Wano Country, Kintouka Shrine.
Guuji-san knelt on the floor, her large tail tucked nervously behind her as she asked in a hushed tone:
"Lord Gurd, are you going to divine again?"
"Correct."
Gurd nodded with a smile.
Before embarking on a major project, it was only natural to seek a favorable fortune at the shrine. Back in his homeland, everyone believed in such things.
"Don't worry, this time it's for career prospects!"
"That's good then."
Guuji-san let out a sigh of relief.
Her tail fur was safe.
"Lord Gurd!"
Guuji-san's eyes sparkled with anticipation.
"A divination costs 10 silver coins, a Wishing Plaque is 20 silver, and an Amulet is just 5 silver! If you purchase the full set, the Inari Great God will surely bless you with success in all endeavors and smooth sailing in your career! There's even a discount!"
"..."
Gurd's mouth hung open.
Was this woman... asking him for money?
Huh?
Seeing Gurd's dark expression, Guuji-san's heart skipped a beat as she asked nervously, "Lord Gurd, don't tell me you didn't bring any money?"
Last time he didn't pay either—such a loss!
No more freebies!
Was it easy for her to earn a little money?!
"Indeed I didn't. Wait a moment."
Gurd slowly shook his head, giving the fox woman a profound look before pulling out a Seashell Den Den Mushi from his robe to contact his subordinate.
"Antelope, bring 1000 gold coins to the Inari Shrine immediately!"
"Eh?!"
Half an hour later.
"Huff... huff..."
Antelope clutched his waist, panting heavily with a pained expression.
Exhausted—utterly exhausted!
Gurd's face darkened.
"Stop panting. It's annoying."
"S-sorry... huff..."
With great difficulty, Antelope produced a money pouch and placed it before Gurd, then staggered out, legs trembling as he clutched his waist.
Guuji-san's eyes lit up, fixed unblinkingly on the pouch.
She'd heard it clearly—
A full 1000 gold coins!
Was it meant as an offering to the shrine?
Gurd opened the pouch, revealing gleaming gold ingots, then picked one up and dangled it before the fox woman's eyes.
Her gaze followed the ingot unwaveringly.
Gurd narrowed his eyes and placed the ingot in front of her.
"Let's start with the divination!"
"Right away, Lord Gurd!"
"Swish!" The ingot disappeared into Guuji-san's sleeve, and she immediately beamed as she began interpreting fortunes for Gurd.
Huh?
Another great fortune?!
Oh well, she was in a good mood today.
"Lord Gurd, your fortune is favorable, wealth will flow smoothly—great luck!"
"Excellent."
Gurd laughed heartily.
As expected, his luck was truly exceptional!
Guuji-san stole a glance at the remaining gold coins on the floor and asked hopefully, "Lord Gurd, is there anything else you require?"
"Nothing."
Gurd shook his head, amused by Guuji-san's crestfallen expression.
"You still owe me change!"
"Eh?!"
Guuji-san's eyes glazed over.
Change?!
That was her money!
Once in her pocket, it belonged to her!
Gurd smiled pleasantly. "Is there a problem?"
"N-none at all!"
Damnable bastard!
Later, she'd definitely curse him with a voodoo doll!
With visible agony, Guuji-san pulled out her savings jar and began counting out silver coins, wincing with each piece she removed.
Every coin extracted was a tear shed.
This money was her lifeblood.
Gurd watched cheerfully as the woman tallied the coins.
A gold ingot was worth 100 gold, equivalent to 10,000 silver. That meant the change due was 9,990 silver, yet the fox woman showed no intention of waiving the payment.
It took a full ten minutes to gather the 9,990 silver, but the woman, seemingly worried she might have given too much, recounted it—and still wasn't satisfied.
She counted it three times in total!
Tears of reluctance welled up in the Guuji-san's eyes as she squeezed them shut in agony, forcefully pushing the money toward Gurd with both hands.
"Lord Gurd, your change!"
"Thanks."
Gurd yawned.
This woman had nearly bored him to sleep.
