After leaving Zunesha, in less than a day's time, the Jaygar had already arrived at Dressrosa.
This was once the ancestral land of the Donquixote family, and now ruled by the Riku line, lasting for 800 years to this day.
The news that the Jaygar would come to Dressrosa had already been sent over when Rosse and the others left Wano.
Rosse wasn't one of those pirates drifting about aimlessly, nor did he need to conceal his movements.
How to arrange the reception was something for the current king Riku to consider. Rosse only needed to send out the message.
After that, the follow-up matters were naturally handled by the people on board.
"Tch! You Celestial Dragons really do make a big scene."
Kaido crossed his arms, raising his head to gaze at the lively, bustling port in the distance.
To welcome Rosse's arrival, the port had been carefully arranged. The decorations weren't the most luxurious, but it was clear effort had been put in. Enough to display the noble status of a Celestial Dragon.
The entire port had been thoroughly cleared out. Other ships were orderly arranged to dock at the side, leaving a huge, spacious berth in the center, awaiting Rosse's vessel.
This was Kaido's first time seeing a Celestial Dragon's parade with his own eyes, his first time seeing such a sight, and he couldn't help but feel something.
Thinking back to when he was a warrior in the Vodka Kingdom, following that foolish king, he had never seen such a scale of ceremony.
Of course, that was normal.
Back then, that idiot king, in order to obtain the right to attend the Levely, had sold him to the Marine without hesitation.
And after Kaido managed to escape, the first thing he did was personally slaughter that king.
"Those welcoming also include you. I added your name to the important list of companions," Rosse said with a smile.
"Heh! I don't care for empty fame," Kaido sneered.
"If you don't care about those empty titles, then why bother with Wano? Why not just be like Redfield or Whitebeard?"
Rosse glanced at Kaido. He didn't sympathize with these pirates' thinking.
Ruling the world just for the sake of ruling the world, maybe to prove themselves too, but wasn't that a bit too boring?
Even Big Mom's dream of gathering all races of the world, so her children could live happily together, was more interesting than those pirates who only wanted world domination.
"Heh! I'm not like you, born with a golden key in your mouth. With Wano's resources, my Beasts Pirates could quickly take shape. With that base, I was planning to compete."
Planning to compete, but now Kaido had no such thought.
He couldn't compete. Simply couldn't.
Thinking of this, Kaido snorted coldly, his tone inevitably carrying a trace of sourness.
He really didn't get it.
'This bastard Rosse isn't only strong, has brains, but is born rich too. Is there no justice left?'
If he had even one of those things, he wouldn't have ended up a prisoner.
'Damn it, that idiot Kozuki Oden, it's all your fault!'
"You want to create the Beasts Pirates? I can help you. A pirate crew all Zoan types, just thinking of it is interesting. Besides ancient types, I can even provide a few mythical Zoan users," Rosse smiled.
"Heh, King is the one that's an ancient type. And you still won't let me go back. When your people arrive, will that crew be mine or yours?"
Kaido saw through Rosse's thoughts at a glance. With the small number he had left behind, if Rosse really went there, that would simply be inviting a wolf into the house.
The way things were now was just fine.
He still held great expectations for King and the others.
After all, his daughter was among them, and also a mythical Zoan user. Maybe in the future she could even surpass him.
"Of course it would be yours. But in the end I also need a place for my people to train. Your place is quite suitable," Rosse said unhurriedly.
"Heh! Aren't you afraid they'll become mine?", Kaido shot Rosse a glance.
"If you had that ability, you wouldn't be standing half a step behind me right now."
Rosse laughed heartily and strode forward.
The Jaygar had already docked at the port, and below was already filled with those gathered to welcome Rosse.
"Bastard!"
Hearing those words, Kaido's face darkened with rage.
But he had no way out. He couldn't beat him, and couldn't out-wit him either.
The key was, what Rosse said was true, which made it even more infuriating.
Still, he followed Rosse's steps honestly. Since he'd already been added to the Celestial Dragon's guest list, he might as well enjoy it. See for himself what kind of treatment a Celestial Dragon received.
Rosse and Gion walked side by side down the gangway, stepping onto the dock lined with a scarlet carpet.
"Welcome, Saint Rosse! Lady Gion!"
As soon as their feet touched the ground, a booming voice echoed across the entire port, startling the seagulls into flight, reverberating endlessly.
At the same time, the tall, burly King Riku Doldo III, strode forward first, kneeling on one knee toward Rosse. His movement was respectful and meticulous, showing his reverence.
Under his lead, the nobles and palace guards of Dressrosa, who had long been lined up waiting, all knelt like a tide, black and dense, the scene grand and spectacular.
Following behind the two, Kaido instinctively stopped in his tracks.
He'd seen the world. He'd seen many kneel before him.
But those were always out of fear, afraid he'd suddenly kill them.
Now it was different. These people were from the heart treating Celestial Dragons as gods, as untouchable beings.
'Damn, they're all just a bunch of fools. Don't they know Celestial Dragons are demons?'
Depressed, Kaido turned his gaze aside.
On both sides of the port, banners with the Saint Rosse family crest fluttered in the wind, shining under the sunlight, solemn and imposing.
Musicians played flowing melodies, the air was filled with a faint fragrance of spices. Everything bore traces of careful arrangement, lavish and grand to the extreme.
Every detail highlighted Dressrosa's emphasis on Rosse.
'Giving Celestial Dragons money, and showing them respect too. Pathetic, isn't it?'
"King Riku, today's reception is grand and splendid. Sorry to trouble you," Rosse smiled and stepped forward two steps, personally helping King Riku up.
He enjoyed the current atmosphere very much, no different from other Celestial Dragons.
The only difference, perhaps, was that he judged situations better. For different hosts, he used different approaches.
For Germa's Judge or Doflamingo, better to act lofty.
For someone like Cobra or King Riku, a little kindness worked wonders.
A few words and a few gestures weren't too much effort. Rosse wouldn't refuse to do at least that.
"This is what we should do. Saint Rosse, please allow me to escort you to the palace. I have already prepared a banquet for you."
King Riku's mood had clearly improved a lot. Other nobles welcoming Celestial Dragons might truly be filled with flattery and reverence, but for him it was merely duty.
He had gone to the Holy Land many times and seen too many rotten people.
Fortunately, this time the one who came was a Celestial Dragon who spoke reasonably.
'As expected of the most respected Celestial Dragon among the common folk, well deserved reputation.'
For a moment, King Riku even felt he and Rosse were like-minded.
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