Chapter 114

Even the other Nine Red Scabbards usually refer to themselves as "Kozuki Family," indicating their loyalty to the Kozuki Family.

Ashura Doji, however, refers to himself as "a retainer of Oden," indicating that he merely admires Kozuki Oden's strength.

Of course, after being subdued by Kozuki Oden.

Ashura Doji, the "strongest Monster in Kuri," willingly followed and was deeply grateful to Kozuki Oden for transforming Kuri into a peaceful Paradise.

Just a few years ago.

After Kozuki Oden set sail with the Whitebeard Pirates, Kurozumi Orochi became the new shogun of Wano Country.

Ashura Doji returned directly to the mountain peak in Kuri to continue being the leader of his bandits.

Therefore, there are indeed strong individuals among the bandits in the world of Pirates!

After Kozuki Oden returned to Wano Country...

Ashura Doji had assumed that Lord Oden, who had once transformed Kuri into a peaceful Paradise, would immediately drive away Kurozumi Orochi and Kaido of the Beasts.

But to his utter surprise, he didn't get a "wise and enlightened ruler" instead, but a "Fool Prince"!

Kozuki Oden hoped to break the shackles of Wano Country, shatter the centuries-old chains of isolation, and thus peacefully open the country.

Absolutely no one would disagree with that!

The eight Jitte of Cat Claws Nine Red Scabbards absolutely, Fish Flippers, in favor of Dog Paws!

But we should at least completely resolve Kurozumi Orochi's "Internal Threat" and Kaido of the Beasts's "External Threat" before considering opening the country, right?

Now, all I do once a week is run around dancing in the streets of Flower Capital wearing only a loincloth. Have I gotten addicted to it or what?

The other Nine Red Scabbards, either out of pride or due to their past experiences, were unwilling to comment on Kozuki Oden's actions.

But Ashura Doji had no such concerns!

He was originally a bandit Kozuki Oden.

Ashura Doji willingly followed Kozuki Oden because he admired Kozuki Oden's contributions to Kuri.

Now that Kozuki Oden has done such a foolish thing, what's wrong with Ashura Doji, the bandit leader, criticizing and complaining a bit?

"Your Yasuie, who is this gentleman?"

Ashura Doji suppressed his frustration and politely asked Shimotsuki Yasuie.

Shimotsuki Yasuie gave Adrian a questioning look, and Adrian nodded slightly in acknowledgment.

"This is Mr. Tao Ya, who has come from overseas. He has done my Shimotsuki Clan a great favor." Shimotsuki Yasuie extended his palm, pointing in Adrian's direction, and said very politely.

At the same time, Shimotsuki Yasuie also introduced the Two Red Scabbards who had entered the palace to Adrian.

"From overseas?"

Ashura Doji narrowed his eyes slightly as he looked at Adrian, a glint of light flashing in his eyes.

"Mr. Tao Ya, did you just arrive in Wano Country today?"

That's right.

Ashura Doji pressed further, "Did you notice that earth-shattering battle that broke out outside Wano Country? Kaido of the Beasts was fighting against some unknown person."

For the vast majority of people within Wano Country, the extraordinary battle that was taking place in the outer Sea Area of Wano Country was completely unknown.

However, the experts within the Wano Country are different.

Among this group Observation Haki were not uncommon, and they naturally sensed the surging, terrifying aftershocks of the battle on the distant sea.

However, due to the fact that their commander was not interested in what was happening outside, no one from the Kozuki faction went to investigate.

As for the Beasts Pirates, they had Kaido. By the time they discovered that Kaido had been sunk for the second time, it was too late.

As for the other side, the Kurozumi Family, they truly couldn't detect it.

Hearing Ashura Doji's question.

Adrian shrugged and said frankly, "Of course I noticed, because I was the Kaido at the time."

"What?!" X3

Shocked exclamations came from all three of them at the same time.

Even Raizo, the "ninja" who had remained silent and calm throughout, exclaimed in surprise.

