Almost killing the fleet admiral!

3rd Person POV

Meanwhile in various states and kingdoms, in which 'The Grand Battle for Dressrosa' is being broadcasted, revolutionaries began their own work. Any ruler or head of state, who isn't a complete idiot, will order his or her military forces, to send away any civilians or journalists, as soon as they receive a report about this.

After all what easier way was there to prevent unwanted information from spreading than by stopping people from learning about it. Preventing that situation altogether is the real mission of the revolutionary army.

For that they planned to force all their attention on something else entirely. Something that will keep every king, every queen, every other ruler, however they may call themselves, from focusing on the broad cast.

A fake assault.

Shortly after the broadcast began in various cities, kingdoms and states, explosions went off in their castles, government buildings or military bases. It worked like a charm. What journalists, what propaganda? Most rulers immediately ordered to secure their own safety before sending most available forces after whoever dared to attack. The process of mobilizing took time but that was exactly what this 'assault' was trying to achieve.

From afar, groups of nearly a hundred men and women were watching the reactions of the location they respectively 'attacked' while they themselves stayed mostly hidden.

Some groups had trees or bushes surrounding and helping them to stay hidden, while others had to help themselves by preparing uniforms that match their surroundings effectively reducing their visibility while some other groups even had to relay on devil fruit abilities.

But of course not everything was perfect. Due to a limited number of revolutionaries that could be deployed simultaneously, they had to limit their range of operation to places that would have a high enough number of journalists to warrant such intervention, relatively incompetent leaders and officers, who would leave them much needed room to withdraw when needed, and of course no CP- or Navy bases close enough to pose a threat to the operation.

Back in Dressrosa

King Riku Doldo the 3rd. POV

It was strange. Somehow hard to believe. I was standing in the middle of the city and couldn't help but look up to the cloudy sky. Was I in a daze? Why did this feel so surreal. For so many years my country suffered in secret. Families were torn apart yet no one remembered any of them. A race was subdued and enslaved yet no one noticed anything.

Weapons, drugs, slaves, what other unspeakable terror Doflamingo brought upon this land... for what? To be beaten by a young pirate? Get his body stolen from him and used to resolve what he himself started?

His title, reputation, standing, wealth, plans... everything will be destroyed after today-

"YEAAAAAA!!!!"

"THEY WON!!!"

"Kill that demon!!!!!"

Cheers- no, roars. My people who watched this 'play' finally came running. So many voices resounding loudly from everywhere and making the air vibrate. Already, a small gathering appeared in my view, as they came running towards this place. To them everything was real.

Dressrosa's citizens had remembered those, who were turned into toys. Everyone now knew what really happened that day, when I was forced to massacre my own people. 'He' himself confessed his crimes and underhanded dealings with our World Government.

*Swishh!*

But the play still wasn't over. 'Doflamingo' was being apprehended by dwarves while pretending to be unconscious so almost everyone forgot that there was a more terrifying existence on this island.

*BOOOOM!!!!*

A tall figure tore through the sky like an arrow before crashing right next to 'Doflamingo'. A few dwarves who were standing to close to his landing place were were blown away together with dust and dirt that rose up, blocking his figure from our eyes.

Suddenly arriving, Portgas D. Jackson made everyone who cheered shut up, everyone who was running over here stopped in his steps. Just by showing himself, an 18 years old drew everyone's attention to himself.

The cheers together with the festive mood vanished as if it never existed. He appeared so carefree, nothing like a ruler or king. If there was one thing about him that stood out it would be his confidence in himself as well as in his friends.

People may call him uncrowned emperor or admiral killer, even though both admirals he fought survived but to me he looked like a youth traveling the world with friend. An adventurer at best.

'Time for the grand final.'

Just like planned, Kyros lounged at him with his sword drawn, clearly aiming for his throat. This was not an act. Jackson told us to go for the kill, to make it more believable. His exact words were something like 'It doesn't really matter to me since you won't be able make a scratch anyways'.

'How infuriating that was.'

But he was right. I had no chance to even see him move but his right hand had already grabbed and shattered Kyros' sword before sending him flying straight into the building behind me.

*Crash!!!!*

The sound after everything was done being the only thing I could perceive.

*Sing*

Next thing I knew a cold lump of steel was being pressed against my throat effectively stopping the dwarves that prepared to rush in. Not like they could have done anything if this wasn't just a play.

"How unexpected! The former king of this shit place fighting Doflamingo. Why? Do you want this ruined country back that badly?"

Ridicule. His voice oozed pure ridicule for me and my country. Was this even part of the script? What was I supposed to say?

"This shitty country, that you shed your blood and tears for, that got taken away from you in one day, that got abandoned by the World Government, that rejected and blamed you for it's tragedy. Why are you even fighting for it?"

Something was wrong. Jackson practically spit out these words as a devilish expression formed on his face. Wasn't this a play? Wasn't he supposed to act touched by my actions and 'grant' me to take back my country for money. Wasn't he-

'Was I actually betrayed?'

