One Piece: Reborn in God's Valley

Ashen couldn't help but praise as he set down the bottle. 

Just moments ago, it had contained only plain water, yet after that floating musical note entered it, it had somehow turned into fragrant, rich wine!

"Really, Captain!? Let me try!"

Hearing Ashen's praise, Lafitte couldn't resist. He picked up a piece of food and took a bite.

"Wow! This tastes like steak! That's amazing!"

Though the texture still resembled something like potato, the flavor had completely transformed. 

This made Lafitte's appetite soar, and he devoured the food in just a few bites.

"Hmm! Mine tastes like lobster, deep-sea lobster, to be exact! This must be the power of a Devil Fruit."

Tesla also took a bite and gave his theory.

"Haha! Must be. Devil Fruit abilities always blow expectations out of the water."

In no time, the three had cleared their plates. Ashen called over old Nick and ordered another round.

Bam!

Just as everyone was enjoying the music and food, the restaurant doors were kicked open.

"Well now, looks like it's lively in here!"

A man in military uniform strolled in, followed closely by a force of over 300 soldiers.

"It's you! How dare you show your face here!? Get out! You're not welcome!"

Nick's frail body trembled with rage. He stood in front of the man, shouting furiously.

The man didn't seem to hear. He brushed Nick aside and walked straight up to Elvis.

"Looks like you're doing well for yourself, huh? Harvey! Why are you even here? To humiliate me?"

Elvis clutched his guitar tightly, his fingers digging in so hard that blood oozed from beneath his nails, clearly showing just how much he hated the man before him.

"Hahaha! Of course not! Thanks to you all, I'm now a general in the Perfume Kingdom.

But I didn't come here today to humiliate you.

I came to offer you a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Look, when something great comes along, you're the first one I think of! My dear old friend!"

Harvey laughed loudly, completely unfazed by Elvis's hateful glare. In fact, he seemed to be enjoying it.

"Get lost! You ungrateful bastard! I never want to see you again!

And I'm not your brother anymore!"

Elvis was on the verge of snapping. If Nick hadn't held him back, he might've struck Harvey right then and there.

"Hmph! No need to get sentimental! In two days, a Celestial Dragon is coming here for inspection.

I know your ability, and your musical talent.

If you put on a good performance, maybe King Ross will appoint you as a court official.

That's got to be better than rotting away in this village where you can't even afford proper meals, right?"

Harvey scoffed, finally laying out his intentions.

"You're dreaming! I'll never agree! Don't think I don't know what you're really after, trying to suck up to the Celestial Dragons again! Just like last time!"

Elvis's handsome face twisted in pain, as if recalling a terrible memory.

Harvey didn't argue, he'd expected Elvis's refusal. Instead, he turned to the soldiers behind him and ordered:

"Arrest him! If he resists, kill the old man!

Also, arrest everyone in this restaurant and the whole village.

I don't want these filthy peasants spoiling the Celestial Dragon's mood!"

"Yes, General Harvey!"

Boom!

At his command, dozens of soldiers flooded into the restaurant, causing chaos. The rest of the 200+ soldiers spread through the village, dragging people from their homes.

"Captain! Should we fight?"

In a corner, Tesla watched as the other patrons were tied up and turned to Ashen.

"Don't act yet. Let them take us. I've got a plan."

Ashen stopped Tesla before he could rise.

Honestly, Harvey's soldiers were no match for Tesla alone.

But Ashen had heard the words Celestial Dragon, and that gave him a better idea.

If he started a brawl now and wrecked the kingdom, the Celestial Dragon might cancel their visit altogether. Or worse, come with top-tier guards from Mary Geoise.

That would ruin everything he had in mind.

So, since Ashen gave the order, Tesla and Lafitte stayed still and allowed themselves to be arrested.

One hour later, Ashen and his crew, along with hundreds of villagers from Rose Village, were escorted to the capital of the Perfume Kingdom.

The capital was sprawling and built into the mountainside. The closer the buildings got to the slope, the more luxurious they appeared.

At the peak stood a massive, ancient palace, it reminded Ashen of King Riku's castle. Below the palace, near the city wall, lay an industrial district.

On the way, old Nick explained the history of the Perfume Kingdom to Ashen.

This was a nation directly affiliated with the World Government, under their jurisdiction. It specialized in producing perfumes for the world's elites.

The tall tanks in the industrial district were fermentation vats, while the ingredients came from villages across the kingdom, each growing different kinds of flowers.

Nick's village, Rose Village, provided roses for rose-based perfumes. There were also Jasmine Village, Osmanthus Village, and others.

Clang!

With a heavy sound, the prison gate shut, locking Ashen, his crew, and the restaurant patrons into a massive cell. Nick ended his explanation.

"Hey, Old Nick, what's the deal with Harvey? Does he have a grudge against you guys or something?"

Seeing that Nick was silent, Lafitte asked.

"Sigh… it's like this…"

Nick began to recount the past, and the trio learned about Elvis's history.

Elvis and Harvey were both orphans, raised together. When they were teens, old Nick took them in and gave them jobs at the restaurant.

Two years ago, Harvey was recruited into the royal guard. He still visited often, trying to convince Elvis to join the military too.

But Elvis hated the rigid life of a soldier and declined.

Then, one year ago, Harvey came to the restaurant in high spirits. He sweet-talked Nick's daughter, Amelia, into leaving with him, saying he wanted to show her the capital.

Days later, Elvis and Nick discovered the truth.

The Celestial Dragons were visiting the nation and had requested beautiful women. The ones prepared by King Ross weren't to their taste.

To curry favor, Harvey remembered the lovely Amelia and took her to the Celestial Dragon instead.

The Celestial Dragon was pleased and approved of King Ross. Harvey was promoted to general as a reward.

"And… you just let the Celestial Dragons take your daughter?" Lafitte asked, confused.

"What else could I do? They're gods.." Nick answered, resigned.

"You coward. Shut up!"

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