Chapter 187: Invitation From Wano

"Even if you don't tell me," Judge grumbled, "I wouldn't go near him!"

Sanji held no interest for him anymore. In the original story, Judge only sought out Sanji for a marriage alliance with Big Mom. Now that Big Mom was gone, the marriage was obviously null and void. What use did he have for Sanji now? The man practically wished he never had that son.

"Exactly why I couldn't stay in that house any longer," Reiju said with a shake of her head. The meager family affection wasn't enough to keep her there.

After seeing Judge and his sons off, Reiju completed the entry process and joined Domino as her deputy. Domino's duties were mostly civilian-related, and her combat prowess wasn't very impressive.

After Germa 66's departure, there was no announcement from Impel Down, nor did any news outlets pick up the story.

In the past, whenever a new affiliated nation joined Impel Down, Morgans of the World Economy Newspaper would spread the news far and wide. This time, however, there was complete silence. Most importantly, the other women Luo Ning had brought in held no official positions within Impel Down; they could be seen more as attendants.

But here was Vinsmoke Reiju, a certified Impel Down employee.

This secrecy fueled speculation. Did Reiju not catch Luo Ning's eye? Was she simply not attractive enough? Theories abounded, but no one grasped the critical truth. After all, Luo Ning's susceptibility to beauty was the only weakness they could perceive, the sole chink in his armor they could exploit. Naturally, they latched onto it with fervor.

Regardless of their conjectures, Luo Ning had received a communication from Wano Country. Originally, Kozuki Hiyori had expressed a desire to leave with him. After all, what woman wouldn't be drawn to a hero, especially one whose strength and appearance grew in tandem?

Hiyori's affection for Luo Ning was undeniable. Rumors even swirled that she had pledged herself to him before he aided Wano. While unsubstantiated, the constant whispers led many within Wano to believe them as truth.

Kozuki Hiyori, a capable figure, seemed like a perfect match in their eyes, and they relentlessly lobbied her. With her existing feelings for Luo Ning, she was practically his already.

However, the extensive reconstruction efforts in Wano necessitated her presence. As a general, she couldn't abandon her duties until everything settled.

Luo Ning's call from Hiyori had a simple purpose. She planned to travel to Zou, a nation that had long maintained a strong alliance with Wano. Nekomamushi and Inuarashi, the current leaders, were both former retainers of the Kozuki family. Even Zunesha, the giant elephant, listened to the Kozuki's command.

Thanks to a genetic quirk inherited from his father, the trash Momonosuke, much like Luffy, could now hear Zunesha's voice.

Kozuki Hiyori's planned visit to Zou made perfect sense. Wano and Zou had always been close allies, and with Wano's crisis abated, a visit to report their safety was appropriate. Additionally, she considered Luo Ning and his crew, wanting to extend an invitation. After all, Luo Ning was undeniably the key figure in Wano's salvation, and the nation was now under his protection.

Furthermore, rumors painted Zou as a remarkable place, and Hiyori, with a touch of personal interest, proposed that Luo Ning accompany them.

Luo Ning readily agreed. A trip to Zou, the territory of the Mink Tribe, held great appeal. It was also home to Zunesha, the largest creature in the world (at least what was shown so far), dwarfing even the mightiest Sea Kings. The sheer size of Zunesha was awe-inspiring. For an entity like a Yonko, defeating Zunesha might be a stretch, but the colossal elephant could undoubtedly devastate any territory it wandered into. Even escape and slaying Zunesha wouldn't be a true victory, as the destruction would already be done.

Zunesha's immense size translated to terrifying physical strength. Jack, a formidable fighter in his own right, had been crushed in a single encounter. If not for his physiology, Jack wouldn't have survived.

The reason for Zunesha debilitating injuries stemmed entirely from his stubborn insistence on receiving orders. He refused to fight back, prioritizing Momonosuke's command. Even when attacked, his counterattacks were contingent on his master's instructions. It was a level of blind obedience that bordered on self-destruction.

"Zou? Isn't that the legendary island?"

News of the destination sparked excitement in everyone, especially Robin. The allure of historical texts and ancient knowledge grew stronger with age, and Zou undoubtedly fit that description. While rumors swirled about the island, their knowledge was limited, much like the outside world's understanding of Wano's internal affairs.

"Since everyone's interested," Luo Ning declared, "let's make Zou our next stop! But first, we need to pick up some pace."

He instructed everyone to prepare for departure, their next stop being Wano Country to reunite with Kozuki Hiyori and her companions before setting sail for Zou.

Zou resonated with Luo Ning. He admired their unwavering loyalty, a loyalty so absolute that they'd risk their entire race for a single life. While their actions might appear foolish on the surface, the absence of a single traitor within their ranks spoke volumes about their inherent goodness.

He held a favorable view of the Mink Tribe. Their decision was sound; Jack and his crew were unreasonable. Even if the Minks had surrendered their people, the pirates wouldn't have stopped there. Most of Kaido's followers mirrored his brutality, and the Minks' own struggle with internal conflict further frustrated Luo Ning. In the face of a common enemy, wouldn't uniting against Jack have been the logical response? Why waste lives on internal squabbles when their survival was at stake? The Minks' internal conflicts were a major point of contention for him. When faced with life and death, what could be more crucial than banding together? Taking down Jack wouldn't have been a challenge if they had presented a united front.