Nagato in One Piece - Chapter 26
The New World, Dressrosa.
The streets were filled with joyous and laughing people, calling out to one another, arguing, loudly chatting, and laughing, with no hint of sorrow or worry. Even the most miserable and troubled souls seemed to be infected by the carefree atmosphere, shedding their burdens.
First-time visitors would be astonished by the unique sights here.
Firstly, on the streets, one could see bold men and women publicly declaring their love or witnessing traitors being chased and hunted down.
Secondly, and even more astonishing, were the unique toys of Dressrosa. These toys, originally meant for children, could labor and even speak, making Dressrosa seem like a magical fairy tale kingdom.
Today, even for a country known for its love and passion, Dressrosa was exceptionally lively and noisy. At the central Bullfighting Arena, the final match of the annual Gladiator Tournament was set to commence in the afternoon!
“Extra! Extra!”
“The pride of Dressrosa, the top-tier performance of the Gladiator Tournament finals is about to begin!”
“At 1 PM, the King and his officials will once again open the seventh annual tournament finals!”
“Finals preview! Get to know the ‘aces’ in the arena! Betting tips you can’t miss!”
“Shocking! The finals’ prize is actually…”
Newspaper boys were shouting and hollering all over the streets, with headlines so sensational that even those disinterested in the gladiator matches couldn’t help but spend a few Berries to buy a newspaper.
Amid the bustling crowd, eight people with emotionless faces, starkly contrasting the cheerful atmosphere of Dressrosa, passed by one of the newspaper boys. The red-haired man leading them stopped and said to the boy doing business, “Give me one. How much?”
The boy, just pocketing the money he received, turned around at the sound of another customer. Seeing a pair of peculiar, rippling gray eyes, he wasn’t afraid but curiously glanced at them before cheerfully replying, “Five Berries, sir!”
Upon hearing the price, the tall woman behind the red-haired man walked over, handed the boy five Berries, and passed the newspaper to the red-haired man.
“Doflamingo will appear as scheduled,” the red-haired man noted, reading the newspaper that mentioned the king would follow tradition and open the finals.
“So, according to your plan,” the woman standing behind the red-haired man pushed her glasses up and said, “the time is today… Mr. Nagato!”
These eight were none other than Nagato and the CP9 agents!
It was now a month after their meeting with Law and the twentieth day since arriving in Dressrosa. These twenty days had been spent on early-stage preparations and getting everyone ready while waiting for this exact opportunity.
Nagato nodded, and the eight continued walking forward. “Does everyone know their targets?”
The six behind him responded one by one.
“Of course!” Jabra snorted.
Kaku, humbly, “Dealing with a child shouldn’t be a problem.”
“Yes…” Bruno agreed.
“Ready—ready to move anytime, yoi—yo!” Kumadori confirmed.
Fukurou: “Support role should be easy, chapapapa~”
Kalifa: “I confirmed my part again three days ago.”
Lucci said nothing, but the eagerness in his eyes showed he was ready.
The seven agents were different from twenty days ago. Understanding Nagato’s plan and their individual roles, they now saw a glimmer of hope in what once seemed a desperate fight.
This faint chance reignited their determination!
“Let’s get into position,” Nagato said.
Six of the seven agents immediately split off in different directions, leaving only Bruno and Nagato to head towards the finals venue—the Bullfighting Arena.
Arriving at the arena, they presented their pre-ordered tickets and entered with the crowd, finding their seats.
The Bullfighting Arena of Dressrosa was very similar to the ancient Roman Colosseum, with the spectator seats surrounding the central gladiator stage.
The main difference was the large screen above the northern gladiator entrance, protruding from a platform where the King of Dressrosa and his officials would deliver speeches and watch the finals.
Nagato and Bruno’s seats were to the lower right of this platform.
Seated, Nagato glanced across the arena and spotted two familiar figures seated on the lower left, almost directly opposite them. Exchanging glances, Nagato and Bruno remained silent.
Those two were Kaku and Jabra.
They entered and seated themselves separately, pretending not to know each other. Similarly, Lucci entered alone and sat to the upper right of the platform.
Only Kumadori, Fukurou, and Kalifa did not enter; their tasks lay outside the arena.
Soon, it was just fifteen minutes to 1 PM, and the annual finals were about to begin!
On the platform above the northern screen, a group of figures emerged from the passageway, causing the noisy arena to fall silent. A moment later, it erupted in an even louder cheer.
“Ah—! The King!”
“That lord has appeared, along with the family officials!”
“Usually, it’s rare to see Lord Diamante in the arena. Only during this annual event do all the top officials of the same rank show up!”
“Not to mention the one who saved this country from the Riku royal family scum, the terrifying Warlord who protects this country from pirates, ‘Heavenly Yaksha’ Doflamingo!”
“Long live Donquixote—!!!”
The cheers and screams continued for a long time, gradually subsiding only when the man in a flaming red feather coat gestured for silence.
It was Doflamingo, with the Donquixote Family officials neatly lined up behind him.
While the people of Dressrosa were excited, their revered king seemed a bit irritable.
“Where’s Violet?” Doflamingo asked Trebol beside him.
“Hmm?” Trebol replied slowly, “Before we came, she said she had something to do. I said—she disappeared, but she said she’d be back before the opening—I said.”
“It’s opening time now. Is she back?” Doflamingo found Trebol’s response infuriating but familiar and let it slide. “Forget it, we’ll deal with her later.”
Doflamingo then led his officials forward, minus Violet, and began his opening speech.
“Fufufufufu… My dear citizens…”
As Doflamingo spoke, Nagato used a Den Den Mushi to communicate, “Law, what’s your situation?”
“Waiting for your signal, I’m already here with reinforcements,” came the response from the Den Den Mushi. “From ‘Green Bit.'”
“Good, continue as planned. Contact Kumadori; he should be with ‘Violet’ by now. Ensure they and Kalifa synchronize our actions.”
“No need to remind me,” the Den Den Mushi replied. “I know your plan by heart, Nagato.”
After confirming their positions, they ended the call.
By then, Doflamingo had finished speaking, and Diamante had taken over to introduce the gladiators who had made it to the final match!
Meanwhile, Nagato spread the newspaper he had bought over his lap. Under the headline “Finals Preview! Get to Know the ‘Aces’ in the Arena! Betting Tips You Can’t Miss!” were photos of dozens of gladiators in the final match. One of them was Enel, who had already met his end at Nagato’s hands on Skypiea!
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