Five days passed quickly, and Elior and his crew finally arrived at the location of Zunesha — the massive elephant that carries the island of Zou on its back.
This enormous elephant is alive and constantly moving through the ocean, which is precisely why Zou's location cannot be marked with a Log Pose or Eternal Pose. Finding it had taken considerable effort on their part.
Standing before the giant elephant felt like facing a mountain range — the sheer scale was overwhelming. Even Crocodile and the others were visibly shaken.
"So this is the legendary Zou... a mysterious land inhabited by the Mink Tribe" Crocodile murmured with awe.
Cavendish added, "But I've heard they're extrely hostile toward humans. If we barge in like this, they'll see us as invaders. Captain, what should we do?"
He turned to look at Elior.
Crocodile continued, "No one refuses to kneel before absolute power. Their hatred of humans is nothing more than a sentintal illusion."
Was the Mink Tribe really a threat to soone like Elior?
In this world, how many beings could actually stand against his might?
"That's right. After all, we're traveling with a Yonko" Cavendish said, his eyes gleaming. Elior's strength had already left an indelible impression on him. Hadn't he effortlessly shattered the massive teorite launched by Fujitora?
Just how terrifying was the power of Yonko Elior?
Unimaginably so.
"There's no one strong enough on this island to stop us. Let's go."
With that, Elior led the group as they ascended onto the back of Zunesha.
The most powerful individuals on Zou were Inuarashi and Nekomamushi — retainers of Kozuki Oden and two of the Nine Red Scabbards. Strong as they were in Zou, they posed no threat to Elior. After all, even in the original tiline, they couldn't defeat Jack.
And the Nine Red Scabbards? In this case, they barely mattered.
Half an hour later, the crew had entered Zou and arrived at the Mokomo Dukedom.
Elior had co for one purpose only: to find the Road Poneglyph hidden deep within the Whale Forest.
As they entered this mysterious country, they were soon discovered by mbers of the Mink Tribe.
Just as Cavendish had warned, most minks despised humans. The only humans they respected were those connected to the Kozuki clan and the Roger Pirates.
Elior and his group were certainly not part of that category.
"Stop right there!"
A deer mink blocked their path. Monts later, dozens more erged from the woods, surrounding them.
"Humans!"
"Actual humans!"
"This land forbids humans! Zou doesn't welco your kind!"
"Leave now—or else!"
But before they could finish their threats, Elior released an overwhelming burst of Conqueror's Haki, radiating outward and sweeping through the forest like a tidal wave.
Every mink nearby collapsed instantly—unconscious before they even knew what hit them.
Elior had no interest in negotiating.
"Let's go."
Only Crocodile remained unfazed. Reiju was slightly shaken, but far more composed than Cavendish, Sugar, or Baby 5.
"Conqueror's Haki really is practical" Crocodile remarked. "Against small fry like this—even an army—one blast and it's over."
His eyes burned with admiration. He knew he wasn't fit to be a king, so all he could do was envy Elior.
"So this… is Conqueror's Haki?" Cavendish muttered. "It's terrifying..."
The sensation had shaken him to his core—as if every cell in his body had trembled under the force of Elior's will. It was the first ti he had ever experienced the raw pressure of Conqueror's Haki, and it left him in awe.
For the few seconds it lasted, it had left a permanent mark on his soul.
As for Sugar and Baby 5, they were even more frightened — especially Sugar.
Despite his calm deanor, Elior was terrifying every ti he took action. That blast alone had likely knocked out a hundred minks. The sound of bodies falling echoed from deep within the forest—surely no one had been left standing.
Reiju, walking closest to Elior, felt a rush of pride that such a powerful man was by her side.
But would he ever see her as his wife?
She couldn't help but feel confused. She wanted to hold his hand, but it felt inappropriate. Before Elior, she felt... small.
Still, following him filled her with joy.
As they made their way toward the Whale Forest, their earlier clash had already drawn attention.
The intense wave of Conqueror's Haki had reached even the far side of the island, knocking out nurous minks and alerting the ruler of the region — Duke Inuarashi.
Even Nekomamushi, who was asleep and usually only active at night, was awakened by the wave of spiritual pressure.
"What's going on?"
"Conqueror's Haki?"
Inuarashi also sensed the disturbance. Unlike Nekomamushi, he had a better grasp of just how powerful the Haki was.
"Such overwhelming force… There's an intruder on Zou. And no one in Zou should be capable of that kind of Conqueror's Haki."
"Whoever it is—they're not just strong. They're dangerous."
A few monts later, several other figures arrived—Raizo, Kin'emon, Kanjuro (still secretly a traitor), and Kin'emon was carrying an unconscious Momonosuke.
"Duke Inuarashi" Kin'emon said. "It seems soone... powerful has arrived in Zou."
"Who has such trendous Conqueror's Haki?"
"Lord Momonosuke was knocked out the mont he opened the door!"
Kin'emon gently laid the young heir on a recliner. As soon as Momonosuke had opened the door earlier, the pressure of Elior's Haki had hit him like a shockwave. Unable to withstand it, the child had imdiately passed out.
As for Kin'emon and the others, they had traveled to the future using Toki's Ti-Ti Fruit on the night the Kozuki clan was annihilated, and had eventually arrived in Zou seeking refuge.
But now, with Momonosuke unconscious and an overwhelming force descending on their supposed safe haven, anxiety spread through the entire group.
Whoever had co to Zou... was clearly no ordinary visitor.
And more than likely—they were the enemy.
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