Chapter 176: Dressrosa

Dressrosa, a tropical island with a holiday atmosphere located in the New World.

After departing from Mystoria Island.

To gather information about the location of Zou, the Abyss continued its voyage deep into the New World, arriving at this island that would later be known as the "Kingdom of Love, Passion, and Toys."

The chatter and laughter of Rumi and Love reached Adrian's ears, but he did not turn around, continuing to gaze at the endless coastline of Dressrosa.

The beautiful scenery always made one appreciate the view, especially over this vast sea, where the comfort was accompanied by a sense of openness and exhilaration.

On the sea after the rain, the oncoming sea breeze carried the crisp cries of seagulls.

Adrian looked up to see a news bird carrying a mailbag flapping its wings towards the deck of the Abyss.

After paying 100 Berries, Adrian successfully received today's latest newspaper.

As expected, the front-page headline featured a photograph of his battle with BIG MOM.

News workers always have their unique intelligence-gathering skills, which go unnoticed by the average person as long as they don't mistakenly leave traces on a computer.

Just like Adrian still doesn't know who the people's photographer is, the one who took the exquisitely beautiful bounty photo for him.

Could it be the legendary "Flame Photographer"?

Or perhaps the Easter egg character "Pandaman"?

The newspaper content was as expected.

The battle between Adrian and BIG MOM caused a huge stir in the Grand Line.

Both the Marine Headquarters and the powerful pirates of the New World were impressed by the strength of White Ghost, and they were also surprised by the audacity of this "newcomer/rookie."

First, he publicly killed the Minister of Totto Land, Charlotte Cracker, and then engaged in a full-force battle with the Queen of Totto Land, BIG MOM, for half an hour, before casually making a full retreat.

What the outside world temporarily doesn't know is that before leaving, Adrian also conveniently picked up the head of Charlotte Amande, not wasting a bit.

Adrian quickly skimmed through the newspaper content.

Aside from the typical sensational headlines like "shock," "silent tears," "she was actually with him," "stunned," "the secret behind," the paper also mentioned some important intelligence.

"Charlotte Linlin has issued a personal bounty for White Ghost in the Abyss, with a reward amounting to 1 billion Berries?"

Adrian raised an eyebrow and searched for the bounty behind the news.

"The bounties from the Navy and the World Government remain unchanged."

"What's going on? I did fight BIG MOM, and I even took out two members of the Charlotte family along the way."

"Is there really no reaction from the World Government and the Navy Headquarters?"

"Thinking ahead, after Luffy fought Katakuri, his bounty shot up to 1.5 billion Berries."

"Shouldn't my bounty at least increase by five or six hundred million, or at least round off the change?"

After ranting about the inefficiency of the Navy and the World Government, the Abyss slowly anchored at the coastal port of Dressrosa.

Rumi glanced at Adrian and asked loudly, "Adrian, do you want me to take the Abyss into the castle?"

Adrian nodded and said, "Yes, take it back, Rumi. And while you're at it, put Love in the castle too."

The little fox's eyes immediately welled up with tears, and she asked in confusion, "Why, Adrian-sama, can't I go with you to Dressrosa?"

Adrian reached out and stroked the little fox's head.

"The things we did on Mystoria Island were too much, and now BIG MOM and her Totto Land forces, along with her pirate crew, are scouring the New World for our traces," Adrian explained casually.

"And Love, you're just too eye-catching."

"Oh my!"

Love squinted her eyes, placed her palm over her slightly blushing cheeks, and her fluffy fox tail swayed behind her.

"Actually, I'm not as pretty as Adrian-sama says~"

"I'm not complimenting your looks, Love!"

Adrian's attitude changed abruptly, and his right hand, which had been petting, suddenly bent, the wrist turned over, and he gently tapped Love's little head a few times, making a thumping sound.

"For ordinary people, they don't have fox tail but you-"

"But I am from the Fox Tribe, not a human…"

The little fox muttered softly before obediently running into Rumi's castle.

Moments later, the massive Abyss disappeared from the surface of the sea. Rumi nodded at Adrian and dove into the lead-grey pocket watch, falling into Adrian's pocket.

Adrian took out a pair of light yellow sunglasses from his chest and hung them on the bridge of his nose as a disguise.

The real reason for hiding Love in Rumi's castle was simple.

Adrian didn't want the little fox to ruin his plans in Dressrosa.

What a joke!

This was the "Kingdom of Love, Passion and Toys" after all!

Even though the current Donquixote Doflamingo was still building his power base in the North Blue, and Dressrosa was not yet under the white rule of Sugar and her Hobby-Hobby Fruit, turning people into toys, this tropical island was still missing its "Toy" aspect.

But minus the "Toy Kingdom" part, Dressrosa's reputation as the "Kingdom of Love and Passion" was certainly intact!

On this amorous island dubbed the island of love and passion…

To wander around carrying a little fox girl…

Then he really wouldn't be able to do anything at all!

Adrian strode briskly onto the port bridge. Just as he was about to delve deeper into Dressrosa's mysteries of love and passion,

A small cruise ship intricately carved with elaborate floral patterns and exquisite decorations slowly pulled into the harbor.

With just a glance, Adrian could tell this was definitely a local Dressrosa sightseeing cruise ship.

Because no fool would dare to use such things that completely disregards ocean navigation wind resistance on the unpredictable Grand Line!

At that moment, a beautiful woman dressed in a plain gauze gown slowly stepped down from the small cruise ship.

Her facial curves were very soft, her light grey hair styled into an elegant bun, revealing a smooth face, a pair of clear and gentle eyes, and slightly upturned lips under a straight and slender nose, radiating an elegant and sweet smile.

Their gazes met briefly in mid-air.

Adrian nodded slightly to her and then walked away.

Before leaving, a thought slowly emerged in Adrian's mind.

"Such exquisite and gorgeous attire… Could it be that Dressrosa is hosting a grand festival ball today?"