"I see..."
Having been suddenly punched, Ace rubbed his hair in frustration.
If someone else beat me up, even if that person is Gawain, I still have to curse... talk... plead... beg...
I guess so...
In short, Sabo punching him a couple of times wouldn't even register on his mind.
Let alone punching him twice.
Back then, when he first learned of Sabo's death, he wished he could give his own life to bring Sabo back to life.
He didn't care whether Sabo beat him up or not.
All he knew was that he never wanted to lose Sabo again!
Ace, now awakened, looked up and stared seriously at Gawain.
Thump!
Ace knelt down directly in front of Gawain.
"My lord, all the conflicts between you and Dragon originated from me, I..."
Bang!
Before Ace could finish speaking, he was hit on the head again by an electric cannon.
Moreover, judging from the lightning crackling above Ace's head, it was actually a real electric cannon...
Gawain punched Ace on the head, then pulled Ace up from the ground Gawain.
"You brat, I've been on this ship with you for over a month now. Did I ever teach you to kneel down to people all the time?"
Even if that person is me?
As soon as he finished speaking, Gawain grabbed Ace by the shoulder and said to Ace with a smile.
"Say what you want to say directly, even if it's an apology!"
All my efforts over the past six months, and my lifelong goals, are simply to ensure that little ones like you no longer have to kneel down!
So, live with some dignity, you brat!!!
After saying that, Gawain released Ace and then patted Ace on the shoulder.
Feeling Gawain's actions, Ace took a deep breath and nodded heavily.
"Understood, Gawain!"
Bang!
Another punch landed on Ace's head. Ace was completely dumbfounded, while Gawain laughed.
"Call me Uncle Gawain!"
"Uh... okay, I... Uncle Gawain, I..."
Ace rubbed his hair somewhat embarrassedly; Gawain's two interruptions had completely shattered his solemnity.
As a result, even his earnestness disappeared.
Ace, now back to his natural and casual self, rubbed his hair as he spoke to Gawain.
"I feel I need to apologize; I was a bit too reckless before."
My decision to take Sabo away directly was the core reason why Gawain, Uncle Gawain, fought against Dragon.
But it turned out that it was all a misunderstanding.
So... how about we release Luffy's dad?
We've already defeated him once. If he remains our enemy, we'll definitely defeat him again next time we meet!
I promise you, uncle, I'll grow and mature. When we meet again in the future, I might be able to handle him all by myself!
In short, uncle...
At this moment, Ace looked at Gawain with an even stronger sense of kinship, as if he were looking at an elder.
"Could you grant me this unreasonable request and release Dragon, whom we have already captured?"
"Sure!"
Gawain didn't keep Ace in suspense. He chuckled and patted Ace's head before addressing the crowd around him.
"Even without Ace's plea, I didn't intend to do anything to Dragon or the Revolutionary Army."
"Because whether from Dark Bird's perspective or the World Government's perspective, the Revolutionary Army's existence is necessary!"
As soon as he finished speaking, Gawain released Ace and placed his hand on Sabo's head instead.
Meeting Sabo's slightly surprised gaze, Gawain smiled and said to him.
"You brat, go untie your Uncle Dragon, hahaha."
After saying that, Gawain turned to look at Dragon, whose face was bruised and swollen.
Meeting Gawain's gaze, he nodded slightly.
Beside him, Hancock, feeling an itch in her heels, stomped her foot on the ground in annoyance.
"My lord, this fellow dared to attack you! He should at least be punished!"
"Isn't it a bit too easy to just let him go like that!"
"Punishment?"
Upon hearing Hancock's voice, Gawain casually waved his hand.
"Punishment is inevitable, of course. For the next few days, let the Revolutionary Army cover the expenses for drinks at our banquet!"
As he spoke, Gawain glanced at Dragon and continued.
"Whoever loses treats, that's fair and reasonable, Dragon, what do you think?"
"No problem!"
Dragon nodded heavily, then let Sabo remove the Seastone chains from his body.
Sabo hadn't eaten the Mera Mera no Mi yet at this point, and he probably wouldn't have the chance to eat Mera Mera no Mi in his lifetime.
Therefore, even without Devil Fruit, he could freely access the Seastone chains.
After the chains disappeared from Dragon's body, Dragon pursed his lips.
In an instant, the power of Seimei Kikan took effect rapidly, and the scars and shoe prints on his face disappeared completely.
Then, Dragon glanced at the group of cadres around him.
Looking at Rayleigh and his group's ambiguous smiles, Dragon gently shook his head.
This is the true essence of the Dark Bird Ship!
Even before deciding to meet with Gawain, Dragon didn't think his team could defeat Gawain.
Therefore, he simply did not bring the Four Blues commanders of the Revolutionary Army.
Even so, after he personally experienced the quality of the officers on the Dark Bird Ship...
