Chapter 278: The Shadow of the Fireworks Festival!
Dressrosa · Fireworks Festival
Golden sunlight spilled over the bustling streets. The sky was as clear and blue as if it had been washed, with white clouds drifting lazily, seemingly infected by the festive atmosphere.
The entire city was wrapped in a holiday spirit. Colorful flags hung high, garlands decorated the buildings, and joyous music echoed everywhere. The air was filled with the mouth-watering scent of mixed candies and roasted meats.
Along both sides of the streets, the stalls set up jointly by humans and the Tontatta Tribe were bustling with activity:
Colorful handmade masks,
Bright, mouth-watering fruit candies,
And "lucky charms" woven from cloud-grass and seashells...
Children chased each other down the streets holding skewers of candied fruits, while the little people of the Tontatta Tribe nimbly wove through the crowds, excitedly waving multicolored flags.
This was a special holiday established by Dressrosa to celebrate the Marines shattering the Shichibukai's plot to steal their country—the Fireworks Festival.
On the street, Issho (Fujitora), dressed in a light purple kimono and holding his shikomizue (cane sword), strolled slowly.
With his eyes closed, he smiled as he navigated the bustling crowd. His steps were as steady as an ancient pine, his demeanor as gentle as a mountain spring.
Though blind, his Observation Haki had long since taken in all the movements around him:
Someone looked at him curiously, only to be soothed by his kindly smile;
A Tontatta child tugged at his sleeve and handed him a festive garland;
A kind-hearted citizen offered to help him cross the street, to which he gently waved his hand and declined, "Thank you for your kindness, but this old man can walk on his own."
A faint smile curved on his lips, and he couldn't help but sigh in his heart: "Such honest and pure customs, such harmonious joy... this is the peace this old man yearns for."
"Under King Riku's rule, this place is truly blessed with outstanding people and land."
Central Avenue
"Long live King Riku!!!"
"Princess Rebecca is so beautiful!!!"
"Princess Mansherry is the cutest!!!"
The crowd surged like a tide, cheers rising and falling in continuous waves.
The main parade convoy of the Fireworks Festival drove onto the Central Avenue. For a time, the entire city turned out, the streets packed tightly with citizens on both sides.
The leading parade float was gorgeously dazzling, its body decorated with gold and silver vines and firework devices.
On the float, Riku Dold III, wearing his royal robes, waved affectionately to the people;
Viola, draped in a red dress, carried an elegant and poised demeanor;
Rebecca, in a light yellow dress, looked stunningly beautiful;
Princess Mansherry sat on Rebecca's shoulder, waving a festive colored flag with both hands, her face beaming with an innocent, childlike smile.
Flanking the parade, Kyros and Leo led the Tontatta warriors, marching in formation as guards. Their eyes were sharp as falcons, remaining constantly vigilant against the slightest disturbance in their surroundings.
"The benevolent rule of the royal family, the support of the people... truly a scene of a flourishing age."
Standing in the crowd, Issho quietly felt this peace, praising it secretly in his heart.
However, in the shadows at this very moment—
Behind the laughter and cheers, in the darkness beneath the colorful flags, another faction was already quietly making its move.
In a dimly lit room with faint firelight, sat a massive dark figure.
Hanafuda slammed his wine glass down onto the table with a heavy THUD. His iron-framed gauntlets tapped the table, emitting dull clacks.
"The parade has started."
"The little one with the Heal-Heal Fruit is indeed there as expected."
A cruel curve hooked the corner of his mouth: "Prepare to move."
Outside the window, the fireworks had not yet ascended.
But beneath the shell of this flourishing celebration, a storm was about to erupt.
Meanwhile, Dressrosa · Port
Two massive sea snakes quietly cut through the waves. The Perfume Yuda docked at the pier like a phantom.
As the ship slowly came to a halt, the two sea snakes raised their heads. Their vertical slit pupils swept their surroundings vigilantly, emitting low, oppressive hisses that made one's hair stand on end.
The kingdom's sentries on the pier were just about to shout a challenge, but when their eyes landed on the woman slowly descending the gangway, the voices instantly choked in their throats.
It was an existence as elegant, haughty, and coldly beautiful as a goddess under the moon.
A red dress like fire, black hair fluttering, eyes as indifferent as frost—it was none other than the Pirate Empress, Boa Hancock.
One second of silence.
THUD—
BANG! BANG! BANG—!!!
