The golden Ship, Erebus, hovered directly above the Flower Capital, instantly attracting the attention of countless samurai and warriors. Their faces darkened with anger.
To display such arrogance right above their domain was an insult.
If not for the altitude keeping the ship out of reach, many swordmasters below would have already drawn their blades, slashing at the ship in defiance.
"This battle with Wano's warriors is our chance to learn Ryuo Haki."
Brook declared firmly.
"Everyone, avoid using your Devil Fruit powers. As long as one of you can grasp Ryuo Haki, we'll be able to teach and develop it ourselves!"
Brook had full confidence in his crew. However, if none of them managed to master Ryuo through battle, he had a backup plan.
The strategy?
Challenge and lure out the samurai who already wield Ryuo—then capture them.
With Redfield's special Observation Haki and his Memory Seahorse, Brook was convinced he could extract and master Ryuo one way or another.
This challenge wasn't just about learning new techniques. It was also a statement of power—an opportunity to make the Hell Pirates famous throughout Wano and test the strength of its swordsmen.
At the same time, Brook intended to strike a deal with Wano for a steady supply of seastone. After all, Brook had no shortage of gold.
However, if the samurai of Wano proved weaker than expected, Brook wouldn't hesitate.
He would force them into submission with an unequal treaty.
If not for the samurai's strong loyalty and their potential for rebellion, Brook might have already considered conquering Wano outright.
After all, only Wano's craftsmen had the technology to process seastone. Brook couldn't afford to destroy this nation, or he'd risk cutting off future production.
But if they refused to cooperate?
Brook wouldn't hesitate to pull a Kaido—installing puppets to enslave the country and seize control of the production lines.
··
The golden ship gradually descended, and a Den Den Mushi loudspeaker activated, playing soothing music to ease the tension.
Brook's calm voice echoed across the capital:
"Hello, citizens of Wano. We've come to purchase seastone products. Additionally, we wish to hold a Duel challenge. Any samurai who defeats my crew will receive a reward of 100 kilograms of gold!"
Brook's declaration instantly made the samurai drop their guard.
"Gold for winning a duel? A hundred kilograms of gold?!"
The prospect of such wealth caused the eyes of many warriors to light up.
For a samurai of Wano, winning gold meant freedom from hardship—living lavishly for years to come.
"Seastone? A challenge?"
Kozuki Sukiyaki, the Shogun of Wano, furrowed his brows.
"Is their purpose truly that simple?"
As the ship lowered further, wind dials activated, releasing powerful bursts of air to soften the landing. The resulting dust storm forced many samurai and citizens to step back, shielding their eyes.
When the smoke cleared, the samurai and people of Wano were left stunned.
The ship was overflowing with gold—its ornate hull gleamed brilliantly.
The promise of 100 kilograms of gold was clearly legitimate.
"I, Kozuki Oden, will be the first to challenge you!"
A loud voice suddenly rang out.
It was the wild boy from the casino earlier—the one in the orange kimono. His eyes were filled with excitement.
"If I win, I don't want the gold! I want to board your ship and sail the seas with you!!!"
The childish grin on Oden's face revealed his reckless desire for adventure. It was the first time he had ever seen outsiders—his first chance to escape the confines of Wano.
"Idiot! The people of Wano are forbidden to leave the country!!"
Sukiyaki roared in fury, his face twisted in anger.
He was already frustrated by his lawless son. Oden's constant disobedience and reckless behavior caused endless complaints from the citizens.
As the ruler of Wano, Sukiyaki placed great importance on law and order.
Yet his son's repeated defiance made his blood boil.
··
"Shogun Sukiyak, why not show us the strength of Wano's samurai?"
Brook smiled mockingly, his eyes sharp.
"If your warriors can defeat my crew, you still get the 100 kilograms of gold!"
Brook had researched Sukiyaki's life in advance. He knew that the Shogun wasn't particularly strong—in fact, in the future, he would live in seclusion as Tenguyama Hitetsu.
However, despite his cowardice, the man was an exceptional swordsmith.
Both the Sandai Kitetsu and Ame-no-Habakiri were his creations.
··
"Shogun Sama! Let me fight them!"
A greedy swordsman stepped forward, his eyes gleaming with lust for gold.
"I'll be the one to drive out the outsiders and claim the gold!"
More samurai joined in, urging the Shogun to accept the challenge.
The temptation of 100 kilograms of gold was simply too enticing.
