Chapter 224: [224] : [BONUS] – Hostage Princess Viola! Jack the Drought! A Declaration of War on the Beasts Pirates!

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Dressrosa Kingdom was swiftly brought under the control of the Sky Sovereign Grand Fleet.

All Devil Fruit users among the Donquixote Family were shackled with Seastone cuffs.

The non-users had iron hooks pierced through their scapulae—a method that completely immobilized their arms but allowed for quick recovery once the hooks were removed, very effective for transporting non-ability user prisoners.

The captured Donquixote Family executives were then imprisoned in the holds of various pirate ships—to be transported to the Sky Sovereign Grand Fleet’s headquarters for judgment.

Under the search efforts of the Sky Sovereign Grand Fleet, King Riku Doldo III was also found.

Towards the legendary Emperor, Sky Sovereign, who had overthrown the Donquixote Family’s rule, King Riku expressed immense gratitude and respect.

At the same time, King Riku III, having been powerless to resist Doflamingo’s coup and subsequent tyranny, understood a harsh reality:

In this tumultuous new era, in this New World ruled by the Four Emperors, to survive, the mere status of a World Government affiliated nation offered no protection.

To survive on these seas, one had to pledge allegiance to an Emperor.

Besides, the matter was not yet over!

The SMILE factory on this island was a crucial asset to another Emperor, Kaido of the Beasts. Though the factory was destroyed, if the wrath of an Emperor descended upon them, the Kingdom would be powerless to resist.

And the only ones who could stand against an Emperor—were other Emperors.

Looking at the Sky Sovereign’s pirate flag flying proudly on the ships docked in the harbor, King Riku instantly made his decision.

Subsequently, in a live broadcast to the entire nation, King Riku delivered an apology speech, expressing his remorse as king for the years of suffering his people endured after the country’s fall.

The citizens responded with overwhelming support, deeply moving King Riku.

Under the guidance of the Sky Sovereign Grand Fleet, King Riku was set to be reinstated as the king of Dressrosa, restoring the country’s original government.

For this, King Riku was extremely grateful.

After informing his people and receiving their support, King Riku immediately declared that from this day forward, Dressrosa Kingdom would pay annual tribute to the Sky Sovereign Grand Fleet, and Dressrosa would fly the Sky Sovereign’s pirate flag.

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Vivi, representing Rowen, graciously accepted King Riku’s pledge.

This was the standard method of expansion for an Emperor’s forces.

The Emperor provided protection for the nations and islands of the New World. In return, these protected nations, using the Emperor’s prestige, gained better trade opportunities to develop their country.

They were also required to provide funds to the Emperor, contributing to the expansion of the Emperor’s forces.

An Emperor’s force was vast, with numerous subordinate pirate crews. Rowen’s forces now numbered in the tens of thousands.

Such a force naturally required massive funding. Whether on Earth or in the One Piece world, to contend for supremacy—funds were indispensable.

And for a country like Dressrosa, for Rowen to rule it personally would be beneath his status and highly inefficient.

Simply providing protection to Dressrosa, allowing its original royal family—King Riku—to be reinstated, letting the country become more prosperous, would naturally yield sufficient funds to continue expanding his forces.

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“Miss Vivi… I wonder if I might have the honor of meeting Sky Sovereign Rowen,” King Riku asked respectfully, standing beside Vivi, Zoro, and Luffy.

Behind King Riku stood a respectful and grateful Viola, Rebecca, and Kyros—the only remaining members of Dressrosa’s royal family after the disaster.

After the Hobby-Hobby Fruit’s power was dispelled, Rebecca regained all her memories of her father, Kyros. They had a tearful reunion, and both were incredibly grateful to Sky Sovereign who had saved them.

“You’ll have the chance,” Vivi replied, smiling at King Riku.

As the former princess of Alabasta, Vivi’s Observation Haki could sense that King Riku was a good king who cared deeply for his people. She believed that under his leadership, Dressrosa would quickly recover.

FWOOSH!

A massive pirate flag was unfurled by Zoro.

Seeing the flag, King Riku and the others accepted it with excitement.

