Chapter 10: King vs Chenlong!

After Edie handed over the figurative butcher's knife, Kaido seized the opportunity to claim the title of Shogun of Wanokuni. This behind-the-scenes maneuver had effectively thrust him into the spotlight, and the justification was neatly packaged: Kurozumi Orochi's rebellion provided a convenient pretext for Kaido's rise to power. As a result, the resistance to his rule was minimized, with the populace in the Flower Capital seemingly content with their current lives, focusing on their daily routines and distractions.

However, the situation was less settled in other regions of Wanokuni. The country was home to four other daimyo, each commanding their own armies and holding sway over their territories. The attitudes of these daimyo were crucial—they could either submit to Kaido's rule or spark a conflict they were unlikely to win. This impending confrontation could reshape the future of Wanokuni, depending on how these powerful lords reacted to the shift in power.

For Edie, though, the political machinations and potential conflicts were of little concern. His focus remained firmly on his personal interests and research. As long as the larger conflicts did not interfere with his own plans, he preferred to remain detached, leaving the fate of others and their struggles to unfold as they might.

"Now that we have two subordinates with formidable combat abilities, our immediate safety is assured," he mused. "Even if I were to fall out with Kaido now, I could leave without issue. The next step is to focus on my own strength."

In Edie's view, there were two primary paths to increasing one's power in this world: consuming a Devil Fruit or mastering Conqueror's Haki.

The first option, eating a Devil Fruit, was relatively straightforward. A powerful Devil Fruit would immediately enhance combat capabilities. However, this path came with notable weaknesses, including vulnerability to seastone, transformation into a landlubber, and fear of seawater.

The second path, mastering Conqueror's Haki, was more challenging. It required intense personal effort and practice without any shortcuts.

Over the past two years, Edie had encountered opportunities to acquire Devil Fruits on the black market. If he had diverted research funds to purchase one, he would already possess formidable abilities. However, the associated weaknesses of Devil Fruits deterred him.

With these thoughts in mind, Edie accessed his system panel.

[Scientific Research Simulation System]

Number of simulations remaining: 0

In the past two years, Edie had utilized his simulation opportunities as follows:

For the first time, it is used in "Theoretical Research on Bloodline Factors"!

Second time, for "Wanokuni Steel Smelting and Factory Development"!

The third time was used to clone Chenlong.

The fourth time was used to clone Shenhou.

The system's simulation count was tied to Edie's [Scientific Research Reputation], which was at 99%. Upon reaching 100%, his reputation would reset, and he would be rewarded with additional simulations.

"It's nearly full. Did exposing Kurozumi Orochi today boost my reputation?" Edie speculated. He anticipated reaching 100% by the following day.

When that occurred, he planned to explore ways to gain abilities without the typical drawbacks. Meanwhile, he would continue honing his Haki, committed to strengthening himself through both paths.

As evening fell over Kuri, the Nine Red Scabbards were on the run, fleeing westward from the Flower Capital. Their leader, Kozuki Oden, had been shot and killed, but their fight was far from over. They carried a heavy burden: protecting the last hope for Wanokuni, the eight-year-old Momonosuke. The Kozuki family, once the shogun rulers of Wanokuni, could not allow the country to fall into pirate hands. Their mission was clear—assist Momonosuke and reclaim their homeland.

However, their situation took a dire turn upon their return to Oden Castle. Mrs. Toki and her two children were missing. Panic erupted among the group.

Kinemon, his face etched with worry, seized a servant who was cleaning the room and demanded urgently, "Where is Mrs. Toki? Where is Momonosuke-dono? There's no time! Speak quickly!"

The terrified servant replied, "Kinemon-sama, Mrs. Toki and the children vanished three nights ago."

"Three nights ago?" The realization hit like a punch. Disappeared on the very night of their defeat and capture?

Denjiro's face darkened. "Were they taken by Kaido?"

Kiku, the cross-dressing samurai, looked pale and fearful. "Momonosuke-sama... is he safe?"

Kinemon, overwhelmed by frustration, slammed his hands down, shattering the nearby table with a resounding crash.

"These damn handcuffs are in the way!" Kinemon struggled, trying in vain to break the seastone shackles, which were impervious to brute force.

Just then, a voice from above cut through their despair. A section of the ceiling opened, and a female ninja dropped into the room.

"A-nin!"

"Mrs. Toki and His Highness Momonosuke are safe for now—they were just taken away," A-nin reported swiftly. "Your presence was compromised when you arrived. Kaido's men are in pursuit. We need to move quickly."

A-nin, deftly unlocking the handcuffs of the Nine Red Scabbards, leapt out the window. Without hesitation, the Scabbards followed her.

"Explain what happened while we were imprisoned!" Kinemon called out, his voice laced with urgency. "Where is Momonosuke-sama now?"

"He's at the research institute in the Flower City," A-nin said as she led the way. "Mrs. Toki and the children were taken by the scientist Edie."

The revelation hit hard. Edie had exposed Kurozumi Orochi's conspiracy earlier that day, leading to the shogun's downfall. The scientist's motives now seemed crucial.

"Is he an enemy or an ally?" Raizo demanded through gritted teeth.

"I don't know," A-nin admitted, shaking her head. "The day before yesterday, I saw Edie taking Mrs. Toki to the prison to see Lord Oden."

