Chapter 59: The Shadow of Dressrosa
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The Revolutionary ships glided silently through the darkness, closing in on Dressrosa's shores. The island loomed under the moonlight, its baroque architecture and vibrant colors looking almost surreal in the night's shadow.
On the deck, Karasu stood still, like a shadow himself. His plague doctor mask crackled faintly, but no clear words came through. It seemed like he wanted to speak, but had once again forgotten to activate his voice modulator.
"Are you planning to mumble all night, or are you going to turn on your speaker?" Emi teased, half amused.
Karasu tilted his head slightly toward her, the moonlight glinting off his mask. Another unintelligible murmur escaped him.
Koala sighed and shook her head. "Karasu... the mask," she said simply, miming the motion of turning it on.
A metallic click sounded, and Karasu's amplified voice finally echoed, low and cold: "I'll take you there. Stay alert. Things are far from stable."
Emi nodded silently, while Koala crossed her arms, ready to get started.
Karasu raised his arms, and a black mist burst from his body. The soot swirled, gathering into massive crows that hovered silently around the ship. One landed in front of Emi, motioning for her to climb on. She hesitated for a moment before gripping the strange, gritty texture of the soot bird. She would have much preferred her own seagull, Coco, but staying discreet and moving as a group was the priority.
The crows took flight without a sound, gliding over the calm sea. They reached Dressrosa's shores and dispersed, dropping their passengers near the port, hidden behind some rocks. Sabo, leading the group, gestured for everyone to spread out and scout the area. Without wasting time, the revolutionaries slipped into the lively port alleys, keeping a low profile.
Emi had expected a desolate landscape, faces marked by suffering, and an oppressive atmosphere, just as the reports about Doflamingo's reign had described. But what she saw completely caught her off guard.
Despite the late hour, the port streets were lively, bright, and full of energy. Smiling residents strolled and danced to Latin music, chatting as if in perfect harmony. Even stranger, toys of all shapes and sizes mingled with the crowd, interacting as though they were a natural part of the society.
"Toys?" Emi muttered, narrowing her eyes at the peculiar sight.
Koala frowned beside her. "This is... unusual. Everything looks too perfect. There's got to be something hidden beneath all this."
"A façade," Emi murmured, her guard up.
Sabo remained silent, his serious eyes scanning the surroundings.
A large, illuminated sign hanging from a lantern read "Port Acacia" in bold letters. Despite the lively nighttime activity, the port had a darker undertone. Stacks of crates and shadows moving in the dim light gave the bustling area a clandestine feel, and the group had taken note of it.
Emi, Sabo, and Koala discreetly slipped into quieter, more suspicious corners of the port. From a dark nook, they observed the area. Not far away, a warehouse loomed, its entrance guarded by several burly men. Cargo was being moved in and out, but the level of security was far too intense for an ordinary storage facility.
"That warehouse reeks of shady business," Sabo murmured, glancing at the entrance.
Koala nodded. "This has to be where the real action is."
Emi stepped forward slightly, determination etched on her face. "You two sneak inside while I distract them."
Sabo and Koala exchanged a brief look before silently agreeing. They began slipping toward the warehouse entrance while Emi headed straight for the guards.
The tallest of the guards eyed her warily, his arms crossed, his gaze fixed on her with suspicion. "What do you want?" he growled.
Emi stopped in her tracks, her eyes narrowing slightly. She inhaled, fighting the urge to react impulsively. "Just a quick question. What are you moving in there? It looks... intriguing."
The man frowned, his face hardening. "Who do you think you are, asking questions? You've got no business here. Get lost."
"Oh, come on, just a little hint. It doesn't cost anything to answer politely, does it?"
The guard chuckled, his rough laugh echoing in the night. "Politely? Listen here, kid. You've got two options: walk away nicely, or I'll make you walk away my way."
Emi crossed her arms, her lips pressing together, her calm demeanor masking a simmering anger. "And you? Can't you talk without sounding so stupid?"
The man, caught off guard by her comeback, scowled. "What? Listen here, you little smartass. Leave before I lose my patience."
Emi's smile vanished entirely, her tone turning icy. "And what if I say no?"
The guard let out a loud, crude laugh, taking a heavy step closer. "Then I'll show you why brats like you always end up regretting their choices."
"A brat, huh?" she shot back, rolling up her sleeves, her eyes sparking with fury.
.~~~~
Inside the warehouse, Koala and Sabo hid silently behind a stack of crates, watching the scene unfold. The pirates were hauling their goods toward a hidden hatch, likely leading to an underground passage.
"Looks like they're preparing for a major transfer," Koala murmured.
Sabo nodded. "We need to wait for the right moment to―"
A deafening noise cut him off. A window shattered behind them, and a man went flying through the air, crashing hard into a pile of crates.
