His Majesty Garfield formally entered into a permanent alliance with Wakanda.
From that day forward, they would advance and retreat together.
According to tradition, a statue was to be erected beside the Panther Goddess, an orange cat of equal size, carved in solemn majesty.
As a kind, pure-hearted orange cat, Garfield felt this was… deeply inappropriate.
After firm negotiations, the statue was replaced.
Instead, Wakanda erected a lucky cat modeled after Garfield.
The statue sat in a squatting pose, one paw raised, the other clutching an oversized golden ingot shaped like a cat's claw. Upon its forehead was engraved a single character:
Fortune.
As for certain traditional poses and double-jade configurations proposed by overly enthusiastic artisans…
Garfield rejected them outright.
The Wakandans were helpless, but Garfield remained resolute. He was not a symbol of that kind of power.
His original intention had always been clear.
After all, he had been far too passive before. Pandora Godzilla had enlightened him…
Sometimes, helping a lonely goddess solve her lifelong partner problem was simply the right thing to do.
This realization greatly eased Garfield's conscience.
At the very least, he was absolutely not coveting Wakanda's technology. Nor was this alliance formed for the sake of vibranium.
The Wakandans, however, generously offered vast quantities of vibranium cooperation anyway.
Garfield considered it for a moment, then waved a paw. "No rush. I don't need it right now. We'll talk later."
The Wakandans praised his restraint endlessly.
✦••┈┈••✦••┈┈••✦
While construction across this mystical land was still underway, Garfield reached into his pocket…
And released the Ninja Cat and Ninja Dog clans.
He introduced them personally to the old Black Panther. What followed was a dazzling display of ninjutsu talent.
The Wakandan tribal leaders were stunned to discover that Ninja Cat and Ninja Dog not only possessed extremely high combat power, but could also speak human language fluently.
Under Garfield's witness, Wakanda designated two neighboring hills as permanent settlements for the two clans.
Representatives from both clans split off a portion of their tribes and formally signed summoning contracts with Wakandan tribal patriarchs.
From that day forward, Wakanda entered an unprecedented era… dual cultivation of technology and ninjutsu.
As everyone knows, dual cultivation is never a matter of one plus one equals two.
What Wakanda would eventually become far exceeded even Garfield's expectations.
The incarnation of the Black Panther Goddess was officially named Midnight by Garfield.
She stayed by his side daily, wandering, swaying her tail, brushing against him intentionally or not.
It made Garfield dangerously close to losing control of his prehistoric instincts on multiple occasions.
Fortunately, he reassured himself,
…
After the contracts were signed and with the help of Shōkyū and Garfield, the residences atop the two hills were completed within two days.
Mountain springs were redirected from the summit to the base.
Defensive magic arrays were laid. At Garfield's suggestion, a grand celebration was held between Wakanda, the Cat Clan, and the Dog Clan.
On the grand platform overlooking Wakanda's central plaza stood.
Garfield
The temporary patriarchs of the Cat clan and Dog clan.
The old Black Panther
The opening address was delivered by the ancient Black Panther himself.
His speech was passionate and moving, explaining Garfield's origins, his present identity, and declaring the Cat and Dog clans not merely allies, but comrades and family.
Garfield listened and couldn't help but admire him.
Why didn't I study literature back then? he thought.
With words like that, I could've reformed someone like Grindelwald with love and care… instead of doing whatever it is I usually do.
…
"Achoo!"
Far away in Europe...
At the edge of a towering window in the final fortress of Nurmengard,
Grindelwald stood there quietly, holding the diary Garfield had once given him.
Emotion stirred in his eyes. "Great Mentor… after all these years, I am finally about to begin a truly great career."
…
Garfield scratched his nose, vaguely sensing that someone, no, several someones, were talking about him somewhere in the world.
Unfortunately, he didn't have time to care.
The celebration had already begun.
After the ancient Black Panther finished his impassioned speech, Wakanda's music and dance erupted across the square.
