NOVEL WEB Chapter 66 – Zou
The surrounding area was engulfed in flames, a result of Kaido’s rampage.
She should have finished him off quickly, but… as soon as the battle concluded, the surrounding military forces pointed their guns at Kanata.
“Don’t move! You’re Kanata, the ‘Dragon Slayer’, and Kaido of the Beasts Pirates!”
There were some strong individuals amongst them, but they were no match for Kanata. Under normal circumstances, that is.
She was exhausted after five days of constant fighting. She’d rather not deal with them, but… she had no choice.
She created a wall of ice to block their line of fire and ran towards the harbor.
The Marines might be nearby. She couldn’t handle both the Beasts Pirates and the Marines at the same time.
It was frustrating to leave Kaido alive, but escaping was her priority.
The port town was also in ruins, indicating the intensity of their battle with the Beasts Pirates. Praying that her crew was safe, she ran through the streets, finally reaching the harbor.
“You’re alright.”
The Sombrero was unharmed, as were her crew members.
George, spotting Kanata, urged her to board the ship. “You’re back! Hurry, a Marine warship is approaching!”
“Did you manage to get the food and water?!”
“We loaded them during a lull in the fighting! We need to leave, or we’ll have another Vice Admiral paying us a visit!”
It would be troublesome if it was Garp or Tsuru.
Kanata boarded the ship, relieved to see everyone safe. Most of the Beasts Pirates had been defeated, but Junshi reported that they hadn’t been able to defeat a few of their executives.
“They’re probably Zoan Devil Fruit users. Incredibly tough and resilient,” Junshi explained.
“Kuro’s darkness was effective against the weaker grunts, but those guys…”
There was the massive man called Queen, who had fought Gloriosa. And the winged man called King, who had fought Zen. They were both young, but their strength was a cut above the rest.
They had several members who were stronger than them, including the two who had fought them directly. They could have defeated them if they wanted to, but it seemed they had retreated on the third day, sensing the tide turning against them.
“That’s convenient. Kaido was quite tough himself.”
“…Tough enough for you to say that?”
“Yeah. His durability and recovery rival Linlin’s.”
He was like a zombie, rising every time she knocked him down. She had punched him, kicked him, frozen him, impaled him with ice spears… but he was still alive. His tenacity was astonishing, making her wonder if he was even capable of dying.
It was frustrating to leave him alive. If she left him alone, he would only grow stronger, standing in her path once again.
“We should have killed him here… but we were interrupted. It can’t be helped. Did everyone who decided to join us board the ship?”
“Yeah. A few left, but over half stayed.”
“That many? There were a lot of ordinary people amongst them…”
“They’re grateful to you and want to work for us. It’s beneficial for us, so it’s not a bad thing.”
It seemed many, including the Longarm cook and the female doctor who had offered to assist Sukura, had decided to join them out of gratitude.
Those who left and those who stayed made their own choices. Kanata respected their decisions.
They hurriedly finished their preparations, checking everything one by one.
“Any injuries?”
“A few serious ones. And a few minor ones. Sukura’s treating them in the infirmary. What about you? Any injuries?” George asked.
“I’m healed. It was just a scratch.”
“Healed? You can’t just say ‘healed’ when I ask about your injuries.”
Kaido had attacked with an attack capable of wiping out the entire town. Kanata had intercepted it, suffering a minor burn.
That was it. Besides, if they couldn’t bypass her Observation Haki, their attacks wouldn’t even land.
“Just show Sukura. He always says, ‘No matter how minor the injury, I need to see it’,” George reminded her.
“The serious injuries are more important. We can do that after we escape the Marine warship.”
They hurriedly set sail, leaving the harbor.
The warship was closing in, cannons firing. They could leave that to Feiyun, Junshi, and Dragon.
Kanata headed towards Zen. “Show me the vivre card,” she said, extending her hand.
“This will lead us to Zou?”
“Yes. It’s a place shrouded in mist and strong currents, a natural barrier.”
They could discuss the details later. For now, they just needed to know the direction. George steered the ship as instructed.
There had been unexpected events, but they had managed to overcome them.
Their next destination was the island known as a mirage – Zou.
***
Zou was an island on the back of a gigantic elephant. Shrouded in mist and strong currents, constantly moving, it was a phantom island.
