AI Model: gemini-3.0-flashChapter 304: The Beginning!!Dressrosa Central District, Lobby of the "Sunflower Crown" Hotel.This hotel is famous for its glass dome overlooking the entire city. The midday sun poured through the stained glass, staining the lobby in a dappled, warm hue.What should have been a quiet and elegant place was currently occupied by a group of people with vastly different styles in the largest sofa area in the corner.Luffy was sprawled out on a long sofa, his belly bulging and round, with barbecue sauce from some unknown shop still clinging to the corner of his mouth.He patted his stomach contentedly:"Ah~ I ate barbecue from five different shops today! The meat in Dressrosa is so delicious!"Nami sat beside him, elegantly sipping juice. Hearing this, she rolled her eyes:"Do you know anything besides eating? We came here today to gather intelligence.""I did gather some!"Luffy sat up, his eyes shining,"The sauce at that barbecue shop on the East Street is special; they use thirteen different spices!""The meat at the shop on South Street is freshly slaughtered and grilled, it's incredibly tender!""West Street...""That's food intelligence, you idiot!" Nami slapped the back of his head.Robin sat on another single sofa, a thick ancient book spread across her knees, reading intently.Hearing their conversation, she looked up and smiled:"However, we haven't come away entirely empty-handed. At least we've confirmed that the number of toys in this city is abnormal, and the eyes of some toys... are far too human.""Right, right!"Nami turned to Robin,"I told you those toys were weird!""Especially that rabbit doll sweeping the street. It actually glared at me when I walked past!"Just then, the hotel's revolving door was pushed open.Zoro walked in carrying his three swords, scanned the sofa area, and walked straight over.His clothes were stained with dust and fine beads of sweat were on his forehead; he had clearly just undergone some activity."Mosshead, so you finally decided to come back?"Sanji approached from the other side, carrying a tray with several freshly mixed drinks.He had changed into a white suit today, his hair combed meticulously, but a few faint red lipstick marks were visible on his neck.Zoro glanced at him and sneered:"Still better than a certain Perverted Kappa who got lured into a tavern by dancers and forgot to do his job."Sanji set down the tray, his eyes instantly turning into hearts:"That's called chivalry! Beautiful ladies gave me a warm invitation, how could I have the heart to refuse?!"Then his expression changed, and he glared at Zoro,"As for you, how did the registration go? You didn't get lost until the registration office closed, did you?""Heh."Zoro leaned his three swords—wado ichimonji, Shusui, and sandai kitetsu—against the sofa and sat down in an empty seat."Registration complete. This morning, Block A!"He paused, squinting at Sanji:"Unlike someone who doesn't do his job and only knows how to dive into a pile of women.""What did you say?!" Sanji's right foot was already slightly raised."I said you were bewitched by dancers and the mission went down the drain."Zoro retorted bluntly,"Now I'm the only one in the crew registered. If something goes wrong, the responsibility is all on you.""Ha! You think I want to work with a lost cause like you? If it weren't for Law's arrangement...""Enough!"An angry shout interrupted their argument.Nami stood up, her fists clenched, a prominent cross-shaped vein popping on her forehead.She was wearing a primrose yellow dress today, looking like she should be gentle and sweet, but the low-pressure aura she radiated now made the temperature in the lobby drop several degrees."You two—"She said, emphasizing every word,"Go argue outside! Don't make a scene here!"Luffy, watching the drama from the side, added fuel to the fire:"Whoa! Nami's angry!"Robin closed her book, watching the scene with interest.Sanji immediately changed his face, kneeling on one knee and offering a drink with both hands:"Nami-san, please calm down! It's all this Mosshead's fault! He started it!"Zoro crossed his arms and snorted: "It's clearly you neglecting your duties."The next second.Thud! Thud!Two dull sounds.Exaggerated lumps simultaneously swelled on the heads of Zoro and Sanji, with wisps of blue smoke rising.The two of them clutched their heads and crouched down in perfect unison.Nami withdrew her fist and blew on her knuckles: "Now it's quiet.""Nami-san's fist... is also so gentle..."Sanji clutched the lump on his head, a blissful light actually appearing in his eyes,"To be personally punished by Nami-san, I can die with no regrets..."Zoro had a dark expression, but after