That resentment lodged in Sukiyaki's chest like a lump of burning iron. It made him miserable and, more importantly, it forced him to make up his mind.
Ares had to be driven out of Wano as soon as possible.
If this continued…
Wano would no longer belong to the Kozuki clan.
It would become the land of the Amatsuki clan.
On the other side
Kozuki Oden, slumped over Kin'emon's back, slowly came to.
The moment his eyes opened, he jolted.
"I…"
As soon as he woke, searing pain flooded his entire body, especially the spot where Ares's "Paradise Totsuka" had struck.
And with that pain came the replay in his mind like a brutal "result screen" burned into his skull.
His heart shook.
"Ares… Ares actually used my Oden Two-Sword Style?!"
"When did he learn it?!"
He couldn't understand it.
Seeing Oden awake, Raizo's face lit up with relief.
"Oden-sama! Are you alright?!"
"It's… not that serious," Oden said, his voice low.
He'd thought this time he could at least last longer.
But he'd been defeated again, just as quickly.
If Ares had taken him even slightly seriously, he wouldn't have needed a second move. One strike would have been enough.
Oden forced himself to breathe, to steady his spirit.
"This means my training time and my growth still aren't enough."
"Next time… next time I absolutely won't lose this badly again!"
"I believe in you, Oden-sama," Izo said at once.
The next day, Oden wrapped head to toe in bandages stepped out, preparing to head into the mountains to train.
People along the road stared.
Pointed.
Whispered.
Yesterday's challenge had spread across Wano at terrifying speed.
Everyone now knew that the "spoiled second-generation brat" had been utterly crushed by Ares.
The murmurs weighed on Oden's face like stones. He quickened his steps toward the mountains, jaw clenched.
"I'll train harder."
"I'll work until my bones crack."
"One day… I will defeat Ares!"
Watching him leave, the ninja captain Fukurokuju let out a long sigh.
"Oden-sama… Ares's training method is beyond abnormal."
"Even if you train ten times harder…"
"Compared to Ares, it's like a firefly trying to outshine the moon."
Oden had been born a monster, his talent absurd.
But compared to Ares…
he still fell short.
And it wasn't just talent.
Ares had been forged in hell from childhood devil's training, day after day.
Later he joined the Rocks Pirates, learning countless combat techniques from top-tier monsters.
He'd survived endless battles.
And on top of that, he wielded the power of a Mythical Zoan Azure Dragon.
For Kozuki Oden to surpass Ares…
the ending almost felt predetermined.
Meanwhile
Ares, training in Kuri, suddenly felt an itch in his nose and sneezed.
"Someone's cursing me… Sukiyaki, maybe?"
After humiliating Sukiyaki in front of that many people yesterday, there was no way the man didn't hate him to the bone.
Ares understood something clearly.
If he wanted to take control of Wano, he was destined to become Sukiyaki's enemy.
He had the strength to kill Sukiyaki whenever he wished.
But Ares didn't want Wano to explode into chaos didn't want the people to suffer, didn't want an endless cycle of rebellion and blood.
Otherwise…
he would've already wiped Sukiyaki out with thunderous force and taken Wano outright.
He pushed those thoughts aside.
Then continued his training.
Not for a moment did he dare relax.
Near enemies were the Rocks Pirates.
Far enemies were the Navy and the World Government.
And beyond all of that, there was his dream.
He knew the truth only daily discipline, only pouring in massive time and effort, would let him bloom one day in the future.
…
A few days later.
Wano, Flower Capital the Shogun's Palace.
After days of weighing, struggling, and tearing himself apart inside, Sukiyaki finally made his decision.
He summoned the daimyō of every region.
Then spoke in a heavy voice:
"I've decided to adopt Shimotsuki Ushimaru's plan."
"But there is one condition."
"Ares must be excluded."
"Ares cannot participate in the duels."
Ushimaru froze.
He'd thrown the idea out almost casually back then never expecting Sukiyaki to actually agree.
Still, he frowned with worry.
"Duels are fine, but… what if Ares breaks his word?"
"He likely won't," Shimotsuki Yasuie said. "If Ares violates an agreed duel and wager, those who worship the samurai code won't follow him anymore."
"And what if Ares refuses to accept the terms at all?" Udon's daimyō, Amatsuki Tenpura, said with a deep crease between his brows.
"Besides… do we really have confidence we can beat Ares's men?"
"Those brutes under him aren't simple."
No one knew their exact strength.
But Kaido, Slada, Chinjao, Ashura Doji…
One look was enough to tell you they weren't ordinary.
Sukiyaki's face sank, hesitation flashing through his eyes.
Tenpura wasn't wrong.
Those massive subordinates of Ares looked dangerous.
How strong were they really?
Ushimaru snorted, annoyed.
"Hey, hey if we can't even beat Ares's men, then stop talking about protecting Wano."
"If Ares comes with his crew, we still won't be able to stop him."
"And Wano will fall into his hands anyway!"
As a powerful swordsman of Wano, Ushimaru hated the way Tenpura was boosting the enemy's morale and crushing their own.
Besides…
The Shimotsuki were descendants of the Sword God Ryuma.
Their blade was Wano's pride.
If they couldn't even defeat Ares's underlings, what right did they have to guard Wano or the lands they ruled?
Hearing Ushimaru's words, Tenpura wisely shut up.
Because…
Ushimaru was rough with his mouth, but his logic was solid.
If they couldn't win even against Ares's men, they might as well hand Wano over to him now.
Sukiyaki wrestled with it for a moment longer, then finally spoke:
"We'll use this plan."
"But the details must be discussed."
"And…"
"Since it's a wager, we must put down a stake."
That was what truly gave Sukiyaki a headache.
Ares reeked of ambition.
Everything he'd done since arriving in Wano made that obvious.
If Sukiyaki proposed a gamble, he had to offer something Ares would actually want.
Otherwise, if Ares refused to duel…
all of their effort would turn into dust.
After that, they began to debate specifics
Who would fight.
In what order.
And they would send ninjas ahead to gather intelligence on Kaido, Slada, Chinjao, and the rest.
They wanted everything perfect.
They wanted every scrap of advantage.
They didn't know
that long before this meeting, Kurozumi Orochi had already delivered the intelligence to Ares.
Ares had been prepared from the start.
And…
the moment Orochi learned the news from Shimotsuki Yasuie's side, he rushed to report it to Ares immediately.
When Ares heard, he didn't hesitate.
He rewarded Orochi with a hefty pile of treasure.
"Kurozumi Orochi. You did well."
"This information is important to me."
"Guh-heh-heh…" Orochi's grin was oily and flattering. "As long as Lord Ares is satisfied."
"I believe Lord Ares will soon become Wano's Shogun."
"When that happens… I only hope Lord Ares can grant me a small official post… something, anything…"
"I'll devote myself wholeheartedly to Lord Ares!"
"I'll do everything Lord Ares orders well, properly, perfectly!"
Ares laughed, genuinely pleased.
"Hahaha good."
"As long as you perform well, you'll get a reward you're satisfied with."
"Then thank you, Lord Ares," Orochi said, prostrating himself on the floor.
His ugly, sneering face couldn't stop smiling.
Compared to being a servant under Yasuie…
playing "spy" for Ares brought him far more profit.
And it felt like he could rise fast.
Power.
Status.
A seat at the top.
His mind filled with sweet fantasies, one after another.
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