Chapter 326: The Melee of Falling Meteors! Lucy and the Pink-Haired Female Gladiator
High in the sky.
A massive burning meteor, like a divine punishment of the apocalypse, roared as it crashed towards the golden sands of Green Bit.
The terrifying wind pressure descending from the sky caused the surrounding towering trees, which had grown for centuries, to let out groans of being overburdened before it even touched the ground.
Then, they were directly uprooted by the violent airflow and swept into the air.
Law and Doflamingo, who were originally engaged in a life-and-death struggle at the junction of the primeval forest and the beach, faced this destructive strike that was like a natural disaster.
They had no choice but to stop their movements, temporarily putting aside their intent to kill each other.
Doflamingo looked up, his red sunglasses reflecting the falling meteor.
Without the slightest hesitation, he immediately waved his hands toward the sky, fingers splayed, as countless incredibly tough white threads gushed from his fingertips.
These threads quickly intertwined in mid-air, instantly releasing a massive web of strings large enough to cover the entire sky—"Spider's Web".
On the other side, Law also reacted with lightning speed, pressing one hand down forcefully.
"ROOM".
He quickly expanded a massive hemispherical space large enough to shroud the entire area—"ROOM".
He gripped the hilt of his nodachi, "kikoku," tightly with both hands, waiting in grim anticipation.
"Boom—!!!"
Accompanied by a deafening, earth-shattering roar.
The massive meteor crashed violently into Doflamingo's tough string web, and then met Law's incomparably sharp spatial slashes.
The enormous meteor from outer space was sliced alive into dozens of large pieces of burning rock in mid-air.
Law's gaze suddenly turned cold, and he jerked his long blade upward, letting out a low shout:
"Tact!"
The dozen or so burning boulders that were originally crashing toward Law's position under gravity instantly changed their trajectory under the control of spatial rules.
Like a violent meteor shower, they all whistled and smashed toward Doflamingo not far away.
Facing this insidious move that used his own strength against him, a vein pulsed on Doflamingo's forehead as he let out a cold snort.
With a slight movement of his fingertips, sharp threads sliced through the air, once again cutting the incoming burning boulders into even smaller fragments.
The unintercepted meteor fragments rained down on the vast forest and beach, instantly triggering a series of earth-shaking chain explosions.
Soaring flames and billowing thick smoke rose up.
In just a few seconds, the entire island of Green Bit became riddled with holes, and more than half of its landscape was completely destroyed by this inhuman power.
After a long time, the thick dust slowly dissipated under the blowing of the sea breeze.
The blind Admiral Fujitora was seen leaning on his ordinary Cane sword with both hands, standing calmly on a high and intact rock pillar.
The deadly meteor fragments around him were all forcefully repelled by the terrifying gravity field surrounding him the moment they fell, without harming him in the slightest.
In the nearby ruins, Doflamingo and Law each stood on an isolated piece of rock debris, warily watching this uninvited guest.
Fujitora kept his eyes closed, feeling the chaotic airflow around him, and spoke in a flat tone:
"Gentlemen, since you've made such a big scene, why don't you come with me?"
The veins on Doflamingo's cheeks pulsed wildly.
He gritted his teeth tightly, staring intently at Fujitora standing on high.
As a king who had struggled in the Underworld for many years, he was very clear in his heart.
The blind fellow before him, with his stubborn personality and his so-called "benevolence and justice," was definitely not a lapdog of the World Government that could be easily fooled.
If he allowed things to continue, this stubborn guy would definitely follow the clues and cause him trouble.
On the other side, Law's brow was also furrowed.
Facing a pincer attack from a current Admiral and a Seven Warlords of the Sea.
Reason told him that he no longer had any chance of killing Doflamingo here today.
The most urgent task now was to find a perfect opportunity to escape this deadly encirclement, meet up with the Straw Hat Captain, and discuss a new strategy.
...
Meanwhile, inside the waiting area of Dressrosa's Corrida Colosseum, it was a completely different scene.
The great pirate "The Drill" Piman was currently like a completely out-of-control raging bull, rampaging through the intricate corridors.
His eyes were bloodshot, and everywhere he went, walls shattered and stone pillars collapsed.
Deafening roars continuously erupted from his mouth, shouting that he would definitely make Garp's grandson pay in blood.
In another passage, "White Horse" Cavendish was not to be outdone.
He unleashed one sharp sword qi after another, swearing to tear that Straw Hat brat, who had stolen all his limelight and headlines, into pieces.
The contestants, who were originally fierce and sinister, were now all scared into fleeing in all directions by these two crazed powerhouses, leaving the entire waiting area in chaos.
In order not to expose his true identity prematurely, Luffy forced himself to suppress the urge to fight back.
He could only hold onto the mask on his face and flee frantically through the complex passages.
While scurrying through the crowd with his head down, he shouted explanations while sweating profusely:
"I told you, my name is Lucy! Lucy!"
"You two have the completely wrong person, this is so annoying!"
Seeing the two lunatics behind him getting closer and closer, Luffy, relying on his animalistic intuition, spotted a deserted, secluded corner ahead.
He bent his legs and, with a very smooth slide, slipped into a quiet little room with its door slightly ajar.
