In One Piece, Watching Roger's Execution at the Start

King Riku barked the words. He thought highly of Kyros as a son-in-law and did not want him dwelling on this.

"You're a man who won more than four thousand matches in the colosseum. Don't talk like that..."

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

Kyros answered loudly, his respect for King Riku deepening.

"By the way, Left Minister, have we heard anything definite from the Navy? Baron Tamago of the Big Mom Pirates sent word that one of their officers will arrive in a few days!"

King Riku nodded to Kyros, then turned to the Left Minister beside him.

"Vice Admiral Tsuru said over the Den Den Mushi that they set out several days ago. They should reach Dressrosa soon. She didn't say who was coming, only that a Rear Admiral and a Commodore were leading them."

"What? One Rear Admiral!? Is the Navy stretched that thin?"

King Riku went pale. How could one Rear Admiral stand against an officer of the Big Mom Pirates? He dismissed the Commodore outright. Even another Rear Admiral might not be enough.

"Your Majesty, I don't think you need to worry," the Left Minister said after choosing his words carefully. "Vice Admiral Tsuru is the chief strategist at Marine Headquarters. She must have her reasons."

"I suppose so..."

King Riku rubbed his furrowed brow. Dressrosa was an Affiliated Nation of the World Government; surely the Navy would not brush them off.

But could a Rear Admiral and a Commodore really keep the situation under control?

"Never mind. We'll put our hopes in the Navy for now. You may all leave. And Kyros, go home and spend more time with Scarlet. She's pregnant, so make sure she takes care of herself. She mustn't rush about like she used to..."

King Riku went on fussing over Kyros. At that moment, he seemed more like a father worried about his daughter than the king of Dressrosa.

"Yes!"

At the mention of the princess who had chosen to be with him, Kyros could not help smiling. His answer rang with renewed conviction.

"Rear Admiral Gion, how much longer until we reach Dressrosa?"

Atlas had just come out of the training room, his muscular upper body bare. He walked over to Gion, who was staring absently at the sea.

"Hmm? At our current speed, we should arrive tomorrow morning."

Gion glanced at her, then answered languidly.

"That's good. According to Vice Admiral Tsuru's intelligence, the Big Mom Pirates' officer shouldn't arrive so soon."

A Fairyland of Love and Passion

The sea was always hazy and mysterious at dawn. Sunlight filtered through the mist, scattering flecks of gold in the air.

Dressrosa was a tropical island with the air of a resort, home to a New World kingdom known as the "Fairyland of Love and Passion."

Mushroom-shaped rocks crowded the nearby coast, making it hard for ordinary ships to dock. A dedicated harbor had been built for them, with Kingdom Guard patrols stationed there to keep pirates from landing and raise the alarm as quickly as possible.

A standard Navy warship now lay quietly at anchor in the harbor. After arranging its supplies, Gion followed Atlas ashore. Atlas was curious about this so-called "Fairyland of Love and Passion" too.

"Hey, Rear Admiral Gion! As the senior officer in this operation, shouldn't you be discussing the situation with the king?"

Seeing that Gion seemed intent on coming with her, Atlas hurried to stop her.

You've got to be kidding. I finally get a chance to relax and look around. Why would I bring a troublesome woman along?

"You really don't know how to enjoy yourself, Kanos!"

Gion rolled her eyes. She had wanted to see what made the island such a popular resort. Of course, she knew she had to reassure King Riku first. With one of the New World's dominant pirate crews targeting Dressrosa, he must have been beside himself.

"Sorry for the trouble, Rear Admiral Gion. I'll leave that visit to you. Hahaha."

Atlas had no desire to trade empty courtesies with a king. Gion, on the other hand, was skilled at dealing with people. Her tact and political instincts were far beyond Atlas's.

As Gion headed toward King's Plateau, Atlas contentedly surveyed the distinctive holiday destination. Dressrosa's clothes and culture reminded her somewhat of Spain in her previous life. Everywhere she looked, women in vibrant dance costumes moved to the music.

