Pain and Reno had not expected their organization to be noticed by the World Government so quickly, with CP0 ordered to investigate them.
Our perspective returns to the dueling ground of Pain and Oden.
Pain watched the slash heading towards the Preta Path, which then transformed into a waterfall-like blade of light mid-air. Knowing this move could not be taken head-on, he used his will to instantly turn the Preta Path's body into sand, dodging Oden's attack.
After solidifying his body, he casually threw a "Sandstorm" towards Oden's position. A sand tornado instantly formed, carrying a slight suction force, intending to pull Oden into the vortex.
However, in a duel between masters, "Sandstorm," a crowd-damaging ability, was effective against small fry but like a fart against a master like Oden—the smell dissipates, and it's gone, leaving no impact on Oden. Pain knew in his heart that "Sandstorm" would not affect Oden; using the Preta Path to cast "Sandstorm" was merely a probing attack.
Oden was not affected by the "Sandstorm." The moment the sand tornado appeared, Oden used his ability to hear all things to evade in advance, as if the sand was telling him, "I will attack you at this location," and he quickly counterattacked.
Although Oden was curious why the deceased Crocodile would appear beside Pain and fight for him, in battle, a strong person is called strong because he only does what a strong person should do. In battle, he would not be distracted or let other matters influence his judgment.
Oden quickly adjusted his movements, approaching the Preta Path with a few leaps, seemingly preparing for close-quarters combat. Oden's twin blades danced rapidly in his hands, forcing the Preta Path to either dodge or turn its body into sand to evade and then counterattack.
Oden, concealing his strength, exchanged blows with the Preta Path, neither able to gain an advantage over the other. This exchange lasted for about ten minutes.
Seeing that such attacks could not harm the opponent, and also wanting to see the opponent's full extent, Oden instantly changed his tactics, unleashing a series of deadly killing moves.
Oden held "ame no habakiri" horizontally in his left hand and pointed "Enma" directly at the Preta Path with his right. A powerful Qi current appeared centered on Oden, carrying a massive demonic Qi, as if Yama was claiming a life.
"Oden Two-Sword Style. Demonic Incarnation!"
As soon as the words fell, a giant ghost-like shadow rose behind Oden, adopting the same combat stance as Oden, holding vastly enlarged "ame no habakiri" and "Enma." With a wave of its hands, a horizontal and vertical blade of light, spanning the entire dueling ground, instantly slashed in all directions from Oden's center.
Facing the powerful killing move unleashed by Oden, Pain had already sensed its might when Oden was gathering his strength. Confronted with an attack that could reach all blind spots, Pain chose not to turn his body into sand to evade, because he knew in his heart that even a sand body would be cut by such a multi-directional attack.
A sand body is not invincible; if the sand in the sand body is attacked, the main body will still be injured, and if it is annihilated, the body will suffer a loss. Since turning into sand couldn't avoid it, Pain chose to have the Preta Path endure it. The Preta Path retreated to Pain's side, and "Sealing Technique Absorption Seal" was instantly released. A curtain of light enveloped Pain and the Preta Path. Pain's original intention was to test the current endurance limit of the Preta Path.
Reno had sensed trouble when Oden was gathering his strength and, forcing his body, flashed back to the ship. He looked back at the distant dueling ground, where the sound of explosions from the massive energy collision caused sand and stones to fly in all directions, like a small nuclear bomb exploding. He couldn't help but break out in a cold sweat, realizing he had underestimated Oden.
Although Pain and the Preta Path, at the center of the explosion, managed to activate "Sealing Technique Absorption Seal" in time, the Preta Path's Sealing Technique Absorption Seal couldn't fully withstand Oden's move. As the absorbed damage from "Sealing Technique Absorption Seal" approached its critical limit, Pain, to prevent the Preta Path from being overwhelmed by excessive energy, chose to have the Preta Path instantly turn into sand to evade before reaching the critical point. Pain, at the crucial moment, summoned a Summoned Beast to take the damage.
The sandstorm filled the air, gradually settling into calm. The Preta Path's clothes were completely shredded, and the body beneath was covered in tiny cracks. If it had been the living Crocodile, this attack would have clearly incapacitated him.
Looking at Pain, he stood proudly atop the Summoned Beast's head, his clothes flapping in the wind. The Summoned Beast beneath him was covered in wounds, but none were fatal. Oden looked up at the two individuals and one beast still standing, his heart already acknowledging Pain's strength.
Anyone who could withstand that move would need at least "King" level strength to do so. In Oden's eyes, the Pain before him, as well as the strengthened Crocodile, possessed "King" level strength. Seeing Pain's still youthful face, being able to withstand his killing move at such an age was even more remarkable.
Thinking this, Oden believed his goal had been achieved. Although he could tell Pain hadn't used his full power, he could still estimate Pain's current approximate strength. To possess such strength at such an age, if not for being besieged by multiple forces simultaneously, he would already have a foundation in this chaotic world, and his future achievements would be limitless.
Pain stood atop the Summoned Beast, looking at Oden. Seeing that Oden wasn't attacking again, Pain also remained still and directly asked.
"Are we still fighting?"
"No, no..."
"Truly, the younger generation is formidable..."
"Hahahaha..."
"These old bones can't take much more, you know."
Oden stroked his disc-like hair, laughing as he replied.
"Since we're not fighting, let's get to the main point. Tell me what you know," Pain said.
Oden also believed that Pain possessed the strength to know the truth, and it was time to tell him everything he knew. Pain's strength had earned Oden's approval.
Furthermore, Pain remained expressionless during Oden's self-introduction, which indicated that Pain knew nothing about his Family's affairs and was unaware of the immense impact the news of Oden's survival would have on this world.
Since that was the case, it was better to tell Pain all the information and let these young people worry about the rest. Next, Oden unreservedly told Pain everything he knew about his Family, the origin of the poneglyphs, the three Ancient Weapons, and other related information, only omitting his own experiences. He also reiterated his request.
Pain listened quietly to the information Oden shared, slowly processing it, his expression gradually becoming solemn, his brows deeply furrowed. Only when Oden mentioned his request did Pain raise a question.
"What is your dream?"
Pain asked this question because he realized that the information Oden shared was extremely important to this world and to himself. Pain was curious what kind of dream could match such important information, hence the question.
"The creation of the Ancient Weapon Pluton must be realized by my hand, and the other two Ancient Weapons must also be unveiled by me," Oden replied. Oden made his earlier request for the sake of his dream. He intended to avenge himself against Kaido and Orochi.
After Oden escaped, he made extensive inquiries and learned of his wife's sacrifice for the entire Family, and the fate of his wife and daughter. He also knew that Momonosuke and a group of loyal retainers had been sent twenty years into the future by his wife, but he was unsure of Momonosuke and the retainers' current location in the world. However, Oden believed they were all alive. Oden believed that as long as there was life, there was hope; as long as they were alive, they would meet; and as long as they were alive, revenge would surely be exacted.
Oden's request and dream were beneficial to Pain, with no downsides. Without much thought, Pain agreed to Kozuki Oden's request.
"I agree to your request... but if you want to follow us, you must join my organization... if there are no problems..."
"Follow me..."
After Pain finished speaking, he recalled his Summoned Beast and, taking the Preta Path, turned and left, regardless of whether Oden would follow.
But Pain believed that Oden would surely come.
To be continued...