Dressrosa, a tropical island with a vibrant, festive atmosphere, once known as the "Country of Love, Passion, and Toys."
But now, Dressrosa was a shadow of its former self. The lively local culture, once visible everywhere, was a rare sight. The bustling crowds had vanished from the streets, replaced by a pervasive sense of fear. It was clear that the island had lost its vitality, its future.
After the incident where King Riku was framed for slaughtering his own people, his authority had crumbled. Now, with the World Government's betrayal, the residents of Dressrosa had lost all faith in their kingdom. Many even considered leaving, their only desire to survive.
King Riku, overwhelmed and on the verge of despair, found new resolve with the support of his eldest daughter, Scarlett, and Kyros. He decided to fight back against the conspirators pulling the strings from the shadows.
To save Dressrosa from the abyss, King Riku, along with Kyros, his daughters, and a few loyal retainers, began to plan their counterattack.
Based on the information they had, Scarlett and the others had identified the culprit as 'Vergo'. However, their analysis led them to believe that Vergo was merely a pawn. The true mastermind, they concluded, was the World Government itself.
They couldn't understand why the World Government would target Dressrosa, or why they would be so ruthless. They were an affiliated nation. Did they truly intend to annihilate them? They briefly considered the possibility of a third party, but the idea of a Marine Commodore being an undercover agent for someone else seemed too far-fetched to be believed.
For now, their goal was to escape the World Government's conspiracy and secure a safe future for Dressrosa.
Unfortunately, before any good could come of their plans, disaster struck again.
At this time of widespread panic and division, eight or nine pirate ships successfully docked and made landfall on the beautiful island.
Even during the day, the streets of Dressrosa were sparsely populated. When the residents saw the strangers arrive, they immediately grew wary. They had read the newspapers and understood Dressrosa's precarious position—abandoned by all sides. Anyone landing on the island now could only be one of two things: Marines or pirates.
"Pirates! Everyone, run for your lives!"
A terrified scream shattered the tense silence. Pirates were known for their brutality; they were not to be trifled with.
"Heh heh, thinking of running now? Isn't it a little late for that?" one of the pirates chuckled.
With ghostly speed, he appeared directly in front of the man who had shouted the warning.
"Mercy, please, have mercy!"
The man, who had shown a flicker of courage just moments before, now dropped to his knees and begged for his life.
"Hahaha! Look, everyone! This is Dressrosa for you! What a coward!" the pirate jeered, looking down at the kneeling man.
"A coward, yes, I'm a coward! Please, sir, spare my life!" the man pleaded.
"Tsk, tsk. I have no interest in a pathetic creature like you. Get lost!" the pirate said with disgust.
"Yes, yes! Thank you, sir!"
The man was ecstatic. He scrambled to his feet, ready to flee.
"Papa!"
In the distance, a beautiful woman stood with a young girl. Seeing her father survive, the girl cried out in joy.
Hearing his daughter's voice, the man felt a pang of shame, but he knew it was worth it. He just wanted to reunite with his wife and child. Who wouldn't want to live if they had the choice? Especially when he had a family to protect.
"I'm sorry, Papa is useless," the man said with self-deprecating bitterness as he reached his family and knelt to hug his daughter.
"I don't blame you, Papa. I'm so glad you're alive. If you died, who would protect Mama and me?" the girl said with a maturity beyond her years, comforting her heartbroken father.
"Thank you, my sweet girl."
The man hugged his daughter tightly. His wife joined in, and for a brief, beautiful moment, the family was reunited.
"Tsk, tsk, what a heartwarming scene."
Just as the family of three was about to leave, the pirate who had spared the man reappeared before them.
The man immediately pushed his wife and daughter behind him. In that instant, his weakness vanished. He knew he had to stand in front of them. This was the responsibility, the courage, of a man.
Seeing the man's defensive posture, the pirate sneered, "What? You want to fight me? You overestimate yourself."
Before the words had even faded, the man was sent flying. Now, it was the wife and daughter's turn.
These pirates were not good men to begin with, and with the backing of the Donquixote Family, they had become completely lawless.
The pirate grabbed the woman's arm, preparing to "comfort" her wounded heart. Seeing the terror on her face, he licked his lips, his appetite whetted.
