Chapter 123: The Liberation of Dressrosa!

"Bzzz!"

A sudden, overwhelming gravity field descended upon the Donquixote family's headquarters, crushing everyone under its immense force. The once-proud leaders of the Crime family and their entourage found themselves helpless, pinned to the ground without any ability to resist.

"Boom!"

The stone giant, formed from the fragments of the meteorite, instantly collapsed under the gravity's weight. Pika, whose Stone Fruit abilities had merged him with the giant, was ejected forcefully and slammed into the ground with a heavy thud.

"Damn Devil Fruit ability?! My Haki... it's useless!" Pika's panicked voice echoed through the chaos. His formidable Armament Haki, usually among the strongest in the Donquixote family, proved futile against this overwhelming Devil Fruit power. It underscored the stark disparity between his Haki and the sheer potency of the gravity-based ability.

"Clearly, the wielder of this ability is a formidable adversary," Pika realized, his fear palpable.

Doflamingo, despite his superior strength, struggled visibly under the relentless force of the gravity. His usual smirk replaced by a cold sweat, his face paled with a mix of shock and anger.

"What do you want from me?! Entei Pirates!!" Doflamingo's voice boomed, veins bulging on his forehead, as he confronted the incoming threat with a defiant roar.

"Heh, Doflamingo, still putting up a show," a calm voice interjected.

"Tak, tak!"

Footsteps echoed, drawing everyone's attention. Two figures approached slowly, casting a shadow of despair over the Donquixote family's ranks.

Former Marine Admiral and one of the world's most formidable fighters, Aokiji!

And alongside him, the Dark Ranger Fujitora, a pinnacle combatant of the Entei Pirates' second division!

The mere sight of these two towering figures caused despair to spread among the Donquixote cadres. Facing either one individually would have spelled trouble; together, their combined might left no chance for the Donquixote family to prevail.

With these two people working together, even if Four Emperors Kaido faced off against them alone, he would probably be exhausted and tired.

Even with their young master's aspirations for kingship, it counted for naught against this overwhelming force. The gap was not merely substantial—it was insurmountable

In the face of such power, Doflamingo's rule and ambitions seemed suddenly fragile, a realization that struck fear into the hearts of all who stood against the might of Aokiji and Fujitora.

"Fufufufu, the course of events is no longer within my control. Why resort to such cowardly tactics?" Doflamingo's voice carried a hint of mockery as he faced Kuzan and Fujitora. Despite the visible strain under the oppressive gravity, his trademark evil smile returned.

As a prominent figure among the sea's great pirates and with alliances stretching to the Four Emperors and Kaido of the Beasts, Doflamingo understood the sheer terror that top-tier fighters like Kuzan and Fujitora instilled. Even if the entire Donquixote family were to unite against one of them, victory would still be uncertain. With both here together, defeat was inevitable.

The only one who could dictate Doflamingo's fate now was the man backing these two formidable warriors—a man whose power surpassed even the Four Emperors: Flame Emperor Portgas D. Ace.

Doflamingo wasn't naive. He understood that Ace's decision to send both his peak combatants, along with their devastating Devil Fruit powers summoning meteorites and freezing the sea around Dressrosa, was a direct challenge to him.

Initially planning his escape from the game between Kaido and Ace to head to the Holy Land Mariejois, Doflamingo had not anticipated this preemptive strike. The fact that Ace held him in such high regard was clear.

Doflamingo's gaze locked onto Kuzan, his sunglasses concealing the intensity of his stare, and Fujitora with closed eyes, cold sweat dripping uncontrollably from his forehead. The sheer presence of these two peak combatants exerted an overwhelming pressure that constricted his breathing.

Compounding his distress, both possessed formidable Restrictive Devil Fruit abilities. The gravity field bearing down on everyone was relentless, compounded by the pervasive freezing air from Kuzan's Frozen Fruit ability. Doflamingo knew he had to shroud himself completely in Haki, leaving no room for vulnerability, lest he succumb like his fallen Donquixote family underlings.

Yet, maintaining such a level of Haki against the combined onslaught of these two titans drained his stamina alarmingly. His muscles trembled faintly with the strain. His String-String Fruit, a Paramecia rather than a Logia, offered no physical enhancement, leaving him reliant solely on his skill and Haki.

