At sunset, the fiery clouds in the sky were dark red. Zou, Mokomo Dukedom. In a dense, emerald green forest, there is an ancient city. The architectural style within still follows the old style from hundreds of years ago, with most buildings being roughly constructed from stone.
In the very center of this city stands a giant, particularly striking tree that resembles a whale raising its head and tail towards the sky. It can be considered a landmark. On the city streets, members of the Mink Tribe of various appearances, such as Rabbit-Minks, Dog-Minks, Cat-Minks, and Leopard-Minks, come and go. Their faces are filled with happy smiles, living a leisurely life.
Beneath the giant whale-like tree, a Rabbit-Mink girl, wearing an orange short skirt, with golden shoulder-length hair and soft, snow-white fur all over her body, looked up at the lush, leafy tree before her and softly said,
"Nekomamushi Boss, why can't we leave Zou whenever we want? I really want to see the outside world..."
Hearing this, a plump Cat-Mink, standing beside the Rabbit-Mink girl, wearing a red robe and covered in golden fur, laughed heartily and said,
"Carrot, the outside world is very dangerous! We Minks are a rare race out there! If you're not strong enough, you might be captured and made a slave..." "I'm already very strong!" As she spoke, the Rabbit-Mink girl Carrot also raised her right hand.
Immediately after, blue electric arcs and lightning crackled on her hand, making a "Crackling!" sound. Seeing this, Nekomamushi couldn't help but smile and shake his head, saying,
"Hahaha! With your strength, it's far from enough! Look at Pekoms, his strength is so great, yet after going out, he lost an eye and fifty years of his lifespan, returning here in a sorry state. Moreover..."
"Moreover what?" "Our promise with Lady Toki will be coming in just over three years! At that time, we Minks will send all our elite forces to Wano Country to help the Kozuki open the country..." Therefore, the strength of every Mink warrior is indispensable." "Nekomamushi Boss, I heard that the Mink Tribe and the Kozuki are allies for generations..." What's going on?" Carrot asked curiously.
"This is related to the promise from eight hundred years ago..." The specific reason has vanished into the long river of history. By our generation, we only remember the elders instructing us to help Wano Country and Joy Boy eight hundred years later to create a brand new world. A world where we Minks can live freely and equally on land..." Nekomamushi said with a wistful tone.
In fact, he didn't really care about the ancestors' promise... However, decades ago, he had sworn allegiance to Kozuki Oden and the Kozuki. Therefore, to fulfill Kozuki Oden's dying wish of opening the country, he would not hesitate to risk his life! When that day comes, as the "King of the Night" of Zou, he will lead his subordinates to Wano Country.
Nekomamushi believed that even Inuarashi, the "King of the Day" who was always at odds with him, felt the same way. Suddenly! Ripples appeared in the void, and a massive folding door quietly opened. Surging seawater, carrying a two-masted sailing ship, appeared directly in the middle of the city's air. With a loud "Boom!" it crashed onto the stone ground, not far from Nekomamushi and Carrot.
Seeing this, many Minks were astonished and rushed towards the central square. "I didn't expect Pirates to break in here..." The moment Nekomamushi saw the black pirate flag on the two-masted sailing ship, his face sank like water, his eyes revealed fierceness, and an extremely dangerous and brutal aura erupted from his body, like a fierce beast preparing to devour someone. However...
As his gaze swept over the ship's hull and he saw Kozuki Hiyori standing at the edge of the ship, wearing a pink kimono and carrying enma, his pupils suddenly contracted, his body trembled, and he subconsciously exclaimed,
"Lady Toki?" Kozuki Hiyori's eyes widened at the unexpected shout.
She turned toward the voice and spotted Nekomamushi sprinting toward the two-masted sailing ship. With a powerful leap, he landed on the deck. Hiyori instinctively raised a hand to her mouth, her voice soft with astonishment.
"Nekomamushi?"
"Huh? You're not Lady Toki... You're Hiyori-sama!"
It wasn't until he got closer that Nekomamushi realized the woman before him, while strikingly similar to Lady Toki from two decades ago, was too young to be her. Memories of Kozuki Hiyori as a child flashed in his mind. After more than a decade apart, the daughter of Lord Kozuki Oden had grown into a young woman.
"Long time no see!" Hiyori couldn't contain her excitement. She threw herself into Nekomamushi's arms, hugging him tightly.
"Hahaha! It really is Hiyori-sama! You've grown so much!" Nekomamushi laughed heartily.
As they spoke, Carrot bounded onto the ship, her curious gaze sweeping over the seven strangers nearby.
Yamato, overhearing the conversation, frowned in confusion. "Wait, Xiao Zi. Why does this cat call you Hiyori-sama?"
"Ah, this..." Hiyori hesitated, her expression tinged with awkwardness. In the rush of the moment, she'd forgotten she hadn't revealed her true identity to Yamato and the others.
She glanced at Sephiroth, who gave her an encouraging nod. Taking a deep breath, Hiyori bowed deeply, her voice apologetic. "I'm truly sorry for keeping this from everyone. My real name is Kozuki Hiyori, and I'm from the Kozuki family of Wano Country."
The group listened in silence as she recounted her childhood experiences in Wano. When she finished, their expressions softened with sympathy.
"Hiyori, even though you lied, we understand why," Nami said with a reassuring smile. "You're forgiven."
"Whether you're Xiao Zi or Kozuki Hiyori, you're still our important companion," Yamato added, giving Hiyori's shoulder a hearty pat.
Perona, Iska, and Kuina echoed their understanding, their smiles warm.
