Chapter 426: Kozuki Oden vs. Charlotte (Part 1)

Chapter 426: Kozuki Oden vs. Charlotte (Part 1)

"My lord, run!"

Within a sea of flames, several Wano samurai shouted as they covered Kurozumi Orochi's retreat into the forest.

"Damn it! Damn it all!"

Orochi cursed, hopping in frustration. The flames behind him seemed to have eyes, following his every step.

Above, the massive dragon in the sky howled as it descended.

Seven years ago, he'd once allied with a dragon…

Now, he was being hunted by one.

Was this karma?

He refused to believe it.

---

High in the sky—

"Ugh, how boring. Time to wrap this up."

Caesar yawned mid-air before swooping down at the fleeing group.

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

Fireballs rained down, exploding among the samurai.

Screams echoed as men were engulfed in flames.

Even Caesar flinched.

"Tch… might as well burn them faster—less pain for them."

Eventually, Caesar sheathed his weapon, returning with a severed head in hand.

"Dad! Brought back Kurozumi Orochi's head for you!"

He strode into the hall, holding the grisly trophy.

Charlotte gave it a brief glance.

"Hang it in the streets of Udon. Let it serve as a warning."

Caesar muttered under his breath.

Slave driver…

Still, he left and publicly hung Orochi's head.

Wano's citizens, upon seeing it, fell into despair.

Ironically, Charlotte found the people of Udon were living better under his rule than they had under the daimyo or shogun…

So why did they still support Orochi?

He didn't understand.

But if they wouldn't act like citizens—then they could act like slaves.

That day, the Rockefeller Pirates moved out.

Everyone found to have supported Orochi was rounded up and forced to work in Udon's quarry—

Until death.

This decree crushed all remaining resistance.

Fear blanketed Wano.

The people became quiet—obedient.

"Disgusting cowardice," Caesar spat.

---

Time passed.

Charlotte was inspecting the market in Udon when he suddenly felt a familiar aura rising beyond Wano's borders.

"…He's back."

Charlotte stood still, sensing it.

"Sound the alert. Prepare for combat."

He left the quarry.

No one questioned his command.

Moments later—the alarm blared across Wano.

Kozuki Oden had returned.

---

At the harbor—

"Is that… Lord Oden?"

A ragged man on the docks gasped, his voice uncertain.

"You're… Ajun?"

Oden narrowed his eyes—then recognized him.

"Lord Oden!!"

The man burst into tears, running over and falling to his knees.

"Please save Wano!"

"Stand up."

Oden helped him up, confused.

"…What's going on here?"

Why were samurai in rags, working the docks like peasants?

Ajun choked through sobs as he explained everything that had happened.

"You're saying… Orochi is already dead?"

"Yes. His head is hanging in Udon."

Oden closed his eyes silently.

His hatred for the usurper… faded.

"…Charlotte. You will pay."

He opened his eyes, murderous intent flashing.

---

"Oh? And how do you plan to make me pay?"

A voice echoed from the distance.

Charlotte had arrived.

The Red Scabbards immediately prepared for battle.

Oden gazed at the approaching figure.

"I once thought… we could be friends."

His hands moved to his swords.

"But you destroyed my home."

Oden drew both swords and dashed forward.

CLASH!

Charlotte's Seven-Star Sword met the strike.

Two waves of Haki collided in mid-air—

Exploding into a shockwave that uprooted nearby trees and sent a gale howling through the land.

---

"So I let you down, huh?"

Charlotte smirked and slashed again.

A strike wrapped in Conqueror's Haki roared toward Oden.

"Oden Two-Sword Style: Servant Spirit!"

A reddish aura coated Oden's blades.

He charged forward, ignoring the slash and closing the distance instantly.

"Oden Two-Sword Style: Paradise Totsuka!"

His twin blades—Ame no Habakiri and Enma—crackled with Conqueror's Haki, slashing down!

CLANG!

Charlotte raised his sword, now glowing with black lightning.

The two powers clashed again.

BOOM!

The sky itself split—clouds tearing apart like the heavens cracking open.

---

In Udon, civilians looked up in horror.

"Is the sky… torn open?!"

"God is angry!!"

Many fled in panic.

At the port, raw power swirled around Oden and Charlotte.

The Red Scabbards dug in, barely resisting the force.

Some jammed weapons into the ground to stay upright.

---

"That's it? And you came here for revenge?"

Charlotte scoffed, pressing his blade harder.

With a grunt, he unleashed a burst of Conqueror's Haki, glowing fiercely.

BOOM!

Oden was blasted backward, skidding across the ground.

But the moment he stopped, he charged again.

"Oden Two-Sword Style: Spear of the Ghost Demon!"

Arms and swords wrapped in Armament Haki, Oden lunged.

Charlotte dodged the first slash—

Blocked the second—

And retaliated with a wide sweep!

Oden's eyes widened—

He crossed his swords just in time.

CLANG!

The sword force pierced through his blades and struck his chest.

RIPPPP—!

His robe tore open, revealing his Haki-armored torso.

"Heh. Not bad reflexes."

Charlotte slashed again.

BOOM!

Oden flew back, digging trenches in the ground with his heels.

To be continued…

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