He quickly closed the door, finally succeeding in shaking off those two troublesome fellows outside.
"Whew... that was close, I almost got caught."
Luffy leaned against the back of the door and let out a long sigh of relief.
However, as soon as he turned around, before he could clearly see the room's furnishings, he collided squarely with a figure inside.
"Ouch!"
This room seemed to be a storage room for gladiator supplies and bento boxes.
The other person was wearing a rather revealing gold metal bikini armor, with a bright red cloak draped behind her.
Hit by this sudden and violent impact, the female gladiator let out a cry of pain and stepped back unsteadily.
The heavy ancient Roman-style helmet she was wearing fell onto the hard floor with a "clang."
Instantly, a head of pink hair as brilliant as cherry blossoms was revealed, along with an exquisite and beautiful face.
Luffy fell onto his butt on the ground.
He rubbed his sore head and looked up, his clear eyes staring at the other person's face for a full three seconds.
Suddenly, as if he had discovered a new continent, Luffy showed an exaggerated expression of extreme shock and confusion.
He pointed his finger at the girl before him and shouted loudly:
"Eh?! Nami?!"
"How did you get in here too!"
"When did you dye your hair pink?!"
"And why are you dressed in such a strange way!"
The girl, who had been mysteriously knocked down and forcibly called "Nami," now had black lines all over her face.
She stood up from the ground, rubbed her shoulder, and took a step back warily.
Then she bent down to pick up the helmet from the floor and retorted irritably:
"I don't know what nonsense you're talking about, and my name isn't Nami."
"Listen up, I am the gladiator Rebecca!"
However, Luffy didn't care at all about his mistake in identification.
Because in the next second, his gaze was instantly and firmly attracted by the luxurious bento box in Rebecca's hand, which was emitting an enticing aroma.
"Gurgle—"
As if responding to its owner's gaze, Luffy's stomach let out a rumble in perfect cooperation.
Looking at Luffy's comical appearance as he stared longingly at the food, with saliva almost dripping out.
Rebecca, who was originally full of wariness, froze for a moment, then couldn't help but let out a "pfft" and a light laugh.
She looked at the strange guy in front of her wearing a funny fake beard, and the wariness in her eyes lessened slightly.
She generously handed over the luxurious bento in her hand:
"You're also a contestant here for the gladiator competition, right?"
"If you don't mind, you can have this bento."
"Anyway, once we step onto that cruel arena, we could lose our lives at any time before eating our next meal."
Luffy's eyes instantly lit up, as if he had seen a peerless treasure.
He had no idea what "politeness" meant; he grabbed the heavy bento box, opened the lid without hesitation, and stuffed a large meatball into his mouth.
As he chewed with his cheeks bulging, he gave a thumbs-up and praised unclearly but gratefully:
"Mmm! So delicious!"
"Thank you! Pink-haired Nami! You're a great person!"
Hearing this name, an anger vein popped on Rebecca's forehead again, just after she had started to feel a bit of goodwill toward him.
Clenching her fists, she shouted in exasperation:
"I told you, my name is Rebecca!"
"Not Nami, you idiot!""Chapter 327: The Art of Deception! The Descending Hero 'Uso-land'
Inside the quiet storage room of the Corrida Colosseum.
Luffy held the box of deluxe bento, devouring it greedily without any hesitation.
He used both hands, continuously stuffing delicious chunks of meat and rice balls into his mouth until his cheeks were bulging.
Standing to the side, Rebecca quietly watched this carefree and strange gladiator, a faint trace of envy involuntarily flashing in her eyes.
In this colosseum full of killing and schemes, being able to have such a pure smile and appetite was a true luxury.
As they ate, their gazes followed the iron bars of the waiting room window toward a tall bronze statue outside the arena.
Rebecca's eyes grew somewhat dim.
She pointed at the weathered statue and softly told Luffy a legend of this country:
"That is the statue of the 'Undefeated Gladiator,' Kyros."
"Legend has it that he achieved an astounding record of three thousand undefeated matches in this colosseum; he is a true hero."
"However, the strange thing is that in all of Dressrosa, from the King down to the commoners, everyone claims they don't know this hero at all."
"It's as if... he has been completely erased from the world's memory."
Looking at Luffy's face, which was stained with grains of rice, Rebecca took a deep breath.
In this oppressive environment, she somehow felt a trace of trust for this stranger she had just met.
"I must win!"
"I want to win the championship and use the moment of victory to personally assassinate Doflamingo!"
"Only by killing him can this country shrouded in darkness truly be liberated!"
After listening to Rebecca's heavy and sorrowful confession, Luffy happened to swallow his last bite of food.
He patted his round, full belly with great satisfaction and let out a burp.
Then, he turned his head, his clear eyes becoming exceptionally serious.
"The bento was really delicious, thanks!"
"But sorry, that wish of yours probably won't come true."
Rebecca froze, and before she could ask why, Luffy reached up and pressed down on his Straw Hat, breaking into a brilliant grin:
"Because that guy called Doflamingo is my prey."
"I said it a long time ago—I'm going to kick his ass!"
...
Meanwhile, on the streets of Acacia Town in Dressrosa.
