Stepping beyond Dressrosa's port felt like crossing into an entirely different world—a scene of prosperity that rivaled even Sabaody Archipelago's grandeur. Countless brilliant lights painted the cityscape in vibrant colors, creating a dazzling spectacle that stretched toward the horizon.
As Luffy entered the main thoroughfare, his head swiveled constantly to take in every new sight. The broad avenue teemed with activity—an endless stream of people and toys creating a unique landscape unlike anything they'd encountered before. The crowd had to number in the tens of thousands, all moving with purpose through this bustling metropolis.
Street vendors called out their wares from every corner, while luxuriously decorated shops lined both sides of the road. Beautiful receptionists stood outside each establishment, working tirelessly to catch tourists' attention and lure customers inside with practiced smiles and enticing gestures.
"I seriously underestimated Dressrosa before we arrived," Usopp muttered, his eyes wide with shock. "It's incredibly lively, but the freedom here is... a bit excessive."
The sniper had good reason for his discomfort. Scantily clad performers displayed their bodies openly on street corners, while well-dressed individuals led chains of ragged slaves through the crowds. Public displays of affection were commonplace, and impromptu gambling circles had formed on sidewalks. The concept of "freedom" had clearly been taken to its absolute extreme.
These provocative displays represented only a small minority of the activity. Based on the clothing and behavior of other pedestrians, the vast majority appeared to be foreign tourists exploring Dressrosa's unique culture and experiencing its libertine atmosphere firsthand.
Luffy paid little attention to the social dynamics around him, instead focusing intently on the aromatic symphony filling his nostrils. Restaurants dotted every block, forcing him to rely on his exceptional sense of smell to determine which establishments offered the most promising cuisine.
"This is torture!" he whined, clutching his stomach dramatically. "I want to eat at every single restaurant!"
"Please don't say things like that," Usopp pleaded, grabbing his captain's arm in desperation. "In a wealthy place like this, the prices are probably astronomical. We need to make Nami's pocket money last as long as possible."
"Excuse me, gentlemen!" a sweet voice called out nearby. "Is this your first visit to Dressrosa? I can serve as your guide for just a small fee!"
Both pirates turned toward the source of the voice, discovering a beautiful young girl with striking silver hair and red eyes. She wore an elegant white dress reminiscent of princess attire, though her bare feet against the cold stone suggested less fortunate circumstances.
Before Usopp could voice his instinctive caution, Luffy had already pushed past him with characteristic enthusiasm. "Thank you so much for offering to help! My name is Luffy—what's yours?"
The silver-haired girl's guarded expression melted at the sight of Luffy's genuine, radiant smile. "My name is Illya," she replied, her own face lighting up with joy. "Thank you for giving me this opportunity, Brother Luffy! I promise to be the best guide you've ever had!"
Watching the girl bounce with excitement, Luffy—whose emotional intelligence often compensated for his general lack of book smarts—found himself immediately charmed by her enthusiasm. A sudden thought struck him: their crew included all manner of unusual individuals, but they were notably lacking a normal human child. Perhaps...
Throughout this exchange, Usopp's brow remained furrowed with concern. His reluctance wasn't born of malice, but rather an instinctive wariness about getting involved with unknown locals in unfamiliar territory. His well-developed survival instincts were sending warning signals about this seemingly innocent encounter.
"Luffy, remember that we have to return to the Sunny at the scheduled time," Usopp reminded him urgently. "If we're late, Nami will probably punch you into next week."
"I know, I know!" Luffy waved dismissively before turning back to their new companion. "Illya, please show us around! I'm really excited to see everything!"
As captain, he completely ignored his sniper's concerns. When Luffy's heart was set on something—especially when freedom was involved—not even invoking Nami's fearsome wrath could dissuade him.
Illya proved to be not only attractive but also remarkably articulate for her apparent age. Her constant use of "Brother Luffy" and "Brother Usopp" had an endearing quality that could melt even the most hardened hearts. As they walked, she provided a comprehensive overview of Dressrosa's recent transformation.
"Just a few years ago, Dressrosa was only famous for its Colosseum," she explained with the confidence of a seasoned tour guide. "Beyond the bullfighting arena, outsiders mostly knew us for our passionate women and traditional flamenco dancing. Every girl here loves with complete intensity—we absolutely won't tolerate unfaithful partners, even if it means violence. That was most people's first impression of our island."
