Chapter 561 - 401

Chapter 402: Adventure in Zou (Part 14)The night wind, carrying a hint of scorched smell from the battle and the freshness after the rain, blew across this deathly silent battlefield.But now, no one noticed any change in the weather at all.All the Mink Tribe, including their two kings, were as if someone had pressed the pause button, maintaining the same posture—mouths agape, eyes wide, completely petrified where they stood.Their gazes were fixed intently on a single point.That Straw Hat boy who was currently yawning with a bored expression, as if he had just casually swatted a mosquito.Duke Inuarashi slowly and mechanically lowered his head, looking at his rapier that had already fallen to the ground.He looked up again at the youth standing at the edge of the deep crater, who was absentmindedly picking his ear.His mind went completely blank...That sword was his glory as the King of the Day of Zou, the crystallization of a lifetime of swordsmanship training, and the final barrier protecting his country.And the result? Even after giving his all, burning through his Haki and stamina, he had only managed to leave a few superficial wounds on that monster called Jack.But this youth before him...One punch.He had completely one-shotted that drought with a billion-berry bounty, the one who had driven them into a corner, right out of this world?!?!Duke Inuarashi felt the worldview, outlook on life, and values he had built over decades shatter into dust in that single instant...Beside him, Master Nekomamushi wasn't doing much better.His cat-eyes, which always glinted sharply in the dark, had now completely lost focus, and his mouth was open wide enough to fit a PLUS-sized cat rice ball.He remembered when he was young, following Kozuki Oden, he had witnessed that legendary Pirate King, Gol D. Roger.He used to think that Roger's Haoshoku was the pinnacle of kingly disposition in this world.That kind of power was enough to make all things submit, to calm the very seas—absolute dominance.But...But! This thing displayed by this Straw Hat boy had completely exceeded the scope of dominance!If Roger's Haoshoku was that of a king ruling the world,Then Straw Hat Luffy's Haoshoku was that of a god who sets the rules, whose word is law!That ridiculously precise control, that mighty power to turn ethereal will into physical lightning, and that... terrifying phenomenon where the entire world seemed to follow the changes in his emotions, operating according to his will~~~After frantically searching through all his knowledge and memories, Nekomamushi's brain only found one vague and ancient term to describe it.Nika.The Sun God.The legendary warrior of liberation who could bring smiles to people.Nekomamushi's whole body trembled as he suddenly turned his head to look at Inuarashibeside him.Inuarashi happened to look at him at the same time.Their eyes met.From each other's eyes, which were equally filled with shock, confusion, and a hint of fanaticism, they both understood the magnitude-12 earthquake happening in their respective hearts.Twenty years.A full twenty years of estrangement and resentment.Because of differing philosophies and different views on the future, they had treated each other as enemies, tearing this country into day and night.They both stubbornly believed they were right and the other was an irredeemable fool.But now, before this absolute power that transcended all common sense and all legends, their twenty-year cold war and the pride and obstinacy they had maintained until today seemed so... tiny, so... laughable.Like two kindergarten brats fighting over a piece of candy, only to suddenly see an adult descend from the sky in a Gundam and level the entire kindergarten with one shot.That kind of dimensional-strike impact was enough to make any dispute meaningless."Heh...""Hehehe..."Duke Inuarashi was the first to let out a bitter laugh.Nekomamushi also grinned, letting out an equally complex laugh.There were no apologies, and no hugs.But within that single laugh, the high wall that had stood between them for twenty years came crashing down.They let go of all their grievances and truly reconciled.Then, the two kings made a decision that moved all the Minks.They tidied their tattered clothes, straightened their backs, and with an unprecedentedly solemn pace, walked side-by-side toward the youth who was still worrying about when dinner would start.The eyes of everyone present followed them.Three steps away from Luffy, they came to a halt.Then, under the shocked gaze of all their clansmen, the King of the Day and King of the Night of Zou, these two kings who had been proud their entire lives, simultaneously... dropped to one knee!They lowered their noble heads and, in a tone bordering on pilgrimage, solemnly declared:"Lord Straw Hat Luffy!""We, the Twin Kings of Zou, Inuarashi and Nekomamushi, wish to offer our lives and the entire strength of the Mink Tribe!""From this day forward, we are willing to go through fire and water for you without hesitation!""Please... lead us to witness that brand new era!"Their voices were forceful and resonant, echoing under the silent night sky, filled with a sense of historical weight.However...Faced with this scene of kings swearing fealty that was worthy of the history books, the object of their loyalty showed an extremely puzzled expression.Luffy scratched his messy black hair and tilted his head."Eh?"He blinked, looking at Inuarashi, then at Nekomamushi."Why are you kneeling?"Luffy completely failed to understand the situation before him. He waved his hand dismissively and urged:"Get up, get up! The ground is cold!""Oh, right!"As if remembering the most important thing, his eyes suddenly lit up with anticipation,"That guy called Jack has already been sent flying by me, so things are settled, right?""So... can the banquet start now?!""My stomach is about to cave in from hunger~~~!!!""...""..."Inuarashi and Nekomamushi just knelt there on the ground, looking up blankly at the youth who was jumping around because of hunger, their brains stalling once again.They had prepared a heart full of solemnity and resolve, imagining countless scenarios of being tested and scrutinized.The only thing they didn't expect...Was that the only thing the other party cared about from beginning to end was the banquet and eating?!?!At this moment, they finally understood.This youth before them never wanted power, never wanted worship, and certainly never wanted to dominate.His world-destroying power wasn't a weapon for conquest, but merely a... tool used to protect his companions and clear obstacles so he could eat sooner?It was precisely this essence of freedom, pure to the extreme and unshaken by anything external, this true character that viewed royal power as nothing and billion-berry bounties as dust, that was the true source of his leadership charisma!They weren't following a god high above.But a... Sun who could bring infinite hope, infinite joy, and lead everyone to a full stomach!Having figured this out, the two kings looked at each other again, both seeing relief and ecstasy in the other's eyes.They stood up in unison and burst into loud laughter!"Hahahaha! You're right! Garchu~!""Now that the enemy is dealt with, of course we have to have a banquet to celebrate!""Men!!!"Duke Inuarashi turned around and, with all his might, issued a proclamation to all his clansmen!"What are you all still standing there for?!?!""Bring out our best wine! Our best food! Bring it all out!!!""Tonight, we will hold the grandest, best victory banquet in the history of Zou!!!""For our savior, Lord Straw Hat Luffy!!!""OOOOOOOOOHHH~~~!!!!!!"The Minks, who had survived the disaster, erupted into earth-shattering cheers after a brief moment of daze!The haze of despair was swept away, and the entire Zou instantly turned into an ocean of joy!