The two of them flapped their thin wings and flew in front of Yemu.
Compared to Ron, who looked mature and steady, Gaos, the younger Dwarf, appeared frail, like a small, timid boy.
He was dressed in a yellow-and-black-striped tuxedo resembling a bee's pattern, with a matching top hat and a pointed nose. He seemed extremely timid, always on the verge of tears. When he caught Yemu's gaze, he grew visibly nervous.
"Well then, the humans are taken care of. As for the remaining animals, I'm counting on the two of you! It's fine to temporarily house them on your Dwarves' island, right…?"
"Of course, Captain Yemu."
Hovering in midair, Ron, the older brother, nodded steadily. Although their homeland, the Green Bit Forest, wasn't exactly welcoming to adults, they had no issue with accommodating these animals.
After speaking, Ron suddenly hesitated, looking as if he wanted to say something but couldn't bring himself to.
"Um, Captain Yemu, may I make a request?"
His younger brother, Gaos, was slightly taken aback.
"Go ahead..."
Ron flew up in front of Yemu, took his younger brother's hand, bowed his head solemnly, and pleaded earnestly.
"Captain Yemu, please let my brother and me join your pirate crew!"
At those words, Gaos froze in surprise, and even the people of various races who had been rescued from the surrounding area were stunned. Ron's words seemed to have opened another door for them.
"Brother, why? Don't you want to go home anymore?"
Gaos asked timidly, glancing cautiously at Yemu.
"I have my reasons, Gaos. I'm doing this for the future of our Tontatta Tribe!"
Ron said earnestly, then turned to Yemu with great sincerity.
"Benefactor Yemu, although I do have my own motives, please rest assured. As long as I join your pirate crew, I will devote myself wholeheartedly and entrust everything I have to you."
"Tell me exactly what your self-interest is. Let me hear it."
Yemu asked curiously.
"No problem, Captain Yemu. It's nothing too embarrassing to talk about."
Ron glanced at his younger brother, who seemed confused, and continued.
"Actually, ever since that pirate named Doflamingo invaded our Tontatta Tribe a month ago, I've been pondering one question: how did that man pinpoint the exact location of our kingdom? Although it's no secret that we Tontatta live on Green Bit Island, the location of our Tontatta Kingdom is extremely well-hidden. Yet that pirate seemed to know it from the very beginning. It wasn't until yesterday, when Flare-san and I went looking for you, that I unexpectedly overheard that pirate's full name."
Ron's face turned deathly pale as he spoke.
"That pirate's full name is: Donquixote Doflamingo!"
"Don… Donquixote…"
The surname seemed like a curse, causing Gaos's face to go pale instantly. He could barely speak coherently.
"How is that possible... Could they be coming back..."
His look of terror, as if he had seen a demon, surprised everyone slightly.
Ron's expression was grim as well; he looked at Yemu.
"Captain Yemu, the ancient texts passed down through generations of our Tontatta Tribe detail how, 900 years ago, a royal family named Donquixote enslaved us like demons.
They locked us away in the depths of the earth, where no one knew of our existence, forcing us to labor endlessly. During that era, our Tontatta Tribe endured inhuman treatment. Then came the Void Century. No one knows exactly what happened during that time, but from that point on, we finally broke free from the rule of the Don Quixote clan and were able to live as we do now. But now, the name 'Don Quixote' has resurfaced. I don't know what connection he has to the Don Quixote royal family from 900 years ago, but the history of 900 years ago absolutely must not be repeated."
At that moment, Gaos finally understood his older brother.
"But that man's power is too terrifying. Even I am no match for him. Therefore, I can only ask to join Yemu's ranks. With Yemu's strength, we can certainly stop the Don Quixote family and protect our Tontatta Tribe. This is my only selfish motive; I beg my benefactor, Yemu, to forgive me!"
After Ron finished speaking, he looked at Yemu with a determined gaze, waiting for his answer.
Seeing this, Gaos also raised his hands to his chest, looking at Yemu with pleading eyes.
"Is that so?"
Yemu said, extending his fist toward the two little people.
"!!!"
Both froze for a moment, then heard Yemu utter words that filled them with delight.
"Then, welcome to the Sky Pirates!"
Ron and Gaos' eyes lit up instantly, and they raised their tiny fists to bump against Yemu's.
"Captain!"
"Captain!"
The two said in unison, officially confirming their roles.
Yemu turned to look at Lillilu, who had been watching this scene from his shoulder.
"Perfect. Once we leave Totto Land, we'll throw a welcome banquet for the three of you!"
"A banquet!?"
Gaos looked full of anticipation, and Ron's face beamed with joy, though he appeared noticeably more mature.
"Captain, I heard from Flare-san and Ayala-san yesterday that we're short on shipwrights. If you don't mind, please let me take on this job."
Yemu asked with a pleased expression,
"Oh, do you know how to build ships?"
Ron suddenly felt a bit awkward.
"I don't know much about that, but I can learn. And don't let our small stature fool you—we Tontatta are incredibly strong and fast. Plus, with my Devil Fruit powers, my strength and speed are amplified countless times over. Also, if you don't mind, Captain, could you set aside a small space for me on the ship? Gaos and I can use our Devil Fruit powers to cultivate all kinds of ants and bees, just like the queens in an ant or bee colony. Whether it's combat, reconnaissance, cargo transport, or repairs, we're capable of handling it all."
Yemu's eyes lit up instantly.
Isn't this equivalent to having two animal armies?
And the surprises didn't stop there.
"On top of that, our Tontatta Tribe is known as the Green Fairies. We can cultivate all kinds of plants. Though it might sound a bit boastful, there isn't a single plant in this world we can't grow, so we can also help Ayala-san cultivate various plants."
"As for my younger brother, he possesses the ability to control bees to produce honey."
At that moment, Yemu truly felt like he'd struck gold. The last time he'd felt this way was when he met Tiger.
"No problem. Just let me know if there's anything you need, and I'll do my best to accommodate you..."
"Thank you so much, Captain! We definitely won't let you down!"
Just then, it seemed the banquet had finally come to an end, and the members of the Sky Pirates had finally returned...