Mink Tribe

The **Mink Tribe** is a race in the world. They were first mentioned in the list of slave prices that Duval showed to Sanji.[4] The vast majority of it lives in the Mokomo Dukedom on top of Zou, and has largely remained isolated from other human civilizations for 1000 years.[3]

## Appearance

Minks are humanoids with animal features. Similar to fishmen and merfolk, each individual takes after a specific animal. So far, the animalistic traits of the minks have all been fur-covered mammalian. As such, fur, which they also refer to as "mink", covers most of their bodies and is considered their pride and joy.[5] Females tend to look more like humans[6] while males tend to look more beastial.[7] They possess humanoid hands and feet, but those based on animals with paws will also possess paw pads on their palm and up to their first knuckle.[8]

## Biology

The species that individual minks take after are not directly hereditary. When Pekoms reunited with his parents, none of the minks in the crowd were lion minks.[9] Also similar to fishmen and merfolk, minks can give birth to any species of mammals, depending on their heritage.[10]

### Minks and Their Species

* **Inuarashi**, **Wanda**: Dog
* **Nekomamushi**, **Faust**, **Noir** (Show): Cat
* **Bepo**, **Zepo**: Polar bear
* **Pekoms**, **Sicilian**: Lion
* **Tristan**: Squirrel
* **Bariete**, **Monjii**: Monkey
* **Carrot**: Rabbit
* **Roddy**: Bull
* **Blackback**: Gorilla
* **Pedro**: Jaguar
* **Yomo**: Sheep
* **Miyagi**: Goat
* **Milky**: Reindeer
* **Musatobi** (filler): Flying squirrel

## Overall Strength

All minks have formidable physical abilities, far superior to normal humans. Some are highly agile and can leap incredible distances[11] while others are incredibly burly and strong.[12] They also possess considerable stealth capabilities, having completely surrounded Monkey D. Luffy, a proficient user of Kenbunshoku Haki, without him even realizing it.[13]

All minks are powerful warriors from birth who retained their strength in old age.[14] Through unknown means, they can produce electric shocks known as **Electro** (エレクトロ *Erekutoro*?)[15] from their bodies.[16][17][14]Some of them are trained in weaponry such as swords and spears through which they can channel Electro.[16][18][19] They also possess extremely quick recovery rates[20] and a strong metabolism.[21] Their overall combat abilities are great enough that Capone Bege, a member of the Worst Generation with a bounty of 300,000,000 and a large amount of men and firepower at his disposal, was wary of confronting the minks even though they were still recovering from Jack's assault.[22]

If a mink looks upon a full moon that is unobscured, their primal instincts will emerge and they will transform into their **Sulong** (月の獅子 (スーロン)*Sūron*?, literally meaning "Moon Lion") form. Along with their altered appearances, their strength and speed also increase. This form is strong enough, that when a single Mink transformed, it caused panic amongst the powerful members of the Big Mom Pirates. It is thought to be something only the minks of Zou train in and is considered to be the "true form" of the Mink Tribe.[23][24][25] It is said that without proper training to suppress their feral urges, minks will lose their minds and rampage indiscriminately. Also, using this form for too long can cause severe exhaustion or even death. A mink can return to their original form if they block their eyes from the moonlight.[26]

Despite their great combat strength, the minks are left weakened by heat due to their thick fur coats.[27]

## Beliefs

Minks take great pride in their fur, which they refer to as "mink", and it seems to be an important aspect of their race's identity.[5] The Whale Forest is a sacred place that the minks of Zou have revered for generations, and because of this, it is constantly under the protection of one of the rulers of the Mokomo Dukedom, Master Nekomamushi.[37] Duke Inuarashi has also indicated that the minks of Zou revere several deities, though the details of their spiritual traditions remain unknown.[38] Mink's tend to share a unique speech pattern, with females occasionally adding "*-teia*" and males adding "*-gara*", mid-sentence, usually attached to a pronoun (e.g.: you*-teia*, or you*-gara*).

The minks do not eat meat from anything with fur due to their own mammalian appearances, but they do not have a problem with eating non-furry mammals like hippos. Their diet also includes amphibians, reptiles, and fish.[39]

While the minks do not seem to differ among themselves, they recognize the different species among their race, as demonstrated when Wanda referred to several members and herself as "Canine Minks" (犬のミンク*Inu no Minku*?).[40]

The minks are very honest with their desires and naturally pursue things that their animal traits stereotypically like, such as bananas for primate minks,[41] fluttery cloth for bull minks,[42] or bones for canine minks.[40] They tend to show affection to others in the form of "minkship", which includes cuddling, nibbling, licking,[39] or exchanging clothes, an act they consider to be a sign of friendship.[43]

The minks that live on Zou had divided their day between day and night and after 12 hours, exactly at six o'clock, fell asleep immediately where they stood. This was done to prevent the two leaders from encountering each other and fighting.[44] However, several exceptions have been shown, like the "Ruler's Aides",[45] the Guardians,[46][47] during intense fights,[48] and during a nation wide event.[49] After Inuarashi and Nekomamushiwere asked to make peace with each other by Momonosuke, this segmentation has been nulled.[50][51]

## TMNT X Pokemon

The Mink Tribe became one of the Turtles' forces and they take care of the supplies during long voyages.

## Trivia

* The minks' Sulong transformation is similar to the myth about werewolfs, who would also transform from humans into ferocious bipedal animals (wolfs) under the light of a full moon.