Dressrosa was a tropical island brimming with vacation vibes, known as the "Land of Love, Passion, and Toys."
"Gurd, it's so beautiful here!"
Yamato was beyond excited, running up and down the clean streets. Compared to the heavy industrial atmosphere of the Nation of Labor, this island clearly suited her tastes much better.
"Look, so many toys!"
"I see them."
Gurd gave them a glance.
The most peculiar thing about this country was the toys everywhere—toys that possessed souls just like humans.
Gurd shook his head. "Yamato, nearly everything in this world that defies common sense is related to Devil Fruits."
"Devil Fruits?"
Yamato tilted her head in confusion, not quite grasping his meaning.
Speed, recalling Gurd's warnings before they disembarked, immediately understood the gravity of the situation, her expression turning serious.
"Are these toys the result of a Devil Fruit ability?"
"Correct."
Gurd nodded.
"The Hobby-Hobby Fruit can turn living beings into toys."
"..."
Speed shuddered involuntarily.
Turning living beings into toys!
Along their journey, they had encountered countless toys. If Gurd's words held true, the number of victims would be staggering—and judging by the intelligence displayed by these toys, most were likely humans.
"Has no one noticed?"
"Some probably have."
Gurd pondered.
Though turning someone into a toy erased all memories of the victim, physical traces remained untouched.
Records, belongings, names...
Before arriving, he had specifically prepared a list of names. If any unfamiliar names appeared, he would be notified immediately.
If his own name became unfamiliar...
Call the Beasts Grand Fleet—destroy the island!
While he doubted Doflamingo would dare provoke him again, it was better to be prepared, just in case.
Among the toys were government officials and envoys from other nations—there was no way records of them didn't exist.
A few cases could be dismissed as supernatural occurrences, but with numbers this high, factions—especially the World Government—couldn't possibly remain completely oblivious.
They were just pretending not to know.
After all, Doflamingo wielded considerable influence, enough to make even the Celestial Dragons compromise—much like the farce of him resigning as a Warlord of the Sea.
"So that's how it is! How despicable!"
Yamato huffed, planting her hands on her hips.
"Gurd, let's go beat up that awful Devil Fruit user!"
"Stay out of it!"
Gurd shot her an exasperated glare.
"If it weren't for your whining about wanting to play, we wouldn't even have disembarked. We're here to pick up Caesar—we're leaving right after."
"Hmph! Not listening, not listening!"
Yamato turned her head away and stomped off angrily.
"I'll go have fun by myself!"
After a few steps, her frustration faded slightly, and she unconsciously slowed her pace, sneaking glances backward.
Come on, stop me!
But to her annoyance, Gurd simply sat down at a nearby café without so much as a glance in her direction.
Speed, however, followed her.
"Lady Yamato, I'll accompany you."
"F-fine."
Yamato marched forward, still sulking—she had wanted Gurd to come with her.
"Hey, it looks lively up ahead!"
"That's the Arena!"
Speed looked ahead, spotting a massive coliseum in the distance. According to intel, it was one of Dressrosa's main attractions.
Yamato's eyes lit up.
"Let's go check it out!"
At the café, Gurd sat in the outdoor seating area, flipping through a fashion magazine while waiting for Caesar.
"Ding ling ling~~"
The sound of a bicycle approached from a distance.
Soon, a rather lazy middle-aged voice sounded beside him: "Ara ara, handsome fellow, mind if I sit here?"
"Be my guest."
Gurd glanced at the man briefly before returning to his magazine.
The guy had an afro.
"Miss, two coffees—one-third milk, six ice cubes, and one sugar cube."
When the coffee arrived, the afro man slid one cup toward Gurd, grinning as he tried to strike up a conversation. "Care to try? It's my special recipe."
"Thanks."
Gurd didn't hesitate, taking a small sip before frowning in distaste. "Too cold. Tastes bad."
"Really? I think it's pretty good."
The afro man seemed genuinely disappointed.
Setting the magazine aside, Gurd studied the uninvited guest—afro, sleepy eyes, and an old bicycle.
"Did a Navy Admiral come all this way just to buy me coffee?"
"Ah, you recognized me."
Aokiji scratched his head.
"Relax, I didn't get any orders to arrest you. I was just out for a stroll and happened to pass by, Gurd."
"You were biking, not strolling."
Gurd pointed at the bicycle, correcting Aokiji's wording with utmost seriousness—strolling and biking were entirely different.
Aokiji broke into a sweat.
"That's not the point, is it?"
"Of course it is."
Gurd smirked.
If the man had come to see him, he could've just said so. It wasn't like Gurd would mind.
Even Red Hair had sought him out before.
Did they all distrust him that much? What an insult. He wasn't like his brother Jack, causing destruction everywhere he went.
"BOOM!!!"
A nearby building suddenly exploded, engulfing both men in dust and debris.
"Cough—what the hell?!"
When the smoke cleared, several houses had collapsed, and in the center of the wreckage lay a tall, lanky figure.
The townspeople recognized him immediately.
"It's Lord Diamante!!!"
"Hey, what happened?!"
"Lord Diamante seems to have been sent flying from the Corrida Colosseum!"
Gurd calmly sipped his coffee.
"See? Not my doing."
"..."
Aokiji's face darkened as he stood up to leave.
"Anyway, it was good seeing you."
"How so?"
Gurd pressed, intrigued.
Aokiji waved dismissively, mounting his bicycle and wobbling away.
Gurd frowned.
"A warning, huh."
Clearly, the Navy had him in their sights.
Aokiji's visit was likely a warning not to cause trouble. The fact that an Admiral had personally shown up meant the Navy was prepared for a fight.
Given how close he was to Navy territory, their nervousness was understandable.
"Shurorororo~~"
Before long, Caesar arrived, looking unusually refreshed. "Lord Gurd, it's been too long!"
"Huh, you seem in high spirits."
Gurd was surprised.
By his estimate, after being passed around so much, Caesar should've been demoralized and resentful by now.
"All thanks to you, shurorororo~~"
Caesar grinned so wide his face seemed to twist.
Under the pretense of researching the Giant Drug, he had swindled a hefty research fund from Big Mom—enough to live lavishly for years.
How could he not be happy?
As for the future...
When Big Mom comes looking in a few years, Joker definitely won't be reliable. By then, he'll pledge allegiance to Lord Gurd!
He's already planned his escape route!
Lord Gurd is truly his kindred spirit!
Shurororororo~~~
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