One Piece: Scientist Simulator

"Are you crazy?" Kurozumi Orochi screamed, his voice tinged with disbelief. "Has Kaido's blow rattled your brains? It's impossible to kill a monster like him!"

Fear and frustration marked Orochi's words. The mere thought of facing Kaido's wrath was overwhelming. The monstrous pirate, with his oppressive Haki, was a force that even Orochi, with all his arrogance, could not disregard. The reality was undeniable: Kaido was a creature of terrifying power.

"Of course, it can't be done by ordinary means," Shenhou said, her grin widening to reveal blood-stained black teeth. "But even a monster like Kaido must have weaknesses. No being, however formidable, is entirely invincible."

Orochi's shock slowly gave way to a begrudging curiosity. His eyes narrowed as he tried to comprehend Shenhou's claim. "Where is Kaido now?"

"He went back to Onigashima yesterday," Shenhou replied, her voice steady despite her weakening condition.

Orochi took a deep sip of wine, trying to steady his nerves and process the information. Onigashima was an outlying island to the south of the mainland, home to the Beasts Pirates and a place shrouded in fear and legend. The island's grim reputation and Kaido's dominance there only added to the daunting challenge Orochi now faced.

"Going back? You can kill Kaido with this!"

Shenhou let out a pair of strange, raspy laughs as she produced a small glass bottle from her cuff. Inside the bottle was a light green liquid, its hue almost glowing under the dim light.

"Is this... poison?" Kurozumi Orochi asked, his eyes widening in shock.

"Indeed," Shenhou confirmed with a sly grin. "Its scientific name is 'NHC10'. If you grew up in Wanokuni, you've likely never heard of it."

"Kaido is one of the Four Emperors! Will poisoning him even work?" Orochi's face contorted in disbelief.

"This is no ordinary poison," Shenhou said, her voice carrying a note of ominous certainty. She continued, "Overseas, only doctors from specific countries are qualified to use it. It is contraband under the jurisdiction of the World Government."

Shenhou unscrewed the lid of the glass bottle and poured a single drop into her cup. She then drank it in one gulp, much to Orochi's growing confusion.

"What are you doing?" Orochi demanded, his anxiety spiking.

"Don't worry," Shenhou replied dismissively. "This small amount is harmless. When mixed into wine, it won't alter the color or taste."

Orochi was baffled. The old woman seemed more erratic by the minute. Shenhou's plan, however, began to take shape as she continued:

"Kaido is an alcoholic. If you poison his wine like this, he will be slowly poisoned over time. Eventually, the poison will build up, and he will succumb."

Orochi's eyes narrowed in recollection. "Like what we did with Kozuki Sukiyaki before?"

"Exactly," Shenhou confirmed. "You're familiar with how it works."

Kurozumi Orochi was thoughtful but cautious. "Why are you so eager to kill Kaido?"

Shenhou's expression turned grim. "If we don't kill him, he'll eventually turn on us. Kaido will see the Kurozumi family as expendable once he no longer needs us."

Her words struck a nerve. Orochi realized that the balance of power was skewed heavily in Kaido's favor. The Beasts Pirates were growing stronger, and Orochi was merely a pawn.

"What you say makes sense," Orochi admitted reluctantly. "But how reliable is this poison?"

Shenhou's eyes gleamed with cold calculation. "Start with a small dose to create initial dependence. Gradually increase it to a lethal dose. The process could take three to six months at most."

Orochi was visibly moved by the plan. No one enjoys being a puppet, and the prospect of regaining control was enticing. Despite his unease about the untested drug, he resolved to conduct his own experiments to verify its efficacy.

As their plotting continued, Shenhou prepared to take her leave. "I'm going to hide now. If Kaido finds me, make sure to collect my body. I don't want to be left exposed in the wilderness."

"Guhehehe, I understand," Orochi replied with a grin, oblivious to the fact that his fate was already sealed.

Inside the institute, Edie was deep in the process of analyzing Toki's blood. His interest in the possibility of developing a "time machine" was genuine, driven more by curiosity than any immediate intention to act on it.

A knock at the door interrupted his thoughts.

"Lord Heavenly Father," Chenlong announced as he entered the room.

"Come in," Edie replied without looking up.

Chenlong stepped inside and reported, "Information from Shenhou. He has completed the task you assigned."

"Understood. Proceed according to the plan," Edie said with a nod.

The plan was straightforward and, in some ways, deliberately flawed. Its simplicity was a deliberate choice; simpler plans often had a higher success rate due to fewer variables. Edie's real objective wasn't to poison Kaido but to orchestrate Orochi's downfall.

