Development

The capturing of the traitor, the intruders and those connected to them was just a prelude to those that had bared their fangs towards Zou but like a skilled predator, they remained hidden and did not reveal themselves until it was the right time to strike.

It was the same for those who were behind the movements of the traitor, there was no evidence of their involvement and even if some families seemed suspicious, there was not much that Cat Viper could do about it unless he chose to make an enemy out of all the families and ordered a search through each of their households.

The backlash from such a decision would be high and there may not even be any proof gained from such an action if the opponents were careful enough.

Everyone was slowly adjusting to their new lives and there was not another spotted intruder on Zou since then but Pixel had been able to claim a couple of things from the ship that had been confiscated so she was very happy.

It had also prompted her to think about gaining a ship of her own so she had requested for a sturdy one to be built with the profits she gained from the two businesses that she had.

The clothing and accessories were selling and bringing a large amount if profits so she had invested more into other stores and tailors who had enough skill to help her keep up with the rising demand.

The tavern was selling many of her deserts and her mother's recipes but she was not satisfied as she had started to invest more in various herb and plant gardens.

A small store had been purchased by the tavern which had become a drink, sweet and desert shop that sells all kinds if different things from readymade things for the Minks to sit down and enjoy to different types of things that they could take home.

Jars of jam with a variety of different flavours, fruit drinks, tea, coffee, sweets, cake, chocolate and biscuits were all available and that was not the end as she kept on expanding her ideas as she added to the menu.

With the tavern next door, they were able to make use of the fridge, freezer and cooker that had been installed so that the goods would be prepared before the opening time and have some ready once they had sold out while others would be stored away after hours to prevent spoiling.

There would occasionally be special orders for custom made cakes but they needed to be made by the more experienced chef or pastier so when Pixel was free, she found it as a chance to improve her skills or at least not forget what she had already learnt.

Anyone with a liking for sweets or just liked the atmosphere would bring their friends to join them as they would sit and enjoy their food and drink while some larger parties hosted by nobles would have some of the treats sitting out in the open.

Some noble children and even some adults had dressed up in clothing and accessories from her store that were slightly smarter and more fashionable as Pixel was slowly making a big impact on Zou.

Some older noble Minks had even purchased a monocle and a fashionable cane to go with their smart suit while the ladies were dressed in very beautiful dresses.

Each of them were designed for many types of Minks so they had different alterations to allow them to move around freely without discomfort but there were also places that had been altered to allow a place for their tails and other body parts that may need to be outside their clothing while not making the clothing overly revealing or less elegant for the nobles.

She was creating great change within Zou with her fashion and pastier skills so her personal wealth was rising as her name was slowly on the rise.

For her grandfather's birthday, she had a prototype of a fashionable pocket watch commissioned by the young geniuses of the marquess family that had recently made a name for himself but she never got to meet him even though they had happily accepted the request.

She had a cane and a pair of reading glasses prepared for Rufus along with the pocket watch because she knew that her grandfather was very strict on himself and was getting older.

The reading glasses were because he was reading documents often and constantly working so he needed to care mire about his sight, the cane was to help him getting up from his seat or when standing around for a long time while the pocket watch was to help him manage his time and allow him to keep his appointments.

Although Minks usually have a healthy body and do not really deteriorate much in their old age, Pixel still cared about the health of the old man who had helped her.

Clashing sounds happened one after another within the forest as a large cat was seen leaping around with great dexterity and grace.

Each movement was done with little effort and wasted very little energy while a smaller figure was chasing after him.

The small fist tightened and then pushed forward as it was coated in a strange black layer. "Aura Armour Fist!"

The cat let out a 'tsk' and then said. "Kid, I keep telling you. Call it armed or armament fist, it suits it better-nya~."

He then pushed out his paw and they clashed against each other while Pixel was pushed back. "It does not make a difference! By the way… your paw pads are cute and really soft. Let me touch them again!"

The large cat jumped back and then revealed a large amused grin. "Come again!"

Pixel clashed against him again but she failed to coat her hand in Haki so she stumbled back even further but was unhurt since Cat Viper held back. "Still cannot do it every time."

Cat Viper then stopped in place and coughed. "Do not be too greedy. Your progress is already huge and you have only been training here for a little longer than a year. If someone else heard you then they would scold you for being too arrogant."

Pixel then made her hand shaped like a claw as if she was grabbing a ball with a look of concentration on her face.

Electro started to gather and then was concentrated in the centre as it grew bigger then she turned around with a smile. "Hey.. catch!"

"What the heck?! Since when could you do that-nya~!" Cried the large cat as he narrowly dodged it.

Her Haki, experience in combat and her physique were not the only improvements she had made during her training as she had focussed on her mental and Electro training too so that she could use her Electro in new ways that she could not pull off before.