Chapter 351: A Punch Carrying the Weight of a Nation! The Breaking Dawn and the Smile of Freedom
The white, high-temperature steam gradually dissipated in mid-air.
Upon the ruins of the palace's top floor, Doflamingo looked at Luffy before him, his face, which had been taut with rage, suddenly turning strange.
What appeared before him was a bizarre form, massive and round, covered in pitch-black Haki patterns.
Luffy's feet couldn't even stand steadily on the ground; he could only use the elasticity of rubber to keep bouncing "thump-thump" in place, looking quite comical.
Doflamingo couldn't help but burst into laughter, his voice filled with contempt:
"Fuffuffuffu... Is this the trump card you've been hiding?"
"Like a ridiculous inflatable ball—do you think making yourself fat will let you defeat me?"
However, before Doflamingo's mocking laughter could subside, a deafening sonic boom suddenly exploded in the air!
"Bang!"
Using the incredible elasticity of rubber to violently kick the air, Luffy vanished from his spot in an instant!
This logic-defying speed was so extreme that even Doflamingo's battle-hardened Observation Haki could only capture a blurry red afterimage on his retina.
In the next second, a gale rose.
Luffy had already appeared directly in front of Doflamingo, as if teleporting.
He retracted his fists, massive as heavy cannons, into his thick arms, and with a powerful sound of compression, he struck out fiercely:
"Gum-Gum—Kong Gun!"
Sensing the lethal threat rushing at him, Doflamingo's expression changed drastically.
He had no time to dodge and could only hastily cross his arms in front of his chest, quickly coating them with his strongest Armament Haki for defense.
But in the face of absolute power, all defense proved futile.
This terrifyingly immense elasticity instantly shattered Doflamingo's Haki defense.
Doflamingo let out a muffled groan and was sent flying like a heavy cannonball.
With a loud "Boom!", he crashed heavily through the tall stone tower opposite the palace!
Rubble flew everywhere as Doflamingo struggled to rise from the ruins, his face filled with disbelief.
Enduring the agonizing pain churning within him, he frantically activated the Awakening power of the String-String Fruit.
The ground turned into a white sea of fury, as the peerlessly sharp "Break White" and "Flap Thread" wove into an inescapable net, stabbing toward Luffy in the air like a storm.
Facing this dense barrage of threads capable of easily slicing through refined steel, Luffy hovered in mid-air, unexpectedly making no move to dodge.
As countless sharp threads stabbed into his skin coated in pitch-black Armament Haki, a shocking scene unfolded.
Not only were those lethal thread-blades unable to pierce his body...
...but they were instead forcefully repelled by the immense tension of the rubber, producing the metallic clanging sounds of impact!
Cold sweat poured down Doflamingo's forehead, a trace of undeniable horror flashing in his eyes:
"He's maintaining high-intensity Armament Haki while still keeping the elasticity of rubber?"
"Just what kind of monster is he?!"
Giving his enemy no chance to breathe, Luffy was like an out-of-control spring in mid-air.
With the dull "thump-thump-thump" of his feet kicking the air, he suddenly swung a right hook.
"Gum-Gum Culverin!"
His elongated arm changed direction infinitely in the air in a way that defied the laws of physics; his fist was like a guided missile, locking onto Doflamingo as he tried to pull away.
No matter how Doflamingo maneuvered and dodged in the air, that pitch-black fist followed him like a shadow.
Finally, with unrivaled monstrous strength, it slammed hard against the side of his face!
The massive impact sent Doflamingo crashing into the hard ground again, creating a bottomless crater.
And his iconic red sunglasses, a symbol of supreme arrogance, finally shattered completely under this blow, scattering into countless crystalline fragments on the ground!
Doflamingo lay wretchedly in the center of the deep pit, the agonizing pain of torn internal organs and the repeated heavy blows forcing him to cough up large mouthfuls of blood.
Looking at Luffy in the sky, who appeared like a Wisdom King descended to earth, exerting pressure over the four seas...
...a desolate realization dawned in the heart of this once-unbeatable formidable figure.
He knew his reign had reached its end.
However, the twisted pride of a Celestial Dragon flowing through his veins would never allow him to fall so ignominiously.
"Aaaaah!"
Doflamingo let out a roar like a cornered beast.
He squeezed out every last drop of physical and life energy, gathering all the awakened white threads from across the town in front of him.
The highest concentration of Armament Haki coiled around them like black lightning.
Finally, they transformed into sixteen massive pillars of thread capable of piercing heaven and earth.
"Sixteen Holy Bullets: God Thread!!!"
Lifting his blood-stained face and pointing at the sky, he let out a hysterical roar:
"I was born a God, standing above all things in this world!"
"A mere ignorant pirate like you—don't think you can strip me of my country!!!"
Watching Doflamingo's sudden desperate attack from below, Luffy kicked the air, flying even higher into the sky.
Without flinching, he opened his mouth again, biting into his massive Gear 4th arm and frantically blowing a larger volume of air into his taut muscles.
"God?"
"There's no such thing as a God in this world!"
Luffy's voice echoed beneath the clouds, every word powerful and resonant:
"Besides! You're just a bastard who strips others of their freedom at will!"
With the rapid expansion of his muscles, Luffy's arm transformed into a pitch-black giant fist capable of blotting out the sun.
Terrifying power surged between his knuckles, causing the surrounding space to faintly distort.
"Gum-Gum—King Kong Gun!!!"
At the instant the two kings' ultimate moves were about to collide, the entire scene of Dressrosa seemed to hit a pause button.
Above the ruins and within the dilapidated streets, everyone simultaneously stopped whatever they were doing.
They lifted their faces, stained with dust and tears, and cast their gazes toward the sky.
Kyros clenched his fists tightly, his nails digging deep into his palms; his burly body trembled slightly as he held back the hot tears that had been welling for ten long years.
