One Piece has a surprisingly large number of supporting characters who have appeared over the series' two decades of existence. Many have been forgotten because they appeared early in the story, while some have remained supporting characters closely tied to the lore's past. The character that will be the subject of this article is a character originally known as Tenguyama Hitetsu but later revealed to be Kozuki Sukiyaki, the father of Kozuki Oden and the grandfather of Kozuki Momonosuke and Kozuki Hiyori. In this article, we will tell you where Kozuki Sukiyaki is currently and what happened to him in the series.

Kozuki Sukiyaki revealed his true identity after the alliance's victory

Although Sukiyaki's story is exceptionally interesting, we will briefly review her background, as we must focus on the events in Wano. It is known that Sukiyaki was a member of the Kozuki family, descendants of the legendary Kotetsu, and father of Kozuki Oden.

His hobby was swordmaking, and he created Sandai Kitetsu and Ame no Habakiri. When Orochi usurped power in Wano, he was imprisoned but escaped during his son's execution. Taking the alias Tenguyama Hitetsu, he resided in a nearby village, caring for the orphaned O-Tama. And this is where his story begins.

At one point, Luffy finds himself in Tama's house in the village, where he also has the chance to meet Hitetsu. Luffy informs Tama of Ace's death, causing her to faint from shock. Hitetsu berates the pirate for being tactless in communicating the news and then explains the current situation in Wano: Kaido's men have devastated the entire nation, except for the thriving capital where the shogun Kurozumi Orochi resides.

The next day, Tama tells Hitetsu that her group found Big Mom on the beach and heads to Udon. A few days later, she overhears the allies discussing the plan to reach Onigashima, and Kikunojo returns the Nidai Kitetsu to her.

Hitetsu then shows Oden the swords he has kept for twenty years: Ame no Habakiri, which Momonosuke refuses to wield, and Enma, which is delivered to Zoro as promised. The next day, Hitetsu reveals to Zoro the connection between his swords: while the Sandai Kitetsu is one of his creations, both Enma and Wado Ichimonji were forged by Shimotsuki Kozaburo, who left Wano fifty years earlier.

In the final moments of the Fire Festival, Toko asks him to confirm that his father was an important man who knew that if they caught him, they would kill him, so he doesn't understand why he allowed himself to be captured on purpose. Hitetsu replies that Yasuie has given the country a new opportunity since, without her sacrifice, the light of hope would be extinguished, explaining that she gave her life to give their nation a future in which it could live peacefully. He then listens to the speech broadcast throughout Wano, in which Momonosuke introduces himself as the new legitimate shogun.

When Robin reaches the castle basement and observes her doll collection, Hitetsu joins her and calls her by name. Robin then asks him who he is since he thought he was a simple blacksmith; the man replies that it is his hobby that he practices best and that ruling is exhausting.

He then removes his mask, revealing that he is Kozuki Sukiyaki, father of Oden and grandfather of Momonosuke and Hiyori, to whom he does not want to let anyone know, even if his son's servants may have guessed it because he feels guilty for having left the country in the hands of Orochi, which is why he would be ashamed to let anyone know that he is alive.

He then explains that when he escaped, Oden was dead and the nation was different, leading him to consider committing seppuku. Robin then mentions Pluto, which the Alabasta Road Poneglyph indicates is in Wano, which Sukiyaki confirms. She then shows him a secret passage and descends the stairs with her and Law. Seeing a glimmer of light, Robin asks for clarification, and the old man reveals that there is a block of glass at the end of the conduit and tells Robin to look ahead, explaining that they are on the seabed. The two notice numerous submerged ruins, and Sukiyaki explains that this is the Wano of 800 years ago.

Sukiyaki explains that Wano was much larger and at the same level as the sea until very high rock walls were built around the island. Over time, rainwater accumulated until it overflowed, creating the current waterfalls at the borders, and the country was rebuilt halfway up Mount Fuji.

The three arrive at the end of the stairs. Sukiyaki opens the door leading to the room containing the Road Poneglyph, and Robin comments that it only needs one to reveal the route to Laugh Tale.

The former shogun reveals that Pluto is located deep beneath the platform they are on, but that you have never seen it in person and cannot even show it to them because it requires tearing down the walls around the nation, i.e., "open the borders." Robin wonders why Oden wanted to do this, and Sukiyaki replies that he told them everything was passed down to him and that he does not know what his son learned during his journey.

Afterwards, Hitetsu reveals that he is Kozuki Sukiyaki and asks his nephews for forgiveness, who hug him while he tells Momonosuke that he is identical to Oden. The nephew admits that having lost his parents, he is comforted by the fact that he still has a living relative, which Hiyori also agrees with, adding that he has nothing to apologize for.

The former shogun realizes that some of his son's retainers had immediately understood his identity as he thought, which they confirm; he then requests to be housed there, but without revealing the news of his survival, explaining that it will be they who will forge the new era. Kinemon therefore accepts on behalf of the group.

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