Bab 133: Chapter 133: Dressrosa!
The sun hung high over Dressrosa, casting a warm, golden glow over its lively streets. Edie, dressed in his signature white coat, walked leisurely through the bustling city. His hands rested in his pockets as his sharp eyes scanned the surroundings, taking in the prosperity that now defined this once-tumultuous kingdom.
The cobblestone streets thrummed with life. Vendors called out to passersby, boasting of fresh produce, shimmering fabrics, and exotic wares from across the seas. Children laughed as they darted through the crowds, their carefree joy a testament to the peace the nation now enjoyed.
"Remarkable," Edie muttered to himself, pausing before a fruit stand. He plucked a bright-red apple from the display and examined it with a scientist's precision. "Dressrosa's agriculture has certainly rebounded. This quality is rare for an island in the chaotic New World."
He paid the vendor with a casual nod, biting into the apple as he continued his stroll.
The Heart of Dressrosa
The Flower Field, now a lush expanse of vibrant blooms, stretched across the horizon. Couples strolled hand-in-hand, and musicians played lively tunes on makeshift stages. Above the field, the majestic Royal Palace stood as a beacon of Dressrosa's resurgence, its polished walls gleaming under the midday sun.
Edie glanced at the palace briefly. Doflamingo has outdone himself, he thought. Though the Heavenly Yaksha's methods were unorthodox, even Edie had to admit that the results spoke for themselves.
The Roar of the Colosseum
Soon, Edie found himself at the heart of Dressrosa's pride—the grand Corrida Colosseum. The arena was alive with the roar of spectators, their cheers echoing through the air like a tidal wave. The gladiator matches had resumed, now rebranded as a celebration of strength and camaraderie rather than the cruel bloodsport of the past.
Edie ascended to one of the VIP viewing boxes, his seat already prepared by Doflamingo's men. From this vantage point, he could see the entire arena. The sand in the colosseum shimmered under the sun, and two gladiators clashed fiercely in the center, their movements a blur of precision and power.
"Impressive," Edie remarked, leaning back in his seat. "Their combat prowess rivals even some of the lesser warlords."
A nearby official overheard and smiled proudly. "Dressrosa's gladiators are among the finest in the New World, Doctor. Every fighter here trains under the strictest regimens."
Edie nodded but said nothing, his attention drifting back to the match. One gladiator, a towering fish-man wielding a massive trident, unleashed a powerful strike that sent his opponent sprawling into the sand. The crowd erupted in cheers, throwing flowers and coins into the arena.
Reflections Amid Prosperity
As the match ended, Edie stood and gazed down at the crowd. The joy on their faces, the energy coursing through the arena—it was a stark contrast to the Dressrosa he had first read about, one mired in deceit and despair.
"This country has come far," he mused aloud, his voice barely audible over the crowd's cheers. "Yet peace and prosperity are always fragile... How long will this balance last before someone tips the scales again?"
With that thought lingering in his mind, Edie descended from the viewing box and stepped back into the lively streets of Dressrosa. While others celebrated the present, his mind was already calculating the possibilities of the future.
"Progress is a beautiful thing," he whispered to himself, "but it is always ripe for manipulation."
The scientist's steps carried him deeper into the heart of the city, his mind alight with schemes and curiosity about what could be built—or destroyed—next.
A Few Hours Later
Edie arrived at the Dressrosa Palace, where Doflamingo led the entire Donquixote Family to greet him at King's Heights—the grandest part of the palace, towering thousands of meters above the city. The place resembled a luxurious resort, offering an unrivaled view of the bustling town below.
In the open courtyard, every member of the Donquixote Family knelt on one knee, heads bowed in utmost respect. Despite their usual grumblings about Doflamingo's servility towards the Doctor, none dared show insolence now. Even the most outspoken, like Trebol, lowered themselves without hesitation.
"Doctor, what an honor to have you here in person," Doflamingo greeted, his usual arrogance replaced with uncharacteristic deference. A toothy grin stretched across his face, more ingratiating than sinister. "We've prepared a welcome banquet for you."
"You've done well these past two years," Edie acknowledged, his tone carrying a faint note of approval as his gaze wandered over the city below.