The 'Cowardly Trio' consisting of Usopp, Chopper, and Brook.
To avoid the Donquixote Family patrol squads inspecting everywhere on the streets, they fled through the crowd like startled birds.
In their panic, they ducked into a remote and dark alley to hide from view.
However, the floor of this alley had long been in disrepair.
Usopp stepped into empty air, and accompanied by the screams of the three, they fell straight into the depths of the underground through a hidden and bottomless slide.
"Thud! Ouch!"
The three were dazed from the fall, seeing stars.
When they rubbed their sore butts and opened their eyes again, they were stunned by the sight before them.
They found that they hadn't fallen into some dark dungeon, but were instead in an underground forest filled with giant exotic plants and vibrant colors, like something out of a fairy tale.
Sunlight spilled down through cracks in the ceiling, and the air was filled with the fresh scent of flowers.
Before they could figure out the situation.
Several blurred afterimages, which were hard to catch with the naked eye, suddenly flashed through the quiet grass surrounding them.
"Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!"
These afterimages were as fast as lightning, stirring up gusts of wind.
In just a few seconds, by the time the three reacted.
Usopp's tactical backpack, Chopper's treasured medical kit, and even the emergency money Brook had carefully hidden in his skull had all been stripped clean without them even noticing!
"Nani?! Where's my backpack!" Usopp shouted in terror.
"Ah! My money was stolen!"
The three were pale with fright, immediately assuming combat stances to counterattack.
However, as soon as they moved, they found they had been pinned to the ground by incredibly tough thin threads at some point.
The three were forced into a humiliating and ridiculous'star' shape, unable to move an inch no matter how hard they struggled.
Just as they were filled with doubt and fear, a 'rustling' sound came from the surrounding grass.
Immediately following that, a large group of 'Tontatta Tribe' (dwarves) only about the size of a palm, with cute pointed noses and fluffy big tails, walked out from all directions holding miniature spears and surrounded them.
The leader of the Tontatta warriors, named Leo, frowned as he looked at Brook, who was still struggling desperately.
To tie this tall skeleton even tighter, Leo actually stepped forward and grabbed Brook's ribs with one hand.
He then effortlessly lifted Brook, who was several times his own size, and slammed him hard against the ground!
"Bang!"
Brook was slammed so hard his bones almost fell apart, and he let out his signature laugh:
"Yohohoho, that hurts."
"Even though I'm only a pile of bones and have no sense of pain."
However, this terrifying monstrous strength, completely inconsistent with their miniature and cute appearance, made Usopp and Chopper's eyes bulge out of their sockets in fear.
Leo raised the spear in his hand, which looked like a sharp embroidery needle, and pressed it directly against Usopp's long, sweating nose, questioning loudly:
"Speak! Are you bad people sent by that despicable Doflamingo?!"
"If you don't confess honestly, we'll strip you of your clothes and throw you directly into the sea to feed the Fighting Fish!"
Facing this fatal threat, Usopp was sweating profusely and trembling all over.
He shook his head desperately, waving his hands repeatedly as he cried for mercy:
"No, no, no! You've misunderstood!"
"We are definitely good people!"
"We're just ordinary travelers who happened to pass by and accidentally fell down here!"
The dwarves were simple-minded; hearing Usopp's defense, some of them even began to believe him.
But just then, Gancho, the elder of the Tontatta Tribe, stepped forward while stroking his long white beard.
He shook his head with a serious expression, interrupting everyone's wavering:
"Don't be fooled, everyone!"
"Humans are best at using flowery words to deceive us; the painful tragedies of the past must never be repeated."
"Look closely, they are carrying all sorts of strange weapons; they are by no means ordinary travelers."
"If there is no solid evidence to prove you are good people, we will execute you immediately!"
Following the elder's command, the sharp tip of the spear in Leo's hand instantly approached Usopp's skin.
At this critical moment.
Usopp's eyes, which were darting around in terror, suddenly swept across the center of this underground plaza, to the giant bronze statue surrounded by countless flowers.
The moment he saw that statue clearly, Usopp froze.
The owner of that statue had an incredibly familiar, signature Chestnut Head!
It was as if a bolt of lightning had flashed through Usopp's mind.
He recalled the experiences back then on Sky Island.
He remembered the man who was mocked by the world as a liar, but was actually a great explorer—'Mont Blanc Noland'!
A crazy plan instantly formed in Usopp's mind.
Usopp suddenly took a deep breath, forcing all the panicked expressions on his face to vanish.
He closed his eyes to build up his emotions.
When he opened them again, his gaze was filled with depth and world-weariness.
"Hahahaha! Foolish!"
"Truly too foolish!"
"You little guys, open your eyes and look closely at that statue."
"Have you still not noticed the incredibly noble bloodline flowing within me?!"
Amidst the stunned gazes of the dwarves, Usopp puffed out his chest and loudly declared without shame:
"That's right!"
"I am the direct descendant of that great hero Noland—'Uso-land'!"
"It is destiny that guided me here."
"I am the hero who has descended to save the Tontatta Tribe from their sea of suffering!"
This resounding declaration instantly caused a massive stir among the dwarves.
