The Calm Before the Storm
The waters around Dressrosa glittered under the warm sun, the island's colorful architecture visible even from miles away. From Heaven's Embrace, the sprawling city looked like something out of a festival — laughter and music carried faintly across the waves.
"Looks peaceful," Bell-mère said, leaning on the railing. "Almost makes me forget we're about to burn a crime syndicate to the ground."
Vegito's tail flicked lazily as he smirked. "That's the thing about pretty fronts — they hide ugly insides. By tomorrow morning, Dressrosa will be honest again."
Kuina rolled her shoulders. "So, infiltration first?"
"Nah," Vegito said. "We'll walk right in. Let them know I'm here."
Arrival at the Port
The harbor bustled with traders and tourists, but Vegito's crew drew instant attention. The blend of humans, mermaids, and women from across the world made for a sight no one could ignore.
Children pointed. Merchants whispered. Somewhere, a den-den mushi clicked as someone made a call.
Within minutes, Doflamingo's underground network had the news: Vegito had arrived.
The Encounter with Viola
They hadn't gone more than a few blocks into the city before a woman stepped out from a narrow alley. Tall, graceful, with long purple hair and eyes that held both sorrow and steel — Viola.
"Vegito," she said, her voice careful, "you have no idea what you've just walked into."
He grinned. "Oh, I think I do. And you're one of the reasons I'm here."
She blinked. "…Me?"
"Word is you're Doflamingo's prisoner — in all but name — and you've been trying to protect this island from him from the inside. I'm offering you a way out."
Viola's eyes narrowed, skeptical. "And why should I trust you?"
Without breaking eye contact, Vegito stepped closer until he was within arm's reach. "Because I'm going to erase Doflamingo today. No strings. No throne for me. Just freedom for you and your people."
There was a flicker of hope in her expression — quickly buried. "If you're serious… then you'll need to know about the factory."
The Smile Factory
Viola led them through the city's winding streets to a large, heavily guarded warehouse.
Inside, the stench of machinery and chemicals hit them immediately. Workers — some human, some toy — moved in rigid silence, assembling the artificial SMILE fruits that fed Kaido's armies.
Robin's jaw tightened. "This is slavery, plain and simple."
Vegito didn't even slow down. He walked past the guards, who raised their rifles — and then dropped them when they saw the calm, lethal grin on his face.
"Shugar," Viola warned, pointing toward a small girl with orange hair and a giant lollipop, sitting on a crate. "Her power turns people into toys. Don't let her touch you."
"Got it," Vegito said. He appeared in front of Shugar before she could blink, lifted her by the scruff, and handed her — lollipop and all — to Mikita. "Put her in the ship's guest room. The lockable one."
Liberation
With Shugar neutralized, the toys began to glow, transforming back into the humans they once were. Confusion turned to relief, and relief turned into roaring cheers as they realized Doflamingo's hold over them was breaking.
Monet crossed her arms, watching. "One move, and an entire underground economy collapses. You make it look easy."
Vegito's grin widened. "It is easy. They just don't want you to know that."
Baby 5
It wasn't long before another obstacle arrived: Baby 5 — armed to the teeth and clearly determined to prove herself.
She spotted Vegito and immediately opened fire, her weapons morphing seamlessly from rifles to rocket launchers.
Vegito deflected every shot with casual flicks of ki. "You're good," he said, "but you're aiming at the wrong guy."
"What do you mean?!" she demanded, frustrated.
"I mean you're attacking the guy who thinks you'd make a great maid."
She froze mid-attack, eyes wide. "…Y-you do?"
"Yeah. Every ship needs one. And you look damn good in the part."
Baby 5 lowered her weapon, cheeks pink. "…I… might not mind that."
The March to the Palace
By now, word of Vegito's actions had spread through Dressrosa like wildfire. Crowds gathered along the streets as he and the crew marched openly toward the palace, joined by freed citizens.
Viola walked at his side, no longer trying to hide her growing smirk. "You realize you're making a spectacle of this."
"Good," Vegito said. "I want him to feel the pressure before I even touch him."
The Confrontation
Inside the palace, Donquixote Doflamingo lounged on his throne, shades glinting in the sunlight streaming through the high windows.
"Vegito," he drawled. "You've been making a mess of my island."
"It's not your island," Vegito replied, stepping forward. "And by the time I'm done, you won't even have your sunglasses."
Doflamingo chuckled — but there was a twitch in his jaw. "You think you can take everything from me in one day?"
"I don't think," Vegito said. "I know."
The Fight
Strings lashed out, slicing through the air with deadly precision. Vegito caught them barehanded, ki burning them to ash before they could tighten.
He blurred forward, delivering a punch to Doflamingo's gut so fast the warlord barely registered the hit before slamming into his own throne.
"Round one's over," Vegito said. "Round two's the last one."
Doflamingo roared, unleashing his Awakening, turning the entire palace floor into razor-sharp strings. Vegito simply floated an inch above the ground, tail flicking.
Then he dropped. One blow. One deafening crack. The palace wall exploded outward as Doflamingo's body shot into the harbor, creating a wave that rocked ships at anchor.
Rebecca
As the dust settled, Rebecca stepped into the ruined hall, eyes wide. "He's… gone?"
"Gone," Vegito confirmed. "You're free."
Her relief was immediate — followed quickly by curiosity as she took in the strange mix of women around him. "Are you… recruiting?"
"Always," Vegito said, grinning.
The Celebration
By nightfall, Dressrosa was alive with music, food, and dancing. The crew mingled with the locals, sampling the island's famous wine and roast meats.
Viola stood with Vegito on a balcony overlooking the city. "You kept your promise," she said. "You erased him in a day."
He shrugged. "Told you I would."
Below, Baby 5 was already trying on a maid's outfit Monet had "coincidentally" found in the ship's wardrobe. Rebecca, meanwhile, was in the middle of a sword duel with Kuina, laughing as they traded blows.
[Crew Roster Updated]
Viola (Intelligence / Observation Haki specialist)
Rebecca (Combat – Swordsmanship)
Baby 5 (Combat Support / Maid)
Next Destination: Whole Cake Island — Big Mom's territory, the next Road Poneglyph… and three more recruits.