Chapter 1190: Public Outrage and Deathmatch (Part 2)

Even in the original timeline, the behavior of the Fluffy Kingdom was weird; Jack destroyed their country, which understandably caused animosity among the Fur Race—it’s national resentment.

The problem lies in the fact that after Nekomamushi and Inuarashi inherited the position of rulers of the Fluffy Kingdom, they still placed their status as household attendants ahead of the throne, Momonosuke ＞ the entire Fur Race, which is truly unreasonable.

Moreover, after Kaidou’s defeat, they could directly hand over Zou to the young Carrot and happily serve as household attendants themselves.

One can only say that Oden’s aura is terrifyingly strong, even capable of influencing an entire species.

“It seems reasoning with you is futile. Pedro, Bepo, take them back to Zou. I’m just a retired old man; I can’t manage so many affairs.”

Hichugiskhan didn’t know about the messy incidents twenty years ago. To him, the nature of this affair was indeed dire, but it was still reconcilable.

True, they did act, but Miaona and Wolf weren’t injured themselves. If Inuarashi and Nekomamushi were to honestly admit their wrongs and he could lend a hand with his old face to mediate, perhaps a few years in prison would resolve it.

But with Nekomamushi and Inuarashi’s obstinate stance, this issue surely isn’t that easy to settle.

“Wait, retired?”

Inuarashi now noticed this keyword. Reflecting on it, others from the Fur Race also referred to Hichugiskhan as a senior instead of a Duke.

“I’m an old man, naturally long retired. The new Duke of the Fluffy Kingdom is Setsuna.”

After leaving these words, Hichugiskhan directly walked out of the room, with Nekomamushi and Inuarashi fearlessly following.

Though quite foolish, they still have some awareness as household attendants, at least without any fear.

“This… why is Zunesha here?”

Upon leaving the house, Inuarashi was confronted by an unimaginable sight; Zunesha, bearing the Fluffy Kingdom, at that moment stood outside the walls of Wano Kuni, its massive trunk suspended above them.

“Of course, it’s here to fetch us. You probably don’t know; Lord Duke can communicate with Zunesha, and now Zou looks entirely different from twenty years ago.”

Pedro flatly remarked, leading them to keep pace with Hichugiskhan.

When they stepped onto the tip of Zunesha’s trunk, it acted as though commanded, curling its trunk to lift them onto its back, and as Inuarashi and Nekomamushi rose to eye level with Zunesha, they even sensed danger.

…

Meanwhile, within the Fluffy Kingdom, the atmosphere there was somewhat tense.

Many from the Fur Race gathered in the council hall, whether members of the Firearms Team or the Duke’s assistants; they were individuals of relatively high standing.

The Duke’s offspring had been attacked, a previously unheard-of matter in Zou, yet no one spoke up.

Setsuna sat in the head seat similarly, but the electric sparks flickering on her body clearly indicated her heart wasn’t as calm as it appeared.

“Again, it’s that bastard Nekomamushi… I shouldn’t have been merciful back then, should’ve just finished him off…”

Crunch…

In the empty hall, a crisp sound echoed as the stone chair’s armrest crumbled into rubble, and at that moment, a commotion was heard outside.

“Let go of me! I want to slaughter those bastards who dared touch my grandchildren, I won’t let them off!”

“Captain Hatch, calm down!”

“Indeed, Zou has laws, you can’t act recklessly!”

Setsuna temporarily suppressed her anger, but outside, Hatch couldn’t hold back. Generational gaps can indeed be closer, and having spent some time back in Zou with Rei, this occurrence hit him hard.

Influenced by fur type, as a pure-bred Husky furred dog, he just wanted a proper fight, but others were holding him back.

“Yes, Brother Hatch, surely the Duke doesn’t want you acting like this….”

A bull-furred attempted to calm Hatch, only to see a blue arrow shoot out, landing directly in front of Nekomamushi.

Upon sensing their arrival, Setsuna couldn’t contain her fury any longer.