seeing Nami's unfriendly gaze and touching his empty wallet,He eventually just clicked his tongue and didn't say another word.Luffy slapped the sofa and laughed:"Hahaha! You two are still the same!"Just then, the hotel elevator doors opened.Law, Usopp, and Chopper walked out.Law had changed into a clean black coat, but his face was still pale, and he had a noticeable limp in his left leg as he walked.Usopp and Chopper supported him on either side as the three slowly approached the sofa area.Nami immediately suppressed her anger and went to meet them with concern:"Law, your injury...""It's fine."Law sat down in an empty seat, his voice somewhat raspy,"The Ope-Ope no Mi's power accelerated the healing, but it takes a lot out of me. I need time to recover."His gaze swept over everyone, finally landing on Zoro and Sanji:"How's the registration?"Zoro said irritably: "I registered alone. The Perverted Cook was led away by dancers."Sanji wanted to retort, but seeing Nami's sidelong glance, he swallowed his words.Law closed his eyes and pondered for a moment."Unexpected."He opened his eyes, "But actually, this is better."Law pulled a simple map of Dressrosa from his coat and spread it on the coffee table.Dozens of points were already marked on the map in red and blue, along with dense annotations."First, let's clarify a few points."Law tapped the Kings Plateau on the map with his fingertip,"First, Doflamingo is seriously injured, but he won't die. With the String-String Fruit's recovery ability combined with his constitution, he can recover seventy percent of his combat power in two days at most.""Second."He pointed to the port area,"The Big Mom Pirates have already intervened. Katakuri and Perospero are both top executive level.""Their goal is definitely the Tremor-Tremor Fruit, but other intentions can't be ruled out.""Third."Law's finger moved to the location of the Colosseum,"The gladiator tournament is the visible vortex, but the real battlefield isn't there."He looked up at everyone."The truly powerful... like Katakuri, or other Four Emperors forces that might be lurking in the shadows, or Admiral Fujitora... they won't follow the rules Doflamingo set.""To them, rules are meant to be broken."Zoro raised an eyebrow: "So?""So, Zoro-ya, your task is actually very simple."Law looked him in the eye,"Use the maximum strength you can muster without exposing your identity and win all the way. If you really encounter an irresistible force...""Then withdraw immediately. Preserving your strength is more important than anything.""Additionally."Law added, "You should only take one sword into the arena."Zoro frowned: "Why?""Because in the entire world, you can count the swordsmen who use three swords on one hand."Law said calmly,"The moment you appear, the whole world will know 'Zoro of the Straw Hat is in Dressrosa'. This will bring unnecessary variables to the entire plan."Zoro was silent for a few seconds, then nodded: "Understood. Taking wado ichimonji is enough.""I'll leave Shusui and sandai kitetsu in the Captain's care."Law looked at Luffy, "No problem, right?"Luffy grinned: "Leave it to me!""Next is Sanji-ya."Law turned to Sanji, "Your task is more flexible. Not inside the Colosseum, but outside."Sanji lit a cigarette: "Go on.""You'll operate in the area surrounding the Colosseum as a mobile force."Law drew a circle on the map,"If Zoro-ya encounters a strong enemy and needs support, or if an unexpected situation occurs outside the arena, you need to intervene immediately.""Your Observation Haki and speed are best suited for this role."Sanji blew out a smoke ring: "Got it. I'm the firefighter on standby.""Then there's Usopp-ya and Chopper-ya."Law looked at the two, "Your task is the most important, and also the most dangerous."Usopp and Chopper both straightened their backs."Based on the fragments of information Monetrevealed before fainting, plus some clues I've found..."Law pointed to several marked spots in the underground area of Dressrosa on the map,"The SMILE Factory is very likely hidden in an abandoned port beneath the city.""Your mission is to find it, and then...""Destroy it."Usopp swallowed hard: "Just, just the two of us?""I will give you a detailed map and the clues I've organized.""Also, this mission isn't urgent.""Wait until the gladiator tournament begins; when everyone's attention is drawn to the Colosseum, that will be the best time for you to act."Chopper nodded vigorously:"Leave it to us! I'll definitely protect Usopp!""As for me."Law leaned back against the sofa and closed his eyes,"I will look for an opportunity to deal Doflamingothe final blow. He needs time to recover from last night's heavy