Chapter 61 : The last Hope of Dressrosa
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With a few other revolutionaries as reinforcements, Emi and Koala slipped back into the hangar. The day before, they had only scratched the surface, but this time, they had a clear plan: uncover the secrets hidden beneath the port.
Hiding quietly behind some crates, they overheard two dockworkers talking.
"Man, you want a break? Did you see how many weapons we unloaded this morning? And it's not stopping anytime soon, not until the tournament at the coliseum wraps up."
"Yeah, yeah, I get it. We just gotta stay low-key until they move the rest of the stock under the arena. Could use a break after that, though."
Emi glanced at Koala, eyes wide with disbelief.
"The coliseum?!" she whispered, barely keeping her voice down. "So, it really is happening underground."
Koala nodded, the pieces finally clicking into place. Doflamingo was using the tournament as a distraction while his men handled the production and smuggling of weapons beneath the arena.
"We've got what we need," Koala murmured. "Let's report to Sabo and plan an infiltration. This time, we're hitting them where it hurts."
Emi clenched her fists, her eyes burning with determination. If Doflamingo thought he could keep his operations hidden, he was about to learn just how wrong he was.
Koala pulled out her Den Den Mushi, her face serious as she called Sabo. After a few seconds, the snail's face mirrored his calm, focused expression, signaling that the line was open.
"Sabo? We've made a big discovery," Koala said firmly. "The arms trafficking is real, and it's happening right under the Corrida Coliseum. The tournament is just a cover to keep eyes off what's going on below."
Sabo's familiar voice came through, calm but tense. "You're sure? We need solid evidence before we make a move. Get photos, documents—anything you can. Plan to sabotage their logistics and take the cargo."
Koala frowned. "We'll do our best, but we need you. If things go sideways, we—"
A sharp click cut her off. She stared at the Den Den Mushi in disbelief.
"Did he… did he just hang up!?" she sputtered, incredulous.
Emi stifled a nervous laugh as Koala, fuming, grabbed the collar of a nearby revolutionary—a poor guy who looked utterly confused.
"Why does he always do this?!" Koala growled, shaking the poor guy.
"What did I do?!" the young man stammered, hands raised in surrender.
Emi placed a calming hand on Koala's shoulder, a small, amused smile on her face. "Relax. Breathe. We've got this. He trusts us."
Koala closed her eyes and took a deep breath, her frustration gradually subsiding. "You're right. We'll handle it ourselves. Let's get the proof we need and shut this operation down for good."
They moved deeper into the hangar, staying hidden in the shadows cast by towering shelves. As expected, security was lax—most of the guards seemed more focused on the looming presence of the CP0 agents than on actually watching the warehouse.
Sharing a quick, knowing glance, they maneuvered carefully around the shelves, finally reaching a large metal door concealed behind stacks of crates. Emi placed a hand on the door, examining its locking mechanism.
"Piece of cake," she whispered, pulling a small tool from her pocket. Within seconds, the lock clicked open, and the door swung silently outward, revealing a staircase that descended into the darkness below.
They ventured into the tunnel, their footsteps echoing faintly against the stone walls. The air grew colder, heavier, and carried the faint smell of metal and dampness.
After a cautious trek, muffled voices drifted toward them. They froze, pressing themselves against the tunnel walls to remain unseen. Slowly advancing, they finally reached the tunnel's end, where an enormous underground port came into view. Ships loaded with crates of weapons were docked, guarded by armed men bearing the sinister, smiling insignia of Doflamingo's crew. Mechanical toys moved cargo around the port, their lifeless expressions betraying their servitude.
Koala clenched her fists. "This is worse than we thought. They've got a full-scale operation down here."
Emi's expression hardened as she nodded. "And those toys… they're being used as slaves."
Rows upon rows of crates marked with Donquixote's symbol lined the port, and dockworkers were busily loading them onto carts.
"This is it," Koala murmured, pulling out a small camera. She began snapping photos of the scene, careful to stay hidden.
Meanwhile, Emi scanned the area with sharp eyes. Near the entrance, a register book sat unattended on a table.
"I'm going for that," she whispered, nodding toward the ledger.
"Be careful," Koala replied without hesitation.
Moving stealthily between the stacked crates, Emi avoided the workers' line of sight and reached the table. She quickly flipped through the register, her heart racing as she scanned its contents: lists of weapons, destinations, quantities—everything they needed to expose the operation.
