The Oro Jackson rocked against the monstrous currents swirling around Zunesha's titanic legs. The ancient elephant's skin rose before them like a living cliff, etched with centuries of storms and scars.
The crew stared upward, necks craning until their spines ached.
"Alright," Ada said, adjusting the collar of her coat and fixing her hair. "We climb."
Perona threw her hands in the air. "Why is EVERYTHING in the New World so inhumanly gigantic?!"
Lilith squinted up the impossibly tall leg. "Well… he is a thousand-year-old elephant."
Mihawk sighed, already halfway up the leg.
"Perona. You can fly."
Perona froze. "…Oh."
Lilith blinked. "Yeah… why are you complaining? You literally float."
Perona huffed, puffing out her cheeks.
"IT'S THE PRINCIPLE!!"
Bullet laughed from below. "Principle my ass—get up there, ghost girl!"
Perona crossed her arms, turned transparent, and drifted upward like an offended balloon. "I HOPE ZUNESHA SNEEZES ON ALL OF YOU!"
Mihawk didn't wait for anyone; he simply bent his knees and soared upward with effortless grace, landing on a far ledge without disturbing a single grain of dust.
Bullet followed with a thunderous leap. "LET'S GET THIS OVER WITH!!"
Hiyori clung nervously to Okiku as they ascended.
Perona complained loudly the entire time.
Lilith tried to analyze Zunesha's biology mid-climb, nearly falling twice.
Ada remained calm, climbing at her own steady pace, every step sure—like she'd done this long ago.
The ascent took hours.
Mist thickened the higher they climbed, swirling around them until the world became nothing but the groan of Zunesha's breaths and the distant crash of waterfalls spilling off its back.
At last—
They reached the plateau.
A vast forest spread across Zunesha's back—lush, ancient, and pulsing with life. The air crackled faintly with static.
But before they could take another step—
FWOOM—!!!
Dozens of silhouettes flashed from the trees, landing in a perfect circle around them. Spears lowered. Claws crackled with electricity. Fur bristled like a storm about to break.
"INTRUDERS!" a wolf Mink snarled, teeth glowing with sparks.
Perona shrieked and hid behind Bullet.
Okiku raised her sword.
Lilith held her hands up immediately. "Wait—WAIT! We're friendly! Mostly! Ehhh… somewhat!!"
Mihawk's hand drifted to his sword, though his eyes remained calm and amused. Bullet cracked his knuckles.
Ada stood perfectly still.
Just her presence—steady, unmoved—caused the circle to falter.
Minks stared. Fur lowered slowly. Confusion flickered.
Then—
Heavy footsteps approached.
A massive silhouette blocked the sun—a towering cat with wild orange fur, a luxurious mane, and a confident swagger.
Nekomamushi.
Beside him walked his counterpart—a tall, dignified dog Mink carrying himself like a knight from legend.
Inuarashi.
Their eyes scanned Ada—
And froze.
"…Ada?" Inuarashi whispered, disbelief cracking his voice.
Nekomamushi blinked. Once. Twice.
Then his jaw dropped open. "ADA OF THE NYX PIRATES?! IS THAT REALLY YOU?! AFTER ALL THESE YEARS?!"
Ada let out a breath of soft amusement, the corners of her mouth lifting. "I told you I'd visit again someday."
Silence.
Then—
Both rulers erupted into wild, joyous laughter.
"WELCOME BACK, ADA!!" Nekomamushi bellowed.
"IT HAS BEEN FAR TOO LONG!" Inuarashi added warmly.
Instantly, every Mink dropped their guard.
Weapons lowered.
The crackling electricity died down.
Faces broke into smiles, awe, and murmured excitement.
Ada stepped forward, folding her arms lightly. "It's good to see all of you, too."
And just like that—
The entire forest seemed to breathe again.
———————
At the Minks' Village
Torches swayed with the breeze, casting a warm glow across the massive tree-homes carved into the living wood. Dishes clattered, laughter filled the air, and the comforting smell of roasted meats drifted around the gathering hall.
