Chapter 551 - 391

Chapter 392: Adventure in Zou (IV)The group finally passed through that fantastical Whale Forest and arrived at the capital of the Mink Tribe—Kurau City.When the city, built deep within the Right Belly Forest, appeared before them, the exclamations from the Straw Hat didn't stop, their behavior resembling a group of country relatives entering the city for the first time."Whoa—!!!"Luffy's eyes turned into stars."The houses are shaped like meat bones! And some look like dried fish! I love this place!""SUPER!"Franky pushed up his sunglasses, scanning everything with his professional cyborg eyes."This is a perfect combination of biology and engineering! So romantic!""Hey... hey... look at that mailbox!"Usopp pointed to a fluffy mailbox with a tail at a street corner, his voice trembling."Did... did it just wag its tail at me?!"Trafalgar Law walked at the back without expression, with only one thought in his mind: It's so noisy, I want to go home and pilot my submarine.Their arrival naturally caused a huge commotion in this usually peaceful city.Mink Tribe residents on both sides of the street poked their heads out of "bone houses," pointing at this group of strange-looking "rare species.""Look! It's that Fourth Emperor from the newspapers! He looks so dimwitted, not like him at all!""The green-haired one next to him has three swords on his waist! So cool!""Wow! That blue-haired pervert, why is he only wearing a pair of swimming trunks? Isn't he cold?""The point is that great beauty! I think I just heard her say... her name is Kozuki Oden?"As soon as these words came out, all the spectating Mink Tribe members gasped. Their gazes toward Yamato were instantly filled with awe, confusion, and a bit of... sympathy?!Under the high-profile scrutiny along the way, Wanda finally brought them to their destination—Duke Inuarashi's palace.The palace looked solemn and ancient, carrying a sense of historical weight. However, when the Straw Hat stepped into the main hall, this solemn atmosphere was instantly shattered by them.At the end of the hall, on a high throne, sat a giant canine Mink Tribe member.He wore an incredibly grand Western-style court outfit, a monocle, and had elegant curly hair, while holding a scepter encrusted with gems.That majestic aura and those melancholy eyes all spoke of his nobility as the sovereign of a nation.If one ignored his giant fluffy dog head and the large tail unconsciously wagging behind him."Whoa—!!! What a huge doggy!!!"Luffy's eyes lit up instantly. He instinctively wanted to rush up and pet the other's head, but was quickly held back by Law's quick reflexes."straw hat-ya, have some respect for another country's king!" Law warned in a low voice, feeling exhausted.Duke Inuarashi clearly heard Luffy's "compliment," and the corners of his mouth twitched imperceptibly.He cleared his throat and spoke in a steady, dignified voice:"Straw Hat, and 'Surgeon of Death'. I am the King who rules the day in Zou, Duke Inuarashi.""On behalf of all the Mink Tribe, I welcome you!"These words, full of royal grace, instantly increased the Straw Hat's favorability toward him.However, there is always someone responsible for ruining the mood."Duke Inuarashi!"Yamato couldn't hold back any longer, rushing into the center of the hall with her Spiked Club with a "clang," excitedly pointing at her own face."I am Kozuki Oden! I'm back! Look at my face, doesn't it look a bit like Lord Oden from back then?""This is an expression I practiced based on his bounty poster! I even brought his Logbook!"As she spoke, she tried to pull that precious Logbook from her robe as "evidence."Looking at the young girl before him who was too excited to speak clearly, Duke Inuarashi didn't show shock or confusion like the others.Instead, a hint of nostalgia, a bit of sadness, and a touch of... helplessness one feels when seeing a mischievous junior, flowed from his bottomless eyes.He recognized the aura of a strong person on her, as well as that almost obsessive admiration for "Kozuki Oden."He slowly raised his hand and gently interrupted her."I have felt your sincerity."Duke Inuarashi's voice became deep and distant as he fell into memory."Lord Oden... he was the greatest benefactor to us Mink Tribe, a brother who lived and died with us.""I once followed him onto Whitebeard's Moby Dick, and I also followed him to witness the final voyage of Pirate King Roger across the seas~~~"His words were filled with infinite respect and nostalgia for that bold man. Those legendary years felt like they were just yesterday.Yamato listened with tears in her eyes, feeling she had finally found a kindred spirit."Exactly! So, let us inherit Lord Oden's legacy and go to Wano Country right now to take Kaido...""But,"Duke Inuarashi's tone shifted sharply at this moment, like an unsheathed sword, cutting through all of Yamato's illusions,"—Not now!"His gaze became incredibly sharp, and the pressure belonging to a king made the air in the entire hall solidify."We will certainly open the borders of Wano Country; that is the supreme oath we Akazayahave staked our lives on!"He slowly stood up from his throne, his massive figure casting a suffocating pressure, and his voice was as firm as iron, leaving no room for rebuttal!"But we must wait! Unconditionally and wholeheartedly believe in... Lady Kozuki Toki's prophecy!""You are the moon unaware of the dawn. May your purpose be fulfilled and cast nine shadows on the night woven of twenty years and you shall know the brilliance of the dawn!""On a moonlit night twenty years later, nine samurai will strike down the Shogun! That is the destined moment! It is the only, correct path to restore Wano Country!""Until then, we must wait for the return of Young Master Momonosuke and the other retainers! Not a minute or a second sooner!"These words were like a bucket of ice water poured over Yamato, cooling her from head to toe instantly.She was devastated, her mouth open, but unable to argue a single word back.Because the other party had brought up Oden's wife, Lady Toki, whom she also revered. Using Lady Toki's prophecy to counter Oden's legacy was a total shutdown.The entire hall froze again.The rest of the Straw Hat had different reactions.Zoro was leaning against a pillar, already snoring lightly. Clearly, a meeting that required brainpower was the most effective lullaby for him.Luffy was picking his nose nearby, looking bored."Prophecy? Waiting? How troublesome~~~"He muttered softly,"Why not just go and send him flying now? Wouldn't everything be solved if he's sent flying?""straw hat-ya, be quiet."Law scolded in a low voice, but his furrowed brows also betrayed his displeasure.This approach of placing hope entirely on a nebulous "destiny" was completely at odds with him, a surgeon who believed in "plans & strength."In an atmosphere of disappointment, boredom, and displeasure, only Robin maintained a calm smile from beginning to end.Her gaze swept over Duke Inuarashi's face, which was written with "stubbornness" and "loyalty," then turned to Law beside her, speaking softly in a voice only the two of them could hear:"Hehe, so that's how it is.""Surgeon of Death, don't you understand yet?""What this Duke is waiting for isn't the opportunity for victory."Robin's eyes sparkled with the light of wisdom, as if she had seen through everything."What they are waiting for is the completion of a grand 'ritual'.""To them, 'how' they avenge Lord Oden is far more important than the 'revenge' itself.""It is a kind of... twenty-year-long self-atonement belonging to the defeated."