Gathering in Dressrosa

White-White Sea · Clouds

Roy stood alone high in the sky, with a continuous sea of clouds below. His Justice Coat Hunting Roar in the wind, and the distant sun slanted down, gilding his figure with a faint golden glow.

He looked down, his thoughts churning:

Nami is currently studying the mysteries of weather in Weatheria, and with the fruit she prepared for her, her strength will undergo a qualitative change.

Zoro and Kuina are undergoing intensive training under Mihawk's guidance, and their swordsmanship may be on the verge of a breakthrough.

Luffy and Ace are currently with Gion heading to Hachinosu to fight Ochoku, and the battle will likely be fierce.

Just then, the Den Den Mushi in my pocket suddenly made a "Bru-ru--click!" sound.

Roy took out Den Den Mushi and answered it quietly.

Luo's calm voice came from inside the insect shell. "Roy, the person you asked me to keep an eye on... has appeared."

Roy raised an eyebrow. "Location."

Dressrosa.

Upon hearing the name, a glint of light flashed in Roy's eyes, followed by a smile, "Interesting..."

As soon as he finished speaking, the space rippled, and his figure suddenly disappeared into the clouds.

Meanwhile, at the Palace of the Empress of Amazon Lily

In the secluded Amazon Lily, the morning mist had not yet dissipated, yet a heavy atmosphere permeated the Empress's palace.

Shakky stood in front of the wide French windows, dressed in a simple robe, arms crossed, her gaze dark as she stared at the distant sea, anger flashing in her eyes.

Rayleigh leaned against the soft couch, his white hair at his temples fluttering slightly in the wind. Although his injuries had healed somewhat in the past six months, he still found it difficult to move around, and each breath he took was accompanied by a heavy panting.

Boa Hancock sat on the Throne, her long, slender fingers rhythmically tapping the armrests. Her lips parted slightly, and her voice was as cold as frost:

"The Royal Palace physicians have done their best, but the spine is completely broken; conventional treatments are simply ineffective!"

"That bastard Roy... he'll pay for this sooner or later!!"

The palace gates suddenly opened, and a short, slender but steady figure walked in.

It was Flame Flower, a former member of the Rocks Pirates and the former emperor of Amazon Lily. Her footsteps echoed on the marble floor, and her face was solemn.

"I've found a way," Flame Flower said in a low voice, "That might completely heal Rayleigh's injuries."

Shakky turned around abruptly, her eyes sharp as an eagle's. "What method?"

The Flame Flower slowly uttered four words: "Heal-Heal Fruit."

As these four words were spoken, the entire palace fell into a brief silence.

Then, Shakky's pupils suddenly contracted, and she said, word by word, "The Heal-Heal Fruit..."

"A legendary Devil Fruit can heal all injuries, even regenerate severed limbs?"

Flame Flower nodded, her expression cold and stern. "Yes."

"According to intelligence from the Underground Black Market, a special ability user has recently appeared in Dressrosa. She is said to be the daughter of the Tontatta Tribe chief and possesses extremely rare healing powers."

"Dressrosa..."

Rayleigh slowly opened his eyes, his voice hoarse but still steady. "Isn't that the country Doflamingo wanted to seize before?"

Since Doflamingo was captured by Roy and taken to the Impel Down, the country is now ruled by the King Riku Royal Family and lives in harmony with the Tontatta Tribe.

Shakky's gaze turned cold. "No matter who's in power, as long as Rayleigh can be cured—we must go."

Boa Hancock stood up, her cloak billowing, exuding a sharp aura. "Let's go."

Whoever stands in my way, I will destroy them with my own hands.

New World: Onigashima

Kaido sat cross-legged on a pile of barrels, holding a jar of strong liquor in his hand, his face as gloomy as the clouds before a storm.

"Thud--!"

He swallowed the strong liquor in one gulp, the drops running down his beard and splashing onto the ground in a ring of foam.

He stared blankly at the ceiling, a series of upsetting thoughts echoing in his mind:

"Ever since those two brats Ace and Enel, burned down my armory and even stole Caesar along the way..."

"The Beasts Pirates's 'Artificial Devil Fruit' project has been brought to a standstill!"

"We went to great lengths to capture a bunch of scientists, but they were all useless! Our success rate was less than one-tenth of Caesar's!"

Thinking of this, Kaido's forehead veins bulged, and he slammed the wine jar in his hand onto the ground.

"Boom!!"

The thick floorboards were smashed, creating a deep crater, and the liquor splattered everywhere.

But that's not the worst thing—"There's also that brat Yamato..."

Kaido scratched his head and gritted his teeth. "I finally managed to wake up that 'Kozuki Oden's' useless fantasy..."

Then he turned on someone who made him even more furious— Roy, you bastard!!

He took a deep breath of the alcohol and was about to take another swig.

"Father!! Let's fight again!!"

"Bang!!"

The cellar door was kicked open, Yamato rushed in, carrying Kanabo. He was covered in bandages, but his face was filled with a burning fighting spirit.

"This time I'm sure I can force you to back down even half a step!!"

Kaido's hand trembled, nearly shattering the sake jar, and he roared, "You just had three ribs broken by me yesterday, you bastard!!"

Yamato grinned, revealing bloodstained teeth, but his eyes shone like flames. "Roy once said—'Pain is the badge of the strong!'"

(Roy: When did I ever say that???)

Kaido was so angry he couldn't speak, only gritting his teeth. "Roy!! I'll smash your head in with this one blow one of my clubs sooner or later!!"

With that, he grabbed the Kanabo, his breath turning into a whirlwind. "Fine!! I'll make sure you're bedridden for a month today!!"

"Thunder Bagua!!"

"Bang!!"

A tremendous Impact echoed across Onigashima. Yamato was blasted away by the blow, crashing through three walls before finally embedding himself in the rock face of the Training Ground.

As the dust settled, she still held her hand up, her breath ragged but defiant. "Tomorrow... we'll continue..."

Kaido's beard trembled with rage. "So annoying!!"

That Rocks kicked me even more back then!!

Rocks kicks Kaido

Just then, Jin appeared silently at the door, his black wings fluttering slightly. "Brother, Hanafuda."

Kaido looked up, his eyes lighting up. "Hanafuda?! Finally, news of him?! What did he say?!"

Jin handed over a thick letter, his tone flat:

He received information from the Underground Black Market that Devil Fruit User had appeared in Dressrosa, and he planned to go and see for himself.

Jin added, "In addition, he also sent back two Ancient Zoan Fruits, which have been handed over to the cultivation team for safekeeping."

Kaido paused for a moment, then burst into laughter, his boisterous laugh shaking the roof of the wine cellar, "As expected of my good brother!! What I needed came right away!!"

Kaido nodded in satisfaction. "Hanafuda, that guy..."

He always calls himself Shichibukai, but he actually does the work of the Beasts.

Jin said slowly, "He always did it for the sake of the Beasts."

Kaido, holding a sake jar, threw his head back and laughed loudly, "Haha! I know! My brother, of course he understands my heart!!"

He bit off the mouth of the jar, his gaze fixed on the sky, a sinister smile spreading across his face.

"With the Heal-Heal Fruit, the Ancient Zoan... the Beasts Pirates will soon be able to roar throughout the entire New World!!"