Having disabled the pickup boosts, Lin Ye looked around.
The aftermath of the slash had already spread to the outskirts of the distant Flower Capital.
That attack was not the Divine Departure he had unleashed.
But the level-eight Divine Departure had given Lin Ye a deeper understanding of Conqueror's Haki Infusion slashes, and he had become more adept at wielding them.
This attack had been an imitation of Divine Departure's slashing technique, using his own Conqueror's Haki and Armament Haki infusion.
Lin Ye was very satisfied with the result.
He had finally managed to destroy terrain over a wide area.
This was the mark of a true powerhouse in the world of pirates.
If you could not even destroy the terrain, what kind of powerhouse were you?
Lin Ye scanned his surroundings, his gaze falling upon a distant mound. His figure flickered, and he appeared directly atop it, looking down at several figures hiding behind it.
He raised his hand, then brought down the sword in it.
"My lord, we are Lord Oden's..."
The people hiding there had been terrified by Lin Ye's earlier slash.
But even more terrifying was the fact that the person who had unleashed that attack now stood before them with his weapon raised. They hurriedly shouted.
Boom!
The ground beneath their feet suddenly exploded, cutting their voices short.
Only shredded clothing remained where they had stood.
"What Oden?"
Lin Ye sheathed his sword and muttered softly before turning toward the Flower Capital.
"Were they Oden's men? Whatever. It was all the same anyway."
Lin Ye's voice drifted through the air.
Flower Capital.
Kozuki Oden's dance continued, and some of Orochi's men in the crowd were even jeering at him.
Kozuki Oden seemed unable to hear them, as though he could not see the pointing fingers and looks around him. He swayed to his own rhythm.
But when an aura erupted outside the city, Kozuki Oden's dancing body trembled, and he turned to look in that direction.
That was Conqueror's Haki.
Who could it be?
Kozuki Oden's eyes widened.
Not to mention Wano Country—even aboard Whitebeard's and Gol D. Roger's ships, he had only seen a handful of people with Conqueror's Haki.
Just then, Kozuki Oden spotted a figure in the crowd waving at him before turning and leaving.
"Dance! Why did you stop?"
Seeing Kozuki Oden pause, a samurai furiously berated him.
At his words, Kozuki Oden suddenly turned and glared at the samurai, frightening the curse on his lips back down his throat.
Then Kozuki Oden resumed dancing.
Seeing this, the frightened samurai's face immediately reddened with rage.
Especially when he saw the expressions of the other samurai around him, he grew even angrier. He rushed forward, gripping his sheathed sword and smashing it down at Kozuki Oden's head and face.
Kozuki Oden acted as though he had not noticed the blows. Even his dancing did not lose its rhythm.
The man outside who had waved at Kozuki Oden saw this, anger appearing on his face as he raised a hand to grip the sword at his waist.
Then a fair hand stopped him from drawing it.
"Kin'emon!"
The woman who had stopped him shook her head slightly.
"But, my lord!"
Seeing that it was Kozuki Toki, Kin'emon hurriedly spoke.
"This is his choice. We only need to trust him."
Kozuki Toki shook her head.
Kin'emon turned to look at Kozuki Oden, who was being beaten while dancing.
"The person who came this time is a powerhouse, an incredibly powerful one. I've already sent people to investigate. He is heading toward the Flower Capital, and all the samurai and ninja Orochi sent were unable to stop him."
Kin'emon spoke in a low voice.
"Is he Kurozumi Orochi's enemy?"
Kozuki Toki was stunned and quickly asked.
"I don't know, but judging from the situation, it seems so. Perhaps he came specifically for Kurozumi Orochi."
Excitement appeared on Kin'emon's face.
If Kurozumi Orochi died, then Kozuki Oden would be the only one who could become daimyo.
But whether such a hope could be realized remained uncertain.
"Let's go back first. We can discuss this after he returns."
Kozuki Toki glanced at Kozuki Oden, then turned and left.
Kin'emon did the same and departed.
Flower Capital Daimyo Residence.
Kurozumi Orochi's face was filled with fury, but beneath that fury lay even greater terror.
"So many people couldn't stop a single pirate?"
Kurozumi Orochi's voice turned shrill.
"Lord Orochi, please calm down."
Seeing Kurozumi Orochi like this, an ugly old woman tried to persuade him.
"Do you have a way to kill this pirate?"
Kurozumi Orochi looked at her expectantly.
From the moment he had received the news until now, he had sent out hundreds of people. Yet every report said they could not stop him, and that everyone had been killed.
And now, the enemy had already reached the outskirts of the Flower Capital.
"It's all right, Lord Orochi. Don't forget that you are now allies with Governor Kaido."
This ugly old woman was the one who had given the Yamata no Orochi Fruit to Kurozumi Orochi and used the Clone-Clone Fruit's power to disguise herself as the former daimyo, Kozuki Sukiyaki, helping Kurozumi Orochi become daimyo.
Kurozumi Higurashi.
"Then contact Kaido, quickly!"
"Rest assured, my lord, it isn't time for that yet. Don't forget, you still have a weapon."
Kurozumi Higurashi let out an insidious chuckle.
Confusion flashed through Kurozumi Orochi's eyes.
What weapon did he have?
Did she mean he was supposed to take up a weapon and risk his own life?
At that thought, Kurozumi Orochi immediately flew into a rage, glaring at Kurozumi Higurashi with fire in his eyes.
"Cough, cough. Lord Orochi, have you forgotten Kozuki Oden?"
The moment those words were spoken, Kurozumi Orochi's furious expression vanished, replaced by bewilderment.
"Kozuki Oden would help me?"
"Hehehe, Lord Orochi, don't forget how you threatened Kozuki Oden. Use the same method and make him stop that man."
"So that's it!"
Kurozumi Orochi was overjoyed.
If that was the case, Kozuki Oden would definitely obey.
"Quick, go at once."
"Yes, Lord Orochi!"
Kurozumi Higurashi cackled as she turned and headed outside.
"You, go find where that man is. I want to watch Kozuki Oden duel him."
Kurozumi Orochi suddenly felt victory was assured and developed the urge to watch the battle.
Fukurokuju, whom he had pointed at, hesitated before nodding.
There had been no news from the ninja and samurai sent out this time either. They had most likely all died.
Where had such a powerhouse come from?
But this display reminded him of Kozuki Oden when he had first returned. He too had returned to Wano Country alone, wielding two swords as he charged toward the Flower Capital.
No one had been able to stop him then, either.
This time, no matter who died, it would be good for them.
If Kozuki Oden died, they would contact Kaido.
That man would definitely be interested in such a powerful opponent.
"Today, I saved another five lives!"
Kozuki Oden returned and said happily.
Kin'emon and the others hurriedly draped clothes over Kozuki Oden.
Then they reported the information about Lin Ye.
"Wow, a powerhouse!"
Kozuki Oden's eyes lit up.
"Kurozumi Orochi sent many samurai and ninja after him, but they have all been killed. He has already reached the Flower Capital and may make a move against Kurozumi Orochi."
Kin'emon told Kozuki Oden his speculation.
Before you continue