Chapter 232: Action, The Stage Opens!
Corrida Colosseum.
Citizens and toys of the entire Dressrosa had fled and gathered here.
They looked at the 'Birdcage' still shrinking and approaching in the distance; eyes were full of panic.
"Everyone—there's still hope, hold on, don't panic!"
Disguised as gladiator 'Ricky', King Riku was holding a sword, wearing armor, guarding outside the crowd.
"'Phoenix' is treating the injured, he said... that Lord Saru (Monkey) will definitely defeat Doflamingo, releasing the 'Birdcage'!"
"Everyone just needs to wait calmly, maintain order."
What he said was also the only hope for most citizens currently.
Everyone understood.
In this situation, they couldn't find any way to save themselves.
The only thing to do was wait.
Wait for a miracle.
Wait for a hero to appear..
And now...
THUD!
A figure surrounded by a golden glow walked into the arena, from No. 5 Gate of the colosseum.
"Participants have entered the arena—since No. 4 Gate winner Asu Soria was defeated by 'Phoenix' Marco, and the latter didn't enter the arena due to some unknown agreement with participant Saru, there are only four participants in the final!"
"Who can win? Everyone please wait and see!!!"
Gatz continued commentating conscientiously.
But from the trembling in his voice, and glances at Saru occasionally, it could be seen—his thoughts were similar to surrounding citizens.
But now...
"..."
Saru paused slightly as he stepped through Gate No. 5.
He seemed to sense something, gaze scanning the final arena slightly.
Different from Corrida Colosseum in the original story—the arena Saru was in now had no water and huge Fighting Fish.
On the contrary, the arena was very simple, just an open flat ground.
Caesar's cage was suspended above the center of the arena.
The only thing worth mentioning was around the venue.
Numerous video Den Den Mushis were set up everywhere, as if to capture the entire venue in detail.
"Fuffuffuffuffu..."
Now, as Saru walked into the arena.
On the throne atop the colosseum, Doflamingo let out his iconic laughter too.
"Not letting Marco come in with you? I thought you were already 'Allied'."
He grinned, words seemingly suggestive. "Opponents are three—don't disappoint me, Zodiac member... Fuffuffuffuffu."
"..."
Hearing this, Saru glanced at him.
But before Saru replied, voices came from aside.
"Hey! Joker—what do you mean by this?"
Now, in another direction opposite Saru.
Three Disasters' figures stood there too.
And now shouting loudly was exactly Queen, smoking a cigar with an unhappy face.
"You want to provoke discord between us and 'The Zodiac'!?"
He looked at Doflamingo angrily. "Instead of saying such irrelevant words, better think about yourself—Governor-General Kaido absolutely won't! I'll kill you personally after snatching Caesar later!"
He was annoyed.
Originally thought it was a simple mission to visit an old research partner and show off status, but developed to this point due to Doflamingo.
Inexplicably, he had to confront The Zodiac head-on now.
Knowing this, he would rather feign illness staying in 'Udon' enjoying his red bean soup!
"Hey! Saru... can we discuss? Joker is right—even you would find it troublesome facing three of us directly, right?"
"We don't have to fight necessarily, give Caesar to us first, other things we can sit down and talk slowly..."
Queen looked at Saru too, trying to avoid battle through negotiation.
But...
"...Fool."
Saru just glanced at him, saying casually.
"Ha?"
Hearing this, Queen froze, then raged. "Who are you scolding?"
"Big Brother Queen, no need to talk to him more."
Beside him, Jack squeezed his hands.
"The Zodiac... Governor-General Kaido cares about them recently too. If defeating this guy and bringing back to Onigashima, it's a great achievement."
His words emitted dangerous aura.
"Don't be reckless."
Now, as the head of Three Disasters, King said deeply. "Act according to plan."
Hearing this, Queen and Jack paused simultaneously.
"...Tch!"
Queen spat dissatisfiedly.
"Understood, Big Brother King."
Jack nodded agreeing.
Although both had their own ideas.
But clearly understood King was right—things came to this, acting according to their pre-set 'Plan' was the safest choice.
"So, next I announce..."
Now, Gatz's voice continued.
"Final match, starting soon."
Voice fell; all video Den Den Mushis inside the colosseum opened simultaneously.
Scanning every corner of the colosseum.
At the same time...
Click! Click! Click!
At that moment, the weapons surrounding Caesar's suspended cage fell away.
"Prize 'Restrictions' released, final rules are simple—person snatching the prize is the winner!"
"So... start countdown!"
Gatz spoke here.
"Ten!"
Countdown voice spread throughout the colosseum at this moment.
But strangely—this voice wasn't Gatz's, but another person's.
"Nine!"
Just as the countdown started...
BOOM! (x3)
Three Disasters moved already.
Queen's body expanded, transforming into semi-Brachiosaurus form in moments.
His left prosthetic hand, head, and fat body cracked open at this instant.
Click! Click! Click!
Mechanical operation sounds came.
VMMM!
From within his cracked body.
Violent laser generated abruptly at this instant.
"Countdown?"
Armament Haki flowed frantically on his body.
"Who waits for that kind of thing!?"
"Black Coffee (Black Light Fire) · Maximum Output · QUEEN!"
Laser wrapped in Armament Haki burst out, shooting toward Saru.