As long as this flag flew over Dressrosa, it signified this place was under the protection of Sky Sovereign.

A tragedy like Doflamingo’s rule would never happen here again!

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“Princess Viola, please return with us,” Vivi stated, looking at Viola.

“Mm,” Viola nodded, not at all surprised.

A hostage princess—was one of the prices to be paid for becoming a vassal of an Emperor. A member of the royal family would reside in the headquarters of their affiliated Emperor.

Clearly, the chosen royal—was Viola, user of the Glare-Glare Fruit.

Regarding this, even the kind-hearted Vivi firmly upheld this rule.

Maintaining a power structure required stability. Some rules had to be enforced. Even though King Riku was incredibly grateful to their Sky Sovereign Grand Fleet, this rule had to be followed.

The Sky Sovereign’s flag flew over more than just Dressrosa; in the future, it would attract even more forces and nations.

The rules, and Rowen’s imperial majesty, had to be absolutely defended.

“Viola,” King Riku’s lips moved, wanting to say something, but he could only remain silent.

An Emperor’s majesty was absolute; pledging loyalty couldn’t be done with mere words and promises. King Riku understood this very well.

Viola’s departure with the Desert Princess and the others was unchangeable.

“Father… I’m lucky. I get to meet Sky Sovereign Rowen,” Viola smiled, her smile incredibly bright.

To be able to trade her own freedom for the peace of Dressrosa—was something she had dreamed of.

During Doflamingo’s rule, even if she wanted to pay such a price, her pleas went unanswered.

“Be careful on your journey,” King Riku sighed.

“Don’t make it so grim. Rowen is very benevolent,” Zoro commented, smiling at the father and daughter.

“I have already felt Sky Sovereign’s benevolence,” King Riku nodded solemnly.

For Sky Sovereign to allow him to be so smoothly reinstated as king, and not making any harsh demands—for a lofty Emperor, such actions were the epitome of benevolence.

But King Riku also understood, this was a treatment afforded only after pledging loyalty—If he angered this lofty Emperor… the fate of the Donquixote Family was the best illustration.

An Emperor could show mercy and kindness.

But likewise, an Emperor could also unleash his might!

To survive, proving their loyalty to Sky Sovereign Rowen was the first priority.

Viola becoming a hostage was just one element of that—the most important thing was to quickly restore the country’s economy, contribute funds to Sky Sovereign, and prove Dressrosa’s value.

King Riku clenched his fists.

“Hm?” Luffy and Zoro simultaneously looked in the same direction.

“What’s wrong?” Vivi asked, looking at them. Her newly awakened Conqueror’s Haki didn’t grant her Observation Haki on par with theirs yet.

“A rather strong fellow has arrived on this island,” Zoro commented, a feral grin spreading across his face.

King Riku and the others’ eyes widened in shock.

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“JACK-SAMA! DON’T!” Terrified voices echoed continuously.

At this moment, a giant monster appeared on this land.

A colossal mammoth.

“JACK!” Facing this giant mammoth was the captain of the Sky Sovereign Grand Fleet’s 13th Division, ’Water Buffalo’ Atmos.

At this moment, Atmos’s eyes also held a deep, grave concern.

One of the Four Emperors, the Beasts Pirates’ All-Stars. A man with a bounty of one billion Beri.

User of the Elephant-Elephant Fruit, Ancient Zoan, Model: Mammoth!

One of the Three Calamities—Jack the Drought.

“Jack-sama, that’s Sky Sovereign! To clash with an Emperor, you should at least ask for Kaido-sama’s permission first!” A Beasts Pirates underling pleaded.

“BASTARD! JOKER IS DEAD! AT LEAST I HAVE TO BRING HIS CREW BACK!” Jack, in his mammoth beast form, roared, his elephant eyes filled with rage.

Jack was famously loyal, a fact known throughout the Beasts Pirates. Though his men admired this, at this moment, they were cursing inwardly.

Loyalty has its time and place, doesn’t it??

But no matter how they pleaded, Jack remained resolute, transforming into his mammoth form and landing here.

