The Demon Within Kozuki Oden

For someone like Kozuki Oden, who follows his own will, external things will not shake his resolve. Perhaps in his view, all his principles are for the future of Wano Country, and whether outsiders can understand them is not important to him.

"That's why I said I don't like making up those high-sounding reasons." Roy shook his head, his expression solemn. "You only need to understand one thing now: if you can't defeat me today, everyone in the Kozuki Family will die!"

"Is that so? I understand. If I cannot defeat you, I cannot save my people." Kozuki Oden's expression grew even more resolute, his eyes gleaming with a sharp light, as if he had become a different person, transforming from a composed and dignified monarch into a ruthless and brutal general.

"I'll use this Mikazuki Munechika in my hand to completely shatter your ambitions." Kozuki Oden's words made Roy raise an eyebrow slightly. The Kozuki Family, which had ruled Wano Country for hundreds of years, was indeed rich in resources, possessing Mikazuki Munechika, one of the twelve Supreme Grade Sword. No wonder he could hold Kaido back.

After all, a Great Sword Master is not scary, nor is a Supreme Grade Sword, but a top-tier Great Sword Master wielding Supreme Grade Sword is something even a monster like Kaido would have to be wary of.

"You've got some presence, but it's far from enough. You can't put any pressure on me at all." The Seven Star Sword slipped from Roy's hand, and an invisible aura radiated outwards in ripples from Roy. "Let me see just how much you're capable of as a member of the Pirate Kings's crew."

Seeing Roy's figure disappear in an instant, Kozuki Oden's pupils contracted sharply. Without thinking, he quickly raised Mikazuki Munechika in his hand to block.

Rumble!

The unleashed Sword Qi raged in all directions. The thick earth was no harder than tofu in the face of this Sword Qi, and it was instantly shattered into pieces. Many guards of the Kozuki Family were unable to avoid it and were directly riddled with holes by the fine, hair-like Sword Qi.

Amidst the raging Sword Qi, Roy's figure swayed slightly, while Kozuki Oden was sent flying dozens of meters away. This distance was almost zero in the eyes of Great Sword Master, but the difference in skill between the two was immediately apparent.

Roy pressed his advantage, quickly advancing forward. The eerie green light of the Seven Star Sword even shone on Kozuki Oden's face, reflecting his heavy and calm expression onto the sword.

Bang!

With a soft sound, Kozuki Oden, who had been severed by the Seven Star Sword, suddenly turned into a piece of Kogarashi, shrouded in white mist.

"Ninja Sword Technique: Crescent Moon Dance!"

Kozuki Oden instantly appeared behind Roy, thrusting the tip of his sword into Roy's heart. Noticing that Mikazuki Munechika encountered no resistance, as if the sword had struck thin air Kozuki Oden's expression changed drastically. "Damn it, is that an afterimage? When did that happen?"

Knowing something was wrong Kozuki Oden instantly turned around, only to find that there was no one behind him.

Puff!

Looking at the sword tip protruding from his chest, blood dripping onto the ground, Kozuki Oden turned around again in disbelief, "How is this possible? It wasn't an afterimage?"

Kozuki Oden, who was unaware of Roy's Devil Fruit Ability, could not possibly imagine that Roy was merely Virtualization part of his body and that it was not a so-called afterimage.

"Combining ninjutsu and swordsmanship? That's interesting, but unfortunately, under my perception, your little tricks have no way of hiding." Roy's expression was indifferent, as if the one pierced by the Seven Star Sword was just an unknown nobody.

Although Kozuki Oden's Observation Haki powerful, it was not enough to Future Sight. When his every move was exposed to Roy's eyes, his so-called Ninja Sword Technique had no illusion effect whatsoever.

Moreover, Roy's strength was already superior to his, and with a calculated attack on the unsuspecting, Kozuki Oden fell to Roy's sword in less than a minute.

Not to mention Kozuki Oden himself, even Roy's subordinates who knew him well could not imagine that Kozuki Oden, who could overpower the Three Calamities and even restrain Kaido, was so vulnerable and collapsed at the first touch in front of Roy.

This doesn't mean that Roy's strength has surpassed Kaido's in every aspect; it's just that Roy's abilities happen to be a counter to Kozuki Oden's.

As for Kozuki Oden's retainers, they were as if the sky had fallen, kneeling on the ground with vacant eyes, like salted fish that had lost their faith.

"Why don't you kill me? If you're hoping to get the whereabouts of the Poneglyph that records the Poneglyph from me, I advise you to give up on that idea now." Kozuki Oden frowned deeply. If Roy's sword had been off by just one centimeter, it would have pierced his heart directly. He didn't believe that a top Great Sword Master like Roy would make such a small mistake.

"I didn't kill you because the previous battles were too boring and didn't put any pressure on me." Roy tossed out the S-3 Potion. "Drink it and fight me again."

"I am inferior in skill, so I will die. Why must you humiliate me like this?" Kozuki Oden said with a gloomy expression.

"What you showed before wasn't your full strength, was it? I can sense that there's a terrifying power hidden within you," Roy said, squinting.

Kozuki Oden, looking slightly uneasy, said, "What makes you say that? In a situation where I know I will die, how could I possibly have any strength left?"

"It seems you're not willing to cooperate." Although Roy didn't know why Kozuki Oden would rather die at his hands than reveal his hidden strength, the lingering sense of crisis in his heart proved that Kozuki Oden's strength was far more complex than he appeared.

"You have a son named Kozuki Momonosuke, right?"

"What do you mean? What do you want to do to Tao Tao?" Kozuki Oden had been calm and composed all along, finally panicked and asked angrily.

"If you can't defeat me, I guarantee that Momonosuke will die a horrible death, a truly horrific one."

"Isn't it beneath your dignity for a powerful figure like yourself to attack a mere child?"

"I'm a pirate, killing and arson are my profession, right? Besides, that brat can hardly be called a child, can he?"

"A demon!" Just as Roy thought Kozuki Oden was referring to him, he heard Kozuki Oden say again, "A demon dwells within me. If I were to truly release its suppression, not only you, but Wano Country, and even the entire world, would be plunged into destruction. Now, do you still intend for me to release its suppression?"

Roy felt a bit disgusted. This guy really couldn't stop talking about world peace and world destruction. But then again, even with only a fraction of his strength, he could suppress a powerhouse at the level of the Three Calamities. At his Kozuki Oden was truly terrifyingly strong. Even so, he was so wary of that so-called demon that he would rather die than release it. This shows that his words were not just alarmist talk.