https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-1204-Step-Down-from-Your-Position/13541699/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-1206-Here-Comes-Someone-Even-Stronger/13541701/
Chapter 1205: Why Are You Here, Kuzan?
Chapter 1205: Why Are You Here, Kuzan?
Two days later, near Uotsubara Port in Wano Country's White Dance Region.
This area served as Wano Country's "Port Area." Before the nation's tragic decline, citizens would set sail through Wano Country's "Inland Sea" to fish and hunt. Cargo from other regions also regularly landed here.
A green creature emerged from the wide river channel connecting to the Grand Line nearby, hopping from the water onto land as it dashed forward.
Its massive body was covered in emerald scales, webbed palms slapping the ground with each stride. Though it resembled a frog, its head bore a distinctive bird beak. Faint pink highlights flushed its cheeks as it clutched a bundle of fish tightly. The creature bounded toward a gathering of people ahead, calling out excitedly to the young man at the center.
"Young Master Oden! Look at all the fish I caught!"
"I've told you a hundred times", the young man sighed, his voice carrying traces of exasperation. "It's Momonosuke now. Don't call me Father."
The twenty-something-year-old had a strong, muscular build. Except for his unique pompadour hairstyle, he was the spitting image of Kozuki Oden. After consuming the matured Devil Fruit, Momonosuke had aged into adulthood – a transformation that brought tears of joy to the Red Scabbardssamurai as they relived memories from two decades prior.
His resemblance to his father was uncanny.
Even Asura Child, who had abandoned his samurai path in disillusionment over Oden's death to become a bandit, felt his lingering resentments dissolve at the sight of Momonosuke.
"Eat! I'm starving!" Kamizuki Visoko snatched the fish from Kawamatsu's arms, skillfully building a fire like an experienced Devil Fruit user preparing a meal.
"Hey! Visoko!" Ninja Lei Zang shouted. "Shouldn't we focus on planning our next move instead of thinking about food?!"
Visoko skewered the fish with a branch, roasting it with practiced ease. "But grilled fish smells amazing! You're hungry too, right? Come help me cook, Lei Zang!"
"You're really—...Hmm, actually, it does smell good." Lei Zang's nose twitched as his stomach's protests overpowered his resolve, joining Visoko in their impromptu cooking session.
Among the group stood familiar faces: Denjiro, Kikunojo, Canine Storm, Nekomamushi, Asura Child, Izou, Ayu, Huzi, Ko-nin, and Momonosuke's sister – former renowned courtesan Kozuki Hiyori.
After Momonosuke's victory over Kurozumi Orochi, the Red Scabbardssamurai rescued him. Though they celebrated briefly, white-uniformed intruders disrupted their triumph, forcing a hasty retreat to this location.
Denjiro gazed at the distant Flower Capital, where a colossal white peak pierced the heavens – Wano Country's most iconic landmark.
"Who are those white-uniformed people?" Denjiro asked. "They easily defeated that old woman as strong as Kaido."
Izou's voice darkened. "They're the Navy – the most powerful force in the world beyond Wano Country. Their duty is eliminating people like Kaido and me. The leader is Golden Lion Admiral, one of their three new Admirals. Each Admiral possesses strength rivaling Kaido and Big Mom. Worse, he now holds Wano Country's National Treasure 'Autumn Water.'"
"Autumn Water?!" Kawamatsu's eyes widened with fury. "So he's a thief?!"
"Actually..." Asura Child frowned. "Autumn Water disappeared twenty years ago. That leader seems much younger."
"Forget that now", Canine Storm interjected, scratching his doglike chin. "The real question – what will the Navy do next? Could this mean the World Government is moving against us?"
Zou's people maintained global contacts unlike Wano's isolation. The Mink Tribe had members scattered throughout the Grand Line, bringing valuable intelligence. Canine Storm and Nekomamushi, having sailed with Roger himself, understood the world beyond Wano better than most.
"Young Master has already won", Kikunojo said optimistically. "Maybe we should go to Kuri first. Let him inherit the daimyo title, then become Shogun! The Kozuki family will reclaim its rightful place!"
"Agreed", Denjiro nodded. "Let's head to Kuri."
"First finish eating!" Visoko enthusiastically turned, offering a freshly grilled fish to Momonosuke. Suddenly, his face froze in horror as he stared at the Grand Line.
Following his gaze, everyone turned toward the sea.
Hiyori's already large eyes widened further as she clapped her hands over her mouth in shock. The ocean surface...
It was freezing!
Not entirely, but a clear ice path extended from the Grand Line toward their shallow shore. Two shadowy figures moved along this frozen highway, humanoid in shape.
"You've gotta be kidding me!" Izou's eyes widened, sweat beading his forehead as he strained to see. "Why is it freezing?!"
Momonosuke shouted as the figures approached. Izou suddenly drew his blade, shouting, "Run! It's—"
A blur suddenly leapt from the ice path, flipping midair before landing heavily before them.
It was a penguin.
Not just any penguin – a massive Galapagos penguin the size of Canine Storm and Nekomamushi. Standing solemnly, its round eyes tried (and failed) to project intimidation through a stern expression that somehow made it even cuter.
"Aww, so cute!" Hiyori blurted.
The penguin's eyes flashed with indignation. Its tiny flippers shot forward threateningly.
Before it could act, the Red Scabbardssamurai formed a protective line. Denjiro slashed at the creature, his blade glowing with Cold Gleam. But as steel met flesh...
A crackling sound!
Denjiro's strike halted abruptly, his sword now encased in thick ice spreading toward his hand. He shook his arm violently, using Haki to repel the frost, but not before noticing his fingers had already turned blue with frostbite.
"Ahhh, please don't be violent", a voice drawled from behind the penguin. A tall, thin man stepped forward. "My pet hates being called cute, don't you Camel?"
The penguin nodded resolutely.
"And you're wondering why we named a penguin Camel?" The man grinned. "Simple – because he's named Camel, so we call him Camel."
"We didn't ask!!" The warriors yelled, veins popping.
Izou swallowed hard, grinding his teeth. "Why are you here, Kuzan?!"
(Had this been a real chapter ending, it would have concluded with "" here, but the original text contains an unrelated note about New Year's Eve celebrations which isn't part of the main narrative.)
(End of Chapter)(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
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