The docks of Dressrosa felt exceptionally sweltering under the midday sun. The scorching sunlight mercilessly baked the wooden planks, producing faint cracking sounds.
Sweat poured down the workers hauling cargo, their coarse cloth shirts long soaked through. They occasionally paused their labor, wiping the constant stream of sweat from their foreheads with calloused hands.
During this period, Dressrosa had not yet experienced the false prosperity brought by Doflamingo. Under the governance of the Riku Royal Family, the entire nation appeared simple and impoverished. Lacking the wealth to attract pirates, even the most destitute pirates rarely visited this peaceful island nation.
The docks were permeated with the salty, fishy scent of sea breeze and seafood. Workers were methodically loading baskets of fresh marine products onto cargo carts, preparing to transport them to the city's markets.
Suddenly, a middle-aged man who had been counting inventory sharply raised his head, squinting toward the distant horizon. His pupils abruptly contracted, and the ledger in his hand fell to the ground with a sharp slap.
"That... that's..." His voice trembled with terror before he shouted with all his might: "Pirate ship! A pirate ship is coming!"
This cry was like a stone thrown into calm water, instantly creating ripples across the docks. Workers stopped their tasks one after another, looking toward the sea in panic. They saw a sailing ship flying a black flag slowly approaching. Though the vessel appeared worn, it exuded a fierce aura, casting an ominous shadow under the sunlight.
The emblem painted on the sail flapped loudly in the wind, its ferocious pattern sending chills down the spines of everyone present.
"That... that's the Beasts Pirates!" an elderly fisherman recognized the flag, his voice filled with unconcealed fear. The moment his words fell, the docks immediately descended into chaos. Workers dropped their cargo and scattered in all directions—some tripped, others shouted the names of family members.
"Heavens, quick, quickly inform King Riku! The Beasts Pirates are here!" a man who appeared to be a foreman yelled loudly, his voice particularly piercing amid the noisy crowd.
Several young men immediately turned and ran toward the city upon hearing this, their figures soon disappearing at the end of the dusty road.
Inside the palace of Dressrosa, sunlight streamed through stained glass windows onto the ornate carpets. Riku Doldo III was bent over his desk reviewing documents, his quill scratching softly on parchment. Suddenly, a series of hurried footsteps shattered the palace's tranquility.
"Your Majesty King Riku!" A man in royal guard uniform rushed anxiously into the hall, fine beads of sweat on his forehead. "A pirate ship is heading toward the kingdom!"
The young king sharply lifted his head, a flicker of surprise in his deep blue eyes. He set down his quill and asked in a grave voice: "What's happening? Dressrosa hasn't experienced a pirate attack in a long time. Which pirate crew is it?"
The guard swallowed hard, his voice trembling slightly: "It's... the Beasts Pirates."
"The Beasts?" King Riku's face instantly paled, the quill on the table knocked to the ground by his sleeve. "You mean the Beasts Pirates led by 'Hundred Beasts' Kaidou, with a bounty of 850 million Berries?"
"Exactly, Your Majesty." The guard's voice nearly faded into the air. "The watchtower has confirmed their flag."
King Riku took a deep breath, his slender fingers unconsciously tapping the table. After a moment of silence, he abruptly stood up, his cloak billowing behind him. "Immediately summon all royal guards to accompany me to the docks."
"But Your Majesty..." the guard hesitated, looking up, "they're ruthless pirates, we..."
"No buts!" King Riku's voice rang through the empty hall like an unsheathed sword. "As the king of this nation, protecting my people is my duty. Whatever they want, we must ensure our citizens' safety!"
Inspired by the king's determination, the guard straightened his back. "Understood, Your Majesty! I'll make the arrangements at once."
King Riku strode to the window, gazing at the blue sea. Sunlight illuminated his resolute profile, reflecting the determination of a young monarch to defend his homeland.
Meanwhile, all of Dressrosa had descended into unprecedented chaos. The streets were filled with panicked citizens—some clutching children as they fled, others pushing carts loaded with belongings. Shop windows were shattered, goods scattered everywhere.
"Run! The Beasts Pirates are coming!"
"Don't steal that, it's mine!"
"Get out of the way! The pirates are coming, this country is doomed, just run!"
Chaos spread through Dressrosa's streets. With storefronts smashed and terrified crowds fleeing in all directions, opportunistic looters took advantage of the situation. In a dilapidated wooden shack on the city outskirts, two youths were engaged in a fierce struggle with intruders.
"You bastard, how dare you steal my Berries? Die!" roared the youth named Karuri, charging at the intruder with a rusty machete. His eyes burned with rage, the blade glinting coldly in the dim interior.
"Karuri, don't be reckless!" His friend Kyros immediately grabbed a thick wooden club and followed close behind. Working in perfect coordination, after an intense fight they finally subdued the intruder. Leaning against the wall panting, sweat dripped down their faces.
"Huff~ Kyros, what's going on? The whole country has gone crazy all of a sudden." Karuri wiped sweat from his forehead with his sleeve, his brow furrowed as he surveyed the ransacked room.
Kyros walked to the window, watching the chaotic streets outside. "I heard from people coming into the city that pirate ships are heading toward Dressrosa." His voice carried a note of unease, his fingers unconsciously tightening around the club.
"What? Just because pirate ships are coming, the whole country falls into chaos?" Karui's eyes widened in disbelief, the machete in his hand trembling slightly. He had never witnessed such scenes—the entire nation seemed to have lost all order in an instant.
"That's right, I heard it's a major pirate crew, with a captain whose bounty exceeds 800 million Berries." Kyros lowered his voice, cautiously scanning their surroundings. "It's the Beasts Pirates."
"A bounty... exceeding 800 million!" Karuri gasped sharply, nearly dropping the knife in his hand. This figure far exceeded anything he could have imagined—he had never heard of such an astronomical bounty before.
Kyros nodded gravely. "Precisely because the pirates coming here are so powerful, many believe this country is beyond saving. That's what sparked such massive chaos." His eyes betrayed deep concern as he worried about the nation's future.
Suddenly, Karuri's eyes lit up. Leaning closer to Kyros, he whispered excitedly, "Hey, Kyros, what if we joined the Beasts Pirates? With a crew that powerful, we'd never have to worry about going hungry again!" His tone brimmed with anticipation, as if he could already see this chance to change their destiny.
"Karuri, have you lost your mind!" Kyros grabbed his friend's shoulders, his voice rising in shock. "They're pirates! If we approach them recklessly, they might just kill us on the spot!" His fingers tightened unconsciously, revealing his inner tension and fear.