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Ever since returning injured to Zou Island a few years ago, Inuarashi and Nekomamushi had become mutually hostile, cutting off all contact as though they would never have anything to do with each other again until old age.
As the two strongest battle beasts, Nekomamushi stationed himself in Whale Forest, ruling over the night, while Inuarashi naturally took over Mokomo Dukedom and governed the day.
The two kings had avoided each other for years, but today Inuarashi actually came running into Whale Forest, Nekomamushi's own territory. Being woken up on top of that, Nekomamushi's anger meter instantly shot to max.
It was truly a case of enemies meeting with eyes burning red with hatred. Nothing else existed in their sight anymore; they were determined to fight to the death until there was a clear winner.
"Monster Cat! After all these years, you're still as crazed as some monster!"
Inuarashi remained composed, but even he was angered by Nekomamushi's madman-like behavior, slashing out with his sword.
Electric sparks danced across Nekomamushi's trident as it blocked the sword energy, and he roared hoarsely, "You damn mutt, you still dare show your face in front of me?! I say you're the traitor!"
"You're completely unreasonable!"
Inuarashi was furious as well, drawing his sword into combat against Nekomamushi's trident. Lightning burst everywhere as killing intent surged.
For a time, the area around Whale Forest's camp was flooded with flickering flashes of light, bright and dark in rapid succession, terrible for one's eyesight.
The minks of the Heroic Traveler group watched anxiously.
"They really started fighting! What are we supposed to do now?!"
"What kind of grudge do these two kings even have against each other? Why do they have to hate each other like this? Oh no…"
Just as the other minks trembled nervously, a figure suddenly charged between the battling cat and dog. With his left hand, he grabbed Nekomamushi's trident shaft, while with his right, a metal staff blocked Inuarashi's rapier.
The fierce battle came to an abrupt halt.
The minks of the Heroic Traveler group cried out in shock, "He actually stopped those two all by himself?!"
Whether it was Nekomamushi's trident or Inuarashi's rapier, both were firmly blocked by Giorno.
Liam looked eager to fight. "Want to brawl? Go ahead. I don't mind taking you both on, one versus two."
Still breathing slightly heavily from anger, Nekomamushi and Inuarashi glared at each other before lowering their eyes to look at Giorno.
From the side, Robin reminded them, "Gentlemen, there are children watching."
Both Nekomamushi and Inuarashi glanced over.
There stood the little Dog Tribe girl Wanda, her face full of tension and worry, shielding behind her two even younger children, a cat child and a rabbit child.
At last, both men snorted in unison.
Nekomamushi withdrew his trident and sneered. "Enjoy acting arrogant for a few more days, Giorno. The full moon night is coming soon! Nya-ha-ha-ha…"
Inuarashi sheathed his rapier and said gravely, "I didn't come here to fight you, Monster Cat."
"Oh? Sounds to me like you still want to fight, you damn dog!" Nekomamushi's chest rumbled like thunder as he ground his teeth furiously at Inuarashi. "Always acting like you're the calmest one, the clearest-headed one, like you get to play the good guy all by yourself, huh? Come on then, let's keep going!"
Bang!
A dull impact sounded from nearby.
The cat and dog both turned their heads and saw Giorno clashing his pitch-black fists together in front of his chest. Both immediately choked back their words.
This pirate called Giorno was just… way too good at fighting!
For days on end, day and night, he had taken turns sparring against both of them. Even as the strongest battle beasts, they were beginning to feel exhausted, yet this human remained endlessly energetic, throwing himself into battle every time.
Sure, part of it was because he was stronger than the two of them, allowing him to fight more casually each match, but still…
Wasn't this human brat's stamina a little too ridiculous?
Liam blinked in confusion. "Weren't we going to fight? , Ah, it's flaring up again!"
A small flame suddenly ignited on his pitch-black fists.
The Black Battle Armor behind Robin came whizzing over, staring at the firelight on its master's fists as it quickly died out.
"We'll talk about this later," Liam said to it. "It works sometimes and doesn't others. Looks like I'll have to rely on you."
