"WOW! Heavenly Tribute indeed… This much gold has to be worth several hundred million Berries!"
Roger's eyes sparkled.
"At least over a billion," Rono replied.
He wasn't sure of the exact value—
But it was absolutely more than a few hundred million.
With wealth like this, someone could retire forever.
Return home.
Live for generations without ever worrying about money.
"Hahaha! Then I'll buy wine!"
Roger flopped backward into the pile of gold, looking completely satisfied.
"…There's another room."
Rono noticed a sealed chamber deeper inside.
More treasure?
He kicked the door open.
The air inside was damp and foul.
At the center stood an iron cage—
Crammed with people.
The stench came from there.
Slaves.
Mostly ordinary humans.
Several beautiful women among them.
When they saw Rono enter—
They didn't scream.
They simply shrank back.
Eyes full of terror.
They thought he was World Government personnel.
Just seeing a uniformed figure had reduced them to this.
What horrors had they endured?
This—
Was the sin of the Celestial Dragons.
"You're free."
Rono tore the lock apart in one pull.
For a moment—
They didn't believe it.
Until he turned and walked to the next room.
Only then—
"Freedom!"
"We're free!"
They rushed out in chaos.
Some ran—
Then turned back.
Kneeling in front of Rono.
Thanking him repeatedly.
The Second Chamber
Larger.
And different.
Inside were not ordinary humans—
But rare races.
Longarm Tribe.Longleg Tribe.Merfolk.Snake-necked people.Even Mink Tribe members.
And—
Rono spotted one with small horns.
An Oni.
The Celestial Dragons' reach was terrifying.
These were rare species.
Yet they were caged in batches.
Their reaction was the same—
Fear mixed with hatred.
The merfolk looked especially despairing.
Their beauty alone guaranteed suffering.
"You're free."
Rono punched through the reinforced cage.
They hesitated.
"R– Really?"
A Mink cautiously stepped out.
When nothing happened—
He ran.
Moments later he returned, eyes blazing.
"It's true! The Marines and World Government guards are all unconscious! Hurry!"
Joy exploded.
They fled.
Then—
A red-skinned Fish-Man stepped forward.
He dropped to his knees before Rono.
"May I ask… the name of our benefactor?"
Others stopped running.
They wanted to know too.
"Rono."
The red-skinned Fish-Man looked familiar.
Red skin.
Scar patterns.
Fisher Tiger.
Though younger.
Much younger.
Without that signature red complexion, Rono wouldn't have recognized him.
"Your kindness… I, Tiger, will never forget!"
He bowed deeply several times.
If not for this man—
They would have been sent to the Holy Land.
To unimaginable torment.
The others echoed his name.
"Rono…"
Some bowed.
Some wept.
They left.
Rono exhaled slowly.
Fisher Tiger… captured this early.
Though not overwhelmingly strong—
His influence among Fish-Men was immense.
On par with Queen Otohime.
And not just among Fish-Men—
But among former slaves across the seas.
"Hero" Tiger.
The Final Chamber
This one—
Was lavish.
Golden trim.
Polished flooring.
At the center—
Glass display cases.
Inside—
Devil Fruits.
Under the light, they shimmered beautifully.
Along the walls—
Legendary blades.
Rare weapons.
Artifacts meant as offerings to the Celestial Dragons.
They would never reach Mary Geoise now.
They belonged to Rono.