Chapter 365: Zou – A Cat Is Still a Cat

As a rabbit Mink, Carrot's sense of smell was even more sensitive than a dog's nose.

Following the scent trail of Takumi and Enel, she quickly found her way to them.

She leaped down from a tall tree, intending to greet Enel. However, seeing Inuarashi lying nearby left her stunned.

"Huh? Duke Inuarashi is here too?" Carrot blinked her big eyes, her expression full of surprise.

The zebra Mink nearby lit up as though seeing a savior and immediately said, "Carrot, you're just in time! I'll stay here and guard Duke Inuarashi. Quickly, go find the Musketeer Squad!"

"Oh, okay!" Carrot agreed cheerfully before bouncing over to Enel with her arms full of freshly picked apples. "Master Thunder God, I handpicked these apples! They're delicious. I brought them for you!"

Enel accepted them without hesitation. "I'll take them, but remember, until you convince my captain, I'm not your master."

"I'll definitely make Captain Brother acknowledge me!" Carrot laughed. "Master Thunder God, I'm off for now. I'll come find you later!"

With that, Carrot hopped up onto a nearby tree trunk and quickly bounded off in the direction of the Musketeer Squad's fortress.

The zebra Mink froze when he heard Carrot call Enel "Master." His eyes widened in disbelief.

But before he could fully process it, a furious voice echoed from all directions.

"Where are those three? I'm going to teach them a lesson myself, meow!"

Hearing that voice, the zebra Mink turned pale. "Oh no, it's Nekomamushi-sama! He must not see Duke Inuarashi! But I can't move him on my own—what should I do?"

The zebra Mink anxiously paced in circles before turning to Takumi and the others with a pleading look. "Um… could you do me a small favor? Can you help me drag Duke Inuarashi into the nearby woods to hide him?"

"Is it really necessary?" Kaku frowned. "Even if your Duke and this Nekomamushi fellow have a grudge, do you seriously think he'd attack a sleeping man?"

"They must never meet!" The zebra Mink's face turned grim. "Whether they're awake or asleep, they can't see each other. Everyone here knows that—it's an unspoken rule. I'm desperate. If you won't help move Duke Inuarashi, could you at least distract Nekomamushi-sama?"

Enel snorted. "Why should we help you?"

"Hey, show some respect," Kaku muttered. "This is their territory. We're just tourists. No need to make enemies." He then smiled at the zebra Mink. "We could help… but what's in it for us?"

"Huh? What do you want?" the zebra Mink asked, confused.

Kaku rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "We won't make it too hard for you. Cover our accommodation and food expenses until we leave, and we've got a deal."

"Uh… for how long?" Sweat formed on the zebra Mink's forehead.

"Hard to say," Kaku replied, glancing at Takumi. "Captain, what do you think?"

Takumi considered for a moment before giving a conservative estimate. "At least a month."

"A month. You heard him." Kaku turned back to the zebra Mink with a smile. "We're reasonable people. If you agree to this, we'll help immediately."

"A month… this…" The zebra Mink hesitated, but with Nekomamushi's voice drawing closer, he had no choice. Gritting his teeth, he nodded. "Fine, I agree!"

"Deal!" Kaku grinned. "But remember, if you try to trick us, the consequences will be severe."

Without further ado, Kaku rolled up his sleeves and headed toward Inuarashi, who was sleeping soundly on the ground.

The zebra Mink instinctively moved to help, but before he could lift a finger, Kaku grabbed one of Inuarashi's legs and effortlessly dragged him toward the nearby forest.

"Captain, I'll leave this to you," Kaku called back before disappearing into the woods with Inuarashi in tow.

Takumi nodded slightly.

The zebra Mink could only sigh helplessly as he followed, repeatedly whispering, "Please, be gentle! Don't hurt our Duke Inuarashi…"

Takumi and Enel stayed behind.

Soon, a towering figure burst into view—a feline Mink as large as Inuarashi, with golden fur adorned with brown stripes. His massive body was covered in red clothing decorated with ring patterns, and a dense mane surrounded his neck. His face was fierce, with sharp teeth, a pipe in his mouth, and a large fluffy tail. A scar ran across his left eye.

It was none other than Nekomamushi, the other ruler of Zou.

"So, it's you!" Nekomamushi snarled, his voice filled with fury. "You trespassed into the forbidden forest and injured my Musketeer Squad! Don't think I'll let you off lightly!"

Electricity crackled between his claws as he lunged at Takumi and Enel without hesitation.

Enel smirked, ready to fight.

But Takumi, unfazed, calmly looked around and plucked a stalk of foxtail grass from the ground.

As Nekomamushi closed in, Takumi stepped in front of Enel and waved the foxtail grass in front of Nekomamushi's face.

Enel was utterly confused.

Nekomamushi, however, instantly froze. His menacing demeanor vanished as his eyes lit up with excitement.

"Meow! Gimme, gimme, meow!" He reached out like a playful kitten, pawing at the foxtail grass in Takumi's hand.

"Uh… what just happened?" Enel asked, bewildered.

"Cat behavior," Takumi said simply.

As soon as he spoke, Nekomamushi snapped back to his senses.

"Curse you! You tricked me!" He swatted the foxtail grass away, eyes blazing with anger. "You're dead meat!"

He swiped at Takumi with his claws again, but Takumi calmly pulled a ball the size of a melon from his storage space and tossed it in his hand.

Nekomamushi's claws stopped mere inches from Takumi's head.

"Want to play?" Takumi asked with a sly smile.

Nekomamushi hesitated, trying to resist the temptation. But the moment Takumi posed the question, his resolve crumbled.

"Yes! Meow~ I wanna play!" Nekomamushi spun in circles, his face full of anticipation.

With a chuckle, Takumi tossed the ball in the direction Nekomamushi had come from.

Without a second thought, Nekomamushi chased after it with glee.

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