Caesar's Arrival at Zou: A Meeting with the Mink Tribe
The Rex came to a halt in the open clearing before the massive gates of the Mokomo Dukedom, located atop the wandering elephant, Zunesha.
Willis, a lookout stationed at the gate, stood frozen in shock for several seconds before quickly regaining his senses. With a trembling hand, he rang the alarm bell furiously and shouted at the top of his lungs:
"Intruders! Intruders! Outsiders have entered the country!"
The alarm echoed across the kingdom, triggering an immediate lockdown. The piercing sound of warning bells resounded through the Mokomo Dukedom as its inhabitants sprang into action.
Armed warriors of the Mink Tribe assembled rapidly, dashing toward the entrance with weapons drawn, their fur bristling with tension.
Meanwhile, aboard the Rex, Caesar and his crew listened to the alarm ringing through the air. They immediately understood that their unexpected arrival had put the minks on high alert.
Caesar, however, remained unbothered. With a casual leap, he disembarked from the now-motionless ship, landing on the back of Zunesha. The sensation of the elephant's skin beneath his feet was surprisingly soft despite its enormous size.
The rest of his crew followed suit, marveling at the texture of the ancient beast's skin as they stepped onto solid ground.
By this time, a large force of mink warriors had gathered at the entrance, their weapons gleaming under the light, eyes locked onto Caesar's crew with wariness and hostility.
"Whoa! Look at them! They're so cute and fluffy!"
Lily, one of Caesar's crewmates, exclaimed in excitement rather than fear. She gazed at the assembled minks with sparkling eyes, evidently enchanted by their appearance.
"So this is the Mink Tribe..." Gnali muttered, scanning the warriors with curiosity. "I've heard of them before, but this is my first time seeing them in person."
For the rest of the crew, encountering the Minks was an entirely new experience, filling them with curiosity and fascination.
"Yohohoho! The sea is truly vast! So many different kinds of beings! It makes me want to sing a song!"
Brook, the crew's resident musician and a living skeleton, let out his signature laugh. However, as soon as he finished speaking, he felt dozens of piercing gazes land on him, sending shivers—if he had any—down his spine.
A deep and steady voice emerged from the Mink warriors.
"Who are you? And why have you come to our land?"
From among the warriors, a goat Mink with a long knife stepped forward, his eyes locked onto Caesar's crew with suspicion.
Caesar, unfazed by their vigilance, understood their reaction. After all, his crew had arrived unannounced.
Instead of answering directly, he allowed his crewmate Brad to step forward with a reassuring smile.
"Greetings, warriors of the Mink Tribe. We are the Caesar Pirates, and we mean no harm."
Brad gestured toward the Rex behind them before continuing.
"We happened upon Zunesha while sailing and heard rumors of a mysterious land atop the great elephant. Our curiosity led us here."
The warriors exchanged cautious glances. Thanks to their keen animal instincts, they could sense no ill intent from Caesar's crew.
Gradually, their aggressive stance softened.
The Minks, while fiercely territorial, were also a welcoming people once they recognized outsiders as non-hostile. Within moments, the hostility in their eyes was replaced by curiosity.
Lily, delighted by the turn of events, immediately ran toward a group of female Minks, excitedly chatting and admiring their soft fur.
In no time, a sheep Mink named Karuqu—who seemed to share Lily's enthusiasm—became fast friends with her.
However, the one who garnered the most attention was Brook.
The carnivorous Minks, drawn by his skeletal frame, crowded around him, their eyes gleaming with fascination.
"Karuqiu! Karuqiu!" The lion, wolf, and tiger Minks exclaimed excitedly as they playfully nibbled on Brook's bones.
Brook, however, was horrified.
"Yohohoho! Wait! Stop that! My bones aren't for eating!" He flailed in panic. "Although I only have bones left, I'm still a human! Please don't devour me!"
Hades and Brad, watching from the sidelines, burst into laughter at Brook's misfortune.
Thankfully, the Minks were merely expressing their affection, and their bites held no real force. Had they intended otherwise, Brook would have been scattered into pieces by now.
After confirming that Caesar's crew meant no harm, the Minks officially welcomed them into the Mokomo Dukedom.
Meeting Duke Trisey
Caesar's group followed their new Mink companions through the lush jungle pathways of the Dukedom. Wooden homes built high into the trees surrounded them, while golden bananas filled the branches, releasing a sweet fragrance into the air.
Their guide, the goat Mink named Meg, led them toward the largest treehouse in the area.
"Our ruler, Duke Trisey, awaits you inside."
Meg announced with a warm smile.
Caesar nodded and stepped forward, his crew following behind.
Inside the grand treehouse, Duke Trisey—a large orangutan Mink with a long white beard—sat upon a wooden throne, leisurely peeling a banana.
Brook, still recovering from his earlier ordeal, breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing the duke.
"Ah, an orangutan! Good, at least it's not another carnivore! Those lions and wolves were far too 'friendly' for my liking!"
He placed a skeletal hand over his ribcage and sighed.
"But then again, I have no heart to jump out in fear! Yohohohoho!"
His classic joke earned a few amused chuckles.
As Meg relayed the details of their arrival, Duke Trisey listened intently. Once the explanation was finished, he nodded and grinned at the visitors.
"Pffft hahaha! So you came here out of curiosity, huh? Well, as long as you mean no harm, you're welcome to enjoy our land!"
However, his expression suddenly turned serious, and a powerful aura radiated from his body.
"But let me make one thing clear…"
His sharp gaze met Caesar's, his voice carrying undeniable authority.
"If you even think of harming my people, you will regret it."
The oppressive aura filled the room, making even the rowdiest of the crew members fall silent.
Caesar, however, merely smirked.
Duke Trisey then broke into laughter, his previous intensity vanishing in an instant.
"Pfft hahaha! But I don't think you're that kind of person! Now then, to properly welcome you, let's have a grand feast tonight!"
The tension in the air dissipated, and the room was once again filled with warmth.
That night, a grand bonfire party was held in the heart of the Mokomo Dukedom.
The Minks and Caesar's crew drank, feasted, and danced beneath the full moon.
Brook, however, was still being chased around by carnivorous Minks, while Lily happily lay atop a fluffy sheep Mink, enjoying the softness of their wool.
Even Caesar and Gnali found themselves surrounded by Mink warriors, eager to test their strength in friendly duels.
It was a night of celebration—one that none of them would soon forget.
Yet, as the festivities wound down and the island grew quiet, Caesar's eyes opened in the dead of night.
Lying atop the soft wool of a sheep Mink, he spread his Observation Haki across all of Zou, searching for something.
Something important.
And deep within the heart of the island, the ancient being known as Zunesha silently observed Caesar's presence.
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