Rebecca knelt on the cold rubble, her hands clasped in prayer against her chest, eyes closed as she desperately prayed for a miracle.
In the ruins below, Zoro, Sanji, Nami, and the other members of the Straw Hat crew looked up, staring with steady eyes at their Captain, who always created miracles.
Law, protected in a safe area by Victor, stared intently at the sky, clenching his teeth hard.
At this moment, he placed all his thirteen years of blood-deep hatred and the final wish entrusted to him by his benefactor Corazon with his life onto that red back.
Looking around, the entire citizenry, the brave Tontatta warriors, and even the Marines with their rifles...
...beneath that giant fist that covered the heavens, a fierce flame ignited in all their eyes simultaneously.
In this moment, regardless of noble or lowly status, or opposing positions...
...the heartbeats of everyone on the island seemed to transcend the barriers of space, tightly connecting as one.
A powerful silent cry erupted within their hearts:
"Go! Straw Hat Luffy! Take him down!!!"
"Everyone's freedom and smiles, and this country..."
"Give them back to them exactly as they were!!!"
Luffy let out a world-shaking roar.
Carrying the rage of all Dressrosa and the endless hope for freedom, he slammed down head-on!
In mid-air, the massive pitch-black fist and the sixteen unstoppable white thread bullets collided with a crash!
There was no suspense, nor even a moment of stalemate.
The "King Kong Gun," carrying supreme divine power like a mountain-toppling wave, shattered Doflamingo's hopeful ultimate strike, "God Thread," inch by inch, turning it into white debris scattering across the sky!
Under Doflamingo's horrified gaze, the unstoppable pitch-black giant fist struck his body directly.
With a terrifying sound like the world splitting apart, Doflamingo was slammed down from the sky by that horrifying monstrous strength.
His broken body not only pulverized the entire tower below...
...but its momentum continued, smashing him straight through the incredibly hard bedrock of Dressrosa.
Finally, this once-lofty king was embedded deep within the darkest depths of the underground ruins, unable to move a single inch.
The Heavenly Yaksha, Doflamingo, has been defeated!
The moment the culprit lost consciousness completely...
...the "Birdcage" that had shrouded the entire nation suddenly stopped its inward contraction.
Under the watch of the island's people, those indestructible sharp threads began to rapidly disintegrate.
They turned into a sky full of crystalline feathers of light, like a beautiful snowfall, drifting away in the smoke-filled air and vanishing into nothingness.
The residual power of the King Kong Gun had not yet subsided, its shockwave from the collision soaring into the high heavens.
The thick, lifeless clouds that had long shrouded Dressrosa were forcibly blasted open, creating a massive hole.
A ray of warm, brilliant golden sunlight pierced through the gap in the clouds like a waterfall from the nine heavens, shining precisely onto Luffy in mid-air, who had just released his Gear 4th form.
Citizens across the island looked up, gazing at the sky.
In that dawn that had blasted away the dark clouds and was filled with golden sunlight, they saw not a fearsome pirate...
...but a boy reaching his hands toward the sky, revealing a smile as brilliant and pure as the sun.
"We won..."
Watching the boy laughing lightheartedly in the sunlight, feeling the long-lost warmth shine once more upon their scarred bodies...
"Clang... Clang..."
The sounds of swords and guns dropping onto the stone slabs rose one after another, joining into a single chorus.
No one could hold on any longer, their legs giving way as they collapsed onto the ruins.
Casting aside status and barriers, they hugged those beside them tightly and wept aloud.
Tears washed away the blood on their faces and cleansed the ten years of gloom.
They knew that the long-dreamed-of freedom had finally descended upon this reborn nation at the break of dawn.Chapter 352: The Collapsing Family! The End of the Officers and an Admiral's Kneel
"Young Master!!!"
Accompanied by that deafening roar, Doflamingo was smashed deep into the underground ruins.
Seeing the Young Master, whom they had always revered as a god, being publicly defeated...
The Donquixote Family officers scattered across various battlefields felt their pupils dilate in shock.
Extremely stunned and despairing expressions appeared on their faces; their originally arrogant aura vanished in an instant.
To these pirates, Doflamingo was not just a leader, but the pillar of their arrogant faith.
Now that the pillar had collapsed, their once indestructible fighting will suffered a fatal blow at this moment.
"Looking away during a fight can cost you your life!"
A cold snort, filled with killing intent, abruptly rang out across the battlefield.
Zoro moved like a ghost through the rubble, precisely seizing the moment the enemy lost focus.
He gripped his hilts with both hands, the wado ichimonji clenched between his teeth, his muscles bulging to their limit.
The three famous blades erupted with sharp black light in the air, their crisscrossing sword qi weaving a web of death.
"Three Thousand Worlds!"
The violent slash cut through the sky, slicing through the dazed family officers like dry wood, sending them flying as blood sprayed in a grim arc.
On another battlefield filled with ruins, the atmosphere was uniquely tragic and heroic.
Franky's massive steel body was already battered, and Senior Pink, standing opposite him, was also gasping for breath, covered in wounds.
Neither of them dodged; neither of them defended.
Instead, they roared simultaneously, throwing a final punch loaded with a man's unyielding will.
The dull sound of flesh hitting flesh echoed through the ruins.
Under this heavy blow, Senior's consciousness finally faded.
His tall body fell powerlessly backward, kicking up a cloud of dust.
His iconic sunglasses shattered upon impact, revealing the eyes hidden behind them.
Franky gasped for breath, dragging his heavy steps to his side.
He silently crouched down and used his rough mechanical palm to gently wipe the blood from the face of this respectable hard-boiled man.
In a man's way, he had won this fist-to-flesh, true man's duel.
Meanwhile, on every battlefield, the horn for the counterattack had fully sounded.
Sanji leapt lightly into the air, his right leg burning with scorching flames, as a "Diable Jambe" like a falling meteor slammed into the enemy's vital points.
