The Kozuki family's estate had already been reduced to rubble. The battle hadn't started yet, but the blasts shattered the surroundings. Now, on the battlefield, each of the four people present possessed the power to destroy heaven and earth.
"Although it's a bit underhanded," Fire-Dragon Vinsmoke commented as he shook his head, "under the current circumstances, we have no choice but to gang up, right?"
Kozuki Oden exhaled softly and nodded in agreement, "Indeed, Kaido of the Hundred Beasts is not someone one can handle alone. Although I would like to uphold a samurai's honour, it seems that's no longer possible."
"It doesn't matter!" Kanjuro stated coldly. Unlike his teacher, who held his swords with both hands, he wielded two swords, one in each hand, adopting a two-sword style. The battle was about to begin.
"The power is truly formidable!" Vinsmoke thought to himself. His right arm was sore, and Kaido's punch showed him what unparalleled power was. Renowned for overwhelming strength, even Charlotte Linlin paled in comparison in terms of brute force.
"Hey, Hundred Beasts, no objections, right?" Vinsmoke grinned, "We've decided on a three-on-one. You don't mind, do you?"
"You bastards, if you're going to fight," Kaido roared with a fierce smile, not upset by Vinsmoke's words but rather more eager to fight. Anyone else might feel sombre facing such formidable opponents as Vinsmoke, Oden, and Kanjuro together, but Kaido wasn't just anyone. He relished fighting against multiple opponents, whether against other Emperors or the Navy.
"Huh?" Vinsmoke suddenly turned his head, looking surprised. "This won't do!"
A sinister male voice came from the side, "Hundred Beasts, Kozuki Oden is my prey!"
"Oh?" Vinsmoke looked intrigued.
"What?" Upon hearing the voice, Kozuki Oden turned in disbelief and saw a man dressed entirely in black, with a katana at his side, followed by about a dozen similarly dressed men, all with an intimidating presence.
"It's you!!" Oden exclaimed incredulously, "Why are you here?"
"Oh?" Kaido, slightly late to realise, also turned to look at the newcomers and said, "The rats hiding behind the scenes have come out into the open, have they?"
"Hundred Beasts, I don't care about others," the leader of the newcomers said firmly, "but Kozuki Oden must be dealt with by my hand!"
"What?" Kaido looked annoyed as a fight enthusiast; nothing irritated him more than someone trying to steal his opponent.
"Are you trying to compete with me?"
"Compete?" The newcomer replied indifferently, "Don't misunderstand, Hundred Beasts. This is part of a partnership. Remember, or do you want me to switch sides?"
The air around Kaido crackled with his fury, and pebbles began to levitate from the ground around him, "Are you threatening me?"
"Not at all," the newcomer replied calmly, "I know what you're here for. I won't stop you, so don't stop me!"
Kaido laughed, confusing those around him, "You've got guts, bastard! Remember, this is no exception!"
"Of course," the newcomer responded.
"So, come on, Kozuki Oden," the newcomer turned to face Oden, his eyes cold and determined, "I've been waiting far too long for this day."
"I was wondering," Oden growled, "even for someone like Kaido of the Hundred Beasts, this direct approach was strange!"
"So, it was your doing?" he addressed the newcomer, who was none other than the nominal ruler of Wano Country, the Shogun.
"To think you would aid a foreigner in invading your own country," Oden was furious, "Can you even call yourself a samurai?"
"What use is there in talking more?" The Shogun was indifferent to Oden's accusations and said, "Kozuki Oden, draw your sword."
"I've long wanted to see just how powerful the so-called greatest samurai of Wano Country is," the Shogun challenged, "Let me see the strength of a man who is more revered in this country than I am."
"You—" Oden was furiously incredulous, "All this for such a trivial reason?"
"Trivial? Don't overthink it, Kozuki Oden," the Shogun tilted his head, "There's only one reason I act this way. This country has been closed off for too long. If we don't open up, it will be doomed, and I don't want to see that happen."
"But I can't do it alone. Lords like you won't allow it. Although I hate to admit it, this country doesn't belong to me; you lords are the real rulers. So, I needed foreign help."
"I love this country deeply, and I am only trying to save it," the Shogun declared, "My conscience is clear, my actions just."
The Shogun of Wano Country spoke with conviction, setting the stage for a confrontation steeped in history and ambition.