Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto or One Piece.

A/N: Sorry for late update, beta and I have been busy.

Beta: Memodo Shiki.

Chapter LXXI.

Last Time.

Cat Viper then appears and calls the pirates and samurai back in, revealing that the red Poneglyph has been translated.

Inside the Whale Tree, Nami notes that the text Robin translated is nautical coordinates that she can pinpoint the location of on a chart. Duke reveals that this is a Rōdo Pōnegurifu (Road Poneglyph) which will guide people to the end of the Grand Line.

Cat Viper explained that the Whale Forest is considered sacred and is heavily protected for this very reason

The Straw Hats assume that this means the Rōdo Pōnegurifu (Road Poneglyph) leads them to Raftel.

"No, there are 4 Rōdo Pōnegurifu. (Road Poneglyph.) Each of them reveals the coordinates of an island, and when all four of these islands are found, one can connect them on a map and finally locate Raftel and find the Wan Pīsu (One Piece.)"

The Straw Hats become extremely excited to hear about something relating to their final goal.

"The last island, Raftel!"

Now.

Zou.

"I wonder if it's there! Or not! The Wan Pīsu! (One Piece!)"

Luffy exclaimed getting the Crew to get excited. Suddenly, Luffy then races off to rescue Sanji and find the other Rōdo Pōnegurifus, (Road Poneglyphs).

"Yosh! (Okay!) Let's go search!" Luffy said as Usopp grabbed him by the collar of his shirt.

"Where are you going? It's a big world!"

"I'll get back Sanji quickly!"

"Listen to me! Usopp yelled as Cat Viper took a drag of his pipe.

"You-gara, if you're going to Whole Cake Island along with Pekoms. It wouldn't be a bad idea." He said getting Luffy's attention. "Because two of the Rōdo Pōnegurifus, (Road Poneglyphs) are in the possession of the Yonko (Emperor) Big Mom and Kaido and we are only missing the whereabouts of just one."

The Straw Hats are appalled to hear this, though Luffy takes it in stride, as he planned on beating the Yonko (Four Emperors) anyways.

"You don't need to rob the Rōdo Pōnegurifus, (Road Poneglyphs) anyway."

Duke and Cat Viper reveals that the Poneglyph's messages can be copied with ink on a special paper, and Usopp proposes that they sneak into Big Mom and Kaido's territory, copy the text, run away, and reach Raftel without anyone realizing it.

However, Luffy rejects his idea due to it being cowardly, and Usopp is frightened by the amount of power they are going against.

"Luffy, we may not have the time to get both Sanji and the Poneglyph, so making a rubbing of it before getting Sanji would be the best way," Nojiko stated as she stood with her husband.

"I'm more worried about you-gara, Nico Robin." Cat Viper voices his concern for Robin, as she is the only one who can read the text on the Poneglyphs, making her a target for others who want to find out the true history of the Void Century.

Robin just smiled as she remembers being rescued Enies Lobby, and the other Straw Hats pledge their continued resolve to protect her.

"I have strong friends who will protect me."

Later, Robin asks the minks and the samurai how they know so much about the Poneglyphs.

The minks and samurai look to Momonosuke for an approval.

"You do not have to hide anything from the Straw Hats."

This gets Luffy mad at Momonosuke for acting like he is in charge, even though he is.

Nekomamushi then reveals that 800 years ago, the members of the Kozuki Family invented the Poneglyphs, which shocks the Straw Hats. The knowledge of how to construct them was not passed down, only how to read and write the inscriptions.

However, they explain that was not passed down to Momonosuke from his father Oden, and the samurai struggles to reveal the reason why, though many of the Straw Hats figure it out. As he and his fellow retainers struggle to hold back tears, Kin'emon reveals that Oden was executed by Kaido and the shogun of Wano Country in order to protect his son and retainers.

"Kaido rules Wano?" Thane asks as Tate was sleeping laying on her side.

They continued explaining that the Beasts Pirates now occupy Wano Country, and when the Straw Hats inquire as to why they killed Oden and have continuously pursued Momonosuke and the samurai, Kin'emon reveals that Oden once traveled with Gol D. Roger, reaching Raftel and learning the secret of the world.

