The Samurai Arrive

The important hall of the Combat Pyramid is located on the seventeenth level, which is 3,400 meters high. Such halls are spacious and exist on every level of the Zhadu Pyramid, used to connect various important places, arenas, and areas.

The hall on the seventeenth floor is inaccessible to anyone without exceptional strength and status, and its furnishings are far superior to those on the ground floor; even the kingdom's royal family does not enjoy such comforts.

This place is also one of the important bases for the Night Pirates to guard Pagila Island, or more precisely, to guard the Combat Pyramid.

At this moment, in addition to Teach, Rediat, Ares, and the guards and maids trained by the Night Pirates, two important guests had already arrived.

The other members remained to guard Pagila Island and the surrounding islands, as news of the mobilization of various forces had already arrived.

Patrick Redfield, the "The Lone Red," in his familiar and iconic attire—a blood-red aristocratic robe with a blooming blue rose on his chest, and a bat-shaped umbrella leaning against him.

He elegantly savored a sip of the blood-red wine. What was astonishing was his youthful appearance; he looked like a twenty-five-year-old youth. Standing next to Rediat, they looked more like brothers.

"They'll be very shocked to see you then," Teach, looking at Redfield with a smile.

Now he has not only fully recovered to his peak condition, but has also become even more powerful with the help of the Devil Fruit. However, for Teach now, Redfield is not unfathomable.

Redfield simply smiled at this; he was enjoying his current state—young, full of life and energy.

He also foresaw the expressions on the faces of his old friends when they saw him.

Redfield turned his head and looked to the side, where an old man sat quietly in a chair, gently sipping the clear fruit wine that Teach had prepared for him, the air filled with a rich aroma of wine.

Redfield could sense the terrifying power contained within the old man, like a volcano ready to erupt at any moment. The brief encounter between the two revealed to him an endless sea of fire, burning away all flames and intense heat.

"I never imagined that such a powerful figure as you was hidden on the high seas, Genryuusai Shigekuni," Redfield said in surprise. "I've heard of you before, but you retired long ago."

Redfield has been sailing the seas for many years, while Genryuusai Shigekuni simply retired earlier. He also made a great name for himself in his youth, so it's not surprising that people have heard of Genryuusai Shigekuni.

However, to Redfield's surprise, Genryuusai Shigekuni's strength was actually so formidable. It was quite astonishing that such a top-tier expert was currently unknown.

"Hehe, I'm just a retired old man," Genryuusai Shigekuni replied with a smile. "I never expected that I would be able to participate in such a grand event. It's truly an honor."

Redfield nodded. Even he was curious about this kendo tournament. Kendo tournaments weren't unheard of, and many people had organized them, but they weren't famous enough and were mostly limited to a single island or a small area of sea.

The kendo tournament organized by the Night Pirates this time is a world-wide event, a first for them.

The number of participants is large, and there are many strong competitors. It is predicted that there will be dozens of rare Great Swordmaster among them. The participation of many samurai from Wano Country has made the competition in the swordsmanship tournament even more intense.

Teach accepted Genryuusai Shigekuni's invitation with utmost sincerity, fearing that Genryuusai Shigekuni might not accept, given that Genryuusai Shigekuni had already gone into seclusion.

To Teach's surprise, Genryuusai Shigekuni accepted his invitation without hesitation.

Teach was just assuming things. With Genryuusai Shigekuni's strength, even if he had any enemies, most of them would have died at his hands. Teach had also looked up some information about Genryuusai Shigekuni when he was young, and he was a very domineering and not to be trifled with.

Moreover, no one wants to offend such a world-class powerhouse; even the World Government and the Navy wouldn't go looking for trouble.

Being one of only three witnesses to witness the battle between swordsmen from all over the world was a great honor for him. In life, no one can escape the pursuit of fame and fortune. Genryuusai Shigekuni also wanted the world to know him, but he didn't have a good stage.

Teach's invitation undoubtedly brought this stage to his doorstep.

In addition, Teach paid a considerable price with Monkey King Wine.

The vitality contained in Monkey King Wine can delay aging and enhance bodily functions, which is of great benefit to Genryuusai Shigekuni, who is getting older. Drinking Monkey King Wine for a long time can prolong life, not for one or two years, but for ten or twenty years.

After all, Monkey King Wine has a nourishing effect on the body, and can even repair hidden injuries little by little.

