Chapter 426: Go to Zou Island and Give the Elephant Lord Freedom!
"You stay here. I'll go check it out. Conrad, Finks—come with me!"
With that, Ryuunosuke spread his Holy Wings, seizing the two by the shoulders as they soared toward the Elephant Lord.
Even if the great beast sought him directly, it was wiser to communicate atop Zou itself. Interfering here could disrupt Gaino's ongoing fusion with Pluton's wreckage—and the Elephant Lord's intentions remained unknown.
Minutes later, the massive, towering figure of the Elephant Lord loomed before them. Its ancient eyes gazed forward, step after thunderous step shaking the sea.
Within two minutes, Ryuunosuke and his companions were perched upon its colossal back.
"Let's head to the Whale Tree," Ryuunosuke said, vanishing in a flash of speed. Conrad and Finks barely had time to react before they found themselves before the sacred tree.
Waiting there were Duke Inuarashi and Nekomamushi.
"Conrad? Finks? When did you return?" Inuarashi's brows furrowed in confusion. The latest reports had placed Conrad still sailing with the Dragon Hunters in search of Pluton. Had the Pluton they sought been the Elephant Lord itself?
Their eyes shifted to the figure standing calmly ahead. With Conrad and Finks deferentially at his side, it wasn't hard to guess who he was.
"This is Captain Ryuunosuke of the Dragon Hunter Pirates, correct?" Inuarashi asked cautiously. "What brings you here?"
Ryuunosuke inclined his head politely. "Duke Inuarashi. Nekomamushi. Conrad and your tribe have joined the Dragon Hunters—they are my allies. I came here to speak with the Elephant Lord. Tell me… has it moved before today?"
The minks were taken aback. Someone with Ryuunosuke's power needn't explain himself, much less ask permission. Yet his humility and directness earned him their respect. The Mink Tribe, though proud, had always valued sincerity.
"Captain Ryuunosuke, please—this way. Whatever you need, speak freely. Our tribe will not forget the kindness you've shown our people," Inuarashi said with genuine gratitude.
Nekomamushi said nothing, but his toothy grin betrayed agreement.
"Thank you," Ryuunosuke replied with a faint smile. "Talk among yourselves for now—I won't be long." He disappeared into the Whale Tree.
…
"Conrad," Inuarashi said, turning toward him, "show me your fruit ability. You told us before of the Moonlight Fruit. Our tribe has waited a long time to see it."
Conrad nodded. Despite his power having grown far beyond the Duke's, he still bore deep respect. Raising his hand, he summoned a brilliant moon overhead.
Immediately, Inuarashi felt the blood within him stir, a long-dormant instinct awakening.
"This power…" His voice trembled.
Without hesitation, he released his Moon Lion form. White fur erupted across his body, his aura swelling into something fierce and primal.
Nekomamushi followed, his own body blazing with the same lunar energy.
The Whale Tree shook under the pressure of their unleashed power.
"They've transformed without losing control…" Conrad muttered.
Indeed, their eyes were clear, their bloodlust restrained. And yet their strength had skyrocketed.
"Our power—it's beyond what it was before," Inuarashi realized, astonished. "With this form, we can fight on par with Admiral level enemies… without madness consuming us."
For the Mink Tribe, it was a miracle.
The two warriors began sparring at once, reveling in their newfound freedom.
…
Meanwhile, inside the Whale Tree, Ryuunosuke moved past the ancient Poneglyphs. They stood untouched, whispering secrets of the Void Century.
He wasn't alone. A round, stout figure stepped from the shadows.
"Who are you!?" Raizo of the Mist demanded, eyes wary.
Ryuunosuke raised a brow. "Raizo, huh? Not interested." With a flick of his wrist, he blasted the ninja bodily out of the chamber.
The sight stirred an old irritation in him. Momonosuke's name flashed in his mind—just thinking of that boy made his blood boil. He forced the thought aside. He had more pressing matters.
Resting his palm against the tree's roots, he projected his voice.
"Elephant Lord! I grant you freedom!"
The island trembled. Zou's endless march halted for the first time in centuries.
"Aaaang!"
A roar of sheer exultation thundered across the seas. The Elephant Lord's voice resonated in Ryuunosuke's very bones.
"Joyboy… thank you! I am finally free!"
Its call was so powerful, any lesser being would have been crushed outright.
Ryuunosuke steadied himself. "Elephant Lord—who ordered you to remain at sea all this time?"
The answer came, deep and sonorous, echoing like the toll of an ancient bell.
"The First Generation…"
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