Cats and Dogs

"Zunesha actually has its own consciousness and is capable of communication..."

After staring in disbelief, Mikuru cautiously asked, "Red Nose uncle... is it really Zunesha talking to you?"

Buggy looked up and replied, "It's probably because I can hear its voice, but it can't hear mine; it's a one-way communication."

"What did Zunesha say to you?"

"It told me its name was Chronos, and that long ago it made a terrible mistake, so it was punished by having to walk forever without rest..."

Mikuru looked at Buggy with some nervousness. "What mistake?"

"I don't know either, but I know why it stopped: because it sensed the scent clinging to me..."

Buggy spoke slowly, "The aura of Uranus."

"Uranus?" Mikuru looked puzzled, completely baffled as to what Uranus, the Zunesha, had to do with Zulu.

"The fog we accidentally entered earlier led to a deserted island, which was Uranus's former habitat. After I awoke from my slumber, I explored the island, which is why I carry Uranus's scent. That's why this giant elephant mistook me for its punisher, Uranus, who had come here."

"It was a punishment issued by Uranus..."

Mikuru believed Buggy's words without a doubt, and was therefore shocked.

If anyone in this world has the power to issue commands to Zunesha, who is dozens of times taller than a giant, then it is undoubtedly the even more advanced and powerful being— Uranus!

"The entanglement with the Kozuki Clan...?"

Buggy heard the fading voice of Zunesha in his mind, murmured something, and then said to Mikuru, "Let's go to Zou, little cat."

"Good."

Buggy glanced sideways at Gild Tesoro, "Let's go together."

Gild Tesoro said, "It seems you're still quite worried about me..."

"I'm a little worried about you staying on my ship," Buggy said bluntly, "Unless you think you're a reliable and good person."

Gild Tesoro snorted coldly, "You're right. Even with allies, it's only right to be cautious. Besides, I'm a pirate now, and alliances between pirates are often more prone to betrayal."

Buggy said, "Good to know."

After the Pale White approached the Zunesha where it was stationed, the sailors on board took charge of guarding the ship, while Buggy, Mikuru, and Gild Tesoro used various methods to cling to the elephant's legs and continue moving upwards.

About half an hour later, the three arrived at Zou, which is on the back of an elephant.

Looking around, forests and towns interspersed, and directly ahead was a huge arched stone gate. A small monkey was perched on the gate, looking at the three of them. It squeaked and then hurriedly ran into the town in a panic.

"It's me..."

Mikuru was initially delighted, but before he could finish speaking, the little monkey ran off, causing him to pause in surprise. He then quickly shouted, "I am Mikuru!"

The little monkey quickly stopped, glanced back, squeaked happily, and ran back towards Mikuru.

When they reached the archway, they stopped and looked at Buggy and Gild Tesoro beside Mikuru with suspicion and wariness.

"Don't worry, there won't be any problems!" Mikuru saw the little monkey's confusion and explained.

"Squeak."

After Mikuru spoke with the little monkey again, the three of them stepped through the arched doorway and headed inside.

Along the way, they saw more and more Mink Tribe. The townspeople greeted Mikuru, whom they hadn't seen in a long time, and quietly inquired about the origins of Buggy and Gild Tesoro, since Zou hadn't seen any outsiders for a long time.

Seemingly because of Mikuru's identity, the townspeople were quite at ease and didn't ask any further questions.

Buggy calmly looked around, seemingly unconcerned about the townspeople's stares. Gild Tesoro, on the other hand, felt extremely uncomfortable. He liked being revered, but disliked being stared at like a rare object.

"Mikuru ..."

Not far away, Pedro jumped down from the rooftop, looking at Mikuru with great excitement, "You're back! We haven't seen each other in so long!"

"Pedro, it's you!"

Mikuru's eyes lit up, and he said excitedly, "It's been a long time since I've seen you! You still look the same, you haven't changed at all!"

Pedro smiled, then looked at Buggy and his companion. "Are these two your friends?"

"Yes, the Red Nose uncle is my captain, and that's his ally."

"Don't refer to me as 'that,' my name is Gild Tesoro," Gild Tesoro said, displeased with Mikuru's way of referring to him. He glanced at Pedro, his words brimming with confidence. "You look like an official here, so you should know me, right?"

Pedro looked closely at Gild Tesoro. He had experience in creating a pirate crew and sailing the seas, and his knowledge far surpassed that of the other Mink Tribe who had stayed on the island for most of their lives. So, he gradually recalled Gild Tesoro's name and the photo that had appeared in the newspaper. He was quite surprised that Mikuru knew this man who held a great deal of influence in the world economy.

"Are you the Gild Tesoro Gild Tesoro?"

"You're quite knowledgeable."

Gild Tesoro responded with a light, unhurried tone.

"Oh..." Pedro then shifted his gaze from Gild Tesoro to Buggy, wanting to see just what kind of person the captain Mikuru had chosen was.

He felt that Buggy looked familiar, as if he had seen him somewhere before, but after all, it had been a long time since he had sailed at sea, and he didn't know much about the current situation at sea. For a moment, his mind was a bit hazy, and he just couldn't remember.

He said, "I must have seen you somewhere before."

Mikuru covered his mouth and chuckled, deliberately keeping him in suspense instead of asking, "By the way, where's Boss Cat? Is he still sleeping in the Whale Forest?"

Pedro knew Mikuru was referring to the Nekomamushi, and suddenly exclaimed as if remembering something, "Oh no!"

It's daytime now, and Lord Nekomamushi shouldn't be here. However, because of the incident where Zunesha stopped moving, he came to town at this time. But to some extent, this violates the unwritten agreement between him and Duke Inuarashi. Even though someone had been sent to inform them, the two sides should have negotiated in a special meeting room, mediated by the town's most senior elder, Grandpa Aruto. If Nekomamushi were to encounter Duke Inuarashi in public, their irreconcilable conflict could very well erupt violently!

Therefore, after Pedro and the others secretly communicated, they each guided the routes of Lord Nekomamushi and Duke Inuarashi in order to prevent the two from meeting prematurely.

That's why he jumped onto the roof to check the situation, but he was so overjoyed to see Mikuru that he forgot about it!

Having lost their bearings, Nekomamushi and Duke Inuarashi were walking on two streets that were almost at a 90-degree angle to each other. As if they had seen something, they walked faster and quickened their pace toward Buggy's direction.

The Mink Tribe responsible for guiding the two were unable to stop them. Pedro stood at the corner, looking left and right. As he saw Nekomamushi and Duke Inuarashi getting closer and closer, his heart was pounding in his throat. He didn't know how to salvage the situation, and sweat poured down his forehead.

Accompanied by the Mink Tribe warriors, Nekomamushi and Duke Inuarashi strode to the center of the intersection and almost simultaneously asked, "You are...?"