Luffy, how can you become the Pirate King if you don't work hard!

The Whitebeard Pirates didn't seem to care much about this matter; Luffy had asked before, and Whitebeard didn't have any.

"If I'm not mistaken, you're currently collecting historical texts of road signs."

Seeing Luffy's reaction, Nekomamushi said, "Besides the Poneglyph in Zou, we also know the whereabouts of the two Red Road Poneglyphs."

Inuarashi glanced at Nekomamushi as if sensing something.

It seems I know what he's planning to do.

Usopp exclaimed excitedly, "Does that mean we're only one step away from Laugh Tale?"

No one should be able to hear this news without getting excited.

As they spoke, the group had already reached the entrance to the Whale Forest.

This is a peculiar forest composed of enormous trees, the shapes of which resemble whales. One tree stands tall amidst the clouds, like a pod of giant whales swimming in the clouds.

Moonlight filtered through the gaps in the branches and leaves, casting dappled shadows on the ground and making the entire forest look both sacred and mysterious.

"This is it, the sacred ground of our Mink Tribe." The leader of the Cat Viper tribe stopped, his gaze complex.

Luffy looked up at the giant, whale-shaped trees and his eyes lit up: "So cool!"

"This area is off-limits to outsiders."

Duke Inuarashi said in a deep voice, then looked at Luffy, "But you are an exception. Since Lord Zunesha has recognized you, you are the most honored guest of our Mink Tribe."

Carrot looked around curiously: "This is my first time here."

"Ordinary fur-bearers are not qualified to enter either."

Pedro glanced at her. "You only have this opportunity today because of you, Lord Luffy."

Carrot stuck out her tongue and couldn't help looking around.

The group entered the forest, where the ground beneath their feet was covered in soft moss, feeling like walking on a thick carpet.

The air was filled with the faint fragrance of grass and trees, and the occasional birdsong came from afar, making the forest seem even more tranquil.

After walking for about ten minutes, they entered the underground area and saw a wide-open space.

In the center of the open space stood a huge square stone tablet.

The stone tablet was dark red all over, with a smooth, mirror-like surface. It was covered with densely packed ancient characters, and when the moonlight shone on the tablet, the characters seemed to come alive.

Robin's breathing quickened slightly. "This is the first time I've ever seen a Poneglyph like this."

She strode forward, reached out and gently stroked the surface of the stone tablet, feeling the information conveyed by the ancient characters with her fingertips.

Luffy leaned closer to take a look. "Oh, so this is a Road Poneglyph? It looks no different from a regular Poneglyph."

It looks like the only difference is the color.

“It’s different,” Robin said, shaking her head.

There are four pieces of this red historical text. Only by collecting them all can you find the location of the final island, Laugh Tale.

The history of this world is hidden there. Roger and his party already knew this when they talked with Rayleigh in the Sabaody Archipelago, and they got the answers they wanted after arriving in Laugh Tale.

And Luffy and his crew will definitely be going there too.

Usopp asked, "So, have we found one now?"

"Yes, all you need to do is make a rubbing."

Robin nodded, then looked at the Cat Viper boss, "You just said that you know the whereabouts of the other two pieces?"

The leader of the cat vipers nodded, his massive body settling down beside the stone tablet, his gaze becoming distant.

"Yes."

He glanced at Duke Inuarashi, and the two exchanged a look, seemingly confirming something.

Finally, it was the Cat Viper boss who spoke up.

"The other two red road signs are in the hands of the Four Emperors."

The leader of the cat vipers nodded at Pedro.

Pedro then said, "One of the red Road Poneglyphs is in the hands of the Big Mom Pirates. I tried to steal it from Whole Cake Island five years ago, but I failed."

One sentence made everyone turn their heads.

To steal the historical text from the Sea Emperor?

This guy is a true warrior.

And the fact that he came back alive is truly a miracle.

Pedro remained silent; he had paid a considerable price to be able to return.

He lost his left eye, his companion's life, and his lifespan!

Nekomamushi continued, "There's another piece in Kaido's hands."

Luffy wasn't surprised.

As expected, to become the Pirate King, one must confront the Four Emperors head-on and seize the Poneglyphs from their possession.

Duke Inuarashi said in a low voice, "The Poneglyph that originally belonged to the Kozuki clan fell into Kaido's hands after our lord was defeated by Kaido."

"Guangyue clan?"