Bartolomeo crossed his arms, and his incredibly sturdy barrier acted like a battering ram, knocking away all enemies in his path.
Around them, the fearless Tontatta Tribe warriors and the rage-filled gladiators formed a tacit coordination for the encirclement.
In a very short time, facing this unstoppable crusade army...
High-ranking officers like Gladius, whose mind had already collapsed, and Dellinger, who possessed Fighting Fish blood, were defeated one by one, falling into pools of blood.
Thus, the Donquixote Family officers who had occupied the palace and once struck terror into the hearts of countless Dressrosa citizens were completely wiped out.
This dark family that had ruled the island for ten years finally met its end.
In the sky, the smoke gradually dissipated.
Luffy, like a leaf that had lost gravity, closed his eyes and laughed as he plummeted toward the broken earth below.
Victor quietly watched the falling youth.
He slightly raised his right hand, and a gentle gravitational force quietly spread out, accurately catching Luffy in mid-air and steadily bringing him back to his companions.
"Luffy!"
Seeing this, Zoro, Sanji, Franky, and the others put away their weapons and quickly gathered around.
Chopper rushed forward on his short legs, anxiously checking Luffy's vital signs.
However, when Chopper finished his examination and everyone held their breath for the result...
The little reindeer doctor let out a long sigh of relief and wiped the sweat from his forehead with some helplessness.
Everyone looked down to see that this Captain, who had just saved the entire country single-handedly, was indeed severely exhausted.
But at this moment, he was sprawled out with his chest rising and falling rhythmically, even letting out slight snores.
Seeing their Captain in a state where he could sleep even if the sky fell, the Straw Hat crew's hearts finally landed safely.
They looked at each other and then erupted into a fit of hearty laughter amidst the scarred ruins.
At the highest point of the nearby ruins, Law stood quietly.
The sea breeze blew against his spotted hat, bringing a touch of coolness after the war's end.
His gaze pierced through the smoke, looking straight into the huge crater that had been smashed open.
Seeing the unconscious Doflamingo at the bottom of the pit...
Law slowly raised his dust-covered hand and, through his torn clothing, gently touched the heart tattoo on his chest that symbolized "Corazon."
In his mind, he couldn't help but recall that cold winter thirteen years ago.
That big guy who was always clumsy and would set his own feathers on fire while smoking.
The gentle man who, in order to cover his escape, hid him in a treasure chest and died smiling in the cold snow.
Thirteen years of endurance, pain, and frantic planning—countless nights waking up from nightmares—had finally come to an end at this moment.
Two lines of hot tears finally broke through Law's long-standing cold disguise.
They eventually slid uncontrollably down his cheeks and dripped onto the soil of Dressrosa.
"Cora-san... I finally did it..."
He murmured in a low voice, his tone filled with endless relief and sorrow.
Victor walked to Law's side with unhurried steps.
"This long revenge is over, Trafalgar."
"The shackles on you have been cut; from today on, you are truly free."
Law bit his lip tightly and wiped away the tears from the corners of his eyes.
He turned his head and took a deep look at Luffy, who was sleeping soundly surrounded by his companions nearby.
On that face that was always cold and serious, a smile of relief finally bloomed.
"Yeah, Crimson Lotus Captain. You're right."
Law's voice carried an unprecedented lightness.
"Straw Hat Captain... he is someone who brings strength to those around him."
On the other side of the battlefield, the cleanup work was proceeding in an orderly fashion.
Under the command of Fujitora's adjutant, the Marine soldiers acted swiftly.
Holding heavy and sturdy Sea Stone handcuffs and chains, they firmly locked up Doflamingo in the pit and the family officers scattered everywhere, giving them no chance to escape.
With the crisp sound of clashing chains, this ten-year dark rule was officially declared over.
In the wide plaza below the palace, countless reborn citizens gathered together.
Surrounded by the people and their tears of joy...
King Riku, who had been framed by Doflamingo's vicious schemes and bore ten years of baseless infamy...
Supported by Kyros, he walked with faltering steps back onto the high platform of the plaza.
Sunlight fell on the old king's aged but resolute face.
The people knelt below the platform, tearfully imploring this merciful old king to wear the crown.
To lead this reborn country once again and take them out of the shadows of the past.
At this moment filled with emotion and hope, a heavy sound of footsteps came from the edge of the plaza.
Fujitora looked solemn as he led all the Marine officers and soldiers stationed in Dressrosa, walking with solemn steps slowly toward King Riku and the entire populace.
The atmosphere in the plaza suddenly became tense.
The citizens did not know what these Marines, representing the World Government, intended to do.
However, under the astonished gaze of the entire island's people, Fujitora's next move made everyone gasp.
The tall, blind Admiral stopped his steps; with a solemn expression, he suddenly gripped his shikomizue and thrust it straight into the hard stone ground.
Then, without hesitation, he lifted the wide cloak on his back that symbolized justice and led the hundreds of fully armed Marine soldiers behind him to kneel on both knees in unison!
The dull sound of knees hitting the ground echoed in the empty plaza, like a heavy hammer striking everyone's heart.
Fujitora bent down and heavily kowtowed on the ground, his forehead pressed against the cold stone slab.
His weathered face was full of guilt and self-reproach:
"On behalf of the World Government... I hereby offer the deepest apologies to all the citizens of Dressrosa!
"You have suffered!"
After a brief moment of dead silence, an uncontrollable burst of crying erupted in the plaza.
The grievances suppressed for ten years found an outlet in this long-overdue official apology.
And this scene, through the secretly placed visual Den Den Mushis, instantly crossed the barriers of the sea and shocked the entire world!
The scene shifted to hidden corners all over the world.
In those underground trading floors filled with darkness and calculation, countless brokers who had spent years in the Underworld were now staring at the broadcast screen with cold sweat.
