"Bolo Breath!!!" Kaido's powerful dragon breath ripped through hundreds of zombies, decimating them in an instant. Onigashima was entirely engulfed in chaos as thousands of undead besieged the island. Initially, it seemed like the Beast Pirates would be overwhelmed, but once Kaido personally intervened, the tide turned dramatically against Gecko Moria and his crew.
"Hahahaha! With such puny strength, you dare challenge me? Bastards, mark my words—today, none of you will leave my territory alive." Kaido, in his hybrid form, swung his club with a thunderous bellow. "Thunder Bagua!!!" The club smashed into one of Moria's crewmates, turning his head into a grotesque pulp.
"Kaidooo!!!" A pain-filled roar echoed, catching Kaido's attention. He turned to see the rookie, who had come to challenge him. Since the battle began, Moria had been hiding, manipulating his army of the dead. These zombies knew no fatigue or pain, a tactic that might overwhelm other crews but was a mere joke against Kaido.
"Hahaha, are you the brat they call Moria? Did you think that just because you call yourself a Warlord of the Sea, you could best anyone? It seems you still do not understand the true cruelty of the open seas. Let me teach you." Kaido moved at blinding speed, transforming into his dragon form. His massive jaws clamped down hard on another of Moria's crewmates, snapping him in two.
"Aaaahhh!!" Seeing his comrades ripped apart, Moria's eyes turned bloodshot. Despite the chasm-like difference in their power, he charged forward, brandishing his weapon.
"Clang!!!" The blade in Moria's hand snapped as it met the dragon's scales. The massive dragon head looked at him in mockery, then pounced on another one of Moria's crewmates, tearing him apart amidst bloodcurdling cries.
"You bastard! Stop! Stop this madness!! Fight me instead, you coward!!" Gecko Moria bellowed, mobilizing his shadow powers in a desperate attempt to sever Kaido's shadow. But then, suddenly, a massive burst of Conqueror's Haki erupted from Kaido, neutralizing Moria's powers. The paramecia powers were rendered useless under the overwhelming pressure of the Conqueror's Haki.
Moria stood there, frozen in shock. He had never expected his powers to fail him, let alone so utterly. The realization of his helplessness sank in as Kaido's mocking laughter filled the air, sealing the grim fate of Moria and his crew.
"I will show you what true despair means today. I am someone who was destined by fate to rule over this world, and you dare to challenge me? I will show you today what happens when you challenge someone you shouldn't!" Kaido bellowed, his laughter echoing throughout Onigashima.
His form began expanding, the dragon growing to hundreds of meters and covering the sky above. Moria's crew was lost; they had completely given up hope. This was not something they could hope to fight in their entire lifetime. Moria tried to rally his crew, but Kaido's overwhelming strength had crushed their spirits, leaving them in despair.
Meanwhile, in the Flower Capital, within the Shogun's Palace, a night banquet was in full swing. Orochi was reveling in his Shogun life, surrounded by sycophants and lavish entertainment. Suddenly, the sounds of music were overwhelmed by a commotion outside, catching the attention of everyone in the banquet hall.
Orochi's mood soured as his entertainment was disturbed. He yelled at his subordinate, "What the hell is going on out there? Drag those bastards causing a commotion and behead them, every one of them!" Orochi spat in vengeance, his face contorting with anger. He turned back to the Oiran sitting next to him, salivating at her beauty. The young woman had no intention of being with a man like Orochi, but as the Shogun, her life and the lives of her family could be dictated by Orochi's single word.
The Oiran's eyes reflected a mixture of fear and loathing, but she kept a forced smile on her face, knowing the consequences of defying the Shogun. The atmosphere in the banquet hall grew tense as the sounds of chaos outside grew louder. Orochi's impatience and fury were palpable, and the guests exchanged uneasy glances, unsure of what was happening outside.
Unbeknownst to them, the commotion was not a simple disturbance but the beginning of a rebellion. Oden had finally decided to act, spurred into action by the words and revelations shared by Ross. With his retainers by his side, Oden was determined to put an end to Orochi's tyrannical rule and liberate Wano from the clutches of its oppressors.
