Not far away, Duke Inuarashi was seen leading the Knights' Order, striding towards them, his steps hurried, his expression anxious.
Pekoms knew that the long-standing animosity between Nekomamushi and Duke Inuarashi meant that once they met, the situation would likely spiral out of control.
Pekoms pressed himself tightly against the edge of the building, peering out with half his body, his eyes fixed on Nekomamushi, and shouted in a voice as low as possible yet urgent: "Boss, turn around!"
Nekomamushi heard the shout, first grunting heavily from his nostrils, his face clearly showing impatience: "You want me to turn around? What are you talking about?"
But though he said so, his body obediently turned.
The moment he turned, someone by Nekomamushi's side caught sight of Duke Inuarashi appearing from the alley.
Their previously relaxed expression instantly froze, pupils slightly constricted, their breathing almost stopping.
They quickly turned to look in the same direction as Nekomamushi, pretending not to have seen anything.
Pekoms' palms were sweating from tension, his eyes unblinkingly fixed on the two groups of people, silently praying in his heart: "Please, just walk away, don't let anything go wrong."
But things often go against one's wishes. Just as Duke Inuarashi had already passed Nekomamushi, the captain of the Knights' Order, who was following behind Duke Inuarashi, inadvertently looked up and suddenly spotted Nekomamushi not far away.
The knight cried out as if he had seen a ghost, a subconscious scream.
This cry instantly shattered the subtle calm.
Nekomamushi and Duke Inuarashi turned their heads almost simultaneously, their gazes meeting in the air, time seeming to freeze at that moment.
The surrounding clamor of voices and footsteps seemed to gradually fade away, leaving only the complex emotions in each other's eyes: the unfamiliarity of not having seen each other for many years, and the anger and resentment brought by past grievances.
The moment their eyes met, they both walked quickly towards each other without prior agreement.
Pekoms' expression was anxious, and he quickly jumped down with agile movements, using his hands forcefully to try and push Nekomamushi back.
Seeing this, the Knights' Order on the opposite side reacted in the same manner, also moving swiftly.
"Please stop, Boss!" Pekoms shouted anxiously.
"Duke, please wait!" On the other side, the urgent dissuading voice of the Knight Captain also came.
But Pekoms and the leader of the opposing Knights' Order seemed to hear nothing, completely unmoved by the pleas, their steps unfaltering as they continued to approach each other.
The aura around both sides was like drawn swords and taut bows, as if an invisible gunpowder smoke filled the air, the tense atmosphere ready to explode at any moment.
At the same time, Kin'emon and the other two, after many twists and turns, finally arrived at the center of the town.
They immediately saw the group of people with drawn swords and taut bows, and excitement instantly welled up in their eyes, eager to rush over.
But just then, Franky and the others rushed over, quick-eyed and quick-handed, pressing them to the ground.
Kanjuro and Kin'emon were firmly pinned to the ground, looking quite disheveled. Brook, meanwhile, was carrying Momonosuke with one hand. At this moment, all three were utterly bewildered, their faces filled with confusion.
Kanjuro frowned deeply, struggling forcefully but unable to break free. "Let us go, what exactly is going on?"
Kin'emon's face turned red as he twisted his body with all his might, shouting anxiously: "What in the world is happening, why are you stopping me?"
Usopp frowned tightly, sighing as he looked at Kanjuro and Kin'emon pinned to the ground, saying with lingering fear: "That was close, it was a hair's breadth! Seriously, you guys aren't even looking at what time it is, just rushing out like that, it's just like adding fuel to the fire!"
At this moment, Inuarashi and Nekomamushi stood face to face, the air around them seemingly solidified by their tense aura.
Inuarashi spoke first, his voice carrying a complex meaning: "It's been many years since we last met, old cat fiend, you're becoming more and more like an old monster."
Nekomamushi snorted coldly, retorted without showing weakness: "You're talking about me? I heard you lost a leg, and look at your dusty, sloppy, ugly appearance. If the young master were still here, he'd probably despise you!"
At the mention of the young master and his lost leg, Inuarashi subconsciously frowned.
In a trance, he seemed to return to that dream, a dream where a person he missed day and night reattached his severed leg. But after waking up, he hadn't had time to ask Wanda and the others about the truth.
Inuarashi forced down his thoughts, his gaze falling on Nekomamushi's paw, and asked: "Who healed your hand?"
Nekomamushi looked at Inuarashi with a suspicious expression, as if he were looking at a strange person: "Doctor Chopper, of course." Remembering the scene of Chopper chasing him for various examinations after he woke up, Nekomamushi pouted.
A hint of disappointment flashed in Inuarashi's eyes, and he sighed softly. It seemed it really was just a dream.
Seeing this, Nekomamushi's face showed a mocking smile: "What, you don't even remember your benefactor who healed you? Are you getting senile early?"
You might as well die sooner, save yourself the embarrassment here!
One king is enough."
Duke Inuarashi's eyes instantly ignited with rage. He "swished" out his sword, its blade gleaming coldly, pointing it directly at Nekomamushi, and roared:
"Then I'll send you to hell right now!" His stance suggested he would tear the other party to shreds in the next second.
Nekomamushi, however, was unhurried, a sneer hanging on his lips, his fork spinning rapidly, making a whirring sound.
He responded disdainfully: "Useless old dog, what's that saying, miracles don't happen to dogs. You go die first, I'm still waiting for a miracle!"
His words were full of provocation, and a fierce aura emanated from him.
In an instant, Duke Inuarashi's sword and Nekomamushi's fork clashed heavily, the deafening clang of metal echoing.
A powerful shockwave, centered on the two, spread out like a surging tide, and the unprepared Mink Tribe members around had no time to dodge, being directly knocked off their feet and thrown into disarray by the aftershock.
Kin'emon, who had just managed to get back on his feet, witnessed this fierce conflict, his eyes filled with shock.
His heart was burning with anxiety, completely disregarding the dissuasion of others, not even noticing Usopp still clinging to his shoulder, and strode out towards the two fighting individuals.
"Stop fighting!!" Kin'emon shouted with all his might, his voice piercing through the clamor of voices and the clash of weapons, successfully drawing the attention of everyone present.
Usopp's eyes widened in fright, his jaw almost dropping to the ground. He desperately grabbed Kin'emon's hair, shouting exasperatedly: "Idiot! What are you shouting about?"
The Mink Tribe members looked at Kin'emon, dressed as a Wano Country samurai, their pupils wide with shock.
And Kanjuro also dragged Momonosuke, his steps hurried, jogging all the way over, and without hesitation, stood beside Kin'emon, the three of them facing the conflict side by side.
(Although I don't really like the Wano Country arc, I have to say,
I was super excited when this Zou arc first came out,
I thought, just for this loyalty, the Wano Country arc would definitely be good... I never thought it would be sh*t at the time!
By the way... Wano Country, I might trash Hiyori a bit... If any of you Treasures/Dear ones (Endearment for followers/audience) mind, you can say something... But I still want to trash her a bit)
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