injuries, so this is the best time.""Once he fully recovers, it will be much harder to kill him."Finally, he looked at Luffy, Nami, and Robin."And you three are the final trump cards."Luffy blinked: "Trump cards?""The spectator stands."Law said,"You'll enter the Colosseum as ordinary spectators, sitting in the best positions. Don't participate, don't intervene, just observe.""But if a real 'big fish' appears... then that's when you strike."He paused, his voice low."At that point, it will no longer be a game to compete for the fruit. It will be...""War."The lobby fell into a brief silence.The sun shone through the stained glass, casting dappled shadows on everyone's faces.Luffy was the first to laugh: "Sounds pretty interesting!"Nami facepalmed: "How is it interesting... it's clearly super dangerous..."Robin smiled: "But Law-san's arrangement is very reasonable. We each have our duties, yet we can support each other."Zoro picked up wado ichimonji and stood up: "Then it's settled. I'm going back to prepare for tomorrow's match."Sanji also stood up: "I'll go scout the area around the Colosseum."Usopp and Chopper gathered around the map and began to study it seriously.Law looked at everyone, a very faint smile appearing on his pale face.This was the Straw Hat crew.Even when facing the most complex situations and the most dangerous enemies, they always maintained this almost naive drive.Perhaps... that was how they had made it this far... The next day, noon.Dressrosa Colosseum.This circular building, capable of holding a hundred thousand people, looked like a massive golden crown under the midday sun.The outer walls were made of pale gold stone, their surfaces carved with reliefs of ancient gladiators fighting fierce beasts.Thirty-two stone pillars, a hundred meters tall, surrounded the area, with never-extinguishing flames burning atop them.And today, the flames burned exceptionally bright.Since early morning, people had been flooding toward the Colosseum like a tide.Nobles rode in ornate carriages, merchants on expensive mounts, commoners on foot, and pirates swaggered through the streets.Everyone was heading in the same direction, all carrying the same expectation.The Tremor-Tremor Fruit.Whitebeard's power.The ultimate treasure, capable of changing the world's power balance, was right in the center of this Colosseum, waiting for its new owner.Inside the Colosseum, the scene was even more spectacular.A hundred thousand seats extended downward in a bowl shape, and eighty percent were already filled.The commoner section at the top was a cacophony of voices, the merchant section in the middle was relatively orderly, and the noble section at the bottom was much quieter, but greed flickered in everyone's eyes.In the center of the venue was a circular sand arena two thousand meters in diameter.The sand had been specially treated to be highly absorbent, but even so, dark red mottled stains could still be seen.Those were bloodstains from countless gladiator matches that could never be washed away.Right in the center of the sand arena stood a ten-meter-tall crystal pillar.Inside the VIP box, Doflamingo stood before the one-way glass, looking down at the grand event below.He had changed into a brand new pink feather coat; his face was still pale, but he stood tall, his smile as manic as ever.Behind him stood Diamante and Trebol, both with exceptionally solemn expressions."Fuffuffu..."Mingo laughed low, "They've all come... even more than I imagined...""Doffy, your injury..." Trebol said worriedly."I won't die."Mingo interrupted him, a ferocious light flashing in his eyes,"And... the good show is just beginning."Just then, all hundred thousand lights in the Colosseum lit up at once!The deafening sound of horns rang out!Thirty long horns extended from the edge of the field, playing an ancient and stirring melody.Amidst the horn blasts, a figure slowly rose from beneath the sand arena.It was Dressrosa's most famous announcer—Gaz.He wore an exaggerated golden suit, held an amplification den den mushi, and had a professional, brilliant smile on his face."Ladies! Gentlemen! Warriors from across the world!"His voice spread throughout the arena via the den den mushi, even reaching the streets outside."Welcome to the Dressrosa Colosseum!""Welcome to... the ultimate gladiator tournament that will decide the future of the world!"Cheers erupted like a tsunami!Gaz spread his arms, waiting for the cheers to die down slightly before continuing:"Today! Powerhouses from all over the world! Will compete right here!""The final winner will earn the right to challenge the 'Guardian'!""Defeat the Guardian, and the Tremor-Tremor Fruitwill be yours!"