"Chief Ton, it's terrible! Several big humans have entered the forest and are heading this way!"
"Leo, didn't I tell you not to play alone in the forest? You're still a child! The forest is dangerous!"
"I'm sorry, Chief Ton, but I'm already strong—stronger than the adults!"
"Honestly, it goes in one ear and out the other. Do you recognize any of the big humans? Never mind, I must be getting senile—you don't even know any big humans. Take me to see them."
"Follow me, Chief Ton."
...
Before the towering trees, Badak and Hancock were surveying the forest ahead. Badak stared at the enormous mushrooms, drooling uncontrollably. Mushrooms this big—could they be eaten? It was hard to imagine what kind of technique could grow mushrooms to such a size.
"Princess Violet, I know the Tontattas excel at cultivating plants. Why haven't you had them grow edible giant mushrooms? Whether for your own consumption or exporting overseas, it would be a great option."
"Hmph! Our royal family has long had an agreement with the Tontattas. They don't need to labor—they can take whatever they need, freely."
"Labor? How is this labor? The Tontattas love plants and enjoy cultivating them. They grow all kinds of plants in their free time anyway. You'd just be providing spores of a few delicious mushroom varieties, giving them more options to indulge in their hobby. Whether they plant them or not is entirely up to them. If they grow some in their spare time, you could purchase the results. Both the Tontattas and Dressrosa would benefit."
"Sophistry! Today it's just providing spores—who knows if someone might force them to plant more tomorrow, and eventually enslave them to work? The Riku Royal Family will never allow such a thing to begin."Badak paused for a moment before saying, "Your country isn't actually wealthy. Every year, you have to pay a large sum as Celestial Tribute, leaving little savings for the people. If one day, your royal family urgently needed 10 billion Belly, could you produce it? Would you borrow from the citizens? A king has a duty to lead his people to prosperity, doesn't he? If you can't bring happiness to the people, what good is your so-called wisdom? It's just self-praise."
"Why would we ever need such a huge sum as 10 billion Belly? And though our people may not be rich, who says they aren't happy?"
"Fine. One day you'll understand. Though even if you had 10 billion Belly, it might not be of any use. But just imagining the other party's expression—it would be hilarious."
The conversation ended unhappily due to their differing views. Only Hancock seemed thoughtful. She knew Badak must have some insight—that Dressrosa would indeed need 10 billion Belly in the future. But what situation would require such an enormous sum? Suddenly, her expression shifted, and she turned to Badak. "They're here."
Kyros glanced at Hancock in surprise. Throughout their earlier exchanges, Badak had clearly been the dominant figure between the two. He hadn't expected the young woman to be so capable—she had even awakened Observation Haki.
In the forest, King Gancho of the Tontatta Kingdom emerged with his guards and Leo, having revealed themselves only because they spotted Violet. Otherwise, the dwarves would never have allowed themselves to be seen so easily.
"Princess Violet, what brings you here this time?"
"King Gancho, these two have come with what they claim is extremely important news for the dwarves. I wasn't sure how to proceed, and with my father absent, I decided to bring them to you personally."
"King Gancho, greetings. I am Badak. What I bring today concerns Montblanc Noland from 400 years ago. This isn't the place to discuss it—could you take us to your home for a proper conversation?"
"The great hero Noland? Very well, follow us."
You agreed way too quickly.
As the group moved forward, Leo leaped onto Badak's shoulder and said, "Big human, hello! I'm Leo, the man who will become the Tontatta Captain!"
"Hello, Leo. You'll definitely become the Tontatta Captain."
"Really? Chief! The big human says I'll definitely become the Tontatta Captain!"
Beneath Green Bit, in the underground kingdom of the Tontattas, Badak and the other three followed King Gancho into the dwarves' homeland.
"Everything here is so tiny. Which one is Princess Mansherry?" Hancock whispered, glancing around curiously.
The dwarves, meanwhile, were sneaking peeks at the towering humans.
"Ah, I know. Leo, I heard your Princess Mansherry has the power to heal anything. Why don't I see her around?"
"That's her special ability! The princess is spoiled and stubborn, quick to throw tantrums—but her tears truly can heal any injury. I'll go get her!" With that, he dashed off.
"Doesn't sound like an easy person to deal with, Badak," Hancock remarked, already in high spirits now that Mansherry's healing ability was confirmed.
"On the contrary, Hancock. I think Mansherry will be easy to get along with. Even though Leo described her so poorly, he still went to fetch her without hesitation. That tells me their relationship isn't so simple."Badak knew that Mansherry would eventually develop feelings for Leo, but he hadn't expected it to start so early. Leo truly was a straight-as-an-arrow man who'd been tough since childhood.
Under King Gancho's guidance, they arrived at the place where Noland's statue stood.
"Badak, do you have any information to share with me about the great hero Noland?"
"King Gancho, before we begin, please take a look at this first."
Badak retrieved a book from his chest and handed it over—something he'd prepared well before setting out on this journey.
Violet glanced up and saw it was a fairy tale book titled "The Liar Noland."
"The Liar Noland" was a widely circulated fairy tale in the North Blue, portraying Noland as a habitual liar who, even at his execution, stubbornly maintained the lie that "the City of Gold truly exists."
"Impossible! This isn't Noland. Noland wasn't like this—he was a great hero. If he said the City of Gold existed, then it must exist!"
King Gancho exclaimed passionately.
"Exactly, King Gancho. The City of Gold must exist. Noland was absolutely misunderstood. I came here with two purposes: first, my friend Hancock needs Princess Mansherry's help with a small favor; second, I want the Tontatta Kingdom to send Princess Mansherry and Leo to accompany me on a journey across the seas to clear Noland's name—to prove he wasn't a liar."
"Impossible."
Before Gancho could respond, Violet immediately refused. "Leaving aside whether the City of Gold even exists, even if it does, no one has found it in 400 years. What makes you think you can? Besides, Mansherry is just a child—how can she be allowed to go on a dangerous sea voyage with you?"
"King Gancho, Noland's bloodline still survives across the seas today, carrying the shame of their ancestor's tarnished reputation. The reason I chose Princess Mansherry and Leo is because their abilities can assist me, and their status can represent the Tontatta Kingdom. Moreover, we're close in age, making it easier for us to get along. Finally, I already have leads on the City of Gold—I will definitely find it."
"This decision must be made by Mansherry herself."
"I agree, Father."