After hearing the two matters Michael proposed, Duke Inuarashi was instantly invigorated.
"Michael, I have no objections to the first matter at all. As long as you can persuade them, that's enough. The Mokomo Dukedom has never restricted the freedom of the Mink Tribe… just like Lindbergh."
"But the second matter—where did you learn about it? The only ones who know of this are Roger and Lord Oden…"
Duke Inuarashi did not grant passage simply because of Michael's status.
He was loyal to Oden, but he was not a fool.
He had to ask clearly before making a decision.
Hearing this, Michael raised his hand and pointed at the ground.
Duke Inuarashi froze, somewhat confused. "Michael, what do you mean by that?"
"What I mean is… he told me."
"He…" Duke Inuarashi had just opened his mouth when his expression changed drastically. "You mean—! You learned it from Zunesha!? You also possess the legendary power to hear the Voice of All Things?"
"If I wasn't hallucinating… then yes." Michael nodded. "Zunesha told me there is a message Joy Boy left for me there."
"Joy Boy's… message? For you?"
In an instant, Duke Inuarashi felt an overwhelming weight of destiny press down upon him…
Zunesha could not possibly lie.
Then what kind of connection did this winged man before him have with Joy Boy from eight hundred years ago?
After taking several deep breaths in succession, Duke Inuarashi gradually calmed his agitated emotions.
Then, with a solemn expression, he looked at Michael.
"Although I personally have no objections… the Mokomo Dukedom is not a place where I alone have the final say." Duke Inuarashi sighed. "The Road Poneglyph is stored deep within the White Whale Forest, and that place is the sacred land of the Mink Tribe… outsiders are not permitted to set foot there even a single step, otherwise they'll be bitten to death by that guy Nekomamushi."
"Nekomamushi… at this time, he should still be asleep, right?" Michael raised an eyebrow. "Just point me in the right direction. I can guarantee that nothing inside the White Whale Forest will be missing. As for what comes after… I'll have Oden explain it on my behalf."
"Ah… well, alright."
Duke Inuarashi nodded in agreement.
After all, he was Lord Oden's father-in-law… presumably Nekomamushi would accept it under Lord Oden's persuasion later on.
And most importantly—
This man's name was Michael.
Although Zou was also an extremely closed-off place, as a leader, he could still obtain some external intelligence.
If the Michael before him was indeed the Michael of legend…
Then even if all of Zou were tied together, it still wouldn't be enough to fight him.
Yet such a powerful individual came to the Mokomo Dukedom without acting arbitrarily, and even sought their consent…
From this point alone, he had already left those self-centered powerhouses far behind.
One could only say…
Worthy indeed of being the lord's father-in-law!
...
When flying toward the White Whale Forest, Michael encountered resistance several times more intense than before.
Originally, following the principle that less trouble was better than more, Michael planned to raise his flight altitude a bit…
But unexpectedly, a Mink wearing green outer garments leapt up from the trees and charged straight at him.
Every movement crackled with flashing electricity…
This was another reason Michael valued Mink warriors.
Thanks to their unique racial traits, they could generate powerful static electricity through their furry bodies to assist their attacks.
Either by directly coating their strikes with static electricity, or by using intense electric currents to stimulate their muscles, temporarily pushing their physical abilities beyond their limits.
And this strike before him clearly combined both.
"Outsider! I won't allow you to enter the White Whale Forest!"
As he drew closer, the man let out a furious roar.
Michael also clearly saw the Mink's appearance.
It was none other than Zou's fiercest individual, the most tear-jerking figure of the Whole Cake Island arc—
Pedro of the Jaguar Mink Tribe.
Michael looked at the man with evident appreciation.
On the premise of solid combat strength, he possessed remarkably powerful spiritual qualities.
Enduring, unyielding, upright, cautious, and deeply loyal.
Though extremely distrustful of strangers, once he granted someone his friendship and trust, he would be unwaveringly loyal and always repay kindness.
And to protect his companions and his country, he would absolutely give his life without hesitation.
Aside from a temperament that wasn't particularly pleasant, he was undoubtedly one of the finest warriors among the Mink Tribe.
Otherwise, he wouldn't have been tasked with guarding the Mink Tribe's sacred land.
However—
"Pedro, I can't be bothered to explain all this to you."
As Michael spoke, he directly neutralized Pedro's attack and then lifted him up in his hand.
Like lifting a big cat.
Pedro was completely dumbfounded.
Just now… how did this person neutralize his assault?
The speed was far too outrageous, wasn't it?
And moreover—
"Why are you grabbing the back of my neck like this—ahhh!"
"Aren't you a Jaguar Mink?" Michael looked at him somewhat oddly. "A jaguar, when you get down to it… is just a big cat, right?"
"The Mink Tribe and ordinary beasts are completely different species, okay!?"
"But your body doesn't seem to agree with that."
Michael glanced at Pedro, who had instinctively tucked in all four limbs after being grabbed by the scruff of his neck.
Then, right in front of the other members of the Guardians, he carried off their captain just like that.
"Uh, am I seeing things? Captain Pedro was carried off like a kitten?"
"Even though it's an emergency, why do I feel like laughing?"
"Even if we're going to laugh, we should rescue Captain Pedro first and then laugh to his face!"
"No choice… we'll have to wake Nekomamushi ahead of time!"
...
On the outskirts of the Flower Capital.
"Looks like the masterminds behind the invasion of Wano have already all gathered here."
Rosinante nodded.
But at that moment, Hancock leaned in and said in a low voice.
"There are still a few missing…"
"Who's missing?"
"The Donquixote Family's officers. They're not very strong, but ordinary samurai definitely can't handle them, and most importantly…"
"And most importantly?"
"All across Wano, Dyna Stones have been buried, and those Donquixote Family officers know the locations of the Dyna Stones—and they can detonate them!"
"Dyna Stones!?" Rosinante's pupils constricted sharply. "Have everyone immediately begin searching for the Donquixote Family!"
And just at that moment, within the Flower Capital, the ground continuously bulged and deformed, eventually forming a humanoid shape.
It was Pica, one of the Donquixote Family's top officers, who had eaten the Stone-Stone Fruit.
"Marines! Release our young master immediately!"
"Otherwise, I will immediately detonate all the Dyna Stones in the Flower Capital and its surroundings!"
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Fanfic is finished. 583 chapters in total on p@treon/tambeerg