That made Oden understand one thing very clearly.
Defeating Kaido was absolutely not going to be easy.
"Worororo!"
Kaido threw his head back and laughed wildly. Raising his kanabo high, he smashed it down toward Oden's head and roared with unrestrained spirit,
"Oden, how is it? As the vice-captain of the War God Pirates, I'm destined to become Big Brother Ares's right-hand man!"
"A mere samurai..."
"How could I, Kaido, possibly lose?!"
Clang!
Sparks exploded everywhere.
The collision of Haki sent out violent arcs of lightning that crackled through the air as if the sky itself were being torn apart.
Oden slashed diagonally with both swords, only for Kaido to knock them aside with a single swing of his club.
"Don't celebrate too early. Fighting has never been about who has more brute strength!"
"Worororo!" Kaido bared his teeth in a savage grin. "In terms of physique and Haki, I'm stronger than you in every way. Do you really think you have any chance of winning?"
Despite his seven-meter-tall body and giant-like frame, he moved with the agility of a leopard. As he lunged forward, his muscles rolled and surged like giant pythons beneath his skin.
With his enormous kanabo in hand, he launched a relentless storm of attacks.
Clang, clang, clang!
The sheer ferocity of his power forced Oden back again and again, the ground under his feet shattering with every step.
Oden had been abnormal since childhood, a monster blessed with astonishing talent. But Kaido was no less gifted. He had grown up on battlefields, then crossed the seas, joined the Rocks Pirates, and constantly honed himself in real combat.
On top of that, after following Ares and training through brutally violent methods, and with the boost of his Devil Fruit, even without transforming, he was still stronger than the current Kozuki Oden.
Seeing Oden being suppressed, Sukiyaki's face tightened with anxiety. His heart had practically leapt into his throat.
"This first battle affects both sides' morale. Oden... you absolutely cannot lose!"
"Even if you have to drag it out..."
"You must find a way to last the full three hours. Even a draw would be acceptable."
Shimotsuki Ushimaru's face was grave as he muttered, "Ares's subordinate is suppressing Oden this easily... These men who came to Wano from the outside sea..."
"What kind of monsters are they?"
Wano was vast and rich, with a huge population. Yet warriors on Kozuki Oden's level were extremely rare.
But Kaido...
Kaido was suppressing Oden, and Ares was even more terrifying. Just how many monsters like this existed in the outer seas?
Monster?
Shimotsuki Yasuie looked tense. "Oden is strong. We should trust that he won't fall easily. And with three hours on the clock, he should be able to hold out."
"Even a draw would be extremely favorable for us."
On the other side, Ares's camp was already bursting with cheers and excitement. Little Ivankov, waving a flag frantically, seemed ready to shout himself hoarse as he cheered for Kaido.
Sitting atop Whitebeard's broad shoulder with a perfect view, Marco was brimming with excitement.
"The samurai are strong, but Kaido seems even stronger. That body of his... only Ares is a bit more outrageous!"
"Gurarara..." Whitebeard laughed. "Kaido was once known as a monster apprentice. On these seas, there aren't many whose natural talent can match his."
"The samurai of Wano are indeed impressive. If they were in the Rocks Pirates, they'd at least qualify as officers. But compared to Kaido..."
"They still fall a little short."
Having seen countless pirates and marines across the seas, Whitebeard understood very well that Kaido's talent was among the rarest of the rare.
And more importantly...
He had talent, relentless drive, and the heart of a battle maniac. How could someone like that possibly be weak?
Hearing Whitebeard's words, Marco grinned.
"If Pops says so, then Kaido's definitely going to win!"
Meanwhile, Vista's full attention was locked onto Oden.
"The samurai of Wano really are incredible. Most of the time, I can't even follow their movements..."
At their age, they could only grasp the broadest outlines and enjoy the spectacle.
All they really understood was...
Both fighters' techniques were dazzling and immensely powerful.
As a samurai himself, Ashura Doji explained things to the children.
"Oden created his own unique two-sword style. He's gotten much stronger than he was two months ago..."
"If it were me... I probably wouldn't be his match."
"But the one he's facing... is Kaido."
After joining the War God Pirates, Ashura Doji had finally come to understand just how terrifying this newly established crew truly was. Back when he ruled Kuri, he had been the local boss, but within the War God Pirates, he did not even rank near the top. There were several stronger than him.
And not by a small margin either.
After losing to Ares three times, Oden had turned his defeats into fuel for growth.
For the past one or two months, he had been sparring daily with the other daimyo of Wano, pushing his strength to yet another level.
At around twenty years old, he was right at the age where power grew explosively.
That was true for Kaido.
And naturally, it was true for Oden as well.
Ares stood with his arms crossed, his expression calm and composed. Deep down, he nodded in satisfaction.
"These past few years, Kaido's growth has been incredibly fast. Give him a few more years, and he should reach... the very top tier."
In the future...
That level would be called the level of an Emperor or an Admiral.
Ares then shifted his gaze to Oden and thought,
"Oden's talent is just as frightening. If I want to oppose the World Government, then battle power on the level of Emperors and Admirals..."
"Absolutely cannot be lacking."
"Wano can also produce many powerful samurai. Once Alber, Kuma, and the others grow up, I'll have more hands. But even counting all of that, it still isn't enough."
The Marines alone already had several fighters at that level. Not to mention the World Government, the Five Elders, the Holy Knights, Imu, and Shanks's brother... or perhaps...
His twin?
And beyond that, the World Government very likely controlled the Ancient Weapon Uranus.
As for Wano...
Once he took it, he might gain Pluton. And since he knew exactly who Poseidon was, with a bit of cultivation, she would be of immense value in the future.
As for cultivating samurai...
He already had a very mature idea in mind, one with an existing precedent to follow.
Ares gathered his thoughts again and focused on the duel before him.
Though Kaido had Oden on the defensive, Oden gradually erupted with even greater power. The blades of his two Great Grade swords became coated in flowing Haki that looked like dancing flames.
"Oden Two-Sword Style: Fire Festival Meteor!"
His figure became a bolt of orange light, flashing through the night like a meteor.
Facing Oden's attack, Kaido's tiger eyes widened, brimming with excitement. His kanabo, too, became wrapped in flame-like Haki.
He laughed loudly.
"Worororo! Don't think only you samurai know Ryuo Haki!"
"Great Might, Thunder Bagua!"
Boom!
Violent energy crashed together, bursting into arcs of lightning that slithered through the air like electric serpents.
The sheer savagery of the force overwhelmed Oden and sent him flying backward.
But Oden did not lose heart. He transformed into another streaking meteor, his crossed swords wrapped in gorgeous Haki that looked like the wings of a sinister butterfly.
"Oden Two-Sword Style: Samurai Soul!"
"Three Worlds, Naraku Draw!"
Kaido's face twisted into a ferocious grin, his blood boiling hot.
"Oden, entertain me more! I've been holding back for months. Let me have the fight I've been craving!"
Clang!
Crackle!
Electric currents surged wildly, and the violent collision flattened the surrounding terrain, blasting stone fragments into the sky.
As the fight heated up and his body fully entered the rhythm of battle, Kaido gripped his kanabo with both hands. The bulging muscles of his arms stood out with thick, vein-like blue tendons, hideous and fierce.
He had entered berserk mode.
His dark, gleaming muscles reflected the light from the clashing energies.
With broad, forceful swings, he fully unleashed the advantages of his monstrous physique, battering Oden back again and again.
He looked more and more like a man who only grew stronger the longer the fight continued.
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