The quiet voice echoed across the plaza, as if laced with some kind of spell—lingering in the air, impossible to shake.
Wanda, Pedro, and the others turned pale.
Carrot might not know the history.
But they did. The name "Kozuki Oden" was a forbidden scale to the two kings.
"You bastard! How dare you speak Lord Oden's name—I'll teach you a lesson!"
Inuarashi's face darkened as he roared in fury.
From within the forest, another figure also lost control and shot out like a cannonball.
To Wanda and Pedro's disbelief, the two kings unleashed their full speed, crashing toward Luo Yu.
BOOM!
A violent shockwave exploded outward like a hurricane.
Everything within dozens of meters was torn apart.
Amid the swirling dust, the combined attacks of Nekomamushi and Inuarashi raged like a storm.
Thunderous impacts echoed like the drums of the gods.
But as the dust settled, the Thousand-Armed Kannon—once glowing gold—was now cloaked in jet-black Armament Haki.
The barrage of attacks landed, but it felt immovable.
Wanda and Pedro were stunned.
Even Nekomamushi and Inuarashi's expressions changed.
As the kings of the Mink Tribe, they knew their strength far surpassed Carrot's.
They had expected this arrogant youth to finally be forced to fight back.
But the result… was exactly the same as with Carrot.
"Hah! If I'm not mistaken, you two—Cat and Dog—once sailed with Whitebeard and Roger. Who'd have thought you'd end up as kings of a nation? I guess it's not a bad idea to travel the seas again before dying, see some old faces."
Naguri landed beside them, pipe in mouth, eyeing the two kings with a dry chuckle.
"But I'd advise you not to act rashly. That kid isn't some Rear Admiral or Vice Admiral—he's the Navy's newest Admiral."
"If you insist on fighting, your Mink Tribe alone… this ship could wipe out your country in ten minutes."
"You—!"
Pedro, Wanda, and the others were furious.
But Inuarashi and Nekomamushi quickly raised their hands to stop them.
As the massive warship descended under Fujitora's control, landing in the plaza, the figures that stepped off it radiated overwhelming presence.
Even the beastly instincts of the two kings screamed danger.
Their instincts told them—any one of these people could be a nightmare to fight.
If they really attacked the Mokomo Dukedom…
Ten minutes to annihilation didn't sound like an exaggeration.
"Who are you people? Why have you come to the Mokomo Dukedom?"
Inuarashi's face was dark as he barked the question.
Faced with such a divine lineup, he didn't even have the energy to argue with Nekomamushi anymore.
He knew—if these people wanted to make a move today…
Even if he and Nekomamushi joined forces, they'd be doomed.
"Cat, Dog… you really are out of touch with the world," Naguri said, exhaling smoke and tossing a newspaper forward.
"If it weren't for Roger's sake, I wouldn't even bother explaining."
"Twenty-five days ago, Marine Headquarters declared war on both the Whitebeard Pirates and Kaido of the Beasts. This new Admiral was tasked with recruiting special combatants to hold the line."
"Everyone you see here—aside from that kid—are special combatants. And you two? You're on his list too."
Nekomamushi and Inuarashi's faces changed drastically. It was like a bombshell had dropped.
They quickly unfolded the newspaper.
When they saw the headline, their expressions turned to disbelief.
"The Navy declared war on two Yonko at once? Are they insane?"
Inuarashi shouted.
"No—are you insane, Navy? Don't forget, we once sailed under Whitebeard! You want to recruit us to fight against him? That's the biggest joke I've ever heard!"
"That would betray Lord Oden's honor. We already failed him once. If you try to force us to fight against Whitebeard, I'll stake the entire Mokomo Dukedom to uphold that honor!"
"Admiral—don't doubt our resolve!"
Pedro, Wanda, and the others tensed.
If their kings were ready to go that far, they had no choice but to fight.
Naguri shook his head.
"You're just as stubborn as I was back in the day. Navy brat, I'll leave this to you."
Luo Yu took a sip of his earthy liquor and glanced at his pocket watch.
"Five minutes until I clock out. I'd rather not work overtime. You're putting me in a tough spot."
"Navy—we'll make a bet!"
Nekomamushi suddenly spoke.
Inuarashi blinked. Normally, he'd argue.
But this time, he stayed silent.
Nekomamushi pressed on:
"Let's bet. One strike each. Whoever can't take the other's blow loses. If you win, we'll accept your recruitment."
One strike each?
Wanda and Pedro were stunned.
They never expected the usually goofy Nekomamushi to propose such a duel.
But then they remembered—it was a full moon tonight.
And Nekomamushi had cleverly said "one strike each."
Two against one.
With the advantage of timing, terrain, and numbers.
Even Inuarashi's eyes flickered with a hint of satisfaction.
But to Naguri and the others, it was just exasperating.
Out in the world, even Celestial Dragons avoided this new Admiral.
And now Nekomamushi wanted to challenge him like this?
Brilliant.
Luo Yu chuckled, raising his gourd.
"Not a bad idea. Saves me the trouble."
"But before we begin, let me warn you—so you don't regret it later."
"Yes, you're on my special combatant list. But that's all it is—a list. I never planned to make you fight."
"I came all this way for one reason: the 40 million bounty."
"Like I said before—weaklings don't even qualify as hostages. Recruiting special combatants is just a way to get paid properly."