The Shadow of the Fireworks Festival!

Dressrosa Fireworks Festival

Golden sunlight streamed down the bustling streets, the sky was a clear, deep blue, and fluffy white clouds drifted by, seemingly imbued with the festive atmosphere.

The entire city was enveloped in a festive atmosphere, with colorful flags flying high, wreaths adorning the streets, music echoing through the air, and the aroma of candy mixed with the scent of Barbecue filling the air.

The stalls set up by humans and the Tontatta Tribe on both sides of the street were bustling with activity:

Colorful handmade masks

Brightly colored, juicy fruit candies

There are also "lucky charms" woven from Cloud Grass and seashells...

Children chased and played in the streets, holding candied hawthorns in their hands, while the little people of the Tontatta Tribe nimbly weaved through the crowd, excitedly waving colorful flags.

This is the Fireworks Festival, a special celebration established by Dressrosa to commemorate the Navy's thwarting of the Shichibukai's plot to seize the country.

On the street, Yixiao, dressed in a light purple kimono, walked slowly, holding Cane Sword.

With his eyes closed and a smile on his face, he moved through the bustling crowd, his steps as steady as pine trees and his demeanor as gentle as a mountain spring.

Despite being blind, his Observation Haki allowed him to fully perceive the surrounding activity:

Some people looked at him curiously, but were soothed by his kind smile;

A child from the Tontatta Tribe tugged at his sleeve and offered him a festive wreath;

Kind citizens offered to help him cross the street, but he gently waved his hand and declined, saying, "Thank you for your kindness, but I can walk by myself."

A faint smile played on his lips as he thought to himself, "Such simple and honest folk, such harmonious and joyful people... this is the peace I yearn for."

"The King Riku's rule is indeed a place of outstanding people and abundant resources."

Central Avenue

"Long live King Riku!!"

Princess Rebecca is so beautiful!!

Princess Mansherry is the cutest!!

The crowd surged like waves, and cheers rose and fell.

As the main parade motorcade of the Fireworks Festival entered the Central Avenue, the streets were packed with people, drawing massive crowds.

The lead float in the parade was dazzling, decorated with gold and silver Vines and fireworks.

On the carriage, Riku Dalton III, dressed in royal robes, waved benevolently to the crowd;

Viola, draped in a red dress, moved with elegance and composure;

Rebecca looked stunning in her pale yellow dress;

Princess Mansherry sat on Rebecca's shoulders, waving festive flags and beaming with a childlike smile.

On either side of the procession, Kyros and Leo led the Tontatta warriors, guarding the entire group with sharp, eagle-like eyes, always alert to any disturbances around them.

"The Royal Benevolent Rule, the support of the people... truly a scene of a prosperous age."

Yixiao stood in the crowd, quietly appreciating the peace, and silently praised it in her heart.

However, in the shadows at this moment—

Behind the laughter and cheers, in the shadows beneath the colorful flags, another force has quietly begun to stir.

In the dimly lit room, a huge black shadow sat.

Hanafuda slammed the sake glass down with a "bang," and the metal glove struck the table with a dull "click."

The parade has begun.

"The little guy with the Heal-Heal Fruit is here, just as expected."

A cruel smile curled at the corner of his lips, "Prepare for action."

Outside the window, the fireworks had not yet started.

But beneath this veneer of celebration, a storm is about to break out.

Meanwhile, the Harbor of Dressrosa

Two enormous snakes silently cleaved through the waves, and the Perfume Yuda docked like Phantom.

As the boat slowly came to a stop, the two snakes raised their heads, their vertical pupils scanning the surroundings warily, emitting a low, menacing hiss that sent chills down one's spine.

The Kingdom Sentries on the dock was about to raise his voice in question when his gaze fell upon the woman slowly descending the gangway, and his voice choked instantly.

She was an elegant, proud, and aloof figure, like a Goddess under the moon.

Her red dress was like fire, her black hair flowed freely, and her eyes were as cold as frost—it was none other than the Pirate Empress, Boa Hancock.

A moment of silence.

"Thump--"

"Bang! Bang! Bang--!"

Like a chain reaction, the sentries' eyes turned to stone, their gazes fixed on the statues, their gun-raising gestures frozen in mid-air, and the Harbor instantly transformed into a sculpture exhibition hall.