The three of them simultaneously widened their eyes, bulging them out, making the most classic Pirates -style surprised expression.

"Would you like me to demonstrate?"

Adrian extended his index finger, simultaneously channeling his Ghost Energy. A faint blue dot of light appeared at his fingertip, emanating a captivating yet dangerous aura.

Ashura Doji contracted slightly, and his right hand involuntarily reached for the sword at his waist; while Raizo reached behind him with both hands, ready to draw the scroll and fight at any moment.

Just then, Shimotsuki Yasuie wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, which was covered in sweat from shock, and quickly said:

"No! No need! Mr. Tao Ya, please take back your power!"

"Ashura Doji, Raizo, you too, put your hands down right now!"

Adrian extinguished the Ghost Energy at his fingertips as easily as blowing out a candle.

Seeing this, Ashura Doji and Raizo also relaxed their bodies. Although they remained highly vigilant, they were no longer in a tense and confrontational posture.

"Mr. Tao Ya, when you were talking about your own experiences, you didn't mention that you just fought Kaido of the Beasts outside Wano Country, and also..."

Shimotsuki Yasuie gave a bitter smile and stopped talking.

And you actually won?!

"It's just Kaido, nothing to be surprised about."

Adrian leaned back slightly, adopting a classic, high-level tactical leaning-back posture.

Then, he looked at Ashura Doji and Raizo and suddenly asked a question.

"You two are retainers of Kozuki Oden. I wonder if I may request an audience with the legendary 'Lord Oden'?"

[Chapter 213. Momonosuke: Sage Pendant]

Adrian had his reasons for wanting to see Kozuki Oden.

The most direct and fundamental reason is that Adrian wanted to see if he could trigger S-Rank Challenge or A-Rank Challenge from Kozuki Oden.

Experience points are secondary; the most important thing is the ability rewards that come with the challenge missions.

Although Adrian's personal feelings towards Kozuki Oden weren't great, that didn't stop Adrian from wanting to acquire Kozuki Oden's abilities!

Just like Adrian really, really dislikes BIGMOM, but that doesn't stop the [Heavy Strike Specialization] Specialty from being incredibly appealing!

Moreover, considering all of Kozuki Oden's abilities, there are quite a few that Adrian could pursue.

Putting aside Kozuki Oden's most basic physical abilities, there are also his Swordplay such as Oden Two-Sword Style, as well as his Conqueror's Haki that has never been shown, and especially the ability to [Voice of All Things]!

Although Adrian still doesn't know what the use of the ability to Voice of All Things is.

Even in the original work, the demonstration of this ability seems to be nothing more than adding an "antenna" that can receive signals of a special frequency.

But something is better than nothing, right?

Moreover, this ability also subtly touches upon the ultimate mystery of the ocean!

After hearing Adrian's words.

Both Ashura Doji and Raizo tensed up instantly.

This couldn't help but make them nervous!

Before knowing Adrian's "exact battle record," these two Two Red Scabbards could still regard him as an ordinary expert from overseas, with a hidden connection to the Shimotsuki Family;

But after learning about his specific battle record, it became clear that this so-called "ordinary expert" was actually a "peerless villain" who could defeat Kaido in a short time without suffering any harm himself!

This is absolutely terrifying!

Even the Nine Red Scabbards have to acknowledge Kaido's strength; he is definitely on par with their lord Kozuki Oden!

This is already a super expert standing at the very top of the pyramid of power in the ocean!

Even if they don't win gold, they're more than capable of winning a silver medal.

Raizo's throat bobbed slightly as he asked earnestly, "I don't know what business you have with Lord Oden?"

Adrian pointed to Yubashiri and Sleeve Snow beside him and casually explained.

"As a Swordsman, I have heard some legends about Kozuki Oden by chance, and thus I wish to learn from him."

Is this reasoning reasonable?

Very reasonable!

At least in Wano Country, where samurai are prevalent, this makes quite sense.

Neither Ashura Doji nor Raizo could utter a single word of refusal.

