"Phew~ phew~"
"We finally escaped."
After playing for a while in the primeval forest, Luffy led his group towards the city of Dressrosa.
Everywhere in the city, one could see Dressrosa's most famous slogan: "Love and Passion and the Land of Toys!"
"This country looks so prosperous! The buildings are tall and magnificent, and everyone's faces are full of smiles!"
Nami bought several local snacks from the roadside and shared them with everyone.
"Indeed! This country is visibly rich! Compared to the Alabasta Kingdom, the people in this country have much, much higher happiness levels!!!"
Luffy nodded, "I was deeply moved by this scene."
According to Trafalgar Law, Doflamingo should be a complete scoundrel!
But the country he governs, the lives of its common people, are actually so prosperous~
"This... it's unreasonable!!!"
"Judging from the situation of this country's governance, this Doflamingo seems to be quite capable...!!!"
Even Hancock couldn't help but feel surprised by the prosperity of this country.
She had been living a life of exile since she was eight years old, visiting countless places...!!!
With a simple comparison, Robin could judge the level of Dressrosa's economic development.
To say it without exaggeration, this country was the most prosperous she had ever seen among all countries!!!
Luffy suggested that everyone find food to sample on their own. He, on the other hand, went to a barbecue stand and pointed at a meter-tall skewer of roasted meat, saying, "Boss, give me five skewers of that!"
"Alright, esteemed guest, please wait a moment. I'll heat it up for you~~~"
The shop owner brought over five one-meter long skewers of meat, placed them in a large grill, and began heating them.
"Boss, are all the people in your country living so prosperously?" While the barbecue was heating up, Luffy and the barbecue stand owner chatted casually.
From the barbecue stand owner's attitude towards customers, Luffy could feel that the owner's happiness was not faked...
And for a street stall owner with a decent income to have no hint of servility suggests that the local common people are generally quite wealthy.
To give a simple example, if all the wealth of a place is concentrated in the hands of 10% of the people, then that 10% of people will absolutely be arrogant and look down on everyone else in that place.
But if the wealth of a place is evenly distributed among everyone, then everyone will be friendly and helpful to each other, and no one will look down on anyone.
"Ah! Guest, you're right! In our Dressrosa..." Everyone in Dressrosa basically participates in the annual urban reconstruction projects! Locals participate in the work and can earn very high wages. Everyone lives without worries!
"Right, all public infrastructure and services in our Dressrosa are not only free for common citizens, but those who participate in voluntary labor also receive a handsome reward!"
The boss was clearly a warm-hearted person and chatted happily with Luffy.
Franky: "Can a country ruled by a villain actually live such a prosperous life?"
Brook: "Indeed... Looking at the barbecue stand owner, he certainly doesn't seem to be faking it~"
Crocodile: "That villain, actually supported by civilians to such an extent?"
Perona: "Don't mention him again!! Just now from the video, didn't you see? That guy was eventually overthrown by Luffy. All the people of the country were cheering~~~"
Carrot: "Honestly, if it wasn't for Doflamingo eventually releasing the birdcage to indiscriminately kill all the citizens, the civilians wouldn't have been united in wanting Straw Hat Luffy to defeat him."
Bartholomew Kuma: "Indeed! Especially before Sugar was knocked out, the common people's perception of Doflamingo was quite positive."
When watching the anime video before, although everyone knew Dressrosa was economically prosperous, there was no footage of Luffy's "street interviews."
So they didn't know that the common people of Dressrosa actually had such high levels of happiness!
Now, seeing the situation from this red-framed video, they are naturally surprised by this feeling~
The boss peeled an orange and gave half to Luffy.
Luffy stuffed a segment of orange into his mouth, leaned casually on the counter, and then asked: "By the way, I heard that your current King is one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea. Did he also...?"
"Yes! Doflamingo-sama has been with us for 10 years! He has led us to a good life!" The barbecue stand owner's eyes glowed.
"Then what about your original King? What kind of person was he...?" Luffy continued to ask.
The barbecue stand owner said, "Our original King was Riku Dold III... But 10 years ago, he led the national army to massacre civilians, and was overthrown by Doflamingo."
