In the Sea Circle Calendar, the second half of 1522 marked a high point for the three sworn brothers, yet it might also have been their last moment of true brightness.
After rescuing Sanji and clashing with the Vinsmoke Judge and his family on Whole Cake Island, the brothers parted ways with the Vinsmokes. Leading their own crews, the three brothers then returned to Dressrosa.
As mentioned earlier, Dressrosa is one of the top 50 nations eligible to attend the Reverie. While it's backed by the notorious Cross Guild, Dressrosa is famous not only as a prime resort island in the New World but as the world's most renowned intermediary island. It is the only place where weapons and medicines can be bought cheaply, and it is known as both the safest and most chaotic island for trade. Represented by Doflamingo, Dressrosa is a hub for all kinds.
At Dressrosa's port, it's common to see warships and pirate ships docked together, along with vessels of the Revolutionary Army and the World Government side-by-side. Many other ships sail under flags of various kingdoms or those of the Underworld Emperors. Despite mutual hostilities, those arriving must either defer to Doflamingo or avoid provoking conflicts outright. Violating Dressrosa's laws incurs the wrath of elite enforcers, each valued at an average bounty of 80 million berries and equipped with seastone weaponry.
If offenders surrender without a fight, they might escape with only a fine, less severe than punishments meted out in the wider New World. However, resistance and the destruction of property lead to confrontation with Doflamingo's top officers, Doflamingo himself, the nearby Scarlet of Wano, and even the Pirate Empress, Boa Hancock.
With Sabo's goal of helping his younger brother retrieve his crew achieved, he now returns to Dressrosa to purchase weapons and supplies for the Revolutionary Army. However, this time, the arrival of the three brothers stirred up significant attention. Spies from various factions stationed in Dressrosa quickly reported their arrival to their superiors.
Doflamingo, recognizing the significance of their presence, informed Hancock, Robin, and Scarlet—the highest-ranking maids of the Cross Guild—about the trio with bounties totalling over five billion berries. Though only Robin took a special interest, noting that two of the brothers bore the initial "D," Hancock and Scarlet were unperturbed. Hancock, confident and prideful, knew her own strength, while Scarlet was aware of the Cross Guild's immense power, certain they had little to fear from even the most prominent figures, including the Revolutionary Army or Marine heroes.
The Cross Guild is more than willing to do business as long as their partners play by the rules. But if anyone steps out of line, the Cross Guild won't hesitate to show them what true power means.
When the three high-ranking maids of the Cross Guild discussed this with Doflamingo, they were so casual about the situation that they didn't even seek Cross Guild leader Kahn's approval. The Den Den Mushi mimicked Doflamingo's slight, amused nod, yet deep down, he couldn't ignore the shiver that ran through him. While others might call their indifference toward the three brothers—with bounties totalling over five billion berries—arrogant, Doflamingo, as the Guild's loyal "lapdog," understood that this attitude wasn't arrogance but true confidence.
With the Cross Guild's unmatched power behind him, Doflamingo knew he had nothing to fear. Without their backing, however, he'd likely be on edge, knowing three powerful pirates with such high bounties had entered his territory. This showed just how deeply rooted the Cross Guild's influence had become over the years.
Reflecting on this power, Doflamingo mused aloud, even after the call ended. "Could they have acquired the ultimate power of the Op-Op Fruit…?" He recalled how Kahn, Hancock, Robin, and the other top Guild members hadn't physically changed over the years. It was beyond simple youthfulness; they seemed untouched by time as if frozen at one age forever. As a former Celestial Dragon who knew about Mariejois's national treasure, he couldn't help but wonder if they had undergone the legendary ageless surgery.
If the Cross Guild truly wielded that kind of power, Doflamingo realized, they would not only rival but potentially surpass the World Government someday. His mind was already far from the threat of the three brothers, so he murmured to himself, "Luffy, are you really planning to enter Wano Country?"
Meanwhile, on the other side of the sea, Ace and Sabo looked at their younger brother, Luffy, with serious expressions. Ace broke the silence, asking, "You're sure about going to Wano?"
Luffy adjusted his straw hat, glancing over at the towering Momonosuke beside him, then grinned. "I promised the guys I'd help them reclaim their homeland. Besides, to become the Pirate King, I need to find the Road Poneglyphs."
"Counting the ones from Zou and Whole Cake Island, I already have two. The other two… one of them is in Wano."
"Whether for my promise or my dream of becoming the Pirate King, I have to go to Wano."
Ace and Sabo exchanged a look, understanding both Luffy's dream and his resolve. Smiling, they each put a hand on his shoulder. "Well, in that case, let us go with you!"
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