The Cat and Dog's Promise, the Pursuers Have Arrived

Zou's right flank stronghold

Because the central city was destroyed in the war, and the remaining poison gas was not suitable for the wounded to recuperate, Roman's Paper Puppet Army acted as 'laborers' to move all the wounded Mink Tribe here.

The Straw Hat crew's medical expertise is absolutely world-class!

Not to mention that Chopper was trained by the 141-year-old legendary Divine Doctor Dr. Kureha, his medical abilities, such as 'Hormone Ability' and 'String-String Ability' recorded in Roman, would bring any doctor to tears: the ability to arbitrarily control the secretion of various hormones in a patient's body; the ability to precisely perform internal sutures...

Don't forget, before Chopper joined the Straw Hat crew, Roman was always the one providing medical care. Moreover, Roman's Observation Haki gives him X-ray vision, allowing him to repair internal injuries without surgery using his String-String Ability —something only he could do.

With Law's 'Op-Op Fruit' ability and Nami unleashing the Phoenix's 'Healing Blue Flames', it's safe to say that anyone who isn't instantly killed can be saved!

Furthermore, the Mink Tribe were all warriors, possessing exceptional physical strength, so they quickly:

The banquet begins:

"I am deeply grateful and will not thank you in words. Please eat and drink to your heart's content!"

"This is our specialty, 'Monkey Liquor,' which is brewed from fruits found in the forest."

"Oh, this is good!"

Zoro had just enthusiastically accepted the wine when he was met with a group of the Mink Tribe who surrounded him, sniffing and rubbing against him, and he shouted angrily.

"This is so annoying! How am I supposed to drink like this?"

"Hahaha, that's awesome~~"

Sanji, lying in the arms of a group of catgirls and sheep girls rubbing against him, was practically limp as a noodle, his face full of bliss and his eyes sparkling with hearts, just short of uttering the classic line, "Enjoying this moment, I forget all about the ship."

"This is our local custom called 'Karuchu,' which is a way of expressing friendliness to you 'hairless tribes' by rubbing your faces together."

Wanda, a female warrior of the 'Canine Mink' with yellow fur and long, wavy hair, explained to the Straw Hat crew that she was considered one of the more diplomatic members of the Mink Tribe. Although:

"Hehehe, this banana is delicious."

"Right? I knew it!"

"Squeak squeak squeak..."

"That is!"

Watching Luffy playing with a group of "monkey Mink Tribe" and "Masira Mink Tribe" members, already with his arms around their shoulders, it seems he doesn't need to worry about cultural differences at all—

"Yo-ho, help!!"

Brook, however, didn't see it that way, as he was enthusiastically grabbed, nibbled, and licked by a group of 'Canine Mink'.

Is this also a local custom?

"To be honest, we never imagined that such a 'charming' race existed in the world... We Canine Mink have no resistance to bones~~,"

Hey, beautiful lady, what's with licking your lips?

Roman rolled his eyes. Mink Tribe generally possess certain 'animalistic traits.' So, it's easy to imagine what a group of 'Canine Mink' would do upon seeing a skeleton dangling in front of them.

"This benefactor looks delicious..."

"Duke Inuarashi, please refrain from drooling in front of the guests."

"Teacher Chopper, if it's..."

On the other side, several local goat doctors and fox nurses were attentively listening to Chopper's instruction on medicine, notebooks in hand. The little reindeer's constant switching between seriousness and excitement must have given him a real sense of accomplishment—no wonder Mr. Roman always loved to be a teacher.

Usopp then began enthusiastically boasting about his "great adventure as Sea Warrior," which, while somewhat exaggerated, was largely true. After all, his current net worth of "200 million" was something he earned through sheer hard work.

Everyone was immersed in the joyful atmosphere of the banquet, raising their glasses to celebrate their survival and the kindness shown to the Straw Hat crew!

·········

"This straw Straw Hat,"

Separated from Duke Inuarashi by a considerable distance, the obese Nekomamushi sitting opposite him looked at Luffy's Straw Hat.

Seeing him reminds me of a friend we once had: Shanks the Red-Haired, one of the 'Four Emperors'...

"Hehehe, this hat was given to me by Shanks."

Faced with Luffy's answer, the cat and dog were stunned again, and then:

"Gurgle meow meow, so it was—"

"Woof woof, so that's what it is—"

?!

"Hmph!" X2

The Straw Hat crew was baffled by the two guys who were still arguing despite being covered in bandages, but these were minor matters.

"Thanks to all our benefactors, otherwise our country would have suffered a catastrophic disaster this time."

"Hmph, if those guys hadn't used 'poison gas' weapons, I would have bitten their throats open!"

Duke Inuarashi is calm and kind; while Master Nekomamushi is violent and warlike; but they are both loyal, grateful, and cherish their companions, making them truly indomitable men on this high seas.

"Well, war is inherently about using any means necessary. However:"

Roman took a sip of orange juice.

"You shouldn't have to worry about encountering this kind of attack again in the future— Caesar, the inventor of this poison gas weapon, was just taken down by us not long ago."

Roman put down his cup and looked at Duke Inuarashi.

"Because of this, we also fought with the 'Beasts' Pirates, so:"

"No problem, Mr. Roman."