They looked at each other, sparks of hope already igniting in their simple eyes.
But as a warrior, Leo still maintained a trace of reason and skepticism.
He stepped forward and retorted loudly, "You're lying!"
"The hero Noland possessed god-like strength back then; he only needed to stomp his foot lightly to make the earth tremble!"
"If you truly are his descendant, prove it to us right now!"
To verify the truth, the threads on Usopp's body were temporarily loosened.
He stood up from the ground, hands behind his back, looking as steady as an old dog and appearing like an otherworldly master, but in reality, his heart was already panicking like crazy.
In this brief interval, using his body as cover, he secretly hid an incredibly powerful 'impact dial' brought from Sky Island in his palm, along with a 'Smoke Star' used for visual effects.
Usopp took a deep breath, suddenly turned around, and shouted:
"Watch closely, everyone! This is the power of a hero!"
Before his voice had even faded, he slammed his palm heavily onto a nearby hard boulder!
"Boom!"
The powerful force of the impact dial exploded instantly, shattering the boulder into pieces.
At the same time, the Smoke Star hidden in his palm also detonated, erupting into a rolling thick mist that made Usopp's figure look like a god descending to earth.
And as if fate truly was protecting this sniper...
Almost at the exact same moment Usopp shattered the boulder!
Above the surface, the massive commotion caused by Admiral Fujitora summoning that terrifying meteorite to strike Green Bit happened to occur.
This terrifying aftershock traveled through the earth's crust to the underground.
The entire underground space began to shake violently, as if a massive earthquake had truly occurred!
Seeing this, Chopper and Brook, who were lying on the ground, immediately caught on.
"Oh oh oh oh! It's here! Lord Uso-land is showing his might!"
"Too terrifying! With just one strike, the earth is trembling!"
Looking at this terrifying, earth-shaking power and hearing the exclamations of his companions.
The psychological defenses of those simple dwarves completely crumbled, and they believed him.
Their faces were covered in tears as they threw down their weapons and knelt piously on the ground.
Countless dwarves waved their hands fanatically, cheering loudly:
"It's true! The descendant of the hero has descended! Lord Uso-land!"
Standing in the thick mist and being worshipped as a god, Usopp quietly raised his hand and wiped the cold sweat from his forehead.
Then, with hands on his hips, he let out a burst of extremely arrogant laughter in cooperation"
328: The Great Swordsman's Chase! Uso-land on the Throne
Above ground.
Acacia Town was filled with passion and clamor.
However, within this carefully whitewashed, bustling labyrinth...
Zoro, without any suspense, once again displayed his consistent lack of direction.
After completely losing the main group, Zoro somehow managed to turn into a completely unfamiliar neighborhood.
With his arms crossed and brows furrowed, he was wandering aimlessly through the intricate alleys.
At the same time, high atop the roofs on both sides of the street...
A scout named "Wicca," who was gathering intelligence for the Tontatta rebel army, quietly set her eyes on the lost Marimo swordsman below.
To be precise, Wicca wasn't interested in Zoro himself, but the famous sword at his waist with the white hilt and scabbard—"wado ichimonji."
As a warrior of the Tontatta Tribe, she possessed a keen eye and recognized at a glance that it was a peerless blade that could cut through iron like butter.
In order to prepare high-quality weapons for the upcoming decisive battle...
Wicca crouched on the eaves, preparing to quietly swipe the weapon.
At this moment, Zoro was standing at a crossroads, looking at the identical buildings in all four directions. He scratched his short green hair in frustration and muttered with a face full of confusion:
"Damn it, why do all the streets in this country look the same?"
"Where on earth did Luffy and the others run off to..."
Now was the time!
Wicca seized the moment Zoro was distracted. Her petite body turned into an elusive afterimage as she leapt from the roof, heading straight for the sword hilt at Zoro's waist.
However, just as Wicca's fingers were about to touch the scabbard...
Zoro's beastly instincts keenly sensed the slight disturbance in the air.
His gaze suddenly turned cold, and his broad palm shot out like lightning, firmly gripping the hilt of wado ichimonji.
"Who is it?" Zoro barked, his sharp gaze sweeping to his side.
"Hm... that is..."
After seeing the attacker clearly, Zoro froze for a moment.
He had expected some ferocious assassin.
But he hadn't expected a strange creature only the size of a palm with a fluffy tail to appear in his field of vision.
Seeing things were going south, Wicca knew she had bitten off more than she could chew.
She cried out, reacting extremely quickly by pivoting in mid-air. Upon landing, she took off running, her speed so fast that only a blurry afterimage could be seen.
"Hey! You there, don't run!"
Zoro snapped to his senses and immediately gave chase with his long legs.
The two of them engaged in a fierce, high-energy chase through this exotic town.
From narrow, winding alleys to staggered red-tiled roofs, and then to residential balconies filled with flowers.
Zoro sprinted all the way behind this agile little figure, knocking over many fruit stalls and clothes racks along the way, causing quite a commotion.
This chaotic chase happened to catch the attention of Franky, who was in a nearby neighborhood, and the one-legged clockwork toy soldier leading him—Kyros.
"That Marimo... what kind of madness is he up to now?"