Determined to gather more evidence, Emi's gaze shifted to a nearby ship, still loaded with crates on its deck. Spotting an opportunity, she slipped aboard. The vessel was eerily quiet, with no signs of the crew. Taking advantage of the calm, Emi took detailed photos of the cargo and began searching the cabins for additional documents.
Among the papers, she found manifests detailing weapons shipments and names tied to Doflamingo's operation. A satisfied smile crept across her face. But as she stepped out of the cabins, she ran straight into a group of pirates unloading cargo.
"Who the hell are you?!" one of them yelled, clearly caught off guard.
Emi didn't wait for them to act. Moving quickly, she landed an uppercut on the closest pirate, sending him crashing into the ship's mast. The others hesitated for a moment, stunned, but soon charged at her.
She ducked under a swinging sword, spun around, and delivered a powerful roundhouse kick, knocking two of her attackers aside. As she caught her breath, she noticed one pirate at the back of the group holding a Den Den Mushi.
"Trebol-sama! There are intruders at the west underground po—"
The pirate didn't get to finish. Emi dashed forward and kicked him square in the face, silencing him mid-call. She snatched the Den Den Mushi and quickly ended the transmission, but the damage was done. The alarm had been raised, and reinforcements were probably on their way.
Glancing back at the ship one last time, Emi jumped off the deck and landed gracefully on the ground below. Without missing a beat, she sprinted toward the exit. Koala, who had been watching from a safe distance, ran up to meet her.
"Emi, are you okay?!" Koala asked, her voice filled with concern.
Panting, Emi nodded but spoke urgently. "We have to leave now! One of Doflamingo's guys managed to call for backup. Sorry, it's my fault!"
Koala placed a steady hand on her shoulder, her expression calm but firm. "Don't worry about it. We've got the evidence we need. Let's get out of here and regroup with reinforcements!"
Just as Emi and Koala started running, a sickening, squelching noise stopped them in their tracks. A slimy, sticky substance splattered down around them, trapping them in place.
"What the hell is this disgusting stuff?!" Koala shouted, struggling to break free.
As they looked up, they saw a towering man in a long, mucus-covered coat—likely Trebol—grinning smugly, his nose dripping in a revolting display. Beside him stood a small girl, casually munching on blueberries, her calm demeanor at odds with the tense situation.
"You really thought you'd just waltz out of here?" Trebol sneered, his voice nasal and taunting.
Koala and Emi exchanged disgusted glances. This guy was absolutely revolting, and they both knew they were in serious trouble. Trebol's sticky mucus trapped them, making it impossible to move freely, and though the little girl seemed harmless, she gave off an unsettling vibe.
The girl approached Koala, her small hand outstretched in an eerily innocent but terrifying gesture. Sensing danger, Emi hurled a small bomb toward the child. But before it could reach her, Trebol intercepted it with his mucus, neutralizing the attack as the resulting explosion forced the girl to step back.
"Run, Koala! I'll hold them off!" Emi shouted, struggling against the sticky trap.
"No way! I'm not leaving you here!" Koala protested, hesitating to flee.
Trebol let out a grating laugh. "Behehehe. How touching... But it's already over for you, little girl."
Emi threw another round of bombs, but Trebol's sticky mucus absorbed them before they could detonate. Trapped and desperate, Emi turned to Koala, her eyes filled with urgency and anger.
"Go! Now! Please, Koala! You have to get reinforcements!" she pleaded.
The small girl took advantage of the chaos, reaching out and brushing her fingers against Emi. Koala froze as a chilling sight unfolded: Emi's body began to change, shrinking and morphing into the form of a toy.
"EMI! NO!" Koala screamed, her voice breaking with desperation.
Trebol, clearly enjoying the scene, raised a hand, ready to fling more mucus to ensnare Koala. But suddenly, the bombs Emi had thrown—now stuck in Trebol's mucus—detonated all at once. The force of the explosions threw both Trebol and the girl backward, breaking their hold on Koala.
Taking advantage of the chaos, Koala clenched her fists, tears streaming down her face, and ran, her heart heavy with guilt. As she disappeared into the shadows, she made a solemn vow:
"Hold on, Emi. I'll come back. I swear I'll bring reinforcements."