Duke Inuarashi nodded. As one of the 'Two Kings' of Zou, he was a kind, gentle, and humble leader. He was also a thoughtful person and immediately understood Roman's implication.

"If our benefactors ever need to deal with the 'Beasts Pirates' in the future, everyone in Zou will definitely lend a helping hand!"

"You're going to go up against the Beasts Pirates?"

The burly Nekomamushi split its mouth, revealing a mouthful of sharp teeth.

"I love it! You have to call me when the time comes, I'll definitely 'repay' them for this broken leg!"

·······

The one with the broken leg is Duke Inuarashi, and it's already been reattached. What are you getting so excited about?

Well, although these two 'kings' of Zou loathe each other, they are absolutely the closest of partners. The reason they turned against each other was because of Oden.

Forget it, I don't want to think about those unhappy things.

Roman nodded, having received the promises from the two 'Kings'. With the entire Mink Tribe joining them, they could at least take down Jack and a group of 'Gifters' by the time they reached Wano Country. After all, you can never have too much fighting power, especially since this was their national and personal vendetta.

—While the Straw Hat crew arrived just in time, to say they suffered no casualties would be a fairy tale. Under poison gas, skilled fighters can withstand it, but the old, weak, and disabled...

"By the way, may we visit your country?"

Roman looked at Duke Inuarashi again.

"Our comrades—"

Roman then pointed to the intelligent-looking woman next to Franky, "Robin, she's an archaeologist and very interested in your local history. If possible, we would appreciate it if you could provide a guide."

Having a local guide is beneficial, firstly, it allows for a faster understanding of the country's history. Secondly, it allows the other party to prepare in advance: after all, Roman knows that the place where the Poneglyph are kept is still occupied by Raizo Wano Country.

It was because of him that Jack caused such Zou.

"No problem, Your Excellency Roman."

Duke Inuarashi glanced at Roman, and for some reason, he had a gut feeling that this man knew the secret of 'Zou'.

But... how is that possible?

And under the 'city gate',

Another group of people also arrived in Zou.

"What... what's going on?"

Wearing a pink suit and sunglasses, the Leo man, Pekoms, stared in disbelief at his homeland: a scene of utter devastation, littered with wreckage!

"Damn it! Could it have been the Straw Hat Pirates?"

The reason they were able to track them down here is, of course, because:

"The Vivre Card points to the right of the city,"

Beside him stood a short man, dressed in a hat and scarf, wearing a black and white striped suit, and smoking a cigar. He looked like a mafia member and glanced at the Vivre Card in his hand.

"What place is that, Pekoms?"

Capone Bege, captain of the Fire Tank Pirates, was one of the Twelve Supernovas of Sabaody two years ago. He is now a subordinate pirate crew of the BIG MOM Pirates, and was sent out to track down the Straw Hat Pirates with Pekoms.

By the way, Capone Bege 1.6 meters tall, which is definitely considered a 'dwarf' in this world.

"Right?"

Pekoms was stunned, and then all the fur on his body stood on end!

"That's where our ancestors used to live! Those damned Straw Hat crew! They even dare to raid our ancestral land—"

Isn't it normal for pirates to burn, kill, and plunder?

Capone Bege glanced at the impotently furious Pekoms, then turned and walked away.

"Now is not the time to cry. Don't forget our 'mission'."

Pekoms, being Mink Tribe born here, composed himself and, with Capone Bege in tow, headed towards the right-side outpost. They soon encountered a patrol of the Mink Tribe warriors, and then:

"Waaaaah, Mom, Dad, I'm so glad you're all okay!"

"Seeing the devastation in the city, my heart stopped—"

Pekoms, who was crying his eyes out, was gently patted on the head by his mother, who was also a 'Lion Mink'.

"Thanks to the Straw Hat Pirates, they saved the entire Zou,"

"Pekoms, you little rascal, you actually came back to see us after all~~"

After some explanation, the two officers of the BIG MOM Pirates finally understood what had happened. Meanwhile, the commotion outside had also alerted the Straw Hat crew:

"Isn't this the 'Lion Man' we met on Fish-Man Island? Oh—"

Thump!

With one punch, Luffy in apology, Nami pulled this overly familiar guy back from behind.

"Hey, what are you talking about! Have you forgotten that we're enemies with the 'BIG MOM Pirates'?"

"Is there?"

Seeing Luffy's blank Luffy, Roman had to remind him.

"Luffy, have you forgotten that you said you'd beat them up back on Fish-Man Island? And then in Dressrosa, we fought them again because of Caesar..."

"Oh yes! That's right."

I'm speechless, Luffy, have you really 'externalized' your memories now?

"So you're here to fight?"

Luffy rubbed his fist.

"If we're going to fight, we should fight on the open sea. This country has already suffered too much—"

Brush,

Snap snap snap~~

"Awoo, I just wanted to express my gratitude to you all!"

"Let go, let go—"

Pekoms, disgusted by Pekoms's "Karuchu" face-rubbing Luffy, pushed the tearful, snotty guy away, finally understanding Roman's usual frustration.

"So, what exactly are you guys doing here?"

"Two cadres... excuse my bluntness, but if you don't want to die, don't make any rash moves."

Roman stepped forward and glanced at Capone Bege and Pekoms. Although he already had some suspicions, but:

"And what I'm even more curious about is how you managed to track us all the way here?"