Journey to One Piece

323. Calm down, let me eat

As the mysterious island of Zou came into view on the horizon, the crew gathered on the deck to catch a glimpse of the enigmatic landmass. They had heard a lot about it, and seeing it in reality was a different sensation altogether.

Luffy, with his trademark grin, exclaimed, "Hey, look at that! The island has legs!" pointing excitedly at the massive elephant's legs that stretched into the sky.

"Is that an island or a giant animal?" Nami wondered.

"Imagine the creatures we'll find on an island that's also a living creature! I can already see the headlines: 'Usopp the Brave Tamer of Zou Beasts!'" Ussop had already started imagining things. Honestly speaking, everyone was blown away as they saw Zou for the first time, even Ken.

"An island that's alive! This is incredible! I need to examine it!" Chopper let his intrusive thoughts come out unfiltered.

"Another weird island, huh? Well, as long as there's a good place to train, I'm fine with it," Zoro said as he slowly got up.

"Jimbei, take us high," Ken announced.

"Yokai," Jimbei shouted, and soon the ship was in the air, gaining altitude fast. Since there was no Kanjuro, there was no horribly drawn flying serpent, which brought tears to Robin, Ussop, and Luffy. They were flying in style!

As the ship was slowly gaining altitude, Ken looked at the elephant that had been just walking. He felt pity and thus just jumped from the ship and came close to the front legs of Zunesha.

"Oye Ken, what are you doing? We are going up," Luffy shouted. The other Straw Hat members were also confused about why Ken just came close to the elephant and touched the leg of it. Ken didn't reply and just felt the sensation coursing through Zunesha.

He could easily tell that this thing was alive.

"Zunesha... I don't know what your purpose is... Hope you find peace. I hope the wait for him has come to and end for you because Joyboy is here," Ken murmured, and after a minute-long silence, he vanished and was back at the ship.

"Oye Ken, what did you do there?" Luffy asked.

"Me? Nothing. Just wanted to check something," Ken replied.

They didn't ask, but Robin looked at Ken differently. She slowly came towards Ken and asked, "What did you talk with him?" Robin asked.

"You heard me. So you already know," Ken replied, as he had seen the ear grow on the side of the place he had touched Zunesha. Robin smiled in response and said, "Yes, but you have never mentioned that word until now. So how is it related to this elephant?" Robin asked.

"Like you, I also have no idea. The only thing I can tell is that this elephant or whatever this is goes by the name Zunesha, and he had some sort of pact or agreement with Joyboy thousands of years ago, and right now only one person can direct his movement and actions."

"Luffy can do that?" Robin was surprised.

"No. You are wrong. Momo can direct his actions," Ken replied.

"What?" Robin was really surprised now, as she didn't expect that Zunesha, who had contact with the previous Joyboy, could hear orders from Momonsouke. This really made no sense.

"Don't look at me like that. I also have no idea what is going on. I only saw some glimpses, and I am as confused as you are," Ken replied.

"Then I need to explore this island above more," Robin said.

"Yes, there is a Red Poneglyph here."

"Red?" Robin again was confused.

"You didn't think reaching Laughtale was that easy, right?" Ken asked.

"Uh, don't we have to just follow the pointer?" Robin asked.

"Don't you think everyone would have reached Laughtale if the Log Pose pointed to Laughtale? Don't worry; everything will be explained. Reaching the last island means we need to fight the Yonkos, and there is a reason for that," Ken said, being mysterious.

Robin wanted to know, but she knew how to have patience. Soon, they arrived at the entrance of the island, and there was a huge gate being built. The ship docked, and the Straw Hats eagerly disembarked, stepping onto the lush and vibrant landscape of Zou. Since the ship was huge, they had to find a place for docking the ship. But as the ship docked, they heard several murmurs coming from outside.

As they came to the side of the deck, they saw people never before seen by anyone among the Straw Hats. The Minks. Of course, Jimbei had met them before, but he didn't have that much of a connection with them.

"So these are the so-called Minks. They look like someone who had eaten a Zoan fruit," Robin said.

"Right? Oye Chopper, these are your friends."

"Shut up. I am an animal; they are a race. We are not the same."

"This looks like fun," Luffy said, and without any warning, he jumped right off the ship towards them. He didn't even notice that these Minks weren't exactly happy to see such a huge ship, and there was quite the uproar.

The moment Luffy dropped on the ground, he was surrounded by Minks who looked like they were ready to 'shoot' him down. Two men who were Jaguar Mink and a Bull Mink approached, while the other Minks took steps back. Both of these Minks were jacked and buffed, and looked very intimidating.

"Invader, you have one minute to tell us who you are and how did you bring such a sea-sailing ship high up in the air? Do you have any connection with Lion Shiki? Tell us the truth, and I will spare your and your crew's lives," the Jaguar Mink said. Luffy, who was ready to run around and see this place, had a question mark on his forehead.

Not because he didn't understand the question, but because it was too many questions at a time, and he couldn't process so much in a second.

"What are you talking about? I just came here. Tra-o said that he has his friends here," Luffy said.