While they had clashed once before, a single exchange in One Piece doesn't prove much. Now, seeing Oden use Togen Shirataki, Shiki finally acknowledged the man's strength.
This guy looked barely in his early twenties—about the same age as Beltz—yet he already possessed this level of power. His strength was likely a bit below Beltz's, but Oden didn't have a Devil Fruit. The power of the Azure Dragon fruit was far too authoritative, so it wasn't strange for Beltz to be where he was; however, for Kozuki Oden to reach this level relying solely on his physical constitution, Haki, and swordsmanship was very impressive.
If given another decade or so, he might become one of the top powerhouses on the sea. For a moment, Shiki actually felt a sense of appreciation for his talent.
He had originally planned to use Wano as a base to search for the Ancient Weapon while expanding his influence. Now he thought: if he could directly bring the royal family of this country under his wing, wouldn't things be much more convenient?
Although he didn't yet know exactly who Kozuki Oden was, anyone with the surname Kozuki was royalty here, and royalty had the capacity to rule. But first, he had to defeat this man and break his spirit!
He could tell at a glance that Oden, like Beltz, was not the type to willingly serve under someone else. Beltz had a mysterious background and knew many things Shiki needed help with, so Shiki allowed him certain transgressions and simply referred to him as his Vice Captain to the outside world. This Oden was different; if he couldn't be tamed, inviting too many rebellious people onto the ship would just lead to the same fate as the Rocks Pirates—a memory still fresh in Shiki's mind.
"Lion: Double Fang!"
With that thought, Shiki let out a low growl and immediately swung his twin blades. Kogarashi and Oto were coated and blackened by Haki, carving two black-gold trails through the air.
This clash of Haki was far more powerful than the previous one. The four blackened blades met in mid-air, and two massive forces of Haki collided violently. Black lightning spread like a spiderweb, shaking the tiles off nearby buildings until they fell with a rustle. The distant pine forest swayed violently in the shockwave, startling countless birds into flight.
Amidst this chaos, a group of samurai was sprinting up from the bottom of the mountain. At the head was Kin'emon, wearing his blue-and-white patterned samurai attire, his katana clanking against his waist as he ran. Denjiro, Izo, Ashura Doji, and the others followed closely behind, their faces etched with anxiety.
They were Kozuki Oden's retainers. Having sensed Oden was in battle, they hurried over to help! But as they tried to get close, the lightning and wind pressure erupting from the collision blew them back, making it impossible to advance. They felt as if the immense force was about to lift their bodies right off the ground!
"Waaa!"
They were utterly shocked. By the age of eighteen, Kozuki Oden had already defeated everyone in Wano. He had once fought the criminals and thugs of Kuri single-handedly for an entire day, taking them all down! In their eyes, no one in the world could be more powerful than Oden.
Yet now, out of nowhere, a man with hair like a lion's mane was fighting Oden to a standstill? No! It wasn't a standstill! This guy was actually suppressing Oden!
"Jihahahaha!!" Shiki laughed loudly. "Good strength, but you're still a bit too green!"
"Lion: Sen-nagi!"
Puff!
With a burst of strength, he pushed Oden down and then rapidly flew into the high sky. Using the momentum of his descent, black lightning crackled across his twin blades! Like pulled threads of silk, this black lightning felt completely different from the sparks during their initial stalemate!
What?!
Oden was knocked down. Just as he regained his footing, he saw Shiki swinging his blades again. The terrifying edge reached him almost in the blink of an eye!
Such speed! Oden hurriedly raised his arms to block, but he was a step too slow!
Slash!
Shiki's two blades struck Oden's chest—no, it was as if the massive force hit him before the blades even touched!
"Guh!" Oden's pupils dilated as he spat out a large mouthful of blood, his body flying back like a kite with a broken string!
Bang! Bang! Bang!!
His body was like a cannonball. He crashed through one house, and without stopping, leveled three or four more before finally coming to a halt against a large boulder. He left a human-shaped crater in the rock, with cracks spreading out like a web!
What... what is this power?
However, Kozuki Oden's physical durability was terrifying. Despite taking Shiki's strike, he didn't lose consciousness. Though he was coughing up blood and his face was pale, he struggled to pull himself out of the rock's indentation.
Shiki was surprised once again. Truly remarkable—taking my full-strength hit and still able to move.
"Lion: Thousand Sliced Valley!"
He rapidly swung his blades again. In an instant, dozens of sword-ki slashes flew out, all aimed at Oden.
"Lord Oden, look out!"
Oden's retainers—Kin'emon, Denjiro, Izo, and Ashura—rushed forward, intending to block Shiki's slashes for him.
"You fools! Get out of the way!" Oden shouted. But his retainers possessed a fanatical loyalty; they were willing to use their own bodies to stop Shiki's attack!
The strongest among them, Ashura Doji, swung his blade and managed to cancel out many of the slashes. The others used their skills as well, but even with their combined efforts, they couldn't stop them all. Ultimately, several slashes struck them, causing blood to spray as they collapsed to the ground!
"Kin'emon!" "Izo!"
Seeing his retainers fall, Oden roared, "You bastard! If you want someone, come for me! Don't touch them!"
"Don't blame me; they're the ones who rushed in," Shiki said, still laughing his signature laugh. "Hey! Kozuki brat, if you listen to me and answer my questions, you can all walk away in peace."
"I haven't lost yet!" Oden bellowed.
"Oden Two-Sword Style: Togen Totsuka!"