Chapter 203 Cat Viper and Dogstorm
The Mink tribe was completely different from the three minority ethnic groups Brett and Tesoro had encountered before.
The Longarm, Longleg, and Snakeneck tribes—the biggest difference between these three groups and ordinary humans was that certain parts of their bodies were special.
But the Mink tribe was different. Their appearance was more like animals with human builds.
This was actually closer to the fish-man tribe.
But this wasn't the biggest difference.
The greatest difference between the Mink tribe and the previous three races was that they were much stronger than those three groups.
Whether Longarms, Longlegs, or Snakenecks, at most their body parts differed somewhat from ordinary humans, but their basic capabilities were the same.
The Mink tribe wasn't like that.
They possessed the strength of beasts and the intelligence of humans.
On average, they surpassed ordinary humans in all aspects—strength, endurance, and speed.
This was again very similar to the fish-man tribe.
And they even had more exaggerated abilities than fish-men and mermaids.
Minks could store static electricity through their fur, then release powerful electric currents during battle.
And this wasn't even their trump card. When bathed in the light of a full moon, Minks would go berserk, their fur growing further as they entered a state called Sulong.
In this state, all aspects of a Mink's abilities would be greatly enhanced.
Moreover, it wasn't just that their average quality was high—this race also had two extraordinary experts.
One of them was the large cat who had just jumped onto their deck.
His name was Cat Viper, one of the two kings of the Mink tribe, the King of Night who ruled this country from 6 PM to 6 AM.
His other identity was a retainer of the Kozuki family, having once followed Kozuki Oden aboard both the Whitebeard Pirates' and Roger Pirates' ships.
He was essentially a member of both legendary pirate crews.
This guy's strength was indeed extraordinary. Among the Nine Red Scabbards in the future Onigashima battle, he was among the top, defeating Charlotte family's eldest son Perospero while in Sulong form.
Even in normal state, he probably had strength approaching All-Star or Calamity level.
This was already a very remarkable standard on these seas.
While Brett was thinking about this, Cat Viper had already raised his trident, pointing it at them both.
"Don't get excited, don't get excited, my friend! We come with good intentions."
Tesoro again displayed his diplomatic abilities, speaking with a grin, "My name is Tesoro. It doesn't matter if you haven't heard of me, but this guy beside me—"
He pointed his right thumb at Brett. "His name is Brett. Even on an isolated island like this, you should have heard his name."
"The Deep Sea Emperor from Fish-Man Island, Brett!"
Cat Viper looked at Brett with extraordinary wariness in his eyes, his fur almost standing on end like a small cat giving a warning.
"Even I've heard your name! But don't think you can do whatever you want on this island!"
"I have no intention of doing whatever I want."
Brett smiled. "Your name is Cat Viper, right? Rayleigh told me a lot about your time on the Roger Pirates."
This wasn't Brett talking nonsense.
He was quite interested in the Roger Pirates' adventures back then, so during breaks in training, he'd heard Rayleigh tell many stories of their past.
Dogstorm and Cat Viper were naturally two of the characters in those stories.
He might have even met this large cat when he was small.
Though neither side probably remembered much.
"Eh?"
Tesoro was greatly astonished.
He knew his good friend had a good relationship with that Dark King Rayleigh.
What surprised Tesoro was that this large cat had actually been a member of the Roger Pirates?
"Mr. Rayleigh?"
Cat Viper's eyes widened, and a trace of joy appeared on his face that he couldn't suppress. "You know Mr. Rayleigh?"
"In Haki training, Rayleigh gave me a lot of guidance."
Brett said. "He's my teacher."
Cat Viper didn't respond, but Brett could see and hear that he seemed somewhat suspicious.
That was right—he couldn't just believe whatever was said, right?
The Mink tribe wasn't as simple as the Tontatta tribe.
But proving such genuine matters was too easy.
Brett told him a story—about two brats on the ship arguing over whether the North Pole or South Pole was colder.
The large cat immediately beamed with smiles. "That really happened! Back then Buggy and Shanks argued about it until their faces were red! In the end, Mr. Rayleigh stopped them!"
"Hahahaha, you really are Mr. Rayleigh's disciple, so we're friends!"
"Right, right, we're all friends!"
Tesoro really hadn't expected such a turn of events. Originally he thought they'd have to demonstrate force first, then show sincerity.
Who knew Brett had such connections!
This would make things quite smooth!
"Since we're friends, let's prepare a banquet!"
The large cat laughed heartily. "Zou will make any visiting friends feel at home!"
"We're already looking forward to it!" Tesoro beamed with smiles.
"By the way, Mr. Cat Viper, where is Mr. Dogstorm?"
Brett asked, knowing the answer.
Cat Viper immediately frowned. "That guy?"
Brett knew very clearly that after Kozuki Oden's death, these two former close friends had fallen out because each believed the other had failed to protect their lord.
From then on, the two never spoke again. Even though they both became kings of Zou, one appeared during the day and the other at night, never meeting.
"Because we came here wanting to discuss cooperation with you."
Brett said.
"Cooperation?" Cat Viper asked in surprise. "What kind of cooperation?"
So Brett and Tesoro repeated the words they'd already said three times.
"The talent show doesn't matter. This country's isolation is purely due to geography. We don't stop our compatriots from going to sea. If someone's interested and willing to participate, I don't mind."
When Cat Viper thought, he bared his teeth like a real large cat. "But as for the alliance—"
"Sorry, Brett. Zou already has an ally." he said seriously.
Brett smiled. "If you're referring to Wano Country, then I think we have even more need to talk properly."
"You probably haven't kept up with that country's recent situation, but I visited Wano Country just last year."
"..."
Cat Viper's eyes widened.
Yes, the reason Brett was called the Deep Sea Emperor was because of events that happened in Wano Country last year!
"I'll immediately have someone call Dogstorm!"
This wasn't the time for sulking.
Obviously, Cat Viper wasn't the only one thinking this way. Not long after he brought Brett and Tesoro to his residence in the forest, the large dog also came.
"Let's talk properly!"
This country's King of Day looked very urgent.
"Of course."
Brett nodded gently.
The groundwork he'd casually laid last year was coming in handy now, wasn't it?