A few days later, the Thousand Sunny sailed into Dressrosa's harbor.
From afar, the prosperity of this land of passion greeted them.
Bright flags covered the towering city walls.
Countless ships lay moored along the harbor.
The streets bustled with people, and an air of unbridled enthusiasm filled the city.
"Wow! It's so lively!"
Luffy stood at the bow, gazing at the thriving city before him. His eyes shone as he waved his arms excitedly:
"So this is Dressrosa? It looks like so much fun!"
In just a few days, Luffy seemed to have forgotten his past hatred and immersed himself in the joy of adventure once again.
It wasn't that he had truly forgotten. Life simply had to go on.
Hatred was something he could keep in his heart.
"Luffy, don't get carried away having fun," Shanks reminded him from nearby. "We're here on serious business."
"I know, I know!" Luffy waved dismissively.
Shanks stood beside him, his expression far more solemn.
His gaze swept across the harbor, a hint of wariness in his eyes.
Dressrosa was Scarlet's territory.
And Scarlet was Ross's woman.
Unless something unexpected happened, all sorts of traps would be waiting for them here, just as on their previous visits.
Not long after the Thousand Sunny docked, a massive pirate ship slowly moored beside them.
The flag of the Whitebeard Pirates flew prominently above it.
Whitebeard's emblem fluttered in the wind, as though his will still echoed across the sea.
"Well, if it isn't Straw Hat Boy and Shanks?"
A deep, languid voice came from the ship.
Everyone turned toward the voice and saw a burly, stubble-faced man standing at the bow, watching them with interest, his grin revealing a mouthful of uneven teeth.
Blackbeard, Marshall D. Teach!
Behind him stood the members of the