Luffy tilted his head, his gaze flickering back and forth between Kin'emon, Nekomamushi, and Inuarashi, blinking his eyes.
"Kozuki..." Luffy mumbled to himself, his mouth twitching inadvertently, as Orochimaru's stories about a certain great genius instantly flashed through his mind.
Usopp peered at the group in front of him, muttering softly, "I really didn't expect these guys to be old acquaintances.
But then again, that symbol... Luffy, Orochimaru must have some connection to them, no wonder he's been out of sight.
Before, we were wondering why he didn't try to catch a few Mink Tribe members for research, after all, this is a new species! I even had a new snake net ready."
Usopp's face was full of regret; after all, the previous snake net was used against Trebol, and that guy was so sticky that the net couldn't be used for Orochimaru anymore.
Usopp's face was full of regret, still fantasizing about Orochimaru being hung from a tree, but alas, that thought fell through.
"Sigh, Orochimaru, that guy, didn't say a word, making us all mentally prepare for a fight with the Mink Tribe.
But since Orochimaru can help Inuarashi and Nekomamushi with their injuries, their relationship must be pretty good, right, Luffy?"
Usopp scratched his head, looking at Luffy with a puzzled expression.
Luffy stared intently at the few people in front of him, his expression serious, not responding immediately.
"It seems like trying to hide the samurai's affairs from us was a waste of effort.
The first mate doesn't seem to get along with those three, that's probably why he didn't tell us, there must be a lot of complicated stories here, Yohohoho."
Brook's voice, filled with emotion, echoed in everyone's ears.
"That's understandable, it's hard for them to talk about such things. But where did Orochimaru go? It's rare to see him hiding like this."
Robin's eyes were full of worry as she looked at Luffy for an answer.
Luffy continued to stare intently at Momonosuke and the others, as if deep in thought, then casually pointed.
Everyone followed the direction of Luffy's finger and saw Orochimaru, almost blending into the background, crouching on the building behind Inuarashi and the others.
A group of people couldn't help but twitch their mouths. Orochimaru's hiding methods were indeed still so blatant, and his ability to conceal his presence, making no one notice, was also quite magical.
And Luffy was indeed Luffy, always able to keenly detect Orochimaru's whereabouts.
But... what was with Orochimaru's clothes? It was rare to see him dressed so... flamboyant?
(Hehehe, there's a picture in the next chapter!)
Nami looked at Orochimaru, then at Nekomamushi and the others, and also sighed with emotion.
"They just said that the Dog Duke and the Cat Boss also have the same family crest. Perhaps their relationship is much deeper than we imagined, but, Orochimaru... ε = (´ ο ｀ *))) Sigh.
Sometimes, rely on us more too."
Just then, Kin'emon, now fully dressed, turned his gaze to Inuarashi and Nekomamushi.
"However, Inuarashi, Nekomamushi, I am truly surprised that you two are still living well here," Kin'emon's eyes were filled with emotion and pleasant surprise.
Inuarashi sighed slightly, looking at Kin'emon with a hint of weariness in his eyes, and slowly said, "We didn't die. After you left, too much happened..."
Nekomamushi, on the other hand, was beaming with a smile, his eyes sparkling with hope as he looked into the distance: "Yes, we always believed that one day, we would meet again, believing that miracles would eventually happen."
Inuarashi frowned, looking at Nekomamushi irritably, "Hey, old cat demon! I'm talking to Kin'emon right now! Don't interrupt!"
"Huh??" Nekomamushi's eyes widened instantly, a flash of ruthlessness in his gaze, as he turned and glared fiercely at Inuarashi beside him.
"I just thought Kin'emon would be uncomfortable talking to you, and considering that, I spoke for you!"
That look seemed to tell Inuarashi, 'Does it concern you?' and a subtle scent of gunpowder instantly filled the air.
A group of people sighed, watching the two who were about to fight. 'Here we go again, here we go again.'
The two's words became increasingly intense, like a volley of cannon fire, each arguing against the other, refusing to back down.
Inuarashi's face turned red, and the veins on his neck bulged; Nekomamushi's eyes were wide, his fur bristling, exuding an aura of defiance.
Lord Momonosuke, witnessing this tense scene, his face instantly turned very ugly. He rushed quickly to the front of the two, his eyes tearful, his small body straightened, and he shouted loudly:
"Stop arguing! Inuarashi, Nekomamushi! You two used to be so close, why do you have to fight the moment you meet?!" In that tender voice, there was an undeniable command.
"I won't allow you to argue anymore! Especially not if it's about Lord Oden! Lord Oden would be sad if he saw you like this!"
At this moment, Nekomamushi and Inuarashi's gazes finally fell upon Lord Momonosuke.
However, their faces showed neither shock at seeing Lord Momonosuke nor shame for having their argument interrupted, only a full measure of awkwardness.
After all, they truly didn't know how to face this "former" young master.
For a moment, they stiffened there.
Usopp, hearing Lord Momonosuke's words, tilted his head in confusion, "He said Lord Oden would be sad, but isn't Kin'emon right there?"
Robin frowned slightly, a thought flashing like lightning through her mind: Could the father-son relationship just be a facade?
Just then, Kin'emon and Kanjuro, with solemn expressions, took steady steps and stood behind Lord Momonosuke. Kin'emon's voice was firm as he declared loudly, "As Lord Momonosuke said."
"Lord?" Nami and the others gasped, their eyes wide with disbelief.
But when they turned, they found Luffy looking calm, showing no surprise.
This made everyone wonder: Did Luffy already know? Or was this related to Orochimaru again?
Kin'emon turned around, facing the Straw Hat Pirates, and said with a grave expression, "Please forgive me for deceiving even you. In truth, I and Lord Momonosuke are not father and son."
Nami and the others were stunned for a moment, as Kin'emon and Lord Momonosuke looked quite similar.
Kin'emon then solemnly introduced, "This is the Daimyo of Wano Country, the heir of Lord Kozuki Oden—Lord Kozuki Momonosuke! Which means he is the master whom we, including Inuarashi and Nekomamushi, have sworn to serve until death."
The Straw Hat Pirates frowned and tilted their heads upon hearing this. What was all this? Everyone with a family crest had to serve this child?
Orochimaru too? So that's why Orochimaru didn't like it? No, what was going on?
Kin'emon had expected Nekomamushi and Inuarashi to immediately agree after he revealed Lord Momonosuke's identity. But to his surprise, the two merely exchanged an awkward glance, their eyes darting away, not responding as he had hoped.
After a moment of stalemate, it was Nekomamushi, always the more talkative one, who finally broke the silence. He scratched his head, looking at Kin'emon with a conflicted expression.
"Kin'emon, you've been gone for eighteen years, you might not know... the heir has changed..."
The atmosphere instantly became subtle.
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