Looking up at the giant cat with bared fangs yet an oddly goofy expression, Leno felt a wave of exhaustion.
The enthusiasm of these Mink Tribe warriors was truly overwhelming.
Nekomamushi blinked at the hand Leno extended. After standing there pondering for quite a while, he suddenly seemed to understand and grabbed it firmly.
"Oh Thunder God, I've wanted to meet you for a long time, meow meow meow..."
"Don't tell me you're trying to express your gratitude too?"
Leno raised a brow, looking slightly speechless.
Just how loyal were this cat and dog to Oden? All he had done was beat Kaido up once, yet in their eyes it had become some great favor.
Was it because they still retained animal instincts—once they acknowledged a master, they would follow him to the death?
Hearing Leno's words, Nekomamushi proudly placed his paws on his hips. His round belly jiggled a few times as he declared solemnly,
"Of course! Don't underestimate me. I value debts of gratitude greatly. I'll definitely repay you in the future, meow!"
Before Leno could respond, he waved his massive paw and shouted loudly, "Yoshi! Set up a feast! Bring out the food and sake!"
"No need for the trouble. We just finished eating—"
"Grill up the big chunks of meat! Treat our friends who came from afar properly, meow meow meow!"
"Hey! Are you even listening to me?!"
Leno glared at the fat cat, who clearly wasn't giving him any chance to speak.
He seriously suspected the guy was doing this on purpose—using him as an excuse because he simply wanted to eat and drink!
Before long, bonfires were lit in the plaza before the residence, and all kinds of delicacies and fruits were served one after another.
Nekomamushi grinned widely. After scanning the crowd, he raised his cup and laughed, "Let us all enjoy this wonderful night together!"
"Aooo!"
The Mink Tribe cheered in unison, and the atmosphere of the banquet ignited instantly.
Leno exchanged helpless looks with his crew. These Minks were really something...
As his gaze swept across the crowd, Leno's eyes suddenly lit up.
He then turned to Chopper with a mischievous grin, pointing toward a golden-haired figure not far away and whispering,
"Chopper, look over there. It's a deer sister~"
"You... bastard... huh?"
Hearing Leno bring it up again, the annoyed Chopper was about to curse back when his peripheral vision caught sight of the figure. His entire body froze.
Thump—thump—
His heart pounded violently in his chest. Chopper's eyes instantly turned into red hearts, and the little reindeer stood there dumbfounded.
Seeing his intoxicated expression, Leno pretended to be concerned and waved a hand before his face.
"Chopper, what's wrong? Why are you so stiff?"
"I-I'm not stiff..."
Lost in bliss, Chopper unconsciously tried to argue, yet his eyes remained fixed on the distant figure.
That golden-haired silhouette seemed to possess some strange magic, constantly drawing his gaze.
Nami and Vivi, standing nearby, followed his line of sight and gasped in admiration.
"So beautiful~"
She was a deer-type Mink wearing a white short skirt, her figure gracefully curved.
With a green short cape draped over her shoulders and wavy golden hair flowing down, she radiated a gentle, elegant aura that was irresistibly captivating.
Sensing their stares, the deer Mink turned and offered them a soft smile.
"Gah—"
As if struck by Cupid's arrow, Chopper clutched his chest and fell flat onto the ground, motionless for a long while.
"Pfft—hahahahaha!"
Leno could no longer hold back and burst into laughter. The little guy's reaction was just too hilarious.
Nami, Vivi, and the others covered their mouths and giggled as well. It seemed Chopper had found his springtime romance.
Then, as if thinking of something, they all flushed slightly and shot Leno an embarrassed glare.
Seeing his guest suddenly laugh, Nekomamushi also laughed and clinked cups with Leno, grinning broadly.
"Drink up, drink up, meow meow meow!"
"..."
Unable to refuse such hospitality, Leno accompanied him for a few more cups.
When he felt the timing was right, he finally spoke.
"Lord Nekomamushi, we actually came this time with a request."
After a brief pause, he looked into the fat cat's eyes and added, "We wish to see the Poneglyphs here."
"Sure~"
"Hm?"
Leno was rather surprised by how readily he agreed. He had expected some complications.
As if reading his confusion, Nekomamushi took a deep puff from his pipe and laughed openly.
"Though it's precious, for a benefactor, it's only right, meow..."
"I see. Many thanks."
Seeing how 'understanding' he was, Leno gave up the idea of beating him up. Peace and harmony were much better.
Afterward, led by Nekomamushi, they arrived beneath the Whale Tree and saw the red Road Poneglyph.
While Robin was translating, Nekomamushi slowly said with his pipe in his mouth,
"You'll have to be careful from now on. Several copies of these Poneglyph rubbings are already in the hands of major powers."
"Are they trying to stop us from reaching the final island?"
Nami, who was waiting nearby, turned and asked.
It made sense. If reaching the final island were so easy, only Roger wouldn't have been the one to do it in the past centuries.
"No..." Nekomamushi sat cross-legged and exhaled a heavy cloud of smoke. His gaze shifted to Robin as he said in a deep voice,
"It's Nico Robin. The copies in the hands of the major powers still haven't been deciphered."
"Once they decide to interpret them, Nico Robin will become the object of contention among those big figures. When that time comes..."
"Fight over Robin?!"
Hearing the severity of the situation, their expressions changed slightly. They all looked at the slender figure before the stone monument with concern.
Robin, who had been translating, paused. After a moment of silence, she turned back toward Nekomamushi and smiled.
"It's fine. I have a group of powerful companions by my side who can protect me~"
Ding-dong—
As if a switch had been flipped, the atmosphere instantly became strange.
Yamato scratched the back of her head, her eyes curved into crescents, cheeks flushed as she waved her hand.
"Hey, hey, powerful or whatever, that's embarrassing. Whoever comes, I'll just knock them flying!"
Chopper twisted shyly, laughing and scolding at the same time.
"You idiot, saying I'm that reliable~"
Even Nami was brimming with motivation. She clenched her fist proudly and declared,
"If anyone dares touch Robin, I'll make them leave both their money and their lives behind!"
"..."
"Hehehe..."
Watching each companion's bold declarations, warmth flowed through Robin's heart, and she laughed happily.
At that moment, Leno stepped forward, arms crossed over his chest, looking down arrogantly.
"What big shots? Even if they all join forces, I'll still stand unrivaled in this world!"
"I guarantee no one will lay a single finger on Robin!"
...
...