“Nekomamushi, you scoundrel, twenty years ago I didn’t pursue you for stealing, and it was me who stopped you from recklessly using Moon Lion and gambling your life. Without me, you would’ve died in Wano Kuni twenty years ago. I ignored you, and you turned against my children; you’re so insolent!”

“Don’t pretend here, I never asked you to help me. If not for your intrusion into Wano Kuni, this nuisance wouldn’t exist.”

“Indeed, it’s my fault; I forgot you bastards never express gratitude.”

“Hmph, I owe you nothing, why should I be grateful? It was Lord Oden who saved us; that’s the debt I must repay! Clearly, you’re the one working for the invaders, deceiving all of Zou; you’re unworthy of being the Duke!”

Those words drew the entire Fur Race’s attention to Nekomamushi.

Setsuna is willful, focusing more on family than an altruistic ruler, yet nobody in Zou questioned her position as Duke.

The changes she brought to Zou reinforced this standing.

The ability to communicate with Zunesha was one reason, not only highlighting her individual uniqueness among the Fur Race, but also adding a halo to her persona.

Since Zunesha is a living being, its back lacks a sophisticated electrical network like Wano Kuni, only some private appliances reliant on batteries.

These appliances, combined with goods and seasonings from Wano Kuni, significantly improved the primitive and monotonous living environment on Zunesha’s back.

Now that Zunesha’s route has become controllable, ordinary members of the Fur Race can leave its back and witness the colorful world outside.

The intimidation by Hundred Beasts ensures that most forces at The Sea don’t dare provoke them actively; these changes are the true foundation of solidified status and the source of reputation.

“Why don’t you go already, just standing around?”

The Fur Race members formerly restraining Hatch have now let go, preparing to join him should he charge.

Even before they acted, a stone already flew towards Nekomamushi’s head.

“You’re speaking nonsense!”

A young member of the Fur Race picked up a stone from the ground and flung it out, followed by a stream of debris, but without any fruit or eggs—such food is precious in Zou and wasting it is considered disgraceful.

This stone, acting like a fuse, ignited the entire powder keg. Nekomamushi’s words directly provoked public outrage, as a deluge of condemnations and debris rained upon him, with Inuarashi in the fray as well.

“Stop all of you!”

Before the situation spiraled out of control, Setsuna restrained the other Fur Race members, finally moving before Inuarashi and Nekomamushi.

“I’m giving you two one last chance, apologize and then be punished according to the rules of the Fur Race.”

“Since when did the Fur Race ever have rules for fighting? Who wants to follow your rules? Even if everyone acknowledges your position as Duke, I won’t!”

“So, Inuarashi, you agree with Nekomamushi’s words, is that what you mean?”

Setsuna looked to Inuarashi, waiting for his answer.

“I….”

Inuarashi neither agreed nor refuted; he wasn’t as extreme as Nekomamushi, yet he too was deeply loyal to Kozuki Oden.

Recognizing Setsuna as the new Duke of the Fur Race equates to acknowledging Kozuki Hiyori as legitimate, and Momonosuke would truly be rebellious.

“Hmph… that’s better; you don’t recognize my position as Duke, that’s fine; I didn’t intend to use the Duke’s status against you anyway. The next concern regards neither Kozuki nor the Fur Race nor Hundred Beasts and Wano Kuni; it’s simply our personal feud. I’ve endured the past, but this time is different. You reject the new laws, so let’s abide by tradition and let me see if you two have the courage for a Moonlight Duel!”

The Fur Race internally is harmonious, yet not devoid of conflict.

As the environment of the Fluffy Kingdom transformed, some rules indeed changed, framed by Hundred Beasts’ internal regulations, modified to suit the Fur Race’s situation.

The Moonlight Duel, a previously abolished tradition, resolved irreconcilable disputes in a full moon showdown where the victor was deemed correct.

This type of duel hadn’t occurred in Zou for decades, but Nekomamushi and Inuarashi harmed Setsuna’s children, and their determined stance meant even if they were released, nothing would change.

Given this, Setsuna aimed to completely eliminate any potential risks.