As long as everything unfolded swiftly and without delay, there was no need for further elaboration until the final outcome was clear. The scheme involved Kurozumi Orochi accusing Kozuki Oden of "treason" and executing him, a dramatic event that would serve as a smokescreen for his own fatal misstep. Orochi will also be accused of "treason" himself on the same exact day, adding a twist of irony and further confusion to the day's events.

In the end, the spectacle of two "traitors" meeting their demise on the same day seems quite funny.

The day of execution arrived swiftly, marking the grim conclusion of Kozuki Oden's fate.

At 10:55 AM, a large crowd had gathered around the execution platform. The main attraction was a massive cauldron, five meters in diameter, placed over a roaring bonfire. The sizzling sound of hot oil filled the air, promising a horrific end for the condemned.

Kurozumi Orochi and Kaido were seated prominently on the execution platform, their presence commanding attention.

"It's execution time, guh ho ho ho... bring the prisoners!" Orochi declared, his voice filled with sadistic glee as he sipped his wine.

With his command, ten prisoners were marched onto the stage.

At the forefront stood the primary target, Kozuki Oden. Accompanying him were nine others: Kinemon, Denjiro, Ashura Doji, Neko Viper, Inuarashi, Raizo, Kiku, Kawamatsu, and the traitor Kanjuro. Collectively, they were known as the "Nine Red Scabbards."

The sight of these ten rebels caused a murmur of speculation and scorn among the onlookers.

"In the end, Oden couldn't overcome Kaido and faces this dreadful end…"

"I thought His Highness the fool had some real strength…"

"Rebels are always defeated. It's only fitting."

Despite the negative whispers, Kozuki Oden remained unfazed. Standing before the bubbling cauldron, he stared resolutely at the hot oil.

"Get into the cauldron quickly, Kozuki Oden!" Kurozumi Orochi taunted with cruel laughter. "Do you need me to help you? Guhehehe…"

The jailer, whip in hand, urged the prisoners forward. "Get in quickly!"

Ignoring the command, Kozuki Oden addressed Orochi and Kaido with a steady voice. "I want a chance to live. If any of us survives, then please let them go!"

The Nine Red Scabbards were taken aback by Oden's brave stand.

Kaido's expression hardened at Oden's defiant stance. Kurozumi Orochi, meanwhile, laughed derisively. "Are you panicking, Oden? At the brink of death, you're spouting nonsense. Do you know the temperature of this cauldron? It's been heated since early yesterday, and the oil is over 500 degrees!"

The high temperature was more than a mere number. At 500 degrees, the oil could incinerate flesh in moments, turning human protein into a searing mass. It was a merciless end designed to ensure no chance of survival.

"Oooh, oh, oh, oh… interesting!" Kaido's grin widened as he relished the spectacle. "I'll give you an hour. Even a bath wouldn't make you feel this disoriented. Get the clock!"

"No, I'll bring it."

A figure in a white coat suddenly appeared on the execution platform, holding a clock in his hand. It was Edie.

"Edie..." Kaido's grin widened. "You came just in time. Worororo."

"Good afternoon, Mr. Kaido," Edie replied with a slight smile, placing the clock in the center of the platform before taking a seat.

"It is now 11 o'clock sharp," Edie announced. "According to our agreement, if you can survive until 12 o'clock, you will be set free… Kozuki Oden."

"Don't regret it, Kaido!" Oden said with determined solemnity.

"Certainly," Kaido responded nonchalantly, taking a sip from his drink.

Edie looked on, bemused. Did they really believe this charade? Or was this just a final desperate grasp for hope from those cornered?

With a fierce roar, Kozuki Oden leaped into the cauldron.

"Ah ah ah ah ah ah ah!!"

The intense heat and searing oil invaded Oden's body, causing him to scream in agony. The soles of his feet met the cauldron's bottom, where the temperature was even more extreme, melting his flesh and forcing him to writhe in the scalding oil.

"Lord Oden!" The Nine Red Scabbards cried out in despair.

Kinemon, his resolve hardened, was about to join Oden in the cauldron. "The master cannot suffer alone, everyone…!"

"Wait, Kin'emon!!" Oden shouted through the pain, desperately commanding his retainers to stay put. He grabbed the platform they stood on and lifted it above his head, struggling to save them from the same fate.

The Nine Red Scabbards watched in shock and anguish. "Lord Oden...!!"

"Guhehehe… delightful, truly delightful!" Kurozumi Orochi's maniacal laughter filled the air. "Oden, you're such a clown, bringing joy to others in this way. Guhehehe…"

Edie's expression remained impassive as he observed the scene. There was no rush—he would send the Orochi down there to join Oden later. For now, he watched the drama unfold with a cold, detached interest.