Several strong-built Wakandan men sat at the edge of massive leather drums of varying sizes.
Their palms rose and fell together as a chant echoed through the air…
"Wakanda Forever, Long live Wakanda!"
Dong. Dong. Dong.
Dong. Dong. Dong.
Dong. Dong. Dong.
The rhythm rolled like thunder.
At once, waves of Wakandan women, elders, mothers, and young girls alike stepped into the square, moving their bodies to the beat.
Their laughter and voices blended with the drums.
"Hehe hehe, Savory chicken!"
"Hehe hehe, Sachima!"
"Hehe hehe, More wine!"
Everyone ate and drank.
The atmosphere was wild and joyous.
It must be said, Wakandan wine was excellent. Brewed from tropical fruits, it carried a rich, fragrant sweetness.
As for whether it was the legendary Monkey Wine…
Garfield decided not to think too deeply about that. After all, you never knew what a mischievous monkey might have done during fermentation.
Three rounds of wine and countless dishes.
The entire square swayed with happiness. Then… Garfield cheerfully trotted toward the largest drum.
"Brother." He said politely, "Let me handle this."
Before the drummer could react, Garfield firmly ushered him aside.
Garfield pulled out a pair of sunglasses and slipped them on, striking a pose.
"The stage door is mine. The sound booth is mine," he declared proudly.
"And now, your fantasy-tier musician, Master Garfield will perform!"
Dong. Dong. Dong.
At first, it sounded like simple drumming.
Then… as Garfield layered magic into the rhythm, the beat transformed.
The familiar melody of Gourd Brothers echoed out as if summoned by spellwork itself.
And like that… the drums became a DJ console.
Don't ask how.
After several seconds of enthusiastic improvisation, it somehow worked.
As the magical remix continued, the unmistakable rhythm of Freaks rose over the square.
The crowd stopped.
Then exploded.
The audience moved instinctively, bodies following the pulse Garfield controlled. The earlier excitement was completely overwhelmed by this new wave of rhythm.
As Garfield refined his magical DJ technique, the atmosphere climbed higher and higher…
Until all of Wakanda plunged into an ocean of joy.
From that day forward, Wakanda unofficially designated Garfield as their honorary DJ leader.
…
From afar, Ancient One, who had been waiting for Garfield to return to Kamar-Taj, watched the changes unfold.
She smiled faintly as she saw her mischievous apprentice dancing wildly with Pandora, then let out a soft sigh.
"Still a child, after all…"
✦••┈┈••✦••┈┈••✦
Garfield remained in Wakanda for several more days. By then, nearly everything had been settled.
Before leaving, Garfield added a vibranium-based magical defense system to Wakanda's borders. Even if Midnight's true body wandered into the multiverse and got beaten senseless again…
At least Wakanda wouldn't suffer because of it.
After everything was finished, Garfield gathered a large chunk of vibranium ore, something he couldn't politely refuse anymore.
He split it neatly.
Some sent to the Ancient One
Some mailed to Howard for 'research purposes.'
Under the farewell of the old Black Panther and the tribal patriarchs, Garfield opened a portal to Kamar-Taj.
"See you all later."
"Safe travels," the old Black Panther replied.
As the portal closed, the king turned and looked at his two sons.
T'Chaka, calm and composed… and the younger one, N'Jobu, whose eyes sparkled with curiosity as he stared at where the portal had vanished.
The old Black Panther gently patted N'Jobu's head.
"What are you thinking about, my son?"
N'Jobu hesitated, then spoke honestly. "I want to see the outside world, Father."
"I want to know how it's different from Wakanda. If there are good things out there… shouldn't we share them with friends?"
The old Black Panther smiled faintly and rested his hand on his son's head.
"There are good people outside… and bad ones," He said gently. "Some will covet what we have."
"You must be careful, N'Jobu."
N'Jobu nodded, quieting for now. But in his heart, the longing remained.
꧁𓊈𒆜༺⚜༻𒆜𓊉꧂
PhantomDream