In the meantime, on an unknown island in the New World.
"Zehahaha!"
Blackbeard, also known as Marshall D Teach, held the newspaper in his hand and revealed a ferocious grin. A dark aura surged into the sky as his laughter echoed.
"My dear comrades, our prey has finally graced us with their presence! This period of inaction has all led up to this moment. It's time for our Blackbeard Pirates to step onto the world stage. Let their blood be the witness to our rise!"
"Set sail! Zehahaha!"
The members of the Blackbeard Pirates mirrored their captain's sinister smiles.
While on Wanokuni, Onigoshima,
"Worororo"
Kaido took a sip of wine and erupted into hearty laughter.
"So, has Whitebeard's devil fruit been found by Weevil? Is he Whitebeard's son? Whitebeard has an heir!"
King gazed at the newspaper in his hand and spoke gravely.
"This situation is far from simple. With Ochoku and Weevil's abilities combined, they pose a significant threat. Such a combination could even challenge a Marine Admiral."
Kaido waved his hand dismissively.
"A brat with Whitebeard's fruit powers and an old timer left behind by the times? What's there to be afraid of?"
"But there's also Godslayer whose whereabouts are unknown!" King stated with seriousness.
"If there's any connection between them, the threat would be substantial. Considering that man's schemes involve the deaths of who knows how many people, we must remain vigilant."
"I spoke to Doflamingo before, and I learned that the supernova with the Op-Op no mi willingly joined the God-Slayer Pirates. If we add those two Shichibukai clones from the Lunarian tribe, the Buggy Pirates' strength has reached a terrifying level. We need to be on guard."
Kaido paused his drinking, and silence filled the room momentarily.
Meanwhile, Queen and Jack exchanged puzzled glances. They hadn't anticipated their captain's apprehension towards the Buggy Pirate group, even going as far as gathering information from Doflamingo.
Was this Buggy really that formidable?
"King, you're right. That man is not to be underestimated, and I have a feeling he's plotting something," Kaido declared, setting down his jug with a thud. His expression grew serious.
"I'll personally go and meet with Linlin. When Doflamingo arrives, arrange a separate place for them. That man has quite the pride."
"Eh!!!" Quinn exclaimed, standing up immediately.
"Boss, isn't a simple call on den den mushi enough? Why go in person?"
"Yeah, Boss, it's rather tactless!" Jack, another high-ranking member of the crew, chimed in.
"Wororo—"
Kaido chuckled and responded, "I can't risk it; I need to ensure Linlin's truly on the same page as us. We wouldn't want to enter an alliance only to be backstabbed during the war?"
With that, Kaido made his intentions clear. He bent his knees, leapt into the air, transformed into a massive dragon and soared into the sky. While leaving bewildered members of the Beast Pirates behind.
Jack looked at King with a puzzled expression and voiced his question, "King is this truly necessary? Captain Kaido going alone in Big Mom's territory."
King chuckled and replied, "Big Mom's relationship with the captain is much stronger than you might think."
"Eh!?" Jack exclaimed with a baffled expression. "Then why did we have multiple conflicts with the Big Mom Pirates over territory? We've had a lot of clashes now and then."
King gazed up at the sky for a moment before offering a chilling explanation, "Perhaps it's merely a distraction tactic for this time. The times are becoming increasingly unpredictable."
In the New World, at the location of the Red Hair Pirates.
Observing the image in his hand, the red-haired man furrowed his brow and remained silent for an extended period.
Beckman gestured for his playful subordinates to move aside and then approached the redhead, taking a seat. He lit a cigarette and grinned as he spoke, "Who would've thought, the era is moving ahead of schedule."
"Ah," the red-haired pirate responded with a hint of sadness in their eyes before offering a smile. "I never expected Whitebeard to meet his end like this, and I certainly didn't anticipate that the one leading the era might be none other than Buggy. That man truly exceeds my expectations."
"Hahaha," Beckman laughed and teased, "Do you regret placing your bet on the wrong person?"
"Beckman, you bastard!" Shanks exclaimed in mock anger before laughing and shaking his head. "No, at least when compared to Ace and Luffy, I believe Luffy resembles the captain more."