From King's Heights, the view was mesmerizing. Though night had fallen, the city glowed brightly, its streets alive with activity. Factories sprawled across vast areas, their chimneys puffing smoke, while workers traded shifts. Meanwhile, the nearby Gladiator Arena thrummed with energy, its roaring crowds so loud that the cheers echoed faintly even at the palace's height.
"It's an honor to serve you," Doflamingo said, his voice tinged with pride. Following Edie's gaze, he added, "The prosperity of the people has spurred immense growth in the entertainment industry."
Edie let his eyes linger on the arena, where gladiators clashed in fierce battles to entertain the masses. "You've managed this country well." he said, a rare compliment slipping through his calculating demeanor.
But then, his tone sharpened. "However, the fertilizer factory has drawn the attention of the World Government. Marine Admiral Aokiji is on his way to investigate."
Doflamingo's confident expression faltered for a moment. "Aokiji?" he echoed, unease flickering across his face. He had known Jinkela's classification as contraband would eventually attract trouble, but the swift involvement of an admiral was unexpected.
Still, he quickly composed himself. "Rest assured, I'll handle it," he said smoothly, masking his nerves. "It won't interfere with the production of fertilizers."
"I trust you can manage," Edie said, his voice calm but firm. "This isn't why I'm here. I have my own business with Aokiji, so there's no need to panic."
Relief washed over Doflamingo's face, and he exhaled discreetly. "Fufufu, that's good to hear. Doctor, please follow me—I've prepared a feast in your honor."
Edie nodded, instructing Wuma to stand guard at the port. "Notify me immediately when Aokiji arrives," he ordered.
"Understood, Heavenly Father," Wuma replied before unfurling its wings and taking off toward the harbor.
Doflamingo led Edie into the palace—though it felt more like an opulent resort. Upon reaching the grand dining hall, they were greeted by an array of finely dressed maids serving a sumptuous spread of Dressrosa's finest delicacies.
"I know you don't drink, Doctor, so I've prepared fresh juice," Doflamingo said, gesturing toward the lavishly set table.
Edie, having skipped meals on his journey, wasted no time sampling the dishes. He gestured for the others to join him. "Why are you standing? Sit."
At Doflamingo's signal, the senior members of the family took their seats around the table.
Among them were Trebol, perpetually unkempt and dripping with mucus; Pica, an armored giant with an incongruously high-pitched voice; and Diamante, whose flamboyant attire resembled that of a tribal chief. The Heart seat, previously occupied by Rosinante, remained vacant since his betrayal.
As they dined, Trebol handed Edie a thick account book. "Doctor, here's the company's ledger. Please take a look."
Edie merely glanced at it before passing it to Haizhu, who began reviewing the figures. "You've done excellent work, bringing tremendous benefits to the institute," Edie said, his praise carrying a weight that silenced the room.
The benefits were indeed staggering. Last year alone, Dressrosa's operations had contributed approximately 500 billion beli—a sum unmatched by any other revenue source, even the combined sponsorships from Whitebeard, Kaido, and Big Mom.
"As a reward," Edie continued, his gaze sharp, "what is it you desire, Doflamingo?"
Doflamingo hesitated, clearly tempted but cautious. "Doctor, this may sound presumptuous, but... you've attained eternal life, haven't you?"
"You want immortality?" Edie's tone betrayed no surprise.
Doflamingo nodded, his expression serious. "You must have heard of the massive chasm that appeared near Water 7 two years ago. It's linked to the 'national treasure' the Five Elders guard. As a former Celestial Dragon, I'm aware of its existence."
Edie's interest piqued slightly. "Tell me more."
Doflamingo explained, "It's an enormous device, capable of absorbing sunlight and converting it into devastating laser energy. I suspect it may be one of the Ancient Weapons—Uranus."
Edie's intrigue quickly faded. "That's all?" he said, unimpressed.
Sensing his disappointment, Doflamingo quickly added, "I'll gather more information for you, Doctor. Can this earn me eternal life?"
Edie shook his head. "The Five Elders won't last much longer. As for immortality... bring in one trillion beli in annual revenue, and we'll talk."