At this moment, Shimotsuki Yasuie stepped forward to smooth things over, saying with a smile.

"Mr. Tao Ya, didn't you say you wanted to go to Kuri to find the Swordsmith Tenguyama Hitetsu to exchange your sword for a Famous Sword? How about we postpone the challenge against Oden a little while?"

Shimotsuki Yasuie also didn't want this "conscientious sage" who had just informed his overseas clansmen of their information to fight against Kozuki Oden, whom he had always valued, within the borders of Wano Country.

However, Adrian simply waved his hand and said, "It's alright. If I were to switch swords at this moment, it might affect my performance. Besides, I usually use [Yubashiri] to fight, and I use Sleeve Snow less often."

"Besides, isn't Kozuki Oden the daimyo of Kuri? The Tenguyama Hitetsu Swordsmith also lives in the Kuri Region, so it just so happens to be on his way."

Now even the Shimotsuki Yasuie had nothing to say.

Ashura Doji and Raizo exchanged a glance and shook their heads helplessly.

At Adrian's insistence, Shimotsuki Yasuie and his entourage had no choice but to leave the Hakumai Palace in Hakumai and head towards Kuri in a grand procession.

Whether it's Kurozumi Orochi's men or the Beasts Pirates' spies, they're used to this kind of situation.

In the past two or three years, ever since Kozuki Oden agreed to the Promise made by Kurozumi Orochi and Kaido of the Beasts, promising to dance shirtless and wearing only a loincloth under Orochi Castle once a week, this has been happening all the time.

Even ordinary Commoner in Wano Country are used to this kind of situation.

When people saw Shimotsuki Yasuie, Ashura Doji, Raizo, and the others passing by, they were filled with emotion.

"These retainers of the Kozuki Family are truly persistent; they've even brought out Shimotsuki Yasuie again..."

"Everyone knows that that Fool Prince is completely beyond redemption..."

"Why won't His Shimotsuki Yasuie, give up...?"

The scattered words reached the ears of Shimotsuki Yasuie, Ashura Doji, and Raizo, making them all feel embarrassed. They looked at Adrian, only to see him with a completely calm expression.

Adrian couldn't care less about the opinions of the Commoner of Wano Country Kozuki Clan!

How should I put it?

Even if it's your own lord, you have to grit your teeth and endure it!

The group traveled very quickly, and soon they arrived at the Daimyo Palace in Kuri.

And Adrian finally met Kozuki Oden.

This is a tall, robust adult male, nearly four meters tall, with almond-shaped eyes and thick eyebrows. His black hair is gathered into a large, round shape on top of his head, resembling a black flat cap. He wears an orange kimono with a crescent moon pattern embroidered on the chest, and large purple-white shimenawa ropes are tied around his shoulders and waist. Two swords, [Ame no Habakiri] and [Enma], are strapped to his waist.

In his youth, Kozuki Oden was an unconventional, unrestrained, free-spirited, and willful person.

Logically speaking, after experiencing Whitebeard Pirates and the Roger Pirates, this guy's original free-spirited nature should have been amplified even more.

But what appeared before Adrian was just an ordinary middle-aged man with a calm face and serene eyes, who even exuded a sense of decadence.

"Another big shot who's lost his spirit?"

Adrian raised an eyebrow, utterly perplexed.

"But what reason could Kozuki Oden have to become like this? I just can't figure it out!"

"And it's also very strange, why would Kaido and imprisoned, tell Kozuki Oden Kozuki Toki that Wano Country would face a harsh winter, and that the person who defeated Kaido Wano Country would appear twenty years later?"

"It's as if he knows more about the future of Wano Country than his wife (Devil Fruit User)!"

At this moment, Ashura Doji and Raizo explained Adrian's purpose to Kozuki Oden.

"Did they defeat Kaido's 'Swordsman'?"

A flicker of interest crossed Kozuki Oden's eyes, but it quickly turned into an imperceptible sense of melancholy. He smiled and waved his hand.