One Piece: It's always been you

Chapter 96 Little Girl and Soldier Toys

"You mean SMILE?" Doflamingo has been creating artificial Zoan-type Devil Fruits, and a large part of the reason he has been able to do so is due to Kaido, one of the Three Emperors.

Kaido is SMILE's biggest buyer, and therefore, Doflamingo has a powerful backer to some extent.

However, as far as I know, SMILE has not been widely promoted.

So, Doflamingo's goal was publicity. Kaido couldn't even satisfy him?

Baron Tamago nodded in agreement, "With more funds, Doflamingo's factory can also be expanded." After all, who wouldn't want more money?

The Donquixote family had only seized control of this kingdom for about six months, and the construction of the large SMILE factory had cost them a considerable amount of money, so they naturally needed more funding and partners.

Beckmus looked completely bewildered, having no idea what the two people around him were talking about.

"Ming-ge's idea isn't bad." It's a pity Yu is there; who can blame her for having a grudge against him? Besides, SMILE artificial Devil Fruits sound unreliable.

Baron Egg glanced thoughtfully at the seemingly docile brown bear.

There shouldn't be any trouble...

With just over a day left, even though Yu has no sense of direction, she still wants to go out for a stroll. After all, such an interesting kingdom isn't a place she visits often.

We also need to give Doflamingo a big gift, don't we?

On the other side, in the King's Heights, lies the location of the Dressrosa Royal Palace.

However, it has now become the villa of the Don Quixote family, and all family members of the rank of official or above are eligible to live there. It looks like a resort.

Doflamingo casually crossed his legs and lay leisurely on the sofa. Beside him was a glass of red wine and a Den Den Mushi.

Diamante just reported that the Big Mom Pirates have indeed arrived. Leading them are Baron Tamago and a newly joined Mink, followed by a brown bear, which is probably a mochi that Big Mom created using her Devil Fruit power.

In short, Yu did not appear.

Doflamingo wasn't disappointed; he hadn't had high hopes that Yu would come anyway.

That Yu was probably with Katakuri, whom they met last time. Big Mom would never let Katakuri come in this situation.

Of course, it's also possible that You knew it was organized by him, so she definitely wouldn't come.

However, it doesn't matter anymore. Thinking about the purpose of this auction, Doflamingo was in a pretty good mood.

Soon, his artificial fruits will be sold all over the world.

Holding a map in her hand, she turned it clockwise and counterclockwise, still unable to figure out where she was or which way to go.

There are two places marked with red circles on the map: one is the harbor where the Queen Mother's Anthem is docked, and the other is the arena we'll be visiting the next day.

Yu insisted on going out for a stroll, and Baron Egg reluctantly gave her a map, telling her to ask for directions to either of the two places when it was almost time.

Anyway, as long as You can appear at the auction, that's fine.

This suited You perfectly; with Beckmus and Baron Eggman around, she had to restrain herself.

However, she got lost again before she even started.

The street looked lively, with shouts and dancers performing energetic dances everywhere.

Since we can't find the way, let's just keep walking and see what happens. Things will work themselves out!

"Xiongxiong, do you want to buy a bouquet of flowers? They're very cheap."

Yu had just stopped in front of the barbecue stall, ready to buy something to eat, when she felt a tugging sensation on her hand hanging by her side.

Looking down, I saw a little girl dressed in somewhat shabby clothes, tilting her head back shyly, her pink hair tied in messy braids.

Seeing You turn her head, the girl's eyes sparkled with excitement, but You didn't say anything, which made her eyes dim, and she withdrew her outstretched hand, wanting to back down.

After hesitating for a while, the girl presented the flowers and asked, "Would you like to buy some flowers?"

Seeing the girl's embarrassment, You squatted down and rubbed her head with his bear paw. "Little sister, are you familiar with this place?"

"Familiar!" The girl didn't know, but she felt that answering like that would definitely get Xiongxiong to buy flowers. "Xiongxiong, do you want to buy flowers?"

You was amused; she kept mentioning buying flowers.

"I can buy flowers, but could you please be my guide? I don't know any better than Xiongxiong," You said honestly. She didn't feel safe asking other people, but the little girl in front of her was perfect. "I can buy all your flowers."

"Really? That's great! Can I bring my soldier uncle with me? He knows more places!" the little girl asked excitedly.

"Okay." Yu's adorable bear head nodded. "My name is Taco Bear, what's yours?"

"Rebecca!" A smile bloomed on the little girl's face. She hadn't made any new friends in a long time, and no one had asked her name in a long time either.

"Rebecca, it's a very nice name. I really like you, Xiongxiong." Yu gave the balloon in her hand to Rebecca and then took the flowers from her hand.

Rebecca happily poked the balloon and pulled Yu to find the soldier uncle she had mentioned.

To You's surprise, this soldier uncle was a toy, a one-legged soldier carrying a toy gun.

“Uncle Soldier, this bear is willing to buy all the flowers, but I need to be her guide because she doesn’t know the way.” Rebecca led You to her and the soldier’s flower stall.

The soldier glanced at You and nodded politely. "Where would you like to go?"

"I want to go check out taverns or gambling dens." Yu wanted to find places where prisoners were held, but she was afraid that being too direct would attract attention, so it ended up being taverns and gambling dens.

These kinds of places usually have all sorts of people. It's perfect for gathering information or bribing people.

The soldier hesitated for a moment upon hearing this, but ultimately nodded in agreement.

"How about Rebecca takes the barbecue home?" These places are not suitable for little girls; they're too dangerous.

Rebecca hesitated for a moment, "Aren't we supposed to be bear tour guides?"

"Your soldier uncle is enough. Rebecca must have a good rest after a long day. There's also barbecue to eat." You coaxed the little girl back.

Finally, Yu and the soldier watched Rebecca return home before going to the tavern.

The soldier skateboarded on one foot, keeping pace with Yu. "Thank you for not bringing Rebecca along."

“Children should rest and eat well,” Yu replied. She had originally planned to have Rebecca lead the way, but seeing this soldier, she inexplicably felt she could trust him. “What’s your name?”

When asked about his name, the soldier fell silent. No one would remember it, not even his own daughter. "I have no name," he said, "I'm just a toy soldier."

"..." This topic seems off. "Does Rebecca always live with you? Doesn't she have a mom and dad?"

The soldier's skateboard tripped, but he maintained his balance with a toy gun. "There used to be some, but now they're all... dead."

"Because of the arrival of the Don Quixote family?"

"..." The soldier did not reply. The current ruler was Doflamingo, and the person in front of him could not be trusted.

You didn't continue and remained silent.

A bear and a toy arrived at a tavern in the kingdom. The aroma of alcohol and the smell of smoke filled the air, suggesting that the tavern was full of old men.

The door opened, revealing the entire interior.

People sat in twos and threes around round tables, each with a large glass of wine, drinking heartily.

Yura, with her toy soldier, found a relatively central spot to sit down. From there, she could hear many people talking, but it wasn't very noticeable.

A waiter came over and asked You what she wanted to drink. Without thinking, You ordered two beers and peanuts.

The soldier jumped onto the chair and sat down. "I won't drink."

"I'll have two drinks myself."

"... "