Inside the enormous whale-shaped tree deep within the Whale Forest, Brook finally laid eyes on the red Poneglyph, its surface blanketed in centuries of moss.
Tianmulan, the three-eyed woman, darted forward with excitement, her delicate fingers brushing away the moss as she began to make precise rubbings of the text.
"Captain Brook," said Duke Hitsugisukan, the sheep mink who ruled over Zou, "surely it's enough to make a copy. Why take the whole monument? It's been here for nearly eight hundred years. If something were to happen to it…"
Brook chuckled. "Yohohoho! Because, my dear Duke, I already have the other three red Poneglyphs. How could I settle for an incomplete set?"
The Duke's eyes widened in disbelief. "You've found the other three?"
"Indeed," Brook said with a calm smile. "I suppose you could say I'm a collector of history."
Hitsugisukan stared at the massive slab in awe. Four red stones... the Road Poneglyphs that lead to the Final Island.
He suddenly felt a thrill deep within his chest. "Captain Brook... does this mean you intend to uncover the secret of the Final Island?"
Brook tilted his head slightly. "Perhaps. Though even if I knew where it was, that doesn't mean I could fulfill everyone's dreams."
Hitsugisukan lowered his head in thought. Could this be the one our ancestors spoke of—the one destined to bring liberation?
For centuries, the Mink Tribe had lived in isolation, protecting the red stone and waiting for the day of promise to come. If the Kozuki heir and the man before him truly were part of that prophecy… perhaps the world was finally changing.
The sheep mink raised his gaze once more, voice trembling. "If the Kozuki have rebuilt Wano and the stones are united, then the time must be near. The era of oppression… might finally end. Could our people—could all races—truly live freely in this world again?"
Brook's tone softened. "If your tribe wishes to see the world, you're welcome to leave Zou whenever you please. Half of the New World already belongs to me. I've built a nation where every race can live together—giants, fishmen, humans, even skyfolk. Fishman Island itself is under my protection. You could visit the seas below and see it for yourself."
Hitsugisukan's ears twitched. "A world where all races live side by side…" He smiled faintly. "That almost sounds like a fairy tale."
Brook's grin widened. "Fairy tales begin with someone daring to believe, Duke. And I, for one, intend to make them real."
The Duke bowed his head. "Then… allow me to discuss it with my people. Some may wish to remain here, but there are many who dream of the world beyond the clouds."
Brook nodded. "Yohoho! That's all I ask. In fact, I intend to host a small gathering here on Zou—a trade fair of sorts. I'll bring a few treasures from the outside world. Let your people come see what lies beyond this island."
Hitsugisukan hesitated, then chuckled softly. "You're quite the persuader, Captain Brook. Very well. We'll help you prepare."
Moments later, Tianmulan finished the rubbings of the red Poneglyph. Shiki used his ability to lift the massive stone effortlessly, floating it toward the golden ship in the sky. The Duke watched in awe as the monument rose, glowing faintly in the sunlight.
Soon, Zou was alive with activity.
Brook's officers spread out, each setting up their own "recruitment stalls." The normally quiet island was filled with voices, music, and the scent of foreign spices drifting through the air.
Shiki, hovering above, shouted to the curious crowd, "Any lion mink with courage—come join the First Division of the Hell Pirates!" His booming laughter echoed across the forest as he performed midair loops to impress them.
Shakky, meanwhile, had turned charm into strategy. She smiled at a gathering of young mink women. "Strength isn't everything, ladies. Come with me, and you'll see what true freedom feels like."
Newgate's approach was simpler. He crossed his massive arms and let out a hearty laugh. "Anyone who calls me 'Dad' can join my division! Family comes first!"
Kaido, of course, was the loudest. His deep voice rumbled like thunder as he roared, "I'm forming a crew of beast warriors! Any mink who's got the guts to fight—come and prove yourself to me!" His eyes gleamed with excitement at the sight of so many animal-like warriors.
Meanwhile, the Hell Pirates' support crew had set up market stalls along the forest's edge. Streusen ran a food stand filled with exotic dishes and rare fruits. Uju managed logistics with aristocratic flair, and Antonio manned a Den Den Mushi booth where curious minks could listen to recordings from the surface world.
Even Dr. Crocus joined in, setting up a "medical consultation" tent—though his true goal was to collect blood and genetic samples for his research on the Mink Tribe's lightning physiology.
