Chapter 108: Tain Group, Glare-Glare Fruit
At the Same Time—
The First Half of the New World, Dressrosa
A massive, opulent building named 'Fairy Tower', towering seven or eight stories high, dominated the city skyline. With only two- to three-story buildings surrounding it, 'Fairy Tower' loomed impressively over the town.
The tower belonged to the 'Tain Group', a rising powerhouse in the New World's underground business world over the past two years. The upper floors housed Dressrosa's only four-star hotel, while the first two floors featured a large retail space with chain stores spread across the New World's islands and nations.
This trade complex offered everything from essentials to luxury goods, including specialty items from various New World islands and even the Four Blues and the first half of the Grand Line. The diversity and affordability of the goods made the 'Tain Group' highly popular among Dressrosa's residents. The group's developments, including a tourist beach and a large amusement park, significantly boosted the nation's tourism industry, providing much-needed economic relief. King Riku himself had visited several times to express his gratitude for 'Tain Group''s positive impact on Dressrosa's economy, employment, and tourism, which helped the citizens afford the high "Heavenly Tribute" required to maintain their status as a World Government affiliate.
"President Tain…"
In the luxurious top-floor hall of 'Fairy Tower', a few members of the Tontatta Tribe, each only a fraction of the size of a human hand, arrived excitedly. The young Tontatta leading the group proudly presented a Devil Fruit to the underground trading tycoon. "We Tontattas found another Devil Fruit! Is it the one you wanted?"
"Devil Fruit?"
The young, long-armed man in a lavish pink suit, with a slicked-back hairstyle, gold chains, and heavy rings on all ten fingers, raised his brows. Few knew that the president of 'Tain Group' held a secret role as the head of Hell's Trading Company's New World division—a fact known only to select insiders within Hell's Trading Company and the Fallen Angel Pirates.
"Thank you all. We're always willing to pay handsomely for any Devil Fruits you bring us," Tain said, gratefully accepting the fruit. "I know you don't need money, so we'll trade it for items your Tontatta tribe values just as much."
Tain eagerly opened a Devil Fruit compendium from his bookshelf and scanned through it. Years ago, El had specifically instructed him to befriend the Tontatta tribe and encourage them to search for Devil Fruits, a mission that had already yielded two Zoan fruits from their efforts: the 'Insect-Insect Fruit, Model: Hornet', and the 'Insect-Insect Fruit, Model: Beetle'.
"Is this... the Paramecia 'Glare-Glare Fruit Fruit'?" Tain's eyes lit up, recognizing it as one of El's requested finds. As a former member of Dreamhouse, Tain's talents in business had quickly elevated him to the head of Hell's Trading Company's New World operations, with El's support. Under the group's control, Hell's Trading Company influence had expanded across the New World, with strong footholds in agriculture, medicine, hotels, retail, and shipping, building a diverse portfolio of covertly controlled business empires.
"Thank you; this fruit is exactly what we needed!" Tain said, his excitement undisguised.
The Tontatta were pleased. "We're just glad it's useful to you, President Tain. We're grateful for your help, too. Those products you brought us are amazing!"
After a brief exchange of thanks, the Tontatta departed. Tain immediately picked up a black encrypted Den Den Mushi and tapped on it: one knock, then two.
A quick response came back with two knocks and one: "Hey, Tain? Rumor has it you're getting on well with a Dressrosa noble lady," Moss said, chuckling.
"Get lost!" Tain laughed, then, unable to contain his excitement, said, "Let El know I've located the Paramecia 'Glare-Glare Fruit Fruit' in Dressrosa!"
…
At the Airborne Fortress Atlantis, located in the first half of the Grand Line
Hearing Moss's report, El raised a brow, looking pleased. "Perfect timing," he said, standing atop the viewing platform of a tall wooden tower. He glanced over at Lillian, the cheerful young girl from the rare Three-Eye Tribe, who was playing with Linlin and the others. With a faint smile, he replied, "Keep it secure for now; I'll have Moss bring it over soon."
As a Three-Eye Tribe member with a strong grasp of Observation Haki and a high aptitude for navigation, Lillian was the perfect candidate for the power of the 'Glare-Glare Fruit Fruit'.
"Yes, sir!"
~~~
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