The urgency was clear—if he allowed his Haki to deplete, he'd be defenseless, vulnerable even to ordinary fighters. But Doflamingo's resolve was unyielding; even facing death, he would meet it standing.

"Bzzt!"

Doflamingo's pupils contracted suddenly as he unleashed a roar imbued with terrifying aura.

"Boom!"

His Conqueror's Haki surged forth without restraint, creating waves of overwhelming pressure that reverberated through the atmosphere. Though not yet mastering the advanced form to inflict physical damage, the sheer force disrupted the activation of Devil Fruit abilities around him, freeing his beleaguered allies from the gravity's grasp.

"Ah la la, are you prepared for a fight to the death, Doflamingo?" Kuzan's eyes gleamed coldly behind his sunglasses.

"Nice Conqueror's Haki, but unfortunately for you, you've met Kuzan and myself," Fujitora remarked, gripping his staff-sword tightly as Haki enveloped his entire being.

"Doflamingo roared, commanding the full force of his String-String Fruit's awakened ability. Threads surged, transforming everything around him—grounds, buildings, and lawns—into lethal strings. Unlike Logia types limited to natural elements, Paramecia's awakening allowed manipulation of all affected matter, even artificial constructions like buildings and steel. This transformation endowed Doflamingo with formidable offensive capabilities previously impossible, even as it lacked Logia's natural physical enhancement.

"Sixteen Sacred Bullets‧God's Killing!!!" Doflamingo bellowed, threads erupted into sixteen immense waves of spiked threads, hardened by Armament Haki into deadly pillars glowing with ominous black light. This awakening granted Doflamingo unparalleled combat endurance and the ability to frequently unleash devastating moves, vastly increasing his upper combat limit.

"Eeh!" Trebol's command spurred the Donquixote family into action, unleashing their full might. Armament Haki surged as they launched a unified assault against Kuzan and Fujitora, with the heavenly yaksha Doflamingo leading the charge.

"Clang!" A sword unsheathed, its blade infused with Armament Haki and the power of intense and focused gravity, sliced through the air with a ferocious roar.

"Gravity Knife·Tiger!" Fujitora's attack was unleashed without hesitation, a horizontal wave of black gravity slicing through the air, twisting the very atmosphere with its power. There was no restraint; this was the Entei Pirates' second division captain on a mission from Ace—to utterly defeat the Donquixote family.

"Boom!" Doflamingo, confronting the pressing onslaught with his entire being wrapped in Armament Haki, could only brace himself as the devastating gravity wave crashed over him. Blood sprayed as his defenses crumbled under the overwhelming force.

"Boom!" Doflamingo, despite his resolve, was forced down, unable to bridge the gap between him and Fujitora, who fought without reservation.

"Ah la la, thank you for the attack," Kuzan quipped calmly amidst the chaos. As the Donquixote family cadres surged forward, half of his body turned to ice, unleashing a blast of freezing air that instantly incapacitated the attackers.

"Crack! Click!" As the Frozen Fruit's power took hold, all except Sugar and Violet, who wisely kept their distance, succumbed to the icy grip.

"F**k you PORTGAS D ACE!!!" Doflamingo, still struggling against the cold, was now frozen solid, his defiance palpable even in defeat.

Under Ace's command, the combined might of Kuzan and Fujitora left no room for resistance. The once-proud Donquixote family lay utterly defeated, their ambitions shattered by forces they could not withstand.

"..."

Violet stared blankly at the scene unfolding before her, processing the swift and decisive end to Doflamingo and his reign of terror over Dressrosa. The man who had once plunged their kingdom into despair, turning it into a puppet state through underhanded methods and overwhelming strength, now lay defeated in mere moments. The Donquixote family, backed by the fearsome Four Emperors Kaido and the world government, was now reduced to ice sculptures, a stark contrast to their once-dominant presence.

But now, facing the immediate and decisive action of Ace's captains, it all seemed so fragile and fleeting. The broadcast of the Entei incident on Sabaody Archipelago had shown the world the might of these captains, but Violet, lacking the strength to gauge the true power of the top figures in the sea, had only now fully grasped the significance.

