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New World – G-5 Base Port
Atlas and Gion strolled toward the dock, chatting and laughing along the way. A standard Marine battleship lay quietly moored in the harbour.
Since neither Gion nor Atlas possessed a custom warship of their own, neither found reason to complain.
Before long, the two boarded the ship, setting out on their journey toward Dressrosa.
"Commodore Atlas! Vice Admiral Gion!"
The moment they stepped aboard, a formation of Marines rushed forward, standing at rigid attention. Their salutes were sharp, their expressions solemn, and admiration shone clearly in their eyes.
Vice Admiral Tsuru had handpicked these five hundred elite soldiers from the G-5 base.
Many of them had personally witnessed Atlas's overwhelming might during battles against the Whitebeard Pirates; some had even been saved—whether intentionally or by sheer circumstance—by him.
Naturally, they held him in high regard. Even so, the commanding officer aboard was Gion.
Though she had yet to reach the level of her future title "Momousagi," her rank still exceeded Atlas's by one grade, and her seniority was far greater.
Atlas didn't mind in the least. Leadership positions meant little to him—so long as Gion didn't try to order him around, he was content with his freedom.
Gion's sharp gaze swept the deck before she gave a faint nod and looked out toward the sea. Her voice was clear and calm as she spoke:
"Has the executive officer arrived? Begin roll call. Tell the helmsman to prepare for departure."
"Reporting, ma'am! Executive Officer Bolton! Marine ID No. 264998742! Rank: Marine Captain!"
A broad-shouldered officer in a standard Marine cap stepped out from the ranks, his voice ringing with discipline.
"Good. Begin the headcount and raise the anchor. Destination: Dressrosa."
With a wave of her hand, Gion turned away, Atlas walking beside her.
"Yes, ma'am!"
The resounding chorus followed them. Marines stationed in the New World were, without question, tougher than their counterparts in Paradise or the Four Blues.
The region's extreme climate was trial enough, but the constant presence of powerful pirate crews made survival a feat in itself. Anyone still serving here was elite by nature.
New World – Kingdom of Dressrosa
At the summit of the King's Plateau, the highest point in the nation, stood the royal palace—home of the Riku royal family.
The palace lacked the opulent extravagance of other kingdoms. Instead, it bore a modest, almost resort-like charm, ringed by high protective walls.
In the main hall, King Riku Doldo III sat upon the throne, his brow furrowed, worry etched deep into his features.
His sturdy frame, wild and voluminous hair, and regal posture marked him as a king, but the sharp glint in his eyes spoke of a shrewd and calculating mind.
"Your Majesty, there's no need for such worry. The Marines have already accepted our request for assistance," said Kyros, the kingdom's commander, to reassure him.
"I did send the plea to Vice Admiral Tsuru, and I believe her forces are already en route," King Riku replied, still unsettled.
"But what troubles me is the timing. The Marines' forces are stretched thin lately, and the enemy we face is a commander of the Big Mom Pirates."
"That is my failing. I'm too weak to be of any real help…"
Kyros lowered his head in shame. As the military leader of Dressrosa and husband to Princess Scarlett, it pained him to rely on outside aid.
"Kyros, enough of that!" King Riku's voice turned firm.
"The Big Mom Pirates are not opponents to take lightly—even the Marines approach them with caution. You have nothing to be ashamed of."
"You're the man who triumphed in over four thousand battles in the colosseum! I won't hear you speak as though you've been defeated already."
"Yes, Your Majesty!" Kyros straightened, respect and determination once more gleaming in his eyes.
"Minister of the Left—any word from the Marines? Baron Tamago reports that one of Big Mom's commanders will arrive within days!"
"Vice Admiral Tsuru informed us that her forces departed several days ago. They should be arriving soon," the minister replied.
"She didn't disclose the names—only that one vice admiral and one commodore are leading the operation."
"What? Just a single vice admiral?!" King Riku's face paled.
A lone vice admiral to stand against a commander of the Big Mom Pirates? And a commodore hardly worth counting?
"Your Majesty, I don't think you need to worry," the minister said cautiously.
"Vice Admiral Tsuru is the Grand Strategist of Marine Headquarters. If she made this decision, there must be a reason."
"…You're right," King Riku muttered, massaging his temple in frustration.
As a member of the World Government, Dressrosa had the right to expect adequate support. But could one vice admiral and one commodore truly hold the line?
"Enough. For now, we'll place our trust in the Marines. You are all dismissed. And Kyros—spend more time with Scarlett. She's pregnant. Be gentler with her than before. Take care."
In that moment, the king seemed less like a monarch and more like a father.
"Yes, Your Majesty." At the mention of his beloved princess, Kyros's stern face softened, a warm smile touching his lips.
"Vice Admiral Gion, how long until we reach Dressrosa?"
Atlas emerged from the training room shirtless, muscles glistening as he casually approached where Gion stood, gazing at the horizon.
"Hmm? At our current pace, we should arrive by tomorrow morning," she replied lazily, her eyes following the rhythm of the waves.
"Good. According to Vice Admiral Tsuru's intel, the Big Mom commander won't arrive before we do."
The dawn sea carried a beauty all its own. Golden rays pierced the morning mist, making it seem as if molten gold shimmered across the waves.
Dressrosa—known throughout the New World as the "Land of Love and Passion"—was a tropical paradise with a vibrant, romantic air.
Its coasts were lined with mushroom-shaped rocks, making it nearly impossible for standard ships to dock.
