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Chapter 726: The Biggest "Human Trafficker"
Chapter 726: The Biggest "Human Trafficker"
"Huff... huff..."
In a narrow alley, a man clutching a roast chicken gasped for breath as he ran, refusing to slow his frantic pace.
Clang!
He crashed into a trash can mid-stride, tumbling head over heels as the greasy paper-wrapped chicken skidded across the ground.
But within moments, he scrambled upright, limping as he snatched the package back up. Casting a fearful glance over his shoulder, he spotted the source of his terror.
"Where do you think you're running?!"
A woman's sharp voice rang out behind him, echoing like a phantom's wail before its owner even appeared.
"Return my roast chicken, you thief!"
The man's face paled. Ignoring the sharp pain from his twisted ankle sustained during the fall, he pushed himself forward with renewed desperation, quickly vanishing around a corner.
No sooner had he disappeared than ghostly afterimages flickered through the alleyway. They converged mid-air, solidifying into Lida's form.
"You can't escape me!"
A crimson glint ignited in her pupils. "As long as I spot you again, you're finished!"
In a flash, her form dissolved into spectral trails, chasing after the fleeing thief. The distance was closing. Next time, she'd definitely capture him and reclaim her roast chicken!
The man kept running, relentless despite burning lungs and a swollen ankle. Every step sent jolts of agony through his body, urging him to collapse. But stopping meant death—both literal and metaphorical. Glancing down at the roast chicken clutched to his chest, his eyes hardened with determination.
"Closer!"
"Even closer!!"
Red sparks danced in Lida's eyes as she darted between buildings like a vengeful spirit. Her white hooded cloak billowed like a phantom's shroud against the night. If she'd locked onto his location earlier, she wouldn't have been chasing shadows like a headless fly. While her Observation Haki could detect ordinary life auras, it couldn't perceive threats from non-combatants.
"Klah! Where is he!"
A shadow leapt from above, landing beside her in a crouch. Klah sniffed the air like a beast tracking prey. "This way. I caught the scent."
Their location—a residential district of opulent two- and three-story houses—glowed with deceptive prosperity. Yet despite apparent occupancy, an eerie silence hung over the area.
Klah pointed toward a specific building. "There."
In an instant, Lida materialized before the grand entrance. With a thunderous boom, the ornate doors exploded inward, revealing jet-black darkness inside.
"Return my roast chicken!!"
Her voice shattered the silence, sending shockwaves trembling through the structure. The oppressive darkness began dissipating under neon lights filtering through windows.
Unlike the mansion's luxurious exterior, the interior was barren—pristine yet empty except for crude furnishings and a single oil lamp. On the floor sat the chicken thief, surrounded by children devouring roast chicken. The kids' emaciated faces twisted in panic at the sudden intrusion, their hollow cheeks pale from malnutrition.
Lida hesitated at the scene.
"Mercy!" The man threw himself prostrate. "I had no choice! My children were starving! Please, punish me but spare them!"
The children clung to him, their wide eyes filled with terror. A loud growl erupted from the man's empty stomach.
Lida tilted her head. "You're... hungry?"
"Yes!" He kept his forehead pressed to the ground. "We haven't eaten in days. I never meant to steal! Please, take me but leave them be!"
The young woman's voice softened. "Is that so..."
Eyes still closed, the man braced for judgment.
He'd seen the navy-hooded cloak before—navy blue. When taking the chicken, he'd accepted his fate. Just hadn't expected consequences so swift.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
Packages hit the floor. A cheerful voice surprised him.
"Complaining about hunger yet stealing my food? I hate that! But if you'd just asked, I would've given you some!"
The navy-cloaked girl dropped her bundles at his feet. "Kuro taught me—if you're hungry, you eat. Here, have some."
The man lifted his tear-streaked face to see Lida surrounded by supplies.
"R-really? This is okay?"
Klah emerged behind her, arms crossed. "Lida miss is generous, but..." His gaze swept the mansion's gilded shell versus its impoverished interior. "Gran Tesoro—this place still has people like you?"
Human trafficker? No. This man's actions didn't fit that label.
Without answering, the man carefully unwrapped the packages, distributing food to the children. Their eyes lit up as they devoured the meals. Taking bread for himself, he chewed slowly before speaking.
"Debt." His voice dropped. "Years ago, we came to Gran Tesoro—just for leisure. But I was deceived, trapped in endless debt. Sold everything we owned, still wasn't enough. They forced me into servitude here. My wife... she died from overwork. Lost our child too."
He covered his face, tears leaking through his fingers. "This isn't paradise—it's a demon's domain. Eventually I learned their rule: victims become losers."
He composed himself, watching the children eat with weary tenderness. "These orphans found me. Their stories mirror mine. That's why I can't die—not until they've escaped this hell."
Klah adjusted his glasses, eyes rising to the tallest golden tower piercing the Gran Tesoro skyline. "The biggest human trafficker... stands there."
(End of Chapter)
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