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Seeing the tax-collecting soldier collapse, the Straw Hats simply ignored him and continued onto the island.
The moment they stepped onto the streets, a strange, short old man suddenly blocked their path.
He wore a large backpack that looked like some kind of detector, and pilot goggles sat atop his face, giving him a rather comical appearance. At first glance, he almost looked like a wandering entertainer.
The old man stared at them intently before speaking.
"Hey, have you seen the rainbow-colored fog?"
His words left everyone momentarily stunned.
"Rainbow mist? What's that?" Usopp asked curiously.
"Oh? So you haven't seen it..."
The old man took off his goggles, muttered to himself, then turned around as if to leave.
But before he could take a few steps, Robin smoothly stepped in front of him, blocking his path.
"Old gentleman, could you explain what you mean?"
The old man glanced back at her and said, "I'm a scientist researching the rainbow-colored fog. But if you want to talk, at least buy me a meal first!"
At that moment, Vivi, who had been deep in thought, suddenly gasped.
"Rainbow Mist… Wait! I remember reading about it in a book when I was a child!"
She turned to Robin and added, "Robin, weren't you reading that same book recently?"
Robin nodded. "Yes, I borrowed it from the Alabasta Library."
Hearing this, the old man suddenly became excited.
"That book—where is it? Show it to me!"
Robin looked toward Usopp. "Usopp, could you grab the book from my desk?"
Usopp: …
Though speechless, he sighed and turned back toward the ship to retrieve it.
Before long, everyone regrouped with Luffy and Ikki at a nearby restaurant.
Despite Ikki's protests, Luffy had already ordered an absurd amount of food.
Seeing the sheer number of dishes, the restaurant owner hesitated before asking, "Are you sure about this? Can you afford it?"
Luffy grinned. "Don't worry! I never waste food!"
The owner shook his head. "That's not what I meant. I'm talking about the meal tax. Can you afford that?"
Vivi, who had just walked in with Robin, Usopp, and the old scientist named Henzo, blinked in surprise.
"Wait… you even have to pay taxes just to eat?"
The restaurant owner looked like he wanted to complain, but when his gaze fell on Henzo, his expression darkened.
"Tch! All because of that so-called 'researcher' working under Wetton, the island is drowning in taxes!"
Henzo didn't react to the accusation. Instead, his eyes remained fixed on the book Robin had handed him—the very one that mentioned the rainbow-colored mist.
In truth, the reason he had agreed to work for Wetton, despite the pirate's cruelty, was because he wanted to uncover the secret behind the rainbow-colored mist.
Because his friends had been swallowed by it years ago.
Even if the entire island saw him as a traitor or a lapdog, he had no regrets.
After flipping through the book, Henzo shook his head. "This… it's nothing more than legends."
What Henzo didn't know was that the author of the Rainbow Mist book actually lived inside the mist itself—and was one of Henzo's long-lost companions.
As everyone was eating and chatting, the sudden sound of gongs and drums rang through the air.
At once, the leisurely diners around them began eating faster, shoveling food into their mouths as if they were in a hurry.
Luffy, who was still chewing, glanced around in confusion. He was usually the fastest eater in the room, but even he was struggling to keep up.
"What's going on?" Usopp muttered, eyeing the panicked patrons.
Before anyone could answer, the restaurant door swung open. A middle-aged man strutted in, flanked by several soldiers.
Without hesitation, the man began collecting taxes—for all sorts of ridiculous reasons.
If someone still had a drink in their glass? Drinking tax.
If there were leftovers on a plate? Meal tax.
And these weren't just fees—the soldiers enforced them with brute force. If someone refused to pay, they would search them. If no money was found, they would seize any valuables from their homes to cover the "taxes."
Vivi frowned. She had seen many forms of taxation in her time as a princess, but this? This wasn't taxation at all—it was blatant robbery.
"Who is this guy?" Usopp asked.
The restaurant owner, who had yet to leave, sighed and whispered, "That's Flip, the son of Mayor Wetton. That annoying bastard comes around all the time, forcing us to pay all kinds of absurd taxes."
Flip's ears perked up, as if he had sensed someone talking about him. He turned his head sharply, causing the restaurant owner to immediately clam up.
But as Flip scanned the room, his eyes landed on Luffy, who was still eating at full speed.
"Hey… that guy looks unfamiliar," Flip sneered. "And he's eating way too much. You gotta pay extra tax for that!"
Luffy didn't even look up. He just kept stuffing food into his mouth.
Irritated at being ignored, Flip narrowed his eyes and waved his hand.
Immediately, the soldiers behind him moved forward, ready to grab Luffy and force him to pay.
But before they could act, Ikki stepped in front of them, blocking their way.
"Oi… I was just about to collect your taxes," Ikki said casually. "You got some nerve demanding us to pay first."
Flip blinked, momentarily caught off guard. "You're collecting my taxes? Are you joking? Do you even know who I am?"
Ikki smirked. "And do you know who I am?"
Flip scoffed. "Who the hell are you?"
Ikki pulled out a private Marine license and held it up. "I am Admiral Ikki of the Private Marines."
Then, with a smirk, he pointed at Luffy. "And he is Fleet Admiral of the Private Marines."
"We uphold justice and maintain peace across the seas. Isn't it only fair that you pay your taxes?"
Ikki tapped his chin, pretending to think. "Now, let's see... your family owes quite a bit. A pirate like your father, Wetton, suddenly becoming the mayor of this island? That calls for a good behavior tax!"
He grinned. "Nothing too crazy—just hand over all of your family's money."
Flip flinched and took two steps back, suddenly pale.
Not many people on the island knew the truth—that Mayor Wetton was actually a pirate who had once invaded Ruluka Island. Those who did know were too afraid to speak up. And those who did speak up… well, they were never heard from again.
Flip had never expected some random young man to bring up that dangerous truth so openly.
And worse…
He's a Marine Admiral?!
Wait.
Private Marine?
Flip had no idea what that meant. But his pirate instincts were screaming at him that a Marine Admiral—even a "private" one—was very bad news.
"U-Uh… taxes and stuff… that's my dad's department!" he stammered.
Without another word, Flip spun on his heel and bolted out of the restaurant.
His only thought was to hurry home and warn his father.
—
Ikki watched Flip run off but didn't stop him.
After all, he'd be coming to collect from Wetton personally soon enough.
With a smug grin, he leaned back in his chair.
"Heh. Time to return the favor."
Not only was he going to tax Wetton dry—he was going to make sure the guy ended up in Impel Down.