In barely a month or two, Ares had kept stirring up one massive commotion after another inside Wano, turning the entire country upside down.
Sukiyaki frowned, unable to hide the worry weighing down his face as he muttered to himself, "Looks like… I really do have to seriously consider Shimotsuki Ushimaru's suggestion…"
"But that monster Ares… is truly a headache."
Suddenly, footsteps rushed in.
Fukurokuju hurried over to report, "Sukiyaki-sama, Lord Oden has already run off to challenge Ares."
"They just left the Flower Capital and are heading for Kuri right now!"
"Hm?!" Sukiyaki jolted. "Didn't he lose barely a month ago?!"
"That unfilial brat…"
His expression abruptly shifted. He hurriedly corrected himself, "Notify the daimyo of the other regions. We're going as well."
"I want to see it with my own eyes just how terrifying Ares truly is…"
Sukiyaki wanted to witness Ares's strength firsthand.
Meanwhile, the moment Fukurokuju thought of Ares's training something that was no longer "self-torture," but practically suicide-level conditioning his scalp tingled and goosebumps rose all over his body.
Still, following Sukiyaki's orders, he immediately sent word to the other daimyo.
…
Kuri.
For someone like Kozuki Oden, with his absurdly powerful physique, a month was more than enough for his injuries to fully heal.
And during that time…
Oden trained every single day with ruthless intensity, convinced his strength had climbed to a new level.
Now, he wanted to test it.
To challenge Ares again.
To use battle as proof of his growth.
No matter how Kin'emon or Raizo tried to talk him out of it, it was useless.
Kin'emon said anxiously, "Ares is too terrifying. He's like a monster out of legend. He moved two islands from the sea… with power like that… Lord Oden…"
Raizo's brows were knotted tight. "Yes. Last time, Lord Oden was injured so badly, and it's only been a month. He's probably still not Ares's opponent."
But young Izo, still small in stature, spoke up anyway. "Hey this is real samurai spirit."
"Never losing heart. Even against a powerful enemy, you keep challenging and challenging."
"I believe Lord Oden will defeat Ares one day and become the strongest samurai!"
Kikunojo who looked like a delicate, doll-like little girl, yet was actually a boy nodded in agreement. "Lord Oden isn't the type to fall because of one setback."
"He'll become a samurai… like the Sword God Ryuma!"
Ryuma.
In Wano's history, he was a figure like a deity, the greatest warrior worshiped by countless people.
The people revered him as the God of the Blade.
Even now, his body and his famed sword Shusui were still enshrined within the sacred halls.
Every year, endless crowds came to pay respects.
In Wano, everyone yearned to become as strong as Ryuma.
…
Outside the newly built town of Kuri
Kaido looked at Oden, interest flashing in his eyes as he grinned wide. "Wororororo ! You got beaten by Ares-brother with one punch, and you still won't give up."
"Coming back to challenge him again so soon… but your strength…"
"It's still far too far behind Ares-brother!"
If Ares hadn't ordered them to keep their true strength hidden, Kaido would've loved to throw hands with Oden right there.
But Kaido knew what mattered most. He didn't act on impulse.
"I am a samurai." Oden's expression was serious, his gaze unwavering. "Even if I lose, I will never give up."
"I trained bitterly for a month. I want to know the gap between me and Ares!"
He had already turned Ares into a whetstone.
A blade only became sharper through grinding.
If he could defeat Ares, then he would finally be worthy of sailing out and facing the monsters of the open sea.
Chinjao looked at Oden with a hint of pity. "This kid really doesn't know how high the sky is or how deep the sea runs."
"One or two beatdowns might not matter…"
"But take too many, and who knows if he'll still be this cocky later."
Around them
A massive crowd had gathered, not just Ares's people from Kuri, but civilians from nearby regions as well.
The moment they heard Kozuki Oden planned to challenge the monster Ares again, they rushed over to watch the spectacle.
Ares's name now echoed through all of Wano.
No one knew what method he'd used, but he had moved two islands into Wano.
That feat alone left everyone stunned.
And Kozuki Oden…
In Wano, he was famous too.
Not exactly for a good reputation.
At age 0, he threw out his wet nurse.
At 2, he could catch two rabbits at once.
At 4, he hurled a boulder and crushed a giant bear.
At 6, he began frequenting the pleasure quarters.
At 8, he got into brawls with gamblers.
At 9, he was blacklisted by gangs and arrested for violence…
In short, one outrageous story after another so many that Sukiyaki eventually cut ties with his own son.
They were like fire and water.
His name stank across the entire country.
But everyone also knew one thing
Oden was strong.
Two or three years ago, when he slew the "Mountain God," he reclaimed some of his image and reputation.
…
Hidden in the crowd
Sukiyaki stared at his son and muttered, "Oden's swordsmanship is among the best in Wano."
"But he lost so badly last time…"
"This time… I just want to see with my own eyes how strong Ares really is."
He had no expectations for Oden at all.
A single month how much could someone improve?
And besides…
A month ago, Oden couldn't even injure Ares in the slightest.
The gap was too vast.
Beside Sukiyaki, Shimotsuki Ushimaru, Yasuie, and the others all watched the direction of Kuri's town with tense expressions.
Ushimaru spoke, curiosity slipping into his voice. "Why would Ares come to Wano in the first place?"
"The outside world is so vast…"
Even though Wano had been closed off for centuries, old records still made it clear the sea was endless, and nations beyond counting existed.
Many of them were not weaker than Wano.
So why…
Why would Ares come here?
But the moment Ushimaru raised that question, Sukiyaki's face changed.
A trace of panic flashed through his eyes.
Could it be…
Could Ares have come for the weapon buried beneath Wano's soil?!
In that instant, Sukiyaki's heart clenched tight.
If Ares seized that weapon…
Wano would be dragged into endless war, and countless predators would come circling.
Because that weapon…
was beyond imagination.
…
Just as everyone's thoughts churned in different directions
Ares arrived.
Muscles bulged across his body like stacked mountain ridges, terrifying just to look at.
Boom. Boom. Boom.
Each step he took made the ground tremble, heavy and oppressive.
His tiger-like eyes gleamed as he stared straight at Kozuki Oden, then spread a savage grin.
"Hahaha !"
"I didn't think you'd come challenge me again so soon."
"Have you prepared yourself for failure?!"
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Oh, you like the story? Wow, who knew. Go ahead, drop a review and throw some power stones maybe I'll be motivated to keep going.
The story's already ahead on Patron. Go there if you want to catch up faster!
[email protected]/_theon
Change @ to "a"