Free Web NovelChapter 1301: Chapter 12: The Highlands
The merchant ship stopped one kilometer away from Dressrosa, which was a restricted zone at that time. Any non-Donquixote Family ships entering this area would face interrogation or even bombardment.
Several fast ships with the Donquixote Family emblem on their sails approached with a faintly encircling formation, which made the sailors on the merchant ship nervous.
The One-Eyed Captain looked towards Pika. He had already recognized Pika’s identity. Entering this zone was easy, but leaving wouldn’t be that simple. The food on his ship couldn’t be stored for long, and being forced to dock in Dressrosa, accepting detainment for several days or even half a month, would mean a huge loss.
Pika didn’t speak; he just came to the edge of the ship.
On a rapidly approaching small sailboat, several pirates dressed in Donquixote Family attire held binoculars, constantly observing the merchant ship’s movements. They were somewhat baffled as to why a ship under Whitebeard would enter this area, as it wasn’t a necessary route for any pathway, and as for resupply, that was a joke—the Dressrosa supply station had closed a month ago.
"That is..."
A pirate adjusted the binoculars.
"Is it Master Pika?"
"What?"
The surrounding pirates were startled upon hearing this.
"That’s right, it’s Master Pika. Let’s get closer."
A dozen or so fast ships formed an encircling formation, surrounding the merchant ship. Several pirates climbed aboard the merchant ship using ropes.
"Master Pika, you..."
The Donquixote Family pirates had just begun to ask about Pika’s condition when Pika glanced at them, and the pirate immediately fell silent.
"You, escort them out of this zone."
Pika randomly pointed at a pirate, perhaps unable to recall who the pirate was, and directly used ’you’ to refer to him.
Su Xiao, Bubu Wang, and A Mu transferred to a small boat, and a few minutes later, the group disembarked at Dressrosa’s port.
The port was not a large one, and it didn’t usually handle many ships. Those truly doing business in Dressrosa entered the underground port beneath the island.
Under the ’escort’ of a large group of pirates, Su Xiao headed onto the island. Although these pirates didn’t know who Su Xiao was, they knew not to ask unnecessary questions.
Pika walked out in front, his steps seemingly steady, but internally he was very conflicted. He had barely made it back victorious, but his ships and subordinates were left permanently in that area.
If Pika had died, he would have been a hero of the Donquixote Family, sacrificed for his Young Master Doflamingo.
But Pika survived, returning even after his subordinates and ships were completely annihilated. If it had only been Donquixote Family ships and pirates, it wouldn’t have been a big deal—Pika would have just felt guilty at most.
The unacceptable part was that four of those eight ships belonged to the Beast Pirates, and the pirates on board were Jack’s subordinates. Drought·Jack was not someone easy to reason with.
In fact, if anyone else were Jack, they would question Pika: ’All my subordinates died, so why are you the only one to survive? Did you use them as cannon fodder?’
Unfortunately, Pika was a Devil Fruit User, and while all the ships were lost, a Devil Fruit Ability User somehow survived. As for Su Xiao saving Pika, Jack would find it hard to believe, given Su Xiao’s mysterious background.
This is why Pika was so worried.
While Pika was worried, Su Xiao was in a good mood as he had finally reached Dressrosa. His promotion/mainline task was completed, and the third-ring task would activate in 2 days, meaning he could move freely in Dressrosa for 2 days.
Dressrosa is a well-known large island in the New World. No, calling it the Dressrosa Kingdom would be more fitting.
To ordinary people, Dressrosa is known for its beautiful scenery, with women dressed provocatively and food that captivates the senses.
For pirates, Dressrosa is a casino, a supply depot, a shelter, and more.
To those in the Underground World, Dressrosa is an arms trade station. As long as you had money, you could purchase any kind of weaponry here. Of course, they wouldn’t dare cause trouble here.
The prosperity and passion here masked the darkness. The thriving parts were above ground, while the darkness lay underground. Compared to other countries, the residents of Dressrosa lived quite affluently. Understandably so, as their ’King’ conducted black market business, ensuring the island’s economy was booming.
Half an hour later, Su Xiao walked down the streets of Dressrosa. The streets were bustling despite the Donquixote Family being at war with the Big Mom Pirates, the area remained untouched.
The aroma of food wafted through the air, clearly enticing Bubu Wang, who followed behind Su Xiao.
The group traversed several streets in Dressrosa, heading straight for the center. Most of Dressrosa comprised residential areas or shops, with some places holding special significance, such as: the Bullfighting Arena, Lovers’ Avenue, SMILE Factory, Flower Field, and King’s Highland.
Su Xiao and the others were about to enter the Flower Field. Even before entering, he saw a vast sea of sunflowers, with a blue sky and white clouds; the distant sunflower field looked incredibly beautiful.
However, in Bubu Wang’s mind, the beauty of the sunflower field wasn’t as important as the practical question of how many seeds such a large field could produce each year?
Amidst Bubu Wang’s curiosity, the group arrived at the elevator that went to the bottom of King’s Highland.
King’s Highland was the highest point in Dressrosa. On this expansive highland stood the Donquixote Family’s villa, originally a Royal Palace, now transformed into a villa where the Donquixote Family’s officers resided.
Or rather, King’s Highland was the Donquixote Family’s stronghold, overseeing all of Dressrosa, with a connection to the underground port.
Clank, clank...
The metal elevator ascended slowly, with only Su Xiao, Pika, Bubu Wang, and A Mu inside. Due to Pika and A Mu’s size, it was a bit cramped.
The elevator shuddered to a halt, and the iron gate opened, revealing a courtyard. Unauthorized ordinary pirates were forbidden entry, only the Donflamingo Family officers were allowed.
The courtyard featured a pool where clear water sprayed up, forming a small rainbow in mid-air.
"Master Pika?"
A green-haired little girl sat by the pool, wearing a camisole and red sandals, her fair little legs swinging back and forth, appearing to be in a good mood.
Upon seeing the little girl, Su Xiao immediately recognized her: this was the legal loli, Sugar, who looked 10 but was actually 22.
"Who are they?"
Sugar held a small bamboo basket filled with plump grapes.
"These are... new members."
With a heavy heart, Pika exited the elevator.
"I dislike him."
"Eh~"
Pika stopped, and looked at Sugar with a questioning gaze.
"I don’t know him, but I instinctively dislike him. He reeks of blood."
Sugar took a grape and chewed on it, not bothering to disguise herself as cute, but rather being genuine...
Sugar’s gaze shifted to Bubu Wang, saying, "But this dog is quite cute."
Bubu Wang rolled its eyes, as if to say: "Stay away, I don’t like you either."
