Wano Country was a closed nation, once hailed as the "Land of Gold," though that had been centuries ago.
Present-day Wano Country was surrounded year-round by violent winds and storms. The currents were complex and turbulent; ordinary ships could easily be swept away and smashed against the reefs, leaving the vessels destroyed and everyone aboard dead.
Even if they were fortunate enough to avoid the reefs and approach the island, a massive waterfall poured down from towering cliffs, blocking the path forward.
At that moment, a hundred meters above the waterfall.
The sky was dim, covered in thick storm clouds.
A massive azure dragon rode Flame Clouds as it coiled through the heavens.
Dimon stood atop the dragon's head, the icy wind whipping his coat loudly around him.
"This is the place, right, Dimon?"
Kaido gazed at the scenery below and could not help but marvel at the island's unusually advantageous terrain. It was easy to defend and difficult to attack.
"The Rocks Pirates have fallen apart," Dimon said. "The Marines will be hunting down remnants like us everywhere next. This place is perfect for lying low."
That was a lie.
He had set his sights on Wano Country, and he had not come here to hide.
His primary objective was to seize the country.
His secondary objective was a person: Wano Country's foolish lord, Kozuki Oden.
The man possessed Conqueror's Haki and was an excellent target to devour.
Wano Country was very close to Hachinosu Island. By ship, the trip only took a few days.
But riding Kaido, he had arrived by evening that very day.
After a moment of thought, Dimon ordered,
"Let's go. Fly to Oden Castle in Kuri and take it down first."
"Worororo... under what banner? Why don't the two of us form a pirate crew?"
Kaido opened his jaws and laughed twice. With a flick of his tail, he flew toward Wano Country's main island.
He suggested,
"The Beasts Pirates? I'll be the captain, and you'll be vice-captain. No, forget it. How about a dual-captain system?"
Dimon did not believe Kaido had come up with that on the spot. He had probably planned long ago to establish his own force the day he left the Rocks Pirates.
"What pirate crew? Kaido, what happened to your ambition?"
"What ambition?"
"Once we take Wano Country, we'll be kings of a nation. Of course, in Wano Country, that title is Shogun."
Dimon then briefed Kaido on some information about Wano Country.
Wano Country was divided into six major regions: the Flower Capital, Kuri, Shimotsuki, Udon, Ringo, and Hakumai.
Among them, the Flower Capital was the royal capital, where the General's Mansion was located.
"Then why aren't we going to the Flower Capital? Why Kuri?"
"The current daimyo of Kuri is Kozuki Sukiyaki's son, Kozuki Oden. He's fairly strong, so we'll deal with him first."
Whenever he acted alongside Dimon, Kaido had grown accustomed to not thinking too hard. He immediately accelerated toward Kuri.
Kuri had once been Wano Country's lawless zone, where bandits ran rampant and criminals wreaked havoc.
Two years ago, the Shogun's son, Kozuki Oden, traveled there. In only a single day, he wiped out every criminal and conquered all of Kuri.
He gathered Kuri's talented people and, with the aid of several retainers, transformed the region and restored public order.
He subdued the criminals and taught them farming and construction. He reclaimed farmland to provide food and oversaw the building of Kuri's infrastructure, earning the deep love of its residents.
The people voluntarily built a castle for him and named it Oden Castle.
At that time, it was evening.
Inside Oden Castle's dining hall.
The people of Wano Country liked to sit on the floor, with low tables placed before them, covered in food and sake.
Kozuki Oden, however, had no appetite. With his elbow resting on his knee and his chin propped on one hand, he stared blankly into the courtyard.
"This is so boring... Why do I have to be a daimyo? Tell me why, Kin'emon."
The samurai called Kin'emon replied helplessly,
"Lord Oden, your father, Shogun Sukiyaki, recognized your achievements in Kuri. He rescinded his order severing your father-son relationship and appointed you daimyo. I think this is a good chance to mend your relationship!"
At the request of many readers, VIP members can now enjoy an ad-free experience.
