On the day when the Marines and the World Government were at their most tense, nothing happened aboard the Radiant Eclipse.
Kuke had forgotten the exact date. While Akainu and the others stood guard in the cold wind all night, Kuke slept soundly in bed, holding Gion.
It wasn't until the next day that Shakky reported the mysterious operation by the Marines and the World Government.
Only then did Kuke slowly recall the event.
But he didn't care.
He continued at his own pace.
As Gion got dressed, Nico Robin handed him a towel, Stussy passed him a toothbrush, Belo Betty held a cup of perfectly warmed water, and Makino had breakfast ready. Under the elegant tunes of Kozuki Hiyori's koto, Linlin watched enviously, while Nami peeked from the side…
Thus, Kuke began a new day.
Hancock was unable to serve him these past few days.
She had been busy steering the Radiant Eclipse.
A few hours later.
The ship was only a few dozen miles away from Wano.
Before even seeing the island—
They saw a massive elephant standing in the middle of the ocean.
"What a huge elephant."
"Is that the legendary walking island, Zou?"
…
Ten years ago, when Kaido was driven out, Wano entered an era of peace and prosperity.
Without Kaido's harassment.
Without the tyrannical rule of the shogun Orochi.
And most importantly, with the Sun and Moon Pirates' flag flying high.
Wano became one of the few truly peaceful kingdoms in the New World.
No one dared provoke it.
Inside the shogunate's castle in the Flower Capital.
Several old friends were drinking happily.
"Who would have thought that Lord Oden's dream would come true so easily?" Inuarashi sighed.
They had known for years.
Yet every time he looked at Wano's current state, he found it hard to believe.
"It seems the prophecy won't come true after all. We trained day after day for twenty years, preparing for battle…" Nekomamushi was disappointed.
Then, one day, they were simply told—
It was over.
Kaido had fled.
Orochi had been captured.
Wano had opened its borders.
All their struggles and hardships were gone.
"All of this… is thanks to that man." Denjiro's eyes were full of reverence.
No matter how much time passed—
Denjiro and the others would never forget how, ten years ago, Kuke had defeated Kaido and accomplished all of this.
"It's a shame we're not worthy to follow him." Ashura Doji spoke with deep regret.
"Really? That man didn't even accept you, Ashura?" The Mink Tribe warriors were stunned.
A cup of sake fell to the floor.
The crash startled a bored little rabbit—Carrot.
"This is so boring. So the outside world isn't as interesting as I thought."
Fourteen-year-old Carrot had been excited about this journey.
But she hadn't encountered any grand adventures.
Not even pirates.
After all, not many dared to attack the mighty Zou.
At that moment.
The doors suddenly burst open.
A panicked samurai rushed in, stammering, "T-That great lord—"
Before he could finish.
Kuke had already entered the hall with his female companions.
Carrot's bored expression vanished as her eyes widened.
An enemy?
Pirates?
She raised her small, fluffy paw—electric sparks flickering between her fingers.
But before she could strike—
She saw something shocking.
The people she respected most—Nekomamushi, Pedro, and the others—had dropped to their knees in excitement.
Carrot's mind went blank.
Her large, adorable eyes blinked in confusion.
"Carrot, don't be rude! Quickly come and pay respects to our great benefactor!" Pedro urged the frozen Carrot.
"No need," Kuke dismissed the formalities.
"Orochi isn't dead or missing, right?"
His purpose in coming to Wano—
Was to take the Mythical Zoan—Yamata no Orochi Fruit—from the former shogun.
…
While the samurai were retrieving Orochi from the prison, Kuke and his crew wandered through the Flower Capital.
Kozuki Hiyori stayed behind to meet with her retainers.
"Princess Hiyori, have you been well in the Sun and Moon Pirates all these years?"
Denjiro and the others looked at Hiyori with concern.
"Very well. The captain treats me kindly. So do Gion and the others. We've never encountered any real danger at sea," Hiyori reassured them.
Denjiro and the others sighed in relief.
Then they hesitated.
"Princess Hiyori, do you think we might have a chance to follow Lord Kuke?"
"Can we join the Sun and Moon Pirates?"
Now that Wano had been liberated and opened its borders, these retainers had lost their greatest life purpose. They wanted to sail out into the world, to follow the man who had saved their country.
Hiyori looked troubled and shook her head.
"Ah…"
Denjiro and the others sighed in disappointment.
As expected, they had no chance.
They weren't worthy of following Lord Kuke…
Just then.
Kuke and his crew returned from their stroll through the capital.
And bouncing along beside him—
Was Carrot.
Full of curiosity, she stuck close to Kuke.
Earlier, when no one was paying attention, she had snuck behind Kuke.
Then, boldly, she had asked to sail with him.
She had no idea what Kuke represented.
She was simply curious about the outside world.
Her light—radiant and bright.
An easily tempted little rabbit.
"Carrot! How could you be so disrespectful? Get back here at once!" The Minks turned pale when they saw Carrot by Kuke's side.
Scolded.
Carrot panicked.
Had Pedro and the others found out she wanted to follow Kuke?
Would they refuse?
What should she do?
She hid behind Kuke, her bunny ears twitching as she timidly yet firmly declared, "I'm following Kuke to sea! I'm leaving! Even if you don't agree, I'll sneak away!"
The Minks and Wano's retainers.
Their eyes widened.
They were stunned—then filled with envy as they gazed at Carrot hiding behind Kuke.
She had achieved what they could only dream of.
Their hearts ached.
"???"
Carrot had expected more scolding.
She peeked out nervously, looking at Pedro and the others.
But instead of anger.
She saw their eyes burning with excitement.
Like how she looked at a carrot.
"Pedro and the others look scary…"
Frightened, Carrot hid further behind Kuke.
"Carrot… are you serious?" Inuarashi's voice trembled.
"Lord Kuke really agreed to take you?" Pedro swallowed hard.
"Nya, I'm so jealous…" Nekomamushi sighed.
Carrot blinked in confusion.
"Carrot, once you set sail with Kuke, you must behave yourself."
"Don't cause trouble, understand?"
"Do you need anything? We'll prepare everything for you. Take all the Mink Tribe's specialties with you."
Nekomamushi and the others were already enthusiastically making preparations.
Carrot was even more confused.
She voiced the question troubling her heart: "Are you guys sick or something? I'm leaving! I'm leaving Zou!"
Carrot knew.
At her age, it was forbidden for her to leave Zou alone and follow a pirate crew.
Why, then, were Pedro and the others acting like they couldn't wait to send her off?