"NANI?! (WHAT?!)" Naruto, Nojiko, Mai, and Olive yelled out at that, shocked that they met the son of someone else who has traveled with the King of the Pirates.

"Man, it's like every other person we meet was on that crew," Naruto stated rubbing his eyes with his hand.

"He witnessed the secrets of the world? Probably, with Rayleigh-san to." Robin said looking at Momonosuke.

"I see! In order to get the secret of the world out of you retainers, Doflamingo and Caesar who were tied to Kaido… were trying to catch you guys." Zoro said as he believes that this is the reason that Kin'emon's group of samurai were targeted by Doflamingo and Caesar, who have ties with Kaido, even though Oden kept all the information to himself for the safety of his people.

Kin'emon, as well as all the other retainers, explain they plan on fighting back because of Oden's last words, which were, "Open up the Land of Wano!" The reason the samurai came to Zou is to ask their allies, the Minks, to help them fight and the rest of the samurai, excluding Momonosuke, ask Law and Luffy for their help.

The rest of the Straw Hats accept the offer without any hesitation, but Luffy declines the request. As the group tries to knock some sense into their captain, minus Nami who wants to negotiate for a reward and Naruto knowing why Luffy just declined. Luffy calls out the crying Momonosuke and says he should be requesting their aid if he is the supposed leader of the Wano Kingdom.

"Please take down Kaido! I'm too small right now but I still want to protect all of my retainers!"

Luffy then accepts Momonosuke's request and the rest of the leaders unite to form the Ninja-Pirate-Mink-Samurai Alliance, whose goal is to defeat the Yonko (Emperor) Kaido.

Luffy looked to the samurai and Ninja and explained the issue with Sanji being in Big Mom's territory and he wants to get Sanji first. The others nodded and the now formed Ninja-Pirate-Mink-Samurai alliance heads back outside, and Duke mentions how he and Cat Viper once sailed with the Roger Pirates.

Luffy is awed to hear this, and Duke clarifies, saying they accompanied Oden as his attendants and previously sailed with the Whitebeard Pirates as well.

The Straw Hats are amazed to hear about the rulers' histories, and Usopp hurriedly writes their accounts in his notebook. Duke and Cat Viper gleefully remember the times of adventure they had, to the point of dancing together, which Usopp notes says is quite the contrast to when they were trying to kill each other a very short time ago.

Cat Viper then reveals that he and Duke did not go to Raftel, and Kin'emon states that he, Kanjuro, and Raizo did not accompany Oden due to it being a crime to go beyond Wano Country's borders. Momonosuke states that he was too young to remember much about his father's journey, but the Straw Hats immediately call him out due to Roger's voyage being over two decades ago.

"Can I ask you something?" Franky asked the two rulers who looked to him. If you got on board Roger's ship. It must have been the Oro Jackson which was built by my shipwright-shishou (Master) Tom-san."

"Nani?! (What?!) Are you the shipwright Tom's pupil?!" Duke asked the shipwright who nodded.

"Hai, (Yeah,) I''m Tom-san's pupil!" He said before striking his pose. "Super!"

"Um, can I go next?" Brook asked stepping forward. "Then I bet you know of Crocus the ship doctor…"

"Matte, (Wait,) Brook." Nami interrupted the musician before looking to the two rulers. "Sorry to interrupt you. I gotta check something with them." She said before walking up to Duke and Cat Viper. "You said the Rōdo Pōnegurifus, (Road Poneglyphs) will show us the way to Raftel, right? I'm starting to worry about the route." She then brought up her Log Pose showing all three needles are not moving.

Nojiko then looked to see hers were doing the same as well.

"Normally, we choose our next destination looking at where these three needles point but we're not tracking them now. Is it okay?!"

"O-Oi, (H-Hey,) Nami?" Usopp spoke but Nami continued.

"We met Tra-guy-Kun and came to Zou following the Vivre Card by chance and found the Rōdo Pōnegurifus, (Road Poneglyphs) which points to the location of Raftel by accident. But according to Crocus-san at the Twin Capes, if you track logs, every route will comet o one in the end. I'd always imagined that's Raftel."