Seeing the once-powerful underground king 'Joker' fall like a dead dog on the screen, they fell into an extremely terrified panic.
"It's over! It's all over!"
A broker held his head and screamed in terror.
"The supply chain for Artificial Devil Fruits and illegal weapons has been completely cut off!"
"Those big shots waiting for delivery will kill us!"
Doflamingo's fall was like pulling out the most important cornerstone of the Underworld; countless dark forces dependent on it would surely face a devastating blow from the coming reshuffle.
On the other end of the Grand Line, inside the towering headquarters of the World Economic Journal.
Morgans, the president of the news agency, was sitting among a pile of photos that had just been sent in urgently.
He looked at the close-up of Fujitora leading all the soldiers in kneeling and the close-up of Luffy cheering with both hands under the sun; he was so excited that his feathers stood on end.
He gripped the photos with both hands, trembling with excitement, his eyes flashing with a fanatical light for a big story.
"The Marines kneeling! Straw Hat Boy defeats a Shichibukai!"
"Big news!"
"This is definitely a headline that can turn the world upside down!"
Morgans let out a deafening, wild laugh:
"A new era!"
"I see a turbulent new era!"
"Quick! Print these photos on tomorrow's front-page headlines and send them to every corner of the world!"Chapter 353: A Warm Respite! The Brother Departing Without Goodbye and the Ruined Farewell
At the former G-1 Branch, now the new Marine Headquarters, inside the Fleet Admiral's office.
Sakazuki stood before a wide floor-to-ceiling window, clutching a freshly delivered copy of the latest World Economic Journal in his hand.
On the front page, a massive high-definition photo took up the entire layout.
Admiral Candidate Fujitora, leading hundreds of Marine soldiers, was kneeling on both knees toward the civilians of Dressrosa and the formerly slandered King Riku!
Looking at the headline and the glaring photo, Sakazuki trembled violently with uncontrollable rage.
His habitually cold face was now contorted with fury, and the veins on his forehead bulged.
A surge of intensely hot, dark-red magma suddenly welled up from his arm, dripping onto the desk below, which was crafted from precious wood.
Accompanied by a puff of acrid smoke and a burnt smell, the wide desk was melted in an instant by the high temperature.
"Get that blind man on his private line immediately!"
Sakazuki let out a roar at his trembling adjutant outside the door.
Soon, the dedicated encrypted Den Den Mushi was dialed through.
"Issho! Do you have any idea what you've done, you bastard?!"
Sakazuki erupted into a deafening roar into the receiver, his voice so loud that even the guards outside couldn't help but cover their ears.
"You haven't just made the Marines and the World Government the laughingstock of the entire sea."
"You've trampled the justice and dignity that our Marines have always upheld into the dirt!"
"Who gave you permission to take it upon yourself to kneel and apologize on behalf of the Government?!"
Facing the Fleet Admiral's volcanic rage, Fujitora, far away in Dressrosa, showed no sign of backing down.
"Fleet Admiral Sakazuki."
"If this so-called dignified face of justice must be barely maintained by covering up the sinful lies of the World Government and the Shichibukai..."
"...then we are better off without such a hypocritical face!"
"I only do what I believe is right, and I will never let innocent people suffer through deception again."
"If you wish to strip me of my position as an Admiral Candidate, I have no complaints and am willing to take full responsibility."
"You insolent fellow..."
Sakazuki's breathing was ragged with anger, his chest heaving violently.
"Fine! Since you're so principled, then listen well!"
"Until you personally bring back the heads of Straw Hat Luffy and Trafalgar Law, you are not permitted to set foot inside the gates of any Marine base on this sea!"
"That is a Fleet Admiral's order!"
"Suits me just fine!"
"In that case, I shall wander this sea for a while longer."
Click!
With a crisp sound, the Den Den Mushi's eyes closed.
Fujitora had actually hung up on the Fleet Admiral unilaterally without hesitation.
Hearing the dial tone from the receiver, Sakazuki let out an angry roar and smashed a huge, charred crater into the wall beside him with a punch.
"Get Admiral Kizaru in here!"
"Yes! Fleet Admiral Sakazuki!"
...
Meanwhile, in Dressrosa.
Two full days had passed since that earth-shattering final battle.
The dark clouds that had shrouded the country had long since dispersed, and warm sunlight once again bathed the scarred land.
The entire nation was in the midst of post-disaster reconstruction; citizens carrying timber and moving stones could be seen everywhere in the streets and alleys.
Though their bodies were weary, everyone's face beamed with a heartfelt smile from regained freedom.
On the edge of the King's Plateau, there was a simple wooden hut that had survived amidst the ruins.
This was the place where Kyros once lived.
At this moment, the Straw Hat crew, who had saved the country, were gathered in this quiet hut, enjoying a long-awaited period of relaxation and peace after the great war.
Sunlight streamed through the wooden windows into the room, and the air was filled with a peaceful atmosphere.
In one corner of the room, Nami was spreading a detailed nautical chart across a wooden table.
Resting her chin on one hand, she was seriously discussing the upcoming route with Kyros, who stood nearby.
They were also discussing the complex and ever-changing ocean currents in the waters near Dressrosa, making rigorous preparations for the pirate crew's next departure.
At another table not far away, Robin was holding a cup of steaming black tea.
She was focused on recording something in her notebook.
On the other side of the room, however, it was a completely different, lively scene.
"SUPER—! Behold my craftsmanship!"
Franky, wearing goggles, was waving his welding tools with great enthusiasm.
Accompanied by dazzling blue sparks flying everywhere, pieces of fine steel were skillfully joined together by him.
At Rebecca's sincere request, he was custom-building a cool mechanical prosthetic leg—full of manly romance and high mobility—for Kyros, who had lost his left leg.
In the open space inside the house, the atmosphere was at its peak of joy.
