Five days later.
Dressrosa, noon.
King Riku stood on the outer city wall, staring at the distant navy fleet, his fists clenched, eyes full of bitterness.
It was simply outrageous!
He had long known this sea lacked reason—that was a truth he learned as a king.
But the navy… this navy that bore the name of "justice"—were they truly this shameless?
Now that the demon had been slain and the nation restored to peace, only then did they bother showing up.
Where were they a few years ago?
On that bloody night, when Doflamingo's conspiracy plunged the kingdom into chaos—where were these warships?
When his people were turned into toys and enslaved—where was the navy's justice?
"Your Majesty."
Cyrus lightly pressed his trembling shoulder, speaking solemnly, "At least this time, we are not fighting alone, right?"
Yes.
King Riku turned and looked behind him. Under the scorching sun, the silhouettes stretched far along the outer wall.
There were the soldiers of the Riku Army led by Cyrus, the dwarf warriors of the Tontatta Kingdom who had come to assist, and countless outraged citizens who stood up to fight.
This time, the people had chosen to believe him. To resist.
And, there was also powerful aid from beyond...
King Riku looked up.
The giant Bear stood beside him, towering like a mountain, silently gazing into the horizon.
"Mr. Bear, can that man really make it in time?"
The man in question was, of course, Shano.
Bear had overthrown the Donquixote Family and saved Dressrosa—he was the benefactor of the entire kingdom.
And Shano, who had personally executed Doflamingo, was a hero of equal merit.
Bear turned to answer, but before he could speak, a mature woman's voice echoed from behind:
"Don't worry, Father."
A tall and graceful woman with long brown-black hair stepped onto the wall. She walked forward with elegance and determination, deep light-brown eyes and a red flower adorning her head.
"Violet!"
King Riku was surprised. "Why are you on the front line? Didn't I tell you to stay at the King's Plateau?"
The King's Plateau was the site of the royal palace and the highest point in all of Dressrosa. It was the safest place and best for observing the navy using her Staring Fruit.
"I'm no longer the girl who could only cry back then, Father. I can help now."
Violet smiled, "That ship—under Lord Shano's command—is already very close. They'll definitely arrive before dark."
Really?
King Riku's eyes lit up.
Midnight tonight was the navy's deadline. His biggest fear was not dying in battle, but that the Ender would arrive too late—when Dressrosa had already fallen.
This nation, baptized twice by blood and fire in just a few years, could no longer afford a third defeat.
"That's good... very good." King Riku smiled with relief. "But you should still—"
"I'm not leaving today, Father." Violet shook her head firmly.
"And me!"
A little hand shot up.
"Me too!"
Another, even smaller hand followed, though just as loud.
Huh? King Riku blinked, looking down at the two small heads popping up beside Violet.
"Bonnie!" Bear's eyes nearly bulged out.
"Princess Mansherry!" Leo, captain of the Tontatta warriors, also gasped.
"What are you two doing here?" the two men shouted in unison.
Bonnie and Mansherry shrank back but quickly puffed out their chests and retorted with confidence.
"We're here to help!"
Bonnie put her hands on her hips. "Don't underestimate me, Bear. Did you forget I have a Devil Fruit? I'm strong!"
As she spoke, her body rapidly expanded, transforming into a curvy adult woman.
"Exactly!"
Mansherry stood proud on Bonnie's shoulder and raised her tiny fist. "Leo! I'm the princess of the Tontatta Kingdom. You don't get to scold me!"
Bear and Leo exchanged helpless glances and rubbed their foreheads.
"Bonnie, this isn't a game." Bear crouched down seriously. "The navy is here in full force. Admirals may appear. You—"
"I'm not scared, Dad!" Bonnie cut him off. "And besides, isn't Uncle Shano coming? With him here, we'll win for sure!"
"I told you it's big brother!" Mansherry snapped.
"Why do you care what I call him! I like calling him Uncle!"
"Don't disrespect Shano—ugh, forget it, we can't be fighting each other!"
Bear twitched, about to say more when—
"They're here!"
Violet suddenly looked up, activating her Staring Fruit. Her vision pierced the clouds, gazing far into the sky.
"There's something... fast—approaching us from above! That figure..."
Her pupils contracted.
"No way! The ultimatum deadline isn't even here yet, and the navy hasn't needed backup. Why is he arriving now?!"
…
Meanwhile.
On the flagship of the naval fleet, several senior officers were gathered on deck, overlooking the special kingdom before them.
Dressrosa's uniqueness came mostly from its terrain.
Besides the isolated island of Green Bit to the north, the rest of the kingdom's coastline was protected by massive rock walls.
Like a natural fortress.
Militarily, it was easy to defend and hard to attack.
Unless they unleashed firepower on the level of a Buster Call, naval bombardment couldn't threaten the core of the capital. They would need to launch a ground invasion.