The Donquixote Family had revolutionized the local economy through aggressive entertainment industry development. New casinos and additional arenas had sprouted throughout the island, with "freedom and beauty" serving as primary marketing attractions. This strategy had succeeded beyond all expectations, drawing massive numbers of tourists and transforming Dressrosa into one of the Grand Line's most popular destinations within just a few short years.
"And those toys you see serving people throughout the city," Illya continued, gesturing toward several mechanical figures performing menial labor, "they were once criminals who brought destruction to Dressrosa. Devil Fruit powers transformed them into harmless toys, ensuring they could never again threaten our tourism industry. "
The islanders completely believe in their leader's explanation of their origins.
Her tone shifted slightly more serious as she added, "Please don't feel bad if these toys get damaged during your visit. They're all former villains who are now serving us to atone for their past crimes. But Brothers, please make sure you don't cause any trouble while you're here—or you might end up as toys yourselves!"
This casual threat sent cold sweat down both pirates' spines. Luffy worried about his pirate identity being discovered, while Usopp's imagination conjured horrifying visions of endless enslavement as a mechanical servant. Such a fate seemed worse than death itself.
Despite their attempts at subtlety, the word "pirate" might as well have been tattooed across their foreheads. Illya had clearly been teasing them with her warning, and after enjoying their reaction, her expression softened with genuine concern. "Brother Luffy, are you getting hungry? I can hear your stomach growling from here."
Indeed, Luffy's stomach had been producing increasingly loud protests throughout their tour. The girl already had a specific establishment in mind for their dining experience.
"Sanji's breakfast portions were way too small," Luffy complained dramatically. "Illya, I'm absolutely starving! I need a massive feast right now!"
With their team leader focused entirely on food, Usopp felt his own hunger pangs growing stronger. "Let's find an affordable restaurant," he suggested practically. "Our budget is extremely tight—we can't afford to eat anywhere expensive."
"Don't worry, Brothers!" Illya assured them brightly. "The restaurant I'm taking you to is definitely cheap. When I don't have money for meals, that's where I go to eat. I'll take you there right now!"
Luffy and Usopp followed their silver-haired guide away from the crowded main thoroughfare and into a narrow side street. The neighborhood's condition deteriorated rapidly—grimy buildings and broken pavement marked this as clearly one of the island's impoverished districts. However, the residents they encountered seemed friendly enough, though most appeared exhausted from hard physical labor.
"Here we are—the Dressrosa House!" Illya announced with evident pride.
She enthusiastically described the establishment's long history on the island, praising the chef's exceptional skills while emphasizing how much more affordable it was compared to the expensive restaurants in the wealthy districts. For budget-conscious diners, this represented the cheapest quality dining option available.
Luffy had never been the type to judge establishments by their appearance—as long as the food tasted good, elaborate decorations meant nothing to him. He eagerly followed Illya toward the entrance, his body demanding immediate sustenance.
The exterior certainly looked weathered, with a yellowed sign showing decades of use and exposure to the elements. However, stepping inside revealed a surprisingly clean and well-maintained interior. Usopp felt a wave of relief at this discovery—he'd been terrified that Illya might lead them into some kind of scam operation. While losing money would be problematic, Luffy's tendency to cause trouble when angry could create far worse complications.
The dining room wasn't empty by any means. Manual laborers in work-stained clothing sat at various tables, eating hearty meals to replenish their energy after long days of physical exertion. The atmosphere felt genuinely authentic and welcoming.
"Bellhill!" Illya called out cheerfully. "I've brought two more customers for you! Please don't dock my pay this time!"
A pink-haired woman emerged from the kitchen, wearing a stained apron and holding a lit cigarette between her fingers. Despite her scolding tone, her expression carried obvious affection. "You little brat! You and that big guy have been freeloading here for weeks now—earning your keep through customer referrals is the least you can do!"
As Usopp studied the cursing woman's face, a nagging sense of familiarity tugged at his memory. He was certain he'd seen this attractive, mature woman somewhere before, but couldn't quite place where or when their paths might have crossed.