Shirou's Thirty Million Avatars

That left only one question—who took the lead.

Even like-minded people could disagree when facing the same problem.

"You... want to become the leader of the Revolutionary Army?"

"Oh...? Are you abdicating in my favor?"

"I think your vision is broader than mine. With you at the helm, the Revolutionary Army can develop along the right path."

Dragon pulled back his hood and said seriously:

"But I don't think my own ideas are wrong either. So let's fight. Whoever wins decides the future."

"Hahaha... deal!"

When two different forces joined together, they did need to settle who came first.

Both released their Conqueror's Haki at the same time, colliding in the air.

But Dragon's Conqueror's Haki was clearly a notch weaker.

Still, Conqueror's Haki didn't determine overall strength.

Dragon withdrew his Haki, wind pushing him forward as his fist, wrapped in Armament Haki, slammed down.

Shirou raised his right index finger, lightly pressed it against the fist, and flicked. Dragon was sent flying backward.

'How could the gap be this big?'

Dragon steadied himself midair with Geppo, storm clouds gathering behind him, lightning flashing and thunder roaring.

For the next ten-plus minutes, Dragon attacked relentlessly, using every move he had.

Shirou didn't even flinch. Whether it was fists, lightning, or gale-force winds, he caught them all with a single finger, hovering in place without retreating a step.

"How is this possible?"

Dragon roared, turning his body into a cannonball and charging forward at hurricane speed.

But against that one finger, he was still easily knocked away.

This time, he didn't continue. He hovered a few meters away, dazed, and said:

"What the hell are you? With strength like that, even monsters like Whitebeard and Kaido wouldn't last a single punch from you, right?"

"Giving up?"

"Yeah... I lost."

Dragon admitted defeat openly, then broke into a grin:

"Having a guy on your level as a comrade... I really believe that future can come true now."

"But I still have one question. How do you plan to win over the Navy? Transform and replace the Navy Marshal?"

"No, no need for that much trouble." Shirou turned to look into the distance and called out, "Come on out, Mr. Borsalino."

Chapter 64: Actually, I Have a Dream Too

Section 65: Chapter 64: Actually, I Have a Dream Too

A flash of golden light, and Borsalino appeared beside them, exaggerating his surprise:

"Oh my... how terrifying. I got found out. Never thought a Celestial Dragon would be colluding with the Revolutionary Army."

"My identity and status have nothing to do with what I need to do."

Shirou shook his head slightly, took four pebbles from his pocket, and tossed them in four directions.

The next moment, the four pebbles transformed back into human forms, positioned at four different points.

"Four Red Yang Formation!"

This was a barrier ninjutsu Shirou had recently learned from the Scroll of Seals. Four of his clones released it—no one in the world could escape from inside.

"Mr. Borsalino, checkmate."

"Oh...? Does this mean you're trying to stop me from leaving?"

Borsalino looked around, tapped the barrier lightly with his finger. Golden light burst out and struck the barrier wall—no effect at all.

"I see. A barrier that can't be broken in a hurry."

"Mr. Borsalino, if you'd tried to run from the start, we might not have been able to stop you. But now, how about we talk?" Shirou suggested with a smile.

"Lord Saint Saragni, as a Celestial Dragon at the top of the world, why would you bother with something as thankless as overthrowing the World Government?"

"True. As a Celestial Dragon, I can get anything I want easily—power, status, wealth. I was born with all of it."

"Then... why, sir?"

"Because I have a dream. I want to see the world I've imagined with my own eyes. I want to share that world with more people."

"A dream, huh? That's an answer no one can argue with. But I'm not about to just surrender either."

Borsalino looked up at the sky, pondered for a moment, and said:

"Below is the sea—a forbidden zone for Devil Fruit users. But it seems the top isn't covered by the barrier?"

As the words fell, his vision went dark, and an overwhelmingly oppressive aura emanated from beside him.

Turning his head cautiously, he found himself staring at a black dragon, its entire body radiating a murderous intent so terrifying it defied description.

In that instant, every hair on Borsalino's body stood on end, each one screaming a warning:

Death! Absolute death!

"I see. So negotiations have broken down."

Shirou, now the Black Dragon, looked Borsalino up and down and said in a deep voice:

"Sorry, Mr. Borsalino. You can only blame yourself for knowing too much."

"This level... it's absurd. It's completely killed any will to fight in me."

