Zou — in the Mink Tribe's sacred ground, the "Whale Forest," an enormous whale-shaped tree towered over the landscape.
At the very top of the whale's tail was a secret chamber — the most hidden place in all of the Mink Tribe, known only to their highest leaders.
At this moment, the Mink Tribe's twin rulers, Inuarashi and Nekomamushi, along with Kouzuki Momonosuke, Kin'emon, Kanjuro, and Raizo from Wano Country, and the Warlord of the Sea, Trafalgar Law, were all gathered here.
Carved into the chamber's wall was a massive crest — the sigil of the Kouzuki Family. Beneath it stood one of the world's four red Poneglyphs — the "Road Poneglyph."
"So this is a Road Poneglyph…"
Law stared at the massive red stone before him, awed into silence by the ancient, timeworn aura it exuded.
"Law-dono, you know about the Road Poneglyphs?"
Inuarashi and Nekomamushi looked surprised. With history so fractured, even among the Warlords, few in the current era had any knowledge of these stones.
"Yeah... I do. I'm a Warlord, after all. Though it's a secret known only to a few, plenty of those sailing the New World are aware of it."
Law's mind wandered back to Skypiea, where Wright had once explained the significance of the Poneglyphs to him.
The stone on Skypiea had been a regular grey Poneglyph — an "Informational Poneglyph."
But the red Road Poneglyphs... this was the first time Law had ever seen one in person.
"If you gather all four Road Poneglyphs, you can mark the location of the final island, Raftel, on a map, right?"
"That's correct. Long ago, Oden-sama and the Pirate King Roger reached Raftel by following this method," Kin'emon replied solemnly. The fact that Oden had once sailed as a crewmate aboard the Pirate King's ship was no secret among the major powers of the New World.
"In fact," Nekomamushi added with a puff from his pipe, "aside from one stone whose whereabouts remain unknown, Kaido and Big Mom each hold a Road Poneglyph in their possession. They simply don't know that another one is hidden right here, nya."
He exhaled a stream of smoke, his expression growing wistful.
"I've heard that back in the day, Ohara managed to decipher the ancient texts... Now, it seems that the only one left in the world who can read them is that archaeologist — Nico Robin, nya."
"That's right..."
Law turned toward Momonosuke.
"It's just unfortunate... the Kouzuki Family's line of succession was broken."
Momonosuke stepped forward, his small face set with resolve.
"Even though I can neither read the ancient script like my father, nor craft new Poneglyphs as the Kouzuki Clan once could... the history is still here!"
"Someday, someone will reach Raftel. The truth of the world lies there... and the truth will, without fail, be revealed to the world!"
"..."
Inuarashi, Nekomamushi, Raizo, and Kanjuro all looked at Momonosuke with grave expressions.
The Momonosuke standing before them now was nothing like the timid eight-year-old child he appeared to be on the surface.
In spirit, he was already comparable to a youth of sixteen or seventeen, if not quite fully mature.
Thus, despite his youthful appearance, none among them could treat him as a mere child any longer.
Standing before them was the rightful heir — a worthy successor to the title of Shogun.
"Momonosuke-sama speaks true!"
Raizo's voice trembled with emotion.
"To see you grow so reliable fills us, your retainers, with boundless confidence!"
"Oden-sama's final wish — it will surely be fulfilled!"
"Indeed!" Kanjuro cried, tears streaming down his face. "If the others could see you now, Momonosuke-sama, how happy they would be!"
As everyone nodded fervently, cold sweat prickled at the back of their necks.
That Kanjuro...!
This is the highest level of infiltration!
If he weren't completely committed to his act, he could never deceive even our instincts like this!
Even now, I can feel... the sincerity in his words!
How terrifying... truly terrifying!
No wonder even a man as brilliant as Oden-sama fell victim to betrayal!
It's impossible to guard against... simply impossible...
Thankfully... thankfully, I underwent Fleet Admiral Wright's "Willpower Training"... otherwise, I'd surely have exposed myself just now!
Everyone remained on high alert.
Ever since Kanjuro had arrived at Zou, they had completely cut off communication with the Wano Resistance and Marine Headquarters.
Even secret messages risked exposure — none knew when, or how, Kanjuro might pass information to their enemies.
The alliance with Marine Headquarters, too, was kept hidden from Kanjuro. As far as he knew, Kin'emon and Momonosuke had merely recruited Trafalgar Law as an ally.
This entire gathering was a grand performance — an elaborate act, staged with the full cooperation of every Mink warrior, to deceive Kanjuro.
At a time like this, there was no room for error.
They already knew — Marine Headquarters would soon move against the "Emperor" Big Mom.
And the one poised to become the new Emperor... was Marco the Phoenix, leader of the New Whitebeard Pirates!
The question now was — should they seek Marco's aid?
Even if Marco agreed to help, facing off against the Marines would not be a simple matter.
After all, Marco was not alone — behind him stood the tens of thousands of pirates comprising the New Whitebeard Pirates.
"The Mink Tribe and the Kouzuki Clan have been sworn allies for centuries!"
Inuarashi stuck out his tongue and cast a deep, meaningful glance at Kanjuro.
"I will lead the Mink warriors to Wano soon to prepare for war!"
"Nya... I'll head overseas, search for old friends... and see if I can rally some support, nya."
Nekomamushi sheathed his pipe and licked his paw.
"An Emperor, huh... Marco may not yet rival Kaido, but still — he is an Emperor, nya!"
"If we can win even a small measure of his support, it will greatly strengthen our odds!"
"I will lead the Musketeer Squad personally. Kanjuro, you'll come with us. We need someone from those days to vouch for us — Marco and you knew each other. Besides, Izo is still with him."
"Izo..."
Everyone's eyes lit up.
Izo, the captain of the Sixteenth Division of the Whitebeard Pirates, was also a member of the "Nine Red Scabbards," and the elder brother of Kikunojo of the Lingering Snow.
Long ago, to stop Oden from joining Whitebeard's crew, Izo had boarded Whitebeard's ship — and when Oden stayed behind as Whitebeard's sworn brother, Izo, out of gratitude, remained aboard as Whitebeard's adopted son.
Even after Oden returned to Wano, Izo continued to sail with Whitebeard — and even now, remained a captain within the New Whitebeard Pirates.
"Very well! I shall accompany you without hesitation!"
Kanjuro agreed without hesitation.
Kin'emon continued:
"Then, Raizo, you will return to Wano with us. Dogstorm, you've just fended off an attack here — no one knows whether Queen might return..."
"You'll stay here for now and maintain contact. Once we've confirmed Queen's movements, you can rejoin us."
"Understood. I shall follow your lead, Kin'emon."
"I'll stay here too, Kin-dono — even if Queen returns, I'll repel him again," Law added coolly.
"We are grateful, Law-dono!"
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