Chiga didn't return directly to Navy Headquarters. Midway, he changed his mind.
Aside from Alabasta, there was another nation with a similar tragic tale — Dressrosa. Recently, there had been rumors of strange, animated dolls appearing across the island, capable of speech and movement.
Chiga knew exactly what was going on. These dolls were undoubtedly the work of Sugar, a member of the Donquixote Pirates.
She possessed a Paramecia-type Devil Fruit, the Hobby-Hobby Fruit, which allowed her to transform any living being she touched into a toy. Even more dangerously, it erased all memories of the transformed person from the minds of others.
The only downside to this fruit, if one could call it that, was that the user stopped aging from the moment they ate it. Sugar had consumed the fruit as a child, which meant that despite being twenty-two now, she remained physically and mentally frozen at that age.
Despite its twisted effects, it was undeniably a powerful Devil Fruit. Chiga planned to retrieve it. Even if he didn't use it himself, someone he trusted could benefit from it.
As for Sugar, he had no intention of taking her life. Though technically an adult, she looked and acted like a child. Chiga wasn't the kind of man to harm children.
Momonosuke? Well, he didn't fall under the category of a "normal child." If the situation called for it, Chiga had no moral qualms.
Resolving his plan, Chiga turned to Robin inside the Door-Door Space.
> "Robin, I'm heading to Dressrosa. Are you coming along?"
Robin tilted her head, curious.
> "Dressrosa? Isn't that under Doflamingo's control now? Does he have something on you, Chiga?"
> "Let's just say I have some business there. That place is known as the Country of Love and Passion. We can enjoy a bit of sightseeing."
> "Alright, I'll follow your lead."
Robin didn't hesitate. She had finally found a place where she felt secure — a man she could trust. Naturally, she cherished that deeply.
The mention of "Love and Passion" made her cheeks subtly blush. Even though no one could see her in the Door-Door Space, she still snuck a glance at Chiga, then shyly lowered her head.
Chiga, unaware of her gaze, flashed into lightning and soared across the sky toward Dressrosa.
Dressrosa — King's Plateau
Seated on the throne once ruled by King Riku, Donquixote Doflamingo lounged in his long, feathery pink coat. One arm rested against his forehead as he stared coldly at the woman below.
She had long, dark brown hair and wore a violet pleated skirt. Her head was lowered.
She was once the Princess of Dressrosa. Now, her title was stripped, her father imprisoned, and her home usurped. Her father, King Riku, once beloved by his people, was now branded a criminal and locked away in a warehouse.
She, Violet, had become one of Doflamingo's assassins. Not by choice — her Glare-Glare Fruit allowed her to gather intelligence, and Doflamingo found that useful.
She hated him, but to protect her father, she had no choice.
Hidden beneath her hair, her expression was ice-cold. Her tone, emotionless.
> "Doffy, the target is eliminated. Do you have other orders?"
Doflamingo didn't answer immediately. His brow furrowed.
Usually, he enjoyed Violet's quiet hatred. Her burning glare, held back by duty, entertained him.
Today, something felt off. He waved his hand lazily, signaling her to leave.
Violet frowned at the uncharacteristic behavior. Normally, he would mock her. Instead, he seemed... distracted. Not that she minded. Silence was a rare gift in this palace of cruelty.
She turned to leave when Doflamingo's voice echoed again.
> "Have you thought about it? If you agree, I might release your father. Fufufu…"
Her shoulders stiffened.
She didn't look back. Only responded with, > "I'll consider it," before quickly exiting.
Once outside the palace gates, tears silently rolled down her face.
Doflamingo's proposal was clear. If she became his woman, he would free her father.
It was tempting — yet vile. She could accept working for him, but giving herself to him was something else entirely.
Dressrosa was a land where love was sacred. The people were passionate and loyal, especially the women. To fall in love here meant for life.
Violet, as the nation's former princess, was admired for her beauty and elegance. But she had no intention of giving herself to a monster.
Especially when her heart had long held someone else — someone she had never met in person, but watched from afar. In these dark days, that distant figure became her hope.
Still, thoughts of her imprisoned father tore her apart.
A deep sigh escaped her lips. Violet shook her head, trying to dispel the weight pressing on her.
Dressrosa's most iconic street — the romantic Lover's Lane — buzzed with couples arm in arm, basking in the sunset glow.
Among them, one pair stood out.
The woman had sun-kissed skin and wore a graceful purple dance dress. She exuded a charming, relaxed aura.
The man beside her was even more striking. His pale skin contrasted his companion's warm tone. He wore a black robe with a stylized ping-pong paddle pattern on the back. His black hair was loosely tied.
What captured everyone's attention, however, was his face — handsome enough to make both men and women glance twice.
A faintly glowing, horn-like ornament rested on the right side of his forehead, adding an air of mystery.
This couple was, of course, Chiga and Robin.
Rather than diving into action, Chiga had brought Robin here to enjoy the calm atmosphere.
Robin held his arm gently, her usual seriousness replaced by a soft smile. They strolled down the famous street like any ordinary couple.
It was a brief moment of peace, a breath of normalcy before the storm to come.