Benedict's words shocked Kozuki Oden and the Scabbards.
They knew the Black Turtle Navy was powerful now.
They also knew Benedict had killed Golden Lion Shiki, but to claim they could change the entire world and overthrow the World Government with just their forces was something they simply couldn't accept.
The World Government's might was such that even a combined effort of the Beast Pirates and the Big Mom Pirates, or even the addition of the Whitebeard Pirates, couldn't solve their problems. Was the Black Turtle Navy truly stronger than these three major forces united?
"You don't believe me?"
"One day, you will."
"Provided, of course, that you are still alive."
Benedict said this with a faint look in his eyes as he regarded Kozuki Oden.
Benedict was brimming with self-confidence.
After a moment of silence, Kozuki Oden spoke, "I don't know how to believe you."
"However, I have given you the answer you seek."
"Now, Marshal Benedict, are you willing to help us?"
Benedict chuckled and replied, "Of course, there's no problem."
"So, what's your plan?"
"How many troops can you bring?" Kozuki Oden asked, looking at Benedict.
"The Black Turtle Navy is currently at war with the World Government, deploying no less than a hundred thousand troops, right?"
"Can you spare any forces to help us?"
Benedict chuckled lightly, then said proudly, "Why would I need to bring troops?"
"I am enough on my own."
Upon hearing Benedict's words, the Scabbards gasped.
Just how confident was he to claim that he was sufficient to face the Beast Pirates alone?
Kozuki Oden was also taken aback by Benedict's words. Even he wouldn't dare to boast such a thing.
If it were just to deal with Kurozumi Orochi, he wouldn't be afraid, and even the three executives wouldn't faze him.
However, Kaido was different.
Kaido's strength felt like it grew by the day, becoming stronger with each passing moment.
Especially in the recent times, Kaido's strength had become formidable, making each encounter increasingly difficult for him.
"Marshal Benedict, there's something I must clarify with you."
"Kaido's strength is immense. I suspect his Devil Fruit ability has fully awakened."
"Furthermore, he should possess even greater power."
Kozuki Oden, having clashed with Kaido multiple times, voiced his suspicions.
Regardless of whether Benedict was being overly arrogant or excessively confident, his strength was undeniable. Therefore, to prevent any unforeseen accidents, he felt it was imperative to make things clear to Benedict.
Upon hearing this, Benedict smiled and nodded, "I know."
"And I have never underestimated him."
Benedict certainly wouldn't dare to underestimate Kaido, nor Big Mom for that matter.
The secrets held by Big Mom were no less than Kaido's.
However, compared to Big Mom, Kaido's background, based on Benedict's extensive intelligence gathering and analysis, also had a connection with the World Government.
"My time is limited."
"Since we're going to act, let's get moving."
"To deal with external threats, we must first pacify the internal. So, let's start with Kurozumi Orochi."
Benedict stood up, looked at Kozuki Oden, and smiled.
Among the Scabbards, Kanjuro's eyes flickered with an unusual light upon hearing Benedict's words.
His gaze then shifted back to Kozuki Oden.
Ultimately, whether they would fight depended on Kozuki Oden's nod.
The prospect of taking down Kurozumi Orochi, however, gave characters like Kin'emon of the Fox Fire a degree of confidence and even anticipation.
"Pacify the internal first..." Kozuki Oden murmured the words.
A moment later, Kozuki Oden said with a serious tone, "Alright, then let's take down Kurozumi Orochi first."
Having said that, Kozuki Oden turned to the Scabbards and commanded, "Prepare yourselves. Gather your men. We depart in half an hour."
Kin'emon of the Fox Fire and the others nodded heavily, then quickly departed.
Benedict watched the Scabbards, especially Kanjuro's retreating back, with a slight curve of his lips.
If he remembered correctly, Kanjuro was the traitor left behind by Kurozumi Orochi among Kozuki Oden's retainers.
His original name should have been Kurozumi Kanjuro, a descendant of the Kurozumi clan.
After the Scabbards left to arrange troops, Kozuki Oden led Benedict out.
At this moment, he had no intention of returning to see his wife and children.
Half an hour later.
On a relatively wide street, samurai summoned by the Scabbards had gathered.
Many of them bore wounds, their freshly tied bandages still stained with blood seeping through.
Yet, in response to Kozuki Oden's summons, even with their grievances not yet settled, they persisted, determined to defeat Kurozumi Orochi.
Benedict took a look at the strength of these individuals.
In terms of combat effectiveness, their strength was only slightly weaker than the special forces summoned daily by the system.
"How do my samurai compare to your soldiers?" Kozuki Oden suddenly asked Benedict, looking at the samurai before them.
"They're not bad, but compared to my special forces, they are still lacking," Benedict replied with a light chuckle.
Kozuki Oden's eye twitched slightly. This answer did not satisfy him.
On the contrary, Kozuki Oden wished to show Benedict the might of his samurai.
These samurai hailed from the Shimotsuki clan, a prominent family equal in status to the Kozuki clan.
The Kozuki clan was incredibly powerful; otherwise, the Shimotsuki clan would not have followed them.
This was precisely why Kozuki Oden was able to muster so many troops when he decided to counterattack Kurozumi Orochi.
Of course, the more than two thousand people present were not all of them.
However, within half an hour in Oden Castle, this was the best he could assemble.
"Let's go!" Kozuki Oden did not wish to continue such a discussion with Benedict.
Kozuki Oden knew the Black Turtle Navy was strong, but he didn't believe the Black Turtle Navy's soldiers were stronger than his samurai.
The samurai of Wano Country, as long as they weren't mediocre and put in the effort, would master Armament Haki by middle age and possess considerable skill in swordsmanship.
Benedict perceived some of Kozuki Oden's thoughts and smiled without saying anything.
Sometimes, fights weren't won by sheer numbers.
At other times, fights indeed required a large number of people.
But it also depended on who these people were.
If they were individuals as powerful as oneself, then more the merrier.
However, if they were merely underlings, in the face of superior strength, they would only be fodder. m..oΓg
As one of the Scabbards, Kanjuro naturally had to join the expedition.
Watching Benedict walk ahead with Kozuki Oden, Kanjuro's lips curved slightly, a fleeting expression.
No one noticed his peculiarity.
However, he absolutely did not believe that his identity had long been exposed to Benedict.
In fact, he wouldn't even realize that Benedict hadn't taken his minor movements to heart at all.