In Michael's initial plans for military recruitment, the final location was Wano Country.
But his primary targets were never Wano's samurai—rather, it was the Mink Tribe residing in the Mokomo Dukedom on Zunesha's back.
While Wano's samurai were decent, with many masters of Ryuo...
Overall, they were still too conventional.
Moreover, compared to Wano's martial prowess, what truly mattered was its functionality.
Such as resources and forging.
In terms of average combat capability, they actually fell short of the Mokomo Dukedom.
Not to mention, the Mink Tribe possessed their racial trump card—"Sulong."
With proper training, they could transform into their true forms during a full moon.
Their bodies would enlarge, their fur turn white, hair lengthen, and eyes glow red...
Then both speed and strength—all their true attributes—would receive tremendous boosts.
The only drawback was the inability to maintain this state for long.
Though the conditions were demanding, if they could overcome Sulong's limitations, the Mink Tribe would become an extraordinary military force.
Of course, Michael himself had no solution for this.
But no worries!
This was when they could rely on the ever-capable Dr. Vegapunk.
Though Vegapunk already had many research projects, he would likely welcome studying the Sulong transformation.
Because by all appearances, this state resulted from the Mink Tribe's unique Lineage Factor.
This was right in Vegapunk's wheelhouse.
Originally, Michael planned to leverage his status as "Wano's Savior" after resolving its crisis to visit the Mokomo Dukedom on Zunesha's back and cash in favors...
After all, the two leaders of Mokomo Dukedom were both retainers of the Kozuki family...
But unexpectedly, he had directly heard Zunesha's call.
The Voice of All Things...
This ability should have belonged only to Roger, Luffy, Oden, and Momonosuke.
It had nothing to do with strength—it was simply an innate gift.
Michael didn't even know when he'd acquired this ability.
Perhaps he'd possessed it long ago but never triggered it.
Or maybe it awakened the instant before encountering Zunesha...
Regardless, being able to communicate directly with Zunesha was undoubtedly a pleasant surprise.
And...Listening to Zunesha's words... there's some juicy gossip here!
"Zunesha, what do you mean by that?"
"What do you mean 'appearing again'... did you know me before?"
Michael raised an eyebrow.
Because of Kozuki Toki's existence, Michael already knew that he would time-travel over 800 years into the past at some point in the future...
So the possibility that Zunesha might recognize him...
To be honest, this wasn't too surprising for Michael.
But he still had to ask—extracting information had practically become second nature to him now.
"Michael... angel... companion of Joy Boy... you told me that we would meet again in the future..."
"You told me... that I made no mistake."
"That I keep walking... so that one day... I may reunite with you and Joy Boy..."
"I... miss you... Angel Michael."
After speaking, Zunesha slowly raised its massive trunk.
Drawing in vast amounts of water, it sprayed the liquid over Zou on its back.
The twice-daily "water spray" ensured Zou's water supply.
However, the seawater raining down from the sky also drenched Michael completely.
With a resigned sigh, Michael slicked back his wet hair with one hand and continued questioning:
"Zunesha... I want to go up to your back now to speak with the minks. May I?"
"Of course, my friend... oh yes... Joy Boy... left you... a message... on Zou."
Michael froze.
A message?
Could this trip yield unexpected gains?
But Michael didn't dwell on it, immediately flying toward the towering back of Zunesha.
Had this been his first encounter with Zunesha, Michael might have been more impressed.
A colossal beast capable of carrying an entire island, an entire nation on its back.
But just minutes earlier, he'd completely defeated the slightly smaller Bullet... so the visual impact was considerably diminished.
Though ultimately, Bullet couldn't compare to Zunesha... after all, Zunesha's size was its natural state.
While Bullet's form was a rare product of awakened Devil Fruit combination techniques.
Soaring past Zunesha's enormous head, Michael saw Zou perched on the creature's back.
With a flap of his Wings, Michael accelerated dramatically.
But just as he approached the town of Mokomo Dukedom, bullets and crossbow bolts began flying toward him from below.
Michael frowned momentarily before understanding.
Of course they'd shoot down an unidentified flying object entering their territory without warning!
Though it would be better if they tried communicating or issuing warnings first.
The people of Zou were still a bit too wild!
But they were minks after all! Judging by appearances alone—humanoid beasts—their temperaments were bound to be fierce.
So Michael glanced at the dense forest below and descended immediately.
He was here to lead a revolution, not an invasion.
The moment his feet touched ground, dozens of mink warriors emerged from the forest, filling the trees and surrounding him completely.
"Zou doesn't welcome outsiders! Leave immediately!"
"That's right! Zou belongs to the minks, to Mokomo Dukedom! Hairless monkey, get out!"
Looking at the diverse array of minks, Michael tilted his head curiously.
It seems that the Mink Tribe as a whole is quite behind on information.
Even if they don't recognize his face, someone should have at least heard of "the guy with angel wings."
But the Minks showed no reaction at all...
"I am Michael, Chief of Staff of the Revolutionary Army. I come in peace..." Michael paused, wondering if that sounded a bit too lofty and hollow.
So he added, "And I just rescued Wano Country from a powerful pirate alliance... Are you sure you want to treat me like this?"
"Wano Country? What does Wano have to do with us?"
Michael froze, suddenly realizing something.
Now that he thought about it...
Though the Mink duo, Inuarashi and Nekomamushi, were retainers of Kozuki Oden—two of the Red Scabbards...
The rest of the Minks weren't!
A classic case of "my vassal's vassal is not my vassal."
"Uh, alright, if mentioning those two doesn't help... Then surely someone knows Lindbergh? I'm his good friend."
Lindbergh, Commander of the Southern Army of the Revolutionary Army.
"Uh, Lindbergh is sort of my distant cousin."
A voice chimed in...
And instantly, the atmosphere became lively.
"Oh, so he's Lindbergh's buddy!"
"Then he must be our friend too!"
Michael watched as the Minks instantly turned adorable and wiped sweat from his brow.
Hmm...
Wildness and simplicity could indeed be roughly equated.