Franky adjusted his sunglasses, watching his companion sprint across the rooftops.
Seeing that agile "little mouse" slip into a crack in a thick stone wall, Zoro clicked his tongue impatiently.
He didn't bother taking a detour; he gripped his sword hilt with a reverse hand, a cold light flashing in his eyes, preparing to draw his blade and smash the stone wall to clear a path.
"SUPER—Wait a second! Zoro!"
Accompanied by a familiar shout, Franky suddenly burst out from a side alley.
He extended his broad steel arm, stopping Zoro just as he was about to draw his sword and cause destruction.
Zoro stopped his movements and looked at the companion who had suddenly appeared before him, his face full of surprise:
"Franky? Why are you here?"
While the two were talking, Kyros hopped over from behind.
In his hand, he was holding the scout Wicca, who had just tried to steal the sword.
Kyros set Wicca down, then stood solemnly on one leg and bowed deeply and sincerely to Zoro to apologize:
"My deepest apologies, Sir Swordsman."
"This is Wicca, a warrior of our Tontatta Tribe."
"She committed this reckless act of theft to gather weapons for the rebel army. Please forgive her offense."
Once the misunderstanding was cleared, Zoro sheathed his sword, though still somewhat skeptical.
Then, Franky solemnly gave Zoro a brief account of the bloody darkness and cruel truth hidden beneath the surface of this prosperous and peaceful country.
After hearing the whole story, Kyros officially extended an invitation to this powerful swordsman:
"We are preparing to head to the kingdom of the Tontatta Tribe to discuss the final plan to overthrow the Shichibukai Doflamingo.
"If you are willing, please come with us."
Zoro looked at Franky, who was nodding beside him, and a smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.
Since it was his companion's decision, he naturally wouldn't refuse such a challenging request and immediately agreed.
Guided by Wicca, the four of them began to head deep into the underground territory of the Tontatta Tribe through a very well-hidden passage.
Inside the dark passage, there was only the flickering light of torches.
Along the way, Zoro's gaze frequently fell on Kyros walking ahead.
He was quite curious about this clockwork toy body that had only one leg and made a "clack-clack" mechanical friction sound when walking.
"Hey, Toy Uncle."
Zoro couldn't help but ask.
"What's the deal with that body of yours? And those toys on the streets of this country..."
Hearing this question, a sorrowful shadow seemed to fall over Kyros's painted mechanical face.
He walked with heavy steps, his voice raspy as he explained to them the most terrifying special officer in the Donquixote Family.
The existence of Sugar, the Hobi Hobi no Mi user.
"That is a cursed ability."
Kyros's tone was filled with endless pain and despair.
"Anyone, as long as they are touched by her hands, will instantly turn into this kind of lifeless toy.
"And they are forced into an absolute contract that forbids them from disobeying any order, condemned to be coolies for the Donquixote Family for generations."
"Not only that..." Kyros clenched his wooden fist.
"The cruelest part is that once you become a toy, all traces of your existence—your name, your past—will be completely erased from this world."
"Even your closest relatives, your wife and children, will instantly forget you ever existed."
Hearing these heavy words, Zoro's pace faltered slightly.
In his eyes that were originally casual, a sharp, cold light instantly flashed.
What he hated most in life was this kind of vile behavior of playing with people's lives in the shadows.
"Turning people into toys and taking away all their memories..."
Zoro snorted coldly, feeling a strong sense of displeasure toward that guy named Doflamingo.
As they talked, they finally emerged from the long, dim underground passage and arrived at the kingdom of the Tontatta Tribe—the "Tontatta Kingdom."
As soon as they stepped out of the passage and saw this vast world hidden deep underground yet full of life, Zoro and Franky couldn't help but widen their eyes.
There were giant glowing plants and colorful, exotic flora.
And countless exquisite, tiny miniature buildings; it was simply like a dreamlike underground fairy world.
The two of them looked at the strange scenery around them with curiosity.
Wicca ran ahead first to inform the Tontatta soldiers guarding the entrance of their identities.
When the guards heard they were companions sharing the same goals as the rebel army, their wary gazes instantly turned warm, and they happily began to lead the way.
On the way, several Tontatta guards were full of excitement.
They danced as if it were a festival, talking incessantly to Wicca about the great happy event that had just occurred in the kingdom:
"Wicca! You're finally back!"
"We're finally saved! You'll never guess who's here!"
"Exactly, exactly! It's the legendary Great Hero!"
"The Great 'Uso-land' who can make the earth tremble has personally descended upon our kingdom!"
"The Hero said he's going to lead us to defeat the bad guys!"
Walking behind them, Zoro and Franky, who were originally admiring the scenery, suddenly glanced at each other upon hearing these excited exchanges.
In that brief exchange of glances, the same familiar figure with a Long-nose appeared in both of their minds simultaneously.
The corner of Zoro's eye twitched, and Franky silently pushed up his sunglasses; the corners of both their mouths twitched violently in unison.
"Uso-land?"
This name, filled with a strong sense of absurdity, gave them an immediate and powerful premonition.
Under the enthusiastic guidance of the guards, the group passed through a dense, giant underground plant passage and finally arrived at a wide underground forest plaza.