Dragon was almost certain that even if he brought the Four Blues Commanders, they wouldn't be a match for this group!
The quality of this group is too high. The strength of the old men in Rayleigh's group is only slightly lacking in physical strength compared to their peak.
The strength of these new generation monsters, Gion Issho, is approaching their respective peaks.
In addition, there's the highly promising Shiryu and a group of Shichibukai.
And there's also his former first mate, the second-in-command of the Revolutionary Army, essentially Kuma, the first mate of the Revolutionary Army...
War alone is no longer enough for the Revolutionary Army to contend with the current Dark Bird Group!
Thinking of this, Dragon turned to look at Gawain, and then he gently raised his hand.
"Let me give you a formal greeting, Gawain, the owner of the Dark Bird Ship."
"Hmm, it's quite interesting to meet you, Monkey D. Dragon!"
Gawain responded to Dragon's words with a smile.
Thus, the war between the Dark Bird Ship and the Revolutionary Army came to a temporary end.
Then, Ivankov, who was lying on the ground, breathed a sigh of relief.
"Great! Haha, I knew it! Family members shouldn't fight each other!"
So, hahaha, Gawain, could you help me solve this too?
These Seastone chains have even weakened me to the point where I can no longer maintain my magnificent appearance.
Well...
Ivankov's husky yet alluring voice sent shivers down Gawain's spine without him even realizing it.
Sabo rushed to Ivankov's side, standing next to Gawain.
"Big sister, don't joke around when things are so tense."
I'll untangle this for you, but please, whatever you do, don't try to flirt with Uncle Gawain!
As he spoke, Sabo untied the restraints from his officers.
As a result, a group of the Revolutionary Army cadres immediately huddled together, dejected and filled with a profound sense of loss.
Dragon, on the other hand, took it all in stride. For a ruthless leader like him, as long as he was alive, he didn't care about saving face at all.
So, Dragon took the initiative to come to Gawain's side and started chatting with Gawain naturally.
"Saint Gawain, I was somewhat rash in what happened before."
"I never imagined that the child I rescued by chance in the East Blue would be Ace's brother on your ship, and even have a connection to my son Luffy."
"Snort!"
No sooner had Dragon finished speaking than Ace let out a dissatisfied snort.
"Of course you don't know. You don't know anything. Luffy has been living in Foosha Village all along. You've passed through the East Blue many times, but you've never gone to see him!"
You know what, Dragon Luffy once told me that he had no one left to rely on!
His grandfather entrusted him to the care of mountain bandits, and in more than ten years, he only returned a few times!
His father never saw him, as if he had never had a father at all!
The three of us brothers have relied on each other since we were little, and even so, we thought we had lost Sabo!
When I went to sea this year, that brat cried his eyes out, but I'm different from you guys!
As long as I'm alive, I'll go back to the East Blue at least every year or two!
When Luffy sets sail, I'll still go find him for a drink sometime!
We, the brats you call us, will never live up to your standards!
You are so heartless, Dragon!!!
Ace cursed loudly. Although he pleaded for Dragon out of respect for Sabo, his resentment towards Dragon and the others had been piling up for far too long!
Looking at Ace's obvious dissatisfaction, Dragon remained silent for a moment, then said quietly.
"Ace, I know... my disappearance will hurt Luffy."
However, I am the leader of the Revolutionary Army, and the most wanted and vicious criminal on the World Government's bounty list besides Roger!
If I have too much contact with Luffy... it will only bring him danger, I..."
"Sophistry, all sophistry!!!"
Ace ignored Dragon's explanation and pointed at Gawain, continuing to speak to Dragon.
"All this talk of danger is just an excuse. If you really love Luffy, why can't you keep him by your side?"
You can even take Sabo, whom you found, with you and train him, so why can't you do the Luffy?
Besides, look at Uncle Gawain. Even when he goes to sea, even when he encounters and fights Whitebeard and Shanks, there are still guys like you.
Gawain also takes care of children like Shirahoshi, Uta, and Vivi, and protects them very well!
It's not that you can't do it, nor are you worried about any danger!
You're the kind of guy who just thinks Luffy will be a burden to you!!!
At this point, Ace turned around unhappily and stood behind Gawain.
His face was full of disdain.
Looking at Ace like this, Sabo sighed softly, then leaned closer to Ace and murmured sadly.
"I'm sorry, Ace, I... I've been gone for too long."
Also, I shouldn't have set sail alone ahead of time. If it weren't for my stubbornness, you and Luffy wouldn't have been heartbroken for so long!
At this point, Sabo raised his head, a hint of longing flickering in his eyes.
He then spoke solemnly.
"Before, it was one thing that I hadn't regained my memories, but back then, I had no idea where I was!"
But now that I've remembered everything...
Then... I absolutely must go back to Foosha Village with you to see Luffy!
I must have worried him to death!!!
