Nightfall.
On Zou Island, the Mokomo Dukedom's plaza was abuzz with noise and excitement.
When word spread that Duke Inuarashi and Boss Nekomamushi, after years of estrangement, were once again coexisting peacefully—
The entire nation was shaken, then ecstatic.
But what they didn't know—
Was that the truth far surpassed anything they could have imagined.
---
"Izou… are you serious?! Two years from now, we'll fight alongside each other to defeat Kaido of the Beasts, liberate Wano, and fulfill Lord Oden's dream of opening the country?! This… this is…!!"
The Inuarashi of two years ago was completely dumbfounded by Izou's story of the future.
Yet at the same time, an overwhelming passion and fighting spirit surged within him.
Defeating Kaido and freeing Wano—
Had been their sole wish for the past 18 years.
But Kaido, one of the Four Emperors, was infamous as the strongest creature on land, sea, and air.
His strength was beyond despair.
Even dreaming of victory seemed foolish.
"Not quite, meow~"
The Nekomamushi of two years later licked his paw and added with a grin:
"It's not just us. There's also Lord Momonosuke, Princess Hiyori, Kin'emon, Raizo, Kawamatsu, Denjiro, Shutenmaru, Kiku… Everyone returns. And—most importantly—we had a legendary ally. The Fifth Emperor of the Sea. It's thanks to his help that we were finally able to defeat Kaido!"
He carefully avoided mentioning the name Kanjuro—
The traitor didn't deserve to be acknowledged among them.
After all, if he told the past Inuarashi now that Kanjuro had betrayed them, it would only lead to confusion and doubt.
They had all trusted Kanjuro deeply.
If not for Kanjuro's own confession, no one would have believed it.
---
"Momonosuke-sama, Hiyori-sama, Kin'emon, Raizo, Denjiro, Kawamatsu… They're all still alive?! That's wonderful! Truly wonderful!"
"The Lady's prophecy… it came true! Everyone survived!"
Inuarashi's eyes welled with tears of joy.
---
Meanwhile, in the Whale Forest—
The Nekomamushi of two years ago had also heard from the future Inuarashi about the Wano War.
He learned that Momonosuke and Hiyori were still alive.
That everyone had reunited.
And that they fought bravely to bring down Kaido.
Even the fierce Nekomamushi had red eyes upon hearing it.
Whether Inuarashi's story was true or not—
At that moment, he desperately hoped it was.
---
"The Straw Hats, huh? I've read about them in the papers. Unbelievable bunch."
Pedro remarked with awe.
"Mm! Luffy and the others are amazing!"
The Carrot from two years later nodded eagerly.
"Carrot… earlier, you wouldn't tell me what happened to me. Is my future somehow connected to the Straw Hats too?"
Pedro asked, sensing something.
Carrot went silent, then gave a solemn nod.
After steadying her emotions, she told Pedro everything about what happened in Totto Land two years later.
"Pedro… in the future, you absolutely must not do something so reckless again. Don't leave us—don't go die alone!"
Tears welled in Carrot's eyes as she looked at her mentor and friend.
---
"Hahaha…"
Suddenly, Pedro laughed. Heartily.
"Big bro, what's so funny?!"
"Yeah, you're gonna die in two years!"
Roddy the water buffalo and Black Buck the gorilla were confused.
"My life expectancy was already nearing its end," Pedro said calmly.
"There was someone who once told me: 'Everyone has their time to take the stage.' And in my eyes, two years from now is exactly that moment."
"My death… will not be meaningless."
"To have met friends I'm willing to die for in this lifetime—if I die, I die with no regrets."
Pedro smiled without hesitation.
---
"No! No, I won't allow it! Pedro, I don't want you to die!!"
Little Carrot shook her head furiously, pleading through tears.
---
"Hahaha! We're almost out of the forest!"
With Pedro's voice—
The group burst out of the Whale Forest.
Moments later, the second pair of Nekomamushi and Inuarashi arrived at the plaza.
When the younger versions saw their future selves—
Only then did they truly believe the unbelievable events they had been told.
The emotional shock took hold of them, overwhelming their hearts and minds.
Until...
FWOOSH!
Bright blue flames ignited in the plaza.
"Well then, Nekomamushi, Inuarashi, don't just stand there all stunned~"
Marco grinned.
"Y-You're Marco!!"
The Cat and Dog Kings exclaimed in unison.
---
"Hurry, hurry!"
"Something crazy is happening at the plaza!"
"What do you mean?! I thought Nekomamushi and Inuarashi were just meeting again?"
"I heard they didn't even fight! That's a relief!"
"They made peace? That's amazing!"
"No, you're out of the loop."
"I heard there are two Nekomamushis and two Inuarashis!"
"What?! That's impossible!"
"I didn't believe it either, but it's true!"
"They say one set of them came from the future!"
"Cmn!!!"
It was as if a category-12 typhoon had swept through the Mokomo Dukedom.
Words couldn't describe the sheer scale of the emotional shock spreading.
---
"Wanda! Wanda, look! That's me! It's really me!"
Carrot from two years ago shouted in pure joy.
"Ah… A-Ah… this is…"
Wanda was frozen in place, stunned beyond belief.
She couldn't tell which Inuarashi or Nekomamushi was which—
Or which Carrot was the real one.
---
"Hello, me-from-two-years-ago! Garchu!"
Future Carrot cheerfully stepped forward and nibbled on her own ear.
"Hello to you too, me-from-the-future! Garchu~"
The carefree rabbit girl responded with a bright smile.
That one Garchu—
Was a sign of mutual acceptance.
Two Carrots, standing side by side, shared their story.
---
Elsewhere—
Nekomamushi and Inuarashi were sizing up their future selves.
---
"All right, Nekomamushi, Inuarashi—"
"Now it's time to explain why we're really here!"
Marco took a deep breath.
Izou's expression turned serious.
---
"Marco, Izou—please, speak freely!"
Past Inuarashi nodded.
---
"We've come to ask for your help. Please lend us the power of the Mink Tribe. We need it—"
"To save our Father!!"
Marco pleaded sincerely.
It was time to reveal the real purpose of their visit—
And the war that was about to begin.
---
"What?! Whitebeard is going to war with the Navy?!"
Nekomamushi was shocked.
"We didn't know that... But now that we do, we have to go! I was once part of the Whitebeard Pirates too!"
Inuarashi quickly agreed.
---
"I'm with you, meow~ And besides, Luffy—who helped defeat Kaido—he's going to the war to try to save his brother too. So how could I not go?!"
Nekomamushi grinned.
---
"For a battle worthy of my future self's sacrifice…"
"I really want to meet those Straw Hats already!"
Pedro's eyes gleamed with anticipation.
---
"Meow~"
"Awooo~!"
"Musket Squad / Knights' Order—Assemble!!!"