-------------
Brook watched his crew work and couldn't help but sigh inwardly. For an elite crew under an Overlord, running a trading stall on Zou felt like such a waste of their abilities. Still, the results spoke for themselves. With the endorsement of Duke Hitsugisukan, the sheep mink who ruled Zou, more and more minks came to the market opened by the Hell Pirates. Their initial wariness had all but disappeared.
To the mink people, humans were simply "monkeys with sparse fur." They jokingly referred to the crew as Karuqiu—half-minks who shared the same tribe in spirit.
"It's incredible! This thunder rod suits us perfectly!" cried a cat mink excitedly, holding up a weapon crackling with lightning. "It stores our electricity and releases it back out. It's like it was made for us!"
"This little snail can talk over long distances? That means we can contact our families even if we sail away!" gasped a young rabbit mink girl, staring in awe at the Den Den Mushi in her hands.
Nearby, a pink pig mink girl was eating grilled meat seasoned with exotic spices. Her eyes teared up as she devoured it. "So good! I've never tasted anything like this! What'll I do if I can't eat it again?"
Even from afar, Brook could hear her exaggerated cries. He turned to look—and immediately got an idea. It seemed his cheap apprentice, Kozuki Oden, might be getting a wife.
"Lord Hitsugisukan," Brook said seriously to the sheep mink ruler, "as you know, the Kozuki line is very thin. In the last two generations, there's been only one heir. I heard your pig-fur tribe is especially fertile. I'd like to find a good match for Oden here on Zou. Please grant your approval."
Hitsugisukan's wool bristled slightly. "Impossible! Lord Kozuki's blood is noble. How could it be mixed with the Mink Tribe?" He snorted, though his tone softened a little. "But… if it were my granddaughter, perhaps I could make an exception."
Brook's grin widened. "Yohoho~ I see! And if you're willing to send your granddaughter, I'll accept her as well. Why not let each tribe contribute one girl? They'll serve as Oden's attendants—and perhaps, in time, his wives."
The sheep duke's eyes glimmered. "Then it's settled! I'll have my granddaughter attend to Shogun Kozuki."
Brook clasped his hands together with satisfaction. "Excellent. Then I'll arrange for the pig-mink girl and your kin to stay by his side."
And just like that, Oden's "three-mink-wife team" was decided—one from the pig-mink tribe, and two from Hitsugisukan's own family, the lamb and deer minks.
Unaware of his master's matchmaking, Kozuki Oden was still standing atop Zunesha's head, shouting his lungs out in frustration.
"Why not! Hey! Giant elephant! Can you hear me?! Give me some kind of sign!"
He pressed his ear against the massive creature's skin, impatience twisting his expression. "Master Brook wouldn't lie to me! Why won't this Observation Haki awaken?!"
He paused for a moment, then shouted louder, "Hey! Elephant Lord! Joy Boy asked me to call you for dinner! Say something already!"
At that moment, the entire island shook. Zunesha's movement caused tremors across Zou. The minks below tensed instantly, believing something might have happened to their guardian.
Oden's eyes lit up. "Hah! There's a reaction! I knew it! Master was right!"
He spread his arms and yelled proudly, "Lord Elephant! Joy Boy's words command you to listen! Pluton has awakened—and we need your strength!"
Then, deep within his mind, a low, thunderous voice answered. "You are not that person. It is not yet time."
Oden froze, then laughed out loud, half in disbelief, half in triumph. "It spoke! I heard it! Master was right again! I can actually talk to this thing!"
He jumped around on Zunesha's head like a child. If I could control it someday, I'd be unstoppable. I could stomp right into the Holy Land itself!
"Lord Elephant!" he shouted again. "My master, Brook, will overthrow the rule of the Twenty Kings! We need your help!"
But the elephant no longer answered. Oden kept shouting until his throat went raw, but no other sound reached him.
Defeated, he returned to Zou and knelt before Brook, guilt heavy on his face. "Master! I failed! The elephant only said one line to me and ignored me after that!"
Brook tilted his head. "Yohoho~ what did it say?"
Oden sighed. "It said I'm not that person, and that the time hasn't come."
Brook nodded slowly, unsurprised. "I see. Then that settles it. Now, I have something else for you."
He snapped his fingers, and three mink girls stepped forward—the pig mink and two of Hitsugisukan's granddaughters. Each one bowed shyly, their eyes full of curiosity and nervous anticipation.
"Oden," Brook said, smiling faintly, "these girls will serve as your attendants. Treat them well—and make sure the Kozuki line continues."
The three mink girls blushed and looked at Oden with innocent admiration.
So this is the human chosen for us… they thought. Our mission is to serve him—and give him heirs worthy of the Kozuki name.
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