Chapter 207
**Chapter 207: Roger and Oden**
Aboard the **Oro Jackson**, Roger heard **Linlin's furious roar** echoing from the ruins of **Cake Island**.
He turned **briefly**, but his focus snapped back to **Rayleigh**, who stood before him, **expression calm yet grave**.
Rayleigh **slowly** pulled open his **collar**, revealing his **muscular chest**—
Roger **gulped.**
But it wasn't his **bare skin** that caught Roger's attention.
Rayleigh reached into his robe—
And **pulled out a piece of parchment.**
Roger's eyes **lit up**.
He **snatched** the parchment, **hands trembling** as he examined it.
Scrawled across it were **ancient white symbols**—the **sacred text** marking the location of the **Road Poneglyphs**.
Even with his ability to **hear the Voice of All Things**, Roger couldn't **decipher** these markings.
Only the **greatest scholars**—or the **Kouzuki family**—could read them.
And that was why, despite his **pride**, he had **swallowed his ego** to seek **Whitebeard's help**.
Now, at last—**he had it.**
Clutching the parchment **like a priceless treasure**, Roger **bolted** straight toward **Oden's quarters**.
---
Inside the dimly lit cabin, **Kouzuki Oden** lay bedridden.
Or rather—**"Half-Oden."**
After losing **half his body**, a prosthetic was **impossible**—leaving him **permanently bedridden**, with **Toki** by his side.
Roger, lost in excitement, **forgot to knock**.
He **burst through the door**—
**WHOOSH!**
A **bowl** came **flying at his head!**
Roger **dodged instinctively**, watching it **shatter** against the floor, its contents splattering across the room.
He frowned, looking up—
Only to see **Oden standing on the bed**, **furious**, shouting at **Toki**.
"**Again with this?! Can't you bring me something else?!**"
Toki, looking **visibly distressed**, bit her lip.
"**I… I'm sorry, Oden. You used to love oden stew…**"
"**That was before!**" Oden **snapped.**
Tears welled in **Toki's eyes** as she turned away, struggling to **hold them back**—
Then, she **noticed Roger.**
Roger, still standing in the doorway, gave her a **small nod** before stepping inside.
Oden, seeing his captain, **sighed heavily**, his anger **momentarily subdued**.
"**Captain Roger… are things going smoothly?**"
Roger **nodded** and handed Oden the parchment.
Oden took it, eyes **darkening** as he scanned the symbols.
A tense silence filled the room.
Then—
"**Yes… this marks the location of the final Road Poneglyph.**"
Oden's voice was **grim**.
"**With this, we can pinpoint the exact location of the 'End Point.'**"
Roger's gaze flickered to **Toki**, who stood there, eyes **glassy with unshed tears**.
He hesitated.
"**Oden… maybe you should talk with Toki first…**"
His own **words stung.**
He was the one **most desperate** to find the final Road Poneglyph—yet here he was, **telling Oden to wait.**
Oden turned to **Toki**, guilt flashing across his face.
He knew.
He knew he had been **unfair** to her.
But…
He **couldn't control himself.**
After a long pause—
"**Toki… I'm sorry.**"
His voice was **low.**
"**I shouldn't have treated you like that.**"
Toki's **tears finally fell.**
She **rushed forward**, wrapping her arms around him.
"**No need to apologize…**" she whispered, **voice trembling**.
"**I know you're hurting. I just… I just want you to be happy.**"
Oden **froze**, at a **loss for words.**
Slowly, he reached up and **awkwardly patted her back.**
Roger stood there like a **third wheel.**
Having spent his **life at sea**, surrounded by **rowdy men**, he wasn't exactly **used to this kind of scene.**
Thankfully, Oden **recovered quickly.**
Once Toki calmed, he asked her to **step outside**—
There was **business** to discuss.
---
With Toki gone, the **atmosphere changed.**
Oden quickly **relayed the contents of the parchment**, detailing the location of the **final Road Poneglyph**.
Hearing this—
**Roger's blood boiled.**
His **fist clenched.**
His **face turned red** with excitement.
They were **so close.**
So close to—
**"Gah—!"**
Suddenly, pain **stabbed** through Roger's chest.
A violent **cough racked his body**—
And **he spat blood.**
**Splatter.**
Dark red drops **stained Oden's sheets.**
For a moment—
**Silence.**
Oden stared, stunned, as **the metallic scent of blood filled the air.**
Roger's **face paled.**
His body swayed—
He nearly **collapsed** onto Oden.
"**Roger!**"
Oden **panicked.**
"**Roger, are you alright?! Crocus! CROCU—**"
Roger **weakly covered his mouth.**
"**Don't call him… I'm just… too excited, that's all…**"
He **glanced** at the blood-stained sheets and forced a **weak grin**.
"**Sorry about the mess… Toki might have to clean this up later.**"
Oden's **expression darkened.**
"**Stop joking! You need rest!**"
"**The Road Poneglyphs are gathered… reaching the 'End Point' is just a matter of time.**"
Roger smiled **bitterly.**
"**But my time… is running out.**"
A heavy silence **blanketed the room.**
Then, Roger finally asked—
"**Oden… once we reach the 'End Point'… what will you do?**"
Hearing this—
Oden's **fists clenched.**
His **eyes burned.**
"**I'll turn this world upside down.**"
His voice **shook with fury.**
"**I'll make sure that Black Dragon… along with the World Government he serves…**"
"**Is buried in the tides of the new era.**"
---
For **Carl**, Oden held an **unquenchable hatred.**
But he knew the truth.
Even if he were **whole**, even if he had **all his strength**—
He stood **no chance** against Carl.
Not as he was now.
His **only hope**…
Was the **mysterious 'End Point.'**