Atlas admired the dancers while sampling the local food. Before she knew it, she had reached a building strongly reminiscent of an ancient Roman arena. Kingdom guards watched every entrance, and signs on the walls read "No Children Allowed." The thick walls could not contain the thunderous cheers within.

"An arena? Interesting!"

Atlas opened wide, finished the roast meat in her hand, tossed the remains into a roadside bin, and strode toward the entrance.

The guards did not stop her. Atlas still wore a white suit and a coat bearing the word "Justice," but Corrida Colosseum had not yet become the den of corruption it would be under Doflamingo. The guards had no reason to turn her away.

Admission was not particularly expensive, but as one of Dressrosa's famous attractions, the colosseum drew enormous crowds each day and provided an important source of revenue. It was also a place where swordsmen tested their skills. Some criminals whose offenses did not warrant death were exiled here as well. The most famous of them was Kyros, who had married a princess of Dressrosa.

The moment Atlas entered, a roar of voices washed over her. The colosseum's layout was spacious and simple: packed spectator stands surrounded a circular arena, which was ringed by a pool. Ferocious fighting fish lived in the water. A contestant who fell in during a match was eliminated—and then had to survive the fish.

Atlas found a seat near the back. With her hearing and eyesight, she could follow everything in the arena clearly.

Two swordsmen wielding broadswords were fighting. They were ordinary competitors, both favoring broad, powerful swings that relied on strength. Their sturdy builds made that much obvious.

The crowd around her was thrilled. A sword fight lacked the visceral, blow-by-blow spectacle of hand-to-hand combat, but it still brought excitement to their otherwise dull routines.

After watching for a while, Atlas grew bored. She had no intention of entering herself; the gap in skill was too great. Though the colosseum was a Dressrosa landmark, it did not yet offer the tempting prizes Doflamingo would later use to lure powerful fighters from across the seas. The standard of competition was not especially high.

On King's Plateau, in the palace hall of Dressrosa Kingdom.

King Riku sat with dignity on his throne. Rear Admiral Gion, newly arrived in Dressrosa, stood before him. The king's occasional look of satisfaction made it clear their conversation had gone well.

"Oh, that's right. Wasn't a Commodore traveling with you? Why haven't I seen her?"

Curiosity crossed King Riku's face as he asked.

"Commodore Atlas went to experience Dressrosa's 'love and passion.'" Gion sounded helpless when she mentioned Atlas. The woman had left every responsibility to her.

"Dressrosa could only flourish like this under Your Majesty's wise rule. Even in Marineford, we've long heard of your kingdom."

"Hahahaha! You flatter me!"

King Riku laughed, plainly pleased. Everyone enjoyed praise, even the wisest ruler.

In truth, Dressrosa was not governed all that well. It looked prosperous, but its people were not especially wealthy. Ironically, Dressrosa would become considerably richer under Doflamingo.

"Then, Rear Admiral Gion, how do you intend to deal with the Big Mom Pirates?"

After talking around the subject for some time, King Riku could no longer hold back the question troubling him.

"Please rest assured, Your Majesty. That Commodore of ours is a monstrous young talent. She even defeated Crocodile of the Shichibukai."

Gion smiled and explained without a trace of worry.

"The one they call the Navy Supernova?" King Riku searched his memory. He did have a vague impression of Atlas, and that eased his mind a little.

If only she were more dependable, Gion thought.

"Achoo!"

Atlas was walking down Lovers' Avenue, surrounded by affectionate couples, when her nose suddenly tickled.

"Honestly, who's thinking about me this time...?"

The Attack

"Oven, don't be reckless! The Navy has been moving constantly, and tensions in the New World are rising!"

A steady voice came from a Den Den Mushi whose jaw was wrapped in an enormous scarf.

"Katakuri, there's no need to worry. It's only Dressrosa. If they won't prepare sweets for Mama, I don't have to be polite."

Oven held the Den Den Mushi without a care. With his strength, Dressrosa was no threat. Against overwhelming power, an army might as well not exist.

