"Why are you telling me this? If the Celestial Dragons come, we have no right to resist at all."
King Riku sighed softly, a trace of helplessness appearing on his face.
"No, no, no! I wasn't talking about the Celestial Dragons. I was talking about a pirate!" Kakarot shook his head, his gaze firm.
"A pirate! How is that possible? Would a Celestial Dragon actually become a pirate?"
King Riku's eyes widened in disbelief. He leaned forward slightly, as though trying to find an answer on Kakarot's face.
"In the year 1488 of the Sea Circle Calendar, the head of the Donquixote Family renounced his status as a Celestial Dragon, taking his wife and two sons with him.
"But you know how people feel about the Celestial Dragons. Their lives were extremely difficult.
"In the year 1489 of the Sea Circle Calendar, his wife died.
"In the year 1490 of the Sea Circle Calendar, he and his two sons were captured by the residents of the small island where they lived, who wanted to burn them to death.
"At that critical moment, Donquixote Doflamingo awakened his Conqueror's Haki and escaped danger.
"But he killed his own father with his own hands and returned to the holy land of Mary Geoise, hoping to regain his status as a Celestial Dragon.
"He was refused, though. After he left Mary Geoise, some people joined him. He gained the power of the String-String Fruit and founded the Donquixote Pirates."
Kakarot recounted it slowly, his tone calm despite the horrifying things he described.
At this, King Riku's face turned deathly pale. Fine beads of sweat appeared on his forehead, and his back was already completely soaked.
He swallowed and said hoarsely, "So his ultimate target will be our Dressrosa!"
Kakarot nodded lightly and said with a chuckle, "That's right, but don't worry too much. I'll help you.
"If I run into Doflamingo on my adventures in the future, he might never get another chance to come to Dressrosa."
"Besides, I've already met Kyros. He has good potential, and I left him something that can help him grow stronger.
"In ten-odd years, his strength probably won't be much below Doflamingo's.
"I'll leave you my Den Den Mushi number. If you really can't handle it, call me. I'll help you for Viola's sake."
As Kakarot spoke, he wrote down the number and handed it to King Riku.
King Riku took the Den Den Mushi and relaxed a little, gratitude showing on his face. "Thank you for the warning. I'll be more watchful as well."
Kakarot stood up, stretched, and said, "You don't need to be too nervous. He won't come for at least another ten-odd years.
"You can pay more attention to Kyros and win over some of the strong fighters in the arena."
"I'm tired, too. I'll go have some fun in the flower field out back! I won't bother you any longer," Kakarot said with a smile.
"Kakarot, thank you so much! I'll prepare a lavish meal and wait for you all to come. I want to thank you properly."
King Riku spoke sincerely, then stood and personally saw Kakarot to the door.
Kakarot strolled outside, sunlight spilling over him as though coating him in a layer of golden light...
Behind the palace on the King's Plateau lay a vast, boundless Sunflower Flower Field.
By then, the blazing sun was no longer so fierce, and gentle sunlight spilled over that golden sea.
With unhurried steps, Kakarot leisurely walked into the flower field.
A gentle breeze brushed past, carrying the unique, refreshing fragrance of sunflowers.
Gold filled his vision, and the sunflowers swayed gently in the wind as though waving to Kakarot.
In the center of the flower field, Hades, Simba, Ailik, and the others lay on the soft grass, gazing up at the gem-blue sky.
Kakarot walked over to them and slowly lay down, a contented smile on his face as he said:
"Hades, it feels pretty nice here, doesn't it? It's much more interesting than staying on Devil Island all the time."
Hades remained motionless, his voice calm and contented:
"Yes! Beside the volcano on Devil Island, the scorching air and oppressive surroundings always left me restless.
"Since leaving, the peace and natural atmosphere here have helped me calm my mind better. Even my Observation Haki has improved quite a bit."
"Exactly! You made the right choice coming out to sea with us, didn't you!"
"Hades, have you ever thought about what you want to do in the future? What do you want to do besides fighting?"
Lying among the flowers, Kakarot asked casually.
Hades fell silent for a while before slowly saying, "In the past, all I did was look for food and fight the Beast Kings on the island. Even leaving the island was for the sake of growing stronger.
"But after spending so much time with you all, I've experienced many other wonderful things.
"I've read many books about humans. The places described in your Ideological Program, in particular, really make me yearn for them."
His slow words carried a trace of emotion, as though he were recalling moments from the past.
Hades took a deep breath and said seriously, "Of course, if I become powerful and still have people I can spar and fight with.
"I'm willing to build the wonderful world described in your book together with you."
His serious tone was filled with resolve and conviction, as though he were already prepared to fight for that ideal.
"Hahaha! Hades, I'm glad you agree with my ideas.
"I can promise you that, in the future, I'll build a world-famous, gigantic arena!
"It'll become a gathering place for countless top fighters from around the world!"
Kakarot rested both hands behind his head, his smile brimming with confidence and his eyes revealing immense ambition.
Hades said nothing more. He could sense Kakarot's ambition.
Ever since he had decided to follow Kakarot, he had sensed that a terrifying monster lay hidden inside Kakarot's body.
After he ate the fruit and grew stronger, he could sense the limitless potential within Kakarot's body all the more clearly.
He believed that, as long as Kakarot wanted it, he could accomplish anything he wished in the not-too-distant future.
Kakarot savored the peace he had not felt in so long, without the unknown danger that had hung over his heart on Zou.
In this flower field filled with the presence of nature, Kakarot felt his mind become clear, his consciousness seeming to sink into a warm ocean,
The feeling was incomparably comfortable and soothing, as though all his worries had vanished at that moment.
Before you continue