Four days after the Dressrosa incident, the nation was filled with joy and celebration, having just undergone a major battle. The streets were bustling with people because today was the day the hero who defeated the Donquixote Family, Nagato, would formally announce his ascension to the throne and deliver a public speech at the ruins of the old Corrida Colosseum.
As people made their way to the Colosseum, they greeted and chatted with each other.
“Did you vote for Nagato to become king?”
“Of course! Although there were other familiar names on the ballot, it was clear we had to support Mr. Nagato!”
“Absolutely, he’s the hero who defeated Doflamingo!”
“Princess Viola, Princess Rebecca, and Captain Kyros all advocated for him!”
“It’s incredible… The southeastern rock formations on the island were completely destroyed in Nagato and Doflamingo’s battle, yet our towns and people remained safe.”
“Mr. Nagato must have lured Doflamingo there for the final battle, considering our safety even during such a fierce fight. It’s truly admirable!”
…
The people of Dressrosa, chatting in small groups, gathered at the ruins of the old Corrida Colosseum. The kingdom’s soldiers organized the crowd, ensuring safety and order.
At 10 AM, the scheduled time, Nagato appeared on a cleared square, accompanied by Viola, Rebecca, Kyros, and many high-ranking officials of the kingdom.
“Oh—Mr. Nagato!”
“Your Majesty!”
The assembled crowd erupted in cheers, the sound so overwhelming that it seemed to shake the entire Dressrosa.
On the square, microphones were ready, and a video transponder snail projected Nagato’s image into the sky.
Nagato let the people cheer for almost ten minutes. When the noise showed no signs of abating, he finally raised his hands slightly and spoke, “Thank you!”
The crazed cheering instantly fell silent, so quickly it felt surreal.
“Thank you all very much,” Nagato’s voice echoed throughout the kingdom via the broadcast. “Princess Viola, Princess Rebecca, Captain Kyros, and all citizens of Dressrosa.”
“Your gathering here and the support you have shown me over these past few days have made me realize the unity and strength of Dressrosa…”
Standing at the center of the square, Nagato spoke firmly and plainly. Although his tone was steady without emotional highs and lows, he periodically turned and looked in all directions, making eye contact with the crowd and using simple hand gestures. This conveyed a sense of invisible leadership and influence.
Only Nagato’s voice filled the kingdom. Those present and those who weren’t were gradually drawn in, feeling as if they were part of a shared network of thoughts and emotions. As the speech continued, Viola, standing behind Nagato, discreetly stepped forward and slipped a piece of paper into his hand.
Understanding that Viola wouldn’t interrupt with something trivial, Nagato continued his speech while covertly reading the note behind the podium. It read: “Kaido’s ship is approaching, about a hundred miles away!”
Without showing any emotion, Nagato hastened his speech, moving straight to the conclusion: “…Four days ago was a victory for the entire kingdom, but it is not the end. Dressrosa will move from one victory to the next. This endeavor needs me, but more importantly, it relies on the efforts of everyone. Thank you, and blessings upon Dressrosa.”
As soon as Nagato finished, loud whistles, thunderous applause, and cheers reverberated throughout the kingdom!
A few minutes later,
Viola, representing the kingdom, stood opposite Nagato, holding the royal scepter. Nagato placed his right hand on the scepter and his left hand in a fist as he swore an oath.
“I solemnly swear to uphold and defend the Kingdom of Dressrosa against all enemies, foreign and domestic. I pledge loyalty to Dressrosa, unwavering in my duty. I willingly take on this responsibility, without reservation or hesitation. Blessings upon Dressrosa.”
In a solemn and respectful atmosphere, Nagato took his oath, accepted the scepter, and officially became the King of Dressrosa!
The crowd roared with joy. Amidst the cheers and blessings, Nagato and his entourage greeted the citizens before retreating.
Walking swiftly along a path cleared by soldiers, Nagato asked Viola again, “Kaido’s ship? How far now?”
“The ship is fast,” Viola replied. “It’s now about sixty miles from the northern coast!”
“It seems they’re indeed coming to Dressrosa,” Nagato wasn’t surprised. He had suspected the reason for the Beasts Pirates’ visit, which is why he cut the speech short.
