Hiyori's Resolve

Sirius's lips twitched.

Yamato really doesn't know how to talk.

They have indeed met cats and Nekomamushi and Inuarashi.

And more than once.

The first time was during the final battle between Teacher Kaido and Kozuki Oden. The Red-Sheath Samurai were all arrested and forced to watch the final battle between the two Admiral along with Sirius.

The second time was in the Dungeon of the Flower Capital Tenshukaku, when Sirius and Yamato went to chat with Kozuki Oden and saw them locked in a cell.

They didn't speak on either occasion.

Although they did meet, it's probably not a pleasant memory for the Nekomamushi and Inuarashi.

As expected, both Nekomamushi and Inuarashi's expressions instantly turned serious.

That was certainly not a pleasant memory for them.

On the contrary, it was their most unbearable past.

But that's not the point.

Inuarashi tilted his head back and called out loudly, "Princess Hiyori, is that you?"

He was very excited; his voice was trembling.

Hiyori walked over to Duke Inuarashi and said with a smile, "It's been a long time, Mr. Inuarashi."

"Is it really His Princess Hiyori?"

Nekomamushi was equally excited. He leaped up and landed on the railing of the Sirius. He stared blankly at Hiyori's back, a figure that overlapped with a figure from his memory.

"Of course it's Hiyori!"

Yamato said matter-of-factly, "Isn't it obvious at a glance? She looks a lot like Lady Toki."

"That's great, that's great!"

The Nekomamushi was so excited that tears welled up in its eyes. "You're still alive!"

"The Kozuki Clan has not been extinguished!" Inuarashi cried, tears streaming down his face. "Lord Oden's bloodline still flows!"

"I'm so glad to see you're all safe and sound." Hiyori couldn't help but shed tears.

She was six years old when the war broke out. The Red-Sheath Samurai often played with her, and these two Nekomamushi and Inuarashi were her favorite playmates.

They're all safe and sound, that's wonderful.

"Another one you know?"

Luo couldn't help but say, "Why do I feel like I see familiar faces of Kozuki Oden everywhere?"

How many have we encountered along the way?

Then, the Nekomamushi and Inuarashi and dog bowed to Sirius almost simultaneously, "Thank you very much, thank you very much for taking care of Princess Hiyori, Black Wolf!"

Pedro was somewhat surprised; the two, who were usually at odds, were now so in sync, almost like one person.

Not again?

So Sirius could only say again, "It's nothing, Hiyori is my partner. Besides, Oden is also a friend of mine."

"A partner?"

The Nekomamushi raised its head, a bright smile on its round face, "Princess Hiyori's companions are our companions! Lord Oden's friends are our friends!"

Although Black Wolf White Wolf were once in the Beasts Pirates, they had long since parted ways with Kaido.

"Today is a day to be happy,"

Inuarashi said, "Mr. Black Wolf, Princess Hiyori, please come to my residence and let me host a banquet to welcome you."

"Hey, old dog, what do you mean? Why can't we go into the forest!" Nekomamushi was unhappy with Inuarashi's decision.

"Are you suggesting we send our distinguished guests into the forest to feed on mosquitoes?" Inuarashi asked bluntly.

"Do you want a beating, you stinky dog?!"

"Go ahead and try, you dead cat!"

The two immediately started arguing.

"Please don't argue, Mr. Nekomamushi, Mr. Inuarashi," Hiyori quickly said. "I remember you two used to be best friends, why now—"

The Nekomamushi and Inuarashi both fell silent.

Yes, their relationship used to be the best.

They left the Mokomo Dukedom together and sailed out to sea, then drifted to Wano Country together, were adopted by Lord Oden, and became the Red-Sheath Samurai together.

When did the cracks appear in this once close relationship, eventually leading to their complete separation?

It was probably after that utter defeat, when everyone felt that the other side was incapable of protecting Lord Oden?

"No matter what has happened, I hope that you two can still be like you used to be," Hiyori said earnestly.

Both of them were her elders, people she respected, and she hoped their friendship would be completely broken.

The Nekomamushi and Inuarashi exchanged a glance.

They both understood what the other meant.

Since Princess Hiyori is still alive and the Kozuki bloodline has not been severed, there is no need for mutual resentment.

It's time to join forces and concentrate all our strength to fight for Princess Hiyori once again.

"Old Cat!"

Inuarashi said.

The Nekomamushi nodded, "Of course!"

Although they've been bickering for many years, the tacit understanding they developed since childhood allows them to instantly grasp each other's thoughts.

A smile appeared on both of their faces at the same time.

"That would be wonderful," Hiyori said with a smile.

The banquet was ultimately decided to be held within the town.

After all, the dense jungle did indeed lack the conditions for holding a banquet.

The feast was quite lavish; although it took place on the back of a giant elephant, the Mink Tribe did not lack food.

Zunesha often shakes his trunk to spray water upwards to bathe himself.

These waters are often accompanied by many fish falling from the sky, which is Zou's food source.

"So, the Sirius Pirates are about to go to war with the Beasts Pirates?!"

At the banquet, Duke Inuarashi was so shocked upon hearing about the next move of the Sirius Pirates that he slammed his fist on the table and stood up.

"That's right," Sirius said casually, "We need to get the stone that Teacher Kaido has."

"So Mr. Sirius is also collecting stones? In that case," Nekomamushi said seriously, "Zou also has a Poneglyph. If you don't mind, please accept it!"

Kindness?

So proactive?

Sirius paused for a moment.

He was still organizing his thoughts, trying to figure out how to begin.

"Huh? Is that okay?" Yamato asked in surprise.

"Of course, no problem."

Inuarashi smiled and said, "Stones are meaningless to us. Since our friends can use them, there's no need to be stingy."

"Thank you then."

Sirius did not stand on ceremony.

Making these friends isn't bad at all.

"Yay! That's great!"

Yamato excitedly pumped his fist, "Now we have two stones!"

"However, Mr. Sirius,"

Duke Inuarashi said earnestly, "We have a request!"

"That's right," Nekomamushi chimed in, "Let us join the war against the Beasts Pirates!"

Sirius wasn't particularly surprised.

With Hiyori on their side, and fighting Teacher Kaido at that, what reason do they have not to join the battle?

"Mr. Nekomamushi, Mr. Inuarashi!"

Hiyori couldn't help but say, "Father is already dead, you don't need to—"

"No, Princess Hiyori," Inuarashi interrupted Hiyori loudly, "Lord Oden is not only our lord to whom we serve, but also a great benefactor who has shown us kindness!"

"If we can't even fight for our benefactor, what kind of men are we?" the Nekomamushi said solemnly.

Hiyori paused for a moment.

Then she said seriously, "You may have misunderstood, Mr. Nekomamushi, Mr. Inuarashi. Our goal is simply to take the stone from Kaido's hand."

"I have no intention of having Sirius help me restore my kingdom."

The Nekomamushi and Inuarashi were both taken aback.

"This is an agreement," Hiyori said, "Something that was agreed upon from the beginning."

Sirius silent.

This was indeed something that had been agreed upon by both sides when Hiyori boarded the ship.

The struggle with Teacher Kaido over the stone is an irreconcilable conflict between dreams.

But things are different in Wano Country.

The Nekomamushi and Inuarashi looked at each other in bewilderment.

Is there any difference?

Isn't the Sirius Pirates still going to war with the Beasts Pirates?

"So, the Hiyori..."

Sirius put down his food and asked seriously, "What are your plans?"