Chapter 229: Looks Like Not Today!
To this day.
Although the identities of The Zodiac members remained a mystery.
Information about their abilities had long spread across the entire sea.
Among them, as one of the first Zodiac members to appear in public, and also the earliest to shake the world with mysterious assassination methods.
Nezumi (Rat)'s elusive ability was naturally well known to the world.
So now, seeing the man appear before them instantly.
Viola and King Riku naturally confirmed the opponent was that legendary Zodiac member.
"I am slightly interested in the 'Intelligence' you two mentioned just now."
"Can you tell me the specific situation?"
Now, Nezumi looked calmly at the father and daughter before him.
So, the two reacted immediately.
Viola glanced at King Riku, who nodded silently.
As mentioned before, they held intelligence they considered quite important—they believed that intelligence might be one of the sources of Doflamingo's crazy actions now.
But clearly, with King Riku and Viola's strength and status, they couldn't stop Doflamingo, only ask others for help.
And in current Dressrosa, whether judging from behavior or strength, 'The Zodiac' was obviously their best candidate to share intelligence.
"It's the royal private port managed by Doflamingo."
So now, Viola said deeply.
Correct.
Like many other kingdoms, Dressrosa had a 'Royal Port' exclusive to the King.
Doflamingo's transactions with the Underworld and his pirate ships were usually docked in that port.
Originally, Viola wasn't qualified to enter that port—only Donquixote Family high-ranking executives could enter.
But...
"Due to one executive Baby 5 disappearing during a mission recently, I temporarily replaced her position, acting with her partner Buffalo... occasionally passing by the port."
"And not long ago, I saw a ship in the port."
Viola said deeply. "That ship was a World Government ship."
This itself wasn't strange—after all, Doflamingo as a Warlord contacting the World Government was normal.
But the key was...
"Doflamingo personally welcomed that ship then. I confirmed with my ability—the people walking off that ship..."
Speaking here, Viola took a deep breath.
"Were Celestial Dragons."
She recalled those few people—all wearing Celestial Dragon-specific masks without exception, but having special marks on them.
As former kingdom princess, Viola once attended the Levely with her father, witnessing Celestial Dragons too.
But compared to most Celestial Dragons in the Holy Land, those few... gave her a different feeling.
"Mark... is it this mark?"
Hearing this, Nezumi smiled, swiping his hand gently.
Next moment, father and daughter saw a mark appear on the ground out of thin air.
"Correct! It's this!"
Viola nodded immediately seeing that mark.
She asked curiously, "You know who they are!?"
"Ah, sort of dealt with them."
Nezumi nodded.
Internally confirming some guesses.
But then, he didn't reveal much to Viola.
He just looked at this princess. "Speaking of your ability, I happen to have something to ask of Your Highness."
He said softly.
"If convenient, I want to invite you to come with me."
Hearing this, Viola froze.
"Come with you?"
She didn't expect Nezumi to make such a request.
"Correct."
Nezumi nodded smiling. "I'm going to the palace to confirm some situations, might need you to help me 'See' some things."
Hearing this, Viola's heart tightened.
She was a Glare-Glare Human who ate the Glare-Glare Fruit (Giro Giro no Mi), having the ability to see through others' thoughts with eyes.
And clearly—Nezumi not only knew her ability, but more importantly...
"Palace?"
"But Donquixote Family executives are all summoned to the palace today..."
She was instinctively afraid—experiences over past years made her know clearly how strong Donquixote Family executives were.
Once discovered, consequences...
"..."
Thinking of this, Viola looked at Nezumi instinctively.
She suddenly realized—she seemed to be mistaken.
Donquixote Family executives were indeed strong.
But compared to this one before her, seemed just so-so?
So...
"I am willing."
After brief hesitation, she nodded, saying deeply.
"Viola..."
Now, King Riku frowned.
"Father."
But his words were interrupted by his daughter. "You are the King, standing with the people."
"Then... as the princess, I should do something too."
Speaking, Viola tied up her hair.
"..."
Looking at his daughter's serious expression, King Riku was speechless.
"Wise choice."
Nezumi nodded smiling, swiping casually in the air.
"Then—please."
Next moment, a space door appeared silently.
He bowed signaling; Viola stepped into it.
Moments later, the door closed.
King Riku looked at where his daughter disappeared, taking a deep breath.
"The Zodiac..."
He murmured this name softly.
Although the other party was the 'Most Evil Organization' in World Government's mouth.
But undoubtedly.
After being persecuted by a Warlord losing the throne, and learning today's events likely related to Celestial Dragons.
King Riku didn't believe World Government's words a bit.
He only believed what his eyes saw personally.
