“Share a portion with you?” Garp thought about it. Since Hailan would be doing most of the fighting, sharing some of the earnings seemed fair. “Alright, I’ll take sixty percent, and you get forty.”
Hailan protested, “Why should you get sixty and I only get forty? It should be seventy-thirty in my favor!”
Garp wouldn’t have it. “You’re too greedy, kid! These medical supplies are from my ship, not yours.”
Hailan said, “But without me, could you earn this money? The esteemed Marine Hero can’t go fighting in the arena himself, right? Even if you don’t mind, the king of this country would surely complain to the headquarters, and you’d have to deal with Sengoku when we get back.”
Garp realized Hailan had a point and reluctantly agreed. “Fine, let’s do it your way. But I want thirty percent of your prize money when you win the championship!”
“Why?”
Garp chuckled, “Consider it my bodyguard fee!”
Hailan had no retort for that. This time, it seemed Garp had a valid point. Hailan had to concede this one.
The duo arguing on the streets wasn’t particularly attention-grabbing, but Garp’s outfit was. Despite being a grandfather, Garp wore big shorts, flip-flops, and a yellow Hawaiian shirt, making him look entirely out of place.
Sure enough, King Riku’s army commander, Kyros, noticed them. Initially, he thought it was just a family argument and considered intervening.
Bullfighting competitions were held almost daily as one of Dressrosa’s cultural highlights. These events weren’t about fighting bulls but rather about putting two people in an arena to fight like bulls.
The matches were usually small-scale, but larger ones were held on special occasions. There were no specific requirements for participants. Visitors, local gladiators, and even prisoners could join the fights. However, prisoners wouldn’t get rewards even if they won; their only purpose was endless combat. If a prisoner impressed the king with their skills, they might be pardoned and join the royal army.
Kyros, now the commander of the Dressrosa army, was once a notorious killer. He found meaning in life after winning 1,000 consecutive matches and gaining the audience’s approval. He later achieved 3,000 consecutive victories, becoming a legend in the bullfighting arena. Invited by King Riku, he became the army commander, protecting the people of Dressrosa.
Two days later, Hailan easily defeated all other contestants, becoming the new star of the bullfighting arena. His mastery of the Marine’s Six Powers left the audience in awe as he swiftly overpowered his opponents.
No one knew where Hailan had come from, nor did they care. Rumors spread that Hailan had the potential to break Kyros’ 3,000-win record. Hailan was indifferent. Maybe it was because the Great Pirate Era had just begun, and the new pirate forces had yet to mature. In the New World’s arena, Hailan saw many strange techniques but didn’t gain much practical experience. Whitebeard, Kaido, and Big Mom’s pirate crews fought in the latter half of the New World and wouldn’t participate in such contests. Simply put, the arena opponents were too weak.
Meanwhile, as Hailan’s fame grew, various factions began eyeing him.
In a high-end hotel, Vergo, the first-generation Heart Seat of the Donquixote Family, approached Doflamingo. “Doffy, I’ve noticed some sneaky women on the island. They seem to be investigating something. I suspect they’re Marine soldiers.”
Doflamingo sneered, not taking the Marines seriously. “A bunch of fools. We should find a chance to teach them a lesson. Sending women to deal with me? Have the men in the Marines all died? No wonder those idiots in Mary Geoise look down on them more and more!”
“Vergo, lure them to the northern island. If the Marines don’t get a good beating, they won’t know fear. I want those women to never return!”
“Diamante, handle the city affairs. See that big arena in the distance? From now on, it’s under your control.”
“Pica, familiarize yourself with the streets and the terrain around the palace.”
“Trebol… go and train that girl Monet for me. I have an important task for her later!”
After giving out the orders, Doflamingo looked towards the distant royal plateau. “One day, I will reclaim everything that rightfully belongs to me!”
In the Dressrosa palace, the Riku family remained unaware of the hidden presence of the Donquixote family. The benevolent King Riku was happily spending time with his two daughters. His elder daughter, Scarlett, had red hair and a gentle nature. His younger daughter, Violet, had black hair but shared her sister’s ruby-like eyes.
“Father, why didn’t Kyros come to the palace today?” Scarlett asked.
“Oh~ Sister is in love!” Violet teased.
Scarlett blushed, “N-no, I was just curious why the commander didn’t come today.”
King Riku chuckled, understanding his daughter’s feelings. Scarlett had no initial affection for Kyros, but after he saved her from pirates, she fell deeply in love with the once-outlawed commander.
It is such a romantic and beautiful love story. If placed in a fairy tale, Kyros’s life would be the template for a hero. Dressrosa now seemed like a kingdom straight out of a fairy tale, harmonious and happy despite the poverty.
But this is a complete world, and Dressrosa is not the only place on the planet. The dark king hidden in the shadows, had already set his sights on this innocent land.
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