Meanwhile, Trebol, covered in soot and livid, staggered to his feet, grumbling in anger. The girl, unharmed, stared coldly at the small toy figure of Emi, a chilling smile spreading across her face.
.~~~~
Law was slumped on Doflamingo's throne, his wrists chained and his body battered with deep wounds. Blood soaked his torn coat, dripping onto the cold floor beneath him. Pain throbbed through every inch of him, but he held his head high, his gaze steady and full of resolve.
"So, Trafalgar," Doflamingo taunted from the steps leading to the throne, his sadistic grin glowing in the flickering light. "Ready to give up?"
Law didn't answer, only glaring back with disdain. He wasn't afraid of death. Part of his mission was already complete: Caesar was in the hands of the Straw Hats, and the SMILE factory was as good as destroyed. That was already a win.
He also thought of the revolutionaries. They were here, ready to dismantle Doflamingo's illegal networks. Even if this was the end for him, Law was sure that everything Doflamingo had built would come crashing down.
"Do whatever you want, Doflamingo. There's nothing left for you to save." Law said, a defiant smirk tugging at his lips.
But then, an odd feeling broke through his thoughts. As he considered the revolutionaries, something nagged at his mind, like a name he couldn't quite recall. A blurry image tried to surface, but every time he reached for it, it slipped away.
It felt like he was forgetting something—or someone. Someone important.
He didn't have time to figure it out. The pain, exhaustion, and urgency of the moment wouldn't let him dwell on it. Law let out a raspy sigh, forcing his focus back to what mattered. Whatever this strange feeling was, it didn't change his goal: Doflamingo had to fall, no matter the cost.
Slowly, he lifted his head and locked eyes with his tormentor.
"Your reign's over, whether I live to see it or not."
Doflamingo erupted into manic laughter, but Law stayed unmoved. Deep inside, a fire still burned—unshakable and unrelenting. This was the end, he was sure of it. For Doflamingo... and maybe for himself, too.
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Emi slowly opened her eyes, her body feeling heavy and disturbingly unfamiliar. She looked down, and her heart sank. Her hands weren't her own anymore. They were wooden, jointed like those of a puppet. Her entire body was a grotesque caricature of what she used to be.
Then, like a flash, the memories came rushing back. Trebol—the disgusting, slime-covered giant—and that strange little girl. She and Koala had been caught, immobilized by Trebol's sticky mucus.
And then, this girl... She'd done this. She'd turned Emi into... this.
She tried to move, to run, but her balance was off. Still, her body moved automatically, her steps echoing hollowly on the ground.
"No, no, no... This can't be happening," she whispered, her voice high-pitched and mechanical, a warped echo of her real one.
She wanted to escape, but as soon as she turned into an alley, she found herself face-to-face with a group of men. Smugglers, their cruel grins highlighted by the flickering glow of lanterns.
"Well, look at this," sneered one of them, a burly man with yellowed teeth. "A new toy for the boss. You're going to be useful."
Before she could say anything, one of the men grabbed her roughly and dragged her toward a courtyard. Other toys were already there, working silently under the men's watchful, cruel eyes.
They tossed a massive crate at her—far too heavy for her small, puppet-like frame. She stumbled under its weight, only to be kicked harshly back to her feet.
"No breaks for you, toy! Move it!" barked the man, his cruel smile deepening the lines on his filthy face.
Tears threatened to fall, but no liquid came from her unfeeling, wooden eyes. It was the worst thing imaginable—she couldn't even cry in this grotesque form.
As she worked, she observed the other toys. Some seemed completely resigned, their mechanical movements betraying years of forced servitude. Others, like her, still had a spark of rage and despair in their gaze.
She gritted her teeth. Doflamingo... This was all his doing.
The toys she had seen when she arrived on this island weren't innocent decorations or automaton performers. No. They were humans, like her, transformed against their will. She should have realized it sooner. They were too numerous, too unnaturally cheerful.
And now, she was one of them.
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In the stands of the Colosseum, the crowd held their breath as the fight reached its peak. Koala and Hack watched anxiously, their hearts racing. Sharks circled the arena, the blood of fallen fighters turning the water a sinister red.
At the center of the chaos, Sabo had a clear goal: the chest strapped to the head of a massive fighting fish—the one holding the Mera Mera no Mi.
A determined smile crossed his face. "Ace… I'll protect this power. And I'll use it to change the world."
Sabo planted his feet firmly on the ground, muscles coiled, and unleashed a devastating attack with his Ryusoken. His Haki-infused fists shattered the arena floor in one strike, sending everything into chaos. The crowd screamed in terror as parts of the structure crumbled around them. Taking advantage of the confusion, Sabo leapt onto the giant fish's back with incredible agility. His fingers gripped the chest, crushing it with raw strength. Without hesitation, he grabbed the fruit and took a bite.
Heat surged through his body instantly, and flames erupted from his hands, moving like they were a part of him. The remaining fighters froze, terrified by the sheer power of the fire.
Sabo raised his arms, laughing as the flames danced around him. "So this… this is Ace's power."
With a fierce motion, he unleashed a massive column of fire—Hiken, Ace's signature move—that tore through the Colosseum floor. The explosion shook the entire island. The stands collapsed with a deafening crash, sending fighters plummeting into the depths below.
Sabo, Koala, and Hack made their way down into the underground trade port, where they found Robin holding a barely-conscious Usopp. He was battered and completely out of it.
Koala rushed to Robin, pulling her into a relieved hug. "I'm so glad you're okay!"
Nearby, in a corner of the ruined arena, another familiar figure emerged. Emi was curled up on the ground, trembling as buried memories flooded back. Her skin was slowly returning to its human form. The experience had been horrifying, but at least she was finally herself again.
Koala, who had forgotten Emi due to Sugar's Devil Fruit power, suddenly remembered, and panic took over her.
"Wait! Where's Emi?!"
She searched desperately, finally spotting her walking toward them, unsteady but alive.
"Emi?! You're alive!" Koala cried, rushing to her and pulling her into a tight hug, tears streaming down her face. "How did you manage to turn back into a human?"
Emi glanced toward Usopp. He was battered and completely out of it. A faint smile tugged at her lips as she turned back to Koala.
"It's thanks to him," Emi said simply. "I didn't see everything, but…" She paused, recalling the moment. "I remember hearing voices echoing through the underground. 'Usopp-land,' they kept shouting. At first, I thought it was ridiculous, but then…" She gestured at herself. "It worked. He broke Sugar's curse and saved us all."
Robin smiled softly, adjusting Usopp in her arms. "He has a way of surprising everyone when it matters most."
Koala chuckled. "Seems like he's earned himself some rest."
Emi glanced at Usopp one last time, her expression softening. "Yeah. He deserves it."
.~~~~
The collapse had exposed the SMILE factory and the secret port where Doflamingo had been running his weapons trafficking operation. The spectators and locals who had come to watch the tournament now stared in shock at the truth laid bare before them. Their murmurs filled the air, laced with confusion and fear.
"What… what is this place?" someone in the crowd muttered.
Panic spread through Dressrosa as people began to realize how much Doflamingo had been hiding and how deeply he'd manipulated them.
Emi grabbed Sabo's arm tightly, her eyes filled with determination.
"This factory, this trafficking… the world needs to see it. They need to know who Doflamingo really is and what he's doing to Dressrosa."
Sabo narrowed his eyes, curious. "How do you plan to pull that off?"
"I used to be a journalist. I have my ways. Trust me," Emi replied passionately.
Sabo nodded, sensing the urgency. "Alright. Do what you need to. We'll deal with the traffickers and try to keep the chaos under control."
Emi sprinted through the chaos, her footsteps echoing amidst the clamor, until she stumbled upon an old broadcast antenna. She whipped out a Den Den Mushi, hooking it up to the outdated equipment, and began tinkering furiously.
"Come on… work, work!" she muttered, her heart pounding.
After a few frantic adjustments, a familiar hum sounded, and the Den Den Mushi powered on. The live feed from the underground port appeared on its screen. Emi activated the wide-range transmission, praying someone out there would pick up the signal.
But her efforts didn't go unnoticed. Doflamingo's agents burst onto the scene, their faces twisted with rage.
"Stop that right now!" one of them shouted, charging at her.
Emi dodged, moving nimbly as she fought back with sharp, precise blows. Her kicks sent one agent crashing into a wall, but she wasn't unscathed—a hit to her face made her stagger for a moment. Still, she clung tightly to the broadcasting snail as if her life depended on it.
"The world needs to see this!" she shouted, gritting her teeth, refusing to let go.
As she finally fended off the last of her attackers, a shadow fell over the island, the air suddenly heavy with menace. Emi looked up, her heart sinking.
"What the…?" she whispered, dread creeping in.
Massive strings descended from the sky, weaving into a deadly, spiraling web that enclosed the entire island. A chill ran down Emi's spine.
The Den Den Mushi in her hands started acting up, the screen flickering with interference, distorting the live footage from the port.
"No, no, no! Not now!" she exclaimed, frantically twisting the dials in a desperate attempt to stabilize the feed.
It was no use. The signal was completely lost, leaving Emi surrounded by an oppressive silence.
"Damn it…" she whispered, clenching her fists.
Doflamingo's Birdcage, a horrifying technique, had trapped Dressrosa in an unbreakable prison. The giant, razor-sharp threads, formed by his Devil Fruit powers, encased the island, cutting off all communication with the outside world and isolating everyone inside.
Suddenly, the Den Den Mushi's screen flickered back to life, but it wasn't the port feed. Instead, Doflamingo's sinister face filled the screen, a chilling smile spreading across his lips.
"My dear subjects," his voice echoed through the island's speakers, "it's time to play a little game. If you want to survive… or if you're looking to get rich, all you have to do is participate. Capture or eliminate my enemies, and I'll reward you handsomely."
One by one, the faces of Doflamingo's targets flashed on the screen: Monkey D. Luffy, Trafalgar Law, Sabo, Kyros, Viola, Rebecca, and others. But it was Usopp's bounty—an astronomical 500,000,000 Berries—that sent murmurs of disbelief rippling through the crowd.
"What?! This… this has to be a mistake!" Usopp choked out, his voice rising in panic.
Doflamingo continued, his tone darkening, "Ah, and for those thinking of running… know this: the cage will slowly close in, until there's nothing left of Dressrosa." He extended his arms, emphasizing the threads that loomed over the island. "And now, Dressrosa will become your grave."
Emi, still kneeling by the antenna, felt a surge of fury rising within her. "He can't get away with this…" she murmured, her hands trembling with anger.
The screen abruptly went dark, leaving Emi enveloped in an oppressive silence. She rose quickly, determination replacing despair, and rushed to rejoin Sabo and the revolutionaries. The situation was spiraling out of control, and with the bounty on Sabo's head, everyone on the island was out for blood. The tension grew thicker by the second.
"To the surface, now!" Sabo shouted, his voice cutting through the din.
"If we want to prevent other islands from enduring what Dressrosa is going through, someone needs to stay and continue the investigation. I'll handle it," Koala said firmly, her gaze resolute.
Sabo turned to her, hesitating. "Are you sure you can manage this alone? The underground's crawling with traps and Doflamingo's guards."
Koala offered a determined smile. "I'm more than capable. You, on the other hand, are needed on the surface. Emi, go with him. Tell Hack I'll secure whatever I can down here and relay the information to the Revolutionary bases."
Emi nodded, recognizing Koala's logic despite her concern about leaving her behind. "Alright. But be careful. Once we're topside, we'll do everything we can to destabilize Doflamingo and his network."
True to form, Koala gave them a confident nod before disappearing into the underground's shadows. Meanwhile, Sabo, Emi, and the other revolutionaries pressed on toward the surface, bracing themselves for the chaos above.
From his palace, Doflamingo unleashed his reign of terror. Using his Ito Ito no Mi, he seized control of citizens, forcing them to turn on one another. Panic spread like wildfire as the people realized they had been manipulated for over a decade. The once-revered King Riku had been framed, and Doflamingo's true nature was finally laid bare.
Simultaneously, Pica, one of Doflamingo's most loyal subordinates, with his Devil Fruit power, began reshaping Dressrosa. He elevated the palace atop the Flower Hill and brought the SMILE factory up from the underground, exposing the foundation of Doflamingo's arms and artificial Devil Fruit trade.
Dressrosa, once a thriving and peaceful island, descended into chaos, ensnared in the deadly cage. Its citizens, paralyzed by fear and confusion, no longer knew who to trust.
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Sorry for the delay! I struggled to finish this chapter and still don't feel completely satisfied with it, so I might make some changes later. But here it is, and I hope you still enjoy reading it! See you soon!