Inside a small noodle shop in Dressrosa.
"The noodles here smell really good," Lina muttered, smacking her lips.
Rolan casually flicked her forehead. "You really are shameless. You eat all day and still complain."
Lina puffed out her cheeks. "That's not true. I've clearly grown."
As she spoke, she straightened her posture deliberately.
Rolan glanced at her briefly, his expression unchanged. He made no comment and looked away.
Doflamingo had been defeated, his fate unknown. Most of his remaining executives had already been dealt with by Nami and Robin.
The once-dominant Donquixote Family, which controlled underground trade, human trafficking, and ruled Dressrosa through fear, had completely collapsed.
At this moment, whether former toys or humans, civilians or royalty, the entire island was immersed in joy.
For years, the Donquixote Family had been like a mountain pressing down on everyone, suffocating them until they could barely breathe.
Now, that mountain was gone.
No one cared why Rolan and the Ion Tempest had done this, nor did they care what would happen to Dressrosa tomorrow.
At least for today, they were free.
After accomplishing all of this, Rolan and his crew did not go looking for King Riku, nor did they announce their deeds to the public.
Instead, they quietly entered a noodle shop at a street corner.
Aside from Law, who had sustained some injuries, everyone else was unhurt.
Rolan himself had not lifted a finger.
"S s s sirs, your n noodles are ready," the noodle shop owner stammered as he approached their table.
His hands trembled, his legs felt weak, and his heart pounded violently.
The people sitting before him were the Ion Tempest, the strongest pirate crew on the sea. And the man seated at the center was the World's Strongest Man, Godslayer Rolan.
No one could stay calm in his presence.
His mind screamed in despair. Why here? Of all places, why here?
All he wanted was to serve them properly. Everyone knew the temperaments of figures like these.
One mistake could mean death.
Issho sat quietly to the side, his Observation Haki clearly sensing the shop owner's panic.
The others noticed it as well.
They had seen this reaction countless times.
No one commented.
Crack.
The owner's grip slipped, and the bowl shattered on the floor.
A chilling sensation ran up his spine.
Cold sweat soaked his back as if he had been plunged into icy water.
His heart felt like it had dropped into an abyss.
Panicking, he bent down to gather the broken pieces.
"I I I'm so sorry," he stammered. "I'll clean it up immediately."
Rolan watched silently for a moment, then sighed quietly.
Why did everyone act like he was the King of Hell?
He raised one finger slightly.
The spilled noodles, soup, and shattered ceramic lifted from the ground and floated cleanly into the kitchen trash bin.
The owner froze.
He slowly looked up at Rolan, his face pale beyond belief.
"G Godslayer sama, I I…"
His thoughts spiraled, already imagining his own gruesome end.
"The noodles spilled," Rolan said flatly. "Make another serving."
"Okay! I agree! Please don't kill my wife!" the owner blurted out, completely missing the point.
Nami and Lina exchanged glances.
"See?" Nami sighed. "You really scare people."
Rolan looked genuinely baffled.
He turned back to the owner. "I said I'm not blaming you. We're hungry. Make another portion."
"Huh?" The owner stared at him in disbelief. "You won't blame me?"
Robin smiled lightly. "Yes. Hurry up. We still have places to be."
The owner sprang to his feet and rushed into the kitchen.
Laughter broke out immediately.
Nami, Lina, and the others could not hold it back.
Even Robin and Law smiled faintly.
"That's enough," Rolan said calmly. "Do I really have no dignity at all?"
Fortunately, the shop was empty except for them.
If anyone else had witnessed it, they would never believe that the World's Strongest Man could be surrounded by such an atmosphere.
Issho's lips curved slightly.
For once, he wished he could see.
…
Dressrosa Royal Palace.
An elderly man with white hair stood in the main hall, wearing a battle-worn uniform. His eyes were clouded with tears.
Kyros stood before him, his own eyes red.
"You've endured so much, Kyros," the old man said quietly.
Kyros shook his head. "I haven't. Rebecca and Father suffered the most."
The man was King Riku Dold III.
Rebecca and Viola stood nearby, silently wiping their tears.
Their family had been torn apart for years, surviving in misery and despair.
"You said all of this was done by the Ion Tempest?" King Riku asked.
"Yes," Kyros replied firmly. "Rolan and his crew defeated Doflamingo. The Donquixote Family is gone."
"Rolan," King Riku repeated. "The World's Strongest Man."
"Yes."
"Why did he do it? Is he still in Dressrosa?"
Kyros shook his head. "I don't know. I've already sent people to search for him."
King Riku nodded. "Then find him. I need to speak with him personally."
Gratitude, more than curiosity, filled his heart.
…
"Excuse me… are you Lord Rolan?"
Outside the noodle shop, three soldiers stood nervously.
"I am," Rolan replied calmly. "What is it?"
"We are King Riku's guards. His Majesty invites you to the Royal Palace."
Rolan glanced at his crew, then nodded. "Lead the way."
He had planned to leave after eating, but he already knew what this invitation was about.
As a member nation of the World Government, Dressrosa held secrets worth seeing.
…
At the palace entrance, two women stood waiting, one tall and one shorter.
Rolan's gaze swept over Rebecca briefly.
He raised an eyebrow, mildly surprised.
So this was Rebecca.
Before he could think further, a sharp pinch twisted his waist.
"Hiss."
He turned his head and met Nami's glare.
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