"Oh, Crocus! I haven't seen him for a very long time!" Cat Viper exclaimed putting his pipe in his mouth. "How is he doing?!"

"He was fine! But that was two years ago!" Luffy said as he and Naruto walked up beside Nami. "You mean the old man who was with Laboon, right?"

"Crocus the ship doctor! He-gara was looking for some pirate group back in the day!" Cat Viper said with a grin.

"Oh, that was my group. The whole crew is dead!" Brook spoke up pointing to himself.

"Nani?! (What?!)"

"Oi! (Hey!) Listen! I'm talking about something important!" Nami yelled out at the three that spoke up.

"Hai, (Yes,) I understand," Duke spoke up. "If you're interested where the logs will lead you, go see it for yourself. There is definitely a route on which all three of those needles will point in the same direction, towards one specific place. However, you-gara people have already left on a journey which lies beyond that point."

"Nani? (What?) Nani (What) do you mean?" Nami asked the Mink leader.

"You're supposed to find out about something for the first time at the end of the route. Find out the truth about the Poneglyphs and the ancient script. Find out about the civilization that created those and the existence of the hidden last island Raftel! When Roger got there, he had to do everything all over again."

"Crocus was also part of the Pirate King's crew. He is one of those that know everything. He wouldn't tell a lie unless he didn't like you-gara guys." Duke said getting those who joined in the East Blue to remember what Crocus told them at the lighthouse.

'We're already on a journey beyond the end?' Nami thought as she looked up and nodded. "I got it! I didn't need to worry. We weren't wandering off course. I was just confused by the glimpse of the truth we hadn't yet discovered. As Crocus-san said, the logs are leading us to Raftel for sure! Leading us to the way to Raftel Which lies beyond the end of the route! The logs weren't lying!"

"Are you the navigator? You're very dependable. Don't worry! You're on the right track. Just keep going!" Duke said getting Nami to blush at the praise.

"She's one of them," Naruto said wrapping his arm around her shoulder and kissed Nami on the top of the head. "And they're the best!"

The alliance then reaches the bottom of the Whale Tree, and as Luffy plans to go and get Sanji back, Cat Viper states that he has allies to recruit as well for the battle against Kaido: Marco and the remaining Whitebeard Pirates. They discuss the Payback War between the Whitebeard Pirates, led by 1st division commander Marco, and the Blackbeard Pirates, leading Blackbeard to become one of the Yonko.

They also decided to split up in order to achieve different objectives. One group would go to Whole Cake Island to retrieve Sanji. Another group would go to Wano in preparation to battle Kaido using Law's submarine ship to safely get into the country. A third group would stay on Zou in order to protect it. The Mink Tribe then decide to have a banquet to celebrate the truce between Inuarashi and Nekomamushi.

As they were walking, Nami, Chopper, Brook ad Naruto volunteered to go with Luffy to get Sanji back before Zou started to shake violently.

The people on Zou struggle to stand as this happens, as Luffy and Momonosuke writhe in pain due to having an overpowering noise inside their heads. The buildings in the Guardians Residential District begin collapsing, and one falls on Tristan, but Franky catches it and saves her.

"Just run!"

Thane cuts any falling debris as Mai used her powers to make them lighter to float up in the air.

"Everyone get together and get away from the buildings!" Wanda yelled to everyone as several trees are uprooted and fall on them.

However, Zoro cuts apart the falling trees, and Raizo throws shuriken on the ground to prevent the wood slices from bouncing onto the minks. Momonosuke collapses due to the pain inside his head, and as Kin'emon and Kanjuro tend to him, he receives a vision where he sees Jack and his fleet attacking Zunisha.

Momonosuke then reveals the cause of Zou quaking, and the Musketeers and Guardians race to their ships to take on Jack in a naval battle, determined to win this time.

'This is painful! If I collapse, it would put all of you in danger!'

Momonosuke heard a deep voice in his head before speaking. "The one behind that voice is… This… Elephant!"

That got shocked looks from the Minks before Momonosuke heard Zunisha.

