Chapter 136: The Mink Tribe
Soon, the two new captives were brought before Ryuunosuke.
One was a leopard-type mink, similar in appearance to Pedro.
The other was an adorably petite mink with squirrel features.
The leopard mink was male and introduced himself as Conrad.
The squirrel mink, a well-known figure among their kind, was a female nad Finks.
"You both understand the terms of returning to Zou Island, right?" Ryuunosuke asked directly.
"Yes," Conrad replied with a nod. "We are to work under your pirate crew for a year. We have no objections. Thank you for rescuing us."
He dropped to one knee in a show of gratitude.
Given how rare and unique their kind was, their fate in the black market was often tragic. So were lucky enough to end up as guards, but most were sold as exotic playthings for the wealthy. Compared to that, Ryuunosuke's conditions were more than fair.
At the very least, he treated them with dignity.
"Good." Ryuunosuke nodded, then asked bluntly, "I have a question. That Sulong form— is it a natural ability, or do you have to train to unlock it?"
At the ntion of the Sulog Form, Conrad's expression changed to one of shock and suspicion.
It was a deeply guarded secret of the mink tribe. Even Luffy and his crew, who had spent considerable ti with the minks, had no clue about it. When Carrot first transford, everyone had been stunned.
The mink tribe's potential was still vastly underestimated.
"How do you know about the Sulong Form?" Conrad asked cautiously. "Forgive my rudeness, but... please explain."
Such knowledge wasn't public, and its exposure could bring danger to the entire tribe. If people knew the full extent of their power, the minks would beco even bigger targets.
"I have ties to your people," Ryuunosuke answered casually. "So naturally, I know so of your secrets—like what you're guarding, and your true lineage."
He paused.
"If we're talking seniority, then Kozuki Oden and I are contemporaries."
The mont Kozuki Oden was ntioned, Conrad's wariness lted into stunned silence.
Very few outside the mink tribe even knew that na, especially in detail. The fact that Ryuunosuke, who wasn't from the New World, could bring it up was enough to convince him.
"The Sulong Form is innate," Conrad admitted. "Every mink has the potential. But to awaken it, you need intense training. The form isn't just rare—it's dangerous. It consus stamina rapidly and carries the risk of losing control."
Ryuunosuke nodded in understanding.
"So it can't be used during the day?"
"Correct," Conrad confird. "You need to gaze directly at a full moon. That's what triggers the dormant instincts within us. In that state, everything—our strength, our Haki, our reactions—evolves. We fight purely on instinct."
Ryuunosuke pulled sothing from his coat.
A Devil Fruit.
"A Devil Fruit?" Conrad blinked, clearly confused.
Such fruits were valuable, but the mink tribe usually relied on their raw physical abilities. Few of them ever ate Devil Fruits. Of course, this was less about pride and more about access—most minks never even left Zou Island.
Only a handful, like Pekoms of Big Mom's crew, ever acquired one.
"This is the Moonlight Fruit," Ryuunosuke explained. "A Paracia-type. It gives the user power over moonlight. With proper developnt, it might even allow you to simulate a full moon—during the day."
Conrad's eyes widened with realization.
Just the idea of being able to enter the Sulong state at will—and during the dayti—was revolutionary for their kind. The combat potential would skyrocket.
"Don't look so eager," Ryuunosuke smirked. "I brought it out because I want you to use it."
"But if you eat this fruit, you're not just a rescued slave anymore. You beco an official mber of the Dragon Hunter Pirates. Specifically, you'll serve as Captain of the Fifth Squad—Handyman Division."
He laid out his terms clearly.
Zou Island was too important to ignore. The mink tribe might not have many top-tier fighters, but in Sulong form, even leaders like Inuarashi and Nekomamushi had once injured Kaido.
They were a dormant powerhouse.
"...Alright," Conrad said after a mont of thought. "I'll join. But I ask one thing—please don't hurt my people."
Though tempted by the offer, his heart still belonged to Zou Island.
"Don't worry," Ryuunosuke replied with a calm smile. "If you beco one of mine, then the minks of Zou Island are under my protection. I won't just spare them—I'll treat them as my allies."
Conrad's body relaxed.
Then, with resolve burning in his eyes, he dropped to both knees and raised his arm in salute.
"Captain Ryuunosuke, Conrad is ready to beco your spear!"
Whether it was the gratitude for being rescued, the chance to protect his holand, or simply the charisma Ryuunosuke exuded—it all led to this mont of loyalty.
"From this day forward, you are Captain of the Handyman Fifth Division of the Dragon Hunter Pirates," Ryuunosuke declared.
"You'll be in charge of the freed combatants and any won who choose to stay aboard. And rember—you now carry the pride and legacy of the Dragon Hunter flag."
With a flourish, he raised the pirate flag and handed it to Conrad.
"I will shed blood and sweat to protect the na of the Dragon Hunter Pirates!" Conrad shouted.
He accepted both the Devil Fruit and the flag with visible pride on his face.
As he did, the system acknowledged him as an official crew mber. A surge of energy erupted from within, flooding Conrad's body with new power.
"This feeling..."
He took a bite of the Moonlight Fruit.
Imdiately, light began to shimr around him. Moonlight radiated from his body, illuminating the deck. His fur, once golden yellow, grew longer and paler—shifting into a radiant white.
The aura pouring off of him was overwhelming.
And yet, strangely beautiful.
His transformation had begun.
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