The room fell silent as the weight of the number settled over Doflamingo. A trillion. Last year's earnings of 500 billion were already near the market's saturation point. Yet, even as doubt flickered in his mind, he masked it with his trademark grin.
"I understand, Doctor. I'll achieve that goal as soon as possible."
"Good," Edie said with a faint smile. "I like your ambition. Now, let's eat."
The tension eased, and the banquet continued, though Doflamingo's mind churned with thoughts of how to achieve the impossible. For now, at least, he had secured the Doctor's favor.
A Relaxing Evening in Dressrosa
The dinner conversation stretched into the night as Edie and the Donquixote Family dined in luxury. Doflamingo meticulously reported key points about the company's management while Edie, his expression calm, listened intently. He offered little input, save for one guiding principle: use benefits to unite others.
The lavish feast lasted over two hours, with Edie showing genuine appreciation for Dressrosa's exquisite cuisine. As the meal concluded, there was still no word from Wuma at the port regarding Aokiji's arrival. Opting for a more leisurely approach, Edie decided to take a bath. Half an hour later, still no updates. Doflamingo, ever the attentive host, prepared a luxurious bedroom for Edie to rest.
The Watch at the Port
Meanwhile, Dressrosa's port lay beneath the shadow of towering, mushroom-shaped rock formations that encircled the island. Atop one such massive rock, Wuma sat cross-legged, his Observation Haki extending for hundreds of kilometers like an invisible net.
Suddenly, a powerful presence rippled through his senses. His eyes snapped open.
"The Marines are approaching," Wuma muttered, immediately retrieving his Den Den Mushi.
Dialing swiftly, he reported, "Heavenly Father, Admiral Aokiji's warship has entered within 200 kilometers. Estimated landing time: 7 AM tomorrow."
"Understood," Edie replied calmly from his quarters. "I'll set my alarm earlier. Stay vigilant and notify me of any changes."
With that, the line went silent. Wuma returned to his vigil, his eyes scanning the dark horizon as the minutes ticked by.
Morning Arrival
As the sun rose over the horizon, its golden rays illuminated the sleek silhouette of a Marine warship cutting through the waves. Onboard, a Marine Colonel approached Aokiji with a report.
"Admiral Aokiji, Dressrosa is in sight," the Colonel announced.
Aokiji exhaled deeply, his usual lazy demeanor intact. "All this fuss over fertilizer production? Jinkela's doing wonders. Even I bought some to try it out on my hometown farm."
The Colonel stiffened, his face turning pale. "Admiral, you shouldn't say such things—it's... not good for appearances!"
"Relax," Aokiji drawled, stretching. "It's the truth. This fertilizer's incredible. The black market prices have shot up for a reason."
The Colonel hesitated, biting back his own admission. He, too, had bought Jinkela, as had countless others in the department. The product was simply too valuable to ignore, even if it came with complications.
"Work is work," Aokiji mused, "but life is life. Let's not make it more complicated than it has to be—" He stopped mid-sentence, his gaze snapping skyward.
An Unexpected Encounter
Hovering above the warship, a man in a pristine white coat stood effortlessly in the air. His sudden appearance was so subtle that Aokiji nearly missed him.
"Dr. Edie," Aokiji muttered, his tone grave.
Edie, his hands casually tucked into his coat pockets, peered down at the ship with a faint smirk. "Admiral, your position is rather... precarious," he said, his voice calm yet sharp.
Aokiji felt a chill unrelated to his ice powers. Had Edie overheard his earlier comments?
Feigning composure, Aokiji chuckled nervously. "Doctor, you misunderstand. I hold you in the utmost respect."
Behind Edie, two figures descended gracefully from the sky, their presence casting a heavy weight over the scene.
Earthly Branches: Wuma, a clone of Whitebeard.
Earthly Branches: Haizhu, a clone of Charlotte Linlin.
Their silent, menacing forms made Aokiji break into a cold sweat.
"This is all a misunderstanding!" Aokiji stammered, forcing a grin. "I must've... taken the wrong route. Surely you can believe that?"
Edie's chuckle deepened. "Let's not waste time with excuses, Admiral. Shall we discuss the real reason for your visit?"
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone