Chapter 98.1 : Law Cured!!

"Really… really gone?"

Law sat slumped on the ground, his hands raised in confusion. On the outside, it wasn't obvious, but he could feel it so clearly—his body was completely different from before.

What had once been like a parasitic presence, deeply rooted within him, was now completely gone.

It was as though a great burden had been lifted, as if he had broken free from a cage.

"Waaahhh!"

At that moment, Law couldn't help but bury his face in his hands and cry.

No matter how much he had talked about wanting to destroy the world, in the end, he was just an eleven-year-old child.

Since he was ten, he had known he only had three more years to live. Then, he lost all his family. The pressure he carried was simply too heavy.

But now, the threat of death had finally disappeared, and Law, at last, had the ability to imagine a future again.

"Thank you! Thank you!"

Law sobbed, wrapping his arms around the little princess who was perched on his shoulder. She was still panting slightly from exhaustion, her energy spent.

Though Law was only eleven, small and thin, compared to the princess, who was just over ten centimeters tall, he was undoubtedly a giant.

He cradled her carefully, as though she were a doll, holding her gently in his arms.

"Thank you so much!"

The ten-year-old princess, though still a little shy, blushed slightly, seeming to feel Law's stirred emotions. She lifted her tiny hand and gently patted his shoulder.

"It's okay now."

"Mm!"

Law let go of the little princess, holding her carefully in his palms, nodding heavily.

It's all fine now. He could stride forward into the future with confidence.

Carrying all the hopes together!

"That willful princess, she actually knows how to comfort someone!"

Princess Mansherry's actions left her childhood friend, Leo, in a stunned daze.

In his mind, the little princess had always been self-centered and stubborn, never listening to anyone!

Hearing Leo's exclamation, the previously gentle and kind little princess' forehead suddenly twitched with a visible vein. Like a blur, she leapt to Leo's side and grabbed his ear.

"Don't say bad things about the princess!"

The little princess said loudly.

"Ahh! So, she really is the same as usual!"

Leo screamed in agony.

Ian watched, trying not to laugh.

A classic case of a "funny enemy" couple.

But...

Ian looked around.

More little people (Dwarve) began to emerge from the surroundings—out of the grass, from the bushes, from behind the leaves. They were just shy of popping out from under the girl's skirt.

"Great! The princess healed this human!"

"Yeah, now he'll be safe and sound!"

"As expected of the princess!"

The little people cheered sincerely for Law's recovery.

"So cute."

Black Maria also sighed with genuine admiration.

They really were an adorable race.

Their kindness and purity were deeply ingrained, and they viewed everything with goodwill. In their world, even the concept of lies did not exist.

Such a race, they should be living in this dense forest, avoiding contact with the outside world.

But unfortunately, Ian had appeared here.

That means it can't be ignored.

Ian let out a light sigh.

What should he do with these adorable little people?

The Tontatta tribe's physical strength is more than qualified for soldiers.

Their power, which far exceeds that of humans, combined with speed so fast it's nearly invisible, makes them outstanding in direct combat. If they were to act as assassins, their abilities would be even more exaggerated.

However, if you factor in the fact that the Little People have an inability to discern lies, they would actually make the worst soldiers.

If they were ever on the battlefield, it wouldn't take much for the enemy to deceive them with a few words, and they'd likely turn against their own side on the spot.

Moreover, isn't it too inhumane to send such adorable little people into battle? 

When faced with a request for help, they didn't hesitate to heal Law right away.

In the end, it's probably better to have them focus on logistics.

In addition to their remarkable physical abilities, the Tontatta tribe has a unique talent.

They are excellent at cultivating plants, and it is said that there isn't a single plant in the world they can't grow. Any plant that comes into their hands will flourish in the healthiest form possible.

They can be considered natural farming prodigies.

In the original story, Doflamingo deceived the Tontatta tribe into helping him manufacture the Smile Fruits.

And by coincidence, although there have been no results so far, Judge also mentioned that the artificial Devil Fruits he cultivates should eventually take on the shape of a fruit.

Ian slowly let out a breath.

The Tontatta tribe saved Law, they are his benefactors, and since Law is his crew member, that means, by extension, they are also his benefactors.

In order to prevent his benefactors from being harmed by that Doflamingo guy in the future, it's probably best to take them back to Wano Country.

Wano Country is vast, and it would be the perfect place for them to thrive.

I, Ian, live by the principle of repaying a kindness with a great debt.

Now, how should I take them back to Wano Country?

Brrr brrr brrr.

The sound of the transponder snail suddenly rang out.

Ian raised an eyebrow, answered the call, and immediately heard Babanuki's voice, "Lord Ian, someone has arrived! It seems to be the royal family of Dressrosa! They've discovered us."

The royal family of Dressrosa?

That must be King Riku!

Hmm?

Ian's eyes lit up. He had an idea.

"Ian?"

Yamato, with her keen ears, quickly turned to look at Ian.

A young girl's heart is always restless, always yearning for something extraordinary.

Ian smiled. 

He stepped forward, looking down at Princess Mansherry, who was playfully messing around with Leo. 

"Thank you so much for your help, Princess Mansherry. If not for you, my friend would have left me."

"You're welcome."

The little princess, who had been tugging on Leo's cheek, suddenly blushed at Ian's gratitude. She quickly hid behind Leo and spoke in a soft voice.

Ian said, "As a token of my thanks, I'll go back to the ship and bring you some gifts."

"Gifts?"

Leo blinked. "Princess, this human says he's going to give us gifts!"

"Gifts?"

The little princess looked at Ian expectantly.

"So, please wait a moment."

Ian said, "I'll go get them now."

"Mm!"

The little princess nodded happily.

Ian turned back to his companions. "Let's go, we'll head back first."

"Yay!"

Yamato cheered in excitement.

A little later.

At the Greenbit coastline, where the Golden Dragon ship was docked.

Babanuki stood on the deck, holding a telescope, scanning the sea. Not far ahead, a massive steel bridge connected Greenbit and Dressrosa.

Schools of fighting fish continued to charge at the bridge but were swiftly knocked down one by one.

And those being attacked by the fish were a group of soldiers, with two men at the front, both wearing crowns.

"Not bad, their strength."

Babanuki focused intently on the man who was knocking the fish away.

He was a gladiator, his upper body clad in a green vest that tightly hugged his muscular build, while his lower body wore a short battle skirt. He also had a red cape draped over his back. 

At that moment, he was skillfully jumping around with a two-handed sword, precisely slicing through each incoming fighting fish.

Impressive!

Babanuki made that judgment.

But this level of skill was only impressive compared to his own.

Hmph.

Such arrogance.

Babanuki sneered.

In front of Lord Ian and Miss Yamato, it was hardly worth mentioning. Just an ant trying to shake a tree.

As Babanuki observed the people on the bridge, those on the bridge were also watching them.

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