Chapter 136: A Clash of Wills
The only cheers Spartan received were for bullying Rebecca, the one person everyone felt entitled to hate. Simply for being the granddaughter of the former King Riku, branded a "traitor to the kingdom" from the moment of her birth, Rebecca was despised by the people of this nation.
"Haha, Spartan, what a shame. I was looking forward to seeing you teach that brat a lesson today."
"You're right, she's just a little rat who only knows how to run away. I don't know where she gets the nerve to even participate."
"She deserves a beating. That sinner's blood flows in her veins. Her grandfather is the kingdom's greatest criminal!"
"..."
Instead of showing sympathy or pity, the other gladiators exiting the arena joined in the mockery.
"These bastards..." the toy soldier fumed internally. "Rebecca, don't take it to heart. Lowering yourself to their level will only dirty your own soul."
He desperately wanted to rush out and teach them a lesson, but his identity and the situation made it impossible. He could only try to comfort Rebecca.
"Don't worry, Mr. Soldier, I'm fine," Rebecca replied, forcing a smile as if it were a practiced habit. Her attention wasn't on the taunts; it was entirely focused on the approaching Marines.
Jock Ian!
The Marine face most frequently appearing in newspapers recently!
The new order Ian had brought to the Sabaody Archipelago had spread across the seas through news reports. Rebecca had often fantasized while reading the news—how wonderful it would be if such a righteous Marine would appear in Dressrosa. It seemed sincere prayers could indeed be answered by fate. The man walking towards them was none other than Jock Ian himself!
"This is the Dressrosa Colosseum!" Ian announced upon arrival, his voice carrying authority. "It looks quite grand inside. Please make way; there are criminals we are pursuing inside. Everyone, please keep your distance. Do not get too close to this area!"
He immediately began directing the evacuation of the crowd, acting as if he were the master of the place.
"Hey! Go in and investigate? No way," Spartan, having just bullied Rebecca, decided to show off again. He boldly stepped in front of the colosseum entrance, blocking the path. "This island has strict laws. Neither the sheriffs nor the Marines can enter the colosseum without the King's permission."
It seemed popular on this island to challenge Marine authority, and even minor thugs felt emboldened to voice their opinions.
"Who is this?" Ian asked, pointing at Spartan.
"I am Spartan, a gladiator!" the man declared, puffing out his chest proudly. "Everyone in the colosseum knows me! I've won the monthly championship 51 times!"
Fifty-one monthly championships... Who asked? It was as if he couldn't introduce himself without listing his credentials. At least the Self-Defense Force captain had a legitimate reason to stand up. But this guy... was he just a pure, unadulterated fool? Everyone was just watching the scene unfold, and he had to step up and pretend to be reasonable!
Ian nodded, his expression cold. "I see. He holds no official position. Most likely... he's an accomplice to the criminal!"
With that, Ian strode towards Spartan. The gladiator had only intended to show off, using the island's laws to intimidate the foreign Marines and perhaps earn some applause and admiration from the onlookers. He never expected Ian to label him a criminal accomplice without a shred of evidence.
"How is that possible? You have no evidence at all! I was just—"
BOOM!
Before Spartan could finish, a powerful kick sent him flying into a stone pillar. Why bother reasoning with a thug this thick-headed?
Dust scattered. A clear, human-shaped indentation was left in the wide stone pillar.
"Urgh... urgh..." Spartan convulsed briefly before falling completely unconscious.
The entire process happened so fast no one could clearly see what Ian had done. By the time they registered it, Spartan was already embedded in the pillar!
Ian shook the "JUSTICE" cloak on his back. "I didn't quite catch what he said. Is there anyone else who'd like to lecture me on the laws of this island?"
Today, Justice was feeling particularly heavy-handed. The Marines couldn't afford to be seen as pushovers. Otherwise, people might get the wrong idea that they were easy to negotiate with.
"Fufufufufu..." A strange, wheezing laugh echoed from the rooftop of the colosseum.
He's finally here.
The two could be considered "old friends" who had been communicating indirectly for a long time. Today, they finally met face-to-face.
"Your Majesty! It's His Majesty the King himself!"
"Really? It seems the explosion really did alarm the King!"
"Your Majesty, are there really criminals on the island?"
"It was a gas explosion! It really was a gas explosion just now! With His Majesty here, there's nothing to worry about!"
"That's right! Our King is one of the Warlords of the Sea! He makes other pirates tremble in fear!"
"..."
It was evident that in the years since taking the throne, Doflamingo had cultivated a formidable reputation among the people. To resolve the crisis in Dressrosa and mend the rift between the royal family and its citizens, simply defeating Doflamingo wouldn't be enough. If brute force could solve the problem, Ian wouldn't have needed such an elaborate plan. Since he intended to eradicate the Donquixote Family, he had to consider what would come after. Otherwise, a nation suddenly losing its ruling class would plunge into an even greater crisis. That would merely be settling a personal grudge, not acting for the sake of innocent children and civilians.
Among Ian's cadre:
Peacock: "The Warlord of the Sea, Doflamingo, has arrived!"
Doll: "He is a king, after all. His fashion sense is certainly... unique."
Skylark: "His aura feels very powerful. Different from the enemies we've faced before."
Nami: "The real show is about to begin."
Speed: "It seems Lieutenant General Ian's aura is even stronger, hehe!"
...
"You cut quite the figure, King Doflamingo!" Ian called out, his tone laced with irony. "What a coincidence! I was just about to go in and make an arrest. Since the King is here, it's better to ask for permission in advance. It avoids any... misunderstandings in communication between us Marines and a Warlord of the Sea."
He took two steps back, clearing a space in front of him. Doflamingo leaped down, landing steadily before Ian and studying him carefully.
This slightly childish face has caused me so much trouble!
"Jock Ian," Doflamingo's voice was a low, threatening rumble. "What gives you the right to question me?"
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