Kuri, a region in the southwest of Wano Country, was once a lawless area teeming with thieves and ronin. This chaotic land was brought to order by Kozuki Oden, who defeated the bandits, rallied the people, and began building his hotown. He beca the Daimyo of Kuri, earning the love and respect of the people.
However, the once-beloved Kozuki Oden has now beco as despised as a street rat. Once a hero, he now dances naked in the streets like a fool, kowtowing to Orochi, the tyrant who plunges Wano deeper into despair. The people no longer love him.
As the sun sets, its remnants painting the sky blood-red, Kozuki Oden walks the streets of Kuri, dressed impeccably, with his nine heavily ard retainers. They march towards the edge of Kuri, surprising the townsfolk.
They can't believe that the foolish Oden is up to sothing crazy again.
But Kozuki Oden is oblivious to the thoughts of those he once cherished. He has only one thing on his mind now.
Defeat Kaido!
To atone for his past mistakes and to save Wano Country, there is only one path left for him.
Defeat Kaido!
Defeat Kaido!
They set off at dusk, moving non-stop towards Onigashima. They plan to arrive at night, strike while Kaido is drunk, and cut off his head.
anwhile, as Oden and his retainers head towards Onigashima, another group is traveling from Onigashima to Kuri, crossing Wano's inland sea.
A golden dragon soars through the sky.
"Ian! Fly faster!!" a little girl with white hair urges from his back.
"Sorry, this is full speed," Ian replies, his voice a bit weary. He flaps his wings with all his might, "It's easy to complain when you're the one being carried."
Especially since Ian isn't flying alone—he has three passengers on his back: Yamato, Jack, and Black Maria. Yamato is petite, but Jack and Maria are quite heavy.
"It's exhausting flying with all this weight."
"Speed up, Ian!"
Yamato's eyes were filled with anticipation. "Hurry and finish the task Dad gave us. If we do, we might be able to catch up with the fight between Dad and Kozuki Oden."
"I'm going as fast as I can," Ian replied weakly.
As usual, Ian didn't seem to listen to anyone.
This ti, their destination was over 1,000 kiloters away.
"Still, are we really going to be okay?"
Black Maria nervously fidgeted with her spider doll. "Even though the officers have left, there are still many samurai left behind, right?"
Jack puffed out his chest confidently. "Do you know who Big Brother Ian is? With him around, no matter the enemy, they're nothing to worry about!"
Ian's mouth twitched.
How can he say that with such pride?
Is Jack still the stubborn kid I rember?
"Don't worry, Maria!" Yamato added reassuringly. "We'll protect you!"
Ian also chid in, "No matter what, you have eaten an Ancient Zoan Devil Fruit. Ordinary samurai won't be a match for you, so don't stress."
"Hmm."
The little blonde girl nodded cautiously.
As they flew over the Inland Sea, they entered the inland area of Wano Country, skimming the edge of the Udon Region, and finally reaching the Kuri region.
By now, it was completely dark, with the moon high in the sky.
Ian's golden aura was no longer dazzling but glowed softly in the moonlight.
Looking down at the Kuri Region from above, Ian saw endless farmland and scattered villages.
Unlike other regions, this area had very few factories.
Kozuki Oden still has so use.
Ian suddenly rembered sothing.
"By the way, where is Oden Castle located?"
"Huh?"
Yamato tilted her head in confusion, "Ian doesn't know?"
"That seems to be a bit of a problem."
Ian sighed with a smile.
Looks like we'll have to ask for directions first.
Udon Region
Late at Night
In the depths of the mountains and forests, a group of ten is hurrying along. Kozuki Oden, accompanied by nine retainers, is heading towards Onishima.
They plan to arrive at Onishima by tomorrow night and deliver a decisive blow to Kaido while he is off guard.
Soon, they reached the end of the forest and arrived at the top of a cliff.
In the next mont, Kozuki Oden's eyes widened in shock, and his muscles tensed up. His teeth were clenched tightly as he stared, stunned, at the scene before him.
On the opposite hill, the monstrous figure was coiled around the peak.
The creature, hundreds of ters long, wrapped itself around the mountain, its colossal head nearly touching the dark clouds above!
And beneath this monster, on the gentle slope of the mountain, a throng of pirates were laughing and welcoming them!
How could this be!
Kozuki Oden was in disbelief.
It was an ambush!
But how could this be!
How could Kaido have known about their plan!
"You've kept waiting for a long ti, Kozuki Oden!"
The monster's voice bood like thunder, reverberating through the dense forest, "Are you ready? Let's begin this final battle!"
"Kaido!!"
Kozuki Oden stepped forward, reached the edge of the cliff, and shouted with determination, "This has to be a lie, right?!"
"Yes, indeed! All of it."
Kaido's massive form slowly ascended, gripping the fla clouds as he hovered above. "If you're truly the desperate madman the rumors paint you as, things might get troubleso. But thankfully, you possess the sa wild spirit as Roger and Newgate."
"Now, you might as well return to your dance of disgrace and ridicule. That's a more fitting life for you."
"I have little to say about the past."
Kozuki Oden drew his twin blades slowly, the pitch-black Armant haki enveloping him. He crouched low, his muscles tensed. "Let's talk about the future of this country!"
"Kaido! Leave this country!"
Kozuki Oden leaped from the cliff.
"Follow Lord Oden!!"
The retainers followed closely.
"Hahaha!"
Kaido roared with laughter. "Co, little ones! Let's fight!"
"Oh!!"
The great battle comnced.
---
Earlier that Night
Kuri Region, Bakura Town.
This town, the seat of Oden Castle, was nestled against a hill where the castle stood tall.
In the dead of night, the town was eerily silent, with its inhabitants oblivious to the upheaval about to befall their country.
Above the town, a golden dragon wove through the dark clouds.
"There it is!"
Yamato perched on Ian's head, holding the sapphire on her forehead, gazing down with excitent at the hill below.
Atop the hill, Oden Castle lood.
Ian sighed in frustration. Why had asking for directions yielded such a straightforward answer? Was Wano's culture truly that simple?
---
In the heart of Oden Castle's courtyard, a man with a blue, spiked hairstyle sat cross-legged under a pine tree, his katana resting beside him as he silently watched the bright moon.
Samurai stood vigil around the garden.
"I'm truly sorry for the trouble, Lord Yasuie," a woman with flowing green hair erged from the house. "The children are asleep. Please, why don't you get so rest?"
She had a sword at her waist.
"No,"
The man, known as Lord Yasuie, shook his head solemnly. "Lord Oden said, I must stay here to protect you. I'll remain until everything is settled."
He paused, then added, "Lady Toki, please prepare yourself ntally. Our adversary is Kaido. Even Lord Oden might not guarantee victory."
Oden's wife, Toki, gently pursed her lips and frowned slightly.
"But don't worry too much,"
She seed to realize her words might have been misplaced and continued reassuringly, "Oden is certainly not soone who would be easily defeated—hm!"
Before she could finish her sentence, her gaze suddenly lifted.
Sothing was falling from the sky!
**********
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