Exclusive Maid and the Toy That Returned to Human Form

"Here, Master Minos!"

The lively weapon maid, carrying the already beaten-into-a-pig's-head, unconscious Sugar, spoke up. "All the toys are locked up in this underground factory. The prison upstairs was just for show!"

With Minos adding a bit of Evil Eye hypnosis to his persuasive words, Baby5 almost instantly turned from darkness to light, becoming Minos's exclusive maid.

Right after, Baby5 immediately exposed Sugar's secrets, knocked out this Hobby-Hobby Fruit user, and led Minos to find King Riku and the others who had been turned into toys by Sugar.

Before Minos could even push open the underground factory's door, he heard the noisy commotion inside. Opening it, he saw those who, due to Sugar's unconsciousness, had transformed from toys back into humans.

Dressrosa had only fallen to the Donquixote Family for one night. Aside from some pirates who had been turned into toys by Sugar before, the rest were basically Dressrosa's guards, so the numbers weren't too large.

But these two groups—one the kingdom's guards, the other pirates—even after turning back into humans, their relationship wouldn't be any better.

If not for their worry about the Donquixote Family, they might have already started fighting.

"Huh!? Strange, why don't I see King Riku?" Baby5 said in surprise. At that moment, the people in the underground factory, seeing Baby5, all showed wary expressions.

"The Donquixote Family's assassin maid... what are you here for?"

Violet, standing at the front of the group of guards, looked at her and asked.

"Rejoice, I've already left the Donquixote Family," Baby5 said, lifting her head. "I'm here on my master's orders to save you all!"

The group exchanged glances, unsure whether to believe her. Minos glanced at them, then fixed his gaze on Violet. "You're that Gaze-Gaze Fruit user?"

Violet swallowed, nodding lightly, her eyes darting to Baby5's hand. Wasn't that Sugar, curled up into a ball? Poor little girl, beaten into a pig's head! It seemed the newcomer was also a tough character.

"Where's your father?" Minos frowned, asking.

Violet's face darkened. "Father... has already..."

"Already dead? Looks like the Donquixote Pirates wiped out the roots!"

"...was rescued by a limping toy soldier."

After a moment of silence, Minos sighed. "Can you not pause like that?"

"A limping toy soldier?" Baby5 thought for a moment. "Let's ask this one."

With that, she casually dropped Sugar on the ground. Sugar groaned and woke up.

"You damn tool, how dare you hit me," Sugar said angrily as she came to. It wasn't until Baby5's gun was pressed to her forehead that her expression changed and she snapped to her senses.

"Wait... wait! Calm down, calm down! If you really kill me, the Young Master won't let you off. Baby5, do you want to be hunted by the family?"

"Shut up, tell me quickly, who is that limping toy soldier?!" Baby5 said coldly.

"Limping toy soldier?! What are you talking about?"

"A limping toy soldier rescued King Riku. All the toys should be connected to you, right? Don't tell me you have no memory of that toy soldier!" Baby5 sneered.

"Uh... I remember now, that should be Dressrosa's Captain of the Guard!" Sugar quickly said.

"That's Kyros! He's my brother-in-law!" Violet sighed in relief, finally hearing some good news.

"Is that so? Looks like King Riku is relatively safe for now," Minos said, then looked at Violet. "I suggest you all leave Dressrosa quickly. No matter what, you're no match for the Donquixote Pirates."

"But..." Violet gritted her teeth. "The people of Dressrosa..."

"Doflamingo wants to rule Dressrosa, not destroy it. He won't carry out a massacre. Your worry is completely unnecessary."

"And... no matter what, you don't have the power to defend your own country. On this sea, those without power never have a voice!"

Violet's face turned pale, and she lowered her head. "Mr. Minos... could you help us..."

"Sorry, can't help. Please leave," Minos quickly shook his head. With his own small arms and legs, being able to scrape together some achievements was only thanks to the Charlotte Pirates. How could he take on the Donquixote Pirates?

And asking the Charlotte Pirates for help was useless too. No matter how fiercely Katakuri and Doflamingo fought, the two basically couldn't truly fight to the death.

One was a Yonko Commander of a Yonko Crew, the other a Shichibukai. Both knew their own and each other's positions well—without real conflicting interests, they wouldn't recklessly risk their lives against each other.

Or rather, with the benefits King Riku could offer, it wasn't worth the Charlotte Pirates helping them.

"Is that so..." Violet sighed helplessly. "Then... please save my father and sister!"

Minos rubbed his chin. "And... what's the price?"

"Forgot to tell you, I'm a member of the Charlotte Pirates. Even if I personally sympathize with you, you all know well what kind of pirate crew the Charlotte Pirates are, right?"

"Without enough compensation, I can't take you in. And even if I did, are you willing to give up your souls?"

"The... Charlotte Pirates..." Violet's face showed a mix of shock and fear. "Are you one of Charlotte Linlin's children?"

"Sorry, I don't bear the Charlotte name. I'm just a subordinate."

The Charlotte Pirates were renowned throughout the New World. In this era, Red-Hair had just risen, still only a candidate for Yonko; Kaido was holed up in Wano Country; and Whitebeard, with age, had taken in more sons and become far less active.

Thus, at this time, the Charlotte Pirates' reputation in the New World was the greatest, and naturally, the most fearsome.

After all, collecting souls didn't sound like something any decent person would do.

As for the legends spreading across the sea, Minos could only say they weren't entirely accurate but close enough—Charlotte Linlin was indeed no good person! The Charlotte Pirates weren't all villains, but there really wasn't anyone with much sympathy.