O-Tama's Dango-Dango Fruit possessed an astonishing power —
the ability to make any animal obey her command.
For the Beasts Pirates, a crew where almost everyone wielded Zoan-type powers,
this ability was nothing short of catastrophic.
In the original story, even the five hundred artificial Zoan users of the Gifters corps had rebelled under its influence.
Luo Xing had no intention of letting history repeat itself.
At the same time, his scientific curiosity burned brighter than ever.
Could the power of the Dango Fruit be replicated?
If he could develop a similar device, perhaps he could even tame the Mink Tribe of Zou.
The Minks were a formidable race —
born with the power to command lightning,
and under the full moon, they transformed into terrifying Sulong warriors.
If Luo Xing could bring them under his control, then enhance them with Monster Cells,
he could instantly forge an army rivaling the Gifters.
The problem was simple — and impossible.
The Minks' two leaders, Inuarashi and Nekomamushi,
were both among the Nine Red Scabbards, loyal to the Kozuki family.
To make them bow willingly was unthinkable.
So Luo Xing chose a different path.
He would study the Dango Fruit itself —
and through science, create something capable of bending even the proud Minks to his will.
When he returned to the Shogun's Palace in the Flower Capital,
his wife Yamato was already waiting.
She had begun to look every bit the ruler — dressed in a commanding uniform,
a natural blend of power and beauty.
The moment she saw O-Tama, her eyes lit up.
"Oh my gosh, what a cute little girl!"
Before Luo Xing could even react, Yamato was already crouched down,
poking O-Tama's cheeks and playing with her hair like an overexcited child.
"Heehee! That tickles! Stop, Shogun big-sis, that really tickles!"
"Big-sis Shogun? What a sweet tongue you have!"
Yamato laughed heartily and, unable to resist, planted a quick kiss on the girl's cheek.
Watching the two of them, Luo Xing smiled faintly.
For some reason, the image made him think of Komurasaki.
If only Yamato and Komurasaki could get along like this… perhaps things would be easier.
Behind them, Tenguyama Hitetsu finally allowed himself to relax.
Compared to the calculating and unreadable Luo Xing,
this new female Shogun seemed far kinder and easier to trust.
"Alright, you'll have plenty of time to play later," Luo Xing interrupted with a small cough.
"For now, O-Tama — give me one of your dumplings."
O-Tama nodded obediently, pinched her own cheek,
and popped out a small, round millet dango as if by magic.
"Amazing!" Yamato gasped, eyes sparkling.
"How does that even work? Why can't I pull one out?"
She began tugging playfully at her own face, much to Luo Xing's exasperation.
"You're the Shogun of Wano now," he muttered under his breath. "At least try to look dignified."
Still, he couldn't help smiling as he took the dango from O-Tama and turned to leave.
"I'll be in the lab. Don't wait up."
And with that, he disappeared into the underground research facility.
For the next three days, no one saw him.
Meanwhile — On Zou
The kingdom of Zou, built upon the back of the giant elephant Zunesha,
was a moving nation seldom visited by outsiders.
Few ever found it, but its leaders maintained secret communication with Wano through hidden channels.
Now, however, more than a week had passed since their last message from Wano.
Even the letters they sent received no reply.
In a dimly lit chamber, two towering figures faced one another —
Duke Inuarashi, the ruler of the day, and Master Nekomamushi, ruler of the night.
"Something's wrong," said Inuarashi, his tone grave.
"We've lost all contact with Wano. I fear the worst."
Nekomamushi's whiskers twitched.
"Aye… and we've no word of Denjirō or Lady Hiyori either."
It was Denjirō who had maintained communication with them.
Without him, their link to Wano was severed.
"Should we send someone to investigate?" asked Inuarashi.
"I've got a bad feeling about this."
"But it's not yet time," said Nekomamushi.
"Lady Toki's prophecy spoke of twenty years.
Momonosuke and the others haven't returned from the future yet."
Before her death, Toki Toki no Mi's user Lady Toki had sent her son Momonosuke
and several retainers twenty years forward in time.
That twenty-year mark had not yet arrived.
"So what then?" Inuarashi snapped. "Do we just sit here and wait while Wano burns?"
"You think I like waiting?" Nekomamushi growled back. "You got a better plan?"
The two glared, fangs bared — but neither had an answer.
Finally, Inuarashi sighed.
"We'll give it a few more days. If nothing comes,
we'll send a Mink scouting party to Wano, no matter the risk."
Nekomamushi nodded grimly.
Back at Onigashima
At last, after three full days, the heavy doors of Luo Xing's lab opened.
"Lord Consort! You're alive!"
A booming voice echoed down the hall.
"If you stayed inside any longer, Lord Kaido and Lady Yamato were about to take it out on me!"
Luo Xing winced.
"Quieter, Peji. You trying to burst my eardrums?"
Page One pouted, folding his arms.
He looked almost sulky, and Luo Xing couldn't help but chuckle.
"So," Luo Xing asked, "how's your training going? That triple-gravity chamber holding up?"
The moment training came up, Page One's scowl flipped into pride.
"I'm doing great! I can last hours in three-times gravity now!
My power rating's gone from five thousand to six thousand!"
"Impressive."
Luo Xing raised an eyebrow — not bad for someone under twenty.
No wonder Kaido had made him one of the Flying Six.
"At this rate," Page One said confidently, "I'll evolve my fruit into a Mythical Zoan someday!"
Ah, so that was still his sore spot.
Luo Xing felt a pang of guilt for ever teasing him about it.
He clapped the young man on the shoulder.
"Keep at it, Peji. I believe in you."
Page One's eyes shone.
"Really? You're the only one who does, Lord Consort! Everyone else just laughs!"
Luo Xing smiled awkwardly.
If only the kid knew he was mostly bluffing for morale's sake.
"By the way," Page One said curiously, "what's that thing you're holding?
Another one of your inventions?"
Luo Xing lifted the small round object in his hand.
"Ah, this? I call it the Momotaro Rice Ball—
a prototype device that can make beasts obey commands."
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