B.I.B. nodded and floated back to Robin's side.
…
"They really called a truce…"
The minks of the Heroic Traveler group whispered among themselves. The two kings of cat and dog had truly suppressed their tempers and stopped fighting.
"This is practically a miracle…"
"It's all thanks to that pirate called Giorno… To actually make the two kings temporarily put aside their hatred, he's incredible, I'm about to cry."
"Actually, isn't it just because he's stronger than both rulers, so once he blocks them, they've got no choice but to call a truce?"
"…Do you really have to put it like that? How mean!"
The subordinates whispered among themselves nearby, but Nekomamushi pretended not to hear them.
After listening to that old dog explain what Jolyne Cujoh had discovered on the island during the daytime over the past few days, he was utterly shocked. After finding an ancient stone engraved with old writing, they had then successively discovered the remains of the Wolf Lord, and even the crest of the Kozuki family!
"It seems this island has a hidden history even we ourselves know nothing about," Nekomamushi said with a solemn expression.
Inuarashi said gravely, "That's why I believe it's necessary to let Jolyne Cujoh know certain things… Otherwise, I really can't shamelessly keep asking her to help us investigate the island."
Robin wanted to say that archaeology and uncovering history were already her own passions, even without them, she would have continued investigating anyway. But since the cat and dog were being this enthusiastic, she naturally let them do as they pleased. She smiled faintly and said nothing.
"That's true enough. Some things should be told when they can be told. One should treat others with sincerity…" Nekomamushi bit down on his pipe, seemingly recalling his former lord, and did not continue. Instead, he said to everyone, "Follow me."
Robin was curious, and together with Liam, along with Wanda, Darcy, and Carrot, followed behind the cat and dog as they headed toward the enormous and peculiar Giant Whale Tree.
Meanwhile, the Heroic Traveler group remained stationed in Whale Forest to continue guarding the area.
…
The entire group walked along the vines entwined around the Giant Whale Tree.
The ancient whale tree was covered in a maze of tangled vines, but the cat and dog had memorized the correct route, steadily advancing toward the Whale Tail section.
Even the youngest rabbit girl, Carrot, was already a qualified warrior, so the group moved at a fairly quick pace. Before long, they followed the two into a hidden cave entrance in the Whale Tail.
"Wow, it's so dark…" Darcy said, peering down into the opening.
With his pipe in his mouth, Nekomamushi said, "It's because of this cave that Whale Forest is so important. Little ones, you must remember that well."
"Mhm, got it, Old Boss Nekomamushi," Wanda nodded seriously, though in truth, she actually wanted to join the Fire Gun squad under the Day King's subordinates, so protecting Whale Forest wasn't really going to be her duty…
"Let's go." Inuarashi stepped into the cave first.
Nekomamushi immediately got annoyed. "This is my turf, so why do you get to go down first?!"
Still bickering noisily, the cat and dog made their way down the moss-covered staircase.
Wanda followed behind with the bouncing Darcy, as well as Carrot, who was copying Darcy and hopping along too.
What exactly was inside?
Robin entered the Whale Tail cave together with Liam.
…
What was inside became obvious at a single glance once they reached the cavern at the bottom of the stairs.
A large square stone sat quietly in front of the stone wall at the end of the cave. Its front surface was carved with neat rows of square-shaped script. Moss had crept up from its base, speaking of the countless years it had remained here, hidden from daylight.
"Poneglyph…" Robin murmured in shock.
This Poneglyph was completely different from any she had seen before.
It was entirely red.
"It seems my guess was correct," Inuarashi said. "Since you can read the ancient script, you really do know what this stone is…"
Robin stared blankly at the red Poneglyph. "Since your people have guarded this Poneglyph for generations, does that mean you know something about stones like this…?"
Nekomamushi bit on his pipe. "Sort of! But, "
"Please tell me." The "skin" on Robin's face began peeling away piece by piece. "Please tell me…"
"...But the main reason we brought you here wasn't actually this stone, wait, what the hell are you doing?! You scared the life out of me, nya! Just talk normally! Why is your face falling apart?!!!"
(End Of This Chapter)