Chapter 133: Conquering Kurazukuri

"He's still alive?"

Kozuki Oden wasn't at his peak yet. Having just become a Great Swordsman, surviving Li Yuan's strike was already impressive.

"No wonder he's known for taking Whitebeard's punches with his face and enduring Roger's Divine Departure—Kozuki Oden."

Looking at Kozuki Oden, still breathing in the crater, Li Yuan recalled the humorous internet memes about Oden's resilience.

Had Kozuki Oden joined the Rocks Pirates, he might have grown as they did.

But in this world, there are no 'what ifs.'

"You... you're strong. I lost!!!"

Kozuki Oden, lying beside Li Yuan, could barely speak, completely drained of strength.

"Hmm?"

"No malice?"

Li Yuan's Observation Haki detected no malice from Oden; his mind reading found no resentment either.

"You lost, Kurazukuri is mine."

"Your two swords are mine as well."

With that, Li Yuan took Oden's two Great Grade Swords, Enma and Ame no Habakiri, and hung them at his waist.

"The victor claims all from the defeated; it is only right."

Kozuki Oden had no complaints about Li Yuan's actions.

As the smoke cleared, revealing Li Yuan's victorious figure and Oden's defeated body in the crater.

"Lord Oden!!!"

Kin'emon and his fellows rushed to surround Kozuki Oden, cautiously eyeing Li Yuan, fearing he might strike again.

"Captain Li Yuan!!!"

Seeing Kin'emon and others rush over, Ashura Doji also approached, ready to confront them, with tensions high.

"Kozuki Oden is defeated; Kurazukuri is my territory now!"

"Those willing to leave with Oden, you have one day to leave Kurazukuri."

"If I see you here tomorrow morning, there will be no mercy!"

Li Yuan's sharp gaze fixed on Kin'emon and his men, his voice echoing in their ears, and the fierce aura of the Butō Yōzai surged menacingly.

Kin'emon and the others feared Li Yuan would begin a massacre.

"Yes, sir, we will leave immediately!"

Kin'emon and his group hurriedly carried Oden away.

"Wait!!"

Suddenly, Li Yuan spoke again.

The retreating Kin'emon and his men froze, turning back nervously to face the fearsome Li Yuan.

"Leave, but if you dare destroy anything in Kurazukuri or spread rumors against my rule, don't blame me for hunting you down and using you as sacrifices!"

Li Yuan warned, unwilling to deal with any mess left behind.

"Understood, sir, we would never do anything to harm your interests."

Raizo replied cautiously.

"Alright, you may go."

Li Yuan waved them off.

"Thank you, sir, we will leave now."

Raizo finished, quickly carrying Oden and the others away.

Too terrifying, too terrifying, this man is frighteningly powerful.

Even Lord Oden couldn't withstand two strikes; his swordsmanship is unbelievably fearsome!

"From now on, Kurazukuri is our territory. Let's celebrate with a feast. Tomorrow, we officially take over Kurazukuri!"

Li Yuan proclaimed to Ashura Doji and his seven hundred subordinates.

"Hooray, Kurazukuri is ours!"

"Let's have a feast, a feast!!"

"Long live Captain, Captain is now the daimyo of Kurazukuri!"

The subordinates cheered enthusiastically.

Li Yuan had brought the pirate tradition of feasting here, and no one refused the joy of a celebration!

"Captain, aren't you worried that Kozuki Oden might seek revenge after letting him go?"

During the feast, Ashura Doji, having drunk a bit, voiced his concern.

If he were in Li Yuan's position, he would eliminate the threat Oden posed.

"Ashura Doji, don't just focus on the present; you must look further ahead."

"Our goal is all of Wano. With Kurazukuri in our hands, the rest of Wano is next."

"Ruling Wano requires more than just strength; it requires strategy."

"I let Oden go for other reasons, which you'll understand in time."

Li Yuan said, patting Ashura Doji's shoulder.

Letting Oden go wasn't just because he bore no malice; it was strategic for when Li Yuan would invade and fully occupy Wano.

Li Yuan needed a figure who could unite Wano against him, concentrating their power in one place.

Otherwise, he didn't want to play guerrilla warfare across Wano with its many samurai.

The goal was to eliminate most enemies in one decisive battle; otherwise, the threats would persist.

Like Kaido, who, despite defeating Oden, left many hidden dangers in Wano, wasting lives in the end.

"Uh, I don't get those convolutions; I'll just focus on my sword training!"

Already drunk, Ashura Doji decided not to ponder things he couldn't understand.

"What? Kozuki Oden lost, defeated by Li Yuan in just two strikes!"

News of Oden's defeat spread quickly across Wano, as many had been watching this battle.

Daimyos and Kozuki Sukiyaki were shocked, knowing Oden's strength.

He was a monster praised by all daimyos, stronger than any of them.

Yet, this man, whispered to be Wano's number one, was defeated by Li Yuan in two strikes, shattering their worldview!

"Hahaha, Oden's defeat means Kurazukuri is now Li Yuan's! Fantastic!"

Unlike other daimyos, Kurozumi Orochi celebrated.