Like a chain reaction, the sentries' eyes turned into hearts. Falling into deep infatuation, they turned into stone statues one after another. Their actions of raising their rifles froze in mid-air, instantly turning the port into a sculpture gallery.
Hancock let out a disdainful scoff. Her fingers lightly brushed her hair, her ruby lips parting slightly: "Hmph... men, truly superficial creatures after all."
Her steps were light and graceful as she walked past the petrified crowd, as elegant as if she were stepping onto a stage.
Behind her, Shakky, Sandersonia, and Marigold filed out.
Shakky frowned slightly. "Hancock, that was too much commotion."
Hancock crossed her arms, raising an eyebrow. "Their own minds were impure. Can they blame me?"
Sandersonia scratched her head. "Big Sister is as amazing as ever..."
Marigold grinned widely. "Even just taking one look turns them to stone~"
Shakky, however, swept her sharp gaze around, her eyes turning icy. "This island is currently in the center of a vortex."
She turned to the two tall Snake Princesses and ordered: "You two stay behind and guard the ship. Your sizes are too conspicuous; it's inconvenient for stealth."
The two nodded simultaneously: "Understood!"
The next second, Shakky's figure turned into an afterimage, vanishing from the spot instantly, leaving behind only a low whisper:
"On this trip, we only take the Heal-Heal Fruit user... do not cause extra complications."
Hancock let out a light hmph, instructing her two younger sisters: "Guard the ship well. Do not let anyone approach."
Following that, she leaped up, landing lightly on a rooftop. Her red dress fluttered, and she chased after Shakky's direction like a crimson meteor.
Central Plaza
Tens of thousands of people gathered, drums and music deafening.
A royal carriage drawn by white horses slowly drove onto the high platform. On the carriage, Riku Dold III, wearing a sash and an affectionate smile, stood at the front, waving to the citizens.
Gancho stood solemnly on a specially set-up stand to the side.
Below the stage, Viola, Rebecca, and Mansherry, dressed in their finest, stood among the people.
The surrounding citizens held flags and lanterns high, cheering loudly: "Long live Dressrosa!!!"
"The princesses are so cute!!!"
The festival atmosphere reached its climax. Riku Dold III and Gancho were just preparing to step up to the podium to give a speech.
However, Viola's pupils abruptly shrank—
"Something's wrong!"
Since the parade began, her Giro Giro no Mi (Glare-Glare Fruit / Senrigan) ability had been active. At this moment, she clearly saw several dark figures quietly closing in from the shadows behind the high platform!
Her expression changed drastically, and she shouted sharply: "Alert! Enemy attack!! LEO!!!"
Almost the exact moment she shouted the warning—
"BOOM!!!"
A cannonball fired from a concealed window on a distant rooftop, tearing through the air and heading straight for the high platform!
The plaza plunged into a brief, deathly silence.
"BIAN!!!"
The Tontatta warrior Bian roared. Activating his Mushi Mushi no Mi (Bug-Bug Fruit), Model: Hornet, the twin wings on his back vibrated madly, his figure rocketing into the sky like lightning!
"SWISH!"
"BANG!"
He slammed headfirst into the cannonball in mid-air. The exploding firelight illuminated half the night sky, the shockwave overturning the surrounding stalls!
Screams, crying, and sirens instantly intertwined!
Riku Dold III stood on the high platform, his steady voice spreading across the plaza: "Guards! Protect the citizens quickly!!!"
From the shadows behind the high platform, several black-clad assassins leaped out. Their movements were agile, their eyes flashing with a crazed light!
"Target confirmed—Tontatta Princess Mansherry!"
"Capture her alive and take her away!!!"
Leo roared, leading the Tontatta warriors to intercept them immediately: "Don't even think about touching a single hair on Princess Mansherry's head!!!"
"Nui Nui (Stitch-Stitch): NEEDLE RAIN!"
Countless fine threads shot out like a torrential storm, sealing off the enemy's path in an airtight barrage!
"SWISH!"
A dark shadow flashed like a phantom. A giant scythe swept out horizontally. With a flash of lightning, the needles and threads were entirely snapped!
The ground shattered, and wind pressure swept out!
Among the men in black, the one who stepped forward slowly at the very front—
Was none other than that five-meter-tall man wearing a black trench coat and a bat hat, dragging a scythe and a morning star.
—Royal Shichibukai, Hanafuda!
He looked down coldly at Leo, a mocking sneer curving his lips:
"Pesky little bugs..."
The scythe dragged slowly across the ground, emitting an ear-piercing screech.
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