctant, but some of those who managed to crawl out of Flower Capital aren't concerned about such things. They shout aloud, "We should also dismember Kozuki Oden's corpse! Then toss each part into the flames!"
"Boring..."
Kaido watches as everything seems to be reaching its conclusion, then turns and leaves.
This place is either under Roger's control or under the government's lackeys; as a pirate, he doesn't have much meaning here.
He originally intended to take control of Wano with the Kurozumi Clan, but now the Kurozumi Clan is almost entirely wiped out, leaving only Kurozumi Orochi and Kurozumi Kanjuro.
It must be said that the barrier fruit is indeed a very powerful ability; under such circumstances, they couldn't even be killed.
But now, with only the two of them left, the Kurozumi Clan can't stir up any storms.
So Kaido couldn't be bothered to stay in Wano anymore.
Roger and Makima also don't stop the enraged people of Wano; they merely watch as they divide Kozuki Oden into seven pieces.
Head, arms, legs, even the torso is split in two. After completing this, they each throw these body parts into the blaze of Flower Capital. Amidst the hissing flames, it seems like everything has come to an end.
Some people slump to the ground, others sob uncontrollably, and some laugh hysterically.
Makima turns around, and Thunder God follows suit. It seems they are about to leave.
"Hold on..."
However, at this moment, Roger stops them, saying, "Marshal Makima, you should know that this isn't over yet, right?"
"You said, the true decisive battle will take place in thirty-three years. What does that mean?"
Without looking back, Makima says, "Kozuki Oden is dead, perhaps, but the darkness will not end. The Ominous will still lurk in the shadows. Instead of allowing the Ominous to conspire in the dark without our knowledge, it's better to have everything under our control."
"Although we can't prevent the Lord's descent, at least it will be a descent under our control."
"In thirty-three years, if we're all still alive, let's meet again in Wano."
After saying this, Makima continues forward, with Thunder God following closely behind. And thus, the two members of the Black Cult exit the scene.
Roger originally wanted to ask more, but seeing Makima's demeanor, she probably won't say anything more.
He glances at An, who is still watching Makima's departure.
Roger doesn't say anything to An because after Oden's death, they've regained their telepathic connection. There's no need to speak in front of so many people at this moment.
However...
Thirty-three years later?
It sounds easy to say, but thirty-three years... would he...
be able to live that long?
By then, he would be an old man, right?
"Let's go!"
Thinking about his old man situation and fighting against enemies, Roger couldn't help but laugh, then waved his hand, "Say goodbye to Wano. We're leaving this country too, continuing our journey!"
An watches as Roger's pirate crew departs, then turns his head to look at Flower Capital.
The great fire still rages, the clouds in the sky dispersed by the previous battle, as if signaling the end of the shadow shrouding Wano.
But...
Thirty-three years later, there will surely be something else happening.
Letting out a soft sigh, he then pats Hyogoro's shoulder.
"The reconstruction of this country will still need your efforts. If there's anything you need help with, you can find me at Marine Headquarters."
"Thank you... But I probably won't get involved in these matters anymore," Hyogoro smiles wryly. "Rebuilding a country and such, it's too tiring. I think I'll just..."
"Peacefully be a wandering swordsman."
As for the reconstruction of Wano...
That task is entrusted to Yuri!
クリエイターの想い 
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