"Let go of my mama!"
The little girl bravely kicked at the pirate's leg, fighting back against the villain with all her might.
"You've got guts, little girl."
Thump.
With a sickening sound, the little girl collapsed, silent and still. It was impossible to tell if she was alive or dead.
"My baby!" The woman snapped back to reality. The terror on her face was gone, replaced by a deep, bone-chilling hatred in her eyes.
"That's a good look! I like that look in your eyes. It makes things more interesting," the pirate laughed. It was just a little girl. What was the big deal? Things like this happened all the time on the seas.
"That's Kori for you. He always likes them with a bit of fire," one of his crewmates joked from the sidelines.
"Monster!"
"Damn you, pirate! Somebody, please help them!"
The townspeople hiding in the shadows could only watch as the family was tormented, helpless to intervene. How they wished for a hero to save them. But reality was cruel. Heroes were just a beautiful dream, and the price of being one was far too high.
"Aaargh! You bastard, I'll kill you!"
The man, who had been knocked to the ground, saw his daughter fall. In that moment, all he wanted was to die, to take revenge for his child. He was filled with an incredible courage as he charged straight at the pirate, Kori.
The pirate, still holding the woman, merely sneered at the man's crazed attack. "Pathetic." He didn't give the man a second thought, his posture arrogant and dismissive.
The man closed the distance quickly. He was furious, but he hadn't lost his mind. He threw a handful of sand and pebbles he had clenched in his left hand directly into Kori's eyes, momentarily blinding him.
This was their chance.
The man and woman exchanged a look, their eyes filled with grim determination. The man plunged a hidden blade—carried for self-defense since the king's massacre had made everyone fearful—deep into Kori's chest. Blood spurted everywhere. The woman, not to be outdone, lunged forward and sank her teeth into the pirate's ear, tearing it clean off.
"Aaargh!"
Kori screamed in agony. His carelessness had cost him dearly, to fall to two insignificant people. But he was a pirate. Even in death, he would take someone with him. Ignoring his own wounds, he formed his hands into claws and delivered two fatal blows to the chests of the man and woman, ending their lives.
All three fell to the ground. The man and woman, clinging to their last breath, crawled to their daughter's side before finally closing their eyes.
In that moment, they were heroes. No one had come to their aid, but they didn't blame anyone. When disaster strikes, it's only natural for people to protect themselves.
The man had wanted to avoid trouble, to survive through humiliation. But when Kori targeted his wife and daughter, he could no longer hold back. Even if he had once knelt to live, for his family, there was nothing left to endure.
He who is willing to give his life to protect what he loves is a hero.
No one is born strong. But the moment that man and woman charged forward, they were undeniably strong. They were heroes in their daughter's heart.
"Tsk, tsk, Kori was weaker than I thought, to be taken out like that."
Seeing Kori's miserable end, his companions felt no sadness, only mockery.
In stark contrast to the pirates' cheerful atmosphere, the townspeople who had witnessed the tragedy were filled with a deep sorrow. They couldn't help but wonder: if it had been them, would they have fought back?
Yes. A hero's dream lives in every heart. They might endure their own humiliation, but when the things they cherish are threatened, they too will fight with all their might, no matter how small and insignificant that power may seem.
"Alright, let's get back to business."
"Heh heh, it's time to liven up this quiet little town."
The pirates swaggered into the town, leaving a trail of destruction in their wake.
At the royal palace, King Riku and the others received the news. They were filled with rage. Even if his people no longer believed in him, at this moment, he had to protect them.
The battle between King Riku and the pirate alliance had officially begun.
PS:
On the quiet street, blood and ruin corrupted the once passionate city. The child, whom her parents had died protecting, opened her eyes after the pirates had gone.
She looked at her parents, who had formed a shield around her, then at the distant figures of the pirates, and finally at the royal palace, high above. A deep, unyielding hatred filled her eyes.
"Mama, Papa, you are my heroes. I will be strong. One day, I will make them all pay."
The girl knelt and wiped the tears from her eyes, forcing them back. After making her vow, she began the arduous task of dragging her parents' bodies home.
This was not an isolated incident. Countless others lost their homes, their parents. They were weak, but the hearts that dared to resist shone brightly.