Boa Hancock scoffed, lightly brushing her hair aside with her fingers, and parted her red lips slightly. "Hmph... Men, they really are all shallow creatures."

She moved with light steps, gracefully navigating the petrified crowd, as if stepping onto a stage.

Behind her, Shakky, Sandersonia, Marigold filed out.

Shakky frowned slightly. "Boa Hancock, this is too much of a commotion."

Boa Hancock crossed her arms, raised an eyebrow, and said, "They're the ones with bad intentions, how can they blame me?"

Sandersonia scratched her head. "My sister is still so amazing..."

Marigold grinned. "Even a single glance at it will turn you to stone!"

Shakky, however, surveyed her surroundings with sharp eyes, her gaze icy. "This island is now at the center of a whirlpool."

She turned to the two tall Snake Princess and instructed them, "You two stay on the ship; your size is too conspicuous for stealth."

Both nodded simultaneously. "Understood!"

The next second, Shakky's figure turned into a blur and vanished from the spot, leaving only a whisper:

"On this trip, we're only taking away those with the Devil Fruit User... Let's not cause any unnecessary trouble."

Boa Hancock gave a soft snort and instructed her two sisters, "Guard the ship well, don't let anyone near."

Then, she leaped and landed lightly on the rooftop, her red dress billowing as she streaked towards Shakky like a crimson shooting star.

Tens of thousands of people gathered in the Central Square, amidst the deafening sounds of drums and music.

A royal chariot pulled by white horses slowly drove up the platform. Inside, Riku Dalton III, draped in a sash and with a benevolent smile, stood before the crowd and waved to them.

Gancho stood solemnly on a specially set-up platform to the side.

Below the stage, Viola, Rebecca, Mansherry, dressed in their finest attire, stood among the crowd.

The surrounding crowd waved flags and lanterns, shouting, "Long live Dressrosa!!"

"The princesses are so cute!!"

The celebration reached its climax as Riku Dalton III and Gancho prepared to ascend the platform to deliver their speeches.

However, Viola's pupils suddenly contracted—

"Wrong!"

Since the start of the parade, her "Clairvoyance" ability had been activated. At this moment, she could clearly see several dark figures silently approaching from the shadows behind the platform!

Her expression changed drastically, and she shouted sharply, "Alert! Enemy attack!! Leo!!"

Almost at the same time she shouted the warning--

"Boom!!"

A shell shot out from a concealed window on a distant rooftop, Sky Splitter and heading straight for the high platform!

The square fell into a brief silence.

"Bian!!"

Bian, the warrior of the Tontatta, roared and unleashed the Bug-Bug Fruit - Wasp Form. His wings vibrated wildly, and he shot into the sky like Inazuma!

"Call out!"

"Bang!"

He crashed headfirst into the shell mid-air, the explosion illuminating half the night sky and the shockwave overturning the surrounding stalls!

Screams, cries, and sirens blared all at once!

Riku Dalton III stood on the high platform, his steady voice echoing throughout the square. "Guards! Protect the people!!"

From the shadows behind the platform, several assassins in black leaped out, their movements lithe and their eyes flashing with madness!

"Target confirmed—Princess Mansherry of the Tontatta Tribe!"

"Capture them alive and take them away!!"

Leo roared, leading the Tontatta warriors to immediately meet the attack. "Don't even think about touching a hair on Princess Mansherry's head!!"

"Sewing and Needle Rain!"

Countless fine lines shot out like a storm, completely blocking the enemy's path!

"Whoosh!"

A dark shadow appeared like a ghost, and a huge scythe swept out, Flash of lightning, and all the needles and threads snapped!

The ground cracked, and the wind pressure swept across!

Among the men in black, the one who slowly stepped forward at the very front...

It was none other than the man who stood five meters tall, wearing a black trench coat, a bat-shaped hat, and dragging a scythe and Meteor Hammer.

--The Shichibukai - Hanafuda!

He looked down at Leo coldly, a contemptuous smile playing on his lips:

"That annoying little bug..."

The sickle dragged slowly across the ground, making a screeching sound.

(P. S.: Please, everyone, don't support books! ｡°(°¯᷄◠¯᷅°)°｡ Please, godfathers, give me free gifts...)