Chapter 81: Even Thor Reads the Newspaper!
Roy still clearly remembered how Chopper had once resolved the conflict between the Torino Kingdom, the giant birds, and the humans.
Was it through love?
Not exactly.
Chopper had tried to mediate peace between the two sides, but when the humans launched an attack, he shielded a giant bird with his own body, using his fur to absorb the blow. He was flung from the great tree, only to be caught mid-fall by the very same giant bird whose chick he had saved earlier.
That old bird, it seemed, held tremendous authority among the flock. After returning with Chopper in its talons, it screeched a few times, instantly silencing the others and quelling the chaos.
That moment of overwhelming strength became the foundation for peace.
In other words, as the saying goes: "Sometimes, you have to be strong just to make idiots listen to reason."
Roy felt the same way. If he wanted to settle things between the Torino people and these oversized birds, then frightening both sides into obedience was the quickest way to peace.
Though free-spirited by nature, Roy was, at his core, a good person.
"Caw?" One of the giant birds cocked its head at Horus, confused by the human face that appeared in the thundercloud.
"Stupid bird! Shut it!" Horus thundered, his booming voice echoing across the sky. The poor bird flinched and promptly shut its beak.
"You all," Roy said evenly, "tell me—why are you fighting?"
Horus shrank his cloud form slightly, lowering himself toward the ground. The birds retreated in alarm, and the chubby islanders instinctively took a few steps back as well.
"It's those huge birds! They attacked us first, so we fought back!" a fat uncle shouted, pointing at one of the avian giants.
"Gah!"
The accused bird flapped its wings furiously, glaring down at him.
"Behave!" Horus barked, spitting a bolt of lightning at the ground. The flash and crackle made everyone jump, and the bird quickly backed down, trembling.
"Then why did you attack the humans?" Roy asked, turning his sharp gaze toward the flock.
The birds looked at one another, confused about whether the human could actually understand them.
"Don't tell me they think I don't exist," Horus muttered.
"Here's what I think," Roy said, folding his arms. "These humans came to pick medicinal herbs from your tree. You saw them and assumed they were trying to steal your treasures, so you drove them away. Am I right?"
"Gah!?"
Horus, the fat uncles, and the birds all froze in disbelief.
How the hell did he understand bird language?!
"Y-you… you're not really Thor, are you?!" one of the men stammered. "Or maybe… the god of birds?!"
Roy sighed. "What are you all thinking?"
He pointed toward the giant birds. "Before I came here, I read a newspaper about another kingdom where someone drove off a flock of giant birds and found treasure afterward. That's how I made the connection."
"Wow! So even Thor reads the newspaper!"
"I told you, kid, you should read more! Even Thor keeps up with current events!"
"Hey, does Thor have to pay for his subscription?"
Roy: "…"
Suppressing his exasperation, he turned back to the fat men. "So, Uncle Potato, were you trying to rob them of their treasure?"
"No, no!" the man waved his hands frantically. "We just wanted the herbs on the tree!"
"That's right!" another added. "We weren't going to steal from them. We only need herbs to make medicine for the sick!"
"Gah! Gah!"
The birds squawked rapidly, as if trying to explain themselves, but of course, the islanders couldn't understand a word.
Then, one of the birds took off into the sky, disappearing into the clouds above. A moment later, it returned, holding a purple herb in its beak. Gently, it dropped the plant at the feet of the men and nudged it forward.
"Thank you! Wait here!" the fat uncle exclaimed, running back toward the village.
After a short while, he returned carrying a golden cup. "This is for you—a shiny treasure!"
The birds chirped excitedly and accepted the offering, their wings fluttering in delight.
Roy crossed his arms, smiling faintly. "Well, I guess that settles it. Everyone good now?"
"Yes! No more fighting!" one of the islanders laughed, while a giant bird nuzzled him affectionately.
Roy's smile faltered as the scene suddenly took a turn.
"You must be a god!"
"Everyone, bow before Lord Thor!"
The islanders dropped to their knees, and even the giant birds lowered their heads, worshipping him with solemn reverence.
"Ahem—don't do that!" Roy waved his hands frantically. "I'm not Thor. I was just trying to get everyone to calm down and talk!"
"Oh, Lord Thor is so modest," said an elderly woman, her eyes shining.
"Thor is so… kawaii!" a younger girl added, cheeks flushed.
Roy sweatdropped. She's shaped like a potato too…
"Listen, everyone, I'm not Thor!" he repeated helplessly. "That thunder was just my helper—a creation from a Devil Fruit user."
"Hello! I am Horus," the thundercloud announced proudly.
"Ahhh! The cloud's talking!" the potato-shaped men screamed, nearly fainting.
Not long after, the chaos settled.
Between the tribe's buildings, Roy sat cross-legged among the villagers and birds, finally managing to explain everything.
Amatsuki Toki sat beside him, smiling as she nibbled on fruit offered by one of the tribal aunties.
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