The Ark Maxim slowly descended into the port of Dressrosa.
The golden hull of the ship gleamed in the afterglow of the setting sun, instantly attracting the attention of everyone in the harbor.
"That... that is..."
" The Roy Pirates ' ship!"
" The Heavenly Dao Emperor's ship!"
A gasp of surprise erupted from the crowd.
The ordinary people stepped back, their eyes filled with awe and curiosity.
Meanwhile, the unfamiliar faces lurking in the crowd changed their expressions slightly, quietly retreated, and disappeared into the depths of the crowd.
Roy stood at the bow of the ship, his black trench coat fluttering in the sea breeze.
His gaze swept across the harbor, Observation Haki silently unfolded, instantly enveloping the entire harbor area.
Countless auras emerged in his perception.
It possesses the peaceful air of ordinary people, the anxious air of businessmen, the vigilant air of soldiers, and also--
Dozens of subtle, hostile auras emanated from them.
Those people, mingling in the crowd, dressed plainly and behaving discreetly, but their aura was unmistakable.
Doflamingo's spy.
Roy curled a cold smile at the corner of his mouth, withdrew his gaze, and stepped down the gangway.
Behind them, Kyros carried Rebecca, followed closely by Scarlet, and then a hundred genetically engineered warriors, lined up neatly and filed down.
Their movements were perfectly synchronized, their steps steady and powerful, and each of them exuded a powerful aura far surpassing that of ordinary soldiers.
That imposing aura caused the surrounding crowd to retreat once more, and made the lurking spies change color again.
At the end of the harbor, a group of people were hurrying towards us.
The leader was an elderly man with gray hair and a kind face.
He wore a magnificent royal robe and a crown. Although he was old, his back was still straight and his steps were still steady.
Riku Dold III.
The King of Dressrosa.
Behind King Riku followed a group of palace guards and officials, each with a reverent expression, carefully following behind the king.
" Captain Roy!"
King Riku quickly walked up to Roy and bowed deeply.
Welcome to Dressrosa!
Roy waved his hand.
" King Riku, there's no need for such formalities."
"I came here to accompany Kyros and Scarlet on their return."
Roy stepped aside, making way for Kyros and his family behind him.
King Riku's gaze passed over Roy and landed on Scarlet.
At that moment, the old man's eyes reddened slightly.
"S... Scarlet..."
His voice trembled, filled with endless longing and guilt.
Scarlet's eyes also reddened as she quickly stepped forward and tightly grasped her father's hand.
"Father..."
"My daughter... is back."
King Riku held her hand tightly, and tears finally streamed down his face.
"It's good that you're back... it's good that you're back..."
He choked up as he spoke.
"Over the years, I... I have always..."
He couldn't continue.
Scarlet gently hugged him.
"Father, it's all in the past."
"My daughter is doing well now."
King Riku took a deep breath, suppressing his excitement, released Scarlet, and looked at Kyros beside her.
Kyros...
"You've worked hard all these years."
"You... took very good care of Scarlet!"
King Riku, patted him on the shoulder, and then looked at the baby in his arms.
Rebecca stared wide-eyed at the unfamiliar old man with curiosity.
"This is..."
King Riku's voice trembled again.
Scarlet said softly,
"Father, this is your granddaughter."
"Her name is... Rebecca."
King Riku stared at the tiny baby, tears blurring his vision once more.
He reached out his trembling hand and gently stroked Rebecca's little face.
Rebecca stared at him for two seconds, then--
She giggled.
That clear, crisp laughter, like heavenly music, instantly melted the old man's heart.
"Good boy... good boy..."
King Riku choked up as he spoke.
"Grandpa has finally met you..."
He gently pulled Rebecca into his arms, tears silently streaming down his face.
Those around who witnessed this scene were all deeply moved.
The spies lurking in the crowd watched this scene silently, their eyes filled with complex emotions.
After a long while, King Riku took a deep breath, suppressed his excitement, and returned Rebecca to Scarlet.
He turned to Roy and bowed deeply again.
" Captain Roy, thank you for your care of Scarlet and Kyros over the years."
"Thank you... for allowing them to go home."
Roy waved his hand.
" King Riku is too kind."
"They are my people, it's my duty to take care of them."
He paused, his gaze sweeping across the crowd at the port, and said calmly,
"However, now is not the time for reminiscing."
" King Riku, have you noticed these 'guests' at the port?"
King Riku's expression hardened, and he followed Roy's gaze.
In the crowd, there were unfamiliar faces, veiled glances, and subtle hostility...
He took a deep breath.
" Captain Roy, you mean...?"
Roy's lips curled into a cold smile.
" Doflamingo's men."
"They arrived a long time ago, lying in wait in Dressrosa, waiting for their chance."
"Now, their master will be arriving soon."
King Riku's expression changed drastically.
Doflamingo?! That Shichibukai?! He's coming to Dressrosa?!
Roy nodded.
"Um."
His ship should arrive tomorrow.
King Riku's hand trembled slightly.
Doflamingo...
That name had been his nightmare for years.
Back then, it was that man who secretly manipulated everything. If it weren't for Roy, perhaps...
"Father."
Scarlet stepped forward and took his hand.
Don't be afraid.
With Captain Roy around, he wouldn't dare to do anything reckless.
King Riku looked at Roy, his eyes full of pleading.
" Captain Roy..."
Roy nodded.
"Rest assured."
"My flag flies over the port of Dressrosa."
"If Doflamingo dares to act recklessly, I'll teach him a lesson he won't forget."
King Riku took a deep breath and nodded emphatically.
" Captain Roy!"
Night fell.
Inside the palace, the lights were on.
King Riku hosted a banquet for Roy and his party, and the palace hall was filled with sumptuous food and fine wine.
Kyros and Scarlet sat beside King Riku, while Rebecca was being held and teased by several maids in turn, her giggles ringing out from time to time.
Roy sat in the main seat, with Tesoro sitting next to him.
On both sides of the main hall, a hundred genetic warriors stood in neat rows. Although they were attending a banquet, each of them remained highly vigilant.
King Riku raised his wine glass and stood up.
" Captain Roy, this glass is for you!"
"Thank you for protecting Dressrosa, thank you for bringing Scarlet and Kyros home!"
Roy picked up his glass and drank it all in one gulp.
The banquet proceeded in a warm and welcoming atmosphere.
However, Roy's Observation Haki always enveloped the entire palace and the area surrounding it.
Those lurking presences still linger.
They lurked in the darkness, observing everything that happened here.
Roy's lips curled into a cold smile.
See?
Go ahead and look.
Tomorrow, when your master arrives--
That's when things get interesting.
As night deepened, the banquet finally came to an end.
King Riku arranged the best guest rooms for Roy and his party to rest.
Roy stood by the window, gazing at the night outside.
In the distance, on the sea, the outline of a pink ship could be faintly seen, slowly approaching.
Doflamingo has arrived.
Roy's lips curled into a cold smile.
Tomorrow will be interesting.