In the Kuri region, astonishing news spread like wildfire.
"A pirate ship has docked at Port Idate!" In the marketplace, a fishmonger whispered to a customer beside him, his voice trembling noticeably.
"This is completely different from usual." A middle-aged merchant selecting his catch frowned, pausing his movements. "I hear the ship is terrifyingly large, several times bigger than any ship we've ever seen."
In front of a street-corner tea stall, several villagers huddled together, their faces etched with anxiety. "The ship is shockingly huge! It looks incredibly powerful!" a young farmer said, rubbing his rough hands together.
The bald tea-stall owner fretted, rubbing his hands together as fine beads of sweat formed on his forehead. "In all my years, I've never seen a pirate ship that big. Just the skull emblem on its sails is enough to make your skin crawl."
"Don't be ridiculous, old-timer. You're here all day; when would you have seen a pirate ship? And I've heard the port area is under lockdown; no one's allowed near it," a middle-aged man retorted.
Kurozumi Kanjuro stood on the periphery of the crowd, taking in all these discussions. He calmly adjusted the lapels of his kimono and began walking with steady strides towards the port. Villagers along the way, seeing this samurai lord, made way for him, their eyes holding a mix of awe and expectation.
Meanwhile, Kozuki Oden had already charged ahead to Port Idate. When he arrived, he found Kaido and his crew already waiting in formation. The pirates were lined up in orderly rows, each face wearing a fierce expression, their weapons gleaming coldly in the sunlight.
At the very front of the formation stood the burly man, a massive spiked club resting on his shoulder, a ferocious grin on his face.
"Finally here, are you?!" Kaido raised the Hassaikai in his hand, the metal glinting in the sun. His rough voice boomed across the beach, startling a flock of seabirds into flight. "I was getting impatient!"
Kozuki Oden stood on the sand, the sea breeze billowing his robes. Facing this formidable enemy, he showed not a trace of fear; instead, an excited smile spread across his face. He slowly drew the two famed swords at his waist—Ame no Habakiri and Enma—their blades shimmering with a cold light under the sun.
"Perfect timing!" Kozuki Oden's voice was full of power. "You braved terrible weather, scaled a massive waterfall, and finally arrived here. I've waited far too long for this moment, pirate!" Before the words had fully left his mouth, his legs erupted with force, propelling him towards Kaido like an arrow from a bow.
"Wororororo! Bring it on!" Kaido roared with laughter, the muscles in his thick arms bulging as the Hassaikai whistled through the air to meet Oden.
BOOM—!
Two immense forces collided mid-air, erupting in a deafening blast. A shockwave radiated outwards from the point of impact, whipping the fine beach sand up several meters high. Pirates standing closer to the fight lost their footing, tumbling to the ground; a few were even knocked unconscious, blood trickling from their mouths.
"Hahaha, you've got some skill!" Kozuki Oden used the recoil to leap back several meters, landing firmly. His eyes sparkled with excitement as he held both swords in an offensive stance. Kaido also adjusted his posture, his massive frame displaying surprising agility.
The ensuing battle was a dizzying spectacle. Oden's twin swords transformed into two silvery bolts of lightning, striking at Kaido from every angle.
Kaido, in turn, swung the Hassaikai, every parry accompanied by showers of sparks from clashing metal.
Their movements were almost too fast to follow; only the tremendous clang of weapons meeting echoed across the beach.
Bullet watched Kozuki Oden locked in fierce combat with Kaido, a flicker of regret in his eyes. "His strength is indeed impressive. Pity there's no chance for me to face him."
Queen chomped on his cigar, letting out his signature laugh. "Muhahaha, that's just how it is. This guy is the biggest obstacle to our plan."
Moria stared unblinkingly at the battlefield, rubbing his hands together excitedly. "Kishishishi, to last this long against the Captain... it seems I need to redouble my efforts."
Urouge pressed his palms together calmly. "Another strong one is about to fall before the Captain."
The eight-year-old Enel clenched his fists, a fighting spirit blazing in his eyes. "One day, I'll be that strong too... no, I'll be even stronger!"
Everyone held their breath, their attention fully captured by this world-shaking duel.
Every exchange between Kaido and Kozuki Oden stirred up waves of air, leaving the onlookers both awestruck and filled with longing.
"I've been waiting for someone like you!" After a particularly fierce exchange, Kozuki Oden suddenly sheathed his swords and leaped back. Fine sweat beaded on his forehead, but the smile on his face grew even brighter. "My name is Kozuki Oden. I don't know who you are, but let me board your ship!"
Hearing this proposal, Kaido's movements faltered for a fraction of a second. He was, for a moment, genuinely tempted.
Kozuki Oden's natural talent and potential were astounding. Given time, he would undoubtedly become a top-tier Emperor-level warrior. But upon second thought, Kaido desired something more than recruiting a powerful subordinate—he wanted the entire nation of Wano as his stronghold. Moreover, their goals were fundamentally incompatible: Oden yearned to set sail and seek adventure, while Kaido aimed to annex all of Wano as his main base. Their positions were naturally opposed.
Kaido's expression twisted back into a ferocious snarl. "Wororororo! Want to board my ship? First, survive this!" Before the words had even finished, Kaido erupted with a terrifying aura. Haoshoku Haki coiled around the Hassaikai, dark red electricity crackling across the weapon's surface.
"Borai: Hachibun!"
Seeing this, Kozuki Oden immediately assumed a defensive posture, crossing his swords in front of his chest. The muscles in his arms bulged, his own powerful Haki covering the blades. He could sense the terrifying force bearing down on him, but there was not a hint of retreat in his eyes.
"Oden Nitoryu: Paradise Tosen!"
KABOOM—!
This collision was more violent than any before. The two forces held in the air for a brief instant before the Hassaikai smashed through the defense of the crossed swords with overwhelming force, crashing down squarely onto Kozuki Oden's head.
Oden flew backwards like a kite with its string cut, plowing through several small hills along the shoreline before finally coming to a stop.
"Guh!" From within the pile of rubble, Kozuki Oden struggled to rise, spitting out a large mouthful of blood. A deep gash was torn into his forehead, blood streaming down his face and staining his robes crimson. Yet, he still gripped his swords tightly, his knuckles white from the force.
"Wororororo! Tough body you've got there. Still able to stand." Kaido rested the Hassaikai on his shoulder, strolling leisurely towards Oden. His footsteps sounded especially heavy on the now-silent beach, each step making the surrounding air tremble.
Kozuki Oden struggled to his feet, blood dripping incessantly from his forehead.
***
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