"These people…"
Naruto was completely dumbfounded by the scene before him.
The surrounding crowd was equally stunned. The nine strange figures lifted high above the boiling oil were overwhelmed with emotion—yet none of them made any attempt to come down.
What confused Naruto even more was how strange the situation felt.
Although all of them had shackles on their wrists, their legs were free. Their movements shouldn't have been completely restricted. And from the looks of it, every one of them was incredibly strong.
So why didn't they resist?
Why didn't they fight back?
Filled with confusion, Naruto turned to look at Yamato—only to find her staring blankly at Kouzuki Oden standing in the boiling oil, her eyes unfocused, completely lost in thought.
"Yamato?"
Naruto tugged on her sleeve anxiously.
"What's wrong with you?"
"So… so amazing!"
Yamato snapped out of her daze and suddenly grabbed Naruto's shoulders, shouting excitedly.
"Naruto, did you see that?! Kouzuki Oden—he's incredible! He's so amazing… so handsome!~"
At that moment, Yamato's eyes weren't just shining with excitement.
They shone with belief.
"He is very strong," Naruto admitted, nodding slowly. "But… I still think it's strange."
He hesitated, then asked,
"Why don't they run?"
"Run?!"
Yamato's expression changed instantly. She grabbed Naruto by the collar and roared furiously,
"Why would Oden run?! He's a great hero! How could he ever do something as disgraceful as running away?!"
"Then fight!"
Naruto snapped back just as fiercely.
"I don't understand it! If they can't run, then why don't they fight to the end instead of dying like this? Don't you think this is stupid?!"
After shouting, Naruto slapped Yamato's hand away and suddenly leapt out of the crowd.
Pointing straight at Kouzuki Oden—still standing in the boiling oil, holding his retainers aloft—Naruto yelled at the top of his lungs,
"Hey! You—Kouzuki Oden! Are you an idiot?!"
"If you have the courage to jump into boiling oil, then why don't you have the courage to die fighting?!"
"And you guys too!"
Naruto pointed at the Nine Red Scabbards.
"You still have strength, don't you?! Then use it!"
"Break your shackles! Kick with your legs! Headbutt! Bite! Anything is better than dying like this!"
"You idiots! Imbeciles!"
"..."
Naruto's sudden outburst stunned the entire execution ground into silence.
Every gaze turned toward him.
Kouzuki Oden looked down.
The Nine Red Scabbards stared wide-eyed.
For just one fleeting instant, a fierce fighting spirit surged in Kouzuki Oden's eyes.
"Hmm?"
High above, Kaido sensed that change immediately. His expression shifted subtly.
He set down the sake cup in his hand, picked up the massive spiked club beside him, and stood.
"That's right!"
At the same time, Yamato leapt forward, standing beside Naruto.
She pointed straight at Kouzuki Oden and shouted loudly,
"You still have strength! You're the man who scarred Kaido! Kouzuki Oden! Get out of that pot and beat Kaido again!"
"Is that… Yamato?"
Kaido paused mid-step when he heard her voice.
A grin slowly spread across his face.
Walking up to the execution platform, he looked at the furious Yamato and laughed deeply.
"So you ran away from Onigashima again, huh? As expected of my son! Ugh-goh-goh-goh!~"
"Damn you, Kaido!"
Yamato exploded with rage.
She pointed at him and roared,
"Get down here! I want to fight you to the death!"
"To fight me?" Kaido sneered. "You're still ten thousand years too early."
Then his gaze shifted to Naruto standing beside her.
"Kid. Who are you? What's your relationship with Yamato?"
"I'm Uzumaki Naruto!"
Even though the horned giant made his legs tremble, Naruto still forced himself to shout,
"I'm not just some kid! I'm Yamato's friend—and I'm going to become the strongest Hokage in the future!"
"The strongest Hokage… Yamato's friend, huh?"
Kaido burst out laughing.
Then suddenly, his eyes sharpened.
An invisible pressure swept outward.
Naruto's eyes rolled back—and he collapsed instantly.
"Naruto!"
Yamato caught him as he fell, panic flashing across her face.
She glared at Kaido furiously.
"Damn it, Kaido! What did you do to my friend?!"
At this moment, Kouzuki Oden no longer mattered to her.
Her entire world was Uzumaki Naruto.
"To become the strongest… that composure isn't enough."
Kaido ignored her rage and simply waved a hand toward his subordinates.
"Seize them. Bring them back to Onigashima."
Then he turned back toward the boiling oil.
Looking at Kouzuki Oden, Kaido grinned.
"I felt it just now. You still had fighting spirit. Want to fight me again? I can have your swords brought over."
That battle hadn't satisfied him.
If Kouzuki Oden still wished to fight, Kaido wouldn't refuse.
"It's too late."
Kouzuki Oden shook his head slowly, a bitter smile on his face.
"If I hadn't been standing in this boiling oil, I could've fought you with my life… but now, there's no need."
"Lord Oden, we still have strength!"
The Nine Red Scabbards glared at Kaido furiously.
"Give the order!"
"We'd rather die in battle than live in humiliation!"
"All of you—shut up."
Kouzuki Oden's voice was firm.
"Listen carefully. I can no longer survive. But Wano Country still has hope."
He raised his head slightly.
"You must carry that hope forward for me… until the one who can open Wano Country finally arrives."
"Lord Oden…"
Tears streamed down the faces of the Nine Red Scabbards. Though furious, they dared not disobey his command.
"Tch."
Kaido clicked his tongue in disdain and turned away.
Since Kouzuki Oden no longer wished to fight, he had lost interest.
His gaze shifted toward Yamato, who was now struggling fiercely against his subordinates.
Though she was only eight years old, her strength was already remarkable.
Recalling how she had challenged him earlier, Kaido couldn't help but chuckle.
Today, he had gained more than he expected.
That child named Uzumaki Naruto was interesting as well.
Perhaps… he was worth training.
After all—
Kaido was very good at raising children.