The Solar Rift Pirates' ship glided across the waves, Dressrosa island now loomed larger ahead of them. The sun was sinking, casting its orange light over the island, sending its long shadows down the city streets and into the massive spires. Its celebrations sounds reached faintly across the sea, but the air was thick with expectation of bloodshed. Solian could almost taste the tension in the air, the island held in suspension, waiting for something to give.
He stood at the prow, looking out to the horizon, his mind already racing. Every step they had taken, every decision, had led them to this moment. Dressrosa wasn't just another stop on the Grand Line—it was their opportunity. They weren't just coming to claim a treasure or a bounty. They were coming to claim an island, to stake their claim and begin building something better.
"We're getting close," Kael's voice broke through Solian's thoughts, and the sharp-eyed swordsman joined him at the bow.
"I know. This is it," Solian replied, his gaze unwavering as he took in the island. The silhouettes of what looked like towering, opulent mansions and extravagant city blocks signaled that Dressrosa had once been a land of prosperity and peace, but now… now it was nothing but a puppet state.
He could already discern the extremely vague outline of the marines far in the distance, too—tiny groups of ships patrolling the area, no doubt keeping an eye on the volatile situation. Solian was aware that sooner or later they would send someone after him. And today, it seemed like sooner or later was coming.
"I've been hearing word," Kael continued. "Doflamingo's grip on this place has only tightened in recent years. It won't be easy to overthrow him."
Solian exhaled. "Nothing worth doing is ever easy. We'll start with his lieutenants. Cut the head off the snake, and the rest will scatter."
Kael nodded, his sword glinting in the setting sunlight. "We've been in worse situations."
I'm more concerned about the Marines," Solian said, glancing back over his shoulder at the gathering twilight. "The only reason they're going to let this slide is if they don't recognize us. And we can't count on that for very long."
As if on cue, the crow's nest lookout shouted down, his voice strained with alarm.
"Captain! A Marine convoy, moving in fast! They've got a Vice Admiral with them!"
Solian's heart skipped a beat. He knew the Marines would not give up their prize easily, but a Vice Admiral? That was different. A Vice Admiral meant serious business. The kind of business that could very well destroy a crew that was not prepared for it.
"How much time do we have?" Solian asked.
Maybe an hour, maybe less," the lookout replied.
"Shit," Solian muttered to himself. He spun quickly to address the crew. "We have visitors. Marines are sending a Vice Admiral after us."
Kael, Vance, and Jorin all looked at each other. Milo, as always, remained quiet but readied his equipment, preparing himself for whatever came next. Rock Lee scrunched up his fists, his face setting into determination.
A Vice Admiral?" Jorin asked. "We've been in hiding from the Marines for long enough. It's time we stand and fight."
"We're not in hiding this time," Solian replied. "We have a task to complete. Doflamingo's minions will strike us, but the Marines will be worse if we don't do it right now.".
The crew broke apart immediately to prepare for the coming fight. Vance was already warming up his fists, getting himself ready for hand-to-hand combat. Kael was at the back of the vessel, getting ready his blades. Milo, as ever the silent marksman, tested his crossbow and stood beside the crow's nest, keeping watch.
Rock Lee, ready to rumble, began stretching, readying his mind for the battle ahead.
"I'll take care of the enemy ships. We have to ensure that they don't move any further," Solian said, his voice composed. He met the gaze of his crew. "Once we shake the Marines, we head to Dressrosa. We strike Doflamingo where it hurts. We don't stop."
Kael nodded in confirmation. "We'll be good. Take care of the Marines. We'll handle the rest."
The crew stayed in training, their movements smooth, their resolve unshaken. But as the Marines closed in, the reality of the situation weighed heavily on them. Solian felt the familiar rush of adrenaline pumping through his system. He could feel the tension building, the ship careening toward a collision of monumental proportions.
And on the Marine Fleet.
Admiral Hozaki was a stern and gruff Vice Admiral who now stood on the flagship's deck, his eyes narrowed as he looked on the Solar Rift Pirates' ship approaching Dressrosa. He was a veteran sea campaigner known for his calculating heart and ruthless cruelty. He had been sent to eliminate the increasing threat of the Solar Rift Pirates before they could tip the balance of the area.
The news was damning: these pirates had defeated some of the Grand Line's toughest criminals, even wiping out a whole Marine platoon. But what concerned Hozaki most wasn't the pirates' power—it was their speed. The fact that they had evaded his clutches for so long, outmaneuvered his top officers, indicated they were deadly.
"They won't escape from me this time," Hozaki snarled, his hand gripping the railing of the ship as he glared out at the Solar Rift Pirates' ship in the distance. His words cut through the hum of the crew. "Prepare the cannons. We won't let them get away this time."
Behind him, a lieutenant spoke up, his face worried. "Sir, they're headed directly toward Dressrosa. We've also received reports of Doflamingo's forces taking control of the island. It may be a volatile situation."
Hozaki waved him off, his eyes still fixed on Solian's ship. "Doflamingo's forces will be too distracted with their own dealings. This is a matter of Marine authority. We'll deal with them first."
Back on the Solar Rift Pirates' Ship
Solian's hand rested on the railing, his mind sharp as he gazed toward the incoming Marine fleet. The Vice Admiral was coming. And they had no time to waste.
"We're going to need to move fast," he said, looking at the crew. "We'll fight, and we'll do it on our terms. Get ready."
When the Marine ships arrived, the men prepared for the battle that was to come. The Vice Admiral was not going to wait long, and Solian was ready for him. The sun was dipping below the horizon, its long shadows stretching across the sea, but there was no time to lose.
The battle would come soon—and when it came, they would meet it full-on.