Whale Forest.
The sacred ground of the Mink Tribe.
Beneath the crimson glow of the setting sun, the snowy-white whale tree looked as if it had been brought back to life.
Atop the great whale lay an ancient, massive withered tree—concealing a secret of world-shaking importance.
One of the four special red Poneglyphs—the Road Poneglyphs.
It was regarded as a holy relic by the Mink Tribe.
This forest was guarded by the King of the Night, Nekomamushi, and his elite Guardians.
Any intruder daring to enter would be instantly met with overwhelming force from these powerful warriors.
As day transitioned into night—
Within a certain part of the forest, atop the withered tree...
The Guardian Commander, the jaguar Mink Pedro, scanned the surroundings, suddenly alert.
He swiftly signaled toward the deeper forest.
"What is it?"
"Pedro-nii, did something happen?!"
The water buffalo Mink Roddy and the gorilla Mink Black Back appeared silently from the shadows.
The three elite warriors stared intently toward the distant trees.
Whoosh!
A sharp gust of wind sliced through the forest.
A white blur, lightning-fast, dashed past them.
"That's...!"
"That's Kingsbird! That little rascal—!"
Roddy and Black Back called out in confusion.
"Carrot."
Pedro immediately recognized her.
A second later—
Before he could say a word—
That snowy-white figure threw herself into his chest.
"Pedro—sob—this is wonderful, it's really, really wonderful to see you again—sob sob sob~"
Carrot sobbed uncontrollably.
Tears streamed down her fluffy cheeks, forming a chain of droplets.
Seeing her cry like that stunned Roddy and Black Back into silence.
"Pedro-nii..."
"We never would've thought... you and Carrot would..."
"What nonsense are you two spouting?!"
Pedro shot them a sharp glare.
Though the dog and cat kings of the Mink Tribe were constantly at odds, always ready to brawl on sight—
The other Minks, such as Pedro's Guardians and Shishilian's Musketeers, were like family.
Even though Carrot belonged to the Kingsbird Squad under Duke Inuarashi, her bond with Pedro was deep.
One could even say Pedro had been like a mentor to her.
"What's going on, Carrot? You've grown so much just in a day!"
Pedro gently patted her head and comforted her with a soft voice.
"Sob... Pedro, ever since I came to this place, I've been hoping to see you again... always... always…"
Carrot held onto him tightly, unwilling to let go—
Afraid that if she did, he might vanish again.
Seeing this—
Even Pedro was at a loss.
He remembered her as a cheerful child.
But also a shy young girl.
Yet now...
Could it be… this little bunny has feelings for an old guy like me? Pedro couldn't help but wonder.
He quickly shook his head.
---
"Pedro-nii, someone else is coming!"
Suddenly, Roddy's voice turned wary.
Not long after Carrot's arrival—
More rustling came from deep within the forest.
"That's—!"
When the newcomer came into view, Black Back's massive frame stiffened in shock.
"Duke Inuarashi?! Why is he here?!"
As the Guardian squad gasped in disbelief—
Inuarashi from two years later stepped into view.
"Duke! The sun's almost down. It's nearly Nekomamushi-sama's time. What are you doing here?!"
Roddy cried out.
"If the Master sees you now, there will be serious trouble...!"
"No problem," Inuarashi interrupted calmly.
"I'll wait for him right here."
With that—
Inuarashi from two years in the future sat cross-legged beneath the ancient tree.
At that moment—
"Meow~!"
A spine-chilling feline howl echoed through the darkening woods.
Pedro and the Guardians' expressions changed.
They knew—there was no stopping it now.
The two kings were about to meet.
"Inuarashi, it's my time now. This is my Whale Forest."
The night glowed dimly as two lantern-like eyes lit up from the shadows.
The burly figure of Nekomamushi stepped forward from the darkness.
"If you dare stroll in so boldly... then you must be ready to face the consequences!"
He glared down at the seated Inuarashi.
The tension crackled.
Then—
Just like Inuarashi did at the palace two years prior—
This younger Nekomamushi sensed something was off about the man before him.
"Old dog... what happened to your leg?"
he barked.
It was only then that Pedro and the others noticed—
Inuarashi's left leg was missing.
In its place was a prosthetic blade-leg.
"Don't be alarmed. Sit down—we need to talk. What I'm about to say may be far beyond what you can imagine."
Two-years-later Inuarashi's tone was heavy.
Pedro and the others expected the unpredictable Nekomamushi to explode in anger—
But surprisingly, this time...
He sat down.
Then Inuarashi began explaining.
And as he did, the entire worldview of those present was shattered.
---
"You're saying you're not our Inuarashi, but from two years in the future?!"
Roddy and Black Back shouted in unison.
"Carrot… could it be that you…?"
Pedro turned to the little rabbit still clinging to him.
"Mm-hmm."
Carrot nodded solemnly.
"And two years from now... what about me...?"
"Two years from now… Pedro... you... sob"
Recalling Pedro's heroic sacrifice to protect them, Carrot broke down again.
---
"So that's your story, old dog?!"
Younger Nekomamushi narrowed his eyes.
"You barge into my domain—and then spin the most ridiculous fantasy! You think I'd believe such nonsense?!"
His voice grew fierce.
"If you won't back down... then go die!"
A glint of murder flashed in Nekomamushi's eyes.
He bared his claws, ready to carve deep marks into Inuarashi's face.
But—
Inuarashi didn't flinch.
"We will save Wano together in two years—fulfilling Lord Oden's will!"
he said calmly.
Just as Nekomamushi's claws came within inches of Inuarashi's face—
He stopped.
"What did you say just now? Are you being serious?!"
he asked, stunned.
"If you want to know everything, come with me."
Future Inuarashi stood slowly—
And walked toward the designated rendezvous point.