Chapter 143: A Nightmare is Still a Dream, Makes Sense!
Grand Line, Seafall Sea Area.
In this previously obscure sea area, a large number of ships were now gathered.
Well-equipped warships were docked, almost completely encircling the sea area.
Different flags hung on their masts, counting at least dozens—symbolizing that this massive fleet was a joint fleet composed of dozens of kingdoms and forces.
They sealed off the entire sea area, the reason self-evident.
"How is it? Did they land on the island?"
On one of the ships, a commander holding a Den Den Mushi asked solemnly.
"Yeah."
From the snail came a voice that sounded irritable.
"We landed... it's true as the rumors say. If you don't follow the rules and enter from the east entrance, you aren't considered a 'formal visitor', and Miss Faerie won't even appear."
His voice carried a hint of regret. "What a pity... I heard that lady is a great beauty."
"Beauty? That kind of thing—once you complete the mission on the island, you can have as many as you want!"
The commander roared. "Focus on your mission, Kelly Funk... Do you know how many warships are in this sea area now?"
"Soon, all warships here will set off for Neverland together—that's your final deadline."
"Our Mogaro Kingdom is located in the New World after all... to compete for a large amount of 'Fountain of Youth', we rely on you!"
As he said.
Every kingdom wanted to seize more resources on Neverland.
Especially the legendary 'Fountain of Youth', a target most countries were determined to get.
But everyone knew.
The quantity of Fountain of Youth was limited, and the island was only so big.
Once the warships moved, everything would become chaotic, likely leading to massive naval battles.
By then, even strong nations couldn't guarantee how much they could seize.
Especially countries like Mogaro Kingdom located in the New World, inconvenienced to deploy large armies here.
So right now, almost all nations' warships were preparing to depart while waiting for news from the powerhouses they hired to land on Neverland in advance.
"His Majesty the King paid you brothers a huge sum, you..."
The commander wanted to say more, but...
Beep beep beep!
He heard the busy tone of the call being hung up.
Meanwhile.
On Neverland.
"So noisy."
Hanging up the snail, the muscular man wearing red boxing gloves picked his ear. "Just paid a little money, yet daring to dictate here. If we really get treasures like the Fountain of Youth, wouldn't we be fools to hand them over... right? Bobby?"
"Yeah, Big Brother."
Behind him, a sunglass-wearing man, far taller and muscular like a monster, responded deeply.
He was Bobby Funk, known as the 'Funk Brothers' with his brother Kelly Funk, professional assassins from the Mogaro Kingdom.
But now...
"Hah? What does that mean?"
A female voice came.
A woman dressed as a maid, smoking, carrying various weapons.
Despite wearing an eye patch, her beautiful features were visible.
"I'm here on the Young Master's order to seize the Fountain of Youth. If I get it, I'll definitely give it to him for praise, okay?"
She looked at the Funk Brothers. "You guys sound like you won't honor the contract, very untrustworthy... Maybe I should kill you here."
She was a maid of the Dressrosa royal family, Donquixote Family assassin—Baby 5.
"Hah?"
The hot-tempered Kelly Funk changed expression. "Stupid woman, what did you sa..."
He clenched his fists, ready to fight.
"Big Brother, c-calm down."
But the cowardly Bobby Funk said, "Fighting now will only let others profit."
He looked at Baby 5. "Miss, y-you too."
"Well said."
Another voice chimed in.
It was the man standing with Baby 5—wearing goggles and a mask, with spiky white hair.
Also a Donquixote Family member, Gladius.
"Baby 5, we have a contract with them... follow the contract. You know—I hate people who don't follow plans the most."
He said to Baby 5 sternly.
"...Hmph."
Baby 5 snorted, retracting her gun.
Nearby onlookers sighed in disappointment.
Yes.
Besides these four.
There were many others nearby.
Walking on the island but keeping distance, clearly not allies.
They were powerhouses, pirates, or mercenaries from various kingdoms, ordered to seize the Fountain of Youth in advance.
But they also heard that 'Neverland' was extremely dangerous to uninvited guests.
So after landing, this group made a pact.
[Cooperate to explore the island, then fight formally after finding the 'Fountain of Youth']
A fair deal for everyone.
Of course, if the Donquixote executives and Funk Brothers fought early, tearing up the contract... they wouldn't mind eliminating two competitors early.
Just then...
"Look over there—we've reached the Fairytale Forest. The Fountain of Youth is close... solve problems later."
Among the crowd, a masked man spoke—bounty hunter, 'Explosion Expert' Jett.
Everyone looked in the direction he pointed.
Not far ahead, the entrance to a forest was visible.
Rainbow colors flowed on countless massive trees.
The air carried an intoxicating sweet scent; translucent branches swayed like silk in the wind.
