At that moment, Nami and Brook were jolted awake by the names "Chris Pirates" and "Vito." While the slaver Eden meant nothing to them, the appearance of another Chris Pirates executive served as a chilling reminder of their situation.
"T-This is a trap!" Nami cried out in terror.
"There are five Donquixote Family executives in the finals, plus one from the Chris Pirates... but there's another one waiting outside! Luffy might be in serious danger!" Brook's skeletal face was fixed in an expression of pure shock. "The situation is looking very grim indeed!"
Brook didn't even realize that there were actually three Chris Pirates executives within the Corrida Colosseum. Even so, the thought of Luffy having to contend with five Donquixote executives and two from the Chris Pirates was overwhelming.
Moreover, in the previous round, Luffy had been forced to use his rubber powers. His identity was undoubtedly exposed, and more experts were likely converging outside the arena to set an ambush.
Nami's face was deathly pale. "Tra-guy and Zoro are being hunted by Doflamingo and a Marine Admiral, and now Luffy is trapped here... What do we do?"
"Nami, if Doflamingo planned this ambush, he's definitely sent people after you guys too! You have to stay alert!" Usopp's worried voice crackled through the Den Den Mushi.
"Since Zoro hasn't contacted us, he's likely trying to buy us time. Chopper is helping Kin'emon find his comrade, but we haven't heard a word, which means they haven't found him yet!" Brook's brow bones twitched as he analyzed the situation. "And with the Flame-Flame Fruit still out of reach, we haven't achieved a single one of our objectives!"
"What should we do? Should we tell Luffy and Chopper to retreat?" Nami's hands trembled, her finger hovering over the button to call Chopper.
"No, there's likely an ambush outside. Leaving won't be that easy," Brook said, waving her down. He paused for a moment of heavy silence before speaking solemnly. "We need a breakthrough. If we can secure the Flame-Flame Fruit, we might be able to throw Doflamingo's entire plan into chaos!"
Suddenly, the Den Den Mushi spoke again, Usopp's voice now dropping into an incredibly grave tone. "Right, there's something else you need to know. Those 'legendary fairies' of Dressrosa? They're actually a tribe of dwarves living beneath Green Bit, the Tontatta Kingdom. They've told me something vital about Dressrosa."
"The Tontatta tribe's goal... is to overthrow the rule of Donquixote Doflamingo!"
…
Near the Scrap Heap Entrance.
(The location where toys suffering from "Human Disease" are discarded.)
"Hey, all the patrol officers are on duty today, and I even saw several Family executives. Did something happen?"
"Maybe it's just because of the tournament?"
"I saw His Majesty leave the palace earlier. He was heading toward Green Bit."
"Green Bit? What's even out in that godforsaken place?"
"Who knows?"
Two Dressrosa patrolmen, muskets slung over their backs, walked past the gate, their voices fading as they continued their rounds.
From a street corner, Chopper, in his reindeer form, and Kin'emon poked their heads out, watching the guards depart.
"Doflamingo has gone to Green Bit. We need to hurry!" Chopper whispered.
"Indeed. I am truly in your debt, Doctor Chopper!" Kin'emon bowed respectfully.
Chopper instantly shifted into his tanuki-like Brain Point form. His body did a happy little wiggle even as he shouted back, "You bastard! Stop that! Calling me doctor won't make me happy, you jerk!"
"Understood!" Kin'emon bowed again. He then pointed toward a tower near the scrap heap. "We haven't searched that area yet. I saw toys being taken in there earlier. Kanjuro might be held inside."
"Then let's check it out," Chopper agreed.
The two stepped onto the street, keeping a low profile as they approached the entrance. Using the surrounding shrubbery as cover, they quietly pushed open the heavy metal doors and slipped inside.
"This is..."
Upon entering the Toys House, they were stunned to find it completely empty, save for a massive, bottomless shaft leading downward.
Wooo— Woooo—
Suddenly, a piercing alarm blared. A red light flashed atop one of the walls. Their entry had tripped a sensor.
"Oh no!"
"Curse it, we've been spotted!"
Stomp, stomp, stomp...
A chaotic thunder of footsteps erupted from outside. Judging by the sound, thousands of boots were rushing toward them.
"Intruders at the Scrap Heap entrance!"
"Hurry! Arrest the criminals!"
"Everyone, ready your weapons! They might be villains trying to uncover the Kingdom's secrets!"
Hearing the clamor outside, Kin'emon's heart sank. "The guards arrived far too quickly. There must be something else hidden here!"
Chopper scanned the cramped, dimly lit room. "It's too small to fight here. Let's head down!"
Chopper's body surged in size. His antlers receded as he shifted into Heavy Point, taking on a hulking, ape-like human form while retaining his thick fur.
"Understood!" Kin'emon shouted.
Without another word, the two leaped into the dark abyss of the tunnel.
BAM!
The doors were kicked open a second later. A mob of Donquixote Family pirates charged in, brandishing blades and firearms with murderous intent.
"Dammit! They went inside!" a petty officer barked, peering into the pitch-black shaft. "After them! Don't let them escape!"
…
Back at the Corrida Colosseum.
In the stands, Nami and Brook sat with their mouths agape, still reeling from the revelation Usopp had shared. They never could have imagined that beneath the glittering surface of Dressrosa lay such bottomless depravity.
The enslaved Tontatta tribe! The vast underground world! And most horrifyingly, the humans turned into toys, whose very existence was erased from the memories of their loved ones!
If this truth ever reached the light of day, the entire world would shake to its core.
"To think such a terrifying power exists... Hey, Usopp, are you saying you want us to help those dwarves overthrow Doflamingo?!" Nami asked, her voice trembling.
"Waaaaah!"
Beside her, Brook was a sobbing mess, tears streaming down his face. "So pitiful! It's too tragic! Nami-san, their lives are just too cruel!"
"..."
Nami stared at the wailing skeleton, momentarily speechless.