The [Dragon] and [Demon] Descending Upon Wano Country

Wano Country is a closed-off nation, once known as the "Land of Gold," but that was hundreds of years ago.

In present-day Wano Country, its surrounding waters are perpetually shrouded in violent storms, with complex and turbulent currents. Ordinary ships that merely approach are easily swept away by the currents, crashing into submerged reefs, leading to shipwreck and death.

Even if they are fortunate enough to avoid the reefs and get close to the island, a colossal waterfall cascades down from the towering stone cliffs, blocking the path forward.

At this moment, a hundred meters above the waterfall.

The sky is dim, overcast with heavy clouds.

A massive Azure Dragon, standing on Flame Clouds, circles in the sky.

Dimon stands atop the dragon's head, the cold wind at this height whipping his coat.

"This is it, Dimon."

Kaido gazes at the scenery below, unable to help but marvel at the island's unique terrain, making it easy to defend and difficult to attack.

Dimon says, "The Rocks Pirates have disbanded, and the Marines will be hunting us remnants. This place is perfect for us to take refuge."

This was a lie.

He wasn't targeting Wano Country to seek refuge.

His primary objective was to usurp the country.

His secondary objective was for a person: the foolish prince of Wano Country, Kozuki Oden.

This man possessed Conqueror's Haki, making him an excellent target to devour.

Wano Country is very close to Hachinosu Island; it only takes a few days by ship.

For him, riding Kaido, they arrived by evening on the same day.

Lost in thought, Dimon instructs:

"Let's go, fly to Oden Castle in Kuri and take it down first."

"Ohohoho... Under what pretense? Why don't we just form a pirate crew ourselves?"

Kaido laughs heartily, his dragon maw wide open, and with a flick of his tail, he flies towards the main island of Wano Country.

He proposes:

"Call ourselves the Beasts Pirates? I'll be the captain, you the first mate. No, forget it, how about a dual-captain system?"

Dimon doesn't believe Kaido thought of this on the spot. He likely had it planned for a long time, intending to establish his own power base the day he left the Rocks Pirates.

"What pirate crew? I'm not trying to lecture you, Kaido, but what's your ambition?"

"What ambition?"

"Once we take Wano Country, we'll be kings of a nation. Of course, in Wano Country, they're called Shogun."

Next, Dimon briefs Kaido on some intelligence regarding Wano Country.

Wano Country is divided into six major regions: Flower Capital, Kuri, Shimotsuki, Udon, Ringo, and Hakumai.

Among these, the Flower Capital is the royal capital, where the Shogun's mansion is 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. This man's strength is not weak; let's deal with him first."

Accustomed to not having to think when acting with Dimon, Kaido immediately accelerates towards Kuri.

Kuri, once the lawless region of Wano Country, was overrun by mountain bandits and rampant villains.

Two years ago, the Shogun's son, Kozuki Oden, traveled here and, in just one day, purged all the bad elements and conquered the entire Kuri region.

He integrated Kuri's talent and, with the assistance of several retainers, reformed Kuri and established peace.

He subdued villains, taught them farming and construction techniques, cultivated farmland to provide food, and led the construction of facilities in the Kuri region, earning the deep affection of the residents.

The people spontaneously built a castle for him and named it "Oden Castle."

It is now evening.

Inside Oden Castle, in the dining hall.

The people of Wano Country prefer to sit on the floor, with a low table placed before them, laden with food and drink.

Kozuki Oden, however, is not in the mood to eat. He rests his elbow on his knee, props his chin with one hand, and stares blankly into the courtyard.

"This is so boring... Why do I have to be this Daimyo? Why, Kin'emon?"

The samurai known as Kin'emon replies helplessly:

"Lord Oden, your father, Shogun Sukiyaki, acknowledged your achievements in Kuri. He rescinded his order to sever father-son ties and appointed you as Daimyo. I believe this is a good opportunity to mend your relationship!"

Hearing this, Kozuki Oden's face contorts, filled with disgust.

"But it's too boring. I've traveled all over Wano Country, and the thing I want to do most now is to leave this country and go out to sea to see the world."

"Absolutely not, Lord Oden!" Kin'emon hastily objects, "If you leave, what will happen to Kuri?"

"Things are on track now, aren't they? It doesn't really matter if I'm here or not. Your retainers handle all the day-to-day business anyway."

Kozuki Oden stood up, tucking his hands into his sleeves. He walked outside the dining hall and stood by the railing on the veranda, gazing in the direction of the Kuri beach.

"I read in books that during the era of the 'Sword God' Ryuma, pirates from overseas frequently attacked. How come in my time, I haven't seen a single pirate since I was a child?"

Kin'emon followed him out, his brow furrowed. "Lord Oden, isn't it a good thing that no pirates are attacking?"

"Not at all. If pirates came, I could leave with them! After all, I don't know how to sail."

At 21 years old, Kozuki Oden yearned for the outside seas.

Kin'emon was speechless. What was with his unreliable lord, always wanting to be a pirate?

Just then, a dark cloud drifted over the sky above Kuri Castle, visible even in the dead of night.

Rumble!

Thunder echoed from within the clouds, and something massive seemed to be stirring.

"It's going to rain," Kin'emon said, looking up at the sky with a delighted expression. "It hasn't rained in so long, this is perfectly timed to water the rice paddies... Lord Oden?"

"No, that's not rain... is that, a dragon?"

Kozuki Oden's face lit up with excitement. His Observation Haki clearly sensed two incredibly powerful presences within the clouds.

Rumble!

Another clap of thunder illuminated the night sky.

In the brief flash of light, even Kin'emon saw something unusual.

From within the dark clouds, as heavy as a mountain, a claw slowly emerged, followed by a colossal dragon's head.

The head of an Azure Dragon.

And atop the dragon's head stood a person.

"What?" Kin'emon exclaimed, shocked. "What is that?!"

"A dragon, it's really a dragon!" Kozuki Oden grew even more excited. "I heard Ryuma once slayed a dragon, and I thought it was just a legend. So dragons really exist!"

As he spoke, he waved towards the Azure Dragon above.

"Hey—! Dragon, I'm Kozuki Oden! Look over here!"

Kin'emon trembled, a bad feeling creeping over him. He gritted his teeth. "Your Highness Oden, there's someone on the dragon!!"

The Azure Dragon, Kaido, circled above Oden Castle, its head lowered as it gazed at the young man waving at him.

The man had long, wild black hair gathered into a large, flat circle on top of his head, resembling a pot lid.

The hairstyle was so striking that it was the first thing Kaido noticed.

"Dimon, is this idiot our target?"

Kaido, impressed, immediately saw through Kozuki Oden's nature.

Dimon couldn't help but chuckle. "Descend. Let's greet them first, politeness before force."

The Azure Dragon, Kaido, continued to descend, its entire body emerging from the dark clouds. The massive Azure Dragon body instantly drew the attention of the entire city.

"What is that monster?!"

"A dragon? It's a dragon!"

"A sign of good fortune from heaven! Is the heavens sending someone to assist Lord Oden?"

The citizens of the city were mostly filled with curiosity and excitement.

Kozuki Oden stared at the approaching dragon head, his eyes wide with disbelief.

"It doesn't have wings, how is it flying?"

Muttering to himself, he finally turned his attention to 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 even speak, Kaido beneath him was already enraged.

He allowed Dimon to ride on his head because they were friends. Who did this brat think he was?

"Brat, die!"

The dragon's maw opened wide, and a scorching flame erupted, streaking across the night sky.

"Boro Breath!!!"