Just as Roy was pondering Doflamingo's situation, there was a knock on the office door.
"Come in."
The door opened, Kyros walked in.
The swordsman's face was now beaming with undisguised joy.
" Captain Roy!"
He walked up to Roy and bowed deeply.
" Scarlet and I want to go back to Dressrosa."
Roy raised an eyebrow.
"Back to Dressrosa?"
Kyros nodded, a complex light flashing in his eyes.
"Let King Riku meet his granddaughter."
" Rebecca is already one year old, and His Majesty the King... has not yet seen her."
Roy was silent for two seconds, then smiled.
"That's only right."
He stood up, walked over to Kyros, and patted him on the shoulder.
Scarlet is the princess of Dressrosa, Rebecca is King Riku's granddaughter.
"It's perfectly reasonable to let them meet."
A hint of gratitude flashed in Kyros's eyes.
" Captain Roy."
Roy waved his hand.
"No need for thanks, we're family."
He paused, a glint of shrewdness flashing in his eyes.
"Perfect timing, I'd also like to go to Dressrosa."
Kyros was stunned.
" Captain Roy is going too?"
Roy nodded, walked back to his desk, took a document from the drawer, and handed it to Kyros.
"Take a look at this."
Kyros took the document and began to read it.
After a moment, his expression turned serious.
"A large number of outsiders have appeared in Dressrosa... Doflamingo's subordinates from the Seven Warlords of the Sea..."
He looked up at Roy.
" Captain Roy, does Doflamingo intend to attack Dressrosa?"
Roy leaned back in his chair and said calmly,
"That's possible."
"That guy still can't get over Dressrosa."
"Now that they have the backing of the World Government and have become Shichibukai, they are naturally even more unscrupulous."
"He sent people infiltrated Dressrosa, either to gather intelligence or to secretly make arrangements, preparing to strike when the opportunity arises."
Kyros's face was ashen, and the veins on his hand gripping the document bulged.
That bastard!
" Dressrosa is King Riku's country! It's our home!"
"If he dares to lay a hand on me, I'll fight him to the death!"
Roy raised his hand, signaling him to calm down.
"Don't rush."
"This is just speculation; we'll have to wait and see to know the specifics."
"And--"
A cold smile curled at the corner of his lips.
"The port of Dressrosa is flying the flag of the Roy Pirates."
That's my flag.
"If Doflamingo dares to make a move, he will be declaring war on me."
"He just became Shichibukai; his position isn't stable yet. He shouldn't be that stupid."
Kyros took a deep breath, suppressing his anger.
" Captain Roy, what about us...?"
Roy stood up.
"Get ready, we're leaving tomorrow."
"Take Scarlet and Rebecca, along with one hundred genetically engineered warriors."
"Let Doflamingo's men see who's protecting Dressrosa."
Kyros nodded solemnly.
"Yes!"
That afternoon, Roy convened a brief meeting of core members in the conference room.
"Tomorrow, I'm going to Dressrosa."
He got straight to the point.
" Kyros and Scarlet were taking Rebecca to see King Riku when they happened to run into Doflamingo's men operating there."
"Therefore, I will go there myself."
Bullet immediately frowned.
" Roy, you're only taking a hundred men? That's too few. How about I go with you?"
Roy shook his head.
"Need not."
" Hachinosu needs you to take charge."
" Mr. Red, Mihawk, you both stay."
" Tesoro, just come with me."
Bullet was about to say something when the Red Count spoke first.
" Captain Roy, go ahead without worry. We'll take care of Hachinosu."
His voice was calm, yet carried an undeniable confidence.
Hawk Eyes nodded slightly.
"I will guard the perimeter."
Crocodile exhaled a smoke ring.
"I will continue to monitor the intelligence network, and I will notify you immediately of any unusual activity."
Roy nodded.
"Okay, it's settled then."
He looked at Tesoro,
" Tesoro, is the Ark Maxim ready?"
Tesoro grinned.
"We're all ready! We can leave anytime!"
Roy stood up.
We'll set off first thing tomorrow morning.
The next morning, sunlight shone on the main harbor of Hachinosu.
The Ark Maxim rests quietly in its designated berth, its golden hull gleaming in the sunlight.
On the deck, a hundred genetically engineered soldiers stood in neat rows, each with a tall and straight posture, sharp eyes, and an aura of power far surpassing that of ordinary soldiers.
They are the elite of the elite, all of whom have undergone Bloodline Transplantation and rigorous training; each one is capable of taking on ten opponents.
Kyros stood at the bow of the ship, holding little Rebecca in one arm and gripping the hilt of his sword tightly in the other.
His gaze was fixed on the distance, towards Dressrosa.
Scarlet stood beside him, also gazing in that direction, her eyes filled with complex emotions.
That was her hometown.
Her father was there.
There, you'll find the palace, streets, and squares where she grew up...
She hasn't been back for many years.
Rebecca waved her little hands and babbled in Kyros, completely unaware of the journey that was about to begin.
Let's go.
Roy's voice came from behind.
He stepped onto the deck, his black trench coat fluttering in the sea breeze.
Behind him, Tesoro followed closely, his body crackling with faint golden arcs of electricity.
The Ark Maxim slowly rose into the air, its golden hull breaking through the clouds and speeding towards Dressrosa.
Behind them, the outline of Hachinosu gradually shrank until it disappeared into the sea of clouds.
Ahead, a new storm awaits.
The golden Ark Maxim travels through the clouds, and sunlight streams through the windows into the spacious cabin.
Rebecca, held in Scarlet's arms, stared wide-eyed at the ever-changing sea of clouds outside the window, making cooing noises.
"This child is really not afraid at all." Tesoro leaned closer and reached out to tease her.
Rebecca stared at his smiling face for two seconds, then--
"Wow!"
She slapped him across the face.
Although the baby's little hands were not very strong, the crisp sound still stunned everyone present.
Immediately, a burst of laughter erupted.
"Hahaha! Tesoro, you've been rejected!" Kyros fell over.
Scarlet covered her mouth and chuckled softly, her eyes filled with tenderness.
Tesoro covered his face, looking aggrieved.
"What... what did I do to deserve this?"
Rebecca giggled, seemingly quite pleased with her "masterpiece."
Roy couldn't help but laugh too.
"This child has character."
"He'll definitely be a formidable figure in the future."
Kyros grinned.
"That's her! Don't you even know whose daughter she is!"
Tesoro rubbed his face and said sullenly,
"Fine, fine, your daughter's amazing, I admit defeat."