"You've all seen it," Vice Admiral Doberman put down his telescope and frowned.
"That man is there."
He grunted coldly. "No wonder Dressrosa's been surrounded for days with no surrender. The 'Tyrant' Bartholomew Bear... of course he stayed behind."
Bear.
A major headache for the navy these past two years, second only to that monster Shano.
After the solo revolution in the South Blue, his bounty had soared to 290 million.
After rejecting the Shichibukai invite and starting the Dressrosa incident, it doubled to 600 million.
Even with Doberman's confidence in his own strength, he knew he couldn't handle that pirate alone.
Only one person could—
He looked at the tall woman nearby.
"Tch. Why are you staring at me?" Gion, codename "Momousagi" (Peach Rabbit), leaned lazily against the railing. One hand supported her cheek while the other tapped the hilt of her sword Kinpira.
"First time I take leave in weeks, and I get sent to fight this mess? So annoying."
She cast a bored glance at Bear in the distance and smirked.
"That bastard Doflamingo caused all this, and now we're sent to clean up his crap… The old geezers at the World Government sure know how to use people."
"Vice Admiral Gion, watch your words," Doberman snapped.
"Ahh, lighten up~" Gion waved her hand. "Nobody else is around. What's wrong with venting? Besides, this whole situation feels wrong. We're robbing victory from a rightful king."
She yawned. "So boring..."
Doberman was silent for a moment. "This is a direct order, Vice Admiral. You're the highest commander on this mission. The battle could start any moment—please take this seriously."
"Order, huh?" Gion sneered, then sighed. "Fine, fine. A soldier's duty is to obey."
She turned and walked toward the cabin.
"Where are you going?" Doberman asked.
"Nap time~" Gion waved lazily. "Still noon. Wake me around midnight. Or if Bear jumps early, give me a ring."
At that moment—
A golden light blazed in the sky. A lazy voice floated down:
"Midnight? Looks like… we won't need to wait that long."
The light condensed into a tall, slim man, who gently descended onto the deck.
Kizaru, wearing brown sunglasses, hands in pockets, lifted his head and glanced toward the rocky cliffs. He grinned.
"That kid isn't here yet... I guess I made it in time."
"Admiral Borsalino!" Doberman stood straight and saluted.
Gion paused, frowned, and turned around.
"Hey, Borsalino, why are you here? I thought this was my operation?"
"Plans changed."
Kizaru shrugged. "Originally just a small rebellion. I didn't need to bother. But today... intelligence came in. Something that couldn't be ignored."
"What kind of intelligence?"
"Shano is on the move."
Kizaru said slowly, "The world's number one swordsman. Practically treated like a Yonko now. Surveillance finally noticed a change—he altered course and is heading here."
"Shano?!"
The deck fell silent.
The gathered vice admirals looked at each other. Some had cold sweat beading on their foreheads.
So that's why a full admiral showed up… That man was coming.
Only Gion's eyes lit up, hand instinctively touching her sword.
"Ohhh~! So I can ignore Dressrosa? I'm more interested in him!"
"No," Kizaru wiggled his finger. "That guy is my fight. You will take on the swordswoman under him."
"Kuina?"
Gion raised an eyebrow. "Not on Shano's level… but not bad. I'll accept."
"But what about Bear?" she added. "Doberman's not enough."
"Don't worry."
Kizaru looked toward the sky with a grin. "I brought an ally. Though... this guy's arrogant. Refused to come with me, insisted on flying on his own. But as expected... thunder can't beat light."
Before he finished—
Boom!
A bolt of thick blue lightning crashed onto the deck, scorching it black and forcing the nearby marines to retreat.
When the smoke cleared, a tall man with long earlobes hovered mid-air. He was shirtless, surrounded by thunder drums, holding a golden staff and glaring down arrogantly.
"Mortals, did you summon a god? Do you seek my help?"
Enel scratched his ear lazily, clearly impatient.
Doberman's face darkened. He had heard of the new Shichibukai recruited by Aokiji—a lightning freak with delusions of divinity.
And this entrance did not help his impression.
He was about to speak when Kizaru raised a hand and smiled.
"Yaa~ be nice. He's an important ally. Mr. Enel, look over there. In the rebels' ranks, there's a tricky one named Bartholomew Bear. Could you take care of him?"
"Hmph. I told you—call me God."
Enel scowled at Kizaru but eventually closed his eyes and activated Observation Haki, scanning the entire island.
"Strong presence... not on the same level as the others."
Then his expression changed.
"No—there are many strong auras closing in... one of them is terrifying. Even a god must look up to such power..."
Huh?
Kizaru blinked in confusion, but then—
He turned sharply in a certain direction.
A familiar ship—flames trailing behind—sped across the sea like it was flying.
Kizaru's pupils narrowed.