“…I see. It’s impossible to reach with a Log Pose.”
It wasn't land, so it didn't emit a magnetic field. That’s why they couldn't reach it using a Log Pose.
The elephant was several dozen times larger than Feiyun’s maximum size. Everyone stared at its colossal form in awe.
“We, the Mink Tribe, have lived on this isolated island since ancient times, as passed down through our traditions,” Zen explained.
“Ancient times? For how long?”
Scotch gaped in astonishment. Their history was long, perhaps even predating the Void Century. But there was a more pressing matter.
“How do we get up there? The country’s on the elephant’s back, right?”
“Yes, about that… Let’s climb!”
“““Don’t be ridiculous!!!”””
The crew shouted in unison, ignoring Zen’s suggestion.
Realistically, other than those who could fly, their only option was to climb the elephant’s leg.
Perhaps she should have taught them Moonwalk, Kanata thought, but even then, she couldn’t bring all her crew members. Someone had to stay behind to guard the ships.
They couldn’t leave only the non-combatants, so the executives would have to take turns going ashore.
Depending on how long they stayed.
“…Zen and I will go ahead and talk to them.”
“That’s probably for the best.”
They couldn’t lower a rope from this height. Kanata asked Zen how the Minks traveled up and down, but he replied that there was no need to.
They were self-sufficient. There was no need to leave the island.
Only a few rebellious youths ventured out to sea.
Kanata and Zen flew to the top, reaching the gate that seemed to be the entrance to the country.
“Who are you?! You… you were flying just now?!”
“Heehin, it’s been a while… everything’s just as I remember it.”
“You… are you Zen?”
The sheep Mink who seemed to be guarding the gate stared at Zen in surprise.
“Yes, it’s me. It’s been a while,” Zen replied.
“What?! You’re back?! Who’s the human with you?”
“This is the captain of the ship I’m currently sailing with. We’d like to visit your country if possible.”
“Is that so?! Wait here a moment!”
The sheep Mink rang a bell, opening the gate with a beaming smile.
Can we trust him? Kanata asked Zen with her eyes. Zen nodded, and Kanata took out a Den Den Mushi.
“It’s safe. Come on up,” she said into the receiver, then informed the gatekeeper that a few more people would be arriving shortly. They entered the country, passing through the gate.
Beyond the gate was a forest, and through the forest, they reached a town where the Minks lived – Kurau City.
“Welcome to Mokomo Dukedom, the country on Zou’s back! Garuchu!”
Unsurprisingly, everywhere they looked, there were Minks. Garuchu seemed to be their greeting, accompanied by a nuzzle on the cheek. Even Kanata received a warm welcome.
They were a diverse group. Dogs, cats, sheep, cows, goats… Zen seemed to know some of the older Minks, chatting with them warmly.
According to Zen, just like Fishmen and Merfolk, it was common for children to be born with different animal traits than their parents. His father was a cow Mink, and his mother was a rabbit Mink.
Zen's appearance was unique, even amongst the Minks.
Perhaps he had felt a sense of isolation because of it.
“It’s been years, you rascal! You suddenly left the country, and now you’ve returned just as suddenly! I’m glad you’re safe!”
“It’s been over twenty years… I met my sworn brother, Kozuki Oden, in Wano Country.”
“What?! You had quite a journey… We have a lot to talk about. And your captain is here too. Let’s have a feast tonight! Tell us about your travels!”
Kanata and Zen were left with nothing to do while they prepared for the feast. Kanata decided to return to the gate to guide the others, figuring Zen would want to catch up with his old friends.
Junshi and Dragon arrived shortly after.
She had expected these two to be quick, but she wondered who they had left behind.
“Scotch and George are coming later. Dragon and I will switch places with them,” Junshi explained.
“I see. But can those two even climb up here?” Kanata asked.
“They have to. It’s good training,” Junshi replied.
Gloriosa and Kaie seemed to have ridden on Feiyun’s shoulders, and there were a few other crew members with them.
She should probably be worried about how they were going to get down, but… they would figure something out.
“This place… it makes me uneasy,” Dragon said.
“…You feel… watched?”
“Yeah. You too?”
