"That Kozuki Oden bastard is an opponent I acknowledge."
Kaido's eyes blazed.
"I'll be the one to take his head!"
"Glug glug glug..."
Lifted the sake gourd. Chugging wildly. Face flushed with fervor—clearly drunk. Smashed the gourd to the ground.
Shattered instantly.
"Really is..."
"Exciting!"
Demonic aura surged wildly. Conqueror's lightning crackling madly. Kaido trembled with excitement.
How long had it been?
A life-or-death battle?
Not many on this sea could do that!
Powerful figures flashed through his mind. Without exception—all contenders for peak individual combat power.
Rocks D. Xebec.
Gol D. Roger.
Whitebeard, Edward Newgate.
Doctor Aus.
If he had to add one more—the man he was about to face.
Kozuki Oden.
Hearing this, King and Queen raised no objections.
They knew—besides Kaido, none were Kozuki Oden's match.
What they had to deal with? His eleven retainers.
"His defeat is certain. Wano will be ours!"
Led by Kaido. Backed by two All-Stars. Tens of thousands of Beasts Pirates—
Just Kozuki Oden and a few subordinates?
Fish in a barrel.
Wano Country.
Open wilderness in the mountains.
Step... step... step...
Dense dark clouds foretold misfortune. Kozuki Oden led his retainers. Wanting to raid and eliminate Kaido.
Halfway there—something felt wrong.
In the mountains ahead, countless crimson cruel gazes emerged. In heavy clouds, giant eyes stared down.
Everyone froze. That was...
Massive body coiled around mountains. Colossal, towering azure dragon entrenched here. Below him—minions covering the mountains.
"At least this battle's pretty decent."
Ten thousand meters away. Atop cloud-wreathed factory roof. Tall figure sat cross-legged, watching this luxuriously-matched battle.
No intention of helping. Whether helping Kaido eliminate Oden or helping Oden eliminate Kaido—
The bond from traveling together—he'd already given his warning back then. Oden was different from Roger. To Aus, he held no special meaning.
"Click."
"Consider it a memorial."
Gripping the perfectly-angled photo. Aus crossed his arms. Watching the battle unfold.
Though... didn't mean he couldn't make small moves.
"Hey! Kaido! Was that promise from five years ago all lies?!"
By now, how could Oden not understand—Kaido had been playing him all along. Couldn't help recalling that scene from years ago.
Long-haired youth disembarking.
"Hey, Oden. Strength is always the only way to solve problems. Pirates' cunning far exceeds your imagination."
So this was when it came true?
"What incredible Observation, Aus..."
Oden fell silent. No more regret in his eyes. Now only resolve and killing intent.
"Regret's useless now. All I can grasp is the future!"
Oden charged first. Terrible Haki coiled around his blade. Red aura exploded from his body as he rushed toward the pirates.
"Everyone, follow Lord Oden!"
Great melee began. Aus watched Oden charge forward desperately. Couldn't tell if his expression was joy or sorrow.
Didn't dislike Oden. Couldn't say he liked him either. Mainly annoyed by that Momonosuke.
Whether Oden lived or died—wasn't too invested.
Then...
While having fun, might as well help out. Gonna take down this milk dragon eventually anyway.
Aus casually summoned a pitch-black spear. Aiming toward the battlefield.
Target naturally couldn't be Kaido.
But rather...
"Hahahahahaha..."
With demonic laughter, round chubby guy wearing sunglasses stood on battlefield with beaming smile.
Aus from past life was sick of this milk dragon.
You've got super armor and combat disengagement?
Come on then!
Countless red-hot moments from the game now converted into karma. Returning to Queen.
He stood before Kinemon and others. Confidently drawing blade.
"Your opponent is... OW!"
Sharp pain instantly struck from his rear. He screamed!
Before he could check, Kinemon and others had already charged with drawn blades. Rushing toward Queen's hefty body.
Fat body. Abnormally agile.
Even enduring severe pain from his rear, he could barely handle the retainers' siege.
"How could it be that simple? I'm not using Seastone bullets..."
One after another—
No matter where Queen ran, bullets followed like they had eyes. Tracking toward his rear. Even when he spun defensively—
Key was bullet holes were neat and orderly. Lodged in fat. Painful but not fatal.
"What are you doing, Queen?!"
King noticed the abnormality. Watching Queen hop around battlefield, chased and slashed by Oden's retainers. Bloodshot eyes bulging.
Dancing that demonic, eye-searing dance at other times was one thing—
Why dance now?
"Shut up, you sadistic pervert! You don't understand anything!"
Queen's face furious. Fury mixed with terror. Flesh jiggling repeatedly.
Finally, just gave up. Stopped defending.
Already riddled with holes anyway. Neither Armament nor weapons could block it.
Actually, when he realized Armament and weapons couldn't resist these strange bullets, he'd already had a guess.
Methods this bizarre and unstoppable. Plus marksmanship. Plus daring to come to this major scene—
Who could it be?
Queen panicked inside.
But didn't dare say it out loud. This was the critical moment.
If his guess was right, that person in shadows didn't want to act—or rather, didn't want to act openly.
If he shouted now, Aus would inevitably appear.
Then next... could Kaido-aniki alone fight the Black Emperor and Kozuki Oden?
Queen broke into cold sweat. Thinking seriously. Looked toward Kaido's figure.
"SPLURT..."
Dual-wielding blades, Kozuki Oden flashed past. On Kaido's body, cross-shaped wound instantly spurted blood. Entire dragon rolled eyes back, mouth gaping wide.
Queen: ...
Damn, aniki alone is already struggling!
No choice. Queen chose to bear this pain alone.
All for the Beasts Pirates.
He, Lord Queen, was so damn cool!
Tears streaming down his face!
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
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