CHAPTER 186- Even the Elephant Must Bow

"Run!"

At that moment, Cat Viper and Dogstorm reached a rare consensus.

Without wasting a single movement or flourish, both of them turned and bolted with everything they had. In that instant, it felt as if they'd broken through their limits once again.

Lightning crackled across their bodies as they became twin streaks of thunder, tearing across the sky like a radiant rainbow.

Wanda, Pedro, and the rest of the Mink Tribe watched this scene unfold in utter disbelief.

They had expected the two kings might make some noble decision in the name of justice.But they never imagined… when it came time to run, they'd do it so thoroughly.

Those thoughts had barely flashed across their minds when the next moment utterly shattered them.

Buzz!

With a single slash, the world seemed to freeze in time—then shattered.

A wave of crimson light dyed the heavens and earth in blood.

One slash!

And the very fabric of the world trembled.

Wherever it passed, the space itself cracked and groaned, unable to withstand the pressure. Shattering sounds echoed as a massive rift, like a spider's web, spread across the sky.

Before everyone's eyes, a thousand-meter slash carved across the air.

Violent gales surged in its wake.

The devastating energy coursing through the strike struck straight into the soul—like the end of the world had arrived.

Caught in its path, Cat Viper and Dogstorm suddenly felt the chilling embrace of death itself.

"Get down, now!!"Cat Viper roared in desperation.

His primal instincts screamed at him, and both he and Dogstorm instantly pressed each other's heads to the ground, diving face-first into the earth.

Bang!

Their skulls slammed into the ground hard.

At full speed, the two kings skidded across the plaza—face first—until they slammed directly into a massive stone statue.

The pain jolted them awake.

Blinking hurriedly, they looked up toward the heavens—

Just in time to see the thousand-meter slash streaking past the tops of their heads.

Everything in its path—trees, buildings—was sliced cleanly in two like paper.

But what truly made their faces go pale…

Was that the final obstacle in the slash's trajectory…

…was none other than Zunesha's head.

For hundreds of years, the great elephant had maintained the same posture, its very skull fused with the Mokomo Dukedom.

And now—faced with this apocalyptic slash from Luo Yu—

Everyone, from Cat Viper and Dogstorm to Wanda and the other minks, realized the same terrifying truth:

Could Zunesha withstand it?

As the strike drew closer, everyone's hearts leapt into their throats.

But before anyone could speak—

Their eyes went wide.

RUMBLE!!

Thunderous roars echoed through the heavens.

Zunesha, the mighty elephant, moved.

Its massive head—like a living mountain—suddenly dipped.

And in front of thousands of stunned onlookers, the colossal beast ducked just before the slash could reach it.

The blood-red blade of energy skimmed the top of its head and shot off into the distance.

BOOM!!

The resulting shockwave was like a hurricane—no, like a twelfth-level typhoon—sweeping through every corner of the land.

Inside Zou, everyone felt the world itself tremble.

The dust and gales howled like monsters. For a long while, no one could stand firm.

When they finally managed to regain their footing and look toward the sky—

The ever-present fog that always accompanied Zunesha was completely gone.

Even the oppressive, storm-laden clouds above had been blown away.

The elephant, which had just ducked to avoid the strike, slowly lifted its head again.

Were they seeing things?

If they hadn't witnessed it with their own eyes, no one would have believed it:

That slash had been so terrifying…

Even Zunesha had to dodge!

Recalling how quickly their two kings had turned tail and fled…

At this moment, everyone—from Wanda to Pedro—suddenly felt their kings were unexpectedly wise.

If even Zunesha had to bow before such power…

How could they, mere minks, possibly stand against it?

The weight of this truth settled on them, and as their people looked on with understanding rather than judgment, Cat Viper and Dogstorm's taut muscles finally relaxed.

They had been agonizing over how to explain their retreat.

Now?

It was completely justified.

But even so, the image of Luo Yu's terrifying slash lingered in their minds.

That one moment of pure death…

Was even more terrifying than their legendary battle against Kaido decades ago.

And if Luo Yu was right—if the Marines truly intended to declare war on two Yonko…

Then perhaps this wasn't just a chance to choose sides.

Perhaps…

This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to strike back at the Beast Pirates, to avenge Kozuki Oden, and to open Wano Country's borders!

If that was the case…

Why wait for some "chosen heir"?

Why wait for a prophecy?

At that moment, Cat Viper and Dogstorm once again reached a rare consensus.

For the first time in decades, they had no disagreement.

With a swift leap, they rushed in front of Luo Yu and knelt simultaneously.

"I, Inuarashi, Day King of the Mokomo Dukedom, willingly accept the summons of the Marine Headquarters, and pledge myself as a special combat force. I ask Admiral Luo Yu to permit it!"

"I, Nekomamushi, Night King of the Mokomo Dukedom, willingly accept the summons of the Marine Headquarters, and pledge myself as a special combat force. I ask Admiral Luo Yu to permit it!"

"To help the Marines crush the Beasts Pirates, we are willing to gamble the entire Mokomo Dukedom and fight under Admiral Luo Yu!"

Their thunderous declaration shook the sky, echoing far and wide.

Wanda, Pedro, and the rest of the Mink Tribe already understood the weight of this vow.

Faced with a decision that might cost them their lives—and their entire homeland—

None of the minks hesitated.

One by one, they dropped to their knees.

No—more accurately, from all directions, minks came flooding in from the streets, hills, and forests, assembling on the plaza.

Thousands, then tens of thousands, knelt.

A deafening chorus rose to the heavens—

"Fight!!"

"Fight! Fight!!"

A tidal wave of war cries filled the skies.

Luo Yu looked around, momentarily stunned by the sheer scale of the response.He had not expected this level of enthusiasm.

Beside him, Dol was equally shocked and couldn't help blurting out:

"Admiral Luo Yu, don't tell me… this was part of your plan from the beginning?"

"The Mink Tribe's strength is extraordinary. If we bring them along, they'll be a force to be reckoned with!"

Luo Yu took a light sip of his rustic liquor, glanced sideways at Dol, and replied casually:

"Of course I'm bringing them along.Have you ever seen me turn down a bonus?"

"But the Fleet Admiral better pay extra."