Cat and Dog Make Peace

"You're satisfied now, but I'm not so happy!" the Nekomamushi said in a muffled voice, licking its paws.

"I've heard that Shanks has become a renowned pirate across the seas. You've been dealing with him all this time, so we shouldn't underestimate you..." Duke Inuarashi said, "As a guest, please forgive our rudeness in treating you just now."

"I'm not that petty," Buggy SMILE. "To tell you the truth, I've never been to Wano Country, nor have I met Kozuki Oden..."

Upon hearing this, Nekomamushi's face immediately turned furious. "You Red Nose bastard, are you playing me for fools!" With that, he tried to rush forward and beat Buggy up.

"I should have expected this." Duke Inuarashi sighed, still somewhat dejected.

Buggy added, "However, I did receive some information from within Wano Country regarding Kozuki Oden."

Nekomamushi and Duke Inuarashi were taken aback by his words, and said with a hint of annoyance, "Stop keeping me in suspense!"

Buggy said slowly, "It is said that the shogun of Wano Country and Kozuki Oden have disagreements and often have violent conflicts. Their relationship has become increasingly strained and could break out into civil war at any time."

He told Lilina everything he had heard, without holding anything back.

Nekomamushi was startled by this and said anxiously, "We must hurry there immediately to assist Kozuki!" He looked around at the Mink Tribe townspeople, seemingly conscripting them.

"Mad cat, don't do anything foolish!"

Duke Inuarashi, however, was much more rational. He glanced at Nekomamushi, suppressed the worry between his brows, and spoke in a slightly calmer tone, "Leaving aside whether Lord Kozuki will accept us, Wano Country is closed off from the world. If we set off rashly, we will only be accused of illegal entry, giving the shogun of Wano Country a pretext to frame Lord Kozuki!"

The Nekomamushi looked displeased. "Then what do you suggest? We can't just Kozuki Lord Kozuki die, can we?"

Duke Inuarashi said, "Calm down. Don't underestimate Lord Kozuki. With his strength and the retainers of his family, even if the other party is the Shogun of Wano Country, he cannot pose a threat to him."

The Nekomamushi calmed down a bit, then suddenly burst into laughter as if it had just realized something. "Old dog, you're right. With Kozuki's abilities, he wouldn't be afraid of that general!"

Duke Inuarashi said, "Stop joking around and let's deal with the urgent matter first!"

"I almost forgot!" The Nekomamushi glanced down at the ground. "Regarding the decision... let's settle it with a duel..."

Buggy raised an eyebrow, interrupting Nekomamushi, "Have you two forgotten the request you just made to me?"

Nekomamushi and Duke Inuarashi did not answer.

Buggy said, "If Kozuki Oden saw you, who once shared life and death with him, now turning against each other, he would probably be heartbroken and extremely disappointed, wouldn't he?"

Duke Inuarashi and Nekomamushi were taken aback by his words. They exchanged a glance, Duke Inuarashi said, "What you say makes sense."

The Nekomamushi gritted its teeth. "If it's for Kozuki's sake, I won't hold it against that old dog."

That's good.

Buggy laughed and said, "What were you trying to decide? Maybe I can help."

The Nekomamushi, ever outspoken, said, "Old cat, I won't hide anything from you. Zou's Zunesha, Zunesha, is now frozen on the sea. We're worried that its lifespan is nearing its end, and it will eventually fall into the sea, plunging our entire clan into annihilation."

"So that's how it is..."

Buggy nodded, then smiled and said, "But it's not what you think. This giant elephant isn't nearing the end of its life; it's just that I'm here. Don't worry, it will soon return to normal and start moving again."

"You...?"

Nekomamushi, Duke Inuarashi, and all the Mink Tribe around them were shocked by Buggy's words. The townspeople surrounding them were even more skeptical, thinking, "Even if you can remain undefeated against the combined attack of Nekomamushi and Duke Inuarashi, it doesn't mean you have the ability to make Zunesha has been walking for thousands of years, stop... That's just wishful thinking!"

"Buggy, you kid, you're kidding me..." Nekomamushi said.

"I wouldn't be so bored as to make a joke like that."

Buggy said, "I heard what that giant elephant said in my mind before. The slight trembling of the ground that you felt was just its whole body shaking, and it was also suppressed by the unique aura on my body..."

"Etc!"

Duke Inuarashi interrupted, "You mean, Zunesha is speaking to you?"

Buggy replied, "That's right, it has its own consciousness, instead of just sleeping and walking instinctively."

"Zunesha is conscious..."

Duke Inuarashi struggled to process this shocking news. Buggy had no reason to lie, especially since the time before and after his arrival coincided with the period when Zunesha was acting strangely!

"It's hard to imagine... I hope, as you say, Zunesha can recover soon." Nekomamushi pondered for a moment, then slowly nodded, accepting Buggy's explanation.

Duke Inuarashi continued, "Even so, this matter concerns the very survival of our Mink Tribe, so it is necessary for us to discuss and prepare for the worst." He glanced at Nekomamushi.

"That's right, that's how it should be."

Nekomamushi succinctly agreed with Duke Inuarashi's words; this was a tacit understanding between kings, and also between former comrades.

Buggy shrugged. "Whatever..."

After exchanging glances, Nekomamushi and Duke Inuarashi nodded and walked together toward a meeting room in the town. The onlookers were dumbfounded, and looked at Buggy with gratitude. The two kings had not only joined forces today, but had also reconciled. This was the greatest joyous occasion on Zou in twenty years!

Gild Tesoro, standing to the side, watched with boredom, yawning repeatedly. "This is utterly pointless..."

Buggy glanced at him. "If you don't talk, no one will think you're mute."

"Haha, don't mind it!" Gild Tesoro laughed to himself. "I was just trying to lighten the mood!"

"Where's the kitten...?"

Buggy ignored Gild Tesoro and looked around, but Mikuru was nowhere to be seen. However, this was Mink Tribe territory, so Buggy didn't need to worry about her whereabouts or safety. He figured she must have gone to find some old friends.

Then, accompanied by Mayor Ape, Buggy toured the island that stood atop a giant elephant.

About an hour later, a member of the Mink Tribe came over with joy to inform them that the Zunesha had begun to move again, and at the same speed as before!

This means that Zunesha is safe and sound, and there is no need to worry anymore!

To celebrate the reconciliation of the two kings, the townspeople prepared a banquet and invited Buggy to attend, to which Buggy accepted.

Before long, fruit, food, and specially brewed monkey wine were placed on the table. The Mink Tribe were overjoyed. Nekomamushi and Inuarashi sat at the same table, their brows furrowed with a hint of rivalry.

Buggy looked at the two of them, SMILE, and walked forward. "Looks like the problem is solved."