But Hiyori sat quietly beside Ada, her hands folded neatly in her lap, observing the lively Minks with wide, wondering eyes. She watched their ease, their warmth, their fierce yet gentle nature—so different from the suffering of Wano.
A pause settled between them.
Finally, Hiyori looked toward the towering rulers—one draped in royal feline fur, the other a dignified canine silhouette.
"…Are you the same Nekomamushi and Inuarashi who served my father?"
The room went dead silent.
Every ear twitched. Every tail froze mid-sway.
Nekomamushi's massive body stiffened, his whiskers twitching.
Inuarashi's eyes widened. "Did you say… father?"
Hiyori rose from her seat, smoothing her kimono with trembling hands. She bowed formally, her voice soft yet steady.
"I am Kozuki Hiyori. Daughter of Kozuki Oden."
A gasp tore through the room.
A rabbit Mink dropped her drink.
A lion Mink stood so quickly his chair skidded backward.
"Lady… Hiyori?" someone whispered in disbelief.
Then, as if moved by a single heartbeat—
Every Mink in the hall fell to their knees.
"LADY HIYORI—!!" their voices boomed, echoing through the trees.
Lilith nearly jumped out of her seat.
Perona grabbed Ada's arm. "WH-WHAT DID THEY JUST SAY?!"
Even Mihawk's eyes widened—rare, but unmistakable.
Bullet muttered, "The hell is happening…?"
Some cried openly.
Some smiled through tears.
Some pressed their foreheads to the floor.
Others whispered prayers of gratitude that a Kozuki heir still lived.
Nekomamushi and Inuarashi knelt the deepest, trembling with emotion.
Inuarashi's voice cracked. "We… failed to protect Lord Oden…"
Nekomamushi's claws dug into the floor, his face twisted with pain. "We failed your father when he needed us most! And we thought… we thought both his children perished…"
A younger Mink—barely an adult—covered her mouth as tears streamed down her cheeks.
"She survived… Lord Oden's child survived…"
Hiyori stepped forward quietly, her eyes softening as she looked at the kneeling warriors who had fought for her family long before she was born.
"You did not fail him," she said gently. "You lived. You endured. And you carried his name and his memory long after Wano fell into darkness."
Her voice warmed. "That alone… makes you heroes to my family."
A wave of emotion swept the hall. The Minks lifted their heads slowly, eyes shining with a mix of relief, pride, and overwhelming joy.
Nekomamushi wiped his eyes with the back of his giant paw. "Your father… would be so proud seeing you standin' here, Lady Hiyori."
Inuarashi nodded solemnly. "You honor the Kozuki name simply by surviving."
Around them, murmurs spread.
"She's alive…"
"Lady Hiyori… the heir…"
"Lord Oden's spirit lives on…"
"Bless the Kozuki family…"
And for the first time in years, hope lit the village.
Lilith leaned close to Ada. "Um… why are they bowing like that?!"
Okiku answered softly, still emotional. "The Minks… they were retainers of Lord Oden."
Perona's jaw dropped. "WAIT—like they worked for him?"
Hiyori nodded. "The Minks and the Kozuki Clan… have shared a bond for centuries."
Inuarashi rose slightly, wiping his eyes. "The Kozuki Clan and the Minks of Zou are tied by fate itself."
Nekomamushi nodded. "For generations, we have protected each other. We would die fer the Kozuki family if needed."
Bullet let out a low whistle. "So you're like… family?"
"Stronger," Inuarashi said. "Stronger than blood."
The crew stared in awe.
Mihawk quietly added, "No wonder they reacted so powerfully…"
Perona whispered, "Hiyori… you really are royalty…"
Hiyori smiled softly, humbled.
Nekomamushi wiped his eyes once more, then stood. "Lady Hiyori… you have no idea how much hope ya' brought us today."
Inuarashi nodded in agreement. "Hope we thought was long dead."
The room quieted. Lantern flames flickered. The weight of history settled like a warm cloak over everyone.