After speaking, Sabo turned to Dragon and asked for instructions in a low voice.
"Uncle Long, I... I want to be impulsive for once. Ace and Luffy are my best friends. I think I have to go back and see them, at least to let them know I'm still alive, and to stop them from being sad for me!!!"
"Um?"
Upon hearing Sabo's words, Dragon frowned slightly.
In the next two years, the Revolutionary Army's various plans will be carried out at breakneck speed. As the Revolutionary Army's reserve chief of staff, Sabo simply cannot spare at least half a year to go back to the East Blue to see his brother!
But just as Dragon was about to say something, Gawain suddenly spoke up.
Gawain's eyes lit up, and then he reached out and rubbed Sabo's head.
"Haha, you're not bad, buddy. Someone who puts their emotions before their career might not be a good worker."
But he certainly deserves the expectations of every friend and family member; he is a true relative!
As he spoke, Gawain waved to Kuma.
"Kuma, it just so happens that our next flight route will end at the Goa Kingdom and Foosha Village."
"Then, let's do Dragon a favor and take this trainee Revolutionary Army with us."
At this point, Gawain patted Sabo on the shoulder and looked towards Dragon.
He pretended not to know anything and smiled at Dragon.
"Dragon, this kid is so young, he's probably just one of your interns."
Just like how Ace was just an intern on my ship.
So, I'll do you a small favor: I'll take this kid with me.
You wouldn't want someone who's already lost their home to lose their family and friends, would you, Dragon?
As he spoke, Gawain's brows furrowed, and a surge of Conqueror's Haki roared out!
Standing next to Gawain, Sabo, whose hair was being ruffled by Gawain, immediately felt all the hairs on his body stand on end!
For a moment, Sabo felt like he was about to faint, but thankfully he managed to hold on.
While struggling to maintain his standing posture, Sabo looked with difficulty at Dragon.
Will Uncle Long agree with Uncle Gawain's decision?
Etc...
In his confusion, Sabo suddenly realized something was wrong!
I think I introduced myself to Uncle Gawain before. I am the reserve chief of staff of the Revolutionary Army, and the young second-in-command most trusted by Uncle Long!
So, is Uncle Gawain acting like a scoundrel?!
Why?!!
Just as Sabo grew increasingly surprised, Gawain was opposite him.
The tattered cloak on Dragon's body was being pushed and thrashed by the aura generated by Gawain's Conqueror's Haki.
And the dragon.
He frowned and glanced coldly at the large group of menacing people behind him.
Shiryu had already begun to rub his blade with his palm again!
Feeling the increasing pressure, Dragon turned around and coldly addressed Gawain.
"Saint Gawain, Sabo is not some intern. He is my most valued junior, the second-in-command of the Revolutionary Army..."
"Isn't your most valued junior also a junior, Dragon!"
Gawain responded with a cold laugh!
Since Sabo, having just regained his memories, acted impulsively and handed Gawain the knife he was now facing.
Given Gawain's personality, how could he not grip that knife dozens of times tighter!
"Dragon, I'd like to have a good talk with you about a possible collaboration between my Dark Bird Ship and your Revolutionary Army!"
It's quite a coincidence that Sabo can serve as a bridge, accompanying me to the Foosha Village and acting as a liaison to connect our plans!
In short, sorry, this matter is settled, unless you think you have other better decisions, such as having Ivankov with his Kamabakka Kingdom to replace Sabo as the liaison!
Otherwise, hehe.
"Sabo has been by your side for a while now. Shouldn't he spend some time with his Uncle Bear and then see his long-lost brothers and family?"
As soon as he finished speaking, Gawain waved his hand dismissively.
"That's settled then. Sabo, Kuma, go to the Dark Bird Ship and inform the kitchen that a grand banquet will be held tonight!"
On the one hand, we need to entertain our brothers in the Revolutionary Army; in some ways, they will be our natural allies!
On the other hand, we also need to celebrate Ace, that brat Ace's Sabo, regaining his lost memories!!!
After saying that, Gawain gently nudged Sabo's shoulder.
"Hey kid, what are you standing there for? Can't you see your Uncle Xiong is calling you?"
"Hey hey hey?"
Sabo stared blankly at the Kuma not far away, who was actually waving happily at him!
Seeing that Sabo was hesitant to move, the Kuma simply went to Sabo's side, picked Sabo up, and headed down the mountain.
As they walked, Kuma stuffed the books he was carrying into Sabo's hands.
"Come here, Sabo, you'll stay by my side for the next six months."
Believe me, you will see another way to realize my Revolutionary Army ideals!
Our Revolutionary Army has faced considerable difficulties over the past few decades.
We need to learn to look forward!!!
It seems Blackbeard only managed to defeat Empress quickly, but failed to steal the Mero Mero no Mi. I'll discuss the details further with everyone after I've read the main manga for a few days.