Having pulled off such a massive operation, a proper celebration was naturally in order!
Although the cunning Doflamingo still had a significant fortune stashed in Doflamingo's Black Market Account, a fact that made Dante and his crew practically drool with envy, those funds were currently out of reach. They had to let it go for the time being.
Of course, the haul this time was still quite substantial.
The physical treasure found within the Donquixote Family's base alone was a bumper harvest. Therefore, a banquet had to be held, no matter what.
And just like with the Alabasta Kingdom...
The Riku Royal Family had also learned of their true identities.
Although they were shocked to discover that the East Blue Overlord's backer was actually a Marine Admiral, they knew better than to dig too deep.
The water was simply too deep.
It wasn't a topic for them to discuss.
They only needed to know who their benefactor was!
Afterward, they solemnly expressed their gratitude to Dante and his group, though they felt a deep sense of guilt that they couldn't produce anything of value to repay their saviors.
The current Kingdom of Dressrosa was in a state similar to the Alabasta Kingdom back then, no, perhaps even worse.
After the turmoil caused by Doflamingo, let alone one or two hundred million Berries, the Kingdom of Dressrosa couldn't even scrape together the funds for basic reconstruction.
Of course, to express his gratitude, King Riku still emptied his last remaining savings to host a banquet for Dante group.
As for the money...
They would just have to slowly figure that out later.
Finally, as the banquet wound down, King Riku, led by Princess Viola, personally approached Dante to offer his formal thanks.
At the same time, much like King Cobra had, he thumped his chest and vowed that they would absolutely keep the secret. He solemnly promised that if their savior had any orders in the future, the Riku Royal Family would never refuse.
Seeing the King of Dressrosa being so sensible, there was nothing else to say... Dante waved his hand grandly and chose to establish a cooperation with the Kingdom of Dressrosa! It just so happened that, according to his plan, a new market needed to be opened in the New World, so he might as well place it here.
Hearing of Dante's sponsorship, King Riku didn't fully understand the implications, but he still solemnly thanked him.
However.
Viola knew exactly what this meant.
Although she had sensed a faint hostility from Nami and the princess of the Alabasta Kingdom, her intelligence network had quickly uncovered the situation in Alabasta.
This kind of cooperation was nothing like the "cooperation" with Doflamingo!
One had to remember that Doflamingo had targeted their resources, leading to their ruin.
One could only imagine the value involved in this new deal.
She hadn't expected... that the Kingdom of Dressrosa would also have a chance to share in this? Her face flushed with excitement as she looked at Dante with affectionate eyes.
He really knew how to play! Truly worthy of the Land of Love and Passion, so direct.
'Pity~' she had already prepared herself to accept the Corrupt Marine Captain's special hobbies, but she never found the opportunity.
For Dante, however, this harvest was incredibly satisfying.
Most of the executives in the Donquixote Family had been captured, Doflamingo's years of accumulated treasure had been looted, and even the Stone-Stone Fruit user he had been coveting was brought back by Kuma.
And the Tontattas...
He believed that with the Tontattas agricultural abilities, even if his population doubled, his territory would be self-sufficient. No more purchasing food from outside, they could even export it! In the future, even if he faced a total blockade, he would have nothing to fear!
Dante had a very strong sense of crisis management.
It could be said that this harvest was even richer than taking down Sir Crocodile!
Finally, just like in the Alabasta Kingdom, after enjoying the exotic dances of the Kingdom of Dressrosa, Dante left with satisfaction.
It had to be said... each place had its own unique flavor!
--**--**
"Has Viola left as well?"
"She has left, King Riku!"
"Although it is somewhat regrettable, I hope Viola can find her own happiness!" Hearing Kyros's words, the aged King Riku sighed, gazing out the window toward the direction of the Dressrosa Port.
"That child has suffered for many years, she deserves to find happiness."
Even in accordance with her request, he did not restore her identity as a princess.
She remained in the shadows.
Kyros frowned. It wasn't that he didn't want to see his sister-in-law happy, but based on the intelligence he had secretly gathered over the past few days...
A Corrupt Marine Captain! A lover of female pirates! Surrounded by so many women! To be honest, although that Corrupt Marine didn't 'look' like that kind of person, Kyros was still deeply worried.
However, this was Viola's own choice. When he had found a moment to privately ask if she was being threatened, she had happily expressed that she was willing. Although Kyros was speechless internally, he didn't press the issue.
Of course, to avoid worrying the aged King Riku, Kyros decided to keep this to himself.
He fell silent for a moment, then said, "Princess Viola... will find happiness!"
'Perhaps Viola also has those strange fetishes?'
"But leaving me, an old man, here alone is still somewhat lonely." King Riku smiled wearily. He looked at Kyros, then at the space beside him, and said, "Rebecca should restore her identity as well. Fortunately, I still have you two to keep me company!"
However.
"..." Kyros, face looked conflicted, as if he was struggling to speak.
But before he could say it, King Riku seemed to guess what was coming. He couldn't help but recall his eldest daughter, and his face darkened. "Don't tell me you two are leaving too?"
"I'm sorry, Riku-sama!" Kyros said, his face filled with apology and emotion. "Rebecca... the child said she hopes to return to the place where Scarlett and I lived."
"No! Viola has left, you can't do this! At least one person must stay to keep me company! Dressrosa still needs you! Why are you all like Scarlett?"
"Rebecca said she isn't ready to shoulder the Kingdom of Dressrosa yet. A thousand apologies... I should go back to my home, Riku-sama!"
"You can't go! Hurry and bring Rebecca back, this is your home! Please don't do this!"
"Don't be like this, Riku-sama, it's not good if others see! You can come visit us when you have time, and Princess Viola also said she would come back to see you whenever she can!"
"Don't think I don't know! Viola is just like Scarlett was back then. After you got married, you rarely came back. It was always making an old man like me travel to see you! And the East Blue is so far from here, how am I supposed to go?!"
"..."
Just as Kyros and King Riku were locked in a tug-of-war.
On the other side.
Somewhere in the New World waters, on a ship.
*Puru Puru~ Puru Puru~*
A burst of Den Den Mushi ringtones rang out.
"Hello? Oh, is it the Marine Investigation Unit? What's the matter? The Mock Pirates?" Hearing the inquiry about the Mock Pirates, Dante sat up straight immediately, his expression turning serious as he looked at the Den Den Mushi wearing a Marine Cap in his hand. "That's right. After the investigation by the 16th Branch, that East Blue Overlord indeed comes from A Remote Impoverished East Blue Island. Are there any other identities?"
Did Mock have other identities? Absolutely not! He was just a poor man back then, and only grew that big after following Dante in the end.
Dante was not surprised that the Marine called to ask about Mock. After all, Mock's current bounty... although bloated with water, had reached 1.1 billion Berries. Keep in mind, this was just after arriving in the New World.
Plus, who knows how Kuzan and the captured Doflamingo had boasted about him in front of the Marine brass!
Added to the special nature of the East Blue...
It was quite normal for the Marine to attach great importance to Mock!
"An ordinary person? Eh..." Dante opened his mouth to deny it, but then stopped, narrowing his eyes as a thought crossed his mind. "Perhaps not ordinary. There is a rumor that the Mock has a hidden name, something like..."
He lowered his voice to a solemn tone.
"The D!"
Trafalgar Law, who was enjoying the sea breeze nearby, looked in confusion.
He looked over as if he'd heard something insane, the corner of his mouth twitching. 'Is this guy trying to get his minion killed?'
===============
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