Five days later.
Dressrosa, noon.
King Riku stood on the outer city wall, looking at the Navy fleet visible in the distance, his fists clenched, his eyes full of resentment.
It's truly outrageous!
This sea has never been reasonable; that's something he knew early in his reign.
But the Navy... this group carrying the name of "justice," would they really go so shamelessly this far!
The demon was vanquished, the situation stabilized, then they finally knew to come.
What about years ago?
That bloody night, when Doflamingo's conspiracy plunged the entire kingdom into madness, where were these warships?
When his people were transformed into enslaved toys, where was the Navy's aid!
"Your Majesty."
Kyros gently placed his trembling shoulder, speaking in a deep voice, "At least this time, we're not fighting alone, right?"
Indeed.
King Riku turned back, fiery sunlight casting over, the dense crowd stretched along the outer wall.
There were the soldiers of the Liku Army led by Kyros, the Tontatta Kingdom's dwarves race legion sent to assist, and a large number of indignant citizens who volunteered to fight.
This time, the people chose to trust him, chose to revolt.
And there was strong external aid...
King Riku looked up, the towering figure of Kuma stood silently beside him, gazing into the horizon.
"Mr. Kuma, will that esteemed gentleman... really arrive in time?"
The esteemed gentleman in King Riku's words naturally referred to Shano.
Kuma overthrew the Donquixote Family's rule, saved Dressrosa, being the benefactor to the entire nation.
And Shano personally slew the mastermind Doflamingo, also a benefactor.
Kuma turned his head, giving a gentle smile, before he could answer, a mature female voice sounded from behind:
"No problem, no need to worry, Father."
A beautiful woman with long brownish-black hair stepped onto the wall, striding forward; her demeanor was elegant but not without bold enthusiasm, with deep light brown pupils, a red flower pinned to her head.
"Violet!"
King Riku was somewhat surprised, "Why did you come to the frontline; didn't I ask you to stay at King's High Ground?"
King's High Ground, the location of Dressrosa's palace, also the highest point in the kingdom.
It's the safest place and also more convenient to utilize the ability of the Glare-Glare Fruit to observe the Navy fleet's movements.
"I'm no longer the crying girl I once was, Father. In terms of combat, I can manage to help a bit too."
Violet smiled faintly, "That ship... the people aboard the Endgame, under Mr. Shano's leadership, are already very close, it's surely not a problem to arrive before nightfall."
Is that so?
King Riku's eyes brightened.
After midnight tonight, the Navy ultimatum's final deadline arrives.
What he fears most is not dying in battle, but the Endgame arriving late, by then Dressrosa might already be conquered.
This nation, having undergone two fiery blood trials within a few short years, truly can't bear the consequences of defeat again.
"That's good, that's good." King Riku felt a weight lifted from his heart, smiling at his daughter, "But you should still..."
"I won't leave here today, Father." Violet shook her head, directly refusing.
"And me too!"
A small hand was raised high.
"Me too!"
Another even smaller hand raised, though its voice was no less.
Eh? King Riku was startled, looking down towards the voices, seeing two little heads popping out on either side of Violet—
"Bonney!" Kuma's eyes almost bulged from behind his glasses.
"Princess Mansherry!" Captain Leo of the Tontatta Dwarves Race also widened his eyes.
"Why did you two follow us here!" The two simultaneously growled with vexation.
Bonney and Mansherry shrank their necks at being yelled at but quickly straightened their backs, confidently retorting:
"We're here to help too!"
Bonney placed her hands on her hips, sounding irritated, "Don't underestimate us, Kuma. Forgetting something? I'm a Devil Fruit ability user, very strong!"
Suddenly, she rapidly expanded in size, transforming from a tiny figure to a curvaceous beauty.
"Exactly!"
Mansherry gained confidence too, leaping onto Bonney's shoulder, waving her little fists, "Leo! I'm the princess of the Tontatta Kingdom, you have no right to scold me!"
Kuma and Leo exchanged glances, helplessly holding their foreheads.
"Bonney, this isn't a game." Kuma crouched down, seriously said, "The Navy is coming in force this time, even Grand Admirals might join the battle, you..."
"I'm not afraid, Dad!" Bonney interrupted him, "Besides, isn't Uncle Shano almost here? With him, we'll surely win!"
"It's 'Brother,' you know!" Mansherry turned and glared at Bonney.
"Mind your own business! I like calling him this way!"
"Don't call him Shan... no, we must stand united, not argue!"
Kuma twitched the corner of his eyes, wanting to say something more, but just then—
"They're here!"
Violet suddenly changed her expression, quickly raised her head, activated the Glare-Glare Fruit ability, her gaze penetrating the clouds, looking towards the far horizon:
"Something's coming from the sky, moving fast! That figure is..."
Her pupils constricted, losing her voice in shock, "How can this be! The ultimatum time isn't even up yet, the Navy isn't at the point of needing support, how could this one arrive beforehand!"
...
Meanwhile.
On the flagship of the Navy fleet, the few headquarters senior officers leading the operation were also on the deck, gazing at the special nation before them.