Reincarnated into the world of One Piece, in a land of giants with open eyes?!

5: Anonymous "Mountain Granny"

"Huh? Auro~ Weren't we going to test your telepathy magic? Why did we have to go so far? The nun told us not to go this far..."

"It's alright, Lingling. Look, who's that?"

Auro patted Lingling and pointed forward.

"Ah! It's a nun! But didn't the nun go to buy strawberry cake? Oh! Could that ship be the shop!"

"The nun's gone inside to buy supplies! Lingling! Not just your strawberry cake! And this ship doesn't even look like a shop!"

Holding a lantern, Gails corrected Lingling somewhat speechlessly, while Oro laughed happily:

"Lingling, would you like to hear about the nun's buying and selling process?"

"Huh? Is it...is it okay? We're on the mountain, and the big ship is by the sea."

"Of course, when have I ever lied to Lingling?"

"Oh! I want to hear it!"

"Slap! Slap!"

Oro clapped his hands twice, and gold gushed from the ground like a mountain spring, enveloping them and then slowly sinking.

"Wow (✪ω✪)! Auro is amazing! What is this? Can we eat it?"

"This...! Lingling! You are not allowed to tell anyone about what Brother Auro did with us today, or anything that happened! Especially not to the nun! Do you hear me?!"

Compared to the simply delighted Lingling, Gails was indeed much more sensible. After a brief moment of shock, she immediately came to her senses.

There aren't many Devil Fruit users among the giants, and Gale has never seen one.

However, the clan possesses a Devil Fruit that has been passed down to this day, and these children have heard countless legends and stories about it since they were little.

"Devil Fruits must be very precious; we can't let anyone know!"

That's what she thought subconsciously.

"It's alright, Gale, I believe in you." Auro smiled and reassured Gale.

"What?! Auro knows a lot of magic, and I've never told anyone!"

"Alright, alright, Lingling, we're almost there. We'll hear the nun's voice soon. Gale, please turn on the lantern."

Oro silently calculated the distance. If he got too close to the ground, the sound and vibration of the gold breaking through the soil and rocks would be detected. If he drilled too deep, he would lose his senses and be unable to perceive the gold threads left on the ground.

Especially if you go too far and end up in the sea, then you're doomed.

"Hmm...that's about it."

Some gold spread out from the golden sphere that enveloped them, extending into the soil like tree roots, and finally breaking through the cliff facing the sea.

Then, little by little, it reached out towards the large ship moored on the shore, attaching itself to the hull and slowly crawling like a vine to the other side of the ship that was not easily noticed.

Finally, they slowly climbed upwards, ascending to the upper deck...

"You're right on time, Yama-baba."

A casual greeting traveled along the gold pipes specially made by Oro and reached their ears.

"Is he the shop owner?"

Lingling was somewhat bewildered. Gails stood indifferently beside Auro. She knew that such eavesdropping was wrong, but she also knew that Auro wouldn't do such a thing for no reason.

"Of course, do I ever break a promise? Let's get down to business."

"I have wonderful kids here."

The voice continued, this time a cold female voice, which all three underground recognized.

It was precisely because they recognized her that Gails and Lingling were surprised.

"That's... Sister Carmel's voice?"

Gails was somewhat uncertain.

"Why is the nun talking like that? Her voice is usually very gentle."

Lingling's large face was filled with a little confusion.

The sound continued—

A nonchalant male voice: "I never expected you to leave Elbaf."

With a click, Sister Carmel lit a cigarette, took out the photos from her bosom and scattered them on the table, tapping Charlotte Linlin's photo with her finger:

"Because I'd do this rather than abandon that child."

Charlotte Linlin is 3.5 meters tall, weighs 200 kilograms, and has superhuman strength.

"Think it over carefully. This is a talent who could destroy Elbaf village at the age of 5 and face an adult Titan head-on without being defeated."

"But...this price..."

The man's voice sounded somewhat hesitant.

"Ha, you can't possibly not have it, can you?"

Carmelo's voice had that characteristic tone of a merchant enticing consumers:

"Think about it, if you join the navy, you'll eventually become an admiral or marshal."

"If we send it to CP, it will become the Celestial Dragons' strongest shield."

"call--"

Carmelo slowly exhaled a puff of smoke:

"This is..."

"I've been buying and selling children for 50 years."

"The best product in history."

Seeing that the man opposite him, dressed in a white suit and wearing a white mask, remained silent, Carmelo continued to raise his bet:

"37 years ago, I acted out a 'Saving the Giants' play with the Navy. This play, which continues to this day, has been going on for so long that I'm tired of it now."

"From the giants I introduced to the Navy, to those clean-background and promising kids I sell to you every two years."

"I think my contributions to the World Government are comparable to those of a Marine Admiral, aren't they, CP9?"

"I understand, I understand. I'll figure out a way to get the money."

CP9 waved his hand helplessly.

Upon hearing this, Carmel smiled, a smile that was not the loving one he usually showed to the children.

The old woman's wrinkled face, shadowed with emotion, concretized the word "wicked," which then lingered on the corners of her upturned mouth.

"Isn't this what should be done? Ha, being a 'Saint Mary' is not easy."

"Taking this opportunity, I will gradually withdraw from this industry."

"This is the last deal, old friend. Your retirement pension can't be neglected."

……

The sea breeze, smelling fish, and the mountain wind, smelling earth, battled fiercely on this small hilltop, as if this were Maria Joan of Arc.

Lingling, Oro, and Gails sat quietly on the grassy hilltop, gazing at the distant sea.

"So, the nun...did she...did she sell us out? Like those little cakes in a shop's glass case...?"

"To be sold, and then eaten..."

Lingling's dejected voice was the first to break the silence on the mountaintop.

"No way! That won't happen! Now that we know, we definitely won't let it happen! Right, Orogo!"

Gails suddenly stood up and shouted at Lingling.

"Yes, Gails is right, Lingling. Neither you nor the other children at 'Lamb House' will face such a future!"

"Trust me, Lingling!"

Auro slowly stood up, his eyes meeting Lingling's with a firm gaze.

"Auro...brother..."

Charlotte Linlin's tear-streaked face finally broke into its usual憨笑 (a simple, honest smile) once again:

"Yes! I believe in Oro! I believe in my brother!"