"This... it was caused by Jack the Drought." Nekomamushi touched the bandage on his hand.

"Jack the Drought?!"

Ace and Izo both reacted strongly upon hearing the name. Ace had fought Jack two years ago and knocked him down.

He had defeated Jack before being taught a lesson by Kaido. And it was because of them that Loxus ended up joining Kaido.

"I went to see Big Brother Roy first to look for you, but he said you weren't there and that the most likely place you'd be was with Fire Fist Ace. So I came here, and you really are here! I'm so glad to see you again, Izo," said Nekomamushi.

"I'm happy to see you, too. It's been over twenty years. You and Inuarashi left secretly back then," Izo smiled.

"We didn't leave secretly, we told big brother," Nekomamushi laughed.

"Big brother knows everything. But how did you end up like this? Weren't you on Zou? Without a Road Poneglyph, Zou shouldn't be that easy to find," Izo asked, nodding.

"I don't know either. Raizo showed up on Zou, and to protect him, we fought against Jack. That bastard used poisonous gas, and we couldn't beat him. That's how I ended up like this. Fortunately, Straw Hat Luffy and his group saved us. Without them, we might've all died," Nekomamushi explained.

"Straw Hats? You mean Luffy's crew?" Ace's eyes lit up.

"Yeah. He's your brother, right? He's a good guy. Saved us and even teamed up with our young master." Nekomamushi said happily.

Ace grinned. "Just saw the news about him taking down Doflamingo. Where is he now?"

"He's gone to Totto Land. One of his companions is from the Vinsmoke family, and they arranged a marriage alliance with Big Mom's crew. Luffy went to rescue his companion," Nekomamushi replied.

"He went to Totto Land? No way, that's too dangerous! I have to help him!" Ace exclaimed.

"Ace, calm down. Nekomamushi, what did you come to find me for?" Izo asked.

"We're preparing to retake Wano. We've already discussed it with the Straw Hats. I was tasked with finding you. Luffy's group has split up; one group is heading to Wano ahead of time to scout, the other is going to Totto Land to bring their crewmate back. We'll regroup in Wano."

Nekomamushi laid out the plan, and Ace and Izo exchanged looks.

"What's your plan, Ace?" Izo asked.

"Sounds like you've already made your decision," Ace smiled.

"Yeah, it's settled then," Izo nodded.

Though they'd only spent two years together, they had a strong bond of trust.

Nekomamushi looked confused. "Izo, Mr. Ace, you two…"

"I'll go with you to Wano. Ace has his own matters to deal with, but he'll join us in Wano later," Izo said.

"Mr. Ace, you're going to Wano too?" Nekomamushi hadn't expected this.

"I still have an unfinished battle with Kaido. I'll find Luffy first, then head to Wano with him and meet you there," Ace said with a grin.

"Wonderful! Then we'll see you in Wano!" Nekomamushi replied.

"See you in Wano."

The three made their arrangements, Nekomamushi left with Izo for Wano, while Ace took his men to Totto Land to help.

.....

On the other side, another group arrived at Moby Dick Island.

"Fish-Man Island is attending the Reverie?" Roy asked Jinbei.

"Yes. While you were gone, the Big Mom's pirates took over Fish-Man Island. Now, King Neptune has decided to attend the Reverie," Jinbe replied.

"The Reverie, huh? Let him go if he wants. But be careful, that's the Celestial Dragons' turf. Are you sure about bringing Shirahoshi? That's incredibly foolish," Roy said.

"We can't bring Shirahoshi?" Jinbei asked.

"Don't be dumb enough to think the Celestial Dragons don't know who she really is. They've been around for 900 years. The ancient mermaid princess opposed them back then. Where is she now?" Roy asked.

"We've already informed the World Government. The Marines will escort them to Mary Geoise. I need to return to protect them," Jinbe said urgently.

"It's fine, it shouldn't be a big problem. I'm heading out too," Roy said.

"Big brother, where are you going?" Jinbe asked.

"The Reverie. I want to see it for myself. Don't worry, I'll protect them," Roy said with a smile.

"What?!" Jinbe exclaimed in shock.

Because the Whitebeard Pirates hadn't disbanded and Jinbe had resigned from the Warlords, he was now officially under Whitebeard's banner.

Still, he couldn't stop Charlotte Linlin from taking Fish-Man Island for a year. When they returned, Linlin obediently handed it back.

Her forces took a lot of treasure before leaving, and Roy planned to get that back.

Since Jinbe was on Moby Dick island, he couldn't go help Luffy in Totto Land.

Luckily, Luffy's big brother, Ace, was alive.

Ace and Izo split up, one to help Luffy, the other to Wano.

You could say many things had changed due to Roy's presence, yet not changed too much.

It was as if fate was fixed, no matter how much things changed, events adjusted back on course.

"I'll head to the Reverie first. Then I'll settle things with Charlotte Linlin. Taking our territory and looting that much treasure, there is no way I'll let that slide!"

"Big brother, is it just me going with you this time?"

This was a member of the Whitebeard Pirates, not a division commander, but a squad leader. Each division had about 200 people, including smaller squads.

This one was acting as the 16th Division commander since Izo had left.

And, they were a drag queen.

Yes, the Whitebeard Pirates also had drag queens.

Sometimes they had more backbone than men, like Mr. 2 Bon Clay.

This one's name was Miro, acting 16th Division commander.

"That's enough. Since no one else will eat the Kyubi Fruit besides Izo, you're the best fit. Atmos, you come too. Be ready to support us," Roy said.

"No problem, big brother," Atmos nodded.

"I promise to complete the mission!" Miro was ecstatic and transformed into a beautiful woman with a 'pop!'

"Big brother, if you need, "

Wham!

Roy kicked him, flying. Even as a woman, Miro couldn't change his flirtatious ways.

Jinbe stood, sweating at the scene before him.

"Jinbe, let's go," Roy said.

"Yes, big brother," Jinbe nodded, setting off with the Sun Pirates' ship.

Because their ship could travel underwater, they avoided the surveillance. If the Whitebeard Pirates' flag ship moved, it would raise alarms, alerting the Five Elders and Akainu.

Instead, the Sun Pirates' ship left quietly under the sea.

Roy, Miro, and Atmos headed out; everyone else stayed with the crew.

Meanwhile, Totto Land was bustling with activity…

...

If you enjoy the story, my p@treon is 30 chapters ahead.

[email protected]/DaoistJinzu