Robin asked, "Is it the Kozuki clan that can carve the Poneglyphs?"

Luffy looked over, and Robin explained.

The Kozuki clan are the rulers of Wano Country, and like the scholars of Ohara, they possess the ability to decipher ancient scripts.

However, after Kaido invaded Wano Country, it seems that the Kozuki clan, like the scholars of Ohara, were all killed.

"Yes."

Duke Inuarashi nodded. "The Kozuki family has been stonemasons for generations, possessing the ability to decipher and carve the Poneglyphs. Our former lord, Kozuki Oden, was the heir of the Kozuki family."

The Cat Viper boss and Duke Inuarashi exchanged a glance and began to recount that long-forgotten story.

That was more than twenty years ago. Kozuki Oden, the daimyo of Kuri in Wano Country, was a man destined for greatness from birth. He possessed immense strength and a broad mind, and longed to see the world beyond Wano Country.

Later, they encountered the Whitebeard Pirates.

"Lord Oden boarded Whitebeard's ship and became a member of the Whitebeard Pirates, serving as the second division commander."

The cat viper said, "We were young then, and we went aboard the ship with Lord Oden."

White beard?

Luffy was surprised to find that the two people in front of him were actually members of the Whitebeard Pirates, and even the former second division commander of Ace's crew.

Duke Inuarashi said, "Lord Oden sailed with Whitebeard for many years, and during that time he developed a deep friendship with Whitebeard."

"Later, the Roger Pirates appeared."

Nekomamushi continued, "Roger wanted to complete the voyage of the Grand Line, but he needed Oden's ability to decipher the Poneglyphs. So Roger asked Whitebeard if Oden could temporarily join his pirate crew."

Having been on the Whitebeard Pirates' ship and even sailing with the Pirate King, he certainly has a legendary air about him.

Afterwards, he followed the Roger Pirates and completed the voyage of the Grand Line, reaching the final island, Laugh Tale.

Luffy asked, "You guys arrived too?"

Unexpectedly, besides Rayleigh and his group, there are other people in this world who have reached the final island.

Cat Viper and Inuarashi shook their heads.

They stayed in Wano Country for some reason and did not go to Laugh Tale.

After the Roger Pirates disbanded, they followed Oden back to Wano Country, but by then Wano Country was already under the control of Kaido of the Beasts and Orochi.

"Lord Oden attempted to reclaim Wano Country."

Duke Inuarashi clenched his fist. "He challenged Kaido but failed. Lord Oden was killed by Kaido and Orochi, and the red Road Poneglyphs he left behind also fell into Kaido's hands."

There are reasons why Inuarashi and Nekomamushi went from being close allies to now disliking each other.

Luffy asked, "So you want revenge?"

"revenge?"

The leader of the Nekomamushi gang gave a bitter smile. "Of course we want revenge. But we are far from strong enough. We can't even defeat the three calamities under Kaido, let alone Kaido himself."

Inuarashi chimed in, "So our Mink Tribe wants to form an alliance with your Straw Hat Pirates."

An alliance?

This surprised everyone.

Nekomamushi and the others also knew that Luffy had defeated Kaido, which gave them hope for the first time that their wish could be fulfilled.

"You need the Poneglyphs in Kaido's possession. If that's the case, then war is bound to break out. Although you have defeated Kaido, Wano Country still has a considerable number of troops."

Inuarashi was not exaggerating.

Wano Country has been turned into a giant war machine by Kaido, and his subordinates are all war weapons who have eaten artificial Devil Fruits.

Everyone's eyes involuntarily turned to Luffy.

"An alliance to defeat Kaido?"

Luffy grinned and said, "It's all a matter for friends, so naturally I have no choice but to take responsibility."

"Don't worry, it's just Kaido. I've already fought that dragon once. Even if this is a full-scale war, our numbers won't be small."

"this,"

Nekomamushi was stunned, not expecting Luffy to agree so readily, without even making any demands.

He said excitedly, "We've been waiting, waiting for someone who can lead us to fulfill Lord Oden's last wish, and finally, we've found you."

"What was Lord Oden's last wish?" Robin asked.

"Found the nation!"

Duke Inuarashi said in a deep voice, "Let Wano Country open its doors and welcome the dawn of the world."

"That's exactly what you wished for."

Luffy glanced at Amaterasu, who was deep in thought not far away.