Ashura Jakun hadn't expected the Kozuki clan to send not one, but two fighters on par with, or even stronger than, a daimyo to strike at Mt. Atamayama. Normally, when the shogun's forces dispatched elites of this caliber, their first target was always Kuri Castle.
The Ashura clan of Atamayama had always fought in the role of Kuri's backup, driving back suppression forces led by the daimyos of Kibi and Udon.
If four daimyos ever led a massive army into battle together, even the tough fighters holed up in Kuri Castle would be forced to abandon their post, lying low until the storm passed. Then, once the enemy withdrew, they'd just reclaim the castle again. That trick had worked every time so far.
After all, even now, the strongest daimyo in Wano—Shimotsuki Toramaru—could single-handedly keep both Kuri and Atamayama in check. Even Ashura Jakun himself had no illusions about standing a chance against someone like Toramaru.
"Sha ha ha ha! A duel to settle this? Fine by me!!"
Golden Lion Shiki had already sized up Ashura Jakun. Strong, sure—maybe on par with a top-tier swordsman—but not quite at the level of a true Great Swordmaster. His strength was probably around the same as Kibi's daimyo.
They were the kind who had hit the peak of swordsmanship... yet couldn't quite take that last step. And that step? Some would never cross it in their lifetime.
Maybe it was because they lacked worthy opponents to push them. If someone like Jakun spent a few years out in the open sea, surviving death matches... then, perhaps, they'd finally break through and reach that Great Swordmaster level. Without that high-level killing field, how could anyone smash through their limits?
Right now, in Wano, only Toramaru—the sword-obsessed maniac—had stepped into the Great Swordmaster realm. And even then, he'd hit a plateau, stuck with no worthy rivals left in this closed-off country.
Shiki figured that even Ochoku from the Rocks Pirates, who'd just recently reached the Great Swordmaster stage, would probably beat Toramaru—simply because Ochoku had way more experience in real death matches, whereas Toramaru lived a relatively cushy life as a daimyo.
"Oi, Shiki. If you lose, you'll have to explain yourself to Brook. Got that?"
Newgate didn't bother trying to talk sense into the battle-hungry Golden Lion. He just reminded him—conquering Atamayama was part of Brook's grand plan, and one stupid gamble couldn't be allowed to wreck that.
"Relax. He's just like Kibi's daimyo, Fugetsu Jinshō. He doesn't have what it takes to beat me!"
Golden Lion Shiki, proud as ever, wasn't about to back down from a challenge—especially not when his opponent was roughly equal in strength and had the guts to call him out directly. That wasn't how a lion like him operated.
"I, Ashura Jakun, leader of Atamayama, officially challenge you to a one-on-one duel! If you win, I'll submit. If you lose, you'll leave this mountain and never set foot here again!"
Ashura Jakun glared at the golden-haired man floating above, his sharp eyes burning with battle lust.
"Sha ha ha ha! Remember this name—Golden Lion Shiki! Officer and warrior of the Hell Pirates! I'll be the nightmare that haunts you for the rest of your life!"
With a cigar clenched between his teeth and his golden mane billowing like a king of beasts, Shiki looked down with disdain at Ashura Jakun.
This was a duel—meaning it was time to go all out. No holding back, no mere swordplay. Shiki's floating mini-island, which had crashed earlier, was now being reshaped under his power—massive earthen lions formed out of the rubble, towering and menacing.
Kozuki Oden's eyes lit up as he watched, quietly sitting down to observe this clash between titans. The Oniwabanshuu scribbled furiously, recording every move, every strange ability these foreign invaders displayed.
Meanwhile, the bandits tended to Ashura Pengan, setting his broken bones and wrapping his wounds. Little Ashura Doji, Jakun's son, had slipped out of the house, curious to watch his father's fight despite being only four years old.
Not even his mother could hold him back—proof that the boy had inherited extraordinary strength and spirit. She had no choice but to keep him close as they moved to where Pengan was resting. At least that way, she could watch both.
Doji's young eyes went wide at the sight of the giant lions attacking his father. His tiny fists clenched, his face twisted with fury as he glared at the monstrous creatures, silently cheering his father on.
"Dammit... What kind of sorcery is this?!"
Ashura Jakun gritted his teeth. Just cutting these earth lions apart took a toll on him—and every time he smashed one, they'd regenerate and charge again. It was endless, exhausting work.
"A man's strength isn't limited to swordsmanship alone!!!"
With a roar, Shiki unleashed his Conqueror's Haki. His overwhelming aura sent most of the onlookers crashing unconscious to the ground.
Little Ashura Doji, stubborn as his father, held on for several seconds before finally swaying and collapsing into his mother's arms. The two passed out together.
Oden, though, seemed utterly unaffected—still watching the fight with burning excitement. Newgate, observing from the sidelines, nodded to himself.
Brook's disciple really was something. Even Oden had the potential for Conqueror's Haki. No wonder Brook had taken an interest in him.
"You... You possess that legendary King's aura?!"
Ashura Jakun's eyes widened in shock. This Shiki wasn't just a master swordsman with strange powers—he even had the terrifying aura that marked the chosen few.
"Sha ha ha ha! So? Ready to surrender yet? On our ship, there's more than just me with this power. You'll never stand against us!"
Golden Lion Shiki laughed wildly. There was nothing sweeter than showing off to country bumpkins like this—crushing them with the weight of the outside world. Maybe this was how Rocks used to treat him, back in the day.
"More than just you…?"
Jakun's pupils shrank. Even the Oniwabanshuu agents recording the fight froze for a breath. Several people with Conqueror's Haki? Hidden aces among these foreigners?
If that was true, their strength was beyond terrifying. Wano hadn't seen even one new Conqueror in decades, and this floating golden ship had multiple?
What kind of monstrous crew was this? And they claimed they'd come here fleeing from even greater forces out on the seas? Just how deadly was the world beyond Wano's borders?
No wonder Wano had chosen isolation. If an outside conqueror ever forced their way in, even one of them might be enough to annihilate the whole country.
The agent hastily scribbled down this new intel, sending it back to Shogun Sukiyaki. Yes, keeping young Oden from setting sail was definitely the right call—this world was far too dangerous.
Meanwhile, Shiki tested his mastery over Ryuo Haki, seeing if he could finally unleash it on Ashura Jakun. Even if he wasn't quite at Redfield's level yet, he needed to surpass monsters like Newgate and Linlin sooner or later.
He, Shiki, who once swaggered across the seas, had been dealt blow after blow lately—unable to even claim the title of strongest among his own crew. Redfield, Newgate, Linlin... they were all freakishly powerful.
...
Elsewhere, Brook and Linlin were cheerfully flying toward Kuri Castle, the two traveling like a honeymooning couple. Along the way, they scaled cliffs and played ball games for fun.
They even bathed together in a mountain stream, washed their faces with cleanser, caught fish, and spent time teaching Linlin some basic knowledge she lacked.
Brook even pulled out his cooking kit, acting as chef for the day—making noodles for Linlin to enjoy...
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+122 chapters on p@treon/tambeerg