Kouzuki Oden struggled to support his battered body, blood continuously seeping from the wound on his forehead and dripping down his cheeks to the ground. He tightly gripped the two renowned blades, Heavenly Feather Cutter and King of Hell, their edges gleaming coldly in the sunlight. Oden's gaze was fixed intently on the approaching Kaidou, his breathing becoming rapid and heavy.
"Who exactly are you?" Oden asked, enduring the intense pain, a trace of confusion in his voice. "We should be meeting for the first time, so why do you harbor such a strong killing intent toward me?"
At this moment, Kouzuki Oden finally realized that this formidable enemy before him was entirely focused on taking his life. He felt an unprecedented pressure, as if being targeted by a ferocious beast.
"Wororororo!" Kaidou let out his signature wild laugh, the sound echoing across the desolate battlefield. "Not too stupid. But..." His eyes suddenly sharpened, keen as blades. "If you want the answer, go ask the King of Hell!"
"Thunder Bagua!"
Kaidou's figure vanished instantly, his speed unbelievably fast. The Hassaikai in his hand was wrapped in dazzling lightning, crackling as it swung toward Oden with destructive force. The air was torn, emitting a sharp whistling sound.
"Oden Two-Sword Style · Gun · Apparition!"
Facing this lethal strike, Kouzuki Oden dared not show the slightest negligence, immediately unleashing his strongest sword technique to counter. His twin blades traced perfect arcs through the air, their gleam shining like meteors.
Boom!
Two immense forces collided once more, erupting in a deafening roar. The shockwave spread outward, kicking up clouds of dust. But this time, Kouzuki Oden was clearly at a disadvantage, forced back step by step, each foot leaving a deep imprint in the ground.
"You've gotten weaker!" Kaidou taunted, a scornful smirk curling his lips. He closed in again, the Hassaikai in his hand swinging like a storm, each blow carrying immense weight.
Kouzuki Oden could only retreat continuously, struggling to parry Kaidou's attacks. His arms began to go numb, his palms aching from the impact, but his survival instinct kept him from letting up.
"Kundali Dragon Swarm!"
Kaidou abruptly changed tactics, wrapping Conqueror's Haki around the Hassaikai and swinging it rapidly in all directions. The black Haki flowed like a tangible substance, forming an impenetrable net of attacks that completely sealed off all of Kouzuki Oden's escape routes. The air was thick with suffocating pressure.
"Damn it!"
Kouzuki Oden gritted his teeth, fine beads of sweat forming on his forehead. He knew there was no way out now; he had to stake everything on one final move.
"Oden Two-Sword Style · Peach Garden Ten Fists!"
He unleashed his ultimate technique in retaliation, his twin blades carving ten brilliant arcs of light through the air, as radiant as blooming cherry blossoms. However...
Crash!
The Hassaikai struck Kouzuki Oden squarely in the chest with a dull, heavy thud. The tremendous impact slammed him into the ground, blasting a crater several meters wide. Dust billowed, and debris scattered everywhere.
"Gah!" Kouzuki Oden spewed another mouthful of blood, his body convulsing painfully at the bottom of the crater. The blood stained his garments and dyed the surrounding earth crimson. His vision began to blur, everything before him turning hazy. Yet his will to survive kept his twin swords tightly gripped in his hands, his knuckles whitening from the strain.
"Oh? Still conscious? How tenacious!" Kaidou looked down from above at the dying Kouzuki Oden, a flicker of surprise in his eyes. He raised his Hassaikai, preparing to deliver the final blow.
At this critical moment...
"Yee-hee-hee!" An arrogant laugh cut through the battlefield's solemn atmosphere.
Kaidou frowned and turned toward the source of the sound, saying impatiently, "I said, old woman, what are you doing here now? Don't get in my way."
Hearing Kaidou's words and that grating laughter, Kouzuki Oden strained to turn his head. Through the swirling dust, he finally made out the newcomers—four members of the Kurozumi family: Kurozumi Orochi, Kurozumi Kanjuro, Kurozumi Higurashi, and Kurozumi Semimaru.
He didn't recognize Kurozumi Higurashi and Kurozumi Semimaru, but the appearance of the other two made his eyes widen in shock.
Kurozumi Orochi, who often borrowed money from him, was no stranger, and Kurozumi Kanjuro was even more familiar—he was one of his own retainers!
"Kurozumi Orochi, Kurozumi Kanjuro, you?!" Kouzuki Oden's voice trembled with disbelief, unable to trust his own eyes.
"Gu-ho-ho-ho! Damn Kouzuki Oden, so this is your fate!" Kurozumi Orochi burst into excited laughter at the sight of Kouzuki Oden's miserable state, his voice filled with twisted delight. His obese body shook with each laugh, his face contorted into a terrifying grimace.
"Yee-hee-hee! Kaidou, don't be like that. After all, this is the enemy of our Kurozumi family. We must witness his end with our own eyes!" Kurozumi Higurashi said to Kaidou, her voice grating like metal scraping. A sinister smile spread across her wrinkled face.
Turning to Kouzuki Oden, her eyes gleaming with hatred, she declared, "Kouzuki Oden, the time for the Kurozumi family's revenge has come."
"The Kurozumi family... I see." Hearing that name and connecting it with their surnames, Kouzuki Oden instantly understood everything. With great effort, he lifted his head to look at Kaidou. "So you're their hired reinforcement? No wonder you tried to kill me at our first meeting."
"That's right, damn Kouzuki family!" Kurozumi Orochi waved his arms excitedly, spittle flying. "Do you know how much I've suffered since childhood? Today is your retribution!" His eyes brimmed with the thrill of vengeance, as if years of hatred were finally being unleashed.
Kurozumi Kanjuro stood silently nearby, watching his former master with an expressionless face. His gaze was chillingly indifferent, as if looking at a complete stranger.
"Kouzuki Oden, don't expect anyone to help you. I've deceived all your retainers into going elsewhere, and this area has been sealed off. No one will come to save you." Kurozumi Kanjuro's words shattered the last shred of hope in Kouzuki Oden's heart.
Kouzuki Oden's heart sank to the depths. He realized he was not only facing the formidable enemy Kaidou but also confronting the betrayal of his most trusted retainer. Despair began to spread.
Then, dragging his severely wounded body with great difficulty, Kouzuki Oden struggled to his feet. "If this is my end, let me die on the path of battle!" he declared, staggering toward Kaidou.
"Thunder Bagua!"
Kaidou's merciless Hassaikai was the response to Kouzuki Oden's charge.