Time flew by, and the long-awaited Swordsmanship Tournament finally arrived.
At the summit of the Battle Pyramid, the eighteenth level overflowed with people. The surrounding stands were completely filled, dominated by swordsmen and registered participants, while only a small number of distinguished figures and major pirate crews occupied the highest-priority seats.
Everyone else within the Battle Pyramid could only watch through massive broadcast screens, which left many feeling a quiet sense of regret.
Across the seas, countless spectators had already gathered before their Visual Den Den Mushi, staring intently at the crisp live feed as they waited for the opening ceremony to begin.
News birds circled above the arena, and fixed Den Den Mushi captured every angle, ensuring not a single moment would be missed.
On one side, Morgans had set up a temporary command center, surrounded by hundreds of screens. Each displayed a different perspective of the arena, giving him complete control over the broadcast as he switched angles at will, ensuring the most dramatic moments would reach the entire world.
A special elevated platform held the Four Emperors and other key figures, standing alongside Teach to emphasize their status. Most of the audience already knew them well, but their attention gradually shifted elsewhere.
Another platform stood nearby, holding three seats.
Three figures sat there, quietly overlooking the arena.
Aside from Kozuki Oden, who had previously appeared on Pirate Island, the other two were shrouded in mystery. Now, at last, they revealed themselves to the world.
Kouzuki Oden.
"Red the Aloof" Redfield.
And the final, unknown swordsman.
Morgans immediately directed the cameras toward them, magnifying their presence for the entire world to see.
The moment Redfield's youthful face appeared on screen, shock rippled across the seas.
At Marine Headquarters, Sengoku's expression stiffened, while the gathered officers collectively inhaled sharply.
At the venue, Garp, Tsuru, and the others watched in silence, their expressions growing serious.
"Oh, how terrifying," Borsalino murmured, his usual casual tone replaced with rare gravity.
"What is going on? How did he become younger?" Gion exclaimed, unable to contain her disbelief.
Tsuru turned toward Garp. "Do you sense anything?"
Garp's gaze remained fixed on Redfield. "I can't say for certain, but my instincts tell me he's stronger than before."
As if noticing the attention, Redfield turned slightly and met Garp's gaze. A faint smile appeared on his lips. For a brief moment, their eyes clashed like sparks striking steel before both silently withdrew.
"It must be a Devil Fruit ability," Tsuru concluded. "There's no other explanation."
Redfield, once not a Devil Fruit user, had clearly gained a powerful ability. While this made him even more dangerous, it also introduced a weakness to seawater and Seastone, which the Marines could not ignore.
Meanwhile, the identity of the third swordsman stirred equal curiosity.
Yamamoto Genryusai remained largely unknown to the wider world, though among older swordsmen, recognition dawned. Some even showed visible excitement. His legend had faded with time, but it had never truly disappeared.
Seeing that the moment had arrived, Teach stood and lifted a microphone.
"Ahem."
The entire arena fell silent in an instant as the cameras focused on him.
Dressed in a black coat trimmed with gold, adorned with a three-headed dragon emblem, Teach stood like a king surveying his domain. His presence alone commanded attention, an invisible weight pressing upon everyone present.
"I won't waste words," he said with a grin. "The opening ceremony you've all been waiting for begins now. First, let's welcome the three witnesses of this tournament."
He gestured toward the platform.
"Red Count, Redfield!"
Redfield rose calmly, gripping his blood-red umbrella blade. He took a step forward, and in the blink of an eye, his figure vanished.
The next instant, he stood at the center of the arena.
Few had even seen him move.
His crimson coat fluttered gently as he smiled faintly, exuding effortless elegance. The title of Red Count was more than just a name.
"Still showing off as always," Shiki muttered with a smirk.
"Samurai, Kozuki Oden!"
Oden burst into laughter, leaping high into the sky before descending like a meteor. He landed firmly in the arena, his presence wild and unrestrained, drawing cheers from both the crowd and the distant land of Wano.