Sunlight filtered through the colorful canopy, casting shifting spots on glowing moss, breathtakingly beautiful.
"Heard about it, but... truly amazing scenery..."
Seeing the dreamlike scene, someone muttered.
They knew this forest.
The great forest in the center of Neverland, called 'Fairytale Forest'.
The 'Island Spirit', 'Miss Faerie', and many dream creatures reportedly lived here.
The legendary Fountain of Youth was also deep in this forest.
"They say it's dangerous, but I see nothing but small animals and shifting terrain on the way?"
Kelly Funk sneered, stepping into the forest first. "Bobby, follow!"
"Yes, Big Brother."
As the Funk Brothers entered, others followed quickly.
But the moment they stepped into the forest...
"...Hm?"
Some sensitive people sensed a subtle change in the atmosphere.
RUMBLE!
They heard a loud noise behind them.
The massive trees at the entrance moved—in an instant, the entrance vanished.
Immediately after...
RUMBLE!
The ground began to surge.
Their bodies tilted uncontrollably, then...
WHOOSH!
They heard a piercing sound.
Then...
"Argh!"
"Ah!"
Two sounds of something breaking, followed by screams.
Everyone looked toward the sound instinctively.
They saw two mercenaries of the 'Tree-Dweller Tribe', who were moving by jumping on trees, now dead.
Killed by...
The translucent, silk-like branches in the forest.
Layer upon layer, they wrapped around, dyeing the sunlight in the forest with a haze.
The mercenaries' necks were snapped by them, faint blue light spots falling from their bodies.
This was just the beginning.
Because the next moment...
"Ah—Dolar, save me! It's vines!"
"The moss is burning... AAAHHH!"
"Ugh... what cut off my leg?"
"Flowers! Those flowers!"
Screams and exclamations were ceaseless.
Yes.
In this instant, everything in the forest changed.
On the glowing moss, colorful flames began to burn, igniting everything they touched.
Thick vines swayed and coiled like pythons.
Petals of swaying flowers became sharp as knives; grass on the ground sharp as spikes.
Even the flowing stream turned into hands, dragging people into the water.
Death arrived as promised.
In an instant, the mercenaries suffered heavy losses—over half died before they could react.
But...
"Bobby, Combine!"
Kelly Funk shouted. Bobby Funk grabbed him immediately.
Then, he "wore" his brother on his massive body like clothes.
"Funk Buster!"
Muscles bulging, a massive fist carrying terrifying compressed air blasted the ground and flames!
BOOM!
Flowers and grass shattered instantly; flames dispersed by the fist wind.
"Transform · Sword Girl!"
"Rupture!"
Baby 5 and Gladius used their abilities too—the former turned into a sharp sword slicing three massive vines, the latter made a swaying giant tree explode instantly.
As mentioned, the mercenaries hired by kingdoms were somewhat strong.
So now, whether ability users or martial artists... after brief shock, they reacted, repelling the enraged forest instantly.
"Fools—I'm a Jacket Human who ate the 'Jacket-Jacket Fruit'. Although my brother is cowardly, his physique is a natural monster."
Kelly Funk laughed proudly. "Combined, we are the perfect warrior—thinking mere plants can defeat us is imposs... Ugh?"
He stopped mid-sentence.
Because he saw...
From the forest, now almost pitch-black due to tree cover.
Accompanied by blue light spots in the air.
Figures walked out of the forest continuously.
They all had appearances completely alien to the real world.
Within the moss, amidst burning flames, 'Faerie Fires' with limbs rose.
In the air, nearly transparent 'Harpies' with wings appeared slowly.
From under petals and grass, stout 'Leprechauns' drilled out.
Deep in the black forest, 'Nightmares' (skeleton warhorses) surrounded by dark red flames paced out.
In the rising mist, winged 'Quetzalcoatls' soared.
'Chimeras' with snake heads, scorpion tails, and lion bodies scratched the ground with fangs.
"This number, and this aura... what is going on..."
Baby 5's voice trembled. "I heard creatures here are beautiful species only seen in dreams?"
What kind of dream is this?
A Nightmare?
Just then...
VMMM!
The trees and flowers shattered by their attacks earlier began to change under their incredulous gaze.
Countless tiny fragments shimmering with dreamlike light began to gather under the guidance of light spots in the air.
In moments, they were reborn.
Trees swayed, blocking the sun.
Countless dream creatures paced out of the forest.
The forest remained vibrant.
The scene was still dreamlike.
A scene that should have delighted everyone present.
But now, they only felt a chill in their hearts.
They recalled the nursery rhyme circulating on the sea recently.
"Greedy ones, wielding blades, vines and rainbow springs become nooses, bones sink into the ocean."
☆☆☆
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