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Beyond the waterfall, a pitch-black cavern appeared before everyone.
Thanks to Kuina's slash, the massive waterfall had been split down the middle, making the hidden passage even more visible.
"There's a cave! There are people inside—and a whole fleet! Is this the route into Wano Country?"
The Marines widened their eyes, staring hard at the dark entrance ahead. Wano's geography towered far above sea level, and the massive waterfall before them was a natural marvel.
The rushing water pouring from above created a powerful and chaotic current, making it nearly impossible for any ship to sail upstream.
"Secure the passage," Arashi said in a low voice, activating his Den Den Mushi. "If we want to enter Wano, this cave is the key."
Almost instantly, his orders spread throughout the fleet. On both flanks, five battleships led by vice admirals charged ahead.
The waterfall, split by Kuina's blade, now surged once more, threatening to obscure the passage again.
Just then, a figure leapt from the ship's bow.
"Ice Age!"
A deep and stern voice rang out. In the blink of an eye, the massive waterfall froze solid. The frigid air spread rapidly, halting the rushing waters in place.
From a distance, a gleaming silver-white frozen waterfall shimmered under the light, leaving the onlookers stunned.
"So this is the power of a Marine admiral?" Kozuki Oden murmured, overwhelmed by the divine-like sight before him.
Ship after ship began sailing into the dark cave. Moments later, sounds of cannon fire echoed through the cavern, followed by silence.
When Arashi's flagship, the Thunder, arrived, the Marines had already secured the front line of the passage.
Amid a flash of golden light, a figure landed before Arashi. "This is the Subport Cavern of the waterfall," said Kizaru.
"If we want to enter Wano, we'll need to use the cable lift. But the upper side is still under Kaido's control. Getting them to cooperate won't be easy."
"A cable lift, huh?" Arashi said with a faint smile. "We may not need it."
He scanned the cavern-turned-port, where the charred remains of pirate ships still burned.
Dozens of corpses lay on the rocky ground, and a massive platform with thick cables stretched toward the sky.
The lift was used to transport goods and people up into Wano—an improvised elevator system.
Though the Marines now controlled the port below, the area above remained enemy territory.
"Oh? And what method does our fleet admiral have in mind?" Kizaru asked curiously.
In the next instant, his eyes widened in shock. With just a light tap of Arashi's right foot, the Thunder trembled, then slowly rose from the water, floating into the air.
"This is…?!" Kizaru gasped.
"The Float-Float Fruit," someone explained calmly. Surrounding the Thunder, more than twenty other warships began to rise, one by one, lifting into the air.
"When did you even manage to—!" Kizaru began, stunned.
"If we're going to wage war in Wano, I have to prepare for everything," Arashi replied.
"Anything I've touched becomes something I can control. Preparing this much ahead of time was the obvious move."
Above them, sunlight filtered through a crack in the cave's ceiling. Over twenty warships slowly rose toward the gap, ascending into the skies above.
"Of course, I haven't touched every ship. There's no need to turn the entire fleet into an air squadron," Arashi said calmly.
"I've only sent our most elite combat forces ahead. Once we break through Kaido's defensive line and secure the Subport, the rest of our forces will follow without issue."
He paused, then added casually, "Besides, the new air squadron we formed didn't travel with us. They're entering Wano from above."
Kizaru fell silent, deeply impressed by Arashi's precise planning. The route into Wano left no room for error.
Above the Subport, a small harbour bustled with crates, cargo, and pirates in horned helmets.
A pirate holding a Den Den Mushi barked angrily, "What the hell's going on down there? Why aren't they answering me?"
"Kaido-sama said this is a critical time—we can't afford mistakes! Those idiots are probably drinking again!"
This wasn't the first time communication had gone silent. It had happened repeatedly.
"Could it be an enemy attack?" someone asked, growing uneasy. The atmosphere felt… wrong.
In the past, even during silence, there was snoring or muttering. This time, there was only silence.
"Enemy attack? Don't be ridiculous!" the pirate scoffed.
"You know how complicated Wano's terrain is? Even another Yonko couldn't get in without Kaido-sama's approval."
"They'd have to charge up that deadly waterfall—or come up via this port, which we control."
He sneered. "Or do you think the enemy can fly?"
The other pirates burst into laughter. But the next second, those laughs froze.
A white Marine flag bearing an anchor snapped in the wind, glinting brightly as it rose before their eyes.
Then—one after another—dozens of warships emerged from below, floating effortlessly upward.
"M-M-Marines?!" the pirate stammered, Den Den Mushi in hand.
The port exploded in chaos. This absurd, unbelievable sight stunned them to the core. The Marines had appeared—grandeur and overwhelming power personified.
"Kaido Pirates!"
A golden flash erupted into the sky, forcing everyone to shut their eyes.
"Yasakani no Magatama!"
A chilling voice echoed in their ears. Countless golden light bullets rained down like a storm.
"It's Admiral Kizaru!!"
Panic swept the port. The golden beams pierced through the pirates and exploded into blazing fire.