"Massacre civilians?" Luffy's brow slightly furrowed. "He's a cruel person...?"
The barbecue stand owner shook his head: "No, no, no!!! This matter is actually quite strange to talk about. King Riku, who was in power for so many years, had always been a good person! That time, for some unknown reason, he suddenly levied a tax of 10 billion Berries from us. When the civilians couldn't pay, he started slaughtering them. But he was a good person who had been in power for so many years, that was the only bad thing he did."
Hearing this, Luffy's heart subtly skipped a beat. He almost immediately understood what was going on.
Something abnormal must mean there's a demon...!!!
Clearly, King Riku's abnormal behavior was Doflamingo's doing!
"Guest, you're so smart!"
The barbecue stand owner opened the grill and passed the five one-meter long skewers of roasted meat to Luffy.
Luffy took it, then, as if carrying a flag pole, he held the five skewers of roasted meat and took one off to eat.
While eating, he asked, "10 billion Berries is a lot, but since your country is so prosperous, can't you get out 10 billion Berries?"
The barbecue stand owner chuckled: "Guest, you're joking...!"
"In King Riku's time, our country was very poor. Let alone 10 billion Berries, even 5 billion Berries would have been difficult for all the people to gather in a short time! Unlike now, His Majesty himself can casually take out 10 billion Berries~~~"
"Why was it so poor then? Did King Riku not develop the economy when he was in power?" Luffy asked curiously.
The barbecue stand owner spread his hands, "That King Riku was a good person, a benevolent and generous one!! Many countries plunged into war would seek his help, and he would organize nationwide donations to help those countries in conflict. So..."
Speaking of this, the barbecue stand owner shrugged: "He's a good person, but I don't think he's a good king!"
Luffy thought for a moment and understood what the barbecue stand owner wanted to express.
"Indeed!!!"
Undoubtedly, King Riku was a good person.
But when such a person sits on the throne, for the people of this country, it's actually a good thing...!!!
He uses his own country's wealth and resources to help other countries, and then his own people can only live a life of suffering and poverty... This... I'm afraid anyone would be unhappy!!!
And now, Doflamingo has given everyone a good life!
Regardless of what kind of person Doflamingo is, for the people of Dressrosa, he is a good king, a king who has moved beyond vulgar interests, an outstanding king admired by the entire nation!
"Alright, many thanks for the boss's insights."
Luffy paid the money, chatted a few more words with the boss, and then left.
Afterward, he gathered information about King Riku and Doflamingo from other people.
Everyone's expressed meaning was almost the same.
Everyone thought King Riku was a good person... but they didn't think King Riku was a good king...
On the contrary, a king like Doflamingo, even if he curses the common people to their faces, the common people still prefer him to a good king.
Although this implies a little "looking at money," if one were to truly ask... what do the common people want??? Don't they just want to live a good life???
You let me live a good life. Even if you curse me, I will still support you!!!
You make me suffer and be poor. No matter how good your character is, what's the point of that?
And Luffy also discovered a very subtle thing from the information he gathered.
That is, from the behavior of these people, it seems that they are mostly unaware of the events that happened in Dressrosa 10 years ago.
Although initially, many people felt indignant for King Riku.
But as everyone's lives got better and better, fewer and fewer common people spoke up for King Riku, and finally, they almost completely disappeared...!!!
Charlotte Cracker: "How ridiculous...!!! Is that villain really so excellent as a king?"
Charlotte Daifuku: "You can't say that either. Just now, watching the anime video, after Sugar was knocked out, the toys all reverted to their original forms. Weren't many of them originally people who resisted Doflamingo? This means that those who were transformed into Doflamingo's toys, the ones who remained in the end, were naturally all people who supported him~~~"
Donquixote Doflamingo: "Are you an idiot? Isn't it obvious from the comparison between the anime video and the red-frame video? My opponent's number of people is only that little, but I, in just three to five years, have already gained the complete support of over ninety percent of Dressrosa's people!!! Although this country is just a good kingdom to be a chess piece for, I have a way~~~"
"Hahahaha...!!!"
