Story Quote: "Every paradise hides its own rot beneath the petals."
-Arrival at Veridia-
The Fumigator sailed under skies the color of emerald glass. The sea shimmered with reflections of floating pollen and drifting seeds, and the scent of life hung thick in the air.
Ahead lay the Island of Veridia, a jewel of living green on the Grand Line. Colossal trees the size of fortresses rose from the ocean, their roots coiling into the waves. Waterfalls cascaded down from their branches, forming mist that glowed faintly in the sunlight.
"It's like a forest had a dream and never woke up," Mira whispered, eyes wide."Looks expensive," Jett grunted. "Which means trouble.""And opportunity," Kairo said, leaning against the railing. "Let's dock—carefully."
The ship glided into a narrow bay lined with coral reefs and vines as thick as chains. Birds with iridescent feathers swooped low over the mast, cawing curiously.
They docked at Virella Port, one of Veridia's coastal harbors. From the moment they stepped off the gangplank, chaos greeted them.
Pirates drank and brawled in open courtyards. Merchants shouted prices for fruits and weapons in a dozen languages. Marines loitered at checkpoints, pretending not to notice the smugglers walking right past them with coin-filled pouches.
The air buzzed with noise, but beneath it all was a hum—a pulse that came not from machinery but from the island itself.
"Smells like pollen and politics," Rumi muttered, wiping her brow."My least favorite mix," Kino replied, watching a Marine and a pirate share a laugh over a bribe.
From the port, a vine-woven staircase led into the interior. Verdant fog drifted through the air, glowing faintly as though the plants breathed light.
A group of locals awaited them at the entrance—a tall woman with bark-like patterns on her skin and green hair that swayed as if stirred by wind no one else could feel. Her ears were long and pointed, her eyes bright amber.
"Welcome, travelers," she said in a voice like rustling leaves. "You stand at the root way of Petalhaven, the heart of Veridia. I am Elowen of the Verdalians. I will guide you, if you come in peace."
"We're just looking to resupply," Kairo said with a courteous nod. "And maybe find a drink that doesn't bite back.""Then follow me," she replied, smiling faintly.
They climbed the vine-bridges that coiled up the trees, the sunlight filtering through leaves thicker than sails. Houses grew out of trunks—curved wood and living moss forming graceful shapes. Luminous fungi lit the pathways like lanterns.
"They live inside the trees," Mira breathed."They are the trees," Elowen corrected gently. "Our ancestors bonded with this island long ago. We grow together."
Aria's gaze drifted toward distant towers rising from the canopy, where golden banners fluttered. "And who lives up there?"
Elowen's smile faltered.
"Those are the upper branches. The nobles, traders, and the human governor. We Verdalians are… not often welcome there."
Kairo said nothing, but his eyes narrowed.
The higher they climbed, the more crowded the bridges became. Petalhaven was alive with trade and conflict alike—an open-air city of spiraling roots and suspended markets.
Children with vine bracelets chased luminescent insects, while pirates and bounty hunters watched each other warily from shaded taverns.
The crew passed a stand selling rare fruit wines. Jett immediately stopped.
"Captain, five minutes.""No," Kairo said."Two minutes?""No.""Thirty seconds?""Jett.""Right, right. Later."
Mira laughed.
"You're going to explode if you don't get a drink soon.""If he explodes," Rumi said, "he'll water the plants."
They continued through the markets until they reached the main plaza—a vast circular platform woven from living roots. At its center stood a fountain carved from petrified wood, shaped like vines coiling around each other. Verdalians filled the area, trading herbs, dyes, and medicines.
But there was tension too. Marines patrolled the outer rings, watching everyone. Bounty hunters leaned against railings, eyes sharp.
Kairo could feel it—the unease beneath the beauty.
While the others browsed the stalls, Kairo and Aria lingered near the fountain. A group of cloaked traders were speaking in hushed tones behind a flower vendor's stall.
Kairo's Observation Haki picked up fragments of their words.
"Shipment tonight… beneath the canopy.""Donquixote seal confirmed… same buyers as before.""Keep the stock breathing until the nobles arrive."
Aria's eyes hardened.
"Slavers.""And Doflamingo's," Kairo said grimly.
He glanced toward the nearby Marines. None reacted—they knew.
"This island's crawling with corruption," he muttered. "Pirates, Marines, Government. All feeding from the same vine."
Aria crossed her arms.
"And we're walking right into it.""Maybe that's exactly where we need to be."
Elowen approached quietly, her expression troubled.
"You've heard the rumors," she said softly. "The outsiders call it the 'auction.' They take our people under the pretense of trade—children, hunters, even elders. The Marines turn their eyes away."
Kairo met her gaze.
"Why don't your people fight back?""We tried," she whispered. "But those who resist vanish. The forest protects us, but even it cannot fight iron and fire."
Aria clenched her fists.
"Where are they taking them?"Elowen hesitated."Beneath the roots—there is a hollow chamber. They call it the Garden of Gold. It's where they sell lives like fruit."
Kairo's voice was low, calm—but dangerous.
"Then that's where we're going."
Back at the docks, Marines argued with a group of bounty hunters as a new ship arrived—a sleek, dark vessel bearing the insignia of the Donquixote Family. Crates covered in velvet cloth were unloaded by silent men in suits, watched over by an officer wearing mirrored glasses.
And in the shadows of the port's watchtower, a familiar silhouette leaned on a harpoon launcher, a cigar burning between metal teeth.
He exhaled a plume of smoke and smirked.
"So, the Mist Demon made it this far."
Beside him stood a Marine lieutenant.
"You sure this pirate's worth the trouble?""He's trouble, all right," Reed said. "The kind that leaves no bodies to collect. But lucky for you, I'm better at killing ghosts than chasing them."
He looked out toward the vine-bridges where the Fumigator's crew had disappeared.
"Let's see how long they last in paradise."