However, when Zoro and Franky saw the scene ahead, they both stopped dead in their tracks.
In the very center of the plaza, on a high sacrificial altar surrounded by countless bright flowers...
Usopp was currently draped in a magnificent, flashy long red cape, sitting cross-legged and looking majestic upon a throne woven from giant flowers.
With one hand on his chin and a deep, mysterious smile on his face, he was comfortably enjoying the fanatical worship and cheers of the countless Tontatta people below.
And on either side of his throne, Chopper and Brook stood like two dignified door gods.
One was wearing a helmet, and the other had his skeletal chest puffed out, standing tall as the "Hero's" royal guards.
Looking at this absurd scene, Zoro took a deep breath.
"These idiots... what on earth are they doing in a place like this!"Chapter 329: The Great Hero's "Servants"! The Bugle Call for Total Assault
In the vibrant underground forest plaza.
The Tontatta Tribe, who had been immersed in their fanatical worship of the hero "Uso-land," suddenly fell silent as a few uninvited guests barged in.
The eyes of all the Tontatta warriors were focused on Franky, who was walking at the rear.
Seeing that massive steel body and those exaggerated mechanical arms, these little sprites who had never seen a cyborg before immediately caused quite a stir.
"Is that a monster?"
"What a terrifying iron man!"
In the crowd, the straightforward guard captain Leo showed no fear.
He puffed out his tiny chest and suddenly raised the spear in his hand—as sharp as an embroidery needle—glaring warily at Franky and Zoro:
"Halt! Who are you!"
"How dare you trespass into our Tontatta Kingdom and even disturb the coronation ceremony of the great Lord Uso-land!"
Just as Wicca, standing to the side, was about to quickly explain to everyone that these two were also rebel allies who had come to help...
Usopp, sitting high atop the giant flower throne, had his eyes dart around as he recognized the newcomers.
Before Wicca could speak, he let out a burst of majestic and confident laughter.
Usopp cleared his throat, gave his long red cape a vigorous flick, and announced loudly to those below:
"My dear subjects!"
"Please, do not panic!"
"As the legendary great hero, descending upon this land filled with peril, it is only natural that I would not come alone!"
"Those strange-looking fellows are not suspicious enemies."
"They are all my... my most loyal servants!"
"Pfft—!"
At the sound of the incredible word "servants,"
Chopper and Brook, who had been riding on Usopp's coattails on either side of the throne, immediately lost their composure.
Chopper clutched his furry belly and rolled around laughing on the soft petals, tears streaming from his eyes:
"Servants... Hahahaha! Zoro actually became a servant!"
Brook also threw his head back ungracefully, one hand clutching his ribs, laughing until his entire skeleton creaked and rattled:
"Yo-ho-ho-ho-ho!"
"Mr. Zoro has become Mr. Usopp's lackey servant!"
Hearing that the two steel monsters and the swordsman were actually the great hero's lackeys, the Tontatta Tribe members present first fell into a brief silence.
Then, in their simplicity, they didn't harbor the slightest doubt about this ridiculous claim; instead, they erupted into a burst of fanatical cheering:
"Ohhhh! So amazing!"
"As expected of the legendary hero, Lord Uso-land!"
"Even such terrifying steel monsters are willing to be his servants!"
"Uso-land! Uso-land! Uso-land!"
Amidst the earth-shaking cheers, Franky silently turned his head and glanced at the one-legged soldier, Kyros, standing beside him.
Kyros's painted toy face was full of helplessness.
He shook his head weakly at Franky, feeling a deep headache over the Tontatta Tribe's gullible nature.
Meanwhile, Zoro, standing on the other side, had a face as dark as the bottom of a pot.
The corner of his mouth twitched violently as he fought back the strong urge to draw his sword, rush up, and slice that boastful long-nosed "king" in two.
After this lively farce, the members of the Straw Hat crew finally successfully reunited deep underground.
Taking advantage of the gap while the Tontatta members were still singing and dancing around the throne and not paying attention, Usopp quickly slipped down from the flower.
He scurried over to Zoro and Franky, pressed his hands together, winked frantically at them, and pleaded in a low voice with teary eyes:
"Please, please! Zoro, Franky!"
"Whatever you do, don't expose me in front of these little guys!"
"If they find out I'm lying, they'll strip me naked and throw me into the sea to feed the Fighting Fish!"
"I'm begging you, please just play along!"
Looking at Usopp's comical state, Zoro and Franky glanced at each other.
Though they were completely speechless, they ultimately sighed in resignation and decided not to expose his lie for the time being.
The coronation ceremony finally came to a close.
Kyros stepped forward with a solemn expression and spread a complex hand-drawn map across a flat rock.
He was about to discuss the detailed infiltration battle plan with everyone, exploring how to avoid the eyes and ears of the Donquixote Family.
"Bulu-bulu-bulu... kacha."
Just then, the rapid ringing of a Den Den Mushi broke the serious atmosphere.
Franky opened the hidden metal hatch on his chest and connected the communication Den Den Mushi.
As soon as the call connected, Nami's voice came through with a hint of urgency.
"Franky, can you hear me?"
"We just got some critical intel!"