The Flame Emperor, Portgas D. Ace—the name that resonated as the most powerful force in the world today. Against him, Doflamingo and his family were insignificant. Their resistance futile, crushed effortlessly by the sheer might of two captains under Ace's command.

Violet couldn't help but feel a mix of awe and unease. If Ace could obliterate Doflamingo's empire with such ease, what could he not do? The weight of his title as a super overlord, surpassing even the Four Emperors, became painfully clear.

The thought unnerved her deeply. If Ace wished it, Dressrosa could be wiped off the map tomorrow. Such was the power and influence he wielded—a level beyond what she had comprehended until now.

"Why didn't he come himself?" Violet pondered aloud, realizing the enormity of Ace's strength and the significance of his command. His absence spoke volumes, signaling that even without his direct presence, his power was enough to reshape the fate of nations.

In that moment, Violet understood that Ace, the Flame Emperor, was not just a legend or a title. He was a force of nature, unmatched and untamed—a true ruler of the seas.

"Little Lord!!!"

Unlike Violet, Sugar was gripped by intense fear. Without any combat abilities of her own, she had relied solely on the Childlike Fruit to enforce Doflamingo's rule over Dressrosa. Now, faced with the sight of Doflamingo and his cadres frozen solid, her eyes widened with terror.

Then came a chilling voice.

"The one with the Childlike Fruit ability, Sugar. This is the ability we've been seeking."

Kuzan's voice was cold and deliberate as he continued to emit freezing air from his mouth.

"N-no, please! I don't want this!"

Sugar's fear was palpable as she pleaded with Kuzan and Fujitora, knowing she stood no chance against their overwhelming power.

"Well, since the appearance of the Childlike Fruit's ability will always remain that of a little girl, I was hesitating to start," Kuzan remarked, his tone indifferent.

He removed his sunglasses slowly, fixing a steady gaze on Sugar.

"Compared to the captain's great deeds, it would be better for you to meet your end peacefully."

"Click! Click! Click!"

With those words and her fearful expression frozen in place, Sugar was encased entirely in ice by the Frozen Fruit's chilling ability. Lacking strong Haki, she was as vulnerable as any ordinary person before such power.

Ace, indifferent to the fate of Sugar and drained of interest in playing any further games of recruiting, had already decided on Rebecca as the Entei Pirates' nominal representative in Dressrosa. Rebecca and the people of Dressrosa harbored deep-seated resentment towards Sugar for her role in transforming their lives and their kingdom into a puppet state.

With Sugar's death, the grip of her Childlike Fruit's ability was broken. Throughout Dressrosa, those transformed into toys by her power reverted instantly to their human forms. Reunited with their loved ones, memories flooded back, and the warmth of family relationships was felt once more.

No longer forgotten or marginalized, they rejoiced in their restored humanity, freed from the nightmare imposed by Sugar's cursed ability.

"Everyone!!!"

A commanding voice pierced through the somber air, drawing every gaze towards its source. Images flickered into view across Dressrosa, transmitted by the phone bug Fujitora had entrusted to Rebecca, influenced by Ace's expansive understanding field. It was a nationwide live broadcast.

"Rebecca!"

"That's the pirate flag of the Entei Pirates!!!"

Exclamations rang out as recognition dawned among the gathered citizens.

But more eyes fixated on the flag unfurling proudly behind Rebecca: the flag of the Entei Pirates, an emblem known worldwide after the Grand Entei incident.

"Now everyone! Regarding our country, what's happening in Dressrosa..."

Rebecca's voice carried across the tense silence as she took a deep breath, preparing to address her people.

She recounted the anguish and despair inflicted upon Dressrosa by Doflamingo's exploitation of the Childlike Fruit. Citizens clung to loved ones, tears flowing freely as they relived their shared trauma.

Yet amid the sorrow, gratitude welled up as they realized it was the Entei Pirates who had liberated them, restoring their loved ones from the curse of the Childlike Fruit.

However, despite this relief, apprehension lingered in many eyes as they beheld the Entei Pirates' flag fluttering over their city. The implications were profound: openly displaying the pirate flag meant Dressrosa was now under the protection and rule of the world's strongest pirate crew, led by the formidable Portgas D. Ace.