And then—
Ada stood.
Not with drama.
Not with theatrics.
Just a presence that immediately silenced the hall.
Every Mink straightened.
Every warrior felt the shift in the air.
Even Mihawk's gaze sharpened, recognizing the tension in the way Ada squared her shoulders.
Hiyori looked up at her expectantly.
Ada swept her eyes across the room—across the warriors who once fought beside Oden, across the children clutching wooden swords, across Bullet's grin and Perona's restless fidgeting.
Then—she spoke.
"In three years…"
Her voice carried through the entire hall, quiet but absolute.
"…we will take back Wano."
The words hit like a thunderclap.
Silence.
Stillness.
A held breath shared between hundreds.
Ada continued, stepping forward into the torchlight.
"Kaido will fall."
"Orochi will fall."
"And Wano will be freed."
Her eyes lowered to Hiyori.
"We will finish what your father began."
Hiyori gasped—her lips trembled, eyes instantly filling with tears.
The quiet, dignified princess broke.
She covered her mouth with both hands as her shoulders shook.
"Captain… I—"
Her voice cracked under the weight of emotion she'd held her entire life.
"Someone… finally said it. Someone said we can win…"
Tears streamed down her cheeks, falling onto her kimono like tiny jewels.
Perona blinked rapidly, tearing up. "Ugh—stop it, you're making me cry—!"
Even Okiku's breath hitched as she bowed her head.
Lilith sniffled loudly. "WHY IS THIS SO EMOTIONAL?!"
The Minks…
They did not simply cheer.
They roared.
Weapons slammed against the ground.
Claws sparked with Electro.
Sobs mixed with war cries.
"FOR LORD ODEN!"
"FOR LADY HIYORI!"
"FOR WANO!"
Bullet rose with a sharp grin.
"Finally," he boomed. "We're moving. I've been waiting for a damn fight that matters."
Mihawk's lips twitched—not quite a smile, but close. "It seems the New World is about to shift."
Nekomamushi barked with laughter. "YOU HEARD HER! WAR IT IS!"
Inuarashi pressed a paw to his chest. "We will march with you, Lady Hiyori. With all of Zou's strength."
But amid all the celebratory chaos, one warrior stepped forward—a young, earnest lion Mink.
He bowed low. "Lady Ada… why three years? Why not now? Why wait?"
The hall quieted again.
Ada didn't hesitate.
"Because this is the path fate has already carved."
Her tone shifted—low, prophetic, unshakably certain.
"Three years from now… the world will be ready."
"Wano will be ready."
"Kaido will be vulnerable."
She looked toward the distant horizon through the slit of a window.
"Some tides cannot be forced. Some wars can only be won at their appointed time."
Her eyes, ancient and knowing, returned to the crowd.
"And I do not lose battles that are mine."
For a moment—
Everyone felt it.
That Ada wasn't making a plan.
She was stating inevitability.
Hiyori wiped her eyes with the back of her hand, voice soft but certain. "…Then I will wait. I will become strong. And I will stand with you in that war."
Ada nodded. "Good."
Behind them, a chorus rose like thunder.
"WE WILL FIGHT FOR WANO!!"
"WE WILL FIGHT FOR THE KOZUKI!!"
The forest atop Zunesha shook with their roar.
And for the first time since Oden's fall—
Wano's liberation felt close enough to touch.
As the thunderous cheers finally settled into murmurs of excitement and pride, Ada straightened her coat and stepped forward again.
"Before we finalize preparations," she said, voice steady, "I have one request."
Every Mink turned, ears perking.
Perona leaned over to Lilith. "Oh no. Whenever Ada 'requests' something, reality shifts."
Lilith whispered back nervously, "Yeah… that checks out."
Even Nekomamushi and Inuarashi paused mid-celebration.
Ada held out her hand. "Do you have a knot?"
Silence swept the hall.
Minks exchanged confused glances. Bullet raised a brow. Mihawk stopped mid-sip.