“I’ll intercept them,” Nagato said as he ascended into the sky. “Prepare for possible invasion, especially evacuating the northern parts of the kingdom.”
“Your Majesty!” Viola called out worriedly, but Nagato was already far away.
“Kaido truly values the SMILEs,” Nagato thought as he soared through the wind.
He had thoroughly examined Doflamingo’s crucial memories and was well aware of the dealings between the two.
Currently, Kaido and Doflamingo were in their initial collaboration stages: Doflamingo had contacted Caesar and proposed the SMILE project, forming a verbal agreement between the Beasts Pirates, the Donquixote Family, and Caesar.
Caesar had already begun producing SAD in his laboratory, so Doflamingo had started the SMILE preparations. The SMILE factory built from Seastone in the underground trading port had been completed, and over a hundred Tontatta dwarves had been deceived and enslaved. However, Nagato had temporarily sent them back to Green Bit three days ago.
With artificial Devil Fruits at this stage, Kaido saw hope. Thus, Nagato’s sudden emergence and killing of Doflamingo would naturally provoke Kaido’s displeasure and rage, leading him to come knocking.
Nagato flew quickly. As the Beasts Pirates’ ship approached ten miles closer, Nagato was already hovering above it.
“Lord Jack!”
Below, the Pirates of the Beasts Pirates had spotted Nagato standing in the sky and called out to their leader on this ship.
“Huh?” A giant man, five meters tall with an even more imposing width, covered in beast fur, emerged from the ship. This was the fearsome “Drought” Jack, a top executive of the Beasts Pirates. “Red hair and those eyes…”
Standing on the deck, Jack roared into the sky, “So it’s you, the one who killed that clown!”
Seeing the ship’s leader appear, Nagato shook his head inwardly.
He had worried Kaido himself might come, thus he had cut the speech short and instructed Viola to prepare. Now it seemed he might have overreacted, causing unnecessary alarm and hassle in Dressrosa.
“I believe my name isn’t unknown to you,” Nagato responded calmly to Jack’s insult. “You should show some manners, Jack.”
“Bastard! Do you know who you’re talking to?”
“Don’t think beating Doflamingo means anything, that clown was nothing in front of Lord Jack!”
“This is the ‘Drought,’ with a bounty of one billion berries, under Kaido’s command!”
…
Jack hadn’t spoken yet, but the pirates around him, brandishing swords, pointed them skyward, hurling threats and insults.
Ignoring the useless chatter, Nagato directly addressed Jack, “I assume you’re here for the SMILEs, am I right?”
“If you know that,” Jack grabbed a spear and hurled it at Nagato with great force. “Then you should understand you’ve angered ‘Kaido.’ Bring your head over here!”
“I’ve shown enough goodwill, yet you fail to appreciate the opportunity,” Nagato stood in the air, shattering the spear with an invisible force. “This world is disappointing; pirates and the government vie for control, and among the so-called Four Emperors, two factions are filled with idiots.”
“Trash.” Jack was enraged, his eyes filled with monstrous fury as he tilted his head and growled, “Do you know who you’re talking to?”
“If you’re so eager to die, I’ll not only destroy this country but also sink this island!” Jack propelled himself like a cannonball, his enormous fist, black as ink, hurtling towards Nagato’s head!
As Jack’s punch neared Nagato’s face, suddenly!
A burst of purple light, a surge of malevolent flames, and a colossal tengu spirit materialized, its fiery presence nearly capsizing the pirate ship!
High above, Nagato stood behind the tengu spirit’s jewel-encrusted forehead, completely blocking Jack’s devastating punch.
“What is this…” Jack’s eyes widened in shock, his voice muffled behind his iron mask.
But Nagato wasn’t going to explain.
“Whoa—!”
The tengu spirit stepped back, causing waves that nearly flipped Jack’s ship. Hundreds of pirates fell into the sea, their fates unknown, as the ship’s deck came crashing down on them!
As the tengu spirit and Jack distanced themselves, the spirit drew a massive sword and slashed at Jack. The so-called “Drought” fell faster than he had jumped, crashing into the sea and sending up a towering splash!
Become a Patron read up to 40 chapter ahead public release ^_^
Please join Discord Server so we can talk ^_^