"The SMILE Underground Factory we've been looking for isn't in the town at all; it's hidden right beneath the Corrida Colosseum!"
Then, Nami's tone became somewhat anxious and helpless as she asked loudly:
"By the way, have you found Zoro, Usopp, and the others?"
"Robin, Sanji, and I searched all over town, and we didn't see a trace of them! Where on earth did those idiots go!"
Hearing the Navigator's complaints, Franky let out a hearty laugh and replied:
"SUPER—don't worry, Nami!"
"Those troublesome guys are all right here with me, alive and kicking."
Then, Franky stopped laughing, and his expression turned serious.
He relayed what he had just heard from the Tontatta Tribe and Kyros about the dark history hidden beneath this nation's superficial prosperity.
He also informed Nami and Robin over the phone about the threat of Sugar, the Hobi Hobi no Mi ability user who could turn people into toys and erase all memories of their existence.
Upon hearing this, Nami and Robin on the other end of the line both gasped.
Erasing all traces of a person's existence in the world was a power far more cruel and terrifying than simply killing them.
Since the objective was now clear, both parties immediately agreed over the phone:
To give up aimlessly searching for information in town.
The entire crew would head straight to the Corrida Colosseum in the center of town to rendezvous with Luffy and Victor and concentrate their forces for action.
With a "kacha" sound, the call ended.
Watching Franky put away the Den Den Mushi, Usopp's show-off heart began to stir again.
He spun around suddenly, hands on his hips, and announced loudly with a laugh to the curious Tontatta members around him:
"My subjects!"
"Did you all hear that!"
"That call just now was also from one of this hero's excellent subordinates stationed outside in advance!"
"They did not disappoint and have brought us the most critical intel for this battle!"
Under the worshipful gazes of the Tontatta Tribe, Usopp stood up abruptly.
Facing the faint underground light, his long red cape fluttered in the wind behind him.
He extended a finger, pointing overhead with overwhelming momentum, and commanded loudly:
"Now, the enemy's lair has been exposed, and the objective is clear!"
"My loyal subjects, move out!"
"Toward the evil factory beneath the Colosseum, march!"
Hearing this soul-stirring command, the anger and fighting spirit suppressed within the Tontatta warriors for many years were completely ignited.
Hundreds of Tontatta warriors raised their mini spears and weapons high, their fanatical shouts echoing through the underground space like a tsunami:
"Ohhhh! Overthrow Doflamingo! Rescue our comrades!"
"Follow the great Lord Uso-land! Charge!!!"
Looking at the underground rebel army boiling over in an instant, and then looking back at the Straw Hat crew members bickering nearby.
Kyros, the one-legged soldier who had been standing by the rock, watched it all quietly.
He looked down at the map in his hand, which was originally filled with dense, tedious, and cautious steps for an infiltration plan.
Kyros sighed helplessly and then slowly rolled up the map he had spent so much effort on.
Looking at this group of companions filled with incredible charisma.
A smile slowly appeared on his mechanical face.
Perhaps, facing Doflamingo's iron-clad rule,
with the addition of these pirates who didn't play by the rules and were full of miracles,
abandoning those overly cautious plans and choosing the most direct frontal breakthrough was the best tactic to overthrow this darknessChapter 330: The Captain's Proclamation! The First Clash of the Yonko's Seconds-in-Command!
Luffy's words had just fallen when a deafening megaphone echo rang out within the Corrida Colosseum.
The announcer Gaz's broadcast, filled with passion and fanaticism, penetrated the thick stone walls and reverberated throughout the underground waiting area.
He loudly announced to the entire audience that the ring platform, which had been severely damaged due to the fierce battles in Block A and Block B, had now been fully repaired.
Immediately following that, he shouted at the top of his lungs.
The Block C indiscriminate elimination battle royal was about to officially begin, and he urged all contestants assigned to Block C to quickly enter through the passage.
Hearing the call of the broadcast, Luffy stopped what he was doing.
He reached out to brush off a bit of dust from his clothes, stood up from the cold stone floor, and readjusted his bull-head mask.
"Looks like it's my turn to go on."
Luffy looked at the pink-haired female gladiator still sitting on the ground; he didn't offer any long, sympathetic speech regarding the tragic story Rebecca had just told.
On this cruel sea, tears solved nothing.
He simply raised his hand slightly, pressing down on the brim of the Straw Hat hidden beneath the mask.
Then he turned his head and once again showed Rebecca a smile as bright and dazzling as sunlight:
"By the way, that bento just now was really delicious!"
"Thank you!"
After saying those words, Luffy turned around and strode out of the quiet storage room.
With confident steps, he walked fearlessly toward the blinding sunlight streaming in from the passage entrance and the boiling, noisy sea of people outside that sounded like a tsunami.
Rebecca remained where she was, staring blankly at the broad back as it gradually receded.
Even though he was just a stranger she had just met, he inexplicably made her feel incredibly at ease.
In this cold colosseum filled with schemes, betrayal, and endless slaughter.
At the bottom of her heart, which had originally been as hopeless as a pool of stagnant water, a tiny flame named 'hope' unexpectedly and uncontrollably sparked.