"Thank you, everyone," Hiyori said, bowing again.
"Hiyori-sama, now that you've left Wano, why not stay in Zou? We Minks will protect you with our lives," Nekomamushi offered earnestly.
Hiyori shook her head with a gentle smile. "No, I'm not that helpless little girl anymore. I have strength now, and companions I can rely on. I came to Zou to see how you and Inuarashi are doing."
"I can sense the aura of a strong warrior in you, Hiyori-sama," Nekomamushi acknowledged. "But know this: whenever you need us, the warriors of Zou will stand with the Kozuki. When the time comes to open Wano's borders and defeat Kaido, we'll be there."
His gaze was serious, his words solemn.
"I understand," Hiyori replied with a nod.
Sephiroth watched silently, a thought forming in his mind. The alliance between the Minks and the Kozuki is a double-edged sword...
If Kozuki Momonosuke wasn't present, Kozuki Hiyori could represent the will of the Kozuki family. But if he appeared… Given Wano's tradition of male inheritance, Hiyori's status would be overshadowed.
Sephiroth stood lost in thought when Carrot quietly approached. She nuzzled her cheek against the back of his hand, her soft fur pulling him back to the present. Without thinking, he reached out to stroke the Rabbit-Mink girl's cheek. She leaned into his touch, her expression serene and content.
Carrot opened her mouth and gently nibbled his index finger, her tongue darting out to lick it. Kuina, standing nearby, raised an eyebrow.
"Typical," she said with a smirk. "Wherever Sephiroth goes, girls just flock to him." Perona, floating in the air with a small bear plushie clutched in her arms, nodded vigorously.
"Exactly! Exactly!"
Iska covered her face with her hand and sighed. "It hasn't even been five minutes yet!"
Sephiroth remained silent, his expression blank. What did I even do? She came over on her own. He continued stroking Carrot's soft white fur, inwardly grumbling.
Nekomamushi burst into laughter, clutching his sides. "Hahaha! Looks like Carrot really likes you!"
Yamato tilted her head, surprised. "Wait, do Minks usually like humans?"
"To Minks, humans are just hairless monkeys," Nekomamushi replied with a grin. "Some of us even admire your smooth, furless skin. Carrot's one of them."
"Your aesthetic's pretty open-minded," Sephiroth remarked, crouching down to affectionately stroke Carrot's long white ears.
Then, without warning, Carrot leaned in and gently bit his right cheek. Sephiroth blinked, reaching up to touch the spot.
"Uh, you're... enthusiastic," he said, a little taken aback. Even he, seasoned as he was, couldn't help feeling a bit flustered.
"You smell nice," Carrot explained, tilting her head thoughtfully. "Like carrots."
"Ah, right," Sephiroth chuckled. "I was cooking dinner earlier." Well, what rabbit could resist carrots? Especially when they were prepared by someone of his culinary skill.
Yamato rubbed her stomach with a grin. "Speaking of dinner, I'm starving!"
Perona floated over to Sephiroth, tugging at his arm. "Me too! Sephiroth, I want your cooking!"
Carrot licked her lips, savoring the lingering taste on her tongue. "I really want to try your carrot dishes."
Sephiroth scratched his head, a little helpless. "I was actually heading back to Angel Island to make dinner."
Yamato threw her hands up with a hearty laugh. "Then it's settled! Let's have a feast together!"
Sephiroth sighed, shaking his head. "Yamato, you're something else. Fine, I'll have everyone from Angel Island join us here in Zou."
With that, he opened a spatial doorway, summoning Black Maria, Monet, and others to Zou. Nekomamushi directed the Minks to prepare a bonfire, food, and musical instruments for a grand celebration in honor of Kozuki Hiyori and her companions. Soon, a massive bonfire roared to life.
As the flames ignited the bonfire, music filled the air, and the tantalizing aroma of food wafted through the clearing. Yamato and the others, along with the Minks, reveled in the festive atmosphere. Even Inuarashi, the "King of the Day," who rarely appeared at night and usually clashed with Nekomamushi, hurried over upon hearing the news to meet with Kozuki Hiyori.
When Kozuki Hiyori learned their decade-long conflict stemmed from her family's misfortune that year, she stepped forward as a mediator. She took the initiative to bridge the divide, determined to put an end to the lingering resentment. Meanwhile, Carrot finally got her wish—she devoured Sephiroth's carrot dishes until her flat belly swelled round as a ball. Only then did she reluctantly push her plate away.
Night had fallen, the crescent moon casting a soft glow over the star-strewn sky. Sephiroth had spent hours cooking, feeding an endless stream of hungry visitors. Finally free, he made his way to the center of the city, where a massive, whale-like tree stood. Inside, he found a red poneglyph carved with ancient script. "Tsk!" he muttered under his breath.
"Just one more poneglyph, and we can reach Laugh Tale," Sephiroth mused aloud, pulling out a Tone Dial. He flipped on the flash, carefully photographing the inscriptions. "Even if I don't care about the One Piece, there's something satisfying about completing the set..." His thoughts drifted to Nico Robin, imagining her reaction when he handed her the new information. She'd probably light up with that quiet joy of hers.
The next morning, Nekomamushi and Inuarashi gathered to see them off. Sephiroth opened the space door once more, ushering Yamato and the others down to the Blue Sea. A new journey awaited them.
However, after Yamato and the others had completely left Zou, they discovered Carrot—who had been brimming with curiosity about the outside world—had stowed away in the ship's cabin. She wanted to join their adventure. Yamato didn't hesitate. With a grin, she welcomed the eager mink aboard, adding another member to their growing crew.