The pirates froze, dropping their cargo and drawing their weapons. Koala and Sabo exchanged stunned looks before glancing at the groaning figure on the floor. They instantly recognized the man Emi was supposed to interrogate.
Koala rubbed her temples and turned to Sabo. "Please tell me she didn't do this."
Sabo closed his eyes briefly, exhaling deeply. "She did. Which means she―"
Before he could finish, Emi stepped through the shattered entrance, her face cold and unbothered. She wiped her hands on her pants as though she'd just finished dealing with an annoying chore.
"Sorry. He was a little too full of himself," she said casually.
Koala sprang to her feet, hissing in frustration. "Are you serious, Emi? We were supposed to keep this low-key! Not give them a reason to sound the alarm!"
The pirates in the warehouse, still stunned, began yelling orders and rushing toward their direction.
Sabo sighed, gripping his weapon. "We're pulling out." He shot Emi a stern look as he led them out of the warehouse. "We'll come back tomorrow. And next time, you stay quiet."
The shouts of the pirates faded into the distance as they disappeared into the darkness.
.~~~~
The inn they found near the port was a modest, weathered wooden building with a barely legible sign swaying in the sea breeze. The dim light of lanterns inside gave it a warm but discreet atmosphere, perfect for visitors looking to keep a low profile.
Sabo, Koala, and Emi stepped into the small common room. A polite silence fell as the few patrons cast quick, curious glances their way before returning to their drinks and hushed conversations.
"Let's take a table in the back," Sabo suggested, scanning the room.
They settled at a shadowy table near a cracked window. A waitress brought them drinks without asking any questions, clearly used to customers who preferred to keep their business to themselves.
Sabo leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table and interlacing his fingers in thought. "We've gathered some intel, but it's not enough to act yet. That warehouse is definitely a front. Whatever they're really doing must be underground."
Koala nodded, her expression serious. "The shipments are too large and too heavily guarded to be regular trade goods. There's probably an underground passage they're using as a transfer point."
Leaning back in her chair with her arms crossed, Emi added. "Those guys could stand to be a bit more subtle for a real smuggling operation. That idiot outside practically screamed arrogance."
Sabo glanced at her but chose not to comment, letting out a small sigh instead. He carefully unfolded a map on the table, revealing a rough sketch of the port and its surroundings.
"Tomorrow, we head back to the warehouse. This time, we focus on the entrance to the underground passage. If we can confirm it leads to a storage area or transfer hub, we'll have enough to make our move."
Koala pointed to a circle on the map, marking the spot where the shipments seemed to converge. "We should also monitor the nearby streets. If this arms trade is as big as we think, they'll have multiple supply routes feeding into it."
Emi nodded, her gaze sharpening. "That explains why they're moving cargo at night. If we can figure out the type of weapons or equipment they're dealing with, we might get a clue about where they're planning to deliver it."
Sabo gave her a pointed look, raising an eyebrow. "Try not to throw anyone through a window this time."
Emi pressed her lips together, looking a bit sheepish. "I'll be careful."
They spent a while refining their plan before booking rooms upstairs. As they climbed the creaky wooden staircase, Sabo muttered under his breath, "We can't afford any mistakes tomorrow. If this smuggling ring is connected to what we think, we're walking into a minefield."
Koala glanced at Emi, who already seemed lost in thought.
The rooms were modest but comfortable enough for the rest they desperately needed. Once inside, Emi dropped her bag in the corner and went straight to the window. She pulled the curtain aside slightly, peering down at the street below. Shadows danced under the streetlights, and even the toys seemed less lively, as if they changed when night fell. The calm of Acacia Port hid a brewing storm, and they all knew they were about to dive headfirst into it.
As Koala disappeared into the bathroom, the sound of running water filling the silence, Emi stood by the window, staring absently at the street. Sabo, seated on a chair, crossed his arms and watched her for a moment before breaking the tension.
"You know," he began in a calm tone, "I get it. These guys, what they're doing… it makes you want to take them down right away."
Emi turned away from the window to face him, her expression tinged with guilt.
"But," Sabo continued, tilting his head slightly, "if we want to succeed, we need to be patient. We can't afford to tip them off or give them a reason to tighten their operation."
Emi nodded slowly, clenching her fists. After a brief hesitation, she spoke in a low, sincere voice.
"I'm sorry about earlier. I shouldn't have lost my cool. It's just…" She paused, searching for the right words. "This is my first mission with you guys. And it's so important. I don't want to mess it up."
Sabo studied her face, seeing the worry and pressure in her eyes. He leaned forward slightly, softening his tone.
"Look, everyone makes mistakes at the start. Even me, I promise. What matters is understanding why they happen and making sure they don't happen again. No one here expects you to be perfect, Emi."
She gave him a small, nervous smile.
