The battle had raged for three days and three nights.
"The Plague" Queen was an Ancient Zoan-type Devil Fruit user—specifically, a Brachiosaurus. But that wasn't all. As a scientist, Queen had modified his own body to a terrifying degree.
His left forearm had been replaced with a cybernetic limb. Even his long, dinosaur neck in Brachiosaurus form could mechanize, stretching out to strike. From his mouth, a machine gun could extend and fire in a ruthless barrage.
Inuarashi and Nekomamushi were being steadily pushed back. Against Queen's overwhelming stamina, endurance, and raw power, they were barely able to hold the line.
Under normal circumstances, either of the two Mink rulers—each possessing considerable combat prowess and enhanced electro techniques—could sweep through hordes of regular pirates with ease.
But Queen wasn't your average opponent. His tough hide, brute strength, and formidable physique rendered their attacks ineffective.
Despite Queen's clownish personality, when he fought seriously, there was nothing funny about it. Arrogant and sadistic, he took pleasure in overpowering opponents with sheer, brute force.
Even though Inuarashi was proficient in advanced Armament Haki techniques, against this particular muscle freak—in more ways than one—his blows were no more than a minor inconvenience. Not quite "just a scratch," but they certainly failed to cause any real harm.
Queen could also use Armament Haki to bolster his defense. Combine that with the Ancient Zoan's insane physical resilience, and at best, Inuarashi could barely cut through his skin.
Nekomamushi, fighting with his claws, was roughly on par with Inuarashi. He could withstand Queen's onslaught, but defeating him? Even the two of them together weren't enough.
They had resorted to a relay-style battle—tag-teaming to stall Queen's advance. That was the most they could manage. Meanwhile, under the command of the Musketeer Squad and the Guardians, the Mink warriors had pushed Queen's pirate forces back multiple times.
Yet Queen himself never retreated. And with their commander still fighting, the pirates—no matter how many losses they suffered—dared not flee.
Thus, the battle reached a painful stalemate.
"Damn you beasts! You're so damn annoying!"
Queen had already gone through several cigars. Enraged, he reverted to human form, swapped out for a fresh cigar, and shouted:
"Are all Minks brain-dead morons?!"
"Just hand over the ninja and this'll all be over! You guys hate humans, right? Why're you protecting one?!"
Inuarashi and Nekomamushi exchanged a subtle glance, panting heavily. Queen… didn't recognize them. Which meant that their escape from Kaido's grasp and return to Zou had remained a secret—even to the traitor Kanjuro.
Kanjuro would've known they were captured—but after that, he had traveled through time. He only knew that the Kouzuki Clan and the Minks were close allies—but not that Inuarashi and Nekomamushi had made it back to Zou long ago.
If Queen had known, he wouldn't be talking like this.
"I've said this countless times already: there is no ninja here," Inuarashi declared coolly. "You yourself know the Minks despise humans. Why would we shelter a ninja?"
"And you've got the nerve to call us beasts—have you looked in a mirror lately, you freak?" Nekomamushi snapped, biting down hard on his pipe before taking a long drag. He licked his claws and added with a scowl:
"Damn it… you're not even ugly in a cool way, nya!"
"…"
Sweat beaded on Queen's forehead. These two…
"If you won't hand him over, then don't blame me for getting nasty!"
"PLAGUE BOMB SQUAD—GET IN HERE!"
Inuarashi and Nekomamushi's pupils contracted. The pirates surged forward, guns in hand, grinning maliciously.
"Wahahaha! You're finished now!"
"This is one of Queen-sama's masterpieces!"
"Prepare to die, you filthy mongrels!"
"FIRE!!"
At Queen's command, the pirates unleashed a volley. Inuarashi and Nekomamushi did their best to slash down or block the bullets, but with so many pirates firing at once, it was impossible to deflect them all.
The Mink warriors, swift as they were, couldn't all dodge in time. Many were struck.
"Aaagh! What is this… it burns!!"
"It's so hot… help me!"
"Ugh—what's this green gunk?!"
"What the hell is going on?!"
Inuarashi and Nekomamushi turned in horror.
Those hit by the Plague Bombs were breaking out in glowing green blotches that rapidly spread across their skin. The heat was unbearable—but that wasn't the worst of it. The infection was contagious on contact!
Warriors who had run in to help the fallen were suddenly writhing in pain themselves—spreading the sickness with every touch.
"Damn you—NYAA!!" Nekomamushi roared in fury and charged at Queen, but a Plague Bomb struck him squarely. He howled in agony as searing pain surged through his body.
"NEKO!!"
Inuarashi tried to reach him, cutting down bullets with his sword, but Nekomamushi shouted hoarsely:
"DON'T COME ANY CLOSER!! It spreads on contact!"
"All warriors—if you haven't been hit, DON'T TOUCH ANYONE WHO HAS!"
Inuarashi clenched his teeth. Nekomamushi was convulsing on the ground in pain—but he couldn't even help him!
"Damn it all!"
With a roar, Inuarashi charged Queen, his blade now coated in a furious swirl of Armament Haki more intense than ever before.
"ROOM!"
"Slaughterhouse!"
A cold voice rang out—and the scene around Inuarashi shifted.
He found himself in a hidden corner. Startled, he rushed out and saw a different figure now standing in front of Queen.
"Law-dono!"
"Duke Inuarashi, maintain order. Don't worry… remember—I'm a doctor."
"I'll gather everyone infected by the plague. Prepare wooden clubs or anything you can use—knock them out."
"This virus doesn't just burn—it's already starting to affect their minds!"
A rapid string of commands followed. Inuarashi's expression grew solemn. He gave a firm nod.
"I'm ashamed… Please, I leave it to you, Lord Law!"
"ROOM: Command Baton!"
Law snapped his fingers. A giant spherical space unfolded around them. With a wave of his hand, the infected warriors—many of whom had started to stagger back to their feet—vanished in a blink, reappearing in a low-lying pit.
"Whew…"
Teleporting that many people in one go had left Law gasping. The Ope Ope no Mi was powerful—but it drained stamina like crazy.
"Oyaa~? Let me take a look at who we have here…"
Queen adjusted his tiny shades and squinted. Then his eyes bugged out.
"EEEEHHHH?!"
"Isn't that… Trafalgar Law, one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea?!"
"What the hell are YOU doing here, you punk?!"
"Hmph… I'm just visiting family with my crew."
Law tilted his chin toward one side. Queen looked and saw Bepo helping Inuarashi with the infected. The giant polar bear Mink still wore his trademark orange jumpsuit from the Heart Pirates.
Bepo turned and asked, "Captain! Did you call me?"
"No! Just keep helping!"
"Oh—okay!"
"… …"
Queen's lip twitched. So that was it. A Mink among the Heart Pirates—visiting relatives on Zou.
"Why now, you brat?!"
"You're a Warlord! Aren't you supposed to play both sides with the World Government?! Now you're getting in my way?! The Government will love this!"
Law gave a chilling smile.
"No. Right now, I'm not acting as a Warlord."
"I'm acting as a doctor. And I'm here to stop a plague-spreading maniac like you."
—————————
Want to read ahead of schedule? Head over to my Patreon ——— patreon(.)com/JuanPiece [remove the parentheses ( )]
Note: This fanfic has been completely translated and is available on my Patreon.