The next day, the Groudon Ship set sail.
Hoenn Fortress was very close to Wano Country, taking at most an hour to reach. Gurd simply stayed on deck fishing to pass the time.
Yamato sat beside Gurd, looking nostalgic. "Gurd, it's been so long since we last went back."
"It really has been a while."
Gurd glanced at Yamato.
This girl had practically become the head of the company's engineering team—unpaid at that—and was always busy, thoroughly enjoying herself.
"I thought you hated Oni Island?"
"This is different."
Yamato excitedly rolled up her sleeves, brimming with confidence. "Wahahaha! Once we get back, I'm going to challenge Father to a fight! I've gotten so much stronger now!"
"..."
So that's what she was looking forward to.
Gurd shook his head in amusement.
Poor Kaido, having such a rebellious daughter. If their future child turned out this rebellious too...
Hah, he'd break the little brat's legs!
"Yamato, do you want to go on an adventure?"
"An adventure?!"
Yamato's ears perked up.
Of course she did! She had always dreamed of forming her own pirate crew, going wherever she pleased. But Gurd had never allowed her to sail alone before.
"Really? I can?"
"After the Fire Festival ends, if you want to set sail, go ahead and have some fun. But only in the North Blue and the New World—those two seas should keep you entertained for a long time."
Gurd nodded with a smile.
He never minded Yamato sailing, but her safety had to be ensured. Given her special status, now that both the North Blue and the New World were under his control, he could afford to relax a little.
Splash!
The fishing rod suddenly jerked downward!
Gurd's eyes lit up, but just as he was about to reel it in, everything went dark.
"Gurd, you're the best!"
Yamato hugged him tightly, burying his face in her chest, her fluffy tail popping out from behind and wagging like a propeller.
My fish! My fish!
After finally breaking free, Gurd watched helplessly as the fishing rod drifted rapidly away on the sea, utterly speechless.
After all these years, he'd finally gotten a bite!
Damn it!
Gurd glared at Yamato, exasperated. "Alright, alright. After we get back, remember to pick a few crewmates. Take Antelope with you—that kid's sharp and knows navigation."
"Mhm! Mhm!"
Yamato nodded vigorously, then happily dashed back to the cabin to plan her grand adventure. There were so many places she wanted to visit.
No sooner had Yamato left than a disheveled woman, looking like a ghost, rushed up to Gurd, her eyes bloodshot as she grabbed his arm.
"Auspicious! Extremely auspicious!!"
"What's auspicious?"
Gurd was startled, thinking some monster had appeared. If not for the distinctive orange hair and large ears, he might not have recognized her.
"Chief Priest?"
"Yes, yes, it's me!"
The Chief Priest's eyes were bloodshot as she tightly clutched a wooden fortune slip. "Lord Gurd, I divined it—it's extremely auspicious!"
"..."
Gurd's face darkened.
What was the big deal? His own divinations always came out auspicious, and nothing much ever changed. Was this really worth getting so excited over?
"What did you divine to get 'auspicious'?"
"The Nine-Tailed Fox Fruit!"
The Chief Priest was practically vibrating with excitement.
Lately, she had been performing daily divinations for herself, but every single one had been inauspicious—nearly driving her mad.
Returning to Wano Country today, a sudden flash of inspiration crossed her mind. Her spirit instantly sharpened, sensing good fortune was coming. She hastily performed a divination.
Truly, great luck!
Haha, her fortunes were about to turn!
Gurd broke into a cold sweat. The corner of his eye suddenly caught sight of the woman's bare tail behind her. He froze for a moment before involuntarily reaching out to pick it up.
"Did you lose fur from illness?"
"What happened to your tail?"
"I plucked it all out myself."
The Chief Priest waved her hand excitedly, completely unbothered by her bald tail: "It's fine! New fur will grow back in a month or two!"
"..."
Gurd sucked in a sharp breath.
This silly girl's gone mad from divination!
"So what did you divine?"
"Gold!"
The Chief Priest's mental state grew increasingly suspicious.
"Following this clue will definitely lead us to the Nine-Tailed Fox Fruit! I used my own fur as an offering for this divination—it can't be wrong!"
"That's it?"
Gurd was dumbfounded.
This clue was way too vague.
Suddenly realizing something, the Chief Priest asked cautiously, "Lord Gurd... will you help me find the Nine-Tails?"
"..."
Gurd broke into another cold sweat.
Only now did she think of this?
Never mind whether they could even find it—even if they did obtain the Nine-Tailed Fox Fruit, as a Mythical Zoan, it naturally should be given to a capable subordinate to consume.
But seeing the pitiful look on this girl's face, plus she did provide the clue... it wasn't impossible to let her eat it.
Gurd said irritably, "If we find the Nine-Tailed Fox Fruit through your divination, then you can have it."
"Lord Gurd!"
The Chief Priest looked at Gurd, tiny crystalline pearls welling up in her eyes. Soon the tears burst forth like a dam, streaming down along with her snot.
Wuwuwu, after all her sacrifices, she'd finally received her reward.
"Wuwuwu, Lord Gurd, from now on when you ask me to divine for you, I... I... wuwu, I'll definitely give you a discount! Twenty... no, ten percent off!"
"R-really? Thanks."
Gurd wiped the sweat from his brow.
She really pushed herself—for something that wasn't even guaranteed, she actually made a major concession on money matters.
"Huh?"
Perhaps exhausted from crying, or maybe from mental strain, the Chief Priest curled up like a little fox and nestled beside his hip, drifting into sleep.
Gurd stroked the Chief Priest's head, lost in thought.
She plucked out so much fur... surely she didn't throw it all away? He'd been longing for a fox fur scarf.
The sky gradually darkened.
But not from the time—they'd entered Wano Country's waters, where even the waves took on ukiyo-e stylization.
Ahead, a waterfall came into view.
Meanwhile, at Oni Island.
The summit of Skull Castle!
Two Pirate legends stood facing each other from afar.
"Long time no see, Kaido!"
"Didn't expect you to still be alive, Shiki!"
"Kyahahaha!!!"
"Urorororo!!!"
Kaido swung his spiked club with a booming laugh, while Shiki likewise kicked out with a roar, the Meito blades embedded in his legs meeting the club head-on!
"CLANG!!!"
Winds howled, clouds churned, lightning flashed, and thunder roared.
Once again, the heavens split apart!
The next instant, Shiki staggered back over a dozen meters while Kaido stood firm as a mountain—the difference in their strength was clear at a glance.
"Kyahaha!"
Shiki grinned wildly.
"That cabin boy from back then has become the world's strongest! You've truly shocked me, Kaido. This is your era now!"
"Urororo, did you come here just to say that?!"
Kaido's gaze turned icy.
Forty years ago, he was just a rookie aboard the Rocks Pirate Crew, gazing up at the monsters on the ship like a mere underling.
But now, he was the strongest in the world!
No one could stand above him—even the monsters of the past were destined to be crushed beneath his feet!
"Keehahaha, what overwhelming Haki!"
Shiki clenched his fist.
"Kaido, I came here to discuss a business deal with you!"
"A business deal?"
Kaido paused.
Was this guy here to buy his weapons?
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