Meeting Dragon

Near the port of Loguetown, inside the Barto Tavern.

Indeed, it is one of the many gang-run businesses owned by Bartolomeo.

Moya signaled the beautiful chef Carmen to stay calm, letting her see the guest first.

Moya sat at one end of the long table, with the women standing behind him, and his four great executives—Buggy, El Drago, Mao Xiong, and Bartolomeo—flanking his left and right.

Sitting opposite him was a man in a green cloak, whose imposing aura was so overwhelming that it made everyone in the room struggle to breathe.

Outside, the squad leaders were keeping watch, surrounding the building in layers with tight security.

Chef Carmen felt as if she had stumbled into a gangland deal; despite her fiery temper, she felt a bit faint at this moment.

"Mr. Dragon, having observed me in the shadows for so long, do you have some thoughts regarding me?"

"Indeed, I am quite interested in you, having just awakened Conqueror's Haki. But I am even more interested in your views on the World Government. Do you also wish to build an equal world? If so, would you be interested in joining our Revolutionary Army?"

"I am indeed repulsed by the Celestial Dragons' casual enslavement of people, and I do indeed wish to build a world where all races coexist in harmony. As for joining the Revolutionary Army, can you tolerate having two kings? Or rather, are you willing to cede the position of leader to me?"

"You are still young. Revolution is not something that succeeds overnight. You have yet to grow into your potential. After I grow old, if you are strong enough, I suspect the position of leader will eventually be yours."

"I will not bow to anyone, and naturally, neither will you. Your Conqueror's Haki is truly sharp; would you be willing to teach me?"

"Are you not afraid that I might snuff you out right now, young king?"

As he finished speaking, Dragon's Conqueror's Haki erupted, pressing down on everyone. Moya's own Conqueror's Haki flared in response, though it was significantly weaker.

The women nearby showed expressions of pain, as did Carmen; only the executives managed to hold their ground.

"I know you could kill us all, but are you prepared to bear the consequences? The location of Baltigo, Luffy's identity, the identity of a certain Shichibukai, Sabo's identity—if I don't walk out of here today, I have arranged plenty of contingencies, you know? Cooperation means mutual gain, while division means my death, but all your years of hard work will also turn to dust. Are you willing to gamble everything on a nobody like me?"

Moya withstood the pressure, his voice hoarse as he spoke with great difficulty.

The pressure dissipated, and in an instant, the room returned to calm, though the atmosphere remained even more stifling.

"How! Did! You! Know!"

Dragon gritted his teeth, speaking word by word, his eyes filled with fury and confusion.

"How I know is not your concern. If you truly wish to kill someone like me, who doesn't even have a bounty yet, then I would die without regrets taking the vast Revolutionary Army down with me. If you do this, I wonder if those Revolutionary Army members who were inexplicably killed by their own leader would be able to rest in peace? Dying like that would be far too unjust. Besides, I think the World Government would be very happy to lose a talented threat like me while simultaneously wiping out the Revolutionary Army's vital forces. Mr. Dragon, I am not threatening you. There is no conflict between us; only through cooperation can we both win. The weapons produced on one of the islands under my command can all be sold to you at a low price. This fine-grade sword, Yubashiri, was originally intended as a gift for Zoro. Zoro is the apprentice of Koushiro and a crewmate of Luffy. Can Mr. Dragon feel my sincerity now?"

After saying so much, Moya picked up his teacup and took a sip.

"What do you need?"

"I want the advanced training methods for the Three-Color Haki, and I want us to share intelligence. Of course, if you want to teach me the Dragon Claw Fist, that would be fine too."

"Hmph, your chips are not enough. However, if you were to take me as your master and become my disciple, none of this would be a problem."

"Mr. Dragon, I will not lower myself to be a generation below you. This is a fair trade. I also have dealings with the Shipping King Umit, and I will sell you a piece of information. As for whether you can seize the opportunity to profit, that is up to your Revolutionary Army."

"Let's hear it. What kind of news is so valuable?"

"One of the Emperors of the Underworld is a mole for CP0. How does that sound? The underworld is about to descend into chaos; can the Revolutionary Army snatch a piece of the pie?"

Dragon was somewhat shocked. Hearing Moya's news, it seemed he had already made contact with the Shipping King Umit, which meant Umit could be ruled out.

That left the King of Loans "God of Fortune" Luffield, the President of the World Economic Journal "Big News" Morgans, the veteran of the warehouse industry "The Concealer" Gibson, the funeral parlor tycoon Drug Peclo, and the Queen of the Pleasure District, Stussy.

Which one could it be?

How could he secure benefits for the Revolutionary Army?

"I need more accurate intelligence. The Three-Color Haki training methods can be yours. Don't forget the weapons from Clockwork Island and the sword for the Zoro boy."

"Congratulations on reaching an agreement. But I will only tell you the identity of the CP0 mole once I have received my payment from Umit."

"Selling the same goods to multiple buyers? You clever brat, you're afraid I'll disrupt your plans, aren't you? Rest assured, as long as the underworld doesn't fall into chaos, I won't interfere."

"Give me the number for your anti-eavesdropping Den Den Mushi, Mr. Dragon."

"You even know about that? Just how deeply have you infiltrated our Revolutionary Army?"

Dragon looked at Moya with wary eyes.

"Rest assured, it is merely a bit of information left behind by an elder in my family who consumed the Prophecy Fruit. Mr. Dragon need not be so guarded against me."

Hmph, without precautions, the home is gone. I'll have to discuss moving the headquarters when I get back; it's going to be another waste of resources. My heart aches for the Revolutionary Army.

It's just adding insult to injury for the already impoverished Revolutionary Army.

"Since that is the case, then let us reach an agreement."

"Very well. I will instruct my subordinates to prepare the weapons on Clockwork Island. You can go and receive them then. As for this blade, I will deliver it to Zoro personally."

"I will write down the Three-Color Haki for you. Let's stay in touch if anything comes up."

Dragon finished speaking and prepared to leave, heading back to prepare for the coming chaos in the Underworld.

"Mr. Dragon, one last piece of advice: the strategy of villages encircling kingdoms—when the enemy advances, we retreat; when the enemy camps, we harass; when the enemy tires, we attack; when the enemy retreats, we pursue."

Dragon paused to ponder for a moment, nodded, and transformed into a gust of wind, dissipating.

"Whew~ that was suffocating."

Bartolomeo finally found his voice, and the rest of the group collapsed in relief.

"That green-cloaked man was so strong. Captain, who was he?"

"The world's worst criminal, leader of the Revolutionary Army, Dragon."

"What!!"

The group stared at Moya for a split second, then turned their gazes toward the chef Carmen, their eyes turning dangerous.

There was still an outsider here who wasn't one of their crew.

The face of the beautiful, fiery chef Carmen turned green instantly; it seemed she had truly been dragged into something incredible.

"Actually, I already agreed to become a chef for Captain Moya just now. I am deeply humbled by Captain Moya's aura."

Carmen's face twitched as she answered with a stiff smile, immediately seeing the reality of the situation and choosing to be very "prudent."

That was, if one ignored Buggy's dagger hovering in the air, the golden light in El Drago's mouth, Mao Xiong's glowing red fists, and Bartolomeo's crossed hands, which were faintly shimmering with a transparent reflection.

"Then, welcome our beautiful, fiery chef—Carmen."

Moya announced with a smile.

The atmosphere thawed instantly and became lively.

"Welcome! We're comrades now."

The group cheered, dragging a "very happy" Carmen along as they headed back to the port.