Both Kanata and Dragon felt a strange sensation, as if they were being observed, but the others didn't seem to notice.
She couldn’t find anything with her Observation Haki, despite the country’s relatively small size.
She tilted her head, puzzled, but there was nothing they could do but ignore it.
Feiyun arrived next, and finally, Samuel.
“Damn it! I lost to Feiyun…!”
“I’m bigger, so I had to win! Dragon-san and Junshi-san climbed up in no time…”
Samuel, being a jaguar Zoan user, must have been determined to not lose to Feiyun in a climbing contest.
Gloriosa and Kaie, riding on Feiyun’s shoulders, looked around curiously. It seemed these were the only ones coming. She led them towards Kurau City.
The Minks, eager to welcome their guests, greeted them with “Garuchu!” and nuzzles.
Visitors were rare, and they were friendly and cheerful. The giants seemed to be especially popular, surrounded by curious Minks.
“While they’re preparing for the feast, let’s go meet the Duke,” Zen said.
“The Duke?”
“Yes, the leader of this country.”
The leader of this country was a Mink named Duke Hitsugishkan.
Zen had left the country over twenty years ago, but this was still his homeland. They had to pay their respects if they were staying here.
The Duke was in a fortress, located deeper within the forest, beyond Kurau City.
“You’re back, Zen.”
“Yes. I apologize for causing you worry.”
“Save your apologies for your parents. It caused quite a stir when you left… but you’ve become a man filled with Haki.”
“No, I’m still learning,” Zen replied humbly.
Duke Hitsugishkan, a sheep Mink, shed tears of joy, welcoming Zen back, then extended his greetings to Kanata and her crew.
Zen then said, as if he had just remembered something, “There’s a red Road Poneglyph in the Whale Forest. Shall we go see it?”
“What?! Why are you telling me this now?!” Kanata exclaimed.
“I’m sorry. I completely forgot,” Zen said, scratching his head sheepishly.
He had left the country so long ago that he had forgotten about it. He had spent more time outside this country than within it.
Duke Hitsugishkan agreed to let them see it and instructed a dog Mink to guide them while he returned to his duties.
As they were leaving, Kanata remembered something.
“Oh, I wanted to ask. Have you seen any Minks named Inuarashi and Nekomamushi in the outside world?”
“Inuarashi and Nekomamushi?”
Zen turned to Kanata, who shook her head.
None of the others had seen or heard of them either.
Duke Hitsugishkan’s shoulders slumped. Zen, puzzled, asked, “Rebellious youths who left the country? Heehin, they must be my juniors.”
“Yes. They were quite the troublemakers… They disappeared a year ago. They were only seven years old.”
“Seven years old and they went to sea?!”
Even Zen had left the country much later. Going to sea at seven years old was reckless. They couldn’t possibly have learned proper navigation. They had probably been shipwrecked or lost at sea.
“…How did you go to sea?” Kanata asked Zen.
“I built a raft and used an Eternal Pose a pirate who visited Zou long ago left behind.”
Even then, he had been shipwrecked. It was only natural to assume that the two young Minks were dead.
Perhaps, if they were lucky…
Kanata offered to search for them if they had the chance, and Zen, along with Kanata and her crew, followed the dog Mink towards the Whale Forest.
They passed through a hidden door, reaching a secluded location deep within the forest.
“…A second Road Poneglyph. We’re making good progress.”
They couldn’t read it anyway, so they would just create a rubbing. They could find someone to decipher it later.
The remaining two were likely in Linlin’s possession, and the other one was probably in Wano Country.
They were halfway to reaching the "final island."
“What’s that symbol at the bottom?” Dragon asked.
“That’s the crest of the Kozuki Family, the shogun of Wano Country,” Zen replied.
According to their ancient traditions, the Minks and the Kozuki Family had a deep, brotherly bond.
Inuarashi and Nekomamushi had disappeared after seeing this crest. They might have headed to Wano Country, Zen speculated.
Zen gazed at the crest with a nostalgic expression.
“I’m indebted to Kozuki Sukiyaki… He took care of me. Oden-sama must have grown into a fine man as well.”
“Kozuki Sukiyaki and Kozuki Oden…”
“Yes. They’re a family of stonemasons who created the Road Poneglyphs.”
“““What?!”””
Everyone was shocked. Kanata sighed, “This guy…”
“Hmm… I’ve heard of the isolationist nation of Wano Country, but I never imagined their shogun would be…” Gloriosa muttered.
“Why didn’t you tell us sooner?!” Kanata asked Zen, exasperated.
“That’s what he’s like,” Dragon said.
“I don’t know what’s going on, but it sounds important! Uhahaha!” Samuel shouted.
Ignoring Samuel, everyone began scolding Zen, who slumped his shoulders, dejected. But if they had a connection, things would be easier.
“We’ll ask Kozuki Sukiyaki to read the Road Poneglyphs we’ve acquired. Oden would work too.”
“Heehin. I’ll ask them. I was Oden-sama’s teacher for a while. I’m sure I can convince them.”
They had found someone who could read the glyphs.
She had initially planned to have the archaeologists of Ohara decipher the text, but it was better if they could avoid involving them.
Being targeted by the World Government was troublesome.
They accomplished their objective and left the Whale Forest, heading back to Kurau City. The feast was ready, and the Minks seemed to be eagerly awaiting their return.
“To Zen’s safe return! To our unusual human guests! Cheers!”
Dragon and Junshi had said they would switch places with George and Scotch halfway through the feast, but they were enjoying their drinks.
Climbing the elephant’s back had been a struggle. The other crew members wouldn’t be able to reach the country without some assistance.
They would have to prepare something for them. Kanata wished they had a Devil Fruit user who could fly.
She was sipping her sake when Kaie walked over and sat beside her.
They sat in silence for a moment, then Kaie spoke.
“…There are so many different kinds of people in the world,” she said.
“Yes, the world is vast. Merfolk, Fishmen, Minks, Giants… all sorts of people,” Kanata replied.
“…Are Devil Fruit users… common?”
“We have a few on our ship.”
Kanata herself was a Devil Fruit user. There was the drawback of being unable to swim, but it gave her immense power.
Kaie held her juice glass, staring intently at Kanata.
“…I’m… a Devil Fruit user too.”
“Yes, Gloriosa told me you ate the Snake-Snake Fruit.”
“I… turned my father to stone with that ability.”
“…To stone?”
A Snake-Snake Fruit ability that could turn people to stone – if that was the case, then her Devil Fruit…
“A Mythical Zoan. I’m surprised.”
Logia Devil Fruits were considered rare, but there was an even rarer category – Zoan Mythical Zoans.
They allowed the user to transform into mythical creatures, granting them unique abilities.
It was akin to eating two Devil Fruits, making them highly sought after.
Kaido, their recent opponent, was likely a Mythical Zoan user as well.
“A snake transformation and the ability to petrify opponents… The Snake-Snake Fruit, Model: Gorgon, I presume.”
“Can I… become strong too?”
“Yes. It’s a rare ability. You’ll become strong if you train… But you don’t seem to like that ability.”
“But I have to be strong… or Gloriosa will get hurt again.”
Gloriosa had been injured, though not seriously, in her fight against Queen. She was likely the oldest member of the crew, excluding the giant Feiyun. Having been retired from piracy for so long, her strength had declined.
She was still one of their strongest members, but she must have been aware of her weakening power.
“I… don’t really like this ability. But… if I’m not strong, I’ll lose her again.”
She had been abandoned by her parents because of her ability, but she might lose her surrogate mother, Gloriosa, if she didn’t become stronger.
Their recent battle with the Beasts Pirates seemed to have had a significant impact on her.
It was understandable that her mindset had changed after witnessing such a brutal fight.
Kanata stroked Kaie’s hair, “Don’t rush it.”
“But…”
“Don’t worry, I’m here. See more of the world, learn at your own pace, and then become strong.”
She would inevitably be dragged into battles in the future. It was better to be strong sooner rather than later.
But asking this of a child was too cruel. Kanata wished she could live a peaceful life, but it was impossible on her ship.
“…Yes.”
Kaie nodded, though she seemed hesitant.
Unlike Kanata, she had someone to protect her. She should rely on Gloriosa. Being abandoned by her parents was unfortunate, but being found by Gloriosa and meeting Kanata and her crew was a stroke of luck.
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