Adding to the deliciousness of Monkey King Wine, Genryuusai Shigekuni had been craving it for a long time.

"This is truly excellent wine!" Genryuusai Shigekuni exclaimed.

Redfield nodded to himself in agreement; Monkey King Wine was definitely a fine wine, a rare gem in the world.

After becoming an ability user, Redfield became extremely sensitive to life force. He was able to detect life force in an inanimate object like Monkey King Wine, a life force that nourished the body. This was an astonishing thing.

He didn't know where Teach got it from, but he didn't investigate.

Having gained the ability of a vampire form, he will remain forever young. Monkey King Wine was undoubtedly a treasure to him in the past, but it has little effect on him now.

Besides, Redfield prefers red wine; he'll only try Monkey King Wine occasionally.

At this moment, Teach looked up, a look of joy on his face, as if he had learned something good.

Teach's behavior was noticed by Redfield and Genryuusai Shigekuni.

"The third witness is almost here," Teach explained with a smile.

Upon hearing what Teach said, the name of one person immediately came to mind for Genryuusai Shigekuni and Redfield: Kozuki Oden, the shogun of Wano Country.

"Oden, do you remember when I first went to Wano Country? He was a notorious Wano Country. I never imagined he would grow up to be this tall and strong so quickly." A look of reminiscence flashed in Genryuusai Shigekuni's eyes.

Many years ago, he came to Wano Country alone to forge swords. Oden had not yet grown up, but while staying in Wano Country, he had heard about Oden's deeds.

Redfield had no contact with Kozuki Oden. His impression of Kozuki Oden was mainly that he had served as the Captain of the Second Division on the Whitebeard Pirates' ship, becoming famous at sea as the "legendary samurai," and later, for some unknown reason, joined the Roger Pirates and helped Roger become the Pirate King.

He was naturally unaware of the intricacies involved, and besides, during the years when Kozuki Oden became the Shogun of Wano Country and truly made a name for himself in the New World, he was still imprisoned in Impel Down.

However, the fact that Teach invited him as a witness was enough to prove Kozuki Oden's strength. Teach had clearly stated that he possessed Emperor-level combat power. He had already witnessed Genryuusai Shigekuni's strength, Kozuki Oden's strength was naturally not lacking either.

However, what surprised Redfield was Teach's Observation Haki. His Observation Haki was already very powerful, and its range was also very large, but he didn't sense anything. Teach had already detected the presence of Kozuki Oden.

Although there had been some rumors before, Teach's Observation Haki range was clearly greater than his, and it was astonishingly large. Moreover, Teach was so young to have reached such a level, and he still had great potential.

"However, it will take at least two more hours to arrive, so let's wait a while." Teach smiled, inadvertently revealing the range of his Observation Haki. Although the speed of pirate ships on the sea varies, it is no less than 50 kilometers per hour. In other words, the diameter of Teach's Observation Haki coverage exceeds 200 kilometers.

Nowadays, the expansion speed of Teach's Observation Haki range has not slowed down with Teach's development; on the contrary, with the explosive growth of his strength, the expansion speed of Teach's Observation Haki range has also accelerated.

Compared to a few years ago, Teach's Observation Haki range has almost doubled.

The Observation Haki, capable of covering an entire sea area, is no exaggeration.

It is precisely because of this knowledge that people feel fear. Being able to control everything within the range of Observation Haki means that Teach's Observation Haki is not just about having a large range.

The events of the Expo are etched in the memories of many.

Time passed quickly, Wano Country ships were approaching Pagila Island. Along the way, they passed the islands of other Night Pirates, and now they had finally arrived at their destination.

From afar, you can see the towering, massive structure, the Combat Pyramid.

It was a magnificent sight, and even some samurai from Wano Country stared wide-eyed at it.

The ship has distinct maritime features. Wano Country has been closed off from the world for so many years, and its shipbuilding technology is somewhat backward. It would undoubtedly be very difficult for them to sail in the New World.

Therefore, these ships were all purchased by Wano Country from the Whitebeard Pirates through trade, and then modified to reflect the characteristics of Wano Country.

The flag bearing the crest of the Kozuki Family fluttered high.

At the port of Pagila Island, many people were already waiting, having received news that the Shogun of Wano Country, Kozuki Oden, and the samurai of Wano Country were about to arrive at Pagila Island.

