One Piece: Groudon the Beasts

Chapter 171 Bah, superstition!
Kin Inari Shrine, entrance.

Countless torii gates are neatly arranged along the winding mountain road, and cherry blossom trees are planted on both sides of the road, making it quite beautiful from a distance.

Yamato looked smug.

"Isn't this place beautiful?"

"good."

Goode remained noncommittal.

Having spent so much time in Wano Country, I've grown tired of its aesthetics, and compared to the giant torii gate at the entrance to Onigashima, the shrine's torii gate seems rather small and insignificant.

"Let's go."

Good and Yamato walked in front, followed by a group of ministers and samurai.

The general's sudden wedding caught the Wano Country completely off guard, and this lapse in decorum greatly displeased the retainers.

But they dared not voice their opinions.

Their only request was to visit the Inari Shrine according to tradition, which was also a way of giving the people an explanation.

"Just consider it as keeping Yamato company."

Goode leisurely went up the mountain to admire the cherry blossoms.

With the year-end just past, the New World was in its most peaceful period, and since he had nothing else to do, he spent a few days playing with Yamato.

Unfortunately, the leisurely days will soon come to an end.

Loki has begun his operation.

Yamato grabbed Goode's hand and excitedly pointed to the roadside.

"Good, look!"

"Ah."

Goode glanced at it.

It's a fox.

There's more than one.

Seemingly accustomed to humans, the foxes in the mountains are not afraid of people; on the contrary, they are quite friendly and will actively approach humans to beg for food.

This is related to the fox's timidity; even when spoiled, it dares not act recklessly, unlike the criminal gangs in its hometown mountains.

Quite cute.

Besides foxes, fox statues can be seen everywhere on the mountain road. The legendary Inari god is known as the fox god, so it is normal to worship foxes.

Soon, the group arrived at the shrine.

The head priestess of the shrine, along with a group of shrine maidens, had been waiting for a long time and stepped forward to greet them with small, quick steps.

"Welcome, General!"

"Sister Gongsi."

Yamato ran up and started chattering away.

Goode scrutinized the other person.

The woman looked young, had a girlish voice, and was full of energy. She occasionally showed her two small tiger teeth while speaking.

Her demeanor and mannerisms were more like those of an apprentice priestess.

What's particularly striking is that it has large, droopy ears on its head and a fluffy, orange tail behind its rear end, just like its long hair.

It is likely a hybrid of human and furry race.

He wondered if he could extract the coordinates of the Mink Clan from this fox, as he had long desired to learn about their fighting prowess.

Goode withdrew his gaze and walked into the main hall.

The red Groudon statue stands in the center, its fierce and imposing presence contrasting sharply with the weak Inari statues on either side, which resemble servants.

"Yes, Not Bad!"

Goode nodded in satisfaction.

The craftsmen of Wano Country are very skilled and you can tell they put a lot of effort into it, recreating about 70-80% of his transformed form.

That's more like it!

He brought the harvest and abundance; we should worship him, not a bunch of wild foxes.

We'll have the craftsmen carve another one later and send one to the country of laborers as well; good things always come in pairs.

Yamato and the priest entered the hall together, and she was stunned when she saw the statue of Groudon. She remembered that it was not like this when she came last time.

Although I was puzzled, business was the priority.

"Good, the ceremony is about to begin."

"it is good."

Good and Yamato arrived outside the hall.

The so-called ceremony was actually the priest leading the shrine maidens to pray for him and Yamato. Each shrine maiden held a "gohei" (a type of shrine maiden's gift) and circled around them, sprinkling water.

It symbolizes cleansing the mind and body.

"Pooh!"

Miss Miyaji secretly spat.

Goode narrowed his eyes, noticing the woman's subtle actions, and couldn't help but feel amused. It seemed this woman had a lot of opinions about him.

Great, taxes need to be increased!

After the ceremony, Yamato pulled Goode aside with a mysterious look on her face and said, "Goode, let's have Sister Kuji tell our fortunes!"

"She can tell fortunes?"

"Sister Gongsi's divination is incredibly accurate!"

"That's fine."

Goode nodded with a smile.

He remembered that there was also a mermaid on Fishman Island who was very accurate in her divination. It involved metaphysics, so he figured it wouldn't hurt to give it a try.

In the side hall.

"General, would you like to consult the oracle?" Miss Gongsi smiled and said, "General, you have the appearance of a blessed person. You don't need the oracle to turn bad luck into good and enjoy happiness and health."

"I just want to give it a try."

Yamato's eyes sparkled.

"Ok."

The priest took out a divination bamboo tube and handed it to Yamato.

"Crash!"

Yamato took the bamboo tube and shook it vigorously.

Soon a bamboo skewer fell to the ground.

"How about it?"

"Good luck!"

The priest looked at Yamato with a rather strange expression.

When Yamato came to draw a fortune stick last time, he also drew a very auspicious one.

Could he truly be a person of great fortune?

She was just saying it casually!

"What does the General want to know?"

"Um~"

Yamato raised his finger and pressed it to his lips, deep in thought.

What should I ask for?

Last time I prayed to go to sea, it came true immediately.

"I don't know!"

"."

Think it through before you come to draw a fortune stick!

The palace priest's smile froze as he looked at Goode.

"Does Lord Goode also require a signature?"

"Ok!"

Good picked up the bamboo tube and shook it.

A bamboo skewer fell to the ground.

The priest picked up the bamboo stick and looked at the same two characters "Great Fortune" on it, and his resentment instantly increased significantly.

Why is this bastard also considered lucky?!
Goode's heart skipped a beat. The woman's face didn't look good. Could it be that his divination was too bad?
"How about it?"

"Big evil!"

The priest's interpretation of the divination slip was decisive and clear.

She misread it; it's a very bad omen!

Goode's face darkened.

Bah! Feudal superstition!

The palace official was all smiles.

"Lord Goode, what do you wish to ask for?"

"Zou!"

Goode looked amused.

The priest's hand trembled, and the bamboo skewer almost fell.

She was familiar with the word Zou; her great-grandmother came from Zou, and Zou was mentioned most often in her handwritten notes.

The priest chuckled awkwardly: "Lord Goode, Zou is a secluded place. Divination slips alone are not enough. Do you have any other evidence?"

"Have!"

Goode reached out and grabbed the woman's tail.

"what!"

Gong Si shuddered and almost jumped up, then felt a sharp pain in her tail as a tuft of orange fur appeared before her eyes.

It's her tail hair!

"Is this okay?"

"Row!"

The priest, clutching his bald tail, nodded through gritted teeth.

She wants to make ten voodoo dolls!
After some mystical explanations, the woman quickly found the answer.

"Northwest!"

"northwest?"

Goode frowned.

Wano Country is located near the Calm Belt, with Elbaf to the east, Eghard to the southeast, and Beehive Island to the northeast.

The northwest is a doldrums!
Whether the giant elephant is hiding near the Calm Belt or inside it, given its size, it certainly isn't afraid of sea kings.

The side hall door was pushed open!

"Hoo-ho~ Hoo-ho~~"

The antelope was covered in sweat, clutching its back and panting heavily. It took it a long time before it had the strength to report.

"Lord Goode, the expeditionary fleet has been assembled!"

"it is good!"

Goode was invigorated.

"Pass the word down, depart immediately!"

(End of this chapter)