Usopp stood with his hands on his hips atop an upturned wooden barrel, gesticulating wildly as he was surrounded by a group of Tontatta little people.
He was loudly recounting his non-existent heroic achievements with spittle flying:
"You guys have no idea!"
"At that time, I, the great hero 'Uso-land,' was leading a full eight thousand elite subordinates, fighting across the four seas in the midst of a violent storm!"
"Faced with a Sea King larger than a mountain, I used only one finger to easily subdue it!"
"Waaaah! So amazing! As expected of King Uso-land!"
The simple little people were stunned, crying out in surprise with eyes full of worshipful little stars.
Sitting nearby, Chopper and Brook had long been unable to stand straight from laughing at Usopp's increasingly outrageous tall tales.
Chopper clutched his furry belly, rolling on the floor.
Brook slapped his thigh exaggeratedly, letting out his signature laugh:
"Yohohoho! Mr. Usopp's stories are truly too interesting, my stomach is going to hurt from laughing..."
"Even though I don't have a stomach to begin with, yohohoho!"
Amidst this cheerful atmosphere, the kitchen curtain was pulled back.
Sanji carried an exquisite silver tray, upon which sat a delicious dish that had just been carefully prepared.
He walked over to Rebecca with elegant steps and gently handed the tray to her.
"You've worked hard, Miss Rebecca. Please try this recovery dish I've specially made for you."
Rebecca took the food, and smelling the mouth-watering aroma, she looked up and gave a sweet smile:
"Thank you so much, Mr. Sanji."
"I've troubled you to take care of me these past two days."
Hearing the beautiful girl's gentle words of thanks, Sanji's serious gentlemanly facade instantly collapsed.
His whole body was like it had been hit by an electric current, instantly turning into an irredeemable love-struck fool.
His eyes turned into two large, beating red hearts, and his entire body wiggled happily on the spot like a cooked noodle:
"Ooooh~ Rebecca-chan's thanks is like a healing nectar for my soul~"
Rebecca looked at Sanji's reaction with a bit of amusement, then carried the plate of food to a wide floor mattress in the corner.
There, Luffy was sprawled out, fast asleep and snoring.
However, the moment Rebecca approached with the food, an amazing spectacle occurred.
Luffy, in his deep sleep, suddenly twitched his nose twice.
Immediately after, his large mouth opened with unerring precision and lunged forward, biting the largest piece of roasted meat from the tray in one go.
"Munch munch... delicious..."
Luffy's eyes remained closed as he rhythmically munched on the meat, a satisfied smile appearing on his face.
This miraculous "Sleep-Eating Technique" made Rebecca, who was holding the plate, let out a gasp of wonder:
"No matter how many times I see it, it's still surprising."
"Just how is Mr. Luffy built...?"
...
Meanwhile, outside the house.
Night had already fallen, and the soft moonlight poured like water onto the lush lawn, with the occasional crisp chirping of insects nearby.
Zoro and Victor lay side-by-side comfortably on the lawn outside the small wooden hut, hands behind their heads, casually chatting about the next part of their journey.
As a night breeze brushed through the treetops, causing the leaves to rustle slightly,
a slender figure silently appeared in the shadows outside the hut.
It was Sabo, wearing his goggles and top hat.
Sabo didn't immediately push the door open to interrupt the gathering inside.
He stood not far from the window, quietly watching the lively and warm scene inside through the bright glass.
Seeing Luffy's carefree sleeping face in the company of his comrades, Sabo's gaze became incredibly soft.
Sensing the familiar presence outside, Victor, who was lying on the lawn, sat halfway up.
He turned his head and casually waved a hand in greeting:
"Yo, if it isn't the Chief of Staff."
"Is your Revolutionary Army's investigation mission in this country finished?"
Hearing Victor's voice, Sabo withdrew his gaze from the window and smiled slightly.
He nodded, walked over to the two of them, and sat down directly on the grass.
Sabo reached into his coat and pulled out a small piece of paper, handing it to Victor.
It was his Vivre Card.
"Yeah, the mission here in Dressrosa has been successfully completed."
"Thanks to you guys pulling Doflamingo down, it's been a huge help to us."
"I originally wanted to wait for Luffy to wake up to say a proper goodbye, but an emergency contact signal came from the Revolutionary Army headquarters, so I have to leave first."
"Luffy has been prone to acting reckless since he was a kid; out on the sea, I'll have to ask you guys to look after him more."
Victor reached out and took the Vivre Card, tucking it away safely.
At this point, Zoro, who had been lying there all along, asked:
"Aren't you going in to say goodbye to Luffy in person?"
"If that guy wakes up and finds out you snuck off, he'll probably throw a tantrum."
Sabo stood up straight, his back to the two men sitting on the ground.
He reached out and coolly adjusted his signature top hat.
"No need."
"Men sailing on this sea never say goodbye in person."
"Our bond doesn't need words to be expressed."
After saying this, he strode off, his back looking incredibly lonely and cool, preparing to vanish into the deep night without looking back.
Looking at Sabo's back, which was radiating an "I'm so cool" aura,
Victor put his hands back behind his head and lay back down on the soft grass.
He looked at the starry sky and tonelessly spat out two words:
"Poser."
Hearing this perfectly accurate, sharp-tongued remark,
Zoro, lying next to him, froze for about two seconds.
Then, he could no longer hold his expression and burst into a fit of uncharacteristic, wild laughter while clutching his stomach.
Sabo, who was just about to enjoy the atmosphere of a solitary departure, suddenly halted his steps.
The cool and profound vibe he had worked so hard to create shattered into a floor full of glass shards at that moment.
Sabo turned around, exasperated, and shouted at the two guys on the lawn who were clearly enjoying the show at his expense:
"Hey! I haven't even gone that far yet!"
"Crimson Lotus, you bastard! Are you jealous of how cool I am?!"
