Chapter 476 - 315

Chapter 316: Plotting Underground, Death Match on the Isolated IslandIn the center of the underground cavern, King Gancho spread out a crude map drawn on tree bark under a giant glowing mushroom.The light from the fluorescent moss reflected off the map, revealing the intricate underground structure of Dressrosa."Everyone in the kingdom remembers that night ten years ago."Gancho's voice was low, each word squeezed from deep within his chest."Donquixote Doflamingo used the power of the String-String Fruit to manipulate the king at the time, King Riku, forcing him to massacre his subjects in public. Then Doflamingo appeared as a'savior' and naturally took over this country."He pointed his tiny finger at the palace area on the map:"But his true conspiracy only began at that moment.""Sugar."When Gancho spoke the name, his voice carried deep-seated hatred."The Hobi Hobi no Mi ability user. Anyone she touches is turned into a toy and erased from everyone's memories."He pointed to the area on the map marked 'Toy House':"For the past ten years, everyone who resisted Doflamingo, everyone who knew the truth, everyone who could threaten his rule... has been turned into a toy by Sugar.""Then a 'contract' is imposed, forcing them to work for this country, to slave away for the Donquixote Family."Suppressed sobbing echoed around them.Leo gripped his dandelion spear tightly, his knuckles turning white."There's more."Gancho continued, his finger moving to another mark on the map."Doflamingo took Princess Mansherry hostage and forced us, the Tontatta Tribe, to work for him. We were forced to build the SMILE Factoryunderground, producing Artificial Devil Fruits day and night to supply Beast Kaido."He looked up at Usopp and Chopper:"They are chained, whipped, and work twenty hours a day just to produce those damn fruits."There was a dead silence in the cavern."So..."Usopp swallowed hard."What's your plan?"Leo stepped forward and pulled a small wooden box from the leaf pouch at his waist.He opened the box, revealing a purple sphere that looked exactly like a grape."The Special Super Spicy Chili Ball."Leo's voice was firm."We used the spiciest Ghost Peppers from underground, mixed with pungent odors and hallucinogenic mushroom powder. It looks exactly like the grapes Sugar loves to eat, but it's a thousand times spicier than a normal chili."He carefully took one out:"If Sugar eats just one, even just one, the intense stimulation will knock her unconscious instantly. The power of the Hobi Hobi no Mi will fail, all toys will return to their original forms, and everyone will regain their memories."Usopp's eyes lit up:"Then Doflamingo's conspiracy will be completely exposed!""Yes."Gancho nodded."But there's only one chance! Sugar is always protected by family officers, especially Trebol, who almost never leaves her side. We must accomplish two things the moment she eats the grape—"He held up two fingers:"First, launch a surprise attack on the SMILE Factory amidst the chaos to rescue Princess Mansherry and the five hundred hostages.""Second, lead all the toys and citizens who have regained their memories to launch a full-scale rebellion."Gancho looked at Usopp and Chopper, his eyes full of pleading:"We need help! The strength of the Tontatta Tribealone isn't enough to break through the factory guards, let alone protect innocent people during a riot. Everyone from the Straw Hat Pirates... are you willing to help us?"Chopper stood up abruptly, his deer eyes burning with fire:"Of course we are! Such a cruel thing can never be tolerated!"Usopp also stood up; though his legs were still shaking slightly, his gaze was unusually firm:"That guy Doflamingo... to think he'd do such a thing. We'll definitely help!"Leo and the surrounding Tontatta warriors cheered. Many Tontatta women wiped away tears, and children hugged each other."Thank you... thank you..." Gancho bowed deeply, old tears streaming down his face.Just then—Rumble, rumble, rumble—!!!A dull, massive sound came from the rock layers overhead, and dust and debris fell in showers."An, an earthquake?"Usopp looked around nervously."No."Gancho's face turned pale."It's from the surface... the battle between that Marine Admiral and your companion. The aftershocks have reached this deep underground..."Chopper's heart tightened."Law..."Usopp grit his teeth, tightly clutching the den den mushi as he looked up at the rock layers of the cavern's ceiling."Luffy... you have to make it in time..."...Green Bit Island, Central Area.All trees, vines, and even rocks and soil within a five-kilometer radius had been 'activated' under Aramaki's will, becoming part of his body.The entire area had turned into a green hell; every inch of land was breathing, and every plant was roaring.And in the center of this green hell floated a pale blue sphere.ROOM domain.Its radius was down to only twenty meters.Inside the domain, Law's clothes were completely soaked in blood. The wound on his left shoulder had completely burst open, and blood flowed down his arm.His breathing was heavy, each inhalation bringing a burning pain to his lungs, and each exhalation spraying bloody foam.Outside the domain, Aramaki's original body floated in mid-air.He still maintained his human form, but his body was covered in a thick layer of bark armor, with dark green sap oozing from the cracks."Huff... huff..."Law panted, his golden eyes staring fixedly at Aramaki."You... aren't all that...""Aren't all that?"Aramaki tilted his head, his bark armor making a 'cracking' friction sound."Kid, do you know what state you're in right now?"He extended his right hand, his five fingers slowly clenching."The bones in your left shoulder are shattered, you have internal bleeding, your stamina is over seventy percent depleted, and your Haki reserves are less than thirty percent. Yet you're still maintaining this spatial domain, still trying to resist."Aramaki's voice carried undisguised surprise."To be honest, I'm shocked! A mere officer of one of the Four Emperors—and a doctor at that!! To think you could push me to this extent.""That spatial cutting move, and that piercing attack just now that can erase concepts... you've indeed touched the threshold of 'Awakening'."He paused, his tone suddenly turning cold."But it ends here."Law didn't answer.He simply stood up slowly, gripping kikoku tightly."If you can't even handle a mere officer of the Four Emperors like me..."Law grinned, revealing teeth stained red with blood."You're quite a disgrace for an Admiral."The moment the words fell, Law moved."ROOM: Scan!"The pale blue domain instantly shrank to a ten-meter radius, but its density exploded!The space within the domain began to fold, twist, and reorganize frantically! Law's figure turned into dozens of afterimages within the domain!"A deathbed struggle."Aramaki snorted coldly, his hands slamming together!"Mori Mori no Mi Awakening: Great Tree Realm Strangling!"The ground exploded!Hundreds of giant tree roots with diameters exceeding five meters burst from the earth like awakened ancient serpents, strangling toward the ROOM domain!Each root was covered in dense Armament Haki, and the space vibrated wherever they passed!The roots crashed into the domain.Their speed dropped sharply.But there were too many of them.One root after another broke through the domain's defenses, slamming hard into Law!BAM—!!!Law was sent flying, coughing up a large amount of blood!He forced his body to twist in mid-air, kikokudrawing an arc at his side to sever the pursuing roots, but more roots flooded in!"It's over."Aramaki's voice came from all directions."Forbidden Hate Forest—"...