The night sky above the Flower Capital was filled with the sounds of battle and the cries of the oppressed, marking the start of a new chapter in Wano's history. The once-cowed citizens began to rally, inspired by the hope that their rightful Shogun had returned to lead them to freedom. Orochi's reign of terror was about to face its greatest challenge yet, and the tides of fate were turning against him.
As the minutes passed, the commotion outside only grew louder. Orochi's subordinates, who had left earlier, had yet to return, causing a sense of dread to settle in his gut. Suddenly, the side door burst open, and Kurozumi Semimaru entered with worry etched on his face. The moment he saw Orochi safe, he sighed with relief and moved toward the Shogun, pushing aside the dancers in his way.
"Do you have any idea what's going on outside? And here you are, enjoying your banquet. Kozuki Oden has started a rebellion. They are cutting down anyone who supports the Kurozumi rule. Your retainers and even the Beast Pirates are being hunted down as we speak."
Orochi's face paled in shock. He had never expected Oden to directly attack them, not even in his wildest dreams. He had planned to humiliate Oden for years and then get rid of him with Kaido's help. Although on the surface it looked like Wano was under their control, the lingering spirit of Wano was still there, and Oden's rebellion had just sparked that flame.
"Quick, inform Kaido! Summon Kaido here now!" Orochi blabbered, his pristine form now disheveled with fear. He was acutely aware of what Oden was truly capable of.
"I have already sent a message to Kaido. He should be here soon. Don't worry; as long as you stay unharmed, we can bring Wano under control anytime," Semimaru comforted Orochi and casually sat beside him, ready to defend with his barrier if the palace was breached.
"Quick, go and get me some of those hostages. I will teach that bastard Oden what happens when he defies me!" Now that his safety was secured with Semimaru present, Orochi found his spine again. He grabbed the Oiran next to him by her neck and bellowed to one of his retainers to bring more hostages.
Soon enough, the subordinate returned with a family of four—a husband, wife, and two young children—and pushed them down beside Orochi's seat. Orochi chuckled, eagerly waiting for Oden's arrival.
"Boom!!!" With a resounding crash, the main entrance of the banquet hall burst into splinters as Oden rushed in, wielding two katanas drenched in blood. He was followed by his most loyal retainers, whose blades were also stained crimson.
"Orochi!! You bastard, come here and die!" Oden sent a flying slash right at Orochi, his eyes blazing with battle lust.
But just as the slash approached, a shimmering barrier was erected around Orochi, keeping him, Semimaru, and a few loyal retainers safe within it. The Oiran and the hostages were also trapped inside the barrier.
Orochi's other retainers charged at Oden, but Oden's retainers moved even faster. The disparity in skill between the two sides was quickly evident as Oden's retainers cut down Orochi's men one after another.
"You... you bastard! We had a deal! Did you forget your word, Oden? Don't you care about the people of Wano anymore?" Orochi grabbed the Oiran by her hair, dragging her in front of him and placing a blade against her neck. The blade scraped her pearl-like skin, drawing blood. However, Orochi failed to notice the bright determination in the Oiran's eyes.
Oden's gaze hardened as he locked eyes with Orochi. "Your words mean nothing, Orochi. You've broken every promise you've ever made. Today, justice will be served and I will have your ugly head."
The tension in the hall was palpable, and the fate of Wano hung in the balance. Oden's resolve was unshakable, and the spirit of Wano's true samurai burned bright in his eyes.
Within moments, all of Orochi's guards and retainers outside the barrier lay slaughtered. Though Orochi's face paled, he maintained a twisted smile. He knew that as long as Semimaru stood by his side, Oden could do nothing to him. They had already sent a message to the Beast Pirates. Once Kaido arrived, he would ensure these rebels were burned at the stake.
"Kurozumi Orochi, you spineless wimp! Come and face me! Aren't you the Shogun? Why are you using innocent lives as your shield? Let them go!" Oden roared, his voice echoing through the hall. He saw a family and the Oiran held hostage, and though he had resolved to fight Orochi today, he couldn't bear to see innocent lives harmed.
"Hehehe, you want me to let them go, Oden? Of course, I can. All you have to do is surrender and crawl to me like a dog and beg for it. Humiliation isn't new for you, after all. You danced naked for over a year to save the people of Wano," Orochi chuckled, revealing the sinister reason behind Oden's public humiliation.