"Do you want to draw your swords and have a fight right now?!"Chapter 354: The Captain Revived at Full Health! A Victory Banquet for Heroes
The night was deep, and a cool evening breeze brushed across the lawn of the Kings Plateau.
Victor and Zoro stood quietly side by side, their gazes fixed on the direction where Sabo had vanished into the night.
The figure wearing a top hat and a deep blue trench coat had completely blended into the darkness, leaving no trace behind.
Although the Chief of Staff of the Revolutionary Army did not enter the house to say goodbye to Luffy in person, in order to maintain that free-spirited nature unique to men of the sea,
his seemingly casual words before leaving had already unreservedly entrusted his deep concern and trust for his younger brother to the Straw Hat crew.
Just as the two outside were enjoying a moment of leisure, a sudden and massive commotion erupted from within the small wooden cabin.
With a muffled 'thud,' the entire simple wooden structure trembled slightly.
After two full days and nights of miraculous 'Sleep-Eating' and sufficient deep rest,
Luffy's seemingly tireless body had finally completed its self-repair.
He snapped his eyes open; there was no confusion in his clear gaze, which instead sparkled with a light as bright as the stars.
Immediately after, his body sprang straight up from the floor mat in an instant!
This sudden 'resurrection' movement gave Rebecca, who was standing nearby holding a tray, a massive fright.
She let out a cry of surprise, nearly dropping the tableware in her hands onto the floor.
Luffy, however, completely failed to notice the surprise of those around him.
He reached out both hands and rubbed his belly, which had become round and bulging because he had eaten too much meat, with great satisfaction.
Then he tilted his head back and let out a hearty, resounding laugh that rang through the roof:
"Ah—! That was a great sleep! I feel like my whole body is overflowing with power!"
Having completely regained his vitality, the moment Luffy's feet touched the ground, he immediately displayed his 'first instinct' as the Captain of the Straw Hat Pirates.
For him, whenever he experienced an earth-shaking battle of life and death and achieved final victory,
there was only one thing that had to be done; it was a tradition etched into his very bones.
He excitedly raised his arms high as if to embrace the entire world and shouted loudly to his companions who were busy with their own tasks inside the room:
"Everyone! Since we've successfully defeated that Doflamingo!
"Then what comes next is, of course—a banquet!!
"I want to eat meat! I want to eat lots and lots of meat!"
However, facing his Captain's enthusiastic command, Sanji, who was in charge of the meals, walked out of the simple temporary kitchen with a furrowed brow.
Holding a freshly washed soup spoon, he spread his hands toward Luffy and let out a helpless sigh, saying:
"Hey, hey, Luffy, you idiot, stop shouting blindly here.
"Don't you see what's happened over the last two days?"
Sanji used the soup spoon to point at the mountain of empty plates nearby that had been licked clean, explaining crossly:
"The daily consumption for our group after a battle is already staggering, and then you, this guy, have been stuffing your face like a bottomless pit in your sleep for the past two days.
"The ingredients that were originally stockpiled here have long since been eaten clean by you alone."
"Now there isn't even a vegetable leaf or a scrap of food left.
"You want to hold a banquet? With what?"
Hearing Sanji's heartless 'verdict,' the previously high-spirited Luffy instantly deflated like a punctured balloon, his shoulders sagging.
He let out a wail filled with disappointment and grievance:
"How can this be... My banquet... I'm so hungry..."
Just then, Kyros, who was inside the room, heard Luffy's wail and hurried to push open the door, stepping forward with steady, large strides.
This legendary gladiator who had once set an undefeated record of three thousand matches in the arena was now a father who had regained his life and reunited with his daughter.
At this moment, his eyes, which had weathered many storms, were filled with unhideable gratitude and deep respect.
He stopped in front of Luffy, his expression incredibly solemn.
Then, with a 'thud,' he dropped to one knee with great formality, pressing his broad right hand tightly against his left chest.
"Lord Luffy, and everyone of the Straw Hat Pirates, please give us a chance to repay you!"
Kyros's voice was powerful and resonant, carrying a sincerity and passion that could not be refused:
"You have all gone through life and death to save this country that was on the brink of destruction, and to save thousands upon thousands of broken families."
"If Dressrosa cannot even provide a full meal for our great benefactors right now,"
"then this country and its people will be forever ashamed and will never be able to hold their heads high before their benefactors!"
He stood up, the light in his eyes growing even more determined:
"Please wait here for a moment, heroes. I will go and inform His Majesty King Riku at once!"
With that, Kyros did not hesitate for a second. He turned and pushed through the wooden door, hurrying through the night toward the palace ruins.
...
Meanwhile, inside a temporary command post at the palace ruins, the lights were brightly lit.
King Riku sat before a desk temporarily piled together from rubble, his brow furrowed.
He was methodically handling complicated matters such as post-disaster reconstruction, the placement of the wounded, and the allocation of supplies.
Days of overwork made the old king look somewhat exhausted, but his spirit was more invigorated than ever before.
When Kyros hurried into the command post, knelt on one knee, and loudly announced the news that "the heroes who saved the country have awakened,"
the elderly king was so excited that he suddenly stood up from his chair.
Kyros quickly relayed the current predicament the Straw Hat crew was facing, as well as Luffy's request for a banquet and food.
After hearing Kyros's report, King Riku did not hesitate.
He turned around to face the busy ministers, generals, and citizen representatives who had come to help of their own accord, and with a wave of his hand, he issued his command as King:
"Quick! Pass on my order: everyone is to stop all their current work immediately!
"Go and take all the fine wine salvaged from the palace ruins, and all the food from the national treasury and warehouses everywhere, and bring it all out!
"Even if it is the last drop of wine or the last piece of meat, send it all to the Kings Plateau!"
King Riku's voice echoed in the night sky for a long time:
"Today, we shall use the passion of the entire nation to entertain the benefactors who saved our Dressrosa!"
