Chapter 140: The Pieces Move
"Brigadier General T-Bone, I don't know how to express my feelings right now," King Riku said, his voice thick with emotion. "Please accept my respect. I represent the suffering people of Dressrosa. Thank you, righteous Marines, for your willingness to lend a hand! I am truly... terrified and ashamed to face my people. But if I need to step forward, I will not back down!"
T-Bone hurriedly helped King Riku up before he could finish. "Your Majesty King Riku, you are a king. You cannot kneel before me. Besides, I was just following orders. The person you should truly thank is Lieutenant General Ian."
Having carried out Ian's order to create the explosion, T-Bone had immediately proceeded to the slums and found King Riku living in seclusion there. Everything was proceeding according to plan.
"You are the king? Brigadier General T-Bone, please stop mocking me," King Riku replied, his head bowed in shame. "What kind of king can't even protect his own people? Though I am dull, I know our opponent is a Warlord of the Sea. Vice Admiral Ian will bear immense pressure. Even so, he was willing to stand up and offer us help... Lieutenant General Ian, and everyone taking action, are the true heroes of this country!"
…
On the north side of Dressrosa Island, in the Green Bit forest, a group of Tontatta warriors swiftly crossed an old steel suspension bridge. Dark shadows swarmed in the water below—schools of ferocious, massive Fighting Fish capable of destroying any ship that encountered them. The residents of Dressrosa dared not cross this bridge recklessly, making it a fast travel route exclusively for the little people.
At the head of the Tontatta army was Wicca, the dwarf girl entrusted with a mission by Ian!
"We're about to cross the bridge! Everyone, put in your earplugs!" Wicca commanded. "You must remember what Ian Lando said! Unless you meet the other Lando masters, never remove your earplugs! Never listen to the evildoers' lies! Ian Lando is fighting the wicked men of the Donquixote Family to save the kingdoms of Dressrosa and Tontatta! After you receive the 'special' signal I mentioned, everyone charge into the palace and seize the elevator! Rescue our people and Princess Mansherry!"
Within the corps, Wicca was an insignificant member who often made mistakes. She never imagined her destiny would take such a turn. In her heart, Ian Lando's image now surpassed any legendary hero.
"Long live Ian Lando! Save our people, save Princess Mansherry!"
"Wicca, you're amazing! You managed to find such crucial information!"
"Yes! The descendant of Lord Rolando has traveled through a hundred years to help us again!"
"Everyone, hurry across the bridge to meet up with the Landos!"
"There are human figures ahead! Those uniforms... they're definitely Marines!"
"..."
The Tontatta soldiers charged forward with high morale. Wicca, at the front, grew excited upon seeing the Marine uniforms near the drawbridge.
"It's Skylark Lando! A particularly gentle Lando! Wonderful, let's head over!"
"Uh... that's..."
"Donquixote Family cadres, Buffalo and Baby-5!"
Wicca looked up to see two figures descending from the sky, heading directly for Skylark's location. Even the dwarves noticed the situation; Skylark naturally saw it clearly.
"Lieutenant General Ian said..." Skylark murmured, pulling the sniper rifle from her back. "...if we encounter a Donquixote Family cadre, we are authorized to... engage at any time!"
…
On the broad avenue of the Food City, a black figure landed on a high building.
"Mr. Diamante, how goes it?" asked the newcomer, an old acquaintance of Ian's.
Gladius!
User of the Pop-Pop Fruit, a Paramecia-type Devil Fruit!
One of the very few pirates to have survived an encounter with Ian.
He had clashed with Ian in the East Blue and had held a grudge ever since.
The robotic left arm he now possessed was also a "gift" from Ian.
Now that Ian had come to the island to cause trouble, Gladius was burning with a desire for revenge. His chance to act had finally arrived, both against Ian and his subordinates. He vowed to kill them all, sparing no one.
"Tch, that damn female Marine," Diamante grumbled. "Ever since she ran off, she's just been strolling around the streets with two flying dragons. Her leisurely attitude infuriates me. I haven't received any orders from Doffy yet, otherwise I'd have killed her already!"
He was deeply frustrated. He'd thought these Marines were up to something significant. In the end, were they just out for a walk?
Below, Peacock rode her steed, leading the dragons with an air of ease, enjoying the attention from the surrounding people. Her assigned task was relatively simple for now: just stroll around and wait for the special signal.
…
Near the flower fields of Dressrosa.
Splash... Splash...
On the ground, a man wearing a baby's bonnet, half of his body "submerged" in the earth, swam forward. As he moved, the solid ground automatically transformed into rippling circles of liquid.
Senor Pink!
One of the Donquixote Family's officers, user of the Swim-Swim Fruit, a Paramecia-type!
Original Bounty: 58,000,000 Berries!
The target he had been tracking was the swiftly moving Doll.
"Tch, you pervert! How long are you going to follow me?" Doll finally couldn't take it anymore upon reaching the flower field area, turning around to shout. "Why is the person chasing me a total creep?!"
Sucking on a pacifier and wearing swimming trunks, Senor Pink slowly emerged from the ground. "What amazing Observation Haki!" he said seriously. "Did you discover my covert tracking?"
Doll grew even angrier at his words. "Covert?! People have been screaming since the moment you appeared! Your name is Senor Pink, right? I've heard passersby call your name almost a hundred times!"
She was furious.
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