'A long time ago, I…'

"A long time ago, the elephant committed a crime… And now… All he is allowed… To Do is… Is walk. He has been… Obeying that order." Momonosuke replied Zunisha's message. "Thus..."

The Beasts Pirates' cannon fire then manages to severely weaken Zunisha's front left leg, causing it to tilt even more and force the people on Zou to hang on for dear life.

'Thus, give me permission for once!'

The Beasts Pirates celebrate their success, and Jack anticipates finishing Zunisha off.

'Order me! To fight! For once! Give me permission!'

After struggling to regain his composure, Momonosuke gives Zunisha the order.

"Elephant! Don't give up, elephant! You can't fall down! Make Jack… MAKE JACK GO AWAY!"

'Understood!'

Zunisha's voice composure then changes and it steps forward with its front left foot, perturbing the Beasts Pirates as it understands the order. Zunisha then swings its trunk across the ocean, causing a massive wave that sends Jack's fleet flying into the air. Finally, it swings its trunk right into the fleet, completely annihilating it and breaking Jack's mask as it blows him and his crewmates into the ocean along with the large wreckage of their ships. Zunisha then resumes its walk.

Bariete witnesses the scene while hanging off a chain going down Zunisha's left flank, and hurriedly races off in shock to report what happened. Zou stops shaking, and everyone on it wonders what has happened, with Momonosuke not hearing anything anymore. Bariete then comes to them and reveals that Jack's fleet has been destroyed by Zunisha, causing everyone to be joyful.

Duke is surprised that Zunisha has a mind of its own, and Usopp asks if Jack is dead since he is a Devil Fruit user that fell into the water, which Cat Viper affirms, causing Usopp to be greatly relieved. Luffy then comes in with a giant pack on his back, wondering why everyone is still looking serious and wanting food for his journey to rescue Sanji.

However, Cat Viper states his desire to find out how Jack managed to get to Zou twice, as it means the island is likely not safe from the Beasts Pirates. Luffy wishes Cat Viper good luck and hopes that Zunisha will become their ally, which amuses him.

Unknown Island.

"Pura-Pura-Pura."

Meanwhile, on a snowy island, Kaido answers a Den-Den Mushi.

"What do you want?"

"They say that communication with Jack has suddenly been lost! Kaido-sama!" Scratchmen Apoo said as Kaido took a drink from his sake and frowned.

Zou.

A flying squirrel mink glides down to Zunisha's front left leg and examines it.

He is a short light brown squirrel mink with a white chest and muzzle. He wears red pants with no shirt, as well as brown boots. He also wears a black helmet with goggles on it, a purple cape, and a yellow bandanna.

This is Musatobi.

"That's really bad. I gotta let everyone know."

When he sees the extent of the leg's damage, he becomes shocked and quickly flies back up to warn the others. On Zou, Cat Viper agrees to give Luffy food for his journey, and Musatobi races to the crowd to warn them about Zunisha's injuries. Zunisha's injured leg then gives out slightly, causing Zou to shake again.

The minks prepare to take imminent action, and Luffy offers his crew's help in treating Zunisha. Duke states that the crew is not obligated to help them, but Luffy insists, saying that they are in an alliance. Chopper prepares to get medicinal herbs, and Usopp asks if the minks have bandages for the elephant, which they deny, so he and Robin decide to work on that.

Franky then asks about the ships the minks had mentioned during Jack's attack, wondering how they can embark from the island. He, Usopp, and Sicilian go to the building that houses the ships, only to find that all of them were destroyed during Jack's attack. However, the pulley systems that are used to bring the ships down to the ocean are still intact, and Franky decides to rebuild the ships.

Sicilian orders all the minks outside to assist the Straw Hats in this endeavor and Franky calls on Zoro, Brook, Thane, and Kin'emon to help them cut down trees for wood.

"We're really getting so much help from you-teia guys," Wanda said to the Straw Hats.

"Do you have a chart that shows the way to Big Mom's island?" Nami asks having Wanda looked down in thought.

"I think we have one."

They looked to see Pedro in the trees before he prepares to take Nami to it.

In another area, Chopper and several minks pick medicinal herbs as Chopper explains to Miyagi and Tristan that the herb they're picking is a rare herb which can heal Zunisha's injuries.