"Charge!! Justice will prevail!!"
In the blink of an eye, countless Marines leapt from the hovering warships, blades and rifles in hand, charging into battle.
Arashi stood with arms crossed, quietly watching the scene unfold. The Marines quickly secured the upper harbour with overwhelming strength, leaving no room for resistance.
Once the battle ended, the air squadron appeared overhead.
"To reach Onigashima, we'll need more ships," said Kozuki Oden, his voice trembling with emotion. "Wano's inner islands are surrounded by water—we'll have to sail between them."
"Don't rush, Oden," Arashi said with a smile. "We're in Kuri, aren't we?"
At the mention of the name, Oden's body tensed.
"Don't you want to take a look?" Arashi continued. "Besides, our fleet needs supplies—and you're the only one who can make it happen."
His voice was low, serious, and heavy with responsibility. He wasn't joking.
After a long voyage, the Marine fleet was critically low on rations.
Food had been rationed, water tightly conserved, and some soldiers were already showing signs of scurvy. Simply put, the fleet was in dire need of rest and resupply.
And that could only be accomplished with Kozuki Oden's help, rallying the samurai of Wano to aid the Marines.
"Me…?" Oden muttered, understanding Arashi's meaning. But hesitation clouded his face.
"I've been gone for so long. Can I do it?"
Once, his name had commanded deep respect. As the Daimyo of Kuri, he could summon warriors from all over Wano.
But now, his loyal retainers had long since scattered, and the world had nearly forgotten his legacy.
"You can do it," Arashi said, placing a firm hand on his shoulder. "You're Kozuki Oden, after all."
His gaze was sharp, severe, and almost commanding.
In a war of this scale, failing to resupply could spell disaster. No matter how powerful the top fighters were, the condition of the rank-and-file soldiers was just as vital.
Oden's breath caught. Somehow, under Arashi's gaze, a surge of strength welled up inside him.
"I'll do my best!" he declared, drawing a deep breath. Then, with furrowed brows, he began thinking of how to rally the samurai of Wano to their cause.
Meanwhile, the Marines continued to stabilise the upper harbour, using the cable lift to hoist the lower warships up one by one. It was a time-consuming task, but one that could not be rushed.
At that moment, Arashi and the others had more pressing matters to attend to.
"Kuri used to be a lawless land," Kuina said solemnly. "But after Kozuki Oden's reforms, it became a peaceful haven—for a time."
"After Oden's death—or disappearance and Orochi became Shogun of Wano, Kuri began to decline."
"Kaido's factories, located throughout the land, polluted the rivers and fields. Now, there's a lack of food and fresh water. The common folk can't even feed themselves."
She glanced at Oden, clearly speaking from the account he had shared.
Rosinante followed up in a steady voice, "But we suspect that many former samurai in Kuri have laid down their swords. They now live in hiding, waiting… waiting for the return of the Kozuki Clan to reclaim what was lost."
Those words made Oden tremble and clench his fists. Yes—there were surely others in Wano waiting for him. Waiting for the Kozuki family's return.
This time, he wasn't coming back alone. He brought with him the full might of the Marines.
Perhaps this was the moment Wano had been waiting for—the perfect opportunity to open its borders, a dream nurtured for centuries.
"If we can rally those samurai and gain their help in gathering supplies, then after a short period of rest, we can launch a full-scale assault on Onigashima—capture Kaido and the rest in one swift strike, and rescue Vice Admiral Garp and Fleet Admiral Sengoku!" Smoker said with grim resolve.
Arashi stood silently nearby, listening with quiet satisfaction. Watching those he had once considered rookies now lead with confidence as seasoned commanders… Time truly was terrifying.
At his level, most decisions no longer required his direct involvement. His subordinates would deliberate, decide, and report the result.
If it was viable, he'd approve it. Others would carry out the execution. Moments later, the Marines' next move was finalised.
"Move at full speed. Eliminate Kaido, Orochi, and their forces in Kuri. Secure the region."
Arashi signed his name at the bottom of a brief order.
The Marines acted faster than anyone could have imagined. Even Kozuki Oden was caught off guard.
Within just two days, the entire region of Kuri had fallen under Marine control.
"Who are these people? They drove out Kaido and Orochi's forces! They don't look like they're from Wano…"
In a tattered village, residents peered cautiously out of their homes at the uniformed Marines stationed in the streets.
"They're Marines," said an old man with a grave expression. "They're outsiders."
"Marines? The ones who oppose pirates?" a young girl asked.
"I only know Ace was a pirate, but he was a good guy. Kaido is a pirate too, but he's a bad one. Are the Marines bad people?"
"O-Tama, this isn't a place for you," the old man warned. "We don't know yet whether these people are friend or foe. To the people of Kuri, it's still unclear. But…"
His tone turned even more serious. "Outsiders have suddenly appeared in Wano. It's a shock, no doubt about it. One thing's for sure—something big is about to happen."