“Besides,” Jack looked at Atmos, his eyes grim. “To turn this place into this… this place has the SMILE factory! This is a declaration of war against us, the Beasts Pirates!” Jack’s elephant trunk snorted with fury.

“GET OUT OF MY WAY, ATMOS! YOU’RE NO MATCH FOR ME!” Jack roared, glaring at Atmos. Though reckless, he was absolutely loyal to Kaido. The SMILE factory still had many artificial Devil Fruits; he needed to check the situation there immediately.

“Don’t get too arrogant, Jack! This place is now Sky Sovereign’s territory!” Atmos roared back lowly.

“Hmph!” Jack’s eyes blazed with fury.

This place had their Beasts Pirates’ flag. For Atmos to say it was now Sky Sovereign’s territory—was undoubtedly a declaration of war against their Beasts Pirates!

In that case, no more words were needed!

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!

Jack’s giant body charged forward.

His terrifying mammoth beast form could reduce anything in its path to rubble. Everything would dry up and decay under his ability, eventually perishing—this was the origin of his epithet, ’The Drought’.

“Armament——!” Atmos roared, infusing his weapons with Armament Haki, then slashed fiercely at the charging Jack.

“FOOL!” Jack’s eyes were grim. His elephant trunk swung violently!

SPURT!

Horrifying force instantly impacted, blood streamed from Atmos’s mouth.

“If you won’t get out of the way, then DIE!” Jack roared, raising his giant elephant foot, intending to trample Atmos into a meat paste.

CLANG!

But the moment it descended, it was firmly blocked by a black blade.

“Huh??” Veins throbbed on Jack’s forehead.

“Th-That man is!” Many of the Beasts Pirates’ underlings broke out in a cold sweat.

“Thanks, Zoro,” Atmos panted.

“Leave it to me,” Zoro replied, a feral grin spreading across his face.

“360 Pound Phoenix——!!!

” Zoro immediately infused his blades with Haki, unleashing a terrifying slash that sent Jack’s massive body stumbling backwards.

THUD!

Jack’s elephant legs slammed heavily onto the ground. His elephant eyes, bloodshot, glared at the man blocking his path.

“PIRATE HUNTER!!” Jack snorted furiously.

“IT REALLY IS HIM, The man with the 1,553,000,000 Beri bounty—To deal with the Donquixote Family, Atmos alone was never enough! So Sky Sovereign sent this man…” Many of the Beasts Pirates swallowed hard.

This man’s bounty was even higher than the strongest of the Three Calamities, King the Wildfire.

Jack was strong, yes. But against this man??

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“GET OUT OF MY WAY, PIRATE HUNTER!” Jack, feeling no fear whatsoever, roared.

In the original story, Jack had the audacity to attack a Marine fleet composed of Fujitora, Sengoku, and Tsuru. Let alone facing just Zoro.

“Take a good look at where you are,” Zoro’s eyes were filled with murderous intent.

“This is Sky Sovereign’s territory. Not a place for you to run wild,”

Zoro placed Wado Ichimonji between his teeth, holding Sandai Kitetsu and Shusui in his hands.

“DON’T BE RIDICULOUS! THIS IS OUR BEASTS PIRATES’ TERRITORY! DIDN’T YOU SEE THE FLAG THERE??” Jack roared in utter fury.

When did Dressrosa become Sky Sovereign’s territory??

This place had always been the location of the SMILE factory, which produced artificial Devil Fruits for the Beasts Pirates.

After Doflamingo’s death, to ensure the factory continued to operate smoothly—their Beasts Pirates’ flag had been hung over this country!

“That flag? I already cut it down,” Zoro replied with a feral grin.

“WHAT DID YOU SAY??” Jack’s expression turned utterly dark.

“Go back and tell Kaido—the war… HAS BEGUN!” Zoro’s entire body erupted with a purple-black aura.

A demonic figure, like an Asura, materialized behind Zoro!

Asura Aura.

And under this demonic aura, Zoro’s Conqueror’s Haki was partially drawn out!

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!

Many of the Beasts Pirates’ fodder collapsed to the ground.

“Conqueror’s Haki…” Jack’s face turned grim.

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