And now...
"..."
His gaze looked into the distance, at 'Saru' (Monkey) still appearing constantly, at those body-outside-body clones still saving citizens.
So, he bowed deeply to the air.
"As King, saying such words is truly shameful."
"But this country's fate... is entrusted to you!"
"If you can save this country, then in the future—Dressrosa's Riku Clan will give everything to repay!"
Words fell.
King Riku pulled down the helmet on his head without hesitation.
"Now..."
"Gladiator 'Ricky', is going to the battlefield."
He turned around, leaping off the cliff, heading toward fleeing citizens and some remaining pirates.
"Invader, face me!"
At the same time.
Duel Arena, No. 4 Gate direction.
BOOM!
Huge air cannon blasted the enemy away.
A tall, strong man withdrew his hand casually, rushing toward No. 5 Gate direction.
"It's 'Balloon Vendor' Asu Soria."
"Why is he going toward No. 5 Gate? Isn't that direction where that Zodiac member is?"
"Who knows, he clearly defeated most enemies already, he is the strongest near No. 4 Gate."
"Could it be challenging The Zodiac! Heard he is Logia 'Gas-Gas Fruit' user, survived facing Whitebeard Pirates before, even killed one of Whitebeard's partners!"
Surrounding people made way, whispering so.
But now...
"Zehahahaha!"
The strong man named Asu Soria let out a peculiar laugh.
'Truly coincidental, a Zodiac member is actually on this island... as long as finding him, my plan can complete a crucial step.'
'Then just go to... hm?'
He thought internally.
But if someone familiar with 'Balloon Vendor' Asu Soria was here, they would definitely find—his tone and intonation, even laughter, were completely unlike gloomy Asu Soria himself.
But just as he headed toward No. 5 Gate, he seemed to see something suddenly.
He raised his head, looking at the sky.
Now, from above the Birdcage in the sky.
Another ball of light smashed down from top to bottom.
It passed through 'Birdcage' easily, flying into Dressrosa territory—and looking closely, one would find it was a ball of green and gold interwoven firelight, seemingly possessing life.
"That is..."
So, Asu Soria stopped.
His expression changed constantly, then...
"Zehahahaha!"
He let out a low, gloomy laugh. "Coming for me... looks like not today."
He looked at No. 5 Gate direction somewhat regretfully.
Then...
Whoosh!
He waved his hand; a pirate nearby exclaimed, grabbed by surrounding air flying directly before him.
"Spare... spare my life I..."
The pirate spoke with difficulty.
But Asu Soria ignored his words, just extending his hand now.
Pfft!
Next moment, something invisible and pitch-black pierced into the other's body quietly in a corner unnoticed by anyone.
THUD!
Moments later, Asu Soria threw his hand; the pirate was thrown away, falling heavily to the ground.
"So brutal!"
"Hey hey, that guy didn't provoke Asu Soria at all, right?"
Pirates aside seeing this couldn't help retreating a large distance—this guy's ability was too dangerous.
But...
"Hm?"
Next moment, they saw Asu Soria shaking his head actually.
His aura seemed to decline suddenly.
"Why am I here? Shouldn't I be heading to No. 4 Gate?"
This strong man muttered low. "Right, seems I suddenly wanted to challenge Saru for a duel—my brain really broke, why challenge that kind of guy actively?"
"And ha... ha... body hurts so much... wounds from fighting that Whitebeard Pirate guy reopened?... clearly didn't hurt before."
"Whatever, go to the duel arena."
He exhaled, turning around murmuring, then headed toward No. 4 Gate direction of the duel arena.
This scene made surrounding people bewildered.
What's wrong with this guy?
Wasn't he going to No. 5 Gate? Why changed suddenly?
And in this gap where everyone was dazed.
No one noticed, that pirate thrown away actually stood up slowly trembling now.
"Ah, hurts... I actually didn't die?"
He looked at his blood-covered body, but surprisingly found his body not only had no pain, but seemed to be healing instead.
"That Asu Soria, is he a fake show?"
He was somewhat doubtful.
But soon, he shook his head.
"Whatever, go to the duel arena quickly now..."
Thinking of this, he suddenly heard another voice seeming to come from his heart.
"No—so many powerhouses here, even if I go to the duel arena, can't complete captain's task... I should hide first, saving life is important."
"Yes, correct... leaving here first is most important, other things can be planned slowly... Zehahahaha!"
He thought so, laughing low.
But next instant, he found something wrong again. "When did I start laughing like this?"
But moments later, this thought disappeared too.
"Whatever—laughing like this feels quite exciting anyway."
"Zehahaha!"
☆☆☆
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