"Thanks, Sabo. I'll do better tomorrow. I promise."
Sabo returned the smile, warm and encouraging.
"I believe you will."
Before Emi could reply, the bathroom door opened, and Koala stepped out, towel-drying her hair.
"Hope you weren't plotting without me," she teased, raising an eyebrow.
Sabo stood, chuckling lightly. "We were just talking strategy."
Koala smirked and headed to her bed. Emi simply nodded, feeling a renewed determination for the next day.
"Goodnight," Sabo said as he left for the room next door.
"Goodnight," Emi murmured.
She moved away from the window and sat on the edge of her bed, pulling off her boots. As the silence settled around her, one persistent thought lingered in her mind:
It was only a matter of time before this façade came crashing down.
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As they sat on a sunny terrace enjoying their coffee, Emi let her gaze wander across the lively scene around them. Nearby, a small gathering was taking place: flamenco dancers spun gracefully, their vibrant dresses catching the morning sunlight, while animated toys played cheerfully with children. The scene was almost surreal, a picture of harmony that gave Emi an odd sense of unease, as if a darker truth lurked beneath the surface.
Her wandering eyes stopped when a familiar figure appeared in the sky. Coco, her loyal seagull, was gliding down gracefully, a newspaper clutched firmly in its beak.
"Over here, Coco!" Emi called out, raising her arm with a smile. The seagull landed smoothly on her shoulder, dropping the newspaper into her hand before letting out a satisfied squawk.
Flipping through the pages, Emi quickly spotted an article about the latest exploits of the Straw Hat Pirates.
"Check this out," she said, showing the article to Sabo. "They've been making waves on Fishman Island."
Sabo smiled warmly, a hint of pride in his expression. "Luffy hasn't changed. He always knows how to make headlines wherever he goes."
Koala, intrigued, leaned over to glance at the article. "Your brother and his crew sound like real firebrands. Maybe we'll cross paths with them one day."
Emi nodded, sharing their enthusiasm, but her smile faded when she turned the page. A bold headline caught her attention immediately:
"Doflamingo Abdicates His Title as Warlord!"
The massive letters seemed to shout off the page. Emi's heart raced.
"What? Doflamingo… gave up his Warlord title?" she exclaimed, eyes wide.
The group froze for a moment.
"That's unexpected," Sabo remarked, his brow furrowing.
Emi's hands trembled slightly as she devoured the article.
"In a shocking turn of events, Donquixote Doflamingo has relinquished his status as one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea and stepped down from his throne as the king of Dressrosa. The exact reasons remain unclear, but rumors suggest a series of events involving Trafalgar Law and Monkey D. Luffy, captain of the Straw Hat Pirates, who reportedly joined forces to destabilize Doflamingo's network..."
"Law… and the Straw Hats?!" Emi nearly dropped the paper. "That can't be right."
She continued reading, her mind racing.
"This unlikely alliance seems to have taken shape recently on Punk Hazard, where significant clashes reportedly occurred. Sources claim the laboratory where Caesar Clown was hiding has been destroyed.
Meanwhile, another alliance shakes the New World: Eustass 'Captain' Kid, Basil Hawkins, and Scratchmen Apoo have joined forces, aiming to challenge Emperor Red-Haired Shanks."
Emi stared at the words, her thoughts a whirlwind.
"Law and Luffy working together… and now this? Everything's shifting," she murmured, barely audible.
Sabo and Koala exchanged glances, the weight of the news settling over them. The game in the New World was changing, and it was clear that they were standing at the edge of something monumental.
Emi slumped back in her chair, her fingers gripping the newspaper tightly, completely stunned by what she had just read.
Their bounties were plastered across the other half of the page: Trafalgar Law – 300,000,000 Berries and Monkey D. Luffy – 400,000,000 Berries.
"What kind of madness is this?" she muttered, unable to tear her eyes away from the staggering numbers staring back at her.
She read the section about Law and Luffy again, trying to make sense of this unlikely alliance.
Doflamingo giving up his title as king? It was unthinkable. He would never willingly give up a position that shielded him from the Marines and allowed him to continue his illegal dealings—unless something bigger was at play. But what? And what would happen to Dressrosa without him?
Her thoughts were a tangled mess. Was this all part of Law's plan? Had he finally managed to take his revenge on Doflamingo after all these years? If so, why team up with the Straw Hats? She knew Law well enough to know he hated relying on others. So, was this just strategy? Was he using Luffy and his crew to achieve his own goals?
Punk Hazard's destruction—that was clearly Law's doing. But what about Caesar Clown? Was he still in the picture, or had Law taken him out to sever the ties between Kaido and Doflamingo for good? Too many questions swirled in her mind, and no clear answers seemed to emerge.
A chill ran through her. Emi felt a strange lump form in her throat. She had to know more—she couldn't help herself.