Although Sukiyaki valued honor, he was not blind to his warriors' desire for wealth.
After pausing for a moment, he nodded in agreement.
He was also curious to see how powerful these outsiders were—and whether Wano's samurai still held the same strength as in the past.
··
"What the hell? Is that a monster?!"
The people of Wano gasped in shock when they spotted Fisher Tiger and Tom, the fishmen aboard the ship.
To them, the fishmen looked like beasts or demons.
"Tch! Bumpkins."
Fisher Tiger scowled as he glared at the crowd, recalling the discrimination he had faced at the hands of humans before.
"They haven't even seen a fishman before!"
He sneered.
"Tiger, calm yourself."
Tom placed a hand on Tiger's shoulder, shaking his head.
"Captain Brook said a man capable of awakening Conqueror's Haki wouldn't let small-minded fools anger him."
Tom's calm tone implied that Tiger still lacked the bearing of a true king.
He had let his time on Fishman Street influence him, making him impulsive and reactive.
"Hmph! You're right."
Tiger scoffed, turning away from the mocking humans.
"Let the ants bark. My target is the Celestial Dragons!"
··
Brook raised his hand, addressing the crowd:
"Please, calm down, warriors."
He smiled slyly.
"We will indeed give the victor 100 kilograms of gold. However, since so many of you wish to fight, we'll add one condition: only samurai who have mastered Ryuo may challenge us first!"
The announcement instantly divided the crowd.
"What?! Are you looking down on our swordsmanship?!"
A furious samurai bellowed.
"Ha! Idiots who can't even use Ryuo have no right to challenge us!"
The elite samurai sneered at the weaker ones, their pride swelling.
"Damn it! I don't know what Ryuo is, but I'm still strong!"
Oden clenched his fists, feeling insulted.
Though he had yet to master Ryuo, his natural strength and swordsmanship talent were already monstrous.
"Haha! Master Oden, go back and train for a few years!"
The samurai mocked, ridiculing the young, untamed Oden.
-------
Kozuki Oden was instantly enraged.
As a proud and willful man, being mocked by others was unacceptable.
Without hesitation, he drew his twin swords, his eyes burning with defiance.
Determined to achieve his goal, Oden wouldn't hesitate to use violence.
Even if he had to rob the golden ship, he was ready to do it.
Seeing Oden's reckless outburst, Kozuki Sukiyaki clutched his head, sighing deeply.
"Does this brat have no regard for consequences?!"
He thought bitterly.
"I am the Shogun of Wano, and I'm standing right here!"
Sukiyaki seethed with embarrassment and anger.
For Oden to draw his sword so brazenly in front of him was a direct insult—a blow to his authority.
"Guards! Arrest Kozuki Oden and throw him in prison!"
At Sukiyaki's command, the samurai guards immediately moved in, seizing Oden.
At this point, Oden was still too young and inexperienced to overpower the elite samurai of Wano.
He was easily subdued and dragged away.
"Let me go, you bastards! I want to go out to sea!!"
Oden's furious screams echoed into the distance.
Brook watched calmly, squinting as he observed the future legend.
This young Oden would one day become a master of all three Haki, a dual-wielding swordsman, and even awaken Observation Haki capable of hearing the voice of all things.
Yet, Brook knew that Oden's fate was ultimately tied to Wano.
"Should I bring him aboard?"
Brook mused.
After all, Oden was the father of that little pervert, Momonosuke.
However, Oden himself was also a freak.
At 15 years old, he was already kidnapping women nightly to build his own harem in the temple—a delinquent with a notorious reputation.
··
Due to pressure from the samurai, Kozuki Sukiyaki had no choice but to allow Brook's Duel Challenge.
In an open arena in the Flower Capital, Brook divided the battlefield into three sections to save time.
Since Big Mom wasn't interested in fighting, only Redfield, Golden Lion Shiki, and Newgate stepped forward.
Brook had his eyes on Redfield, particularly his unique Observation Haki, which was exceptional for spying and learning techniques.
Brook believed Redfield would quickly grasp Ryuo by observing the samurai's techniques.
··
By the time Wano's daimyos arrived to observe the challenge, the battle had already begun.
Wano still had a significant number of samurai proficient in Ryuo Haki, making them worthy opponents.
The three pirates weren't in a rush to defeat their opponents.
Instead, they prolonged the fight, forcing the samurai to use Ryuo—carefully studying their techniques in the process.
"Shogun Sama, why not just drive them away?"