Some swordsmen also received the news and waited. As a witness invited by "Dark Emperor" Teach, Kozuki Oden undoubtedly represented the top combat power of swordsmen on the sea.

Although Wano Country has opened its borders, only a small number of swordsmen still go there, so many people are still curious about Wano Country.

"The fleet from Wano Country is here!" someone shouted excitedly.

On the other side, "We've arrived at Pagila Island!" Kozuki Oden was also very excited, completely disregarding the etiquette expected of a shogun. However, the surrounding samurai were used to it, or rather, even after becoming a shogun, Kozuki Oden had always acted this way. But as a shogun, Oden was undoubtedly qualified, and his powerful strength earned him the respect of many samurai.

Pagila Island has a very large port with thousands of ships docked there. The few ships of the Wano Country fleet could hardly cause any trouble, and the port was very small in comparison, but it still attracted the attention of many people.

The large empty space in the center of the harbor is a special spot reserved for ships of these powerful forces; ordinary pirate ships can only dock on the side.

Even so, the port of Pagila Island is still somewhat crowded. It should be noted that as a large island, Pagila Island's port is built to the highest standards.

However, with so many ships arriving at Pagila Island, the Night Pirates underestimated the allure of this "Kendo Tournament + Four Emperors" event.

Moreover, many pirate ships are stationed on other islands in the Night Sea Domain, such as the thirty-six islands with arenas. When the sword tournament begins, a large number of them will definitely come to Pagila Island.

To alleviate the congestion at the main port, the Night Pirates built two smaller ports on Pagila Island.

Although it is not yet completed, it is expected to be finished three days before the start of the Kendo tournament.

Ships docked at the port, Wano Country samurai, led by Kozuki Oden, disembarked.

Unlike the sea, Kozuki Oden wore a black patterned kimono and exuded a powerful aura.

Each of the warriors was incredibly strong; when they gathered together, their powerful Sword Intent coalesced, creating an aura of immense power.

The feeling was even more intense for swordsmen and even Swordmaster. Oden himself was no exception. Behind him were nearly ten Great Swordmaster, and most of the rest were Swordmaster. Among them, there were only a few young swordsmen, who were probably there to train.

However, this also demonstrates the terrifying power of Wano Country, and makes some swordsmen yearn for Wano Country.

Facing the samurai of Wano Country, scattered throughout the port, each swordsman, whether strong or weak, unleashed a terrifying, almost sky-piercing Sword Intent.

There are so many swordsmen on Pagila Island now, and those at the port are only a fraction of them.

The powerful Sword Intent, mixed with fighting spirit, stood in opposition to the warriors.

If we had to divide swordsmen on the high seas into two schools, they would be the samurai of Wano Country and the swordsmen of the sea.

Even with the same style of swordsmanship, there is a clear difference between the samurai of Wano Country and the swordsmen of the sea.

Of course, this difference is not about strength or weakness, but rather about habits.

However, this standoff lasted only a short while before it ended, because the truly important person arrived.

"Oden, it's been a long time." Teach strode towards Kozuki Oden, followed by the officers and crew of the Night Pirates. The crowd in front parted to make way for them.

Sensing the aura emanating from Kozuki Oden, he was much stronger than when he left the Whitebeard Pirates.

"Teach, haha, you too." Oden was excited to see Teach, as he hadn't seen Teach for many years.

Teach undoubtedly owes him a great debt of gratitude, and to the Wano Country.

The war between the Night Pirates and the Whitebeard Pirates did not affect their relationship. Oden also grew a lot, and he was aware of the territorial disputes among pirates. Now, he also needed to consider the interests and development of Wano Country, and the Night Pirates were undoubtedly a good partner. There was no conflict of interest between them.

"Come with me, the other two are waiting for you." Teach smiled and patted Oden on the back, saying, "They'll take care of things. If you're interested, you can let them explore the island first."

Oden understood the meaning behind Teach's words and turned to look at the samurai behind him.

"Oden, you go ahead. We want to spar with the swordsmen from the high seas before the official tournament," Shimotsuki Gyumaru said with a smile, his sharp gaze already scanning the surroundings, seemingly searching for an opponent.

The other samurai were the same; many of them were fighting the swordsman of the sea for the first time.

Having witnessed the sheer number of swordsmen on the island during their previous clash, they were now eager to test their skills. (To be continued)