She looked at Lorne, somewhat dejected.
"Still not good enough...?"
"Your strength is decent, and your speed is adequate, but your use of Haki is still too crude," Lorne said flatly as he withdrew his finger.
"Still, for your age, you've done well."
Duke Inuarashi sighed as he watched.
"Carrot may be young, but she truly is the most gifted of her generation."
"Lorne, if you don't mind, let Carrot go with you."
"She can serve as a link in our cooperation, traveling with you as a representative of the Mink Tribe."
Lorne looked at Carrot's face, once again filled with anticipation, and nodded in agreement.
"All right."
"As long as she can keep up with the intensity of my training."
"That's great!" Carrot jumped excitedly and hugged Kuina's arm.
"Big Sis Kuina, we'll be able to fight together from now on!"
A faint smile appeared on Kuina's face, and she patted Carrot's head.
"Then you'd better prepare yourself. The commander's training is hellish. Even I often end up too exhausted to stand."
"Okay!"
"I'm not afraid of hard work!" Carrot nodded firmly.
Her two ears twitched happily.
With the alliance established, the tense atmosphere dissipated completely.
Duke Inuarashi stepped forward and extended his large paw to Lorne.
"Then our alliance is formed."
"Lorne, I hope your choice will bring peace to Zou."
Lorne reached out and shook Duke Inuarashi's paw.
"Here's to our partnership."
"As long as I'm around, the Four Emperors won't set so much as a foot on Zou."
To celebrate the alliance and Carrot's safe return, the Mink Tribe held a grand bonfire party in Kuraigana's square.
Night fell, and a huge bonfire blazed in the center of the square, bathing the surroundings in red light.
The aroma of roasted meat filled the air, along with