Kozuki Oden's body crashed heavily to the ground, sending up a cloud of dust. Witnessing this, Kurozumi Orochi immediately let out a sharp, piercing laugh. "Guhohohoho! Kozuki Oden, you're finally dead!" His owl-like cackle echoed across the battlefield, brimming with twisted satisfaction.
"Yihihihihi!"
"Hahahaha!"
"Gugugugu!"
The members of the Kurozumi Clan joined in one after another, emitting various bizarre laughs. The entire scene resembled a carnival of demons. Their laughter rose and fell, sounding especially grating amidst the smoke-filled battlefield. A sickly flush colored Kurozumi Orochi's face, his hands trembling involuntarily. His long-cherished wish had finally been fulfilled.
Kaido swept a cold gaze over this group, his impatience with this deranged spectacle clearly visible. His thick fingers rubbed against the Hassaikai, a flicker of disgust in his eyes. These Kurozumi Clan members were nothing but clowns in his view. If not for the goal of seizing Wano, he wouldn't deign to associate with them. He turned and looked at Queen nearby, gesturing for him to come over.
"Captain Kaido, what are your orders?" Queen quickly walked up to Kaido, his face still showing some excitement. He had just witnessed a spectacular fight and was still basking in the thrill of victory.
"Take Kozuki Oden's body to the ship. Preserve it properly. It will be useful later," Kaido commanded in a low voice that rumbled like thunder in Queen's ears.
Although Oden had fallen in battle, his corpse still held significant value. Kaido still possessed the Kage Kage no Mi. He planned to have Moria earn some merit after they had fully secured Wano, and then bestow the fruit upon him. At that time, all they would need was to find the shadow of a reasonably strong individual and inject it into Oden's corpse to immediately obtain a Vice Admiral-level powerful puppet.
Kaido understood the principle of "no reward without merit." Therefore, even though he currently possessed several Devil Fruits, he hadn't distributed them arbitrarily among his crew. Initially bestowing the Kōmori Kōmori no Mi, Model: Vampire upon King was partly because he had few subordinates at the time, and partly because King and Queen were his earliest, veteran officers. Currently, even Queen hadn't received a Devil Fruit yet. Ordinary crew members naturally had even less right to one, unless they seized such a prize themselves in battle.
"Understood, Captain Kaido." Queen responded respectfully, then picked up Oden's corpse and headed towards the ship. He carefully cradled the body that had once commanded awe across Wano, fearing any mishap. With Queen's advanced scientific technology, Oden's corpse could be kept perfectly preserved for a year or more.
Kaido nodded in satisfaction, turning to look over the smoke-choked battlefield. His mind was already plotting the next move. His gaze swept over the still-celebrating Kurozumi retainers, a flash of contempt in his eyes.
"Alright, old hag. Let's proceed with the next phase of the plan. People are already heading this way," Kaido said to Kurozumi Higurashi, his tone carrying an indisputable air of command.
"Yihihihihi! Very well. Orochi, you and Semimaru leave first," Kurozumi Higurashi said to Kurozumi Orochi and Kurozumi Semimaru, that eerie smile on her wrinkled face.
The two nodded upon hearing this and immediately left in another direction. Before departing, Kurozumi Orochi couldn't resist looking back at the spot where Oden had fallen, a sick sense of fulfillment glittering in his eyes.
Kurozumi Higurashi's appearance immediately shifted into that of Kozuki Oden. She then picked up Oden's two swords. Her transformation was flawless, even mimicking the heroic spirit in Oden's brow perfectly. Just as Kaido casually kicked some dirt over the spot where Oden had vomited blood, three figures came running from the distance.
Kaido focused his eyes. It was Kin'emon, along with the little cat and dog. Their faces wore anxious expressions; they had clearly been drawn by the commotion of the battle.
"You scoundrel! Do you know who this man is?! This is the Daimyo of Kuri, Lord Kozuki Oden! How dare you raise your blade against him! I assume you are prepared for the consequences?!" Kin'emon positioned himself directly between 'Kozuki Oden' and Kurozumi Kanjuro, shouting defiantly at Kaido, his voice shaking with anger.
"Indeed!" Inuarashi and Nekomamushi also stepped forward, blocking the way. They assumed fighting stances, flames of rage burning in their eyes.
"Are you provoking the Beasts Pirates?" King asked, his voice icy as he looked at the three.
"Silence, Kin'emon!" 'Kozuki Oden' directly rebuked Kin'emon, his voice carrying an authoritative weight that brooked no argument.
"Yes, Oden-sama." Chastised by 'Oden,' Kin'emon showed not a hint of anger, immediately bowing in apology. His attitude instantly became reverent, as if the previous fury had never existed.
"Kin'emon, this is the great pirate, King of the Beasts, Kaido. We just fought, and through that fight, we've become good friends. To show him disrespect is to show me disrespect. Now, apologize to Lord Kaido!" 'Oden' said to Kin'emon, his tone carrying a note of reproach.
"Yes. Our apologies, Lord Kaido." Kin'emon, Inuarashi, and Nekomamushi bowed in unison towards Kaido. Their movements were perfectly synchronized, showing absolute obedience to 'Oden's' command.
"Wororororo! Since that's the case, I'll forgive your rudeness." Kaido looked at the man, cat, and dog with an amused, mocking smile. His laughter was full of sarcasm. These fools were so easily deceived. It seemed he had overestimated them before.
"Alright, Kin'emon, Inuarashi, Nekomamushi. Go to Oden Castle immediately and prepare a banquet. I will host Lord Kaido," 'Oden' said to the three, his tone returning to its usual warmth.
"Yes, Oden-sama!" Upon hearing this, Kin'emon and the others immediately set off for Oden Castle. Their figures soon vanished into the smoky haze, completely unaware of anything amiss.
"Yihihihihi! Those fools are so easy to trick!" Once Kin'emon and the other two were gone, Kurozumi Higurashi transformed back to her original form and laughed heartily. Her laughter echoed across the empty battlefield, sounding especially grating.
Kaido shot her a cold glance, disgusted by the old woman's gloating. But he still needed to use her abilities for now, so he had to endure it.
"Bullet, Moria, Gavin, Enel. You guard the ship. Don't let anyone board," Kaido began issuing orders. "King, Queen, Urouge, Sebastian. The four of you will come with me to Oden Castle for the next phase of the plan."
"Yes, sir!" Upon hearing the commands, those named responded in unison.
***
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