Rebecca slowly stood up from the ground, looking in the direction where Luffy had disappeared into the light, her lips involuntarily curling into a soft arc.
"Straw Hat... Luffy, huh..."
...
In stark contrast to the earth-shattering noise and fervor of the Corrida Colosseum was a deathly silent square somewhere on the outskirts of Dressrosa.
Due to the massive commotion caused earlier by Admiral Fujitora summoning a meteorite at Green Bit, as well as the mysterious riots breaking out one after another across the island.
The civilians in this district were already like startled birds, with every household tightly closing their doors and windows.
The entire wide street was empty, with only the occasional wind blowing through, swirling a few fallen leaves on the ground.
Charlotte Katakuri.
This sweet commander of the Four Emperors, who struck fear into the New World, was walking alone down this empty street with steady and powerful steps.
His tall and upright figure radiated a suffocating pressure.
The crisp sound of his leather boots stepping on the stone pavement was the only noise here.
When he reached a crossroad with a wide view, Katakuri's keen Observation Haki suddenly seemed to capture a trace of an unusual and eerie fluctuation.
He stopped his steps without any warning.
Katakuri slowly raised his head, casting his cold gaze toward the roof of a high-rise bell tower directly ahead.
There, Victor was sitting casually on the edge of the bell tower's roof.
One of his legs dangled in mid-air, swinging slightly out of boredom.
Victor rested his chin on one hand, looking down with interest from his high vantage point at Katakuri below.
The two of them looked at each other from a distance across the absolute height of dozens of meters in that deathly silent intersection.
Katakuri's lips, hidden under his thick scarf, moved slightly, and his low, husky voice penetrated the distance, reaching Victor's ears with absolute clarity:
"Straw Hat Pirates Vice Captain, Crimson Lotus Victor."
"Your arrogant actions in these waters have completely enraged Mama."
"I have descended here today specifically to erase your future."
"Your journey ends here."
Before his voice had even faded, the red glow in Katakuri's eyes flashed like a phantom.
He did not underestimate his opponent in the slightest, immediately activating his world-renowned 'Future Sight' ability, attempting to see through Victor's next opening move and counter-attack route to ensure a one-hit kill in the upcoming clash.
However, when he truly saw that brief 'future'.
An expression of shock suddenly surfaced on that face which was usually as calm as a deep well, and his brows instantly locked tight.
In his precognitive vision, he saw himself launching an attack.
But the eerie thing was that no matter what kind of sharp or tricky probing strikes he launched.
Those moves, imbued with powerful Haki, always inexplicably stopped in mid-air in front of Victor.
It was as if... they had hit an invisible wall.
This bizarre 'future' that completely defied physical common sense caused the battle-hardened Katakuri to fall into a rare moment of hesitation.
He did not immediately choose to attack.
Every muscle in his body instantly tensed to the limit, like a beast ready to pounce, as he stared intently at the seemingly defenseless man on the roof.
Victor, on the roof, keenly noticed Katakuri's brief pause below.
The smile at the corner of his mouth gradually widened:
"What's wrong?"
"A grand sweet commander of the Four Emperors, staring at me so fiercely, yet not making a move for so long."
"Let me guess..."
Victor's voice drifted down leisurely, tinged with a hint of amusement.
"Did those eyes you've always been so proud of, the ones that can peer into the tracks of fate, see something you completely can't understand?"
Victor retracted his swinging leg and slowly stood up from the edge of the bell tower.
He looked down with a smile at Katakuri, whose face was becoming increasingly grim:
"When the future you foresee completely exceeds your limited cognitive scope."
"Those eyes that can see the future will instead become shackles that bind your hands and feet, making you afraid to strike, right?"
Having his thoughts directly exposed, Katakuri's gaze instantly became bone-chillingly cold, and his killing intent overflowed like something physical.
As the most perfect and undefeated symbol of the Big Mom Pirates.
He would never allow himself to be intimidated by such an illusory, yet-to-happen future!
He decided to use cold, cruel, and realistic power to personally shatter this deceptive weirdness.
Katakuri suddenly raised his thick arm, the muscles on it bulging in blocks.
He quickly curled his fingers, flicking seemingly ordinary 'Jellybeans' from his fingertips, then instantly wrapped high-concentration, pitch-black Armament Haki around them.
In the next second, these Haki Jellybeans poured out toward Victor on the roof like bullets from a violent Gatling gun.
"Bang bang bang bang—!"
The dense Haki Jellybeans instantly tore through the air, drawing trails of black death in mid-air, heading straight for Victor's forehead and vital points.
However, under Katakuri's shock-filled gaze.
Those Haki Jellybeans, whose power was enough to easily pierce through thick steel armor, actually did exactly what he had seen in his precognitive vision...
Less than half a meter from Victor's face, they bizarrely stopped in mid-air.
There was no explosion from a collision, no sound of shattering from opposing forces; they just hung there quietly.
That small area seemed as if even space itself had been frozen by some higher-dimensional power.
Victor stood where he was, letting the breeze ruffle his hair.
He slightly curled his lips, his one red and one purple demonic eyes quietly gazing down at the horrified Katakuri below:
"Is this the only level of greeting you have?"
"Katakuri."