"This..."
"He was turned into such an unremarkable toy!"
"Who would've thought even a child's Devil Fruit power could be this terrifying?"
"And the worst part—she looks like a kid. No one would ever suspect her. Psychologically speaking, no one would even register her as a threat. That makes someone like her almost impossible to guard against!"
Elior said, "The Hobby-Hobby Fruit allows its user to turn people into toys and manipulate them at will. But what truly makes it terrifying isn't just turning people into toys—it's the power to control others."
"Control others?"
Everyone was stunned once again. There was no doubt—that was the most terrifying part.
Of course, there was also the ability's hidden effect: anyone turned into a toy would be completely forgotten by everyone who ever knew them—as if they'd never existed.
On the other hand, Elior couldn't help but wonder if Sugar had ever truly explored the full potential of the Hobby-Hobby Fruit. In this world, there were many fearsome women with Devil Fruits—Big Mom, Tsuru, Boa Hancock, Smoothie... and Sugar barely seemed to scratch the surface of her own.
"Hey, hey! Change me back!"
Urouge shouted.
"Being turned into a toy sucks! I can still feel my strength, but it's like my will's been overwritten. Like I have to follow her orders!"
"Looks like you're under her control."
"That's one hell of a Paramecia-type ability..."
"There are some truly broken Paramecia powers out there—and this is one of them."
Sugar eventually returned Urouge to normal. As he reverted, his face was pale. He was still shaken, clearly disturbed by what he'd just experienced.
Nearly an hour later, the three Road Poneglyphs had been secured, and Elior's security detail was on full alert. Right now, it was absolutely essential that no one found out about what they had obtained—not even a hint of a leak could be allowed.
"If the World Government learns we've collected three Road Poneglyphs, the Celestial Dragons and top brass will lose their minds!"
"They'll throw everything they have at us!"
"A Buster Call? Try the full force of Marine Headquarters! With the Road Poneglyphs? Haha! The Celestial Dragons won't sleep for weeks!"
"It won't just be a Buster Call—it'll be the kind of operation where the entire Marine moves out!"
Elior said, "Roger left the Rio Poneglyph — the one that details the Void Century — on Laugh Tale. Anyone who reaches that island must be capable of reading Poneglyphs. Which means... the truth the Celestial Dragons fear the most is at risk of being exposed."
"During that blank century, those so-called creators must have committed unspeakable acts. Otherwise, why would they be so desperate to erase the truth?"
"Isn't Bullet a former member of the Roger Pirates? Didn't you go to Laugh Tale?"
Bullet replied, "I left the crew before they reached it. I only joined to challenge Roger, not to be part of the crew. I got off the ship before they arrived at Laugh Tale."
"That's a shame."
"And the Captain can read the Poneglyphs... That makes this even more dangerous!"
Elior added, "If word gets out that we've collected three Road Poneglyphs, we'll have to deal with consequences. I might even be facing a Buster Call — but I'm not afraid."
Everyone nodded in agreement.
That same night, Judge and his three emo sons arrived. Judge had come to negotiate with Elior, hoping to use his power to help Germa 66 reclaim absolute dominance over the North Blue.
In the original timeline, Judge tried to ally with Big Mom through marriage.
But this time, Elior didn't waste any time. He immediately used his Absolute Command ability on Judge and his three sons—Ichiji, Niji, and Yonji.
With that, the four Vinsmokes fell completely under Elior's control.
"I have no time to worry about the North Blue. My only focus now is conquering the New World."
Elior sat on his throne-like chair, gazing down at Judge with a cruel, playful smile.
Judge never imagined he and his sons would be turned into mindless puppets, incapable of realizing they were being manipulated—utterly loyal to Elior's every command.
"Judge, start mass-producing soldiers with the same capabilities as your sons."
"I'll need them."
Judge bowed respectfully. "Understood! I'll begin development immediately!"
And just like that, Judge lost everything — but he would never know it. Unless Elior canceled the Absolute Command or died, he would remain a slave to Elior's will.
Reiju, too, could not have imagined this outcome — that the father who once tried to sell her in a political marriage to curry favor with Elior would end up losing everything… and become his unknowing slave.
The next two weeks were calm.
At least, calm for Elior and his crew — since no Marines or pirates dared to approach them.
After the war, pirate activity had only grown more rampant. With Laugh Tale and the One Piece still in play, more and more pirates were being drawn to the sea. After all, few could resist the temptation of the ultimate treasure.
Still, Elior suspected that Laugh Tale might not even contain gold. If it were just about riches, it probably had less treasure than Skypiea's legendary City of Gold. It was just the world's assumption that Laugh Tale held mountains of gold and jewels that had everyone chasing it.
"The world's chaos… is always about chasing profit."
When those two quiet weeks came to an end, Elior finally summoned his crew for a major meeting.
The topic?
The assault on Whole Cake Island!
The war between the Elior Pirates and the Big Mom Pirates was about to begin.
This battle would be monumental.
If Elior succeeded, it would throw the world into complete imbalance.
Everyone was ready. Eager. Hungry for what was coming.
Those present at the meeting included: Bullet, Shiryu, Crocodile, Law, Hawkins, Urouge, Weevil, Cavendish, World and Judge and his sons.
As for the women capable of fighting — Yamato, Reiju, Sugar, and the others — they were not included in the strategy session. They would follow orders during battle, but technically, they were not formal members of the Elior Pirates.
Strictly speaking... Elior's pirate crew did not include any women.