The Tides of an Era

Kuzan had taken in every change in Mosen's expression. He thought he'd guessed right: this guy in front of him really did have ties to the Navy or the World Government.

A boy who looked sixteen or seventeen, yet could use the Six Powers so skillfully and even combine them with Haki, couldn't have learned all that without someone guiding him.

But what side was he on, exactly? And what was he doing here?

Just as Kuzan was about to press Mosen further, a sudden gale swept through the area. Kuzan frowned and instinctively took two steps back.

When the storm died down, a figure stood between him and Mosen.

"Dragon? What are you doing here?" Kuzan asked, momentarily stunned.

"Are you all right?" Dragon ignored Kuzan's question and turned to check on Mosen first.

Mosen shook his head. "I'm fine, Mr. Dragon."

Dragon let out a relieved breath, then turned to greet Kuzan. "Kuzan. Long time no see."

After hearing their exchange, Kuzan seemed to understand.

"So he's one of your people. No wonder he's so skilled with the Six Powers," Kuzan said.

Dragon's eyes narrowed at Kuzan's words.

Dragon had already noticed how breathless Mosen was. Putting that together with Mosen's current appearance and Kuzan's questions, he could more or less guess how Mosen had handled Kuzan.

Dragon was very pleased with Mosen's choice. Mosen's true identity absolutely couldn't be exposed, and letting Kuzan assume Mosen was someone Dragon had trained was probably the best option for now.

"Dragon, what have you been doing all these years? Mr. Garp is very unhappy with you, as you know. He's always hoped you'd join the Navy," Kuzan asked.

"I have my own goals. The Navy isn't right for me. As for the old man, all I can say is that I'm sorry." Dragon answered without expression.

(Note: The original story never said Dragon had joined the Navy. The idea that he had probably came from a color spread Oda drew, featuring someone who looked like Dragon in a Marine uniform. Everything else is fanon. Since the original story never explicitly confirms it, I'll assume he never joined.)

"You're Mr. Garp's son. Where else could you go besides the Navy? You're not going to become a pirate, are you?" As soon as Kuzan finished speaking, Mosen keenly sensed the temperature around them drop. His nerves went taut.

"Your subordinate's very well trained," Kuzan said, glancing at Mosen, who had taken up a defensive stance.

"He does have a lot of talent. Kuzan, you don't need to act like that. I may not join the Navy, but I'll never become a pirate either."

"Is that so? Then I'm relieved. But honestly, Dragon, I never expected to run into you here. Can you tell me what you're doing?" Kuzan continued.

"This kid said he wanted to see the Tree of Knowledge. I also have a book I'd like to borrow, so I came along."

"You want to see the Tree of Knowledge? Was he born in West Blue too? I've heard lots of people from West Blue visit the Tree of Knowledge the first time they go out to sea," Kuzan said, testing him.

"That's right. I was born in Westmoon Village on Leo Island. It's a beautiful place." Mosen brought up the village chief's home village.

The Revolutionary Army had only just been founded, and Kuzan didn't know what Dragon was trying to do. Besides, thanks to Garp, Dragon and Kuzan got along well. And Mosen had just named a specific place of birth, so for now, Kuzan chose to believe them.

"Dragon, out of respect for Mr. Garp, I'll give you a warning," Kuzan said, changing the subject.

"What is it?"

"Don't go near Ohara right now."

"Why?" Dragon asked instinctively.

"Because the World Government may very well launch a Buster Call against Ohara," Kuzan replied gravely.

"What did you say? The World Government is going to launch a Buster Call against Ohara? How is that possible? The Tree of Knowledge is there!"

Kuzan sighed. "Sigh. So what if the Tree of Knowledge is there? Those scholars touched something they absolutely shouldn't have."

"Something they absolutely shouldn't have? You mean the history of the Void Century?" Dragon pressed.

Kuzan said nothing, which amounted to confirmation.

"Since when did studying history become a crime?"

"According to the World Government, the scholars are deciphering the history of the Void Century because they want to awaken the Ancient Weapons and destroy the world," Kuzan said helplessly.

"Do you believe that?"

Kuzan shook his head.

"Then what do you think?"

"I don't object to launching a Buster Call against Ohara. Those scholars touched something they shouldn't have. But the other people on the island are innocent, so I want to find a way to save them all," Kuzan replied.

"Mr. Kuzan, I don't think there's anything wrong with scholars studying history. The mistake Ohara's scholars made was meddling with the World Government's taboo when they had no way to protect themselves," Mosen said.

"So you're saying it's fine to study things that could overturn the world as long as you can protect yourself?" Kuzan asked, frowning.

"I just think everyone has the right to know the truth. The World Government's response is too extreme.

"And even if the scholars learn the truth about this world, so what? They can't possibly make it public.

"If even Pirate King Roger, who was at the height of his fame a few years ago, couldn't do it, how could a group of scholars manage?

"Or is what's hidden in that history so important that the World Government isn't willing to take even the slightest risk?"

After listening to Mosen, Kuzan sighed to himself. How could he not know all this?

The World Government's reaction was indeed too extreme. There was no need to go so far as to use a Buster Call.

At the very least, the ordinary people on Ohara were innocent. They shouldn't have to die.

Dragon and Kuzan had known each other for years, and by now, Dragon had guessed some of what Kuzan was thinking. He patted Kuzan on the shoulder. "Kuzan, you may think ordinary people are innocent, but the Navy and the World Government won't see it that way.

"From the World Government's point of view, once they've launched a Buster Call, they won't let a single person leave the island alive. If even one of the ordinary people who escaped Ohara turned out to be a scholar in disguise, then all those sacrifices would have been for nothing."

"But the World Government set aside a ship to evacuate the ordinary people," Kuzan argued.

"That ship is just for show. It'll definitely be sunk in the end. And perhaps it'll be your fellow Marines who do it," Mosen said.

"Kuzan, the tides of an era roll ever onward. No one can stop them—not even the World Government.

"Roger gave his life to unleash the Great Age of Pirates, hoping to drive that tide forward.

"Ohara's scholars are also driving that tide forward by deciphering history.

"Kuzan, I hope you don't lose your way in the tide." With that, Dragon left with Mosen.