-Broadcast-
"It's another energetic day!"
The little reindeer burst from beneath his blankets with characteristic enthusiasm, his hooves hitting the floor with excited taps. Today's Sky Screen broadcast began with Chopper's morning awakening, launching another day of adventure viewing for audiences worldwide.
Since Zoro had taken the previous night's watch duty, the rest of the Straw Hat Pirates had gathered in the galley, savoring the breakfast carefully prepared by their okama cook Sanji. Despite his flamboyant appearance, the man's culinary skills remained absolutely flawless.
"We're finally reaching Dressrosa!" Nami exclaimed, settling back into her cushioned chair while sipping a delicious milkshake. "I can't wait to go clothes shopping again—it's been too long since we've had access to a proper fashion district."
Robin, ever the voice of reason among the crew, maintained her composed demeanor despite the general excitement. Admiral Gin's warning still echoed in her mind, and she couldn't shake the feeling that Dressrosa held hidden dangers. "Perhaps we should divide into several teams with scheduled rendezvous times," she suggested thoughtfully. "That way we can watch out for each other while covering more ground."
"I'll team up with Nami-swan and Robin-chan!" Sanji declared, popping his head out of the kitchen doorway with stars practically shining from his eyes. "We can go shopping together and pick out beautiful outfits as sisters! I absolutely refuse to team up with those smelly, uncouth men—we'd have nothing in common to discuss."
"I want to explore the island and eat delicious local food!" Luffy announced with his characteristic grin. "I'm not staying behind to watch the ship—I'm the captain, so I should definitely get to enjoy myself on Dressrosa!"
The team formation process proceeded with surprising efficiency, each member finding compatible partners for their island expedition. The final roster shaped up as follows:
Shopping Team: Nami and Sanji would handle procurement duties. The navigator's legendary bargaining skills—superior to everyone else on the ship combined—would save the Straw Hat Pirates considerable money. Meanwhile, Sanji would serve as both pack mule and fashion consultant, purchasing necessary food supplies and fresh water while helping select clothing for the crew.
Intelligence Team: Chopper and Robin would focus on information gathering. The doctor needed to collect medicinal herbs and purchase medical texts, occasionally serving as the archaeologist's mount when necessary. Robin's exceptional intelligence-gathering capabilities would help them acquire a Log Pose to their next destination at minimal cost—typically most easily obtained through black market channels.
Pleasure Squad: Luffy and Usopp formed what was essentially a recreational team designed around the captain's desires. Luffy intended to explore purely for entertainment and culinary experiences, while Usopp's presence would provide necessary supervision to prevent their captain from causing incidents in Dressrosa. The sniper's naturally cautious nature would help steer them away from potentially dangerous situations.
Solo Operations: Franky preferred working alone, as his shopping requirements differed significantly from his crewmates—and the establishments he frequented were generally inappropriate for mixed company. He'd already embraced his perverted path completely, making retreat impossible.
Zoro had initially wanted to join an exploration team, but the crew had unanimously vetoed this proposal. His legendary directional incompetence made solo travel unthinkable, so he'd agreed to remain aboard the Thousand Sunny alongside Brook and Marlin. With these capable fighters present, their ship would remain perfectly secure.
Marlin genuinely disliked crowded environments and social interaction. During the Sunny's port time, he could swim freely in the surrounding waters, enjoying the liberation that came with his fishman heritage.
Brook's skeletal appearance would terrify civilians and attract unwanted attention. The plan was to wait for Nami to purchase suitable clothing and disguises before allowing him ashore. Above all, they needed to maintain a low profile and avoid creating disturbances in Dressrosa.
The Sunny sailed peacefully through azure waters until noon, when Dressrosa's distinctive coastline appeared on the horizon. This time they approached openly as legitimate visitors rather than smugglers or infiltrators. The harbor bustled with activity—ships of every size and description crowded the docks, with pirate ships anchored alongside merchant traders. Occasionally, Marine warships could be spotted among the civilian craft, creating an unusually diverse and welcoming atmosphere.
