章 22: Chapter 22: The Kingdom of Tontatta
"Chief Tonta, something's wrong! Several large humans have entered the forest, and they're heading this way!"
"Leo, I remember telling you that you're not allowed to play in the forest alone! You're still just a child! The forest is dangerous!"
"I'm sorry, Chief Tonta, but I'm already very strong, stronger than adults."
"Honestly, you never listen, do you? Did you recognize any of these humans? Never mind, that's a silly question. Of course, you don't know any humans. Take me to them."
"Follow me, Chief Tonta."
…
In front of enormous trees, Bardock and Hancock were examining the forest before them. Bardock couldn't stop drooling at the sight of a giant mushroom. He wondered if it was edible and what kind of technique could grow mushrooms to such a size.
"Princess Viola, I know that the dwarves are skilled in cultivating plants. So why haven't you had them grow delicious, edible mushrooms? Whether for personal use or exporting overseas, it would be a great idea."
"Hmph, the royal family has long had an agreement with the dwarves. They don't need to work. Whatever necessities they want, they can take freely."
"Work? How is that considered work? The dwarves love plants and enjoy cultivating them. They already grow various plants on their own. You would only be providing them with spores of a few delicious mushrooms, giving them more options and satisfying their hobby. Whether they grow them or not is up to them. If they do, you could purchase the fruits of their labor. That way, both the dwarves and Dressrosa benefit."
"Nonsense! Today it's just providing spores, but tomorrow someone might force them to cultivate, and then eventually enslave them to work. Our Riku royal family would never start such a precedent."
Bardock paused before saying, "Your country isn't exactly wealthy. You have to pay a large sum of Heavenly Tribute every year, and the people's savings aren't substantial. If one day your royal family urgently needed 10 billion Berries, could you come up with it? Would you borrow from the people? Isn't it the king's duty to lead his people to prosperity? If the people aren't happy, then any claim to wisdom is just self-praise."
"Why would we ever urgently need 10 billion Berries? Besides, who says the people aren't happy even if they're not wealthy?"
"Fine, one day you'll understand. Although even if you had 10 billion Berries, it wouldn't make much difference. But imagine the expression on the other side's face—it would be priceless."
Their conversation ended unhappily due to their differing viewpoints. Only Hancock seemed deep in thought. She knew Bardock must know something—Dressrosa would definitely need 10 billion Berries in the future. But what situation could require that much money? Suddenly, her expression shifted, and she said to Bardock, "They're here."
Cyrus glanced at Hancock in surprise. Throughout their interaction, Bardock had always taken the lead, but now it seemed the young woman was also quite formidable, even awakening her Observation Haki.
In the forest, King Gancho of the Tontatta Kingdom, along with his guards and Leo, appeared. He revealed himself upon seeing Princess Viola; otherwise, the dwarves would never show themselves so easily.
"Princess Viola, is there a particular reason for your visit this time?"
"King Gancho, I'm here today because these two individuals claim to have very important news for the dwarves. I couldn't make a decision, and my father isn't around, so I had to bring them here personally to meet with you."
"King Gancho, hello. I'm Bardock. I've come this time with news about Mont Blanc Noland from 400 years ago. This isn't the place to discuss it, so could you take us somewhere more private?"
"The great hero Noland? Very well, follow me."
That was a bit too quick to agree.
As they moved along, Leo jumped onto Bardock's shoulder and said, "Hey there, big human. I'm Leo, the man who's going to become the Captain of the Tontatta Warriors."
"Hello, Leo. I'm sure you'll become the Captain of the Tontatta Warriors."
"Really? Chief Tonta, the big human said I'm definitely going to become the Captain of the Tontatta Warriors!"
…
In the underground Tontatta Kingdom of Green Bit, Bardock and his companions followed King Gancho into the dwarves' homeland.
"Everything here is so tiny. Which one is Princess Mansherry?" Hancock asked in a low voice, looking around curiously.
The dwarves were also sneaking glances at the large humans.
"I know this. Leo, I've heard that your Princess Mansherry has the power to heal anything. Why don't we see her?"
"That's the power of her special magic. The princess is both spoiled and willful, with a quick temper. But her tears can indeed heal any injury. I'll go find her."
With that, he dashed off.
"She doesn't seem like an easy person to get along with, Bardock," Hancock teased, now in a good mood after confirming that Mansherry possessed healing abilities.
"Quite the opposite, Hancock. I think Mansherry is very easy to get along with. Despite how harshly Leo described her, he's still willing to go find her, which means their relationship is probably quite special."
Bardock knew that Mansherry would eventually fall for Leo, but he hadn't expected it to start so early. Leo truly was a steel-hearted man, tough from a young age.
Under King Gancho's guidance, they arrived at a place where a statue of Noland stood.
"Bardock, what news do you have about the great hero Noland?"
"King Gancho, before we begin, please take a look at this."
Bardock took out a book from his chest and handed it over, something he had prepared long before setting out.
Viola glanced at it and saw that it was a children's book titled The Liar Noland.
The Liar Noland was a widely circulated tale in the North Blue, where the protagonist Noland was depicted as a habitual liar. Even as he was being executed, he insisted on the existence of the Golden City, which was considered just another one of his lies.
"That's impossible! This isn't Noland! Noland wasn't like that—he was a great hero. If he said the Golden City existed, then it must have existed," King Gancho exclaimed emotionally.
"That's right, King Gancho. The Golden City must exist. Noland was undoubtedly misunderstood. I have two purposes for coming here. First, my friend Hancock wants Princess Mansherry to do her a small favor. Second, I want the Tontatta Kingdom to send Princess Mansherry and Leo with me to sail the seas and clear Noland's name—he wasn't a liar."
"No way!" Viola immediately objected before Gancho could respond. "Even if the Golden City exists, no one has been able to find it for 400 years. What makes you think you can? And besides, Mansherry is still a child. How can you take her on a dangerous adventure at sea?"
"King Gancho, the bloodline of Noland still flows on the seas today. They bear the shame of their ancestor's name and struggle on. The reason I chose Princess Mansherry and Leo is because their abilities can assist me, and their status represents the Tontatta Kingdom. Moreover, we're of similar age, making it easier to get along. Lastly, I've already found clues to the Golden City. I'm certain I can find it."
"This matter, I'll leave for Mansherry to decide," King Gancho said after some thought.
"I agree, Father," Mansherry's voice came from nearby.
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