Arceus's Pirate Journey

Chapter 181: Chapter 180: Stubborn Mouth

The fundamental reason why they fight is because Nekomamushi always wants to stand on the moral high ground to condemn her, yet when condemning Setsuna, he is doing the same thing himself.

It’s right to do this for Oden, but wrong when others do it. This is the root of their conflict.

People have already been beaten up; as long as Nekomamushi verbally yields to her, her pride will be salvaged.

The matter would have ended here, but some people remain stubborn even when utterly defeated.

Nekomamushi at this time was like that; not only did he think he was not wrong in previous matters, but he also refused to accept defeat from Setsuna, astonished at how she could defeat him like this.

After all, the Setsuna of the past was nowhere near so strong.

”Don’t get cocky, if it weren’t for those crazy bulls injuring me, you wouldn’t stand a chance against me.. meow.. wuuu...”

But before Nekomamushi could finish speaking, Inuarashi blocked his mouth. If it continued like this, it wouldn’t end well.

”It seems you are quite unconvinced.”

”Indeed, I’m not convinced. You just took advantage of me! Inuarashi, let go of me, let me fight her again.”

”You dumb cat, can’t you see this isn’t how it was years ago? You can’t beat her now!”

”You’re actually siding with that violent wolf against me? Don’t forget where we are, shouldn’t you be helping me?”

Setsuna looked at Inuarashi and Nekomamushi before her; if she weren’t familiar with the two of them, she would think they were acting, as they were almost at each other’s throats.

”Nekomamushi, you say I’m taking advantage of others’ peril?”

”Meow wuuu... Otherwise, those crazy bulls drained us a lot, and we didn’t bring weapons; otherwise, you couldn’t possibly be my match.”

”Alright, I’ll give you the chance to prepare. Tomorrow night, on that beach during the day, we fight again. You can come alone, bring Inuarashi, or call some others, like those so-called friends of yours.

If you lose to me again, then you’ll honestly apologize and admit your mistake! Never come to our place to cause trouble again! And have to compensate today’s losses!”

Nekomamushi’s stubbornness exceeded her expectations, and the Fur Race inherently carries a beast-like thinking; at times like this, the only choice is physical persuasion; whoever wins is right.

”What if you lose?”

”What do you want?”

”Continue supplying fresh food to Oden Castle.”

”Okay, but for now, please get away from me; I don’t want to see you anymore.”

Ultimately, the matter temporarily concluded with Nekomamushi getting beaten up. With her words, the two of them left Peach Blossom Spring Farm intact, while Setsuna began counting the damaged items in the farm.

These things need someone responsible, and having let them go, she had to take responsibility herself; it’s a rule within the Hundred Beasts Pirate Group, no exceptions.

So these losses had to be covered from her own pocket for now.

[Even though I beat up Nekomamushi, I’m not satisfied at all; if I can’t convince him tomorrow, I’ll change my name to his....] Taking out her diary, she wrote a couple more lines.

However, upon returning, she saw Zeraora sitting at the door waiting for her.

”They said you let them go.”

Setsuna’s actions couldn’t be ignored by the pirates below, so they informed Zeraora, as he is the person in charge here.

”I’m sorry, those two were my old friends, so I forgave them this time... I’ll take responsibility for the damages.”

In front of Zeraora, she concealed some matters. The majority of rules were established by Arceus and Asie, and because of Arceus’s involvement, Shaina and Zeraora considered them iron-clad.

If there wasn’t a good reason, they couldn’t disregard them.

”But some say you fought.”

”That guy’s quite annoying, but he’s still a decent person. Please, Zeraora, Karoochoo~” Her usual method over the years—the act of pleading—often has a significant effect.

”....Just this once.”

Ultimately, these two were merely minor thieves, unlike Kinemon’s intrusion into Udon Mine; it could be big or small. Seeing her plea, Zeraora decided not to pursue the matter further.

”Thanks, Zeraora, you’re the best.”

”Go to sleep already, it’s getting late.”

...

On the other side, Inuarashi supported Nekomamushi back to Oden Castle.

”Inuarashi, you actually didn’t help me!”

”You’ve gone too far; you targeted Setsuna from the moment you returned. Don’t you realize your own issues?”

”Did you forget what happened to Kinemon? Who made her join the Hundred Beasts?”

”That’s not Setsuna’s doing, and she initially wanted to give us some things, but you ruined it!”

The two of them bickered along the way, but neither managed to convince the other. In the end, they quietly returned to their room. Setsuna’s initial punches showed no mercy, leaving obvious marks from Miltank.

They didn’t want others to notice, to prevent worry; with other Household Attendants, Nekomamushi’s attitude and patience were much better than before.

”Inuarashi, what should we do tomorrow?”

”What do you mean? Fight, this is your doing.” Seeing Nekomamushi bring it up, Inuarashi didn’t want to pay attention. In his view, if it weren’t for Nekomamushi’s mouth, things wouldn’t be so complicated.

”No... I mean, I probably can’t beat that girl anymore; she’s gotten so strong over the years.” In front of Inuarashi, he didn’t continue being stubborn.

”Then just admit your mistake. You’re unfairly targeting her; she is she, and the Hundred Beasts is the Hundred Beasts.”

”That’s not what I’m saying! Think of Lady Toki and Lord Momonosuke, Lady Hiyori. If we win, we’ll get fresh food.”

”You mean....” Inuarashi seemed to understand what Nekomamushi meant, but he felt somewhat ashamed; facing a girl two years younger than themselves, even if they won, there was nothing to be proud of.

If this were reported back to Zou, it would be quite embarrassing, but Nekomamushi’s reason was indeed realistic; this was the best way for them to obtain fresh food.

Though Denjiro was trying hard to make money, it barely filled some gaps, evidenced by the patches on their clothing.

”She said we could come together. This is for the Kozuki Family; we can set aside our personal pride.”

”Let me think about it...”

Nekomamushi said nothing more, understanding Inuarashi well enough, knowing that not outright rejecting means agreement. In his view, individually, they might not defeat Setsuna, but together, there’s no problem.

However, he overlooked one detail: tomorrow night happens to be the full moon of the month...