In One Piece, the demise of Kozuki Oden in the "Wano" arc of One Piece left the Whitebeard Pirates devastated, leaving fans curious as to why their captain, Whitebeard, did not seek vengeance against Kaido. Despite Oden's affiliation with Roger's crew as the Second Division Commander, his bond with Whitebeard remained unbroken. As sworn brothers, the loss of Oden had a profound impact on Whitebeard and his crew. However, the reasons behind Whitebeard's restraint and his choice not to retaliate deserve closer examination.
The Unbreakable Bond between Oden and Whitebeard
Oden's relentless pursuit led to his inclusion in the Whitebeard Pirates. Despite departing with Roger's crew, Oden left on good terms with Whitebeard, who regarded him as a younger brother. Even after Roger's ascent to the title of King of the Pirates and Whitebeard's continued pirate endeavors, Oden never returned to his former crew. Instead, Oden entrusted Whitebeard's care to Izou, a loyal retainer who later became the commander of the Whitebeard Pirates' 16th division.
The Challenges and Responsibilities of Whitebeard
News of Oden's death only reached the sealed-off Wano years after the event, leaving Marco and the others eager for retribution but taking no immediate action. As an Emperor, Whitebeard carried significant responsibilities on his shoulders. The safety and well-being of his entire crew, as well as the inhabitants of his territories and hometown, relied on his leadership. Whitebeard had established two fundamental rules for his crew: no killing and no plundering of treasures.
Whitebeard's adherence to these principles was unwavering, and he encouraged his crew members to follow the same path. While a difficult decision, Whitebeard displayed wisdom by not succumbing to his emotions. He recognized that intervening in Wano would entail great danger, with two Yonko pitted against each other leading to catastrophic consequences.
The Weight of Potential Casualties
Whitebeard understood that engaging in a war of revenge would result in immense suffering for both sides involved, as well as the innocent civilians of Wano whom Oden had fought to protect. The high cost in terms of lives and destruction outweighed any personal vendetta. Consequently, Whitebeard concluded that seeking revenge was not worth jeopardizing the lives of his crew and the people of Wano.
The true reason behind Whitebeard's decision not to avenge Oden's death in One Piece lies in the deep bond he shared with Oden and the weight of his responsibilities as a Yonko. Despite the desire for retribution, Whitebeard's commitment to his crew's well-being and the preservation of innocent lives prevailed. He understood the dire consequences that a war between two Yonko would bring and chose to prioritize the safety of his men and the people Oden had fought for.
