"Michael, Michael! How's Cousin Lindbergh doing out at sea?"
"He works with me and is full of energy... Though it'd be better if he didn't always drag others into testing his new weapons."
"Ahaha <(￣▽￣)/, that's so Lindbergh!" said a tall, curvaceous female dog Mink.
"Oh, right! How rude of me—I haven't introduced myself! My name is Wanda!"
Michael blinked.
No wonder this dog girl looked so familiar!
She was the Mink from the original story who swapped clothes with Nami and pulled it off flawlessly!
Speaking of which...
Exchanging clothes seemed to be a Mink custom...
Michael glanced at Wanda's ultra-short hot pants and tank top...
Better not.
That outfit didn't suit his vibe.
"But we were probably too tense earlier. After all, there was that terrifying explosion in the distance... Many elders and children in town were so scared they had to see a doctor..."
Michael wiped his brow again.
Could he admit that was his doing?
Nah...
Let it remain a beautiful misunderstanding...
"By the way, Michael, I found it strange earlier. You look human, but you have so many wings... The only other person we've seen with black wings and flames behind his head had fewer wings than you."
Michael was taken aback.
The Minks had met a Lunarian before?
Do minority races really cross paths that easily?
Yet, no trace of the Lunarian Race could be found across the seas.
And the Lunarian they met definitely wasn't "Wildfire" King...
Otherwise, they would definitely say it was an enemy invasion, encountering such a nuisance.
"I am indeed human... The wings are a result of my Devil Fruit ability."
"Ah, what a beautiful ability..."
Led by Wanda, Michael smoothly passed through the forest and entered the town of the Mink Tribe.
The bustling scene in the town and the doctors hurrying through the streets further confirmed Wanda's earlier explanation.
"Michael... I'll take you to meet Duke Inuarashi now!"
Michael instinctively glanced at the sky.
It was still daytime, so naturally, the one in charge was the "Ruler of the Day," Inuarashi.
Following Wanda, Michael arrived in front of a relatively tall building—the headquarters of the Musketeers.
After explaining the situation to the guards at the entrance, Wanda's gaze toward Michael instantly shifted from wariness to friendliness.
Michael raised an eyebrow...
Is Lindbergh's name really that useful?
Though he is strong—in the original story, there's even a record of the Revolutionary Army commanders rescuing Kuma from a Marine Admiral...
Of course, it wasn't against Aokiji or Akainu but Fujitora and Ryokugyu.
Still, it's quite an impressive feat.
But in Michael's current view, this guy is just a pure weapons-manufacturing maniac...
And undoubtedly the biggest money-burner in the Revolutionary Army, bar none!
Whether it's research or weapon production!
Any veteran gamer knows.
Leveling Engineering without a sponsor (or sucker) to foot the bill is a massive waste of money.
And right now, Michael is Lindbergh's sucker.
At least he managed to squeeze some benefits out of the guy...
"So you're a friend of Brother Lindbergh! Back in the day, we were his finest musketeers!"
As they spoke, the Mink warriors outside—dressed almost like the Three Musketeers—each drew their swords.
Three blades crossed mid-air as they struck their coolest pose.
"Uh..." Michael, overwhelmed by the Minks' enthusiasm, couldn't help but quip, "Do you guys go around saying 'All for one, one for all'?"
"'All for one, one for all'? My gods, what a word!"
"Ahaha, Michael, please don't mind them. They're just too excited knowing you're a friend of Lindbergh's cousin," Wanda said with a smile.
"After all, before leaving Zou, Lindbergh was the captain of the Musketeers!"
Michael curled his lip, thinking to himself.
Then he shouldn't be called Lindbergh—he should be called D'Artagnan.
"What's all this shouting about?"
A gentle yet slightly stern voice came from inside the Musketeers' headquarters.
The next moment, the towering Duke Inuarashi ducked through the doorway.
Dressed in European noble-style attire, draped in a wine-red cape, and wearing blue sunglasses.
Michael could clearly sense the scrutinizing gaze behind those blue shades.
Even though Inuarashi was a kind, benevolent, and humble leader...
He would still be wary of a sudden stranger.
Before Wanda could introduce him, Michael stepped forward and extended his hand to Inuarashi.
"You can call me Michael... I've just arrived from Wano Country."
"Wano Country..." Inuarashi's gaze sharpened instantly. "There was an extremely violent explosion from Wano's direction just now... Could it be that you invaded Wano and caused it?"
"You guessed half right... That explosion was indeed related to me, except I was the one helping Wano deal with the invasion."
"Is that true?"
"Even through sunglasses, I can sense your distrust..." Michael sighed as he drew Oto and Kogarashi from his waist...
Inuarashi immediately assumed a defensive stance and stepped back.
Michael's lips twitched.
"What are you doing... I'm trying to show you proof! As a retainer of Kozuki Oden, you should recognize Toki's swords, shouldn't you?"
Inuarashi froze, staring at the Oto and Kogarashi in Michael's hands...
Though newer than the ones Kozuki Toki wielded, they were undoubtedly the same blades.
"Your relationship with Lady Toki is..."
"While it might sound unbelievable... I am indeed Kozuki Toki's adoptive father. That rascal Kozuki Oden even calls me father-in-law now."
With that single sentence, Inuarashi's Mink Tribe CPU short-circuited.
What did that mean?
Rounding it off...
'You're my lord's father?!'
For a moment, Inuarashi was utterly speechless.
His brain told him this couldn't be right.
But his eyes confirmed... the proof was genuine!
After a long pause, Inuarashi finally looked at Michael with an indescribable expression...
"M-my lord?"
"That title makes me feel like I've gained a grandson... Just call me Michael."
"Very well..." Inuarashi exhaled in relief, finally composing himself. "Michael, what brings you to the Mokomo Dukedom..."
"Two matters. First, I wish to recruit Mink warriors..."
"And the second..."
"I need to see the Poneglyph."
"The one left behind by Joy Boy!"
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