"Wow! So that's why everyone's been staring at me weird," Skull muttered, finally understanding the source of all the lingering gazes. "Are you guys planning to steal my treasures?"
From the moment they'd entered the city, Skull had noticed something was off. Many of the guards, including Duke Inuarashi himself, had been giving him second and third looks with barely concealed interest. It was only now, after Wanda's explanation about mink dietary preferences, that the pieces clicked into place.
But understanding didn't mean accepting. His bone collection was his pride and joy—accumulated through years of careful trading and passionate collecting. He wasn't about to hand it over just because some dogs found it appetizing.
"Please don't worry, honored guest," Wanda said with forced solemnity, though she continued to stare hungrily at Skull's skull mask and the various bones hanging from his belt and accessories. "We still have sufficient self-control. We would never resort to robbery."
"You're not very convincing when you're literally drooling!" Skull protested.
Jerry glanced back at the increasingly uncomfortable collector and called out, "Carina, go walk with Wanda!"
"Fine, but you owe me 5,000 berries for bodyguard services," Carina replied with a mercenary smile.
Looking around at the various dog-type minks whose eyes were beginning to take on an almost predatory gleam, Skull realized there was no escape. Canine minks were everywhere in this section of the city. His only option was to push Carina toward their guide and try to put some distance between himself and Wanda's intense stare.
Jerry, who was walking alongside Duke Inuarashi, couldn't help but laugh at his crewmate's predicament. "Hahaha, Skull! It's rare to see you this popular. You should treasure the attention!"
"Indeed," Duke Inuarashi agreed, his own gaze drifting toward Skull with poorly concealed longing. "Your friend does look quite... appetizing."
The refined duke actually licked his lips slightly, embodying the old saying about "looking at plums to quench one's thirst."
Deuce, who had been frantically scribbling notes about the incredible architecture around them, suddenly paused in his writing and looked up. "Jerry, something just occurred to me—is there any connection between the elephant we're standing on and that elephant-powered guy you fought in Wano? You know, Jack the Drought?"
"Probably not," Jerry answered without much thought. "Jack's ability comes from a Devil Fruit. This big guy is natural—been walking these seas for over a thousand years, I think."
Duke Inuarashi, who had been listening to their conversation, suddenly perked up with obvious excitement. "Wano Country? You've actually been there? And you defeated one of Kaido's men?"
His reaction was so intense that both Jerry and Deuce could sense the importance of the topic even through his sunglasses.
"Yes, we have," Deuce replied cautiously. "Do you know something about Wano Country, Your Grace?"
"But wait," Jerry interjected, "didn't we hear that Zou was isolated from the world and hostile to outsiders?"
A nostalgic expression crossed Inuarashi's features, visible even through his eyewear. "Of course I know Wano Country. When I was young, that cat and I drifted there by accident. We studied, grew up, and trained in that land for many years."
His voice took on a wistful quality as he continued, "The Mokomo Dukedom and Wano Country have been allies for centuries. It was because of the ancient legends about our alliance that Nekomamushi and I originally set out to sea—we wanted to find our destined partners."
"Unfortunately, we ran into trouble not long after leaving Zou and ended up shipwrecked. But as fate would have it, we washed ashore in Wano Country itself."
"As for being hostile to humans," he added with a slight smile, "that's not accurate. We're simply cautious about visitors, especially those who might bring harm to our people."
"No wonder you let us enter so easily," Deuce mused. "I was puzzled by how smoothly everything went after we left the gates. I thought it was just because of your diplomatic nature."
"There were other factors," Inuarashi confirmed. "While we are indeed isolated, we're not opposed to respectful visitors who follow our customs."
The duke's expression grew more serious as he focused on their earlier topic. "Tell me, when did you visit Wano Country? What is the situation there now?"
"About half a year ago," Deuce began. "The conditions were..."
For the next several minutes, Deuce and Jerry took turns describing what they had witnessed in Wano—the oppression under Kaido and Orochi's rule, the suffering of the people, the state of the various regions, and their brief but memorable encounter with the citizens of Amigasa Village.
"Damn it all!" Inuarashi cursed when they finished, his composure cracking. "It's even worse than I feared. That bastard Orochi! That monster Kaido!"
After venting his frustration, the duke bowed deeply to both humans. "Thank you for everything you did for the people of Kuri. Even small acts of kindness mean the world to those suffering under tyranny."
"Your Grace, please don't bow," Deuce said hastily, waving his hands in embarrassment. "Even as allies, this isn't necessary."
"Besides, we were just doing what felt right," Jerry added with a shrug.
But Inuarashi remained serious. "Your actions truly did help, and I'm expressing gratitude not only as the king of an allied nation, but also as a former retainer of Kozuki Oden, the rightful daimyo of Kuri."
"A retainer of Kozuki Oden?" Deuce's eyes widened in surprise. This was a connection he hadn't expected.
"Yes," Inuarashi confirmed. "Both Nekomamushi and I served Lord Oden during our time in Wano Country."
"Then why are you...?" Deuce began.
"You want to ask how we ended up back here as rulers instead of staying to fight?" Inuarashi anticipated the question. "It's a long and painful story."
Jerry, sensing the weight of the coming explanation, immediately jumped in. "Then let's keep it short."
Inuarashi nodded appreciatively and began his tale. "It started when Lord Oden returned to Wano Country after his adventures with the Whitebeard and Roger pirates. He found his homeland suffering under Orochi's puppet rule, with Kaido pulling the strings from behind the scenes."
The duke's voice grew heavy with old pain as he continued. "We fought alongside Lord Oden when he finally moved against them. But Kaido was too strong, and Orochi too cunning. The battle... it didn't go as we hoped."
"Lord Oden made the ultimate sacrifice to save his people, and we—we failed to protect him. When it became clear that we couldn't defeat Kaido immediately, those of us who survived were forced to retreat. Some scattered to different corners of Wano, while Nekomamushi and I managed to escape together."
"But the guilt and grief of our failure... it drove a wedge between us. We blamed each other for decisions made in those desperate moments. By the time we returned to Zou, our friendship had shattered beyond repair."
The pain in Inuarashi's voice was evident as he concluded, "That's why we can't even stand to be in each other's presence anymore. The sight of each other just brings back memories of our greatest failure."
After hearing this tragic tale, Deuce could only sigh deeply. "I see. Kaido truly is a monster beyond comprehension."
"Yes," Inuarashi agreed. "Which makes your victory over one of his top commanders all the more impressive."
The duke's demeanor shifted slightly as he seemed to come to some internal decision. Looking directly at Jerry, he said, "I apologize for the presumption, but I have an unreasonable request. Would you be willing to hear it?"
Jerry, who had been thinking about finding a good fishing spot somewhere in this incredible tree-city, looked up with mild curiosity. "Sure, what is it? If it's not too much trouble, I'm happy to help."
Inuarashi took a deep breath before continuing. "According to prophecies left by Lord Oden's wife, Lady Toki, the promised time is approaching—twenty years after his death. And you, having recently fought one of Kaido's strongest subordinates..."
The duke's voice carried both hope and determination. "I shouldn't make such requests of a visiting guest, but for the sake of my lord's memory and my promises to the people of Wano—I need to ask you to spar with me. I want to test my strength against someone who has faced Jack the Drought."