At the same time, Jack manifested semi-Mammoth form too, waving dual blades slashing toward Saru.
Monstrous strength of Fish-Man race erupted; his slash cut open the colosseum ground instantly!
"Mammoth Slash (Zou-Zan) · JACK!"
BOOM! (x2)
Two attacks hit Saru's location instantly; huge dust rose in moments.
"Eight!"
"Seven!"
While the two attacked Saru, countdown continued.
Bang!
King remaining in place didn't choose to attack Saru with two companions.
"Six!"
"Five!"
On the contrary—accompanying countdown voice, he just bent knees, spreading wings behind.
Then, leaped up!
WHOOSH!
Flames behind his head extinguished abruptly at this moment; figure transformed into a huge Pteranodon soaring into the sky instantly, heading toward Caesar.
Flying speed so fast, almost incredible even for Zoan ability users.
"Th-this is..."
"Beasts Pirates Three Disasters clearly planned early—splitting into two groups. 'Queen the Plague' and 'Jack the Drought' block participant Saru, while 'King the Conflagration' chooses to raid and snatch the prize directly."
Now, Gatz's exclamation explained Three Disasters' plan.
Yes.
Saru's performance just now, Three Disasters naturally saw clearly through live broadcast.
Destroying Conqueror Legion instantly, suppressing the entire country's riot alone.
That terrifying Conqueror's Haki, exaggerated strength, and various abilities proved enough that the opponent lived up to The Zodiac's fame on the sea, possessing undoubtedly overwhelming power.
Even three of them as Beasts Pirates All-Stars, powerhouses confident in their strength, couldn't glimpse the true face of Saru's strength.
As mentioned before.
King only considered Kaido's ambition.
Rather than fighting Saru, he naturally chose the plan with higher returns—sending two little brothers to entangle Saru, while he snatched Caesar and retreated quickly, obviously the best way.
And regarding his speed, King had absolute confidence.
As a descendant of 'God Race' Lunarian, when flames behind head extinguished, speed would increase greatly.
Of course as price, defense would decrease.
But for now this 'Price' was clearly irrelevant!
Just like now...
"Four!"
His figure flew past.
"Three!"
When countdown reached '3', he appeared beside the iron cage where Caesar was.
"Tempura Udon (Imperial Deep Pride)!"
He waved wings, slashing forward.
Sslash!
Next moment, iron cage cut open.
"Got it!" (x2)
Seeing this, Queen and Jack looked overjoyed.
Plan went smoother than they thought!
They originally prepared—if Saru went to block King, they would rush up to fight Saru desperately.
But now, let alone blocking.
From start to finish, Saru didn't even have any counterattack movement.
"Two!"
Countdown voice continued; Caesar's figure fell from the cage, falling toward King.
"What Zodiac, just a showpiece!"
Queen raised an eyebrow proudly.
"Hey—Jack, after King succeeds, we prepare to retreat, hm... you cover the rear!"
"Yes! Big Brother Queen!"
Two disasters said so.
But just then...
"Truly fools."
"You're about to die, yet you still don't realize it.."
Dust before them dispersed partially.
Saru's figure appeared vaguely.
He still held Jingu Bang, no extra movements, seeming to wait for something.
But his voice reached Queen and Jack's ears clearly.
Dying soon?
The two disasters felt a moment of doubt in their hearts.
Next moment...
"Hm!?"
King flying in the air discovered something wrong already.
Because now he saw clearly.
'Caesar' falling from the cage, appearance began changing constantly.
That originally crying, survival-desire-full expression became dim and iron-green instantly.
His body began rotting while falling, even showing traces of torture gradually appearing on his body.
Caesar Clown died long ago.
What appeared before everyone just now was just an illusory 'Dream'.
That might be the last dream before being tortured to death.
[Nightmare Cave · Dream of Survival]
So, King's expression changed abruptly.
He realized something wrong, wanting to retreat immediately.
But that was clearly too late.
"One."
Countdown finally ended.
And that countdown voice became arrogant and cold at this moment.
"Action—Welcome to the stage!"
"Insects of the lower world."
As words fell.
"First, the first shot of this drama is a Fixed Shot!"
Sudden change occurred.
"!!!" (x3)
The Three Disasters' expressions changed instantly.
Because they sensed already.
"Can... can't move!" (x2)
Whether Queen as cyborg, or Jack as Fish-Man, even King as Lunarian.
At this moment, they all found... their bodies couldn't move at all.
As if some invisible force bound them—they couldn't even use Armament Haki.
But before they could react.
"After Fixed Shot, connect second shot."
Accompanying voice came again.
They saw several of those video Den Den Mushis turning slightly toward them now.
"Second Shot... Close-up Shot."
With video Den Den Mushis illuminating.
Queen and Jack sensed their strong bodies actually began to weaken at this moment!
The next instant...
"Vector Manipulation · God-Killing Spear (Kamishini no Yari) · Spear of Agony!"
Above their heads, hoarse voice came already.
So, accompanying vector flow.
Four spears made of white bone shot downward from above toward immobile Three Disasters and Saru at speed completely invisible to naked eyes!
BOOM!
Air made overburdened sound; colosseum ground pierced by white bone spears instantly.
Bottomless pits appeared out of thin air; huge dust and roaring explosion almost shook the entire colosseum!
☆☆☆
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