"Dressrosa is an Affiliated Nation of the World Government. They'll ask the Navy for help!" Katakuri was worried. The New World was a powder keg; a single spark could set it off. He did not want the Big Mom Pirates to become everyone's target.

If that happened, many of his younger siblings would inevitably die.

"That's enough, Katakuri. I'll bring Mama a perfect gift!"

Click!

Oven ended the call without waiting to hear what Katakuri thought.

"Damn it!"

Realizing the call had ended, Katakuri grew furious. His expression darkened, and a bad feeling rose within him.

"Someone prepare a ship! We're heading for Dressrosa Kingdom!"

Dressrosa's coastal harbor.

A medium-sized, three-masted sailing ship slowly pulled alongside the shore. A pirate flag flew from its stout mast. Against a black field, a waving skull wore a top hat and pink curls. Absurdly, bright lipstick lined its teeth.

But no pirate from the New World would have laughed. That flag belonged to one of its dominant crews: the Big Mom Pirates.

"Quick! Go to King's Plateau and ask His Majesty to send troops!"

The guards stationed at the harbor spotted the pirate ship at once and rushed to call for help from the palace.

"Dressrosa dared to notify the Navy. Looks like they need to be taught a lesson. Open fire!"

Charlotte Oven stared at the Navy warship docked in the harbor, his expression dark.

"Hahahaha! Yes, Lord Oven!"

"How dare they defy the Big Mom Pirates!"

The pirates aboard the ship jeered and shouted.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Huge cannonballs flew toward the warship, but the Marines left aboard were ready. They swung their guns toward the pirate ship and fired back.

Cannon fire filled the air. Pirates surged ashore and clashed with the guards and Marines. Shouts mingled with the roar of guns, and the smell of smoke spread everywhere.

Oven stood coldly at the bow without joining the fight. He wanted to teach Dressrosa a lesson, but he could not let Mama's gift suffer too much damage.

"Hmm?"

Atlas, still stuffing herself on the streets of Dressrosa, abruptly stopped. Since landing, she had kept the entire kingdom within range of her Observation Haki. Naturally, she had sensed Charlotte Oven's arrival.

"Interesting. So he's the one who came."

Atlas swallowed her mouthful of food and used Shave to race toward the warship. Her speed whipped up a fierce gust, drawing startled cries from women in short skirts.

"This is terrible! Your Majesty! The Big Mom Pirates are here!"

In the palace on King's Plateau, a guard ran in shouting, his face panicked and his breath coming in gasps.

"What!?" King Riku was shocked and furious. He had not expected the Big Mom Pirates to move so quickly. He immediately looked toward Gion.

"Your Majesty, don't worry. The Navy will handle this for you."

Gion understood what he wanted. After reassuring him, she took her leave and strode out of the hall.

"What a mess. Let me clear things up!"

By the time Atlas reached the harbor, destruction lay everywhere. Marines and Kingdom Guard soldiers fought separately to hold back the pirates. Charlotte Oven, dressed in orange and yellow, stood motionless at the ship's bow.

Conqueror's Haki!

The world seemed to turn black and white. The pirates froze, their expressions fixed as though time had stopped. Marines and guards stood bewildered, watching the pirates who had been snarling at them a moment ago collapse one after another.

Several months had passed since Atlas awakened Conqueror's Haki. With her talent, she could now direct it precisely. There was no chance of striking her allies by mistake.

"It's Commodore Atlas!"

"Commodore Atlas's Conqueror's Haki..."

"Terrifying. So that's the power only one person in a million possesses!"

While the kingdom's guards still stood stunned, the Marines recognized Atlas's Conqueror's Haki. Their spirits soared, and they raised their weapons to finish off the unconscious pirates.

"Conqueror's Haki!?"

Oven felt its overwhelming force from the bow. He did not collapse like the other pirates, but the powerful will struck his mind like a heavy blow, leaving him dazed.

"Charlotte Oven?"