The waters around Dressrosa were uncharacteristically quiet, as though the cosmos themselves were holding their breath. The Solar Rift Pirates' ship, The Radiant Drift, rolled gently in the waves, almost out of view of the island's coastline. Pointy cliffs rose far in the distance, and the kingdom's top palace shone like a gem in the middle sun.
Solian at the front, arms crossed, his gaze fixed on the far-off realm.
"Dressrosa," he uttered. "A realm of shadows. but only for so long."
The crew lurked behind him, stepping quietly, their minds replaying what was to transpire. Battle with the Vice Admiral was just days away—if not sooner—and even so, the word had it that Doflamingo's crew had gotten wind of their presence.
Kael placed his sword on his hip. "The calm before the hurricane. I detest this phase."
"You like us to charge in blind?" Jorin lay sprawled on the stairs. "Good to catch breath before we bleed."
Milo sat on top of the mast, attending to his rifle with gentle care. "They're both coming. The Marines and Doflamingo. It isn't a question of if… but when."
Solian remained silent. His hand hovered near his sword hilt before he turned back to the crew.
"Everyone. gather."
They formed a circle on the deck, the air heavy with anticipation.
"We've fought pirates, Marines, bounty hunters. We've built something out of nothing," Solian said. "But this—Dressrosa—isn't just another fight. This island is the start of something bigger."
Vance grinned. "You mean ruling it."
Solian nodded. "Yeah. I want a kingdom. A home. Not a ship from battle to battle. If we're going to topple the world's order, we have something more than power to accomplish it. We have to take land. We have to stake claim."
Kael's brows were furrowed. "And you think Doflamingo will just relinquish the throne?"
"He won't," Rock Lee said in a serious voice. "But he'll lose it.".
Solian's eyes narrowed. "That's why we work smarter. Harder. We'll divide tasks. Get to know his crew. Discover his weaknesses. And when the time comes. we hit fast and hard."
He opened his system interface in his mind, watching as his stats flickered before him in mid-air.
System Notification
"New Territory Ambition: Liberate Dressrosa."
Bonus Reward: 15 System Points, 1 Summon Ticket (Unique), and Crew Title: "Kingslayers"
Conditions: Defeat Vice Admiral and remove Doflamingo from power.
Solian smiled. "It's official."
Somewhere else — Aboard Marine Battleship
Vice Admiral Laxton Virel stood elbows on railing, looking in the direction of Dressrosa through a spyglass. His sharp grey eyes raked through the clouds in the distance.
"These pirates." he growled, "the Solar Rift. they've grown too fast."
By his side, a younger Marine officer looked worried. "Sir, are we battling them alone? Headquarters hasn't approved backup yet."
Laxton snarled. "They're underestimating the kid. Like all of them do. Like we did."
He lowered the spyglass to his hip.
"But I've seen the reports. Kordak, the Lieutenant, the bounty surge. this isn't some green crew. They're disciplined. Deadly."
The officer nodded hesitantly. "Should we wait?"
No. We go in. But we do it smartly. We probe them, spy. They're fighting another monster too—Doflamingo. Let them battle. We'll mop up."
Laxton spoke to his men.
"Make ready stealth entry. Camouflage ship. We'll approach by the northern cliffs. I want advance reconnaissance in Dressrosa pre-dawn."
In Dressrosa — Doflamingo's Palace
A window shattered as a report slammed into the wall.
Doflamingo strolled with an unsettling calm, his lips twisted into a sneer. "So. Solian Flare is coming. And he desires my kingdom."
By his side, Trebol snickered. "Th-they think they can just take it from you. so naive."
Pica's growl was like rocks grinding against each other. "Should we send someone?"
"No," Doflamingo said. "Let the Marines do it. Let them sweat. If Solian makes it through that. then I'll take care of him.".
He tilted his head, threads forming around his fingertips.
"But I'm curious. A pirate with a 200 million bounty and a crew that's climbed too fast. That smells like danger."
His sunglasses reflected the sunset as he chuckled.
"And danger. is delicious."
Back on The Radiant Drift — Late Evening
The team trained during the fading light. Kael and Jorin sparred. Rock Lee did aggressive pushups with a single hand as he balanced upon the mast. Milo set fresh traps upon the railings around the ship.
Solian lounged beside Vance on the railing of the vessel, legs hung over.
"Actually believe you can defeat both of them?" Vance breathed quietly.
"We are not going to defeat them together at once," Solian informed him. "But yeah. I do.".
He stared at his hands, flames flickering faintly from his fingertips.
"We're more than bounty posters now. We're a symbol. People are watching."
And for the first time since setting sail.
Solian welcomed it.
He wanted the world to see what came next.