Riku Dold III: "This is impossible! The video must be fake! How can the people of Dressrosa support an evil person like Doflamingo??"
Donquixote Doflamingo: "Hahahaha...!!! You can't accept it, but there's nothing you can do. The facts are right before your eyes!"
"Excuse me, are you Mr. Monkey D. Luffy?"
A graceful and refined woman appeared in front of Luffy and asked very politely.
"Yes. Is there something?" Luffy raised an eyebrow~~~
"Hello, this is an invitation from our King. We invite you and your companions to attend the royal banquet tonight. Our King wants to hold a welcoming banquet for the Straw Hat Pirates. You are welcome to grace our country with your presence..."
The woman presented an invitation and respectfully handed it to Luffy.
"Oh??"
Hearing this, Luffy seemed a little surprised!!!
He hadn't expected that he had only been in Dressrosa for half a day, and Doflamingo's invitation had already reached his hands...
This intelligence work is quite good!!!
Crocodile: "Villain, as expected of you! Your subordinate Monet just died killing the Straw Hat Pirates, and you're directly inviting the Straw Hat Pirates?!!"
Gecko Moria: "And this guy found out the whereabouts of the Straw Hat group so quickly. How many subordinates did he send out to scout?"
Crocodile: "Idiot, didn't you just watch the white-frame video? Does Doflamingo have a female subordinate who is an Eye-Eye Fruit user? It must be that woman who saw the Straw Hat Pirates' ship."
Crocodile had a slight disdain for Moria's intelligence.
Donquixote Doflamingo: "Fufufufu...!!! Crocodile, if you team up with me, we can immediately contend with a Yonko!!!"
Although Doflamingo looked down on Moria, he still admired Crocodile very much.
Whether it was Crocodile's strength or intelligence, Doflamingo felt that he was a very perfect partner.
Crocodile: "You'd better go somewhere cool and stay there!"
Crocodile unceremoniously rejected the olive branch Doflamingo extended.
That night, Luffy really showed up for the appointment!!!
However, not everyone from the entire crew came. Only Luffy, Nami, Bartolomeo, and Jinbe came.
As for the others, they remained on the ship...
After all, no matter how strong Luffy's power, he would never do anything like "put all his eggs in one basket"...!!!
Passing through the central main street, Luffy and his four companions arrived at the King's Plateau.
Seeing the five of them appear, Doflamingo, who had been waiting there early, immediately came forward with a grin.
"Fufufufufu...!!! Straw Hat Luffy, for a big shot like you to actually grace my humble palace with your presence, it truly makes me, this humble King, tremble with excitement~~~"
Doflamingo's face was covered in smiles, as if he were an ancient eunuch welcoming an emperor.
Luffy wasn't too surprised by Doflamingo's attitude.
After all... this was a world where strength spoke for itself!!!
The Straw Hat Pirates had already demonstrated their formidable strength during the Summit War...
In terms of strength, the top combat power of the Straw Hat Pirates was already completely not inferior to a Yonko's pirate crew!!!
And Doflamingo had also fought with Straw Hat Luffy during the Summit War. Of course... if that even counted as a fight~~~
As long as he wasn't an idiot, anyone at this moment would know to lower their posture and actively curry favor with the Straw Hat Pirates~~~
You yourself have already offended the Straw Hat Pirates. If you anger them again now, isn't that just seeking death...?
???
Looking at Doflamingo's flattering appearance, Luffy intentionally spoke: "Your subordinate Monet has probably already told you about Punk Hazard, right??"
As soon as these words came out, Doflamingo's face instantly changed color!!!
However, after a brief moment, he quickly forced a smile back onto his face: "Fufufufufu...!!! Luffy-dono, please don't misunderstand, that was Monet's private action, and it has nothing to do with me!!! I fought you, Luffy-dono, during the Summit War. Even if I were an idiot, there's no way I would want to go against you~~~"
Gecko Moria: "Oh! Hehehehe...!!! Villain, your cowardly and cowering appearance is truly a sight to behold~~~"
Crocodile: "How shameful!!"
Donquixote Doflamingo: "Don't underestimate me... I'm not someone who gives up easily~~~ Fufufufu...!!!"
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