A terrifying thought sent cold sweat down my spine considering who was standing in front of me. Doflamingo was incomparable to this pirate standing before my eyes, holding his sword against my throat.

"Answer the question!"

He harshly barked. Jackson's voice usually wasn't so rough or loud. It is clearly different from how he usually talks.

"This country..."

It's no longer clear to me, whether I was betrayed or if this is still part of the play. Regardless there are some things that needs to be said, in case I will die here.

"This country is my responsibility! I, Riku Doldo the third, former king of Dressrosa, shed both tears and blood for it, just like you said! But I shed it long before Doflamingo arrived and long after he took it from me. My heart lies with this country and I will either prosper with Dressrosa or die while protecting this kingdom and it's people! You want to stop me? Than pierce my heart with your sword or I will kill you right where I stand!"

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3rd Person POV

"... Than pierce my heart with your sword or I will kill you right where I stand!"

Silence. A powerful silence hung upon Dressrosa after everyone heard the daring words of it's former king. Every man and every woman, every spectator even outside Dressrosa, they all had their mouths hanging wide open in shock.

An old, beaten man, the wronged former king who was blamed by his people, was standing up for his country even against someone like Portgas D. Jackson. Journalists wrote down every sentence from his mouth with a feverish devotion, in their small notebooks.

Onlookers and residents from other kingdoms were touched by Riku's words and loyalty, which is something only seen in stories and legends. Dressrosa's citizens couldn't believe it.

To them everything turned fine just a few moments ago. Their good king returned and fought for them. They won against Doflamingo! But what now? Will they watch as this country's hero dies in another pirate's hands?

The more hot headed people grabbed whatever object they deemed a weapon before storming off.

'A bit... If I can be of help just a little bit!'

Thoughts like these spurting them on. Some young men who were rooted in place felt a bit ashamed watching even the usually kind aunts and grandfathers from their neighborhood running of, armed with just a a rock and a wooden club.

Women with knives. Some soldiers with swords or guns. Before anybody noticed it, Dressrosa's citizens formed a mob that rushed to aid Riku. Few have already arrived at the scene. Full of sweat, their faces pale and knees shaking but they still pointed whatever weapons they had at Jackson.

"Let go of Kind Riku or you will regret it!"

A burly man from the crowd shouted at him.

"Your majesty, this fight I will protect you and our kingdom with my life!"

Another man in military uniform followed.

"Kill our king and you will have to kill us all! We will either avenge him or die trying!"

Threat after threat rained down on Jackson, who was still pressing his sword against Riku's throat. None of them made him even take a second look but for some reason they made Jackson start to laugh as he lowered his sword.

"Ha! HAhahahaha!"

Unfitting his youthful appearance, the laugh was thunderous.

"You want his life? Then take it! I will give you your king but in exchange shall take the greatest treasure I find on this island!"

In Dressrosa's history, it was this short speech that marked the beginning of the second era under the rule of King Riku Doldo the 3rd.

Journalists on certain islands, who watched everything from start to finish sent emergency calls to whichever news agency they worked for, hoping to be the first to present this shocking events. Despite their best efforts none of them made it in time.

A certain bird, who was hiding in Dressrosa while all this happened, wrote his article right there while watching everything unfold before sending his agency his report.

Next day.

2 Types of news are being distributed. One is telling the amazing story of Dressrosa's king and his battle against devious pirates. Another is basically discrediting everything the first one reported. A risky move that could damage the World Government's credibility and standing more than if they did nothing but at the same time it also gave them a chance to follow up with rumors and propaganda to deny their involvement, however indirect, in Doflamingo's terror.

At the same time in the Navy HQ

In Sengoku's office, the fleet admiral could be seen sitting at his desk, a lot of documents and reports chaotically lying around. Among them was a newspaper, to be more precise, Morgan's version of the happening of Dressrosa.

Sengoku himself wasn't moving. Upon close inspection it became visible that his eyes were rolled back, some foam formed on the corners of his mouth and a little bit of blood was still dropping from his nose.

"Fleet Admiral! An urgent repor- !!!!"

A navy officer just entered his office, almost getting scared to death after noticing the unconsciousness fleet admiral.

"Fleet Admiral Sengoku!!!"

"Oh be quiet else you actually wake him up!"

Calling his superior after witnessing his condition made Garp, who was crouching behind Sengoku's desk, shout at him angrily.

"Vice-Admiral Garp?! What are you doing?! Shouldn't we wake up the Fleet Admiral and call for a doctor?"

"Of course of course. Just wait till I find where he hides his good green tea then I will take care of him myself."

"Vice-Admiral?!"

On this day, Navy's Fleet Admiral Sengoku was almost angered to death by his best and oldest friend's carefree obsession with rice crackers and green tea right after reading the reports and newspapers about the Dressrosa incident, which obviously were caused by Garp's adopted grandchild.

(AN: Hey everyone! Ok here is today's chapter. With this the Dressrosa arc is finished and I can move on to the next one. Like always tell me about mistakes you might find or leave a stone and meme if you enjoyed the chapter. Like I said today, I'll be back to updating almost daily, except for when something comes in between. Till next time!)