Chapter 278: The Land of Love, Passion, and Toys
A few days later.
The Kingdom of Dressrosa, a tropical island with a resort-like atmosphere, was surrounded by a large number of rocks along its coast.
The clean streets were bustling with people. Restaurants, clothing stores, and various entertainment venues were everywhere.
"It feels like the town has been much livelier than usual lately."
"Tell me about it! My business has improved quite a bit, hahaha."
In front of a colorfully decorated stall, a bearded owner in a white chef's uniform handed over two ice creams with a smile.
One for a blond girl, and one for a toy puppet beside her. No one found this strange scene to be abnormal in any way.
"Here you go, your ice creams. That'll be 400 Berries in total."
"Thank you."
The young girl paid with a smile and left, linking arms with the toy puppet.
Such moving, talking toys could be seen everywhere on the streets.
There were some sitting like a family at a cafe entrance, reading the newspaper. There were others with a little girl sitting on their shoulders, like a father and daughter.
Whether human or toy, their faces were all brimming with happy smiles.
This was the country known as the [Land of Love, Passion, and Toys], Dressrosa.
The blond girl licked her ice cream, her face beaming. "Although the King sacrificed himself to protect the country in the Summit War, it's a good thing the new King Weevil is also a wise ruler."
"Yes, and he's a powerful Warlord. Thanks to his protection, everyone can live as peacefully as before."
The toy puppet replied with a smile, but a trace of imperceptible bitterness flashed in its eyes.
Only they, who had to return to the Toy House every midnight, knew that the simple and honest-looking Weevil was, in fact, a complete fool.
The ones who truly controlled this country were, naturally, the Donquixote Family and that vicious and cruel Miss Bakkin.
"Speaking of which, there have been a lot more outsiders lately. Some of them are infamous great pirates I've seen in the newspapers before."
The blond girl's face showed a hint of worry. "I wonder if they'll cause any trouble."
"Don't worry."
Seeing the girl frown, although he was a bit reluctant, the toy puppet still reached out and patted her shoulder, comforting her, "With King Weevil and the several cadres of the Donquixote Family here, no one can cause trouble in Dressrosa."
Although he didn't want to admit it, it was indeed because of the Donquixote's great strength that Dressrosa had always been very peaceful.
Even though the peace on the surface was built on a bloody darkness.
But as long as he could still see the happy expressions on his family's faces, it was enough.
All the toy puppets held this thought, silently enduring the endless torture of the long nights.
On the coast, piled high with rocks, a small sailboat, treading on the gentle waves, slowly sailed in from between the azure sea and sky.
"I see the island!"
From the crow's nest, Usopp shouted down excitedly, "We've arrived, everyone!"
"—Woohoo!"
"Here I come!"
Hearing the voice, Luffy rushed out from the second floor impatiently, his hands covering his stuffed mouth, clearly having just been sneaking food in the kitchen.
Usopp jumped down with a smile. "It looks like a very lively country."
—Gulp.
"Then what are we waiting for? Charge, everyone!"
Luffy swallowed a large mouthful of food and shouted excitedly. He turned to the group who had just walked out from the first floor, extended his hand, and grinned.
"Reiner, hee hee hee, I want money."
"Me too!" Chopper jumped up.
"Give us money! Give us money! Give us money!"
Along with Usopp, the three of them linked arms and started chanting nonstop.
"So noisy. Don't you guys have any idea how much money we just lost?"
Reiner picked his ear with his pinky, facing Luffy with some impatience. "Especially you, you idiot. Your activity fund is gone this time."
"What!!!" Luffy's eyes widened in terror.
"I agree!"
Nami raised her fist, gritting her teeth to suppress the anger that was about to erupt.
"It's all your fault, you idiot! You've made us dirt poor!"
"Ahem, I have no objection to that."
"For our sake, you'll have to make a sacrifice this time, Luffy."
The others all nodded in agreement. Chopper and Usopp quickly took a few steps back, distancing themselves from Luffy to avoid getting caught in the crossfire.
"What's the big deal! Give me the money!"
"At worst, I'll pay you back when I find the great treasure!" Luffy gesticulated with his hands, grumbling defiantly.
The cause of the matter went back to the fight with Ace and his crew a few days ago.
A battle between pirates was a game with a price.
The losing side would, at best, hand over their treasure; at worst, have their flag taken and their ship burned, and many pirate crews would basically disband on the spot.
Situations where the entire crew was wiped out also happened occasionally.
Clearly, Luffy's defeat meant they had lost this pirate game.
A full 3.6 billion Berries on the ship, gone.
Of which 300 million was the ship's funds, and the remaining 3.3 billion was their respective private money. Reiner's treasury accounted for 3 billion of it.
Enough to support the living expenses of a country with a population of one hundred thousand for a whole month!
Of course, the number Reiner had told them was not this.
To prevent Nami from turning them in for the bounty, Reiner had told her that he had only handed over 300 million Berries, and had secretly hidden the rest.
Otherwise, would his head still be on his neck right now?
"I have to find a way to make up for the money."
Reiner sighed inwardly. Fortunately, Dressrosa was flowing with oil right now.
If it weren't for waiting to come here to plunder, Reiner would have fought the Whitebeard Pirates to the death back then.
Reiner took out a black suitcase, opened it to reveal neatly stacked large-denomination banknotes. "This one hundred million Berries is our last fund. And this is what Jinbe secretly gave us after emptying his own pockets."
"Let's split it, ten million Berries per person."
Reiner took out a few stacks of Berries and sighed. Just as he extended his hand, Nami slapped it back and said coldly, "Twenty thousand Berries per person is more than enough."
"Aaaah! No, Nami!"
"The drop is too big!"
Chopper and Usopp complained. Luffy also nodded in agreement, shouting angrily at Nami.
"Exactly! Stingy!"
"Soka. So everyone thinks I'm stingy." A smile appeared on Nami's face.
The air suddenly began to cool down. Everyone swallowed, a chill running down their spines.
"Ahem, actually, twenty thousand Berries is more than enough."
"Mm-hmm! It's enough, it's enough!"
Usopp waved his hands sheepishly, and Chopper also nodded obediently.
Everyone consciously took a step back, leaving Luffy standing there, looking left and right, somewhat bewildered.
"What are you guys doing?"
Bang!!
Bang!!
Bang!!
Sea Circle Calendar 1522. The captain of the Straw Hat Pirates, Monkey D. Luffy, died suddenly.
"Alright, let's go. First Mate Chopper, dock the ship."
"Aye, Captain Reiner!"
After distributing 200,000 Berries per person, the group docked the Merry.
Sigh~
Next time you're reincarnated, remember to drink less of Granny Meng's soup. Look how stupid the kid has become.
Hoisting the bruised and swollen Luffy, who was foaming at the mouth and twitching, the group officially landed on Dressrosa.
(End of chapter)
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