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Chapter 222 - 222
Zixu touched the phantom scar on his chest. The man before him had once left a wound on Kaido's chest—he wouldn't make the mistake of underestimating his opponent.
"I can sense Kaido's aura on you. What's your relationship with him?" Kozuki Oden finally spoke, his twin blades already cloaked in Kōka: Busoshoku Haki (Hardening: Armament Haki).
"Why don't you take a guess..." Zixu replied, pulling out his massive mace. His body swelled with unnatural power, dense muscle fibers bulging like steel cords. Dragon-like horns sprouted from the top of his head, and Kozuki Oden suddenly seemed much smaller.
"So, you're connected to Kaido after all..." Oden didn't waste any more words. This wasn't Wano anymore—he could fight without holding back.
"So this is the great hero, Kozuki Oden? Compliant, obedient, the ideal puppet. Lucky for you, this isn't Wano. As a monarch, you've lost your honor; as a protector of your land, you lost your country. And yet you still come here to challenge me?"
Zixu's scornful words hit a nerve. Oden's fiery spirit flickered for a moment. He didn't retreat, but Zixu's remarks stirred up something deep within him. He had failed the people. So what? He hadn't saved the dying. So what? Even if he'd made countless mistakes, the fools of Wano would still beg him to be their shogun. Even his son, useless as he was, would be accepted as their ruler.
Oden exhaled. He didn't bother to argue. He already knew the consequences of his choices, and he had no regrets.
His dual swords no longer gleamed—they shimmered like soul-reaping blades from the Shinigami himself. These blades could slice more than flesh—they could sever spirits.
But Zixu was no pushover. The fusion of Kaminari (Lightning) and Hi (Fire) in his body gave rise to a new kind of power. Black lightning intertwined with fire surged around him like living chains, surging to intercept Oden's path. The flaming lightning emitted a terrifying devouring energy—Oden could feel it gnawing at the protective shell of his Busoshoku Haki.
Oden clenched both swords tighter. His Haki surged, twining around his blades like twin dragons. With a single motion, he slashed through the chains, leaving nothing behind but smoldering black flames.
"This isn't over!" Zixu grinned wickedly. He still had cards up his sleeve.
"Fire and lightning can merge into more than just one ability!" he roared. Though Oden's character disgusted him, his strength was real—there was a reason Whitebeard and Roger had acknowledged him.
Suddenly, deep crimson crystals burst from Zixu's body, sharp and jagged. Anyone familiar with Kesshōton (Crystal Release) would recognize the resemblance. It wasn't pure crystal release—this was a twisted fusion of flame and lightning forming a unique Kōgōton (Steel Release).
Zixu's body turned pitch black—not from Haki, but from the steel-like energy coursing through him. His mace, now coated in high-heat flame and compressed lightning, radiated destructive pressure. Even with Haki reinforcement, it scorched the air. Lightning surged across his muscles, pushing his speed to a new level.
"You're nothing but a defeated shogun. A failed leader should reflect on himself. You? You don't even deserve the title." With a feral grin, Zixu charged at Oden. The earlier crystal eruption had delayed Oden just enough—he could only raise his swords for a quick defense.
Enma and Ame no Habakiri crossed in an X to block the incoming blow.
The collision of their Haōshoku Haki (Conqueror's Haki) shattered the earth, kicking up a whirlwind of sand. Far off in the distance, Crocodile dropped his cigar. Flames licked the edges of his coat, but he didn't move.
"So this is... emperor-level combat," he muttered. Even when he had once dared challenge Whitebeard, it was clear now—Whitebeard hadn't seen him as an opponent.
"Oden, is this really all you've got?" Zixu barked. He had to admit, the twin swords were deadly. Even with layers of defense, shallow cross-shaped wounds marked his body.
Gritting his teeth, Oden remained locked in the deadlock. His opponent's strength was greater than expected, but that didn't matter.
"Hmph, you think this is all I've got?" Oden snapped back. A strange ripple emanated from him, warping the space around them. The land itself seemed to shift.
Zixu blinked. A strange admiration for Oden sparked in him—a strange, almost unnatural respect. He immediately understood—it was Oden's influence. Just like Ashura Dōji and Izo. One loyal only to Wano. The other, distant and disinterested in Oden. Both died pointless deaths. The Akazaya Nine never even tried to save them. Especially Ashura—he might've survived the explosion, but they abandoned him, likely for disrespecting Oden.
Now, even the ground, every blade of grass, and every grain of sand seemed to turn against Zixu, full of hostility. It felt as if the world itself had become his enemy.
"Fascinating... You really are a son of the beach," Zixu growled, lips curling into a monstrous grin. A golden chain shot out from behind him, streaking toward Oden. At the same moment, he poured strength into his arm and slammed his mace downward.
"You think you can manipulate my thoughts? Oden, you might not have many powers—but when it comes to surviving, you're an elite." Zixu's disgust was palpable. Among the people he despised, Oden was near the top.
"I'm not a good person, sure. But at least I don't pretend to be one. Watching hypocrites like you parade around doing terrible things in the name of justice? Makes me feel almost noble."
While Zixu ranted and struck, Oden held his ground—and counterattacked. One thrust almost pierced Zixu's chest.
Oden's swordsmanship was no joke. Where Zixu had raw talent in brawling and club-fighting, Oden had honed his blade through a thousand life-and-death battles. The fight escalated; blows were exchanged; both fighters bled.
Zixu was covered in wounds. But blood only fueled his rage—his power surged even more. Before long, he had Oden on the defensive.
"Go to hell!"
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