Fugetsu Kamisawa, the Daimyo of Shimei, asked with a deep frown.
His plump face was stern as he watched the outsiders battling the samurai.
"The samurai's want to earn some drinking money!"
Sukiyaki smirked, glancing at the three massive gold bricks beside Brook.
Each brick weighed 100 kilograms—worth a fortune.
With that kind of money, they could buy barrels of fine sake or forge legendary swords.
··
"The prize is that generous? Hmm... maybe I should join in and see how powerful these outsiders are!"
The Bell Queen Daimyo, Shimotsuki Toramaru, muttered, his fingers twitching slightly around the hilt of his famed sword.
The allure of gold and the chance to test his swordsmanship was too tempting to ignore.
"Brother Toramaru, show these outsiders our Shimotsuki family's Dragon-Slaying Swordsmanship!"
Shimotsuki Ken, the Daimyo of Baiwu, urged.
The Dragon-Slaying Swordsmanship, passed down by Sword Saint Ryuma, was the pride of the Shimotsuki family—an incredibly powerful style.
Beside Ken Shimotsuki stood a serious-looking young man with a blue afro.
He had a majestic aura, but was short in stature, standing just under 1.6 meters tall.
This was Shimotsuki Yasuie, Ken's son, just 18 years old at the time.
The Daimyo of Rabbit Bowl, Usagi, remained silent, but watched intently.
His eyes were locked onto Redfield's elegant swordsmanship and Shiki's twin-blade technique, studying them carefully.
From the podium, Brook observed the powerful daimyos of Wano.
He activated his life detection ability and discovered that all of them had remarkable life force fluctuations.
His eyes narrowed at the sturdy samurai with green hair tied in a bun.
"Wait... he looks a bit like Zoro... with Ryuma's hairstyle?"
Brook raised a brow.
"Could he be Zoro's ancestor?"
Despite their best efforts, none of the warriors were able to defeat the three pirates or claim the 100 kilograms of gold.
Meanwhile, Shakky and Stussy had set up a seastone recycling stall nearby.
They poured out a bag of gold coins, set up a radio, and started shouting to attract customers.
Antonio reluctantly brought out a standard Den Den Mushi, selling it at outrageous prices—trading it for Wano's seastone and rare local specialties.
Even Hiruba took out several slashing dials, instantly drawing the attention of countless warriors.
In Wano, warriors capable of unleashing flying slashes were considered true swordsmen.
Thus, the strange slashing dials were viewed as priceless treasures—a shortcut for those unable to reach the swordsman level themselves.
Since the Hell Pirates were wealthy, they were eager to trade gold for seastone products, sparking a bidding war.
Seeing his crewmates' stalls thriving, the ship's doctor, Crocus, also set up a medical consultation booth, selling medicines.
His services quickly attracted the interest of many Wano citizens.
··
"Uncle Tom, what other specialties do we have?"
Tiger asked eagerly, standing next to Tom.
"I want to buy some seastone and craft a set of seastone fists and hand guards!"
However, the people of Wano still viewed Tiger and Tom, the two fishmen, as monsters.
No one dared to approach Tom's woodworking stall, leaving him without customers.
In contrast, Streusen food stall was swarming with people.
He served foreign delicacies made from local ingredients, giving the isolated Wano citizens their first taste of exotic cuisine.
··
On the battlefield, Redfield sensed the intense aura of Shimotsuki Toramaru.
After defeating his previous opponent in mere moments, Redfield immediately challenged Toramaru.
"You're strong. Why not come down here and fight?"
Redfield provoked him with a smirk.
Feeling slightly irritated, Toramaru immediately leapt down.
He stared at Redfield's strange attire, confused.
"Don't outsiders wear kimonos or tie their hair in buns?"
Toramaru thought curiously.
"You're strong—I can sense it."
Toramaru narrowed his eyes.
"My name is Shimotsuki Toramaru. What's yours?"
"Redfield."
The two locked eyes.
In the next instant, they clashed fiercely.
Sparks flew as their blades met, creating a storm of afterimages.
"Hmph! Who dares fight me?!"
Not wanting to be outshone, Golden Lion Shiki cut down his opponent in one slash and taunted the daimyos.
"How dare you!"
Fugetsu Kamisawa roared, leaping into battle.
Not to be outdone, Newgate grinned and challenged Usagi.
The entire Flower Capital erupted with cheers, as the duels intensified into a spectacle of power unseen in years.
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