She turned the page, searching for additional details, but her gaze stopped abruptly on the article's byline: Absa.
"Absa?" she murmured, narrowing her eyes in curiosity. "Who's that?"
The name didn't ring a bell. This journalist must have been new—or perhaps they were using a pseudonym. But why publish such a critical piece of information with so little context? It felt incomplete, maybe even manipulative.
Emi let out a frustrated sigh, her mind already racing ahead. She was in Dressrosa. Doflamingo, Law, the Straw Hats... Everything seemed to be converging, as if fate itself was weaving invisible threads to pull her here.
If chance brought her face-to-face with Law again, she was determined to get answers. If there was even a sliver of hope that he could come out of this fight alive, she needed to know.
As Emi looked up, she noticed a growing commotion around her. Passersby had stopped to read the bold headlines plastered on bulletin boards and the freshly distributed newspapers. Murmurs rippled through the crowd—some filled with shock, others with fear or disbelief.
Sabo, who had quietly stepped closer, placed a light hand on her shoulder to get her attention. "This is the perfect moment," he murmured, his serious eyes scanning the crowd. "With all this chaos, the guards and overseers will be distracted. It's our best chance to get into the island's underground unnoticed."
Koala nodded, her gaze fixed on the growing unrest. "He's right. This mess will keep their focus above ground. We need to take advantage of it."
Emi nodded, her voice calm despite the palpable tension. "We're heading back to the hangar?"
Sabo nodded firmly, pulling his hood into place. "From what we saw yesterday, there's a hidden access point behind the main warehouse. It has to connect to an underground network."
Koala crossed her arms, skeptical. "And what if we run into a den of pirates or their henchmen? Not all of them will be distracted. We need to stay sharp."
"We adapt, like always," Sabo replied with a confident smile, standing up from his chair.
Emi followed suit, ready to act. Excitement and unease churned within her, but she didn't let it show. "Then let's move. If those tunnels are tied to the trafficking, we can't afford to wait."
Without another word, the trio left the café terrace, cloaked under their large hooded capes, slipping into Dressrosa's shadowy alleys. The crowd, preoccupied with the news, provided perfect cover, and they made swift progress toward the port.
As they crossed through the port, a gathering caught their attention. A crowd had formed around a group of masked men dressed in white suits. Emi froze in her tracks. She recognized those distinctive uniforms all too well—the unmistakable attire of CP0.
Her fists clenched tightly. What are they doing here?
The crowd's shouts and protests filled the air. People gathered around the port, demanding answers.
"What's going to happen to Dressrosa?!" an old man exclaimed, waving the newspaper with a trembling hand.
"Is this even true?!" a young man yelled, his brows furrowed.
"Tell us what's going on!" added a woman, clearly at her wit's end.
One of the CP0 agents stepped forward, imposing and unshaken in his pristine white suit. He raised a hand to command silence before announcing in a cold, calculated voice:
"By order of the World Government, we confirm that Donquixote Doflamingo retains his title as a Shichibukai and his royal status. Any information to the contrary is incorrect and should be disregarded."
A heavy silence fell for a moment before murmurs rippled through the crowd, mixing relief and confusion. The agent continued:
"A corrected report will be issued at 3 p.m. today. We ask all citizens to stop discussing rumors and resume their normal activities. Maintaining order is essential. Any disruptions will be dealt with severely."
The CP0's chilling words cut through the crowd, silencing most.
Emi frowned, her mind racing. "That makes no sense. It's been less than an hour since the paper came out," she muttered.
"You can say that again," Koala replied, her voice low but tense.
"They're trying to quash the rumors and keep control. But why would the CP0 bother to show up here in person?" Emi added.
Sabo crossed his arms, his expression hardening. "Because things aren't as stable as they want people to believe. If Doflamingo needed them to step in and reassert his position, there's a crack somewhere."
But Emi's mind was already elsewhere. Doflamingo, still in power? That suggested something far beyond mere political maneuvering. Why was the CP0 directly involved? Was this a way to keep Dressrosa under control? Or perhaps an attempt to intimidate anyone who might oppose the former king? And most importantly… what did this mean for Law and his alliance?
A knot tightened in her stomach at the thought. Was he even still alive? Had he been caught in this chaos?
"Hey, Emi," Koala said, snapping her out of her thoughts. "This isn't the time to get lost in your head. This mess doesn't concern us. Our mission is to dismantle that weapons trafficking ring. Let's move."
Emi nodded, taking a deep breath to refocus. Koala was right. She had to stay on task. She stepped back, leaving her worries about the unfolding events behind her—or at least, trying to bury them for now.
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Thank you for reading this chapter!
Time has passed, but have Law and the Heart Pirates already arrived in Dressrosa? And will Emi cross their path? You'll find out on Sunday! Stay tuned ~