Borsalino's expression grew grave. Though his rank in the Navy was Vice Admiral, he knew his strength was no less than an Admiral's. Even against the "World's Strongest," Whitebeard, he could hold his own.

But this Black Dragon before him—no wonder Dragon had been utterly helpless earlier, toyed with like a child.

"Who are you? Saint Saragni is only eight years old. There's no way he could have this kind of power."

"Who I am—does it really matter? A dead man like you doesn't need to worry about that."

Dragon looked back and forth between the two, understanding slowly dawning.

According to intelligence from the Revolutionary Army, a young Celestial Dragon had recently traveled to the East Blue, escorted by a Vice Admiral. That must be the two of them.

He possessed abilities like transformation and duplication, but a powerhouse like this had no reason to lie. Moreover, judging by his tone, attitude, and personality, his true form was likely that eight-year-old Celestial Dragon child.

At eight years old, with the power to easily defeat him—this couldn't be the result of talent or training.

So there was only one conclusion: a god descending to experience mortal life?

"Borsalino, you heard the plan just now. Join us."

"Oh...? You want to recruit me for the revolution? Dragon, you're still as fanciful as ever."

"You don't think we can win?"

"No. With Saint Saragni's strength here, plus your support, the odds are over ninety percent."

"Then why hesitate?"

"I have my own justice to uphold."

"In that case, farewell."

Dragon pulled his hood back on and lowered his head slightly.

Seeing this, Shirou raised his front claw, layering countless abilities onto it, each one flaring with light.

Sealing techniques, Dark Dragon Slayer Magic, Demon King's Fatal Blow, Armament Haki, Extreme Cold Air, Conqueror's Haki infusion...

Just as the dragon claw descended, Borsalino suddenly found himself unable to Elementalize, and his body seemed to lose all sensation, frozen motionless in midair.

The next moment, words burst from his mouth:

"Wait!"

"Oh...? Do you have last words?" Shirou asked in a low voice.

"Actually, I have a dream too!"

"Ha... haha... I like people who can see their own hearts. Alright, let's hear it. Your dream."

"I want to witness the new era you two speak of. That's my dream."

Dragon stared at him speechlessly, thinking:

What about your justice? It's crying over your inconsistent words and actions, hey!

But thoughts aside, he didn't hesitate:

"Welcome to the Revolutionary Army, Borsalino."

With a Vice Admiral joining, winning over the Navy might actually be possible.

And with the Admiral position currently vacant, given Borsalino's strength, with the Celestial Dragons' backing, he had a good chance of becoming a Navy Admiral.

In the future, if he could rise further to Navy Marshal...

Imagining that future, a faint smile crept onto Dragon's face.

On the island, inside a Dojo, a girl was swinging her sword without pause.

Since childhood, she had done the same thing every day, rain or shine. For years, even when sick, she never stopped.

Among the Dojo's many disciples, her skill was unmatched; even youths around fifteen couldn't beat her.

But the youngest disciple in the Dojo, who had gone from a complete novice to a passable swordsman, was improving so fast that she gradually realized her own shortcomings as a woman.

"Can a woman really never become the World's Greatest Swordsman?"

Boom!!

The sudden thunderclap outside startled her, and she quickly grabbed her bamboo sword and ran out.

Just as the door opened, a sharp flash of white light streaked past, carving a slender canyon into the island.

"What was that? A swordsman's slash?"

Realizing the distant storm was someone fighting, the girl trembled with excitement.

A mere stray ripple could cause such devastation—could one of those battling be the World's Greatest Swordsman?

Though a little afraid, she didn't hesitate and immediately ran toward the storm.

But even though it was just a small island, by the time she reached the shore, the storm had already subsided, and the sea had returned to calm.

"Did I come too late?"

Chapter 65: Leaving a Letter Behind

Section 66, Chapter 65: Leaving a Letter Behind

"Who are you looking for?" Shirou, in his Slime King Form, descended from the sky and asked curiously.

"I... are you a swordsman?"

Staring at the blue-haired "beauty" not far away, the girl fell into thought.

This person had come down from the sky—could one of the two who had been fighting be her?

But she looked like just a child, not much older than me. Could a girl be this powerful too?

Shirou sized her up and quickly caught on:

That blue hair, that yearning for the sword—this must be Kuina, Zoro's childhood friend.

"I've used a sword, but I'm not really a swordsman."

Whether it was the Demon Lord himself or the Water Shadow himself, both had wielded blades.