Violet and Rebecca watched Dongye Huanglong nervously. It was only because they trusted the Tontatta that they had been willing to risk escaping Dressrosa.
They had always been under the Donquixote Family's surveillance, so escaping Dressrosa had been virtually impossible.
Besides, they had never wanted to leave Dressrosa in the first place. They did not want to abandon their people. They had always wanted to overthrow the Donquixote Family and restore peace to Dressrosa.
But after hearing that Dongye Huanglong could deal with Doflamingo completely within two years, they were willing to leave Dressrosa for the time being, seek a way to grow stronger, and then fight their way back to Dressrosa.
"Fine, but that Glint-Glint Fruit user will need to work for us."
Dongye Huanglong spoke casually. He had no interest in the Riku Family's affairs. Those people were kind, certainly, but they had no means of governing a nation.
For all anyone knew, if Dressrosa were handed over to them, the prosperous kingdom it was now would revert directly to the impoverished kingdom it had been years ago.
Was prosperity with darkness better, or peaceful poverty? Only Dressrosa's own people knew the answer.
"Thank you, Lord Huanglong!"
Violet immediately thanked him. They could finally escape Doflamingo's control, and they had seen another kind of hope.
"I hope your Glint-Glint Fruit ability can be of some use to us."
Dongye Huanglong said blandly, then began instructing Mansheli and Gancio to quickly move the Tontatta into Capone Bege's castle.
They were leaving Green Bit.
Even Dongye Huanglong did not know which person was leading the Marine fleet Doflamingo had mentioned.
If it was a Marine Vice Admiral, Dongye Huanglong had nothing to fear. But if a Marine Admiral came, that would be troublesome!
Under Dongye Huanglong and Princess Mansherry's urging, the Tontatta swiftly entered the castle.
Enel, who had nothing better to do, actually ran off and blew up the massive iron bridge connecting Green Bit and Dressrosa, letting the world know that he had been here.
That terrifying thunderstorm disaster sent Dressrosa's residents into a panic.
Doflamingo did not know what Dongye Huanglong meant by this. Was he trying to intimidate them?
But he soon received word that Violet had fled with King Riku, while even Rebecca had vanished. His expression changed at once.
Was Dongye Huanglong planning to take away King Riku's Royal Family and the Tontatta?
"That bitch Violet actually dared betray us. It seems they still haven't given up on reclaiming the throne!"
Standing atop King's Highland and watching the sea-crossing bridge collapse, Doflamingo knew that the Donquixote Family's forces would have a hard time searching Green Bit now.
"Dongye Huanglong, what exactly are you trying to do?!"
Doflamingo said irritably. That madman had taken advantage of him, yet now he was still trying to disgust him, using King Riku's Royal Family to warn him.
He hated people who were so difficult to read, just like Kaido of the Beasts.
Meanwhile, the Marine fleet from the G-5 base was rapidly sailing toward Dressrosa, while Marine Headquarters' Admiral Akainu had also crossed the Red Line directly and was rushing toward Dressrosa.
Sengoku the Buddha had a headache. Why had Dongye Huanglong come to the New World again?
What was he invading Dressrosa for?
Was it to build his reputation by dealing with Doflamingo, one of the Shichibukai? Or was it for Vegapunk's research, to rob Doflamingo of his many goods?
In any case, Dongye Huanglong was like a shit-stirring rod, throwing the seas into utter chaos.
"According to some intelligence sent by the Donquixote Family, a Logia-type Rumble-Rumble Fruit user seems to have appeared under Dongye Huanglong's command."
Staff Officer Tsuru frowned as she looked at the message Dressrosa had sent while requesting Marine support. The wrinkles on her face deepened further.
"A Rumble-Rumble Fruit user?"
Sengoku the Buddha pressed his fingers against his temples. Tyrant Kuma alone had already caused them enough headaches. Now there was another top-tier Logia-type Devil Fruit User. The Desolate Dragon Group's threat level was skyrocketing.
"Netahu, the executioner of the Drago Family, appears to have been killed instantly by this Rumble-Rumble Fruit user."
Staff Officer Tsuru said gravely. The combat power displayed by this newcomer with the Rumble-Rumble Fruit seemed exceptionally formidable.
"This is becoming more and more troublesome. I have a feeling Dongye Huanglong will soon establish a force comparable to the Revolutionary Army."
Sengoku the Buddha spoke helplessly. A mere test subject had somehow created such immense pressure for them.
Even their plan to encircle and annihilate the West Blue Mafia had failed.
These days, the Marines seemed to have achieved nothing at all. They were completely unable to do anything about Dongye Huanglong.
"We must find Dongye Huanglong's main base as soon as possible. Otherwise, once Vegapunk settles down, their power will grow wildly."
Staff Officer Tsuru said with a grave expression. Dongye Huanglong's recent appearances all seemed to involve looting things, making his purpose obvious at a glance.
He was helping Doctor Vegapunk establish a laboratory and conduct research.
"If we have no other choice, Sakazuki's proposal..."
Sengoku the Buddha found it somewhat difficult to say. If it could deal with Dongye Huanglong, then using the allied Sorbet Kingdom to threaten Bartholomew Kuma might not be entirely unacceptable, though the method was extremely despicable and cruel.
Back then, under the Five Elders' orders, he had been the one to issue the command for the Buster Call Fleet to destroy Ohara.
After becoming Fleet Admiral, he had also cleaned up plenty of messes for the Celestial Dragons.
After all, the Celestial Dragons' triennial Native Cleansing Competition had already shown him countless acts of darkness.
It was just that Sorbet Kingdom was an allied nation, while the countries chosen for the Native Cleansing Competition were all islands of Non-affiliated Nations.
Under World Government law, the people of Non-affiliated Nations did not deserve human rights.
"Sengoku, don't let the last shred of justice we have be disgraced!"
Staff Officer Tsuru looked solemnly at Sengoku the Buddha. Ensuring the safety of all people in allied nations was the Marines' bottom line.
If even that justice were tainted, what right would the Marines have to call themselves an army of justice?
In truth, she and Sengoku also wanted to change the Celestial Dragons' habit of hunting humans, to stop treating the people of Non-affiliated Nations like ants.
But it was useless. Completely useless. They had no power to change this vile habit of the World Nobles.
That was also why Garp had always refused to become a Marine Admiral and refused to protect the Celestial Dragons.
Having witnessed so much darkness, Marine higher-ups like them could only preserve their own positions first, then protect the people of those allied nations and ensure the safety of the majority.
"I'm sorry..."
"Ah, I'm growing more and more envious of that old bastard Garp."
Sengoku the Buddha sighed. His belief in having the Marines rule over the world felt somewhat powerless.
With people like the Celestial Dragons around, the Marines were destined to become a long blade stained with darkness.
Last year's Native Cleansing Competition was still vivid in his mind. Which pitiful island would be selected for the competition two years from now?
The Celestial Dragons' sins were endless.
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