Luffy and Carrot ride a crocodile-boar steed across the island, they come across several female minks holding large white sheets, which Robin sews together with her powers in order to create a giant bandage.

Back in the forest, Brook uses his swordsmanship to cut down several trees, and so does Kin'emon, although his Kitsunebi-ryu causes the trees to catch on fire, and Raizo puts out the fire quickly with a watering can. Thane used his scythe to cut trees down as well as cutting them into lumber boards.

Zoro cuts up several trees into fine lumber as well but ends up separating himself from everyone else, which Law berates him for before using his powers to transport Zoro directly to the construction site on the edge of Zou.

Meanwhile, Nami receives a map inside a room, and plots out the direction to go in to get to Whole Cake Island, which will take more than a week. Wanda and Pedro then decide individually and silently to accompany the Straw Hats in the quest to Whole Cake Island in order to provide assistance, and Luffy and Carrot drop in as Nami notices a small island on their route near the edge of their map.

She then looks outside and sees to her shock that there is a giant cloud formation in the sea nearby. At the edge of Zou.

Franky receives the freshly cut lumber, and quickly builds pristine boats which the minks gawk at. Chopper and his helpers then arrive with the medicine, and other minks come with bandages as Robin stayed behind to make more so they could change them later.

Usopp and Kanjuro then come upon a poorly drawn parrot, having laid the tracks to bring down the ships on.

Map Room.

"It's a Silent Supercell!" Nami states and explains that s Silent Supercell is a powerful storm cloud which is likely to wreak havoc on the treatment effort.

"Go tell the others!"

Luffy ran out and past Naruto who was sitting getting reacquainted with Mai and Olive both were sitting in his lap making out with him.

The Others.

The boats are lowered with the pulley systems, allowing the Straw Hats and minks to get close to Zunisha's wounds. Chopper spreads the medicinal herb onto the wound. Tristan assists Chopper and silently wishes that she could learn medical practice from him.

After Chopper puts the medicine on the wound, he orders the bandage to be applied. However, Zunisha enters the Silent Supercell, and as Luffy and Carrot race to the edge of Zou, the Straw Hats and minks begin feeling strong winds. The wind strength increases as a downpour begins, and Carrot and Luffy are blown toward their destination.

The wind causes the hanging ships to swing toward Zunisha's leg, but Usopp cushions the impact with a Pop Green. A rope holding a boat snaps, causing the people on it to fall, but Luffy stretches out his arm, allowing them to grab onto it and slide onto another boat. The brace holding all the boats then snaps, but Luffy manages to grab it, allowing him to hold the boats in place until the storm passes.

Robin then uses her Devil Fruit powers to securely hold the pulley system in place, and the cheerful minks return to work.

Later, Carrot takes Luffy to a pantry, where he places a lot of food into a big backpack. Carrot gushes over the talents of Luffy's crew and tries to ask if she can go on the mission to Whole Cake Island, but Luffy does not hear her as he suddenly realizes that he forgot about Pekoms, who he needs on his journey.

Luffy then asks Carrot to take the backpack to the Thousand Sunny before running out, and Carrot eyes some bananas on the floor.

At the edge of Zou, the Straw Hats and minks begin finishing up Zunisha's treatment, and the minks thank the Straw Hats for all their help, with Sicilian giving an especially over the top presentment of gratitude.

Meanwhile, Carrot goes to the top of the Mokomo Dukedom gates and gazes out at the ocean in awe before giving some bananas to Bariete. Elsewhere, Luffy runs through the forest to look for Pekoms.

"Lion Viper!"

To Be Continued.

A/N: Thanks for reading and let me know of any mistakes.

Beta: Memodo Shiki.

OK uploaded this, Shinobi on Board with a double update that finishes Ennis Lobby and Spiral Huntsman. I'm actually glad to be finishing up Zou as it was nothing but backstory and flashback nothing against that but doing several ch.'s of nothing but exposition is not fun to do.

Next to be updated will be Naruto: Earth's Mightiest Ninja.

Nothing else to say.

Talk To You Later,

Lone Wolf Out.