"Swordsman, Yamamoto Genryusai!"
The final figure rose slowly.
"Time to stretch these old bones," Yamamoto said with a faint smile, stroking his long beard.
He stepped forward, then descended from the platform in two measured motions before landing in the arena with calm precision. Unlike the others, his entrance lacked flash, yet no one dared underestimate him.
The three stood apart, each roughly fifty meters from the others, forming a perfect triangular standoff.
Teach's voice rang out once more.
"For the opening ceremony, these three will engage in a free-for-all exhibition match."
As he spoke, the arena trembled.
Mechanisms deep within the Battle Pyramid activated. The upper structure rose and opened, revealing the sky above. Light flooded the arena, and the stands shifted outward, increasing the distance between spectators and battlefield. Reinforced barriers rose into place, forming a protective perimeter.
At the same time, black mist spread outward from beneath Teach's feet, engulfing the arena's edges and walls.
This was the power of the Dark-Dark Fruit.
The mist absorbed energy and impact, reinforcing the arena while allowing the combatants to fight without restraint.
Everything was prepared.
A massive hourglass was placed at the edge of the field.
"When the sand runs out, one hour will have passed," Teach announced.
He raised his hand, then brought it down with a laugh.
"Begin!"
The hourglass flipped.
Sand began to fall.
For a brief moment, the three swordsmen stood still, watching one another.
Then, almost simultaneously, they moved.
Oden surged forward, twin blades drawn, his entire body cloaked in flowing Armament Haki as Enma and Ame no Habakiri darkened into black blades.
Redfield became a streak of crimson light.
Yamamoto advanced with steady steps, his robes billowing.
They collided at the center.
Steel met steel as four weapons clashed in an instant. The arena shook violently as shockwaves burst outward in concentric rings. Blinding light filled the battlefield, and even the hardened ground cracked under the pressure of their power.
Then, just as quickly, they separated.
Redfield moved first.
"Let's start with this," he said lightly.
He swung his blade.
Two massive crescent slashes, drenched in blood-red light, tore through the air. Each one towered hundreds of meters high, radiating overwhelming pressure and killing intent.
Kozuki Oden laughed and charged forward without hesitation.
"Oden Two-Sword Style: Togen Totsuka!"
His blades flashed, unleashing a devastating counter-slash.
On the other side, Yamamoto raised his weapon.
"I cannot be outshone," he said calmly.
"Ryujin Jakka."
A blazing inferno erupted, forming a colossal firestorm that surged forward to meet Redfield's attack.
The collisions shook the heavens.
Flame and crimson energy clashed violently before dissipating, while Oden's strike met its counterpart with equal force.
Gasps echoed throughout the arena.
Even the aftermath of the clash was terrifying, yet Teach's black mist absorbed most of the impact, shielding the spectators from harm.
Without hesitation, Oden and Yamamoto turned on Redfield together.
The battle intensified.
"Asahi Blade!"
Yamamoto swung his weapon, releasing a concentrated wave of scorching sword intent. There were no flames, no explosions, only pure destructive force that seemed capable of erasing anything it touched.
Both Redfield and Oden sensed the danger immediately. They reinforced themselves with Haki and retreated at once.
The ground before Yamamoto melted into a crater.
Shock spread through the audience.
Even Kaido and Big Mom watched with serious expressions.
The intensity of that strike alone was enough to make even them cautious.
Yet for Redfield and Oden, the danger only fueled their excitement.
The three exchanged knowing smiles.
Then, in the next moment, their Conqueror's Haki erupted.
Black and red lightning tore through the sky as their wills collided. The clouds split apart, dividing the heavens into three sections. Thunder roared as pressure blanketed the battlefield.
Though controlled enough not to affect the audience directly, the sheer presence of their Haki made it difficult to breathe.
This was the power of kings.
And at that moment, everyone understood.
The true battle had just begun.