A Tranquil Wano Country Before the Storm
Scattered patches of lush, ancient trees stood tall, their leaves rustling gently in the breeze. The golden sandy beach stretched along the coastline, kissed by the waves from time to time, creating a serene and picturesque scene.
In its prime, Wano Country was a land of unparalleled beauty. Birds chirped melodiously, flowers bloomed in vibrant colors, and the land was rich with resources. Its people lived in peace and abundance, untouched by the troubles of the outside world. However, this tranquility was shattered when Kurozumi Orochi and Kaido seized control. Under their oppressive rule, Wano gradually descended into a land of suffering, a living hell where despair reigned supreme.
But at this moment in time, none of that had happened yet.
Kaido had yet to arrive, and the land retained its pristine beauty. As the ship docked at the shores of Kuri, the crew disembarked, taking a moment to admire the unspoiled landscape. After a brief pause, they moved swiftly, securing the ship in a hidden cove before venturing inland.
Although Wano remained an isolated nation, its reputation as a land of powerful samurai and rich traditions had reached far beyond its borders. Curiosity gripped the newcomers as they took their first steps onto the island.
Just as they were about to move deeper into the forest—
CLANG!
The distant clash of metal echoed through the air, followed by an immense surge of Haoshoku Haki that rippled across the land like a violent storm!
"A Conqueror's Haki clash?"
"Could it be Captain Caesar? Or someone else?"
Caesar's crew, composed mainly of seasoned warriors adept in Kenbunshoku Haki, instantly recognized the overwhelming force in the air. They halted in their tracks, their expressions shifting to shock and intrigue.
In the world of the strongest, only a select few wielded the power of Conqueror's Haki. The presence of two such individuals locked in combat meant that a battle of titanic proportions was unfolding.
Brad, the burly and straightforward fighter, looked stunned. "That's some serious Conqueror's Haki… Who the hell is fighting in Wano?!"
Caesar, however, seemed to realize something. His eyes widened, a smirk forming at the corner of his lips. Turning toward the source of the powerful gusts, he muttered:
"Could it be...?"
---
Chapter 205: "Goodbye Whitebeard, A Shocking Battle"
At another port in Kuri, the Moby Dick had just made landfall—but not in the most graceful manner.
Whitebeard, standing at the bow, wore a puzzled expression. The sea had just played a cruel trick on them.
After successfully scaling the waterfall to enter Wano, the ship was suddenly caught in a powerful whirlpool, spinning out of control. The mighty vessel was wrecked and washed ashore by the turbulent waves.
"Oyaji, what do we do now?"
A young man with spiky yellow hair—Izo—sat cross-legged on a rock, chuckling at the absurdity of their crash landing. To him, the whole ordeal was more amusing than troublesome.
Whitebeard sighed, scanning the unfamiliar coastline. "First, we gather supplies. Food, fresh water, materials to repair the ship... We also need to figure out what kind of place this is."
As he spoke, his sharp instincts flared. His eyes flickered toward a nearby ridge, where two figures in tattered kimonos had been silently observing them.
The moment they realized they had been noticed, the two quickly turned and disappeared into the forest.
Before long, those same two samurai arrived at the residence of Kozuki Sukiyaki, the current shogun of Wano, urgently reporting what they had seen.
---
The Meeting of Legends
Back at the shore, Whitebeard was overseeing his crew when his expression suddenly hardened. He turned toward the jungle, gripping his naginata, Murakumogiri, with both hands.
From beyond the mountain ridge, an immense presence surged forth—an aura so overwhelming that even the great Edward Newgate felt the need to be on guard.
"Tch... This could be bad."
"Everyone, fall back!"
The Whitebeard Pirates instantly obeyed, retreating several paces as a formidable warrior emerged from the foliage.
The man was a towering samurai, clad in a loose kimono patterned with golden flames. His wild black hair and sharp, untamed eyes burned with excitement. Twin blades rested at his waist—Enma and Ame no Habakiri—both radiating a menacing aura.
"Hahaha! You made it through the storm, climbed the waterfall, and still landed here in one piece?" the man bellowed, his deep laughter shaking the air. "Well done!"
Whitebeard narrowed his eyes. "This guy..."
There was no mistaking it.
This was Kozuki Oden, Daimyo of Kuri—the man who would one day carve his name into history.
Without hesitation, Oden unsheathed both swords in one swift motion and charged at Whitebeard!
Whitebeard responded immediately, shifting into a combat stance. With a powerful swing, Murakumogiri gleamed under the sunlight, exuding an immense pressure.
CLASH!
The moment their blades met, a terrifying shockwave erupted, splitting the very sky. The ground trembled violently, the ocean behind them calming unnaturally as if in submission to the force of the impact.
Red and black lightning crackled through the air—an unmistakable sign of Conqueror's Haki-infused attacks.
From the nearby coastline, Caesar and his crew could feel the sheer power radiating from the battle. Caesar's face darkened with realization.
"I knew it... This is the first clash between Whitebeard and Oden!"
For the rest of his crew, the identities of the two combatants were unclear. Even Gnaly and Brad—who had once spent time on Whitebeard's ship—could only vaguely recognize one of the signatures.
But for Caesar, there was no doubt.
Unable to contain his excitement, he vanished from his spot, rocketing into the sky at an incredible speed.
As he soared toward the battlefield, he finally saw them with his own eyes—two legends clashing in the heat of battle.
---
An Unstoppable Duel
At the heart of the battlefield, the intensity of the battle grew fiercer. Oden laughed wildly as he launched a rapid series of slashes, his attacks unpredictable and relentless.
Whitebeard, unfazed, countered with precise swings of Murakumogiri, each strike backed by his monstrous Gura Gura no Mi power.
Metal clashed against metal, sparks flying in all directions. The battlefield trembled under the weight of their combined might.
Then, in an instant—
BOOM!
Whitebeard's fist struck forward, infused with his Devil Fruit's devastating shockwave. The impact sent Oden hurtling backward like a shooting star, crashing into the rocky terrain.
A stunned silence followed.
Oden's retainers, led by Kin'emon, rushed forward in shock. "Lord Oden!"
Despite the blow, Oden barely seemed fazed. Instead, he grinned ear to ear, wiping the dust from his face.
"You're even stronger than I imagined, old man!" he said, cracking his knuckles. "This is gonna be fun!"
Whitebeard exhaled, adjusting his stance. "You're a reckless one, aren't you?"
High above them, Caesar watched with burning excitement. "This... This is a fight worthy of legends!"
And so, the battle between Whitebeard and Kozuki Oden continued, shaking the very foundations of Wano itself.
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