"A fortune-telling costs 10 silver, right?"
"Yes."
The Guuji gritted her teeth in secret.
Next time this bastard came for a divination, she would definitely raise the price!
"Good, then take all this!"
Gurd grinned and pushed the money on the floor back toward her, along with the remaining 900 gold, handing it all over.
The Guuji-san's eyes nearly popped out of her head.
"Total of 990 gold and 90 silver!"
Gurd sneered as he tallied the numbers. "You still owe me 9,999 fortune-tellings. From now on, you'll do one for me every day!"
"And pack your things. We're setting sail tomorrow!"
His real purpose in seeking out this fox woman wasn't just for divination. According to her readings, Zou was likely to the northwest—right in the Calm Belt.
So he intended to take her along, hoping they might stumble upon Zou in the process. The warriors of the Mink Tribe were incredibly powerful, and since Cat Viper and Dogstorm were Oden Retainers, it'd be best to settle things sooner rather than later.
He really didn't want to see his little brother Jack get beaten up!
"Eh?!"
The Guuji was overjoyed.
All this money was hers?
Wait, no—9,999 fortune-tellings!
One per day, 365 a year!
That meant she'd be doing divinations for him for 27 years straight!
What a huge deal, haha—
Wait, that still wasn't right!
Why did she have to go with him?!
She had no intention of leaving the shrine!
Gurd stepped out of the room and ordered the Antelope standing by the door, "Come pick up the Guuji-san tomorrow. If she refuses, pluck every single hair from her tail one by one, then tie her up and deliver her to the ship!"
"Don't waste the plucked fox fur—make it into a scarf. I'll keep it as a gift."
"Yes, Lord Gurd!"
The Antelope gulped, casting a pitying glance at the Guuji.
To be targeted by Lord Gurd…
How tragic!
The Guuji clutched her fluffy tail in terror, coins practically falling off her trembling body.
Pluck her fur?
One by one?!
A demon! This man was absolutely a demon!
The next morning, at Ebisu Town Submerged Port.
The Guuji-san boarded the ship with a mountain of luggage, too afraid to protest for the sake of her precious fur.
"Great misfortune!"
"The divination says great misfortune!"
"Today is not a day for sailing!"
"Tch, superstitious nonsense!"
"Raise the sails!"
Since the distance wasn't far, Gurd brought along a certain wife who had begged pitifully to come, sparing himself the trouble of leaving her at home to wreak havoc.
Besides, the girl had another useful talent.
"Wahahaha! Gurd, I'm great at building houses!"
"Go for it, I'm counting on you!"
Meanwhile, in Elbaf.
Red Hair had long since departed, and his motley crew of Pirates had also left. Though it was safe to stay in Elbaf, they all had their own homelands to return to.
Upper World, the giant village.
After months of reconstruction, Elbaf had regained its vitality. The giant warriors had taken up their weapons again, training hard and frequently engaging in fierce battles within the Arena.
Walrus Academy also underwent reforms and began guiding children in their training. The young giant children brandished wooden swords, roaring with energy, their vigor completely different from before.
The entire giant race had been revitalized.
"Hajrudin is back!"
Hajrudin returned to the village with his companions and was warmly welcomed.
Night fell, and the village tavern was packed with giants.
"Hajrudin, what brings you back this time?"
"I heard you fought Red Hair!"
"Hahaha, did he knock you flat?"
Facing the giants' greetings, Hajrudin wore a dark expression, struggling to find the right words. "I came back this time to recruit some giants to help with a task."
"Just tell us what you need—are we going to destroy some country?"
The giants thumped their chests, eyes gleaming with anticipation.
Ever since Hajrudin took up Iron Thunder, they had regarded him as the future king of the giants. Even if it meant fighting to the death for him, they wouldn't hesitate for a second.
Hajrudin took a deep breath.
No matter how reluctant he was, he had to complete the task Gurd had assigned him!
"I have a temporary job here—we need to build two Large Fortresses and require 100 giant laborers!"
"Food and lodging provided, generous pay!"
"Plus holidays and bonuses!"