For Dressrosa, a former member of the World Government, this act symbolized a decisive break from their former allegiances. It meant standing in direct opposition to the World Government itself—a weighty and risky stance.

Though grateful for their liberation from Doflamingo's tyranny, the people of Dressrosa understood the gravity of aligning with the Entei Pirates. They had witnessed firsthand the vast power disparity between themselves and the titans of the sea. Ace's ability to effortlessly dismantle Doflamingo's regime underscored their vulnerability.

Even in their newfound freedom, unease and uncertainty simmered beneath the surface. The choice to align with the Entei Pirates was one borne of necessity, yet its implications were vast and uncertain, marking a pivotal shift in Dressrosa's destiny amidst the chaotic seas of the pirate world.

"Let me say a few words."

At that moment, a voice resonated, instantly capturing the attention of every person in Dressrosa. All eyes turned to the figure appearing on the screen, causing gasps of recognition and disbelief.

"...You..."

Kyros murmured in astonishment, staring at the elderly man who had suddenly appeared.

"Rebecca, you've grown up."

The old man's voice quivered with emotion as tears welled up in his eyes upon seeing Rebecca.

"King Riku!!!"

Countless voices rang out across Dressrosa as people recognized their beloved former monarch, Riku Doldo III.

"Let me tell you the truth about what happened back then."

King Riku's expression was pained as he recounted the desperate decision he had made to hand over all the kingdom's wealth to Doflamingo—10 billion beli—in exchange for sparing Dressrosa from invasion. Little did he know, Doflamingo's true intention was to seize control of the entire kingdom.

"I bear the guilt for leading our people into this hell!"

With tears streaming down his face, King Riku knelt before his people, a solemn apology on his lips.

"King Riku, please resume your throne!"

The citizens' cries were filled with emotion and forgiveness. King Riku had always governed with benevolence and compassion, earning him deep respect and love from his people.

Recognizing the location of the live broadcast, many citizens gathered at the scene.

"I am no longer fit to rule, Rebecca."

King Riku's gaze turned serious as he addressed his granddaughter standing nearby.

"But I?!"

Rebecca's eyes widened in disbelief. While she was King Riku's granddaughter, she felt unprepared and unworthy to inherit the throne.

"Only you can!"

King Riku interrupted firmly before Rebecca could protest further. His eyes weren't on Rebecca alone but also on the flag of the Entei Pirates flying proudly behind her.

More than choosing Rebecca as his successor, King Riku's decision signaled his allegiance to join the ranks of the Flame Emperor.

Following the defeat of Doflamingo, King Riku had come to a profound realization. The World Government's protection had failed Dressrosa when it needed it most. Facing the might of Doflamingo's Shichibukai status, the government had turned a blind eye to their plight.

Witnessing Ace's resolute stance against the Celestial Dragons during the Entei incident deeply moved King Riku. It became clear to him that the only force capable of challenging the World Government head-on was the Flame Emperor, Portgas D. Ace.

Choosing to align with the Entei Pirates wasn't merely a gesture of gratitude for their liberation. It was a strategic decision driven by the understanding that the future would bring a clash between the Flame Emperor and the World Government. In this pivotal moment, Dressrosa had to take a stand.

For King Riku, joining the Entei Pirates under Ace's command was Dressrosa's best chance at survival and peace. The alternative—remaining under the World Government's shadow—offered no real security, only the prospect of being used as cannon fodder in future conflicts.

"Please, Rebecca. I will support you in governing our country."

With determination in his voice, King Riku beseeched his people, leaving the final decision in the hands of the legendary man's approval.

"I understand."

Rebecca's voice trembled slightly as she gazed at her grandfather and then at the Entei Pirates' flag. Taking a deep breath, she bit her lip and nodded, accepting her fate.

While some citizens were initially shocked by King Riku's decision, they ultimately rallied behind their former king's wisdom and faith in Rebecca. With King Riku by her side, they trusted that Dressrosa would navigate its future under the protection of the Entei Pirates, solidifying its status as another autonomous territory within the pirate fleet.

Thus, amidst tears and solemnity, Dressrosa embarked on a new chapter, cementing its place alongside Amazon Lily as a staunch ally under the banner of the Entei Pirates.