Chapter 552 - 392

Chapter 393: Adventure on Zou (Part 5)Luffy had given up on picking his nose and started studying the strange patterns carved on the palace pillars, muttering under his breath:"So hungry... I wonder what that big doggy's tail tastes like roasted...""Straw Hat-ya!!!"Law said in a low voice from the side; he felt that his Captain would eventually stew some country's king as emergency rations one day because of his gluttony.Zoro's snoring, on the other hand, was quite rhythmic, providing a bit of—er—background music for this awkward scene?He even smacked his lips and mumbled in his sleep:"Boss... another barrel... of booze..."Duke Inuarashi looked at this group of "friends" with their peculiar styles, especially that sleeping Mosshead; his eyelid twitched imperceptibly.He held onto his last bit of kingly poise, preparing to say something more to emphasize the sanctity and correctness of "waiting."Just then—"Clang—!!!"An ancient and melodious bell toll drifted from a corner of Kurau, echoing over the entire city.Exactly six o'clock in the evening.This bell toll, like a mysterious switch, instantly triggered an incredible change."Hwaaa~~~~~"Duke Inuarashi, who was full of majesty and aura just a second ago, suddenly let out a world-shaking, giant yawn, with a physiological tear even squeezing out from the corner of his eye.The kingly sharpness about him dissipated at a speed visible to the naked eye, replaced by a bone-deep exhaustion as if he had pulled all-nighters for a month straight.His magnificent court attire now looked like an unironed nightgown."Hmm...?"Duke Inuarashi rubbed his eyes, his face full of sleepiness."It's... it's time..."It wasn't just him!!!Every member of the Sharpshooters in the hall who had been standing straight as statues "wilted" collectively the moment the bell rang.They all hung their heads, bleary-eyed; some even started swaying while standing, as if they would fall asleep on the spot the next second.The few Canine Minks who had been slightly dissatisfied with Zoro's snoring just now now looked at Zoro with a gaze that carried a hint of "you get me" friendliness.This sudden 180-degree reversal left the Straw Hat crew completely dumbfounded."Hey... hey... what's going on?"Usopp whispered to Franky beside him."Did they... all get hit by sleep gas collectively?!?!""No!!!"Franky pushed up his sunglasses, a stream of data flashing across the lenses."According to my scan, their vital signs are plummeting. They've entered a... mandatory low-power standby mode!!!""Speak human!!!""They're going to sleep!!!"Duke Inuarashi clutched his head and shook it painfully, struggling to maintain his last bit of consciousness.He said indistinctly to the bewildered Straw Hatcrew:"Sorry, guests... time... time's up... we... must rest...""Wanda..."He turned to look at his deputy."Take good... care of... the guests..."Before his words could even settle, his eyelids drooped completely, and his whole body went limp, sliding down from the throne."Duke-sama!!!"Wanda and another Musketeer rushed forward with quick eyes and hands, flanking and catching their snoring King; their practiced movements were heartbreakingly efficient."Very sorry, everyone!!!"While Wanda struggled to drag her boss, she maintained a polite smile."This is a characteristic of our Mink Tribe. The King of Day and the King of Night rotate every twelve hours. Now, it is our rest time."With that, she and the other members supported, dragged, and carried... taking Duke Inuarashi and the other "powered down" Sharpshooters into the depths of the palace.The entire grand hall instantly became empty, leaving only the Straw Hat and Law staring at each other, bewildered in the wind."So..."Luffy scratched his head and summarized,"Basically, the big doggy has to go to sleep when the time's up?""What is this even!!!"Yamato waved her fist in dissatisfaction."The conversation isn't even finished! This is so disrespectful to Oden-sama!!!""No..."The corner of Robin's mouth curled into an interesting arc as she looked out the window, where the sky was rapidly darkening."The interesting things are only just beginning."As if to confirm her words.As night fell, the atmosphere of the entire Kurauunderwent a world-shaking change!!!The daytime tranquility, peace, and hint of aristocratic elegance were completely gone.Replacing it was a wild, bold, and even somewhat thuggish clamor!!!Rhythmic drumbeats and wild music drifted from somewhere unknown, and countless cat-eye-shaped lanterns lit up the streets, illuminating the city in an eerie brilliance.Countless minks never seen during the day surged out from every corner.They were completely different from the uniformed Sharpshooters under Duke Inuarashi!!!Some wore tattered kimonos with katanas at their waists like ronin samurai; some wore leather jackets with mohawks like punk rock singers; others were simply bare-chested, showing off scarred, sturdy muscles—clearly experts at brawling!!!They were the other power of Zou—the Guardiansled by Master Nekomamushi!!!Just as the Straw Hat were marveling at this "overnight change" wonder...A colossal figure, carrying a hearty laugh, strode grandly into the palace."Garchu~!!! Hahahaha! I heard Inuarashi's guests haven't left yet? What kind of interesting fellows are they?"The newcomer was extremely burly, no less so than Duke Inuarashi.He was a feline mink with a giant scar running from his forehead to his chin, making him look exceptionally fierce.He wore a tattered Japanese kimono, baring his furry chest, with a giant pipe in his mouth. He walked with a powerful stride, and his unruly rogue aura could be smelled from afar.He, was the King who ruled the night of Zou—Master Nekomamushi!!!Master Nekomamushi's gaze swept over the straw hat, and when he saw the iconic straw hat atop Luffy's head, his single eye instantly lit up!!!"Oho?!"He let out an even heartier laugh."You brat, are you the Straw Hat who sent that bastard Donquixote Doflamingo flying?""Garchu~!!! You look even more interesting than in the newspapers!!!"He had no hostility at all; instead, like seeing an old friend, he walked up to Luffy in a few steps, his massive figure casting a powerful pressure."Master Nekomamushi!!!"Seeing this, Yamato immediately felt hope rekindle and stepped forward, preparing to start her 101st self-introduction."I am Kozuki...""Ah, annoying, annoying!!!"Before she could finish, Nekomamushi impatiently waved his fan-like hand, slung an arm around Luffy's shoulder, and pointed at Zoro with the other."Forget those tedious trifles!!! Garchu~!!!""One look at you two and I can tell you're trouble!!! Perfect timing!!! I was just thinking tonight's drinks weren't lively enough!!!"He completely ignored common sense and directly invited Luffy and Zoro."We'll talk about subjugating Kaido later!!! For now, follow me to the Whale Forest for a banquet!!! Booze and meat are the real business of life!!! Garchu~!!!""A banquet?!?! Is there meat?!?!"Luffy's eyes instantly turned into two giant meat drumsticks."Is there booze?!?!"Zoro's eyes, which had been closed, snapped open, flashing with excitement.These two single-celled organisms instantly synced up with Master Nekomamushi's wavelength!!!"Of course!!! All you can drink!!!"Nekomamushi laughed and dragged the two of them out without a word."Hey!!! Wait!!! Our alliance..." Yamato was still trying to pull the conversation back on track."Me too!!! I want to go too!!!"Uta and Usopp seeing the excitement, also quickly followed.Trafalgar Law stood there, watching this group of people who had been instantly kidnapped by a "banquet," feeling his blood pressure... soar again. o(one︿one+)oMaster Nekomamushi dragged Luffy and looked back at Law, Robin, and the others who were still stunned, grinning:"Hey!!! Surgeon of Death!!! And you girls over there!!! Don't just stand there, come along!!! We won't go home until we're drunk tonight!!! Garchu~!!!"A grand, chaotic, and wild banquet, completely different from the solemn atmosphere of the day, thus began.And the Straw Hat, in this revelry, was about to personally experience the massive, nearly irreparable rift that had lasted for twenty years within this country.