Kouzuki Oden's body crashed heavily onto the ground, kicking up a cloud of dust. Witnessing this scene, Kurozumi Orochi immediately let out a sharp, piercing laugh: "Guohohohoho, Kouzuki Oden, you're finally dead!" His eerie, owl-like cackle echoed across the battlefield, filled with twisted delight.
"Yihihihihi!"
"Hahahahaha!"
"Gugugugugu!"
The Kurozumi family members joined in with various bizarre laughs, the entire scene resembling a demonic carnival. Their laughter rose and fell, particularly jarring amidst the smoke-filled battlefield. Kurozumi Orochi's face flushed with a sickly redness, his hands trembling uncontrollably—his long-cherished ambition finally fulfilled at this moment.
Kaidou coldly scanned the group, showing clear impatience with this frenzied spectacle. His thick fingers rubbed his Spiked Club, a flicker of disgust in his eyes. In his view, these Kurozumi family members were nothing but clowns; if not for seizing Wano Country, he wouldn't deign to associate with them. He turned to look at Queen not far away, gesturing for him to come over.
"Boss Kaidou, what are your orders?" Queen quickly approached Kaidou, his face still showing some excitement. He had just witnessed an spectacular battle and was still immersed in the joy of victory.
"Take Kouzuki Oden's body to the ship and preserve it properly. It will be useful later," Kaidou commanded in a deep voice that rumbled like thunder in Queen's ears.
Though Kouzuki Oden had fallen in battle, his corpse still held significant value. Kaidou still possessed the Shadow-Shadow Fruit, and he planned to award it to Moria after he had fully secured Wano Country and Moria had earned merits. Then, by finding a shadow from a sufficiently powerful individual and implanting it into Kouzuki Oden's body, they could immediately obtain a powerful puppet with vice-admiral level strength.
Kaidou well understood the principle that rewards should match contributions. Thus, even though he currently possessed multiple Devil Fruits, he didn't distribute them arbitrarily among his subordinates. Initially granting King the Mythical Zoan-Type Bat-Bat Fruit Vampire Form was partly because he had few subordinates at the time, and partly considering that King and Queen were his earliest veteran followers. Now, even Queen hadn't received a Devil Fruit yet, let alone ordinary crew members—unless they captured one as spoils of war themselves.
"Understood, Boss Kaidou." Queen responded respectfully, then lifted Kouzuki Oden's body and headed toward the ship. He carefully supported this form that had once shaken Wano Country, fearing any mishap. With Queen's advanced scientific technology, Kouzuki Oden's corpse could remain perfectly preserved even after a year or two.
Kaidou nodded in satisfaction, turning to gaze at the smoke-filled battlefield as he began planning his next move. His eyes swept over the still-cheering Kurozumi retainers, a trace of contempt flashing in his gaze.
"Alright, old woman, let's prepare for the next phase of the plan! Someone is already heading this way." Kaidou spoke to Kurozumi Higurashi, his tone carrying an undeniable command.
"Hehehehe! Alright, Orochi, you and Semimaru leave first," Kurozumi Higurashi said to Kurozumi Orochi and Kurozumi Semimaru, her wrinkled face revealing an eerie smile.
The two nodded upon hearing this and immediately departed in another direction. Before leaving, Kurozumi Orochi couldn't resist glancing back at the spot where Kouzuki Oden had fallen, his eyes gleaming with sick satisfaction.
Kurozumi Higurashi then instantly transformed into Kouzuki Oden's likeness and picked up Oden's two swords. Her Transformation Technique was flawless, perfectly mimicking even the heroic spirit between Kouzuki Oden's brows. Just as Kaidou casually covered the spot where Kouzuki Oden had coughed up blood, three figures came running from the distance.
Kaidou focused his eyes and recognized them as Kin'emon, along with the cat and dog. Their faces showed anxious expressions, clearly drawn by the commotion of the battle.
"Bastard! Do you know who this lord is? This is the daimyo of Kuri, Lord Kouzuki Oden! How dare you draw your sword against him? You must be prepared for the consequences!" Kin'emon directly positioned himself between 'Kouzuki Oden' and Kurozumi Kanjuro, shouting at Kaidou, his voice trembling with rage.
"Indeed," Inuarashi and Nekomamushi similarly blocked the path before the group, adopting combat stances with flames of anger burning in their eyes.
"Are you challenging the Beasts Pirates?" King looked at the three with an icy tone.
"Silence, Kin'emon!" 'Kouzuki Oden' directly rebuked Kin'emon, his voice carrying unquestionable authority.
"Yes, Lord Oden." Being scolded by 'Kouzuki Oden,' Kin'emon showed no trace of anger and immediately bowed in apology to 'Kouzuki Oden.' His attitude instantly became respectful, as if the previous rage had never existed.
"Kin'emon, this is the great pirate Kaidou of the Beasts. We've just fought and become good friends through our clash. To disrespect him is to disrespect me. Now apologize to Lord Kaidou!" 'Kouzuki Oden' said to Kin'emon, his tone carrying some reproach.
"Yes, we apologize, Lord Kaidou." Kin'emon, Inuarashi, and Nekomamushi bowed to Kaidou in unison. Their synchronized movements demonstrated absolute obedience to 'Kouzuki Oden's' command.
"Wororororo! Since that's the case, I'll forgive your rudeness," Kaidou laughed mockingly as he looked at this human, cat, and dog. His laughter was full of sarcasm. These foolish creatures were so easily deceived - it seemed he had overestimated them before.
"Alright, Kin'emon, Inuarashi, Nekomamushi, go to Oden Castle immediately and prepare a banquet. I wish to entertain Lord Kaidou," 'Kouzuki Oden' told the three, his tone returning to its usual gentleness.
"Yes, Lord Oden." Upon hearing this, Kin'emon and the others immediately headed toward Oden Castle. Their figures soon disappeared into the smoke of battle, completely unaware of anything unusual.
"Hehehehe! These guys are so easy to fool." Seeing that Kin'emon and the other two had gone far away, Kurozumi Higurashi transformed back to her original form and laughed heartily. Her laughter echoed across the empty battlefield, sounding particularly piercing.
Kaidou gave her a cold glance, disgusted by the old woman's smugness. But for now, he still needed to make use of her abilities, so he had to endure it temporarily.
"Bullet, Moria, Gavin, Enel - you four guard the ship. Don't let anyone board," Kaidou began directly. "King, Queen, Urouge, Sebastian - you'll come with me to Oden Castle for the next phase of the plan."
"Yes!" Hearing the command, the addressed individuals responded in unison.
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