Buggy and Enel were geared up and ready. They had been given a mission — to clear out the bandits lurking in the Guardian Forest.
Speaking of these bandits, they were actually a lingering problem from when Ren first pacified Kuri. These people had fled into the forest to evade the Magistrate's pursuit and had kept their heads down for a long time.
However, not long ago, soldiers stationed near the reservoir in the Guardian Forest reported seeing shadows of bandits in the woods.
Ayame had originally considered dispatching a military unit to search. But on second thought, deploying a large force to comb through the entire Guardian Forest just for a few bandits was really unnecessary.
The Guardian Forest was vast in area. The reservoir built several years ago was itself as large as a lake, yet even such a massive reservoir didn't occupy that much of the Guardian Forest's total area.
In the end, she decided to just send Buggy and Enel together to track down those bandits.
Both of these kids were only six years old, but after undergoing fairly systematic training, Buggy and Enel each possessed formidable strength.
Still, given their young age, they might not be mature enough in their judgment. Ayame simply had Iris tag along as well. Iris was already eleven.
At that age in the Pokémon world, you'd already be a champion. Even on the seas of the pirate world, those who displayed great power at eleven were far from rare.
Iris's swordsmanship was actually quite impressive. She had inherited Ayame's talent in that regard.
At eleven, she had already mastered the iron-cutting technique. And she was a two-sword style user.
"Hurry up and keep moving, Enel. Stop bullying Flasie, can't you see she's scared?" Iris stood with her hands on her hips like a discipline committee member, glaring indignantly at Enel.
Both Buggy and Enel were somewhat afraid of Iris, the daughter of the great demon lord Ayame.
But this time, Enel didn't back down.
Instead, he said with a face full of disgust, "Iris-nee, aren't we supposed to be catching bandits? Why is this girl tagging along? She looks totally weak!"
Hearing Enel's dismissive words, Flasie hung her head and hid behind Iris, gripping Iris's clothes tightly.
"Talk like you're so tough." Iris angrily drew the swords at her waist. These two blades were wakizashi-sized, but they fit the still-pint-sized Iris perfectly. Larger swords weren't beyond her ability to carry — they were just too unwieldy to swing.
"Flasie, don't listen to this long-eared jerk." She patted Flasie on the back encouragingly.
The reason Flasie had been brought along was actually Keiko's suggestion. She figured since everyone else was going, they might as well bring Flasie along too. She hadn't expected that the weak Flasie would end up being looked down on by Enel.
But if she observed Enel's expression carefully, she'd notice the boy looked a bit unnatural. That face didn't look like disgust at all — it looked more like worry.
Ever since Enel heard Buggy talk about "yokai" last time, he'd been curious about Flasie. He never expected that when they actually met, she'd turn out to be such a cute girl. Enel's face had turned bright red the moment he laid eyes on her.
"But bandits are dangerous, right? If we bring her along and she gets hurt, then what?" Enel grew anxious.
Buggy chimed in as well, "That's right, that's right! If we bring this useless yokai woman along, she'll just slow down the great Buggy!"
Unlike Enel, Buggy genuinely despised Flasie's lack of ability.
But the simple-minded Buggy still didn't realize his brother had already betrayed the cause. He was actually quite pleased that Enel got called "long-ears" by Iris.
With Buggy's level of intelligence, it was safe to say he'd most likely remain single for the rest of his life.
"You don't need to worry. I'll protect Flasie." Iris didn't like how unfriendly Buggy and Enel were being toward Flasie. In all her years, Flasie was the first real friend she had ever made.
As for Buggy and Enel, Iris had already categorized these two as annoying little brothers.
For a big sister, little brothers existed for one purpose — to be beaten up!
So Iris didn't bother wasting more words on them. She simply beat Buggy and Enel black and blue. With both faces swollen like Luffy's, naturally they didn't dare run their mouths anymore.
"But how are we supposed to get to the Guardian Forest?" Buggy asked, tears streaming from the corners of his eyes as he clutched his mouth.
"Cotton Candy will take us there." Iris waved her hand, and soon, a colorful cloud mass twice the size of an elephant came charging over.
Cotton Candy was one of the primal demons created by Ren. It was formed by fusing the souls of a komainu and a bird of paradise fruit. Enormous wings grew from its back, but instead of feathers, the wings were covered in fluffy fur that resembled colorful clouds.
From a distance, you'd think it was a living, colorful cloud floating through the sky.
"If I had a choice, I'd still say Durin is cooler." Buggy said regretfully.
Durin was one of the "dragons" created by Ren. It was a poison dragon formed by combining a giant bat with the soul of a lizard fruit.
Its appearance was incredibly fierce, making it far more appealing to boys like Buggy and Enel.
Iris imagined herself sitting on Durin's back, which was covered in bone spikes, and shook her head frantically.
Everyone climbed onto Cotton Candy's back and was immediately enveloped by the soft, plush fur.
Meanwhile, out on the seas beyond Wano, a very small boat bobbed unsteadily toward the coast.
"Hey, Dog! Look at this meow! There are waterfalls on the sea!" A fat yellow cat poked his head out, staring in awe at the waterfalls appearing before him.
Soon, he spotted enormous carp leaping up through the waterfalls!
"That's — fish!" Nekomamushi nearly jumped out of the boat. Every hair on his body stood on end. He hadn't had a proper meal in days, and just the thought of how fish tasted was making him lose all control.
He quickly grabbed the only piece of rope on the boat and tied it into a lasso. Then, like a cowboy, he started swinging it around, apparently planning to use the lasso to snare those fish.
"What are you doing, Nekomamushi!" Inuarashi yelled.
He still had his wits about him. Each of those leaping carp was far larger than the broken-down boat the two of them were riding.
How could a rope possibly catch these carp?
If anything, they were more likely to get knocked flying by these carp.
Or worse — get carried up to a great height by these creatures and then dropped, falling to their deaths?
Thinking of that possibility, the paw pads on Inuarashi's palms began to sweat.
[
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