Beckman was taken aback by Shanks' unexpected response, and after a moment of surprise, he joined in Shanks' laughter. "It seems even the sharp-eyed man can lose his edge after a drink."
"Yeah, I just hope that guy didn't get himself into trouble with the Marines."
"Beckman, you're ruthless. Wasn't it just a few losses in drinking games?"
"Huh? Did I say something?"
In the New World.
At Sphinx Island, the former territory of Whitebeard.
Ace hovered in the air with his legs crossed, manipulating the flames around him. The temperature of the flames fluctuated, rising and falling, as if he were testing the limits of his stamina.
He vividly remembered the advice his father's old crewmate had given him before departing. Now, the new Four Emperors of the New World, Godslayer Buggy had reinforced the message.
"You possess the Mera-Mera Fruit, the ruler of the flames in the world. Your task is to make your flames surpass every other in the world!"
"Set everything ablaze and turn everything into ashes! The essence of the Mera-Mera Fruit is the flame's temperature!"
After days of strenuous effort, Ace began to grasp the deeper meaning behind these words. The man who had spoken them was truly formidable.
Marco descended from the sky, eyeing the newspaper and the empty bento box. He greeted Ace with a smile, "Hey, Ace, I thought you'd be throwing a tantrum. What's up?"
"Hahaha," Ace ceased his practice and faced Marco. "Our father doesn't need us to engage in such foolish things. He's already completed his remarkable and legendary life. It would be an insult to his life if we allowed something as insignificant as this to tarnish his legendary tale."
"Hahahaha!"
Marco burst into laughter, looking at Ace's shoulder with genuine joy.
"Ace, you have grown so much!"
"People always find a way to grow," Ace replied, pushing down the brim of his hat. He gazed at the noon sun in the distance and muttered to himself.
In Dressrosa, at this very moment, a vast crowd had assembled in the enormous square in front of the palace. Reporters, Marines, pirates, and the citizens of Dressrosa had all converged here, their collective curiosity piqued.
The sight of a pile of discarded toys in front of the palace square left them bewildered. Prompting numerous puzzled glances toward the man standing on a floating stone slab in the sky.
Dressed in a white cloak, a white suit, and sporting a long ponytail, the clown makeup on his face was impossible to ignore. He stood on the main street before the Dressrosa Palace, arms outstretched, wearing a broad smile.
"People of Dressrosa, it's high noon. Today, I shall reveal to you the true nature of the kingdom you've called home for over a decade! Awaken!"
In response to Buggy's declaration, deep underground in the factory, Bullet stared intently at a little girl. A wave of overpowering Conqueror's Haki radiated outward directed at the unlucky, but once deadly, Sugar.
"Well..."
Within a mere moment, Sugar slumped to the ground her eyes rolled back, and foam forming at his mouth.
"Wahhahaha, Bullet, your Conqueror's Haki is overwhelming!" Enel chimed in with an odd tone. "Tsk, tsk, tsk, one blow, and she's down in seconds! Incredible!"
Bullet wore an expression of resignation, barely bothering to argue with Enel. He had been dispatched to the underground factory expecting a good battle. But he certainly hadn't anticipated this form of child's play.
However, both Bullet and Enel were left dumbfounded by the scene that unfolded before them.
The toy robots in the underground factory, previously engaged in mechanical tasks, underwent a sudden transformation. Within a few breaths, these lifeless machines were transformed into living beings!
"What's this?"
"What the heck!?"
"How can they be human? My God!!!"
In response to this unexpected change, even Robin and Kalifa were left speechless, their hands covering their mouths in shock and horror.
Yet, the silence that had gripped the square in front of the palace was far more deep. Among the hundreds of thousands gathered there was not a soul dared to utter a word.
As they watched the pile of toys on the square miraculously turn into real people. Many were missing limbs and appeared to be on the brink of death. Their pitiable condition sent shockwaves through the onlookers.
With Sugar unconscious, the effects of her Devil Fruit powers had dissipated. Memories that had been suppressed by the Devil Fruit were now returning, causing many to collapse under the weight of their regained pasts.
