Meeting Dragon

Near the port of Loguetown, inside the Barto Tavern.

That's right, it was one of Bartolomeo's many gang businesses.

He gestured for the beautiful chef Carmen to take it easy and let Moya meet the guest first.

Moya sat at one end of a long table, with the women standing behind him. Buggy, El Drago, Mao Xiong, and Bartolomeo, the four top officers, stood on either side.

A man in a green cloak sat opposite them. His presence was so imposing that everyone in the room could barely breathe.

The squad leaders were all outside keeping watch, with the area surrounded in layer upon layer of security.

At that moment, Chef Carmen felt as though she'd stumbled into a gang's meeting place. Though she had a fiery temper, even she felt a little uneasy.

"Mr. Dragon, you've been watching me from the shadows for quite some time. Is there something you want from me?"

"That's right. I'm indeed somewhat interested in you, now that you've just awakened Conqueror's Haki. But I'm even more interested in your views on the World Government.

Do you also want to build a world where everyone is equal? If so, would you be interested in joining the Revolutionary Army?"

"I do hate how the Celestial Dragons enslave people at will, and I do want to build a world where all races can live together in harmony.

As for joining the Revolutionary Army, could you tolerate having two kings in it? Or would you be willing to give me your position as its leader?"

"You're still young. A revolution can't be won overnight, and you haven't grown strong enough yet. After I'm gone, if you're powerful enough, I expect the leadership will end up in your hands."

"I won't take second place to anyone. Of course, neither will you. Your Conqueror's Haki is truly fierce. Would you teach me?"

"Aren't you afraid I'll kill you right now, young king?"

As soon as he finished speaking, Dragon's Conqueror's Haki burst forth, pressing down on everyone. Moya's Conqueror's Haki flared in response, but it was much weaker.

The women beside them all looked pained, Carmen included. Only the top officers were still holding out.

"I know you could kill every one of us, but are you ready to face the consequences?

The location of Baltigo, Luffy's identity, the identity of a certain Shichibukai, Sabo's identity—I've prepared plenty of contingencies in case I don't make it out of here today.

If we work together, we both win. If we turn against each other, I die, and all the effort you've put in over the years turns to dust. Are you willing to take that gamble over an unknown nobody like me?"

Moya strained against the pressure and spoke with difficulty, his voice hoarse.

The pressure dispersed, and in an instant, the room was calm again. But the atmosphere was even more oppressive.

"How! Do! You! Know!"

Dragon gritted his teeth and enunciated each word, his eyes filled with anger and confusion.

"