The immense surge of Conqueror's Haki swept through the area, stunning many of the Mink Tribe.

At that moment, despite their past conflict, Nekomamushi and Inuarashi stood united once again.

"Someone powerful is coming!" Nekomamushi didn't waste time with explanations.

"An enemy?" Kin'emon asked, confused.

"Could it be that lunatic Kaido? Maybe he found out that Lord Momonosuke is here and came to kill him?" Raizo suggested grimly.

As members of the Nine Red Scabbards, their mission was to protect the bloodline of Kozuki Oden — specifically, his heir, Kozuki Momonosuke — the last hope of the Kozuki clan.

Yet just now, that overwhelming burst of Haki had knocked Momonosuke unconscious.

As a child, Momonosuke couldn't withstand such intense Conqueror's Haki like the rest of the Scabbards. It reminded them just how terrifying that presence truly was.

They had seen mighty warriors like Oden, Roger, Whitebeard, and Kaido unleash Conqueror's Haki before — what they just felt was on that same level.

It was clear: not all Conqueror's Haki is equal, and this one was overwhelmingly powerful.

"No matter who it is, someone truly powerful has arrived in Zou today. Stay here and protect Lord Momonosuke! Nekomamushi and I will go check it out!" Inuarashi ordered.

"Let's hope it's not that lunatic Kaido again!"

With that, Nekomamushi and Inuarashi—momentarily forgetting their feud—rushed toward the source of the Haki. They moved carefully, doing their best not to provoke any enemies along the way.

They had every reason to fear that Kaido of the Beasts might have come to Zou.

Momonosuke had to be protected at all costs.

After all, Kozuki Oden had been slain by Kaido and Orochi, leading to the destruction of the entire Kozuki family. Momonosuke, their last hope, was here!

As the two rulers made their way, they passed by countless Minks who had been knocked out cold by the earlier wave of Haki. The more they saw, the more anxious they became.

Meanwhile, in the Whale Tree Forest—where the Road Poneglyph was hidden—something extraordinary was happening.

This forest, the most beautiful and dreamlike area in all of Zou, was naturally under heavy guard, much like Fish-Man Island.

But to Elior and his crew, those guards were nothing more than ants.

"Humans?"

"Humans actually made it to Zou?"

"What's going on?"

"Stop them!"

There was no need for Elior to even move. The crew behind him—including Crocodile—were more than capable.

In moments, more than a dozen Mink warriors guarding the forest were lying unconscious on the ground.

Soon, Elior and the others stepped into the heart of the Whale Forest.

Even compared to Fish-Man Island, this place was breathtaking. Even Elior and the men in his crew were stunned — let alone Reiju, Sugar, and Baby 5.

The three women were instantly captivated by the fairytale-like beauty of the forest.

After just two more minutes of walking, they stood before a massive red stone slab.

It was a Road Poneglyph — the key to locating Laugh Tale.

"This is a Road Poneglyph?" Cavendish asked in awe. Only four of these existed in the world. If someone could gather all four, they could uncover the route to Laugh Tale.

Whoever reaches Laugh Tale becomes Pirate King — the ultimate dream of every pirate. That island holds the legendary One Piece.

"Even though this is only our second one… seeing it again is still unbelievable" Crocodile muttered.

But what shocked him the most was that Elior could read the Poneglyphs.

Elior's explanation? His Haki had reached the level where he could hear the voice of all things.

Through this ability, he could comprehend the meaning of the ancient characters—without ever having learned them.

Crocodile was stunned. He had once placed all his hopes on Nico Robin to decipher the Poneglyphs and uncover Pluton in Alabasta — only to lose everything in the end.

Elior, by contrast, was bypassing everything—using sheer will and Haki to uncover the secrets of the Void Century.

He didn't understand the characters themselves, but through the Voice of All Things, the stone told him what they meant.

This ability also allowed him to hear any sound—even thoughts. But Elior had no interest in reading minds.

Now, standing before the Road Poneglyph, Elior spoke calmly:

"Looks like we've got company. Rulers of this land, you might want to take note."

Crocodile and the others nodded.

Elior turned his attention back to the stone and activated his ability to hear all things.

Moments later, he translated the inscription.

"Island of the Dead, Whirlpool Sea."

Elior repeated the words softly to himself. Another Whirlpool Sea Zone — and this time, the new location mentioned was the Island of the Dead.

The stone was filled with ancient text, yet that single phrase was the true takeaway.

What stood out to Elior most was that this was the second Road Poneglyph to mention the Whirlpool Sea Zone. Could the remaining two also contain references to it?

"If so... this Whirlpool Sea may be the key" Elior muttered.

"Wait. I'm taking this Poneglyph with me."

Just then—

"Please, don't take the Road Poneglyph!"

Inuarashi and Nekomamushi had finally arrived, having followed Elior's scent trail through the forest—easy work for their enhanced Mink senses.

Neither of them expected that the one who had come to Zou today wasn't Kaido, but Elior.

Elior—the newly risen Yonko. The youngest of them. And worse, stronger than Kaido himself.

He had defeated Kaido before.

Now, standing before Elior, both Nekomamushi and Inuarashi felt immense pressure.

How could they remain calm in the face of someone the world feared as a tyrant?

And worse — he intended to take their Road Poneglyph.

The one thing their tribe had sworn to protect with their lives.