Hiyori blinked. "A… knot?"
Inuarashi stepped closer. "Ada, forgive me, but… what do you mean by 'knot'?"
Like… any rope?" a goat Mink asked.
Ada nodded once. "Yes any rope. As long as it can hold a knot."
Mihawk's eyebrow arched slightly. "This should be interesting."
A young Mink rushed off and returned seconds later with a fresh coil of braided rope.
"Here, Lady Ada," she said, ears down in respect.
Ada accepted it with a quiet, "Good."
She lifted the rope, examining its fibers.
Then her eyes narrowed ever so slightly. "Someone tie a firm knot. One that won't loosen on its own."
Inuarashi stepped forward and tied a clean, perfect knot with warrior's precision.
He handed it back to her. "Will this do?"
Ada's fingers brushed the knot… and for the first time, tension rippled across the room.
"Good," she murmured.
Then she lowered her hand over it.
The air changed.
First came the pressure—
A heavy, sinking gravity that made the torches flicker.
Then—
BOOM—!!!
A silent, invisible shockwave burst outward.
The ground trembled.
Tables rattled.
Dishes jumped.
Several Minks instinctively dropped to one knee.
Perona flailed her arms, floating in panic.
"CAPTAIN—!! TONE YOUR HAKI DOWN!!"
She shrieked. "YOU'RE MAKING THE MINKS UNCONSCIOUS!!"
Lilith dove behind a pillar. "S-She's right! You're outputting at least 40 percent more than the last time!"
Bullet grinned. "Oh hell yeah, here we go."
Lightning crackled in the air.
Mihawk watched with unblinking focus, eyes sharp like forged steel.
Ada remained perfectly calm.
Slow, deliberate, she poured her Conqueror's Haki into the knot.
The rope vibrated violently, black threads of Haki flickering around it like wild fireflies.
The knot darkened—
Ink-black veins spread through the fibers.
Perona gasped. "It's… absorbing it."
Lilith's jaw dropped. "Absorbing?! Ropes can DO THAT?!"
When Ada finally pulled her hand away, the knot glowed faintly with stored power—like a heartbeat that wasn't alive.
She held it up for all to see.
"This knot," she said, her voice steady and resonant, "now contains a portion of my Haoshoku."
No one breathed.
"If you pull it loose…"
Her eyes hardened. "…my Haki will erupt. As if I were standing on this island myself."
A collective shudder passed through the Minks.
Then shock detonated through the hall like lightning.
"WHAT?!"
"THAT'S POSSIBLE?!"
"YOU CAN STORE HAKI?!"
"IN A ROPE?!"
Perona screamer, "SINCE WHEN CAN HAKI BE PUT IN A ROPE LIKE SOME KIND OF BATTERY?!"
Lilith frantically scribbled notes. "This defies… everything… I NEED to study this!"
Even Bullet stared, wide-eyed. "You're telling me you can unleash your conqueror's haki… anytime… anywhere?"
Ada nodded calmly. "Two releases."
"Each strong enough to turn a battlefield."
Minks trembled. Some lowered their heads instinctively.
Others stared with awe.
Nekomamushi breathed out slowly. "You're saying… if we ever face destruction—this knot would unleash your Conqueror's Haki… as if you stood right beside us?"
Ada's voice softened. "Yes."
A quiet stunned awe spread through the room. Many Minks had tears in their eyes.
Inuarashi's voice dropped to a reverent whisper. "That is… a new kind of salvation."
Nekomamushi whispered, "A weapon… made of pure will…"
Inuarashi bowed his head in awe. "To store Conqueror's Haki—this is something only a chosen few could ever dream of."
Ada extended the knot.
"Two releases," she explained. "When danger truly comes—untie it. And my will shall protect you."
Ada held the knot out. "I will prepare another one for Zou. But I want something in return."
Immediately the rulers straightened themselves.
"Name it," Nekomamushi said.
"Anything," Inuarashi added.
Ada's eyes sharpened, serious. "I want Minks to join my crew."