Since Kaido's crew entered Wano and Orochi took power, the two had ruled everything.
Now, with the sudden arrival of this new force, it was uncertain whether this was a blessing or a curse—but change was inevitable.
"For years, the Marines have never stepped foot in Wano," the old man muttered. "What could their arrival mean?"
Suddenly, the Marines at the end of the alley snapped to attention. Their previously relaxed stance instantly turned sharp and disciplined.
"Vice Admiral Oden!"
"Sir!"
"Per your orders, we've secured every street and alley. We are actively pursuing and eliminating any remnants of Kaido and Orochi's forces."
The commanding voice rang out clearly. The villagers immediately withdrew their heads from sight. The commanding officer had arrived.
But the old man's grave expression froze, completely petrified.
"O… Oden?!"
The familiar name caused him to tremble. He stared toward the alleyway with hope in his eyes, sensing a powerful presence approaching step by step.
O-Tama, confused, noticed her teacher's eyes welling with tears.
The next instant, her gaze was fixed on a tall, imposing figure—a man of immense stature, nearly five or six meters tall, with flames dancing behind his head.
He wore the white uniform of the Marines, a cloak of justice draped behind him. But unlike others, he wore wooden clogs.
"You've done well," the man said in a deep voice. "Remember—do not harm the civilians. Any such act will be punished under military law."
O-Tama was amazed. Her teacher's eyes now shimmered with tears. And then—
The old man lunged forward in a blur. In the blink of an eye, he stood before Vice Admiral Oden.
"It's you! It's you!! Kozuki Oden!!!"
His voice boomed across the street like a thunderclap, shocking everyone nearby.
It was a name that awakened memories long buried—of Wano's strongest samurai, the daimyo of Kuri, and scion of the famed Kozuki Clan.
Oden waved aside the officers standing in front of him.
"It's all right," he said calmly. He looked at the old man, and at just a glance, the elder trembled all over.
"You're alive! You're still alive!"
They spoke at the same time—and then embraced tightly, crying aloud.
The people of Amigasa Village were stunned. Even the nearby Marines exchanged puzzled looks.
Although they'd never seen Vice Admiral Oden in action, they could tell from the respect shown by Kuina, Smoker, and Buggy that this man held deep authority.
But the scene before them raised a new question: was Vice Admiral Oden… from Wano? The sound of their weeping echoed down the street, adding to everyone's confusion.
After some time, the two finally released each other. Oden looked at the old man with mixed emotions. Then, he dropped to his knees and bowed deeply.
"I've come home!!"
The old man—Kozuki Sukiyaki—stared silently at his son. He didn't know what his son had experienced over the years. But from the Marine uniform, he could begin to guess.
"You vanished from the world for nearly twenty years… and now you return with a full Marine force. Oden, what have you come back to do?"
There was a flicker of hope in his voice.
"To do what…?" Oden echoed. Then his eyes sharpened with resolve.
"To wash away my past shame. To destroy the enemies I once failed to defeat. To restore peace to Wano's skies."
Sukiyaki trembled. "That power of yours…"
"This Marine operation isn't just about me," Oden said. "But right now, we need help."
Sukiyaki was briefly stunned.
That same day, in Kuri Castle, countless villagers flooded the plaza, their eyes wide with excitement and curiosity. Many were dressed in tattered rags, long burdened by poverty and hopelessness.
But now, if one looked closely, they had light in their eyes.
"It's Kozuki Oden. It is him!! The strongest samurai in Wano—the daimyo of Kuri—he's back!"
The plaza erupted in cheers. Surrounding the area were stern-faced Marines holding the line.
But no one paid them any mind, because news had already spread: Kozuki Oden now held a significant position within the Marines, and these soldiers had arrived with him.
Past the crowded square, in its heart, one lone figure knelt on the ground, head pressed low to the earth.
Slowly, he raised his head. Even while kneeling, his towering height made him eye-level with an average man.
"I am Kozuki Oden," he said, his voice solemn. "A sinner of Wano."
His words echoed across the plaza. The chaos faded into silence. Farmers with brands on their arms clenched their fists, tears welling in their eyes.
"I didn't die!" Oden declared. "By a twist of fate, I survived—and became a Marine, as you see before you. I have returned to this country with guilt, anger, and hope."
He paused, then spoke with steel in his voice and fire in his gaze.
"This time, I cast aside the foolishness and dreams I once clung to. I will drive every last enemy out of our homeland!"
A beat of silence. Then the plaza erupted into thunderous roars.
"Drive out Kaido!! Protect Wano!! Support Oden! Support the Kozuki Clan!!"
The atmosphere became so heated that it was nearly uncontrollable. In a quiet corner of the square, several figures stood watching.
"The will of the people is power," someone said. "Oden rallying the people is the best possible move."
"With them behind us, Kuri's citizens will be our greatest strength."
"And don't forget—those hidden samurai among the crowd... they won't stay silent for long," said Bullet, standing behind Arashi.
Kuzan, Kizaru, and the others nodded in agreement.
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