In this world, Celestial Dragons are not the only ones with privileges.
For the common people of the various Member States, Celestial Dragons are too distant; the royal families of their respective countries are the great mountains pressing down on them.
Kyros was originally sent to the Dressrosa coliseum for murder and resisting arrest.
However, due to his outstanding combat record, he became a hero of Dressrosa and was even invited by King Riku to join the Royal Army.
King Riku even disguised himself as a gladiator and personally entered the coliseum to have a duel with Kyros; their private relationship was quite good.
Seeing that it was Kyros, King Riku sighed helplessly:
"You heard it all… But this is an order from the Celestial Dragons, and I can do nothing about it."
Kyros, however, roared at King Riku:
"No matter what, Scarlett cannot become a Slave of the Celestial Dragons!"
He turned his gaze to Scarlett; his nearly three-meter height was extremely oppressive in the small study.
"Princess, I'll take you away from here."
"The sea is so vast, the World Government might not be able to find you."
"Those Celestial Dragons are simply…"
"Stop talking!"
Scarlett retreated a few steps, and though somewhat frightened, she still interrupted Kyros:
"Mr. Kyros, I am the Princess of the Dressrosa Kingdom."
"I bear the responsibility and mission of a princess."
"If I leave at this time, what will happen to the country? And how will Father explain it to the Celestial Dragons?"
"This…"
Scarlett's words put Kyros in a dilemma.
At this time, Scarlett had not yet developed special feelings for Kyros.
Firstly, due to class differences, and secondly, because Kyros's attire was quite rough, making him look like a barbarian.
The feelings between them actually originated from a suspension bridge effect.
Scarlett was kidnapped by pirates, and Kyros single-handedly killed all the pirates and rescued her, which then changed his image in her heart.
Speaking of which, this guy is also a prime example of someone who licked his way to having everything in the end.
But now, Kyros is, at best, just a one-sided infatuation.
Seeing that both King Riku and Scarlett were so resolute, Kyros gritted his teeth and left the room.
The father and daughter exchanged glances, both smiling bitterly and shaking their heads… In the next few days, the Slaves on the sanctuary were still repairing the ship, while Black took the young female Slaves on a tour of almost the entire Dressrosa Kingdom.
He had no intention of visiting the territory of the Tontatta Kingdom.
In Black's impression, apart from Princess Mansherry's excellent healing fruit ability, the Tontatta Kingdom only had outstanding cultivation techniques.
However, whether it was medicinal herbs or other crops, these were all tasks for the World Government and did not require Black to handle them personally.
The World Government wasn't his, after all.
As for Mansherry, she was five years younger than Robin and also had a lively personality.
Having one Perona on board was already noisy enough… Interesting, let's talk about Mansherry after she eats the healing fruit.
Currently, Dressrosa doesn't have many interesting things, far less lively than the later "Country of Love and Passion."
Most of the common people here also sustain their livelihoods through farming, hunting, and so on.
Perhaps in King Riku's eyes, this was considered living in peace and prosperity.
But in Black's opinion, Dressrosa's excellent geographical location was completely wasted.
However, he had no intention of changing anything.
Again, Dressrosa wasn't his.
Anyway, the tenryuubito tribute was collected and distributed by headcount; as long as his share didn't shrink, he didn't care what others did.
After a few more days, Black's sanctuary was finally repaired and ready to set sail again… On this day, the port of Dressrosa was shrouded in silence.
The sanctuary lay quietly at the dock, the World Government flag hanging from its bow fluttering in the wind.
King Riku stood on the steps, his fingers tightly gripping his scepter, unable to speak for a long time.
Behind him, Princess Scarlett, in a plain white gown, had her downcast eyelids concealing her tears.
She forced a smile:
"Father, it's almost time; I'm leaving now."
With that, without waiting for King Riku's reply, she slowly walked towards the sanctuary.
King Riku's Adam's apple bobbed:
"Scarlett… you… take care."
Scarlett turned her head, her emotions now calm:
"Don't worry, Father, I will take good care of myself."
Just as Scarlett was about to board the sanctuary, a sudden sound of metal hitting the ground came from afar.
Along with it was an angry roar:
"I disagree!"
Whether on the dock or on the ship, almost everyone's gaze turned towards the direction of the sound.
Kyros, still dressed as a gladiator, held the longsword that had accompanied him through three thousand consecutive victories.
Black stood on the ship, tilting his head, watching the scene with interest.
He really hadn't expected Kyros to dare to jump out and obstruct them.
Black had always thought that, unless led by the D. clan, others, even if dissatisfied with the Celestial Dragons' rule, would at most only subtly shirk their duties, like Kizaru and Fujitora.
For them to stand up and say "no" to the Celestial Dragons themselves, at least in Black's memory, had never happened.
However, Kyros's full name had never appeared, so Black wasn't sure if he was a D. or not.
He just wanted to enjoy the show now.
King Riku was already standing in front of Kyros, eagerly saying:
"Kyros, what are you doing?"
"Drawing a weapon in front of the Celestial Dragons is an unforgivable sin!"
Kyros's expression was calm as he raised the longsword in his hand:
"Your Majesty, I know very well what I'm doing."
"I absolutely cannot allow the Princess to be taken away."
"Even if it costs me my life."
Saying that, he pushed King Riku aside and strode towards the dock.
One man, yet he exuded the aura of a thousand troops.
This was not Haoshoku, but an infectious emotion of facing death with equanimity, imperceptibly affecting those around him.
Black muttered to himself:
"If sacrificing one's life could save regrets, the Celestial Dragons wouldn't have ruled this world for eight hundred years."
"But now, it seems I've become the villain?"
"This plot isn't right!"
"Shouldn't I be the mastermind?"
"How is it that I've only kidnapped a princess, and now some supposed hero is jumping out to slap my face?"
"Doesn't that make me a minor villain?"
Thinking this, Black still released his hand from Mandy's waist:
"It's time to test the results of your training during this period."
"Go test his mettle."
"Bring him back."
"I want him to be in charge of pedaling on my ship."