Thirty-six years ago, the battle between Rocks, the Overlord of the Sea, and the twin emperors was raging in full force.
Each sky-shattering strike sent shockwaves across the seas, shaking Naval Headquarters to its very foundations.
Under the combined onslaught of the two top emperors, even Rocks — feared as the Overlord of the Sea — was beginning to falter.
"Well, well! So this is all you've got, Captain Rocks!"
Big Mom, Charlotte Linlin, roared with laughter, her voice booming like thunder.
"Hmph, looks like it's about time to wrap this up, Linlin. Let's use that move!"
Kaido of the Beasts grinned wickedly, baring his sharp teeth.
"Well, well, yes! Let's end this battle with our strongest attack! If you die under this move, you'll have nothing to be ashamed of, Captain Rocks!"
Linlin's laughter echoed as she lifted her massive blade high.
Big Mom's sentient sword Napoleon rose over her head, its Homie spirit blazing.
At the same time, Kaido of the Beasts hefted his colossal spiked mace skyward.
Crackle!
Boom!
Black and red Conqueror's Haki lightning spiraled around them like a living storm, their combined power distorting the very air.
This was the ultimate combination attack of the two Four Emperors—
Its name… Bahai!
"Hahahaha! Come on then, Kaido! Linlin! I'll take it all! Whatever doesn't kill me will make me stronger!"
The Overlord of the Sea, Rocks, bellowed with wild laughter.
Even in the face of the deadliest combined assault of two emperors, he stood tall — fearless, unflinching, refusing to dodge or defend.
"Well, well, well!"
"Oooooooooooo!"
Big Mom and Kaido laughed in unison, their auras bursting forth like twin storms.
The world itself seemed to tremble as they prepared to unleash their cataclysmic strike.
And then—
At the most critical moment—
Something went wrong.
"AAAAAAAHHHHH!"
The fearsome Kaido of the Beasts suddenly screamed in agony.
The terrifying aura he had been building up shattered instantly.
"Mr. Kaido! What's wrong?!"
Ember, the Calamity of Flames, shouted in alarm.
"Kaido! What the hell are you doing?! You're throwing everything off!"
Big Mom snarled in frustration, her brows knitting.
"Look over there—who is that man?"
"I don't know, but he looks incredible!"
"When did that guy even appear?"
"Could it be... like the Pirate King Roger and Rocks himself—another resurrected undead?"
"Wait! Look at his clothes—he's dressed like... a samurai!?"
Voices erupted across the battlefield as both Marines and pirates shouted in confusion and fear.
Crash!
A fierce gust swept away the smoke and debris, revealing the identity of the mysterious third "undead."
From deep within Kaido's memories, a figure emerged — a man from his past who could make even the Beast Emperor tremble.
He wore a strange, pot-shaped headpiece, an orange kimono hanging loosely over his frame.
On the fabric, a crescent moon pattern shimmered faintly.
A massive purple-and-white shimenawa rope was tied across his shoulders and waist.
"Oden!!!"
Kaido's scream tore through the sky as recognition dawned.
The samurai Oden!
Kozuki Oden!
The legendary swordsman of Wano Country — Kozuki Oden!
Eighteen years ago, Kozuki Oden's twin-sword style had carved indelible scars into Kaido's dragon form — wounds that, even after more than a decade, had never fully healed, still throbbing with phantom pain.
Before Sugisawa Yuuto appeared, Kozuki Oden had been the single greatest shadow in Kaido's heart — his most haunting fear.
And now, eighteen years later…
The man who should have been long dead — burned and executed — had returned.
The shock alone was enough to shake Kaido's soul.
Even Rocks, the Overlord of the Sea, faltered for a brief instant.
"Oden! That's Kozuki Oden of Wano Country!"
Ember, recognizing the samurai's identity, narrowed his eyes in disbelief.
He, too, had fought in the invasion of Wano eighteen years ago — and the legendary swordsman had left a deep impression on him.
On the other side of the battlefield, Kaido's scream had spread like wildfire.
The Marines and pirates alike began to shout:
"Oden… it's really Oden!"
In an instant, the name Kozuki Oden echoed across the entire battlefield.