Back together

Cat Viper's eyes turned coldly towards the occupied city area which has a large amount of Minks within. "There is still no clue to tie those to the previous events. They have been very careful not to expose themselves but how long can it last-nya~?"

He then nudged Pixel with his food and yelled. "Hey kid get up! I know you have been awake for a couple of seconds now. You must have used your Haki to protect yourself enough to prevent you from being knocked out for long. So scary plotting to catch your master off guard-nya~."

Pixel suddenly jumped to her feet and dusted off the dirt from her clothes with a look of caution in her eyes. "Sneaky cat, I will defeat you."

Cat Viper's eyes turned playful as he laughed. "Maybe you will but first you must overcome the other cats.. if you know what I mean-nya~"

Pixel stood in place and looked up towards the clear blue sky as night had come to an end. "So it is that time huh.."

Cat Viper nodded. "Good luck with all that family nonsense. While I do have confidence in how you will handle it, I cannot help but worry about you. This is something that even the Musketeers and the Night Guards have no authority in-nya~."

While the Musketeers and Night Guards do have a large amount of power, there sphere of control connect be outstretched towards the noble families and interfere with the development of Zou.

Their roles are as protectors so they cannot interfere in the noble family squabbles unless there is enough cause for them to do so like an event that involves the safety of Zou or illegal activities.

Since Pixel, Ash, Harley, Misty, Old Swifty and Liquorice rarely had time to spend within the Meridian family home due to them being so busy, there was little opportunity for others with bad intentions to act against them.

Even Rufus the head of the family rarely had the opportunity to spend time with Pixel and see how she was progressing so how could others who rarely met her possibly have the chance to do so.

Pixel jumped up to hug her master and then left. "Garchu! I will see you again master."

Cat Viper looked at her departing back and sighed. "She acts tough all the time but she does have a warm heart. I just hope that that family does not ruin her."

He was well aware of the many power struggles and plots since he had experienced them in Wano so he couldn't help but worry about those things changing Pixel as a person.

He then shook his head. "No.. she has lived in a family like that for so long and still turned out well by the time we first met so there is no need to worry-nya~."

He was not too fond of the many rules and the strictness involved in the noble families and it could partly be attributed towards why he and Dogstorm chose to leave and go on an adventure rather than remain in Zou and carry out their duties.

After being indebted to Oden, his fate had already been sealed and there was little room left in his life for anything but his duty to Zou and the dream of Wano being freed from Kaido's clutches.

With his many loyal followers that he had gained within Zou over the years along with his new apprentice, he saw that his dreams may not be so impossible but he also did not wish to put those he cared for in danger for those dreams to come true.

It was an impossible choice to choose between what could be and what he already has.

If he chooses to pursue his dream then many lives may be lost but if he chooses to maintain what he has, he would have to give up on his dream and leave his other friends to fight without the support they need.

He had spent a long time dwelling on that problem over the years and with the addition of Pixel to care and worry about, he was starting to feel even more doubtful if he could really go through with an attack on Wano when the time was right.

Back at the Meridian family home, Pixel was surrounded by many faces that she had rarely got to see over the time spent in training and carrying out the duties of the Night Guards. "It is good to see you all together again."

Ash knelt down and hugged her daughter. "Garchu! My daughter just keeps getting cuter… ahem.. I mean prettier!"

Pixel puffed her cheeks and complained. "Mom, how many times have I told you to stop calling me cute!"

Although Pixel had grown a little more, her body shape had shown little change even after she had had been training in a stricter and harsher environment which showed how unusual her physique was.

It was like her small body had a powerful force contained and hidden within it so many would greatly underestimate her upon first meeting.

Many had made that mistake as their first impression was that she was a petite and cute little mouse Mink.

Many of the Night Guards later found out the harsh way that she could not be so easily underestimated as she started to climb up the rankings throughout the time spent there with her own power, tactics and techniques while she had went on to challenge the Haki users and showed frightening improvement in that area.

While remarks were often made about her cuteness to tease her, everyone in the Night Guards no longer underestimated her and instead greatly respected her strength.

Harley had grown a little taller and curvier as she had become very beautiful, a sword was hanging at her waist and she had become much taller than Pixel even though they had previously been a similar height. "It is good to see you again Pixel."

Old Swifty nudged her in the side and scolded. "Did you forget? Call her young miss or young lady, you are now back in the family grounds."

Harley blushed a little out of shame and then corrected herself. "Hello young lady."

Pixel shrugged calmly. "No need to be so stiff with the formalities. You only need to use such things in front of others, when we are alone.. I hope that you can speak to me as you have just now."

Harley revealed a small smile and nodded happily. "Okay!"

Old Swifty rolled his eyes and went back to his wood carving while the others started to get reacquainted with each other and go over their thoughts on the future events.