The old king's command was like a warm spring breeze, instantly spreading through every street and alley of Dressrosa.
The civilians who were still clearing rubble and hauling stones through the night,
the insurgent gladiators who had laid down their weapons and voluntarily participated in the reconstruction,
and the agile, tireless Tontatta Tribe dwarves,
upon hearing this news, everyone put down the bricks, tiles, and tools in their hands.
No one complained about the exhaustion from days of labor, and no one was stingy with the remaining supplies in their own homes.
They joyfully found intact wine barrels from the ruins and carried them on their sturdy shoulders.
They pushed wooden carts loaded with various fresh ingredients, large chunks of roasted meat, and sweet fruits, laughing and talking along the way, and even singing ancient Dressrosa folk songs.
The gathering crowds were like waves of joy, surging from all directions of the island toward the Kings Plateau.
Shortly after, on the vast open ground in front of the Kings Plateau, mountains of wood were lit by sturdy men.
With a 'whoosh,' a massive bonfire soared into the sky.
The blazing firelight illuminated the entire dark plaza as bright as day.
Sparks danced in the night sky, lighting up the smiling faces of every Dressrosa citizen, which were filled with heartfelt gratitude.
On the open ground, cheerful exotic music had already begun to play.
Passionate dancers wearing bright flamenco dresses danced gracefully to the brisk beat, their skirts looking like blooming roses in the firelight.
The deafening cheers and expressions of gratitude from the citizens of the entire island intertwined, as if they were about to shake the stars down from the sky.
A massive 'Post-War Victory Banquet' full of laughter and freedom, belonging exclusively to the heroes, officially began on this reborn landChapter 355: Tranquility Amidst the Clamor! Deep-Sea Murmurs and a Gentle Lap Pillow
On the massive plaza in front of the Kings Plateau.
At the center of this clamor and celebration, Luffy sat cross-legged before a mountain-high pile of roasted meat.
His left hand gripped a massive, sizzling piece of bone-in roast meat, while his right hand held a roasted Sea King fish taller than a person.
His mouth, possessing the properties of the Gum-Gum Fruit, opened like a bottomless abyss, frantically clearing the food before him at an exaggerated speed that ordinary people simply couldn't comprehend.
This shocking display of gluttony drew burst after burst of exclamations and admiration from the surrounding Dressrosa citizens.
Not far from Luffy, Bartolomeo was like a devout believer, holding an exquisite little notebook in both hands.
Watching Luffy's 'invincible heroic posture' as he devoured the meat, he was moved to tears, his face covered in snot and weeping, while his quill pen flew across the paper, recording his impressions.
"Waaaah... Even the way Luffy-senpai eats is so cool! This heroic swallowing, this Haki-filled chewing—it's simply art bestowed by the heavens!"
Bartolomeo scribbled while letting out a perverted, infatuated giggle.
Just then, with his mouth stuffed to the brim, Luffy seemed to notice this strange guy nearby who had been staring at him and crying.
So he stopped chewing, turned his head, and called out indistinctly:
"Hm? Hey, Cockscomb-head, what have you been doing over there?"
Hearing his idol actually take the initiative to speak to him, Bartolomeo's body instantly stiffened.
An unprecedented surge of immense happiness rushed straight to his head; he cupped his cheeks with both hands, his face turning bright red.
"Luffy-senpai... called me Cockscomb-head..."
With a blissful murmur, Bartolomeo's eyes rolled back, and he fell straight backward.
Seeing this, the nearby subordinates from the Barto Club all showed expressions of being long accustomed to such sights.
They rushed forward with great skill and began performing emergency CPR on their boss.
On the other side of the plaza, Zoro had already taken off his shirt, baring his scarred and muscular torso.
He was surrounded by Hajrudin, Sai, and a crowd of massive heroes from the New World.
The friendship of men is built upon blades and strong liquor.
They raised massive wooden barrels, clashing them together as wine splashed everywhere, then tilted their heads back to drink heroically, shouting in delight.
Meanwhile, as the chef of the Straw Hat Pirates, Sanji had long since thrown the matter of cooking to the back of his mind.
He was currently amidst Violet, Rebecca, and a group of graceful and beautiful Dressrosa dancers, like a happy butterfly flitting through a garden of flowers.
His eyes turned into giant red hearts, and his whole body wiggled like a noodle.
Amidst the giggles of "Sanji-san is so amazing," he felt so happy he was floating on air.
Chopper, Usopp, and Brook had completely integrated into the exotic atmosphere.
Wearing flower garlands, they held hands with the tiny Tontatta Tribe people and danced a joyful, rhythmic traditional dance around the bonfire.
Watching his celebrating companions on the plaza, a faint smile played on Victor's lips.
Holding a glass of mellow red wine, he didn't join the commotion but instead followed the shadows, withdrawing from the center of the noise.
He passed through several ruined stone gates and arrived alone at a very quiet garden pond behind the ruins.
The bright moonlight poured down unreservedly, quietly blanketing the crystal-clear water and creating shimmering silver ripples.
Victor stood at the edge of the pond and reached out to take out an exquisitely shaped pink conch.
He slowly leaned down, walked to the edge of the water, and submerged the special conch into the clear pond.
As the water rippled slightly, the interior of the conch began to emit a faint, soft glow.
After a brief delay, a soft, sweet, and familiar voice filled with unmistakable surprise came from the conch:
"Vi... Victor-sama? That's wonderful! Is it you?
"Can you hear Shirahoshi's voice?"
That voice was so sweet it seemed to trail like silk; every word was saturated with deep longing and attachment, the gentle posture of a young girl in love.
Hearing the voice that haunted his dreams, Victor's gaze instantly softened.
He leaned back against the stone carving of the pond and responded in a gentle tone:
"It's me, Shirahoshi. I can hear you clearly."