Click to view
At those words, Kozuki Oden's face twisted in disgust.
"But it's too boring. I've already traveled all over Wano Country. What I want to do most now is leave this country and go out to sea."
"You absolutely must not, Lord Oden!" Kin'emon hurriedly stopped him. "What will happen to Kuri if you leave?"
"It's already on the right track, isn't it? It makes no difference whether I'm here or not. Besides, you retainers handle all the usual government affairs anyway."
Kozuki Oden stood and tucked both hands into his sleeves. He walked out of the dining hall, stood beside the veranda railing, and looked toward Kuri's shoreline.
"I read that during the era of Ryuma, the Sword God, pirates from the outer seas often invaded. So why is it that, from childhood until now, I haven't seen a single pirate?"
Kin'emon followed him outside as well, black lines practically appearing across his face. "Lord Oden, isn't it a good thing that pirates haven't come to invade?"
"Not at all! If pirates came, I could leave with them! After all, I don't know how to navigate."
Twenty-one-year-old Kozuki Oden was filled with longing for the outer seas.
Kin'emon had no strength left to complain. What did it mean for such an unreliable lord to want to become a pirate all day?
Just then, dark clouds drifted over Kuri Castle. Even at night, they were clearly visible.
Rumble!
Thunder boomed from within the clouds, while some enormous creature faintly stirred inside them.
"It's going to rain." Kin'emon looked up at the sky, his face full of delight. "It hasn't rained in a long time. This came at the perfect time—it'll water the rice fields... Lord Oden?"
"No, that isn't rain... Is that... a dragon?"
Kozuki Oden's face was full of excitement. His Observation Haki clearly sensed two incredibly powerful presences within the clouds.
Rumble!
Another peal of thunder illuminated the night sky.
In that brief flash of light, even Kin'emon saw something strange.
From within the heavy storm clouds, thick as mountains, a claw slowly emerged, followed by an enormous dragon's head.
The head of an azure dragon.
And standing alone atop that dragon's head was a man.
"What?" Kin'emon's face was filled with shock. "What is that?!"
"A dragon! It really is a dragon!" Kozuki Oden grew even more excited. "I heard that Ryuma once slew a dragon, but I thought it was only a legend. There really are dragons!"
As he spoke, he waved toward the azure dragon above.
"Hey—! Dragon, I'm Kozuki Oden! Look over here!"
Kin'emon trembled all over, seized by a terrible premonition. He gritted his teeth. "Lord Oden, there's someone on top of the dragon!!"
Azure Dragon Kaido circled above Oden Castle, lowering his head as his eyes fixed on the young man waving at him.
The man had long, wild black hair gathered into a large round shape atop his head, resembling a pot lid.
The hairstyle was so eye-catching that Kaido could only remember it at first glance.
"Dimon, this idiot is our target?"
Impressive, Kaido. He had seen through Kozuki Oden's true nature at a glance.
Dimon could not help but chuckle. "Go down. Let's greet him first. Courtesy before force."
Azure Dragon Kaido continued descending, his entire body emerging from the storm clouds. The massive azure dragon instantly drew the attention of everyone in the castle.
"What kind of monster is that?!"
"A dragon? It's a dragon!"
"A heavenly omen! Could the heavens have sent someone down to assist Lord Oden?"
The people in the city were more curious and excited than afraid.
Kozuki Oden stared wide-eyed at the dragon head drawing ever closer, his face full of disbelief.
"It doesn't have wings. How does it fly?"
He muttered softly before finally looking at Dimon atop the dragon's head. "Who are you? No, it doesn't matter who you are. Can I borrow your dragon for a ride?"
Before Dimon could speak, Kaido beneath his feet was already furious.
He allowed Dimon to ride on his head because they were brothers. Who the hell did this guy think he was?
"You little bastard, die!"
Kaido opened his jaws wide, blasting out a scorching torrent of flame that streaked across the night sky.
Boro Breath!!!
Before you continue