"Dressrosa has become incredibly popular," Robin observed, studying the busy port through her spy-glass. "I heard rumors about this transformation back on Fish-Man Island."
"These changes have only occurred recently," Nami added, consulting her navigation charts. "Just a few years ago, Dressrosa was nowhere near this prosperous. That Shichibukai certainly knows how to run a successful business operation."
Both women stood at the ship's railing, gazing out at this beautiful and apparently welcoming island. Their anticipation for the upcoming shore leave was palpable.
As the Thousand Sunny entered Dressrosa's harbor, enthusiastic port staff immediately began coordinating their arrival, ensuring that incoming ships wouldn't block vital waterways. Behind the Sunny, a long queue of ships waited their turn to enter the port—all drawn by the island's growing reputation as a premier destination.
Two towering figures—each standing roughly four meters tall—flanked the port staff, holding megaphones and shouting welcomes to arriving visitors: "Whether you're pirates, Marines, ordinary merchants, or visiting royalty, everyone who comes to Dressrosa is our honored guest! We welcome you warmly! This island offers complete freedom to all!"
Luffy couldn't contain his excitement a moment longer, leaping from the ship's railing without waiting for his companions. "Dressrosa, here I come! Delicious food, here I come!"
Seeing their captain about to abandon all sense of caution, sniper Usopp quickly drew his weapon—the upgraded slingshot Kuro Kabuto. "Take this! Hissatsu: Sticky Doll!" he called out.
Since his slingshot had consumed the Paramecia-type Sabaki Sabaki no Mi, Usopp no longer needed to aim manually. A white clay doll shot forth, following an impossible trajectory that curved around obstacles to strike Luffy mid-leap. Upon contact with the rubber man, the activated seeds instantly expanded and hardened, adhering the captain firmly to the dock.
Even with Observation Haki at his disposal, Luffy couldn't dodge attacks that the Sabaki Sabaki no Mi had deemed "successful hits." Once Usopp's judgment was rendered, his projectiles would strike their target with 100% accuracy, regardless of distance or evasive maneuvers.
"Usopp, let me go! My hands and feet are completely stuck!" Luffy whined, drool pooling beneath his immobilized form. "I can smell amazing food aromas—I'm starving! I didn't eat nearly enough at breakfast!"
"Luffy, you didn't even bring money before jumping off the ship," Usopp scolded, pulling out the wallet that Nami had allocated for their team. "Were you planning to dine and dash in Shichibukai territory? Have you already forgotten Gin's warning about keeping a low profile?"
Nami maintained strict control over the ship's finances, economizing wherever possible. The crew's largest expense remained Luffy's extraordinary appetite. Ever since acquiring a pair of sentient sandals that matched their captain's eating capacity, their treasures from Poseidon's vault had begun diminishing at an alarming rate.
After Usopp freed their captain from his adhesive prison, the Pleasure Squad officially began their Dressrosa adventure. The remaining teams couldn't afford to fall behind schedule.
"Chopper, are you certain it's acceptable for me to ride you like this?" Robin asked, settling gracefully onto the reindeer's back as he shifted into his quadrupedal Heavy Point form.
"It's perfectly fine, Robin!" Chopper assured her, his powerful legs easily supporting her weight. "Others will just assume I'm a regular reindeer mount, which will help conserve your energy while we gather intelligence." Being ridden wasn't a privilege he extended to just anyone—only true friends earned such trust. As a Zoan-type Devil Fruit user, four-legged locomotion represented his natural forte.
Sanji had applied dramatic makeup and donned a Gothic Lolita dress, creating a surprisingly authentic dark aesthetic. Standing beside the beautiful Nami and addressing her as "sister," the visual incongruity was less jarring than expected.
After the first three teams departed, Franky launched himself from the Sunny using his built-in propulsion systems, flying toward his preferred shopping district at low altitude. The establishments he intended to visit were decidedly unsuitable for younger crew members.
The great Dressrosa adventure had officially begun.
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