He had an alliance with Li Yuan, so Li Yuan's victory was theirs as well.

"Spread the word, accelerate the plan. I want the Kozuki clan's reputation ruined; I want their shogun position questioned!!"

Kurozumi Orochi said excitedly.

The day after defeating Oden, Ashura Doji and his followers officially took control of Kurazukuri.

Li Yuan was officially recognized as the daimyo of Kurazukuri by its people.

"Captain, according to Wano's customs, after becoming a daimyo, you need to visit the Flower Capital to meet the shogun."

Ashura Doji, having learned some Wano customs, informed him.

"I'll meet him, but not now."

"Tomorrow, I'll have someone set up the Unlimited Sword School in Kurazukuri. Those who pass the selection can become its students."

"Anyone who joins can learn my swordsmanship."

"There will be an adult group and a youth group."

"The youth group will be for ages ten to sixteen, and the adult group for those over sixteen."

"I've written the rules; ensure your men maintain order."

Li Yuan explained.

He planned to use Wano as a trial for the Unlimited Sword School, potentially expanding it to other islands if successful.

"Captain, your generosity is immense!"

"Once the Unlimited Sword School is established, it will shake all of Wano, and its people will be grateful!"

Ashura Doji said excitedly.

In Wano, samurai were akin to nobility, each with a legacy passed down through generations, never to be leaked.

Li Yuan's initiative shattered Wano's hereditary nobility, offering commoners a chance to elevate themselves through hard work.

If established, Li Yuan's fame would resound throughout Wano!

"Hahaha, it's just swordsmanship. Why not share it?"

"Anyone with talent and my approval can learn all my techniques."

"Ashura Doji, you're no exception. As I said, master the manual I gave you, and I'll teach you even stronger swordsmanship!"

Li Yuan declared boldly.

He never feared others surpassing him with his techniques, confident in staying ahead.

He created the Unlimited Sword School to fulfill a promise to his master for worldwide recognition of the art.

It was also a means to recruit more talented swordsmen into his ranks.

**Wano Country, Flower Capital:**

Shogun Kozuki Sukiyaki, Daimyo Shimotsuki Yasuie of Hakumai, Daimyo Shimotsuki Ushimaru of Ringo, Daimyo Kurokawa of Udon, and Daimyo Amatsuki of Kuri gathered for a meeting.

"Kozuki Oden lost to an outsider, Li Yuan."

"Li Yuan's goal isn't just Kurazukuri; it's all of Wano!"

Shimotsuki Ushimaru stated seriously.

The daimyos had investigated Li Yuan, finding it wasn't difficult for them.

"Recently, the Kurozumi clan has been causing trouble, clearly aiming for my position as shogun."

Kozuki Sukiyaki said.

"Damn Kurozumi Orochi, we should have eradicated their clan together!"

Kurokawa said angrily.

"We can't. The Kurozumi family is one of Wano's five great families, deeply rooted and not easily eliminated."

"In this critical period, don't think about destroying them; focus on dealing with Li Yuan, the real invader."

Shimotsuki Yasuie advised.

"Do you think the daimyos, with Kozuki Oden, can defeat Li Yuan?"

Shimotsuki Ushimaru asked.

They were the strongest swordsmen in Wano. Together with Oden, they might have a chance against Li Yuan.

"No, it's not possible!"

Wrapped in bandages, Kozuki Oden entered.

"Oden, is Li Yuan really that strong?"

Kozuki Sukiyaki asked incredulously.

Together, they were Wano's strongest force. If they couldn't defeat Li Yuan, who could?

"Very strong. If I hadn't reached Great Swordsman, I'd be dead in one strike!"

"His swordsmanship is far beyond us."

"Maybe Ryuma could match him!"

Oden said, reflecting on his experience.

Having survived two strikes, he knew Li Yuan's terrifying prowess.

"Do we really have no choice but to surrender Wano?"

Kozuki Sukiyaki said reluctantly.

As shogun, losing Wano would be a disgrace to the Kozuki family and all of Wano!

"Surrender is impossible. Even if we can't win, we must fight, to honor our samurai name!"

Shimotsuki Ushimaru declared firmly.

"Indeed, we can't let Wano be taken under our watch!"

Shimotsuki Yasuie agreed.

"According to our intel, Li Yuan is alone, with only Ashura Doji as a notable follower; the rest are minor."

"We must act swiftly, before his allies arrive, or it will be harder."

"I propose we gather all our forces and, once Oden heals, attack Kurazukuri to eliminate Li Yuan!"

Kurokawa suggested gravely.

"I agree!"

"I agree as well!"

"I think it's a good idea. We should include the Kurozumi clan, as Li Yuan is an outsider, while they are Wano's people."

"Oden, when can you recover?"

The daimyos and Kozuki Sukiyaki, after discussing, turned to Oden.

In truth, Oden didn't want to oppose Li Yuan. He knew another battle wouldn't end as mercifully.

"Father, are you sure?"

"Our chances are slim; if we lose, we'll all die!"

"Why not let Li Yuan have Wano?"

"From what I've seen in Kurazukuri, he's not a bad person. Wano in his hands might not be so bad."

Oden advised.

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