Chapter 135: Webs of Deceit and Hope
Violet: "..."
A descendant of Wenbrace Rolando? No matter how you looked at it, the name 'Jock Ian' had no connection to the Wenbrace family. Now Violet was convinced this man could truly see through people's hearts. He told lies without a hint of hesitation!
After a few minutes of conversation...
"Okay!"
"I see!"
"Amazing! Ian Lando is amazing!"
"Alright, I understand, yes!"
"I'll go now, leave it to me!"
"..."
Through a series of deceptions and commands, Wicca had become another one of Ian's helpers in just a few minutes!
…
Meanwhile, inside the Corrida Colosseum.
"Doffy, we've checked, it was definitely a gas explosion!" a man with two deep facial wrinkles, dressed like a tribal warrior, spoke into a Den Den Mushi. "It's Caesar's fruit ability. Did he fake his death during the live broadcast? Could that bastard Caesar have betrayed us and chosen to cooperate with the Marines? We searched the colosseum, but there's no sign of Caesar!"
Diamante!
One of the highest-ranking executives of the Donquixote Family, codenamed "Diamond."
User of the Ripple-Ripple Fruit, a Paramecia-type Devil Fruit.
Original Bounty: 99,000,000 Berries.
He was currently in charge of all affairs at the colosseum. They had rushed to the scene upon hearing of the explosion but found no trace of "Caesar Clown."
On the other end of the Den Den Mushi, Doflamingo was utterly confused by Ian's actions. The "faked death" Diamante mentioned wasn't impossible. After all, the live broadcast had only shown Caesar Clown's "corpse." Whether he was truly dead or had been coerced by Ian into faking his death and obeying the Marines—both possibilities existed. The most compelling surface evidence was the reappearance of the Gas-Gas Fruit's ability!
Doflamingo leaned towards believing Caesar Clown wasn't dead but was in Ian's custody. This thought relaxed Doflamingo considerably. As long as Caesar was alive, there was still room for maneuver. It might not necessarily come to a full-blown confrontation with the Emperor Kaido.
"I understand the situation," Doflamingo said. "This brat Jock Ian... might want to negotiate a deal with me. Diamante, wait for me at the colosseum. I'll be there soon!"
Having made up his mind, Doflamingo donned his feather coat. Whatever game Ian was playing, it seemed only he could handle it personally.
…
At the entrance to the Corrida Colosseum.
"Today's competitive duels are canceled! All unrelated personnel must evacuate immediately!"
"Hurry up! We don't know when another explosion might occur!"
"If you don't want to die, get out now!"
"..."
Soldiers of the Kingdom's Self-Defense Force guarded the colosseum entrance, urgently evacuating the crowd on orders just received. The duels held in the colosseum were the biggest daily entertainment for many of the kingdom's residents. Due to the kingdom's strict laws, especially those governing the colosseum—designed to ensure the duels remained undisturbed—even the island's sheriffs and foreign Marines were forbidden from entering the venue. Anyone daring to cause trouble in the colosseum faced severe punishment from the Donquixote Family.
In this bloody arena, untouched by chaos for years, a gas explosion had occurred today? Panic spread rapidly among the crowd.
Amid the chaotic flow of people, a short toy soldier moved against the current. More noticeably, this toy soldier had only one leg.
Living Toys!
This was another major peculiarity of the Kingdom of Dressrosa.
"An explosion at the colosseum? The Donquixote Family is coming!"
"Is that 'Sea King' Vice Admiral, who dared to forcibly enter Dressrosa to conduct a search, going to war with the Donquixote Family?"
"It looks like something huge is about to happen in this country!"
"Oh, right... Rebecca!"
"She was supposed to compete in the arena duel today!"
"Where? Where is she?"
The toy soldier, realizing something important, immediately began searching through the crowd. Soon, a female swordsman, still in her combat attire, hurried out from the gate.
Long pink hair and a golden gladiator's helmet.
Beneath a green cape, she wore a bold and revealing gladiator's outfit.
Rebecca!
A young gladiator, only fourteen years old.
True Identity: Princess of the former Riku Royal Family of Dressrosa, granddaughter of the former King Riku.
"Rebecca!" The toy soldier hopped on its single leg, nimbly avoiding the crowd.
"Mr. Soldier, why are you still here?" Rebecca asked, concerned. "There was a gas explosion in the colosseum. I heard people talking about it... The Gas-Gas Fruit... it belongs to the World Government's wanted criminal, the 'Mad Scientist' Caesar Clown!"
Rebecca sheathed her sword, picked up the toy soldier, and retreated to a safer distance. In such chaos, a one-legged toy soldier could easily be trampled.
"For such a dangerous person to appear in Dressrosa... it's hard to believe the Donquixote Family isn't involved," the toy soldier said urgently. "Anyway, get out of here quickly! The Donquixote Family will definitely come to the colosseum! Maybe... Doflamingo himself will come!"
The toy soldier was anxious, not wanting Rebecca to stay a moment longer.
"Mr. Soldier, look over there..." Rebecca hadn't managed to leave. Not far away, Ian and his team had arrived near the colosseum.
"Get out of the way, you sinner with the blood of the kingdom's traitors!"
"Blocking people's way even during an evacuation? How annoying!"
"Rebecca, you should be thankful for this explosion today, or I would have taught you a lesson in the arena."
"Hahaha, atone for your sinful family!"
A burly man with explosive muscles deliberately shoved Rebecca aside, provoking and mocking her.
Spartan!
A gladiator who had won the colosseum's monthly tournament 51 times.
One of the star fighters of the colosseum.
He had an arrogant, domineering personality and often enjoyed bullying other fighters in private. Bullying others might draw criticism from onlookers, but bullying Rebecca? People around might just turn a blind eye, or even join in the mockery. Her lineage made her a target.
💫 Loved the chapter? Want more? 100+ early chapters are waiting on Patreon — including Chapter 236: The Dawn Over Wano🔥
👉 Patreon.com/EchoPen
Special shout-out to these incredible supporters:
✨ AbsoluteZero
✨ Ryan Cesario
✨ Archer Sterling
✨ lulmelfrmda3
Thank you all for keeping this story alive 💖
And don't forget to drop a Power Stone ⭐!
Thanks for reading! 🙌✨
🎉 "Join Patreon now and save 10% — offer lasts until New Year!"