Battle cries and the sharp clang of clashing weapons rang out around Werther.
After cutting down a samurai who charged him, Werther approached Kozuki Oden.
"You're here." Oden's voice was calm, but the hatred in his eyes was unmistakable. The young man before him had brought Wano Country to the brink of destruction.
"Yeah, I'm here." Werther stood before Oden. Kaido's men nearby began backing away when they saw him.
"If you want revenge, take my life. Why destroy my country?"
Oden fought to contain his anger, but his sword was already pointed at Werther.
"Why destroy your country? Because I feel like it. This country pisses me off."
Oden froze. Perhaps this was his first time meeting someone as unhinged as Werther.
"You'd destroy an entire country just because it pisses you off? Do you know how long this country has existed? There are—"
Werther cut him off.
"Spare me the righteous speeches. I do what I want. Nothing else matters to me."
Oden fell silent, unsure how to respond. At that moment, he finally gave up his naive hope of persuading Werther to stop the war.
"Enough talk. Fight me. Like I said, if you can kill me, you still have a chance to win this war."
Pain flickered in Oden's eyes. If they had not driven Longliang out years ago, perhaps none of this would have happened.
"Come, Longliang's disciple. Fight me to the death in your master's place."
"That's exactly what I intend to do."
Lightning surged across Werther's body as he spoke. He appeared before Oden in an instant, planted his feet, and brought his sword down hard.
Wind and thunder seemed to roar through the strike as Intent Blood flashed toward Oden, leaving an afterimage in its wake.
But Oden was no pushover. He