Gasps.
Perona grabbed Bullet's arm. "WE'RE GETTING MINKS?! WE'RE GETTING FLUFFY ELECTRIC WARRIORS?!"
Bullet grinned. "Heh this is interesting!"
Mihawk hid a small smirk. "That will… certainly add unpredictability."
Nekomamushi and Inuarashi looked at each other—and then burst into relieved laughter.
"THAT'S IT?!" Nekomamushi roared.
"I thought you were gonna ask for half our army!" Inuarashi laughed.
Dozens of young warrior Minks immediately stepped forward.
"ME!!"
"CHOOSE ME!"
"I WANT TO SEE THE SEA!"
"LET ME SERVE LADY ADA!!!"
Ada lifted one hand, quieting them instantly.
"I'm not forming a Mink fleet yet," she clarified.
"I want only those who truly wish to fight beside me. Not under me."
The room nodded in respect.
Inuarashi raised his hand. "Then I know exactly who to call."
He turned toward the crowd.
"PEDRO! CARROT!"
Two figures stepped out from among the warriors.
One tall, calm, sharp-eyed—
One bouncing with excitement, ears twitching rapidly—
Pedro placed a fist over his chest, bowing deeply.
His voice was warm and nostalgic. "Lady Ada. It has been a long time."
Ada nodded. "Pedro. Last time I saw you, you were barely old enough to hold a sword."
Pedro smiled softly. "And yet I never forgot the presence you carried. Even the forest whispered of your return."
Then—
Carrot hopped forward with a brilliant smile, her fluffy tail swishing wildly. "SO YOU'RE THE FAMOUS NYX D. ADA!!!"
She leaned close, eyes sparkling. "Are we really leaving the island?! Are we really going on an ADVENTURE?!"
Perona pointed at her. "Oh god. Another energetic gremlin."
Bullet leaned over to Mihawk. "She's gonna drive us insane."
Mihawk sipped his drink. "Absolutely."
Carrot jumped excitedly. "I can fight! I can cook! And I can Elect— ELEC— ELECTRO THINGS!"
Ada placed a hand gently on Carrot's head.
"Good. I like your spirit."
Carrot's entire body lit up like a thunderbolt of joy.
Pedro bowed again. "We would be honored to sail under the Nyx Pirates."
Ada nodded in approval. "Then gather your supplies. We leave at sunrise."
The hall erupted into warmth again.
Minks cheered.
Weapons clashed.
Drums pounded rhythms of war and hope.
Perona floated overhead yelling, "I CALL DIBS ON THE CUTE ONE!"
Carrot pointed at herself. "ME?!"
"No! Pedro!" Perona yelled.
Pedro sighed. "I regret everything already."
Mihawk walked to Ada's side, hands in his pockets. "Your crew grows quickly."
Ada gave him a side glance. "I only take those fate offers me."
Mihawk chuckled softly. "Fate is loud around you."
Bullet laughed. "Get used to it, Mihawk."
Lilith scribbled calculations while watching Carrot bounce. "Her Electro output is fascinating…"
Okiku smiled warmly at Hiyori, who remained close to Ada—heart lighter than when she first arrived.
And above them all, the moon shimmered over Zou.
A new alliance forged.
New crewmembers chosen.
A new war on the horizon.
The next dawn—
The Nyx Pirates would leave Zou.
And the path to Wano's liberation would begin.
——————-
Author's Note
I want to apologize for the late chapters recently. I've been extremely busy with my finals, and it's been hard to find time to write. Because of that, there will only be a few updates this week and next week.
After that, I'll be back to releasing chapters every day like before. Thank you so much for your patience and support guys.
We're getting closer and closer to the canon timeline, and I'm really excited to finally write those upcoming events. Stay tuned the story is just getting started.
Also If you've noticed in the recent chapters, Ada has been consolidating her power, gathering allies, and strengthening her influence across the seas. This isn't random she knows a great war is coming, one that will shake the entire world, and she intends to be ready for it.