On the other end of the line, Shirahoshi took a deep breath, her tone carrying a bit of urgency and lingering fear as she mentioned she had just seen the latest newspaper.
The newspapers were flooded with terrifying news of the earth-shattering battle in Dressrosa, even involving a Marine Admiral.
She was terrified that Victor and the others had encountered irreversible danger.
Listening to her words full of concern, Victor softly soothed her frightened heart, downplaying the battle situation here and telling her that everything had ended peacefully.
Hearing Victor's steady and reassuring voice, Shirahoshi sniffled softly on the other end.
She obediently reported her recent situation to Victor.
She said she had been listening to him on Fish-Man Island, seriously learning how to be a proper royal every day, and working hard to care for the citizens of the ocean.
Victor laughed and praised her strength and growth, which made Shirahoshi incredibly happy.
But then, a hint of a sob entered Shirahoshi's voice as she asked softly with heartache:
"Victor-sama... were you injured in that terrible battle? Does it hurt very much?"
Victor tilted his head back slightly, looking at the bright moon in the night sky:
"There were some minor injuries. But as soon as I hear your voice, those wounds don't hurt at all."
This sudden, direct romantic line immediately caused the pure-hearted Shirahoshi on the other end to blush.
Her heart fluttered like a trapped bird; she stammered for a long time, completely unsure of what to say, leaving only the sound of shy breathing.
Amidst the interplay of moonlight and ripples, the two shared their daily trivialities.
Victor listened patiently as Shirahoshi talked about the interesting things deep in the ocean, the naughtiness of the Sea Kings, and the praise she received from her father and brothers.
Unknowingly, time slipped away.
At the end of the call, Shirahoshi reluctantly stopped talking and cautiously asked Victor when he could return to Fish-Man Island.
She really, really missed him.
Victor gave a light chuckle and said that once he finished the urgent matters in the New World.
He would personally go to Fish-Man Island and would formally propose to her father, Neptune.
Hearing these words, Shirahoshi on the other end immediately broke into an incredibly happy smile.
Her hand kept fumbling with the token of affection Victor had given her.
That pink gemstone she now cherished and kept in the valley of her chest.
As the two tenderly bid each other goodnight, the faint light emitted by the conch gradually dimmed in the pond, finally returning to calm.
Meanwhile, in the Ryugu Palace on Fish-Man Island, ten thousand meters below the sea.
The massive Princess Shirahoshi was lying on her soft, wide shell bed.
Her beautiful pink fish tail swayed gently in the air, and her hands propped up her exquisite chin as she gazed quietly at the now-dull conch in her hand.
However, the sweet smile on her face gradually vanished in the silence following the call.
In its place was a deep sense of worry and attachment.
Thinking about how Victor always had to face so many dangerous enemies and go through those bloody battles in the outside world.
A flicker of dark light quietly passed through Shirahoshi's originally clear and flawless eyes.
She sighed softly and murmured in a low tone:
"The outside world... is truly too dangerous."
"If Victor-sama is always getting hurt... maybe I should just ask my Sea King friends to bring Victor-sama back."
"It would be better to hide him forever and ever in this deep sea where no one can find him..."
"That way, he can be with Shirahoshi forever and never be hurt again."
"When we are together forever... we can have several cute children..."
"What should we name a boy, and what should a girl's name be..."
Lost in her sweet fantasies, a strange glow appeared in the depths of Shirahoshi's eyes.
On that pure and beautiful face, the corners of her mouth slowly curled into a breathtakingly beautiful yet eerie arc.
Back in the garden of Dressrosa, Victor, having put away the conch, naturally had no idea what 'dangerous' plan the beauty in the deep sea was plotting.
He returned to the outer corner of the banquet.
Near a ruin far from the clamor of the bonfire, the firelight cast long shadows here.
Robin was sitting on the rubble in an elegant posture, a thick notebook in her hand, her expression focused.
Opposite her sat Elder Gancho of the Tontatta Tribe, with his long beard.
The elder was waving his short arms, vividly telling Robin about the secret history of Dressrosa over the past eight hundred years and the ancient legends passed down through generations of the Tontatta Tribe.
Robin was completely absorbed, her fountain pen making a'shasha' scratching sound on the paper.
She would occasionally stop her pen to ask a few questions.
And as the Navigator, Nami was currently propping up her chin with both hands, sitting boredly beside Robin.
Her large, lively eyes darted around in the night.
Although she wasn't very interested in that dry history, she still pricked up her ears and listened with great curiosity.
She was trying to keenly catch any clues about'secret treasures' from the elder's vague and misty words.
Just then, from the corner of her eye, Nami caught sight of Victor walking slowly over from the darkness.
Seeing this guy, Nami immediately pouted her rosy little lips.
She complained unceremoniously, "Honestly, where did you run off to just now?
"Everyone is celebrating, yet you're always pulling a disappearing act alone."
Although her tone carried reproach, anyone could hear the thick layer of coquettishness mixed within.
Victor walked closer, looking at Nami's puffed-up appearance.
He didn't speak to refute her complaint; he just smiled slightly.
Victor walked straight to Nami's side and lay down on the flat patch of grass, naturally resting his head on Nami's firm, straight, and elastic thighs.
Feeling the sudden heavy weight on her legs and the warm body temperature belonging to a man.
The words Nami wanted to continue lecturing with were suddenly stuck in her throat.
She looked down at the man resting on her lap; that cold face appeared exceptionally relaxed at this moment.
The resentment in Nami's heart vanished in an instant.
She gave a light sigh and reached out her slender fingers, gently stroking Victor's slightly messy black hair.
Robin, sitting nearby, stopped her pen at the right time.
She looked up, watching this warm scene, a hint of a smile flashing in her eyes.
In the night where the distant clamor shook the heavens, this secluded corner belonging only to the few of them was permeated with an intoxicating silence and tenderness.