-----
-----
As soon as the sound hit their ears, the other customers in the restaurant went pale.
"It's… it's the tax collectors!!!"
"Hurry! Swallow your food before they come in!!!"
Too late.
BANG!!!
The restaurant doors burst open with a loud crash.
A squad of uniformed soldiers marched inside in perfect formation.
The man clearly in charge walked confidently toward the diners. He wore a purple uniform, had slicked-back reddish-purple hair, and black-rimmed glasses.
Clap!He casually slapped a customer's shoulder and said with a fake smile:"Nice-looking drink you've got there. But—"
"You do know there's a drinking tax, right?"
Two of the soldiers immediately grabbed the poor guy from behind and hoisted him up.
"No, wait! The money in my pocket is for my wife and kids! Please don't take it all!"
"Paying taxes is every citizen's duty," the man said smoothly as he took the wallet the soldiers had snatched."People who don't pay taxes don't deserve to live here."
Just like that, he dropped his twisted logic out loud like it was the most normal thing in the world.
"Who is this guy?" Usopp muttered.
"The island's ruler's son—Philip, son of Whedon," the chef whispered back.
"He comes here all the time, shaking us down for taxes."
Just then, Philip seemed to notice something. He turned and spotted Henzo.
His expression shifted instantly from cold to fake-friendly, and he strode over.
"Well if it isn't Dr. Henzo! My father was just asking about you."
Philip gave a tight smile."So… how's the Rainbow Mist research coming along?"
Henzo looked away, clearly not interested in chatting."Same as always. Still can't figure out where or when it'll show up."
Philip's face darkened, and his tone sharpened.
"Dr. Henzo, your research is funded by taxpayers, you know."
He pointed dramatically out the window, where a tall tower stood.
"That Rainbow Tower was built just for your research."
"If you don't start making progress soon, things are gonna get rough for everyone."
At this, the rest of the people in the restaurant started glaring at Henzo, their eyes full of resentment.
Henzo looked guilty but didn't defend himself.
Seeing this, Philip didn't push further. He was about to leave—until he noticed Luffy still stuffing his face at the table.
He froze, then pointed accusingly."You're eating pasta from a big plate, right?"
"Well, you gotta pay the big plate tax."
One of the soldiers stepped forward to enforce it.
"Six-Flower Bloom!"
Robin crossed her arms, and petals began to fall like cherry blossoms around her.
Suddenly, six extra arms sprouted from the soldier's body, dislocating his joints and dropping him to the floor like a sack of flour.
"Don't move," Robin said with a calm, cold smile as she sat in her chair.
"Devil Fruit user…" Philip broke into a cold sweat, a bad feeling creeping up on him.
But right then, Bai Ye blurted out something that had been bugging him the whole time—
"The ruler's son came to collect taxes himself? You guys that short on staff?"
At the same time, another group from the Straw Hat crew was out shopping in town.
"Why the hell am I carrying this woman's stuff?"Zoro looked annoyed at Nami. They were supposed to be buying their own things, but somehow, everyone ended up lugging Nami's bags.
"She's right, Nami. Isn't this a bit much?"Chopper, now in his reindeer form, was already carrying a whole load of stuff Nami bought.
"It's called being prepared," Nami said, sticking out her tongue."And besides, I'm a girl! I can't carry all this on my own!"
"Waaah!! Nami-swan! As your loyal knight, it's my honor!!!"Sanji's eyes turned into hearts the second he saw her smile.
"Tch. Damn perv kappa," Zoro scoffed with disgust.
"Say that again, you bastard!""Lord Rake, it's them!!!"Suddenly, a voice shouted from nearby.
A strange-looking figure stepped forward toward the crew.
"So it's you guys who haven't paid the harbor tax?"The man wore the same purple uniform as the soldiers, but on top of it, he was sporting some weird armor.There was even a giant pipe connected from the back of the armor to a bicycle-powered generator.
"I'm Rake, grandson of Mayor Whedon!"He smacked the armor's two arms together, sending sparks flying.
"I specialize in collecting taxes from troublesome folk. I don't care where your ship went—just pay up already."
Hearing that, Zoro and Sanji both dumped their stuff onto Chopper's back.
Then they turned to Rake.
"Looks like we've got no choice but to fight."
Zoro tied on his headband. Sanji lit a cigarette.
Back at the port, while the Straw Hats were dealing with their own trouble, the islanders suddenly noticed a massive ship slowly sailing in.
News of the big ship at the harbor spread like wildfire across the whole island—Naturally, Luffy and the others, who'd just dealt with Philip, heard it too.
"A big ship?" Henzo's eyes widened as if something clicked in his head. He immediately bolted toward the harbor.
Luffy, still hoping to get into the Rainbow Mist with Henzo, ran after him.White Night and the others followed too.
On the way, they regrouped with Nami and the others, who had just finished dealing with Rake.
Once everyone had packed away the stuff Nami bought, they all headed to the port together.
On the way, White Night gave the crew a quick rundown about the Rainbow Mist.And the moment Nami heard the words treasure, her eyes turned into shiny Berries.She shot ahead of everyone.
Soon, the group arrived at the harbor—and laid eyes on the enormous ship.
"Whoa!!" Usopp gawked. The ship was easily as tall as a five-story building.
"It looks really old," Robin noted after studying it for a bit.
"The Taria Star," Henzo said, naming the ship.
"You know this ship, old man?"Luffy was all curiosity.
"This pirate ship entered the Rainbow Mist fifty years ago."
Henzo's voice suddenly turned excited."If it's back, then that means the Rainbow Mist is..."
Before he could finish, White Night pointed into the distance.
"There. It's probably over there."
Everyone turned to look—and sure enough, there it was: a swirling mist of rainbow colors.
"Wooooow!!!"Luffy's eyes sparkled. "This is so cool!!!"
"Alright! Let's go on an adventure!!"
The rest of the Straw Hats reacted with a mix of emotions.Nami was pumped, Sanji and Zoro looked intrigued,Usopp and Chopper were already trembling,and Robin and White Night stayed calm as ever.
"Can I come with you?"Just then, Henzo dropped to his knees.
"My friends went into the mist fifty years ago. I have to save them. Please… help me."
Luffy didn't even hesitate. With a big grin, he said,"Sure!"
"....."