Orochimaru pursed his lips, his face so gloomy it looked like water could drip from it, and impatiently hung up the transponder snail.
He glared at the Marine officers who were surrounding Franky like a tide, and a burst of anger flared up in his heart.
"Hmph, Doflamingo's mouth is so foul, why would Trafalgar call me!"
Look at these Marine officers, each one standing ready. In Orochimaru's eyes, they were like a swarm of annoying mosquitoes, buzzing in his ears, impossible to drive away.
If they had the ability, they should investigate themselves and make arrests directly. What's with this picking up scraps? Don't they know it will affect his plans?
The more he thought about it, the angrier he got. Orochimaru was too lazy to entangle with them. He still had to go to the factory to collect his treasures.
Immediately, a sinister aura surged around him. "Hiss—" Accompanied by a strange sound, he transformed into a giant python in the blink of an eye, its scales radiating a cold metallic luster.
Without another word, Orochimaru violently swung his thick tail. With a "boom," like a cannonball firing, it struck the Vice Admiral of the Marine wearing a bull-horn mask with thunderous force.
Vice Admiral Bastille had no time to react. He was sent flying like a rag doll, knocking over a large group of Marine officers behind him.
Orochimaru hissed angrily, flicking his tongue, and muttered, "Akainu's subordinates are all useless, always getting in the way here! It's just a few lost items, why are they so slow about it?"
After venting, Orochimaru maintained his half-snake form and quickly slithered into the factory, his face dark.
The swimsuit-clad gatekeepers had long been scared pale by Orochimaru's snake body. Trembling, they quickly opened the gate.
Orochimaru flashed past like a ghost, and with a "bang," he closed the gate again. The gatekeepers collapsed to the ground, gasping for breath.
Then, their faces turned a honey-like blush. The half-snake Orochimaru-sama was still so beautiful... though the giant python was a bit scary.
In the dim corner of the factory, Franky and Senior huddled together like two startled quails, their bodies trembling uncontrollably, shaking like sieves.
Gone was the tough-guy demeanor they had just moments before.
Franky's face was ashen, his teeth chattering, and he stammered in fear,
"Who is that? Why did someone provoke him again? He's really a man!"
Senior was even more terrified, his face pale and sickly, and he stammered,
"I think... it shouldn't... be the Young Master, right...? Are we... still fighting...?"
"Fight... there must be a result no matter what. Don't mind him. Orochimaru has his limits; I just don't know who will be the unlucky one."
Franky felt even more subtle in his heart. Where did Orochimaru develop that bad temper of taking his anger out on others when he got mad?
He secretly grumbled to himself, even feeling a little "grateful" to the group of Marine officers who were surrounding them.
(At this moment, Garp, who was on the ship snatching Sengoku's senbei into his mouth, casually picked his ear, completely unaware that someone was talking about him: "Huh? Did someone call me?")
Orochimaru's face was as cold as frost as he moved freely through the laboratories on the ground. Everything that caught his eye was mercilessly taken into his possession.
The "clinking" of bottles and jars and the "rustling" of moving items were exceptionally clear in the silent space.
In a short while, the entire laboratory was ransacked by him, like a plundered ruin.
After the search, Orochimaru snorted coldly. He had originally planned to leave Doffy some things, but Orochimaru suddenly felt that it would be better to leave Usopp's fart instead.
Satisfied, he looked at the factory, which was now just an empty shell. Soon, it would be his too.
While thinking, he followed a hidden underground passage towards the underground Artificial Devil Fruit factory.
If Senior knew that Orochimaru had only left him an empty shell, he would be very speechless. What was the point of him risking his life to guard the door here? Was he just guarding an empty door?
Orochimaru silently entered the underground factory. It was eerily quiet here. The bustling scene of Donquixote Family members coming and going had disappeared without a trace.
Only a few Tontatta Tribe members, who were responsible for guarding the gate, were peering out from the corner, vigilant and curious.
Since Orochimaru drastically reformed the operation of the SMILE factory over a year ago, the vast underground space had been guarded only by the Tontatta Tribe.
For Orochimaru, these simple and innocent little guys were simply too easy to deceive and exploit.
Coercion through violence was a method only used by trash; he wanted willing cooperation.
As soon as Orochimaru stepped in, the sharp-eyed Tontatta Tribe guards immediately let out joyful screams. Their small faces beamed with excitement as they chattered and rushed towards Orochimaru, all of them leaping into his arms.
One of the Tontatta Tribe members looked up with a rosy little face and asked expectantly,
"Orochimaru-sama, did you come especially to see us? We worked super hard today too!"
As the large doors slowly swung open, a "creak, creak" sound echoed in the silence.
A warm current, carrying a sweet and comforting aroma, wafted over, as if instantly transporting one from the cold real world into a dreamlike fairy tale realm.
Throughout the underground factory, the temperature was pleasant, like the gentle caress of spring sunshine on the skin.
The Tontatta Tribe members, like diligent little elves, busily worked in an orderly fashion in various work areas.
Some tiptoed as they carried materials larger than their own bodies, some meticulously carved with tiny tools, and others diligently recorded data.
On the workbenches beside them, various tempting snacks and fresh, juicy fruits were laid out.
Colorful candies sparkled like jewels, and plump, succulent fruits emitted an enticing fragrance.
The Tontatta Tribe members were clearly divided in their tasks and worked together seamlessly. Their serious and focused demeanor made one momentarily feel that they were not toiling in a place that produced forbidden fruits,
but rather in the sacred and beautiful apple orchard of the Garden of Eden, where every fruit carried sweetness and hope.
As soon as Orochimaru stepped onto this land, he was discovered by the enthusiastic Tontatta Tribe.
"Orochimaru-sama is here!" A shout instantly ignited the entire scene. The Tontatta Tribe members, who were originally busy, swarmed towards him from all directions, cheering like bees drawn to honey.
Several of the faster ones jumped to Orochimaru's feet, looking up with rosy little faces, their eyes filled with expectation and reverence.
"Orochimaru-sama, you're finally here! We've missed you so much! We worked super hard today too!"
Some other Tontatta Tribe members quickly climbed up Orochimaru's legs and hugged him tightly, as if afraid he would disappear the next second.
"Sir, look, we've kept everything here in perfect order! Praise me!"
Looking at these Tontatta Tribe members who looked at him with longing, Orochimaru showed a gentle smile. He felt that Wano Country should also have such adorable creatures.
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