Chapter 99 Dressrosa, DonQuixote's Assault
Dressrosa is a nation situated by the mouth of the New World. This land serves as a summer destination. It remains in a state of summer all year long, resulting in the floral landscapes surrounding the island to blossom vibrantly.
Despite the stunning scenery and the warm spirit of the island's inhabitants, the nation does not possess much wealth.
Tourism is the primary source of income. Due to its small size, farming can only just provide for its own needs, and industrial development is still very basic.
Additionally, the heavy burden of heavenly gold makes life for the citizens quite difficult.
The exact situation is hard to determine, but it is certainly not as prosperous as it was during the rule of the Donquixote family a decade later.
While seated in the renowned Colosseum of Dressrosa, Brett reflected on this while observing the intense fights among the gladiators in the arena.
It seems odd that the leaders in this world, who are praised as kind rulers and cherished by their people, are so ineffective.
Kobra fits this mold, as does Queen Otohime, King Riku of this nation, and even Kozuki Oden from Wano.
Yearning for peace is one thing, but fostering a nation's growth is clearly another.
'I really find this baffling.'
The King Riku dynasty has governed this land for eight centuries. It's likely the nation is not as rich as when the DonQuixote family previously took advantage of the smaller people eight hundred years ago.
"I've heard tales of a legendary gladiator in this arena who has won three thousand matches without defeat. When will he show up? " Tesoro's eager voice broke through Brett's thoughts.
Kyros the Toy Soldier is incredibly strong. He managed to defeat high-ranking members of the DonQuixote family even after becoming a toy for a decade without his powers. He is at least as strong as an elite vice-admiral in the Navy.
"Mr. Kyros is now leading the royal guard and will not step into the arena again! "
A person nearby answered Tesoro's inquiry for Brett, saying, "Even though I miss seeing him fight, I must still wish him well for the future, right? "
"Exactly. "Tesoro nodded in agreement.
In this case, these matches hold little value. Everyone is lacking in skill.
Just then, a gladiator in the arena defeated his foe with his sword. The winner proudly lifted his bloodied sword, and the crowd erupted in applause.
The Grand Arena in Dressrosa is well-known across the nearby waters, attracting many tourists from afar who come for the thrilling gladiator contests.
"Let's go."Brett got up.
"Yeah. " Tesoro nodded.
After they resolved things with Umit business, they hurried straight to Dressrosa without pausing. According to the report from CP, Doflamingo acted in the last couple of days, taking the top members of his family with him. The ships belonging to the members have already set out.
The issue is that they can't find out where they are, so they can only arrive in Dressrosa and wait.
As they exited the arena, several people quickly approached them.
"Lord Tesoro, Lord Brett, how was it? Was the gladiatorial match enjoyable? " The one speaking was a tall, full-figured, attractive woman with deep red hair.
"It's nothing out of the ordinary," Tesoro replied coolly.
"Really, Lord Tesoro, I'd love to visit the gladiatorial arena and enjoy myself! " The tall man with a rugged face grumbled a bit.
"You guys just want to get hurt," Tanaka, a large-headed man, scoffed.
This time, the threat wasn't solely Doflamingo. If only two people showed up, they could find themselves surrounded, so Tesoro summoned his associates.
Tanaka, who has the through through fruit, Baccarat, who possesses the lucky fruit, and Dice, the masochist.
They could always provide some assistance.
Brett called for support as well.
At that moment, his transponder snail buzzed, before he answered it.
"I'm already here," Jinbei's steady voice came through the line.
"We'll join you soon,"Brett replied.
The perimeter of Dressrosq island is lined with enormous rocks that enclose the entire nation. These massive rocks, over 100 meters tall and wide, serve as the country's natural defense.
However, they have never been utilized. This nation hasn't experienced war in eight centuries.
Under the large rock, Brett and the others met up with Jinbei, who had come from the original path.
"I'm sorry for putting you in this situation, Brother Jinbei," Brett said apologetically. The distance from Fishman Island to Dressrosa is not short.
However, with the Donquixote family as an opponent, Brett feels that it wouldn't be a fair fight with just him and Tesoro.
Doflamingo is incredibly strong. If they want to take him on seriously, they need to utilize all their skills. So, getting Jinbei to join them was the smartest choice.
"Hahahaha, what trouble is there? " Jinbei laughed heartily. "Queen Otohime called back and said that it's easier to communicate with the government than expected and they'll provide Fishman Island with plenty of technology. "
"That's good to know," Brett nodded. 'Has Otohime not returned yet?' He remembers in the original story she only stayed in Mary Geoise for a week.
"Doflamingo's should be coming up soon,"
Brett mentioned. "Tanaka, could you please keep an eye on the King's Heights? "
"Leave it to me, Lord Brett," The large-headed Tanaka bowed gracefully.
He went underground using his devil fruit. His Through Through fruit allows him to navigate seamlessly through different non-living things.
It somewhat resembles the Mayfly Jutsu that White Zetsu uses from Naruto.
"Next, we need to be patient," someone stated.
Brett stretched and remarked, "The hotel close to King's Heights just opened. Regardless, let's enjoy ourselves first. "
The view in this place remains quite lovely. The first night passed without any incidents. The following day was a regular travel day, and the evening went by quietly.
Then came the night of the third day.
They find themselves in the heart of Dressrosa, atop an elevated rock, where the royal home called King's Heights is situated, specifically in the grand palace at the summit.
Even though it was quite late, King Riku, who rules this land, was still busily attending to his official matters.
While not every member of the Riku royal family may be a wise ruler, they have consistently shown responsibility towards their people over generations.
Suddenly, King Riku sensed a gust of wind, catching him off guard. To avoid any disturbance to his documents, he always kept the windows closed.
With a sense of surprise, he glanced up, and in that instant, his pupils dilated, "Are you——"
A man had appeared sitting on the window ledge.
"Remain calm, no need to alert anyone. I'm Donquixote Doflamingo," the visitor said, lazily leaning against the wall and gazing out at the bright moon without bothering to look back at King Riku. "As the rightful ruler of this nation, I'm back. "
"Don Quixote——" King Riku stood up unsteadily, "Warlord Doflamingo! I had my suspicions when I first heard the name Don Quixote. Is it really true? Are you from the Don Quixote family? "
'This man compelled the government to acknowledge his Warlord status through stealing the heavenly gold. He is certainly not an adversary that this country can confront.'
"Hey, knowing my identity and role is enough for you," Doflamingo finally faced him, smiling as he proposed, "What if we made a deal, King Riku? I can sell you this country for just…Ten billion Berries."
"Ten billion! " King Riku was taken aback by this figure.
His country has a system that emphasizes light labor duties and low taxes. The royal finances have always been short, and the citizens also do not contribute much.
This amount is simply outrageous.
"Whether through robbery or appropriation, hand me ten billion before dawn and I will depart. Consider it a test of your skills as a ruler. "
Doflamingo chuckled loudly and remarked, "You are forbidden to tell anyone about me, and you must not seek assistance from nearby countries, or else I cannot predict what I will do."
"Get started! King Riku! Please do not disappoint me. Fufufufufufufufufufufufufuf."
Around the same time, on the lower level of King Riku's office, the large-headed Tanaka had answered the transponder snail.
"This is it, they finally arrived. I had to wait for some time. "
*****
50+advance chapters at patreon.com/Eatinpieces