The once-inanimate toys stood bewildered, their transformation from inanimate objects to living beings a stark revelation.
"Oh my God!"
Morgan, stationed atop the tallest roof in the distance, was capturing this extraordinary scene with his camera. He stared in awe at the figure in the distant sky and exclaimed, "As expected of you, Godslayer! You never fail to provide me with sensational headlines!"
After a minute of complete silence, Dressrosa Square was suddenly filled with a resounding roar.
People were clamouring for help and were desperately seeking their loved ones after recovering their lost memories.
Buzz!
"Calm down," Buggy's voice broke through the chaos. He controlled his Conqueror's Haki, sweeping it gently across the crowd, not to overpower them, but to help them regain their composure and avoid further hysteria.
"Rushing now will only lead to more casualties! The reason I gathered you all in this square is to help reunite you with your loved ones. Tell my crew if you're looking for someone. Let's bring them back to their perfect health!"
Buggy's words gradually brought order to the pandemonium. People began to regain their senses, and their cries turned into organized requests for assistance.
"Buggy, please save my father!"
"Lord Buggy, my husband has lost his leg! Please help!"
"Buggy, please save Dressrosa!"
Among the crowd were former slaves, including King Riku, his granddaughter Rebecca, and Princess Violet. They felt a deep sense of shame witnessing this scene.
Their voices cracked as they cried out, "It's not me who can save Dressrosa, but the Dwarves princess the people of Dressrosa have always protected."
In a theatrical display, Buggy extended his palm and from it emerged a blond little Dwarve wearing a white princess dress. She appeared somewhat bashful as she faced the crowd.
She raised the corner of her skirt and spoke softly, "Um... Hi there, everyone. I'm Mansherry from the Tontatta tribe."
"Everyone, meet Princess Mansherry, who is about to save Dressrosa," Buggy announced with a smile. "If you wish to reunite with your loved ones, please follow my crew's instructions and queue up. Princess Mansherry will use her ability to restore Dressrosa!"
Cheers erupted from the square in response to Buggy's words.
Then, Buggy turned to Mansherry, who was nervously in his palm and grinned. "Mansherry, you've got this! You have my full support. As the one with the most vitality among us. I'll be the first to offer my blood for your miracle."
With those words, and under the watchful eyes of hundreds of thousands, Buggy raised his left hand and sliced his palm, causing it to emit a radiant platinum light.
Blood sprayed forth.
Mansherry swiftly opened her arms, transforming the blood into numerous small golden light orbs. She exclaimed in awe, "Master Buggy, your blood is incredibly powerful! With this strength, we can save so many people. Go ahead, let's make some blood dandelions!"
Following Mansherry's lead, the countless dandelions formed from Buggy's blood became a cascade of golden light orbs showering down.
In front of the astonished gazes of hundreds of thousands, as the golden spheres merged into the bodies of the gravely injured and dying individuals, their conditions visibly improved. Some even managed to stand on their own, disbelief etched across their faces.
"I... I'm saved?"
"Wooooooo! I can survive!"
"It's a miracle!"
Cries of joy and gratitude filled the square. Toys had become real people and an inspiring tale was unfolding before their eyes.
On that day, the people of Dressrosa were saved. On that day, the name on everyone's lips in Dressrosa was Buggy! This night would be an extraordinary one. Doflamingo's wicked deeds were exposed. Dressrosa's rage reached its zenith and all conspiracies were unveiled.
With Buggy's support, Princess Violet ascended to the throne of Dressrosa. Despite her earlier allegiance to the enemy and the indomitable Rebecca from the Colosseum received thunderous applause from the people.
King Riku became their trusted advisor, assisting his two daughters in governing the nation.
After accomplishing all this, Buggy and his crew returned to Thriller Bark. If you were to ask Buggy what he gained from these actions, and what he accomplished, the answer was clear.
Princess Mansherry sitting on his shoulders, the queens, and the princesses gazing at him with admiration – they were the greatest rewards of his journey to Dressrosa.
The factories were gone, the Donquixote family were gone and the tyranny of Doflamingo was gone. On this day, only Doflamingo's infamy remained.
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