Chapter 88: Threads and Shadows

 Dressrosa sparkled under the sun, bright and festive on the outside, but Solian Flare could feel a weighty tension hanging in the air. It was the space between moves, the stiffness of a merchant's smile, the fake pleasure in the sound of children laughing.

Below the vibrant hues and songs, shadows danced.

And so, too, did the Solar Rift Pirates.

They did not make a scene. No grand announcement. No banners. No declaration. They dispersed into small groups, weaving into the island like needles into cloth—quietly sewing together pieces of a puzzle others overlooked.

Solian and Kael: Into the Web

Solian walked with Kael through the merchant quarter. They wore long, neutral cloaks and walked like travelers just passing through.

But Solian's gaze never faltered. He noticed how individuals behaved when a soldier passed by, how their tone dropped, how they curtsied—even when no one was observing.

"They've been broken," Kael whispered. "Conditioned to obey."

"That's why this island is so valuable to someone like Doflamingo," Solian replied. "It's not power. It's control."

They passed by a flower stand, and Solian stopped immediately. The florist greeted them, but her hands trembled as she wrapped the bouquet.

"Are you alright?" Solian whispered.

She gritted her teeth. "I… I'm fine, sir."

A Marine patrol turned the corner, and she automatically bowed, offering the flowers out like an offering. The soldiers paid her no mind and walked on.

Kael said nothing, but his eyes grew a darker hue.

"This island doesn't need a ruler," Kael said to him. "It needs a savior."

Solian did not reply immediately. He stared up at the hilltop palace—the glittering jewel that protected the kingdom like an unseen god.

"Maybe we can be both."

Rock Lee and Jorin: Threads in the Alley

Along narrow streets through the poorer ward by the factories' walls, Rock Lee and Jorin strolled. Jorin wore a worn greatcoat and played a native with hair-raising simplicity. Rock Lee, perpetually in the wrong location, inclined his head respectfully to everybody that passed by, his smile real—even when his faces greeted him with fear.

They hid out in a skewed side alleyway where a corpulent older man swept the street.

Jorin approached. "We're looking for a friend," he said softly. "By the name of 'truth.' Have you seen him around recently?"

The old man did not look up. "Truth don't live here, kid. Not no more."

Jorin extended a silver coin. "Then maybe you can show us where his grave is."

The man hesitated… then stooped.

"People get lost in this part of town," he whispered. "They say the toys take them."

"Toys?" Rock Lee blinked.

"They're everywhere. You just don't see them until it's too late."

He walked off, broom scraping against the cobblestone.

Jorin frowned. "We need to investigate this."

Vance and Milo: Watching the Factory

Further down the coast, Vance and Milo gazed at one of the Smile factories in the distance. Hidden behind a rocky outcropping, the structure emitted strange-smelling fumes from rusty pipes. Watched around the clock, the majority of them smiled like they were hypnotized.

Milo peered through a long-scope. "Smile manufacturing. Has to be. Chemicals match Kael's notes."

Vance grunted. "Can't just enter. Building is secured tight.".

"We're not here to fight today," Milo replied. "We're here to learn."

Vance looked toward the sea. "Still… this doesn't sit right. Too quiet."

"Quiet means they're confident. Arrogant. That's our advantage."

Meanwhile: Doflamingo Weaves His Net

Inside the palace, Doflamingo lounged like a spider in his web. He sipped red wine, his eyes half-lidded.

Baby 5 entered the room. "They've scattered across the city. They're not hiding—just… watching."

"Good," said Doflamingo, with a grin. "Let them gather their little secrets."

"Should we make the first move?"

"No," he replied, with anticipation dripping off his voice. "Let them feel secure. Let them believe they're being clever. When they make their play, I'll snap the strings."

He stood up and looked out over the city.

"Let's see if Solian Flare's fire can survive the wind."

Vice Admiral Hozaki: The Hunter Draws Near

The Marine ship approached Dressrosa's coast, even an hour distant. On the ship, Vice Admiral Hozaki read the latest reports.

"Solian's troops on shore. No sign of direct attack yet. They're… waiting."

He spoke to his underlings. "Prepare to land at once. We'll not budge till they move—but when they do, we move fast. No retreat. No misjudgment."

One junior officer appeared doubtful. "But sir… Doflamingo's territory.".

"Then we'll remind the Warlord what Marine justice looks like."

Nightfall: The First Threads Unravel

As the sun set, the Solar Rift Pirates gathered in a small inn they'd taken over in the western outskirts. A candle flickered on the table, illuminating a hand-drawn map of the city.

Everyone contributed.

Jorin accounted for the fright of the workers in the factory. Rock Lee described the chills in silence in the side streets. Milo laid out drawings of what he had seen. Kael indicated poor patrol lanes.

Solian sat at the head of the table, processing every last thing.

Then he placed a red marker on the palace.

"This is the central hub of the web."

He placed another one on the factory.

"And this is its focal point."

He looked at them all, serious.

We're not ready to strike yet. But every day we're here, we pull a thread. Someday… the whole web will unravel."

Rock Lee nodded. "And when it unravels, we strike with everything.".