Fortunately, a special port had been built to accommodate incoming vessels. Royal guards patrolled it constantly, watching for pirates and reporting any suspicious movement at once.
At that moment, a Marine warship lay quietly moored at the port. After arranging for supplies, Gion followed Atlas down the gangplank as they disembarked.
She, too, was curious about this so-called "fairy-tale land of love and passion."
"Hey, hey, Vice Admiral Gion! As the commanding officer of this mission, shouldn't you be speaking with the king?" Atlas asked quickly, noting that she seemed intent on tagging along.
He had finally gotten the chance to explore, and the last thing he wanted was to drag along a woman who might ruin the experience.
"You're no fun at all, Kanos!" Gion rolled her eyes with theatrical exaggeration. She had wanted to soak in the vacation-like atmosphere first.
Of course, she knew she had to reassure King Riku—he was likely losing his mind with worry, especially since the ones coveting his kingdom were part of a Yonko's crew.
"Then I'll leave that to you, Vice Admiral Gion. Hahaha."
Atlas had no desire to engage in the formalities of meeting a king. Gion, on the other hand, was a master of diplomacy and political manoeuvring—she could handle it far better than he ever could.
As Gion headed toward the King's Plateau, Atlas grinned, taking in the unique charm of the island paradise.
Dressrosa's culture and clothing reminded him of Spain from his past life. All around, beautiful women twirled in vibrant flamenco dresses, their movements brimming with energy and allure.
While sampling local delicacies and admiring the exotic scenery, Atlas's gaze was drawn to a massive building designed in the style of an ancient Roman colosseum.
Armed royal guards stood at every entrance. A large sign on the wall read: "No Children Allowed."
Even the thick stone walls couldn't muffle the thunderous cheers and roars from within.
"A colosseum, huh? Sounds fun."
Atlas took another bite of the roasted meat in his hand, quickly finishing it. Tossing the skewer into a nearby bin, he strode confidently toward the main entrance.
The guards at the gate didn't bother stopping him.
Although Atlas still wore his signature white suit and the cloak of justice, the Corrida Colosseum wasn't yet the corrupt den of criminals it would become under Doflamingo's rule. There was no reason for a Marine to be barred from entry.
The entry fee was modest, but as one of Dressrosa's top tourist attractions, the colosseum drew massive crowds daily and was a key source of national revenue.
It was also a renowned training ground where swordsmen sparred to hone their skills.
Some criminals who escaped execution were exiled here to fight as gladiators—the most famous being Kyros, the royal son-in-law of the Riku family.
As soon as Atlas stepped inside, a deafening wave of noise crashed over him. The arena was vast yet straightforward in design.
Spectators packed the stands, circling a wide, circular fighting platform. Around it ran a water-filled moat swarming with vicious fighting fish.
Any combatant who fell into the water would not only be disqualified but would also have to contend with the savage predators below.
Atlas took a seat near the back. Thanks to his enhanced senses, he could still see and hear every detail perfectly.
Two greatsword-wielding fighters were currently locked in combat. Their style was simple and brutal—pure force over refined technique—something evident in their massive builds and heavy swing patterns.
The crowd roared with excitement.
Though sword duels lacked the raw, visceral impact of hand-to-hand brawls, they still provided welcome excitement to the otherwise mundane lives of many spectators.
After a while, Atlas began to lose interest. He had no intention of entering the ring—there was too wide a skill gap.
While the Corrida Colosseum was already one of Dressrosa's landmarks, it didn't yet offer irresistible rewards to lure powerful pirates from across the seas, as it would under Doflamingo's reign.
As a result, the competition level was nothing extraordinary.
King's Plateau – Royal Palace of Dressrosa
King Riku Dold III sat upon his throne with quiet dignity, his bearing calm yet commanding. Before him sat Vice Admiral Gion, who had just arrived in Dressrosa.
Judging from the king's pleased expression, their conversation was going well.
"Oh, right," King Riku said with mild curiosity, "wasn't there a commodore travelling with you? I haven't seen him."
"Commodore Atlas went off to experience Dressrosa's so-called 'love and passion,'" Gion replied with a sigh, looking slightly helpless.
That man was the very definition of a hands-off officer—always leaving everything to others without hesitation.
"We've heard of Dressrosa's beauty and prosperity even from as far as Marineford. It's all thanks to your wise rule, Your Majesty," Gion added with a polite smile.
"Hahaha! You flatter me!" King Riku laughed warmly, his pride faintly showing.
Even the most virtuous of kings couldn't resist a touch of flattery.
Truthfully, Dressrosa's prosperity wasn't as bright as it appeared. While the island seemed vibrant, most of its citizens lived humble, modest lives. Ironically, it had been wealthier under Doflamingo's rule—an uncomfortable fact.
"Well then," King Riku said at last, his tone shifting to the matter that weighed on his mind, "does Vice Admiral Gion have a plan to deal with the Big Mom Pirates' approach?"
"Please rest assured, Your Majesty," Gion answered calmly.
"Our commodore is one of the Marines' monstrous rookies—even Crocodile, one of the Seven Warlords, fell to him."
"You mean that rising Marine star?" King Riku asked, trying to recall the name. He vaguely remembered hearing of Atlas, and that thought brought a measure of relief.
Though Gion thought inwardly, he's not exactly the most dependable person…
Lovers' Avenue – Dressrosa
"Achoo!"
At that very moment, Atlas, walking down Lovers' Avenue and surrounded by affectionate couples, suddenly sneezed.
"Jeez… who's talking about me now?"
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