Oden's retainers, who had always believed their leader had a reason for his actions, were stunned by the revelation. Even the hostages within the barrier widened their eyes in shock at Orochi's words. Their beloved Oden-sama had sacrificed his dignity to protect them.
The atmosphere grew tenser as Oden's retainers exchanged glances, their respect for their leader deepening even further. Oden's resolve hardened. He stepped forward, his eyes blazing with determination.
"Oden-sama, is this true?" The Oiran's eyes glinted with liberation. Many had believed that Oden had abandoned them, but now Orochi himself admitted that all of this was because he had threatened Oden. Their Oden-sama had endured such humiliation for their sake. Her mind raced with thoughts about how everyone had blamed Oden. She disregarded the blade digging into her neck, wanting to know if everything Orochi said was true.
"Hehe, of course! Why else do you think this brute would dance in the streets naked? Hahaha!" Orochi laughed, his eyes darting through the retainers standing behind Oden, searching for Kanjuro. He wanted to know why he hadn't been informed of such a rebellion, but despite looking again, he did not find the spy he had planted in Oden's ranks.
Kinemon, observing from the side, couldn't help but comment, "Looking for someone, Orochi?" He tossed the severed head of Kanjuro onto the barrier. It rolled down, revealing Kanjuro's lifeless face.
"Did you think we would never find the rat within our own ranks?" Kinemon's voice was filled with disdain. Oden's retainers assumed it was Oden himself who had discovered Orochi's plot, unaware of Ross's intervention.
"You... You... Just you wait, you bastards! Kaido will be here soon, and then I will skin all of you alive!" Orochi bellowed, but the others in the room smirked.
Suddenly, a heavy downpour started outside, sending a serene calm through the chaotic battlefield in the Flower Capital.
"Seems like you are unaware, Orochi. Kaido is currently occupied and will not be coming to your rescue," Kinemon said. He lunged, his blade streaked with flames, and struck the barrier.
"Hahaha, no matter how you try, my barrier is indestructible!" Semimaru chuckled, and Orochi joined in the laughter as more of Oden's retainers joined the attack on the barrier.
"Oden, it seems you have forgotten what it means to defy me. Let me remind you..." Orochi's words were cut off by the Oiran, who looked straight into Oden's eyes.
"You have suffered enough, Oden-sama. My pitiful life isn't worthy of your sacrifice. Save Wano, save its people from suffering, Oden-sama." The Oiran's eyes were filled with a serene calm as she smiled at Oden. Before anyone could react, she bellowed, "For Kozuki! For Wano!" She sliced her own throat against the blade pressed against her neck. The blade tore through her flesh.
Nearby, the family also felt a rare fire burn in their hearts. They realized their lives were insignificant compared to Wano's greatness. The man and woman, despite their weakened state, lunged at one of the guards, grabbing for his katana. Even the children pulled out knives hidden beneath their sleeves and charged at Orochi and Semimaru.
Before anyone could react, their small hands plunged the knives deep into Semimaru's back with all the force they could muster. However, the price of their attack was catastrophic. Orochi's retainer quickly beheaded the parents and moved to strike down the children.
"For Wano!" The two children bellowed as Orochi's blade severed their heads. Semimaru, with two knives plunged into his back, coughed blood but still had the presence of mind to hold the barrier.
Seeing the children beheaded before his eyes, something in Oden snapped. A massive burst of Conqueror's Haki surged forth like an unrelenting tide, crashing onto the barrier. The air crackled with energy, and the sheer force of Oden's willpower caused the barrier to tremble, and cracks started forming on the barrier.
"Orochi! Damn You!" Oden roared, his voice filled with unyielding resolve.
The retainers of Oden, invigorated by his haki, redoubled their efforts. Blades clashed, and flames roared as they poured all their strength into breaking the barrier. Semimaru, struggling to maintain the barrier under the immense pressure, gritted his teeth. Blood trickled from the corners of his mouth.
Orochi, now terrified by the beast standing before him and vulnerable, stumbled back in terror. "No! This can't be happening! Kaido will come! He will save me!" he stammered, his bravado crumbling.
Odens retainers, having witnessed the hostages final resolve, echoed raising their weapons, their voices unified in a battle cry.
"For Wano! For Kozuki!"
***************
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