Aren, the fishman, looked astonished. "Is he an ally?"

A-nin grimaced. "He imprisoned Mrs. Toki in the research institute. But if he were truly an enemy, Momonosuke would likely be dead by now."

Confusion and urgency clouded their thoughts. Whether Edie was an ally, enemy, or something else entirely remained uncertain. The time for clear answers was short, and with Kaido's men in pursuit, they had to act fast. The execution they had witnessed only deepened their suspicions, and the truth of Edie's intentions remained shrouded in mystery.

"No matter what, we must rescue His Highness Momonosuke!" Kinemon declared with unwavering resolve. "We cannot let Lord Oden's death be in vain!"

"But what should we do next?" Kanjuro murmured, his voice filled with uncertainty. "Kaido is in the Flower Capital. If we go back, we'll be walking into a trap."

"Head to Bai Wu!" A-nin interjected with a determined tone. "We'll travel southeast, pass through the Rabbit Bowl, and seek out Shimotsuki Yasuie, the Daimyo of White Maiden."

Shimotsuki Yasuie, a longtime friend of Kozuki Oden, was a potential ally in their desperate situation. Kinemon's eyes brightened with renewed hope.

"Master Yasuie will never remain silent. You're right; we'll go find him immediately!" Kinemon affirmed. The group, reinvigorated, moved swiftly through the forest.

But just then, a whistling sound pierced the air, signaling something descending from above.

"Did you hear that...?"

Before anyone could react, a massive impact shook the ground, creating a deep crater in their path.

Everyone's expressions hardened as a tall figure emerged from the pit. Clad in a gray cloak and a ghostly mask, the man's golden, starry eyes scanned the group before focusing intently on A-nin.

"Found the female ninja. I need to capture her alive," Chen Long stated coldly.

A-nin's face paled with recognition. "You... the masked man from the execution platform! Are you here for me?"

Uncertainty and fear flashed in her mind, but there was no time to dwell on it. Chen Long moved with startling speed, his foot pounding the earth as he advanced toward A-nin, his hand reaching out to seize her by the neck.

"Protect A-nin!" Kinemon shouted urgently. The Nine Red Scabbards sprang into action, rallying together to shield their comrade.

"Don't get in my way."

Chen Long's eyes narrowed, and his Conqueror's Haki erupted with a force that shook the very ground. The forest around them swayed violently as if caught in a tempest, the sheer pressure of his aura sending tremors through the area.

The Nine Red Scabbards were struck with terror, the overwhelming presence akin to facing Kaido himself. Realizing the gravity of the situation, they quickly retreated, their resolve wavering in the face of such immense power.

"Run!" Ashura's voice cut through the chaos, his mind making a swift, rational decision. "I'll hold them off. Go!"

He drew his sword, positioning himself defensively at the front as the others, in perfect agreement, turned and sprinted away. The urgency of their situation was clear: they couldn't defeat their enemies but needed to avoid being delayed, as more pursuers would only make things worse.

But as they fled, the ground shook with another impact.

Boom!

A new, ominous shadow descended from the sky. It was a dark, menacing figure—Pteranodon.

The Pteranodon landed before them, blocking their escape route, and then transformed into a man with black wings.

Fire Disaster, King!

The Beasts Pirates' prominent figure, a Zoan-type Devil Fruit user with the power of an Ancient Pteranodon, stood before them. He was also the last known member of the Lunarian clan.

King's gaze locked onto Chen Long, who was confronting A-nin. "Conqueror's Haki, huh? Impressive. I wanted to ask before the execution—who are you?"

King was aware that Chen Long was a subordinate of Edie, but he hadn't encountered him in the past two years.

"Twelve Earthly Branches, Chen Long," Chen Long replied coolly.

His eyes narrowed as he focused on his mission. Lord Heavenly Father's orders were to capture A-nin alive, and Chen Long had no interest in complicating matters further.

"My goal is her," Chen Long stated firmly, pointing at A-nin. "Stay out of my way."

King assessed the situation with a brief glance. "She's from Oden's Side, but it doesn't concern me. My mission is to deal with the other nine. Our goals don't conflict."

As soon as King's words left his lips, he unfurled his wings and propelled himself towards Chen Long with a swift, powerful leap.

His massive samurai sword descended from above, aimed directly at Chen Long's head.

In response, Chen Long extended his right hand, cloaking it with Advanced Armament Haki. He caught the blade mid-air, halting its downward arc with a powerful grip.

"What's the meaning of this?" Chen Long asked calmly, his voice carrying a hint of bemusement. "You seem quite strong; consider this a friendly greeting." King Replied

"Really? You're in my way," Chen Long replied coldly.

With a sudden, forceful yank, Chen Long wrenched the katana from King's grasp. Simultaneously, he unleashed a devastating right hook, imbued with Conqueror's Haki Infusion.

The punch connected with a thunderous crack. King's eyes widened in shock as he felt the overwhelming force behind the blow. His sword was ripped from his hands, and he was sent hurtling backward, as if a kite severed from its string.

King's mask shattered upon impact, and blood splattered from the corners of his mouth. He tumbled through the air, crashing into the ground with a resounding thud, struggling to regain his footing amidst the haze of pain and disorientation.