One Piece: Starting with Breathing Techniques

Chapter 171 Death Threat

Looking at Shiki, whose eyes were full of ambition, Kaido shook his head, feeling a sense of感慨 (gǎnkǎi, a complex emotion encompassing both admiration and regret).

Once upon a time, Shiki the Golden Lion was one of the strongest members of the Rocks Pirates, with enough potential to compete for the title of Pirate King.

But ever since that defeat, the opponent has been in a slump, both in terms of strength and mentality, and has completely lost his former glory.

Nevertheless, Kaido still held a final bit of respect for this former comrade.

After all, considering that the other party took the initiative to come to him to discuss cooperation after escaping Impel Down, he wouldn't easily turn against them.

Shiki took a swig of strong liquor, smiled with relief, glanced at Kaido behind him, and then turned and walked out of the luxurious room.

Kaido watched Shiki leave, his fierce gaze flickering before finally settling into a long sigh.

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Fujiyama.

Inside an extremely luxurious mansion, a robust middle-aged man is surrounded by numerous servants, enjoying the finest wines and delicacies.

After finishing his meal, he wiped his mouth, nodded in satisfaction, and everyone around him breathed a sigh of relief and took their leave, leaving only an elderly man who looked like a butler.

"How's it going? Any developments with Kaido?"

The black charcoal serpent frowned and asked in a deep voice.

Through some intelligence channels, he unexpectedly learned that Kaido seemed to be meeting with a very important person today to discuss some matters.

As the shogun who rules Wano Country, Kurozumi Orochi has always had a strange sense of unease.

Despite having a cooperative relationship with Kaido, he always felt that the other party might betray him at any moment and kick him aside.

He was especially uneasy after learning that Kaido had met with that mysterious figure.

What if the other party is plotting to usurp his Wano Country?

Faced with the restless Orochi, the old man shook his head. "General, that person seems to have just left. Judging from his expression, he didn't seem to have reached an agreement with Lord Kaido."

"In my judgment, that person might be—"

"It could be Shiki the Golden Lion of the Rocks Pirates, a former ally of Kaido!"

"Shiki the Golden Lion?!"

Orochi was taken aback. "What does he want with Kaido?"

"Didn't he lose both legs and have a mast stuck in his head?"

The old man shook his head. "I don't know."

The sense of insecurity caused by the unknown made Orochi somewhat irritable. He snorted and waved his hand to dismiss the old man, then sat alone in front of the French windows, lost in thought.

He didn't know how much time had passed when he sensed footsteps approaching from behind.

"Didn't I tell you to step down?"

His voice was somewhat displeased. "Get out!"

But the footsteps grew closer and closer, showing no sign of stopping.

Seeing this, Kurozumi Orochi narrowed his eyes, instantly reaching for the two swords at his waist, and turned to attack the attacker.

At the same time, a disdainful sneer appeared on the corner of his mouth.

Did they really think he was a vegetarian general?!

He is a dual-wielding swordsman, one of the best samurai in Wano Country!

Orochi was confident that even Kaido, known as the strongest creature on Earth, probably couldn't withstand his peerless twin swords.

Just as Orochi was fantasizing about the newcomer being killed by his twin swords, a pitifully small cross-shaped short sword had somehow appeared before the two imposing long swords, imbued with Armament Haki.

Just as Kurozumi Orochi grinned maliciously, preparing to slay the arrogant intruder with a single strike, he discovered that his usually invincible twin swords were unable to advance an inch, as if they had encountered an invisible mountain.

"!????"

Orochi's expression changed drastically, and he was horrified. He was about to retreat when the world in front of him suddenly twisted and churned.

When he regained his vision, he found himself sitting on the ground.

Those two longswords they were so proud of were now broken into pieces on the ground.

Right in front of him stood a tall, imposing figure, his gaze cold and calm as he looked down at him.

"Who are you--?!"

Orochi was momentarily terrified, but quickly recovered, his face filled with rage. "I'm Kaido's ally! If you dare touch me—"

As his gaze moved upward, he gradually saw the face of the person who had come into view, and his voice grew softer and softer, stuck in his throat.

From his angle, he could clearly see the face hidden beneath the mask—a face he could never have imagined: "The Swordsman Kiro?!"

Orochi was covered in cold sweat. "How did you get here?!"

As a swordsman, even though Kurozumi Orochi was extremely arrogant, he was well aware of the gap between himself and Kiro.

Moreover, the opponent was a great swordsman with unfathomable combat power. The difference between the two was as vast as the difference between the bright moon in the sky and the firefly on the ground.

He had no doubt that Kiro could shred him to dust with a single blow!

Looking at the terrified Orochi, Kiro remained calm. "Did you issue a ban on weapons?"

Before Orochi could answer, Kiro continued, "And they even banned the opening of gyms?"

Kurozumi Orochi hurriedly nodded, a hundred thoughts swirling in his mind as he tried to argue, but then he heard Kiro say coldly, "Just to protect your own rule?"

"As a swordsman, instead of thinking about developing the way of the sword, you're prohibiting its development?"

"How ridiculous!"

"If I hear of similar laws again in the future—"

Kiro glanced meaningfully at the trembling Orochi. "I know you want to protect yourself, but if the ban on weapons continues, I will take action."

What do you think?

Kurozumi Orochi's pupils trembled for a moment. He wanted to say something but dared not speak. In the end, under Kiro's gaze, he lowered his head and trembled.

"Yes, yes!"

"I understand, Lord Kiro. I will make the arms ban disappear!"

Even though he was the general of Wano Country, with extraordinary power and status, he still had to abandon his dignity and humble himself in front of Kiro just to survive.

After all, the person in front of us is not a civilized person who can negotiate or reason!

The other side even dared to attack the Holy Land of Mary Geoise directly, and slaughtered several Celestial Dragons, the world's nobles, without any scruples!

In Kurozumi Orochi's eyes, Kiro's behavior was no different from that of a madman!

If the other party wanted to kill him, it would only take a single thought!

Having experienced the thrill of power, Orochi's fear of death had reached its peak; he dared not gamble on whether Kiro would kill him.

Therefore, even though he was very unwilling, he had no choice but to comply and lift the ban on weapons that protected him.

Hearing the trembling, deathly pale-faced black serpent's hesitant reply, Kiro nodded: "Very good!"

"I hope you keep your word!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Kiro turned and left, leaving only Kurozumi Orochi trembling in place.

A moment later, the black charcoal serpent dared to raise its head, looking in shock at the direction where Kiro had disappeared, and let out a long sigh.

"Damn, that was close!"

"I almost died!"