Chapter 148: Chapter 148: Haki Reigns Supreme, the Tontatta Tribe
News of the Phoenix Fruit in Dressrosa spread like wildfire.
The entire world knew that only the Whitebeard Pirates had the ability to replicate the Phoenix Devil Fruit. How it had ended up in Doflamingo's hands was a mystery.
Once the news broke, people began flooding toward Dressrosa, making it livelier than ever.
Roy and Atmos, however, stayed relatively quiet, even getting flirted with by some women on the street.
"Big bro, you're really not going to act? He stole our stuff," Atmos said angrily.
"We already sold that fruit. The ones who took the loss are the Beasts Pirates. If someone's going to stir trouble, it should be them," Roy replied.
"So you think they'll come?" Atmos asked.
"Unless something unexpected happens, they probably will. Thanks," Roy said as he nodded to the toy bringing him tea.
"Enjoy your meal!"
The toy spoke cheerfully and prepared to clean the table with a cloth.
"Poor soul, trapped in a toy's body," Roy said to the toy.
Suddenly, the toy began to cry, its body trembling and movement turning sluggish.
Clatter!
It accidentally knocked the table over. This restaurant was owned by the Donquixote Family, and the furious shop owner came out and kicked the toy flying, then turned to Roy and said:
"Since you've already been served, you'll have to pay for the meal."
"You still want me to pay after that?" Roy chuckled.
"Of course. Once it's served, it's your responsibility."
"Fine." Roy glanced at the toy, now staggering back toward them.
"Let me give you a chance. I don't feel like paying," Roy said as he touched the toy. The next moment, the toy began to transform back into a pirate.
"I... I'm back to normal!"
The pirate stared at his restored body in shock before glaring at the manager.
"Y-You… How did a toy turn into a person?!" The manager clearly had no idea how the toys came to be.
"DIE!"
The pirate instantly lashed out, killing the manager with a single punch.
"Thank you for saving me." The pirate bowed deeply to Roy.
"Sir, I don't even know your name, but please let me follow you!"
"You should probably run for now," Roy grinned.
"Understood."
Without another word, the pirate bolted. The Donquixote Family quickly mobilized after the murder.
The pirate was no weakling; he easily cut through the family's grunts, fighting his way out. But then he ran into a strangely dressed man sucking on a pacifier.
"I remember you were turned into a toy. How'd you revert? None of the other toys changed. Trebol's guarding the beach, so nothing should've gone wrong. How did you escape?" Senor Pink mumbled as he chewed his pacifier.
"Senor Pink is so cool~" Three bikini-clad women sighed dreamily beside him.
"SCREW OFF!"
The pirate didn't care who he was; he charged straight at Senor Pink.
"Ladies, give me some space." Senor Pink shoved the women away, then suddenly jumped and vanished into the ground.
"Where'd he go?!" The pirate spun around, only to feel something grab his legs.
"I'm underground, dumbass."
With that, Señor Pink dragged him into the floor, immobilizing him.
Soon, other Donquixote Family members arrived and began beating the pirate senseless before hauling him away.
"His curse is gone? How did the toy curse break?"
This was the first time Doflamingo had seen such a thing. If the toys started reverting en masse, it would spell disaster for Dressrosa.
Right now, he was already at odds with Law. In a day, Law and his crew would arrive, meaning Law likely knew about Sugar and might target her.
"Speak! How did you turn back from a toy?" Diamante lifted the bloodied pirate by his collar.
"I-I don't know who he was… He just touched me, and I turned back…" the pirate slurred through swollen lips.
BANG!
Smoke rose from the gun in Doflamingo's hand. The pirate fell flat, dead.
"Fufufufufu... Things are getting interesting. Looks like lots of people are coming for the Phoenix Fruit. And now someone can negate the effects of the Hobby-Hobby Fruit? Find out who it is," Doflamingo ordered.
"Young Master, we checked the surveillance Den Den Mushi. It's probably these two." Trebol pointed at a screen.
"Keep an eye on them."
"Should we…?" Diamante drew a finger across his throat.
"No. They might have some special ability. Don't act recklessly for now." Dofalmingo replied.
"YES!"
As time passed, the island grew even more chaotic. Meanwhile, Roy simply enjoyed the local cuisine.
Dressrosa was undeniably a tourist hotspot. Though lacking in natural resources, its reputation as the "Island of Love," combined with its calm waters, drew countless couples.
Its economy relied heavily on the service industry... and the Tontatta Tribe.
To Roy, Dressrosa's treatment of the Tontatta was like legalized theft.
It reminded him of a certain country from his memories, one just as illogical, yet convinced of its brilliance.
The Tontatta were essentially allowed to steal freely, excused as "mischievous sprites."
But stealing is still stealing, no matter what you call it.
It was the Donquixote Family that committed the atrocities, not the Riku Family, yet the Tontatta were given a free pass to steal. Basically, the state pampered them for PR.
Whenever someone got robbed, the government reimbursed them. But where did the government's money come from?
From the people, of course.
Utter foolishness.
And sure enough, Roy caught a thief.
"You can't just steal my stuff, you know," Roy flicked the little Tontatta thief on the forehead.
"Hmph! If no one notices, it's not stealing! And besides, it's not even theft, we can take whatever we want on this island!" the tiny girl said, clutching her head.
"Lucky for you, you didn't manage to take this. It's dangerous. If you ate it, you'd probably die," Roy said.
"Really?! You're carrying poison?! Were you trying to kill me, you awful human?!"
"Hey now, this is my stuff. You're the one stealing, how are you the victim?"
"Everything on this island belongs to us!"
"You really need to change that mindset." Roy flicked her again.
"I'm bored anyway. How about you take me to visit your village?"
"No way! You're a bad guy!"
"I'm a good guy."
"Oh... you're a good guy? Okay, I'll take you!"
.....
If you enjoy the story, my p@treon is 30 chapters ahead.
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