Chapter 163

Eight years ago, the former king of Dressrosa, King Riku, suddenly demanded that the citizens of Dressrosa hand over their wealth to him. Although people felt somewhat surprised at the request, King Riku kneeled before the entire nation, pleading for their cooperation. Everyone was willing to believe that the kind-hearted king must have some difficult circumstances or encountered some problems.

As a result, people enthusiastically handed over their money to King Riku.

However, something unexpected happened.

After collecting the people's wealth, King Riku turned his sword against them.

The massacre began, and King Riku and his army went on a rampage, slaughtering the civilians. To this day, no one understands why such a horrific event occurred. All they can assume is that King Riku went mad.

As they faced the relentless slaughter by the king's army, Doflamingo appeared. He led the Donquixote Family's pirates to Dressrosa, defeated King Riku and his army, and saved the country.

He then became the new king of Dressrosa.

The entire nation fell into Doflamingo's hands overnight.

Afterward, people felt that the incident had been sudden and strange, but they didn't have time to dwell on it because Doflamingo had saved them from King Riku's army.

Not only that, but under Doflamingo's rule, Dressrosa gradually prospered.

Previously, under the governance of the Riku family, Dressrosa had experienced 800 years without wars, but people lived in poverty, struggling even to put food on the table.

However, after Doflamingo became the king, the people of Dressrosa started living prosperous lives. The once impoverished Dressrosa transformed into a country filled with romance and fantasy, earning the title of the "Country of Love, Passion, and Toys."

Because their lives improved significantly, people stopped pondering the events of the past. However, now that the truth has been revealed, those who experienced that fateful night suddenly recalled the abnormalities of that evening.

King Riku's urgent demand for their money was already suspicious, especially when he kneeled before the entire nation, displaying such a lowly attitude. And then, the subsequent massacre seemed like a complete transformation.

After the incident with the Alabasta and Crocodile's plot to usurp the kingdom, people saw the plan's intricacies, including Crocodile's underlings disguising as Alabasta's King Cobra to escalate tensions intentionally.

Now, thinking back to the events of eight years ago, they felt a familiar sensation, not an exact match but very similar.

Was it also a conspiracy to usurp the throne?

The idea took root among the people of Dressrosa.

However, thoughts were just thoughts, and they didn't want to return to their previous impoverished lives. Even if Doflamingo had indeed stolen Dressrosa, they didn't mind. For the common people, the identity of the king and nobles held little importance; what mattered was living a happy and peaceful life.

From their current perspective, they were content with their lives, which provided material abundance and spiritual fulfillment. It was much better than the struggling existence they endured eight years ago. No one delved further into the issue.

However, while the common people of Dressrosa didn't investigate further, they didn't notice the complex expressions on the toys around them after hearing about the incident.

...

At this moment, people were discussing whether Dressrosa had been taken over by Doflamingo and whether it was another conspiracy like what happened in Crocodile's Alabasta.

But they quickly stopped their discussion as they witnessed a more exciting scene in the footage.

In the video, Law encountered a group of Marines. Due to his aversion and wariness toward the Marines, Law didn't immediately approach them for help. Instead, he hid behind a desk, hesitating.

As the group of Marines was about to leave, Law took a deep breath and rushed to the Marine who had fallen behind, holding the intelligence report in his hand. Without raising his head, Law handed the report to the Marine.

"Here, take this."

The Marine in front of Law was surprised to see the intelligence report in Law's hand. He then bent down and looked directly at Law's face, speaking kindly, "This must be entrusted to you by someone else, right? Thank you, I'll take it, don't worry."

His kind demeanor made him appear like a genuine Marine.

However, upon seeing this Marine, everyone recognized his identity. He was Vergo, the spy sent by Doflamingo to infiltrate the Marines.

Witnessing Vergo in the footage, people showed expressions of sighs, regret, and sadness.

It was truly heartbreaking. Law's luck couldn't have been worse; he sought help but encountered the last person he should have met.

Seeing Vergo disguised as a Marine in the footage made Trafalgar Law seethe with anger. He wanted nothing more than to jump into the scene and take down the traitor. The following conversation between Law and Vergo only fueled his fury.

"By the way, kid, your voice sounds a bit weak," Vergo said.

"Can I trust you?" Law asked Vergo.

The people outside the footage couldn't believe what they were witnessing.

However, they couldn't communicate with the people inside the footage.

"Well, of course... I will deliver the documents..." Vergo began to speak, but Law interrupted him, urgently saying, "I hope you can help me save someone. He has been shot multiple times and is on the brink of death!"

Tears streaming down his face, Law pleaded, "Please, save him, I want him to live no matter what! Because of him, I've become who I am today!"

Hearing Law's words, Vergo paused for a moment, then bent down to carry Law on his back, heading towards the person in need of rescue.

Seeing Vergo's actions, the onlookers were willing to believe that he genuinely wanted to act as a Marine and save someone. However, both parties encountered the last person they should have met.

If it weren't for their encounter, Law would have been rescued by the Marines and survived. And Vergo would have found an injured person and saved him.

Originally, it should have been a good outcome for both situations, but their encounter turned it into the worst.

They almost didn't need to watch what happened next, as they could guess the outcome.

The expression on Trafalgar Law's face showed he couldn't bear to watch any longer, yet he didn't turn away. Even though it was such a scene, he didn't want to miss it. It might be the only time he could see the footage of Corazon again.

As expected, when Vergo found Corazon, he was already covered in blood. Both sides immediately called out each other's names.

Upon hearing Corazon, who should have been mute, call his name and mention the intelligence report, Vergo instantly understood the situation.

Similarly, when Corazon heard Vergo's name, he realized the predicament he was in.

But it was too late.

Witnessing the scene in the footage of Corazon and Law being beaten by Vergo, people found it hard to bear.

Trafalgar Law saw Corazon covered in blood, and his killing intent boiled.

"Vergo!" Trafalgar Law gritted his teeth. When he got his hands on this guy, he would show him what true cruelty was.

Trafalgar Law's killing intent made everyone around him shudder. The angered admiral was a frightening sight.

Silently, they all lit metaphorical candles for Vergo.

Meanwhile, after dealing with Corazon and Law, Vergo immediately contacted Doflamingo.

Doflamingo finally confirmed that the mole he had been searching for was his own brother, Corazon. He instructed Vergo to keep an eye on Corazon, as the Ope Ope no Mi must be in his possession, and he would come immediately.

However, when Vergo turned around, he found Corazon and Law had disappeared.

Upon hearing this news, Doflamingo activated the Birdcage. Countless strings shot up into the sky from Doflamingo's palms, forming a massive net that fell to the ground, like a real birdcage.

Anyone attempting to escape would be cut by the strings, which were incredibly resilient.

Corazon saw this scene and a hint of despair flashed in his eyes. "We have nowhere to run."

The scene then cut to the day when Doflamingo killed their own father.

Young Doflamingo pointed a gun at the back of his father, Homing, while young Corazon shouted to stop.

However, Doflamingo coldly said, "Your head is my ticket home."

Homing, with his heart as cold as ashes, didn't even consider resistance, only saying with regret, "Doflamingo...Rosinante... I am an incompetent father."

As soon as he finished speaking, Doflamingo shot him.

A tragedy of patricide unfolded before everyone, leaving them feeling nothing but sorrow.

Doflamingo saw this scene and his muscles tensed, veins bulging. Infinite fury surged in his heart, and he would never forgive this man!

Soon after, the footage cut back to Minion Island.

Shocking events unfolded once the Birdcage was formed.

Inside the cage, the pirates began to uncontrollably slaughter each other.

Seeing this scene, the people of Dressrosa seemed to lose their souls, staring at the shocking scene in disbelief.