One Piece: The Strongest Trait System novel Chapter 224

Chapter 224: [224] : [BONUS] - Hostage Princess Viola! Jack the Drought! A Declaration of War on the Beasts Pirates!

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Dressrosa Kingdom was swiftly brought under the control of the Sky Sovereign Grand Fleet.

All Devil Fruit users among the Donquixote Family were shackled with Seastone cuffs.

The non-users had iron hooks pierced through their scapulae—a method that completely immobilized their arms but allowed for quick recovery once the hooks were removed, very effective for transporting non-ability user prisoners.

The captured Donquixote Family executives were then imprisoned in the holds of various pirate ships—to be transported to the Sky Sovereign Grand Fleet’s headquarters for judgment.

Under the search efforts of the Sky Sovereign Grand Fleet, King Riku Doldo III was also found.

Towards the legendary Emperor, Sky Sovereign, who had overthrown the Donquixote Family’s rule, King Riku expressed immense gratitude and respect.

At the same time, King Riku III, having been powerless to resist Doflamingo’s coup and subsequent tyranny, understood a harsh reality:

In this tumultuous new era, in this New World ruled by the Four Emperors, to survive, the mere status of a World Government affiliated nation offered no protection.

To survive on these seas, one had to pledge allegiance to an Emperor.

Besides, the matter was not yet over!

The SMILE factory on this island was a crucial asset to another Emperor, Kaido of the Beasts. Though the factory was destroyed, if the wrath of an Emperor descended upon them, the Kingdom would be powerless to resist.

And the only ones who could stand against an Emperor—were other Emperors.

Looking at the Sky Sovereign’s pirate flag flying proudly on the ships docked in the harbor, King Riku instantly made his decision.

Subsequently, in a live broadcast to the entire nation, King Riku delivered an apology speech, expressing his remorse as king for the years of suffering his people endured after the country’s fall.

The citizens responded with overwhelming support, deeply moving King Riku.

Under the guidance of the Sky Sovereign Grand Fleet, King Riku was set to be reinstated as the king of Dressrosa, restoring the country’s original government.

For this, King Riku was extremely grateful.

After informing his people and receiving their support, King Riku immediately declared that from this day forward, Dressrosa Kingdom would pay annual tribute to the Sky Sovereign Grand Fleet, and Dressrosa would fly the Sky Sovereign’s pirate flag.

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Vivi, representing Rowen, graciously accepted King Riku’s pledge.

This was the standard method of expansion for an Emperor’s forces.

The Emperor provided protection for the nations and islands of the New World. In return, these protected nations, using the Emperor’s prestige, gained better trade opportunities to develop their country.

They were also required to provide funds to the Emperor, contributing to the expansion of the Emperor’s forces.

An Emperor’s force was vast, with numerous subordinate pirate crews. Rowen’s forces now numbered in the tens of thousands.

Such a force naturally required massive funding. Whether on Earth or in the One Piece world, to contend for supremacy—funds were indispensable.

And for a country like Dressrosa, for Rowen to rule it personally would be beneath his status and highly inefficient.

Simply providing protection to Dressrosa, allowing its original royal family—King Riku—to be reinstated, letting the country become more prosperous, would naturally yield sufficient funds to continue expanding his forces.

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"Miss Vivi... I wonder if I might have the honor of meeting Sky Sovereign Rowen," King Riku asked respectfully, standing beside Vivi, Zoro, and Luffy.

Behind King Riku stood a respectful and grateful Viola, Rebecca, and Kyros—the only remaining members of Dressrosa’s royal family after the disaster.

After the Hobby-Hobby Fruit’s power was dispelled, Rebecca regained all her memories of her father, Kyros. They had a tearful reunion, and both were incredibly grateful to Sky Sovereign who had saved them.

"You’ll have the chance," Vivi replied, smiling at King Riku.

As the former princess of Alabasta, Vivi’s Observation Haki could sense that King Riku was a good king who cared deeply for his people. She believed that under his leadership, Dressrosa would quickly recover.

FWOOSH!

A massive pirate flag was unfurled by Zoro.

Seeing the flag, King Riku and the others accepted it with excitement.

As long as this flag flew over Dressrosa, it signified this place was under the protection of Sky Sovereign.

A tragedy like Doflamingo’s rule would never happen here again!

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"Princess Viola, please return with us," Vivi stated, looking at Viola.

"Mm," Viola nodded, not at all surprised.

A hostage princess—was one of the prices to be paid for becoming a vassal of an Emperor. A member of the royal family would reside in the headquarters of their affiliated Emperor.

Clearly, the chosen royal—was Viola, user of the Glare-Glare Fruit.

Regarding this, even the kind-hearted Vivi firmly upheld this rule.

Maintaining a power structure required stability. Some rules had to be enforced. Even though King Riku was incredibly grateful to their Sky Sovereign Grand Fleet, this rule had to be followed.

The Sky Sovereign’s flag flew over more than just Dressrosa; in the future, it would attract even more forces and nations.

The rules, and Rowen’s imperial majesty, had to be absolutely defended.

"Viola," King Riku’s lips moved, wanting to say something, but he could only remain silent.

An Emperor’s majesty was absolute; pledging loyalty couldn’t be done with mere words and promises. King Riku understood this very well.

Viola’s departure with the Desert Princess and the others was unchangeable.

"Father... I’m lucky. I get to meet Sky Sovereign Rowen," Viola smiled, her smile incredibly bright.

To be able to trade her own freedom for the peace of Dressrosa—was something she had dreamed of.

During Doflamingo’s rule, even if she wanted to pay such a price, her pleas went unanswered.

"Be careful on your journey," King Riku sighed.

"Don’t make it so grim. Rowen is very benevolent," Zoro commented, smiling at the father and daughter.

"I have already felt Sky Sovereign’s benevolence," King Riku nodded solemnly.

For Sky Sovereign to allow him to be so smoothly reinstated as king, and not making any harsh demands—for a lofty Emperor, such actions were the epitome of benevolence.

But King Riku also understood, this was a treatment afforded only after pledging loyalty—If he angered this lofty Emperor... the fate of the Donquixote Family was the best illustration.

An Emperor could show mercy and kindness.

But likewise, an Emperor could also unleash his might!

To survive, proving their loyalty to Sky Sovereign Rowen was the first priority.

Viola becoming a hostage was just one element of that—the most important thing was to quickly restore the country’s economy, contribute funds to Sky Sovereign, and prove Dressrosa’s value.

King Riku clenched his fists.

"Hm?" Luffy and Zoro simultaneously looked in the same direction.

"What’s wrong?" Vivi asked, looking at them. Her newly awakened Conqueror’s Haki didn’t grant her Observation Haki on par with theirs yet.

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User of the Elephant-Elephant Fruit, Ancient Zoan, Model: Mammoth!

One of the Three Calamities—Jack the Drought.

Loyalty has its time and place, doesn’t it??

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!

"Armament——!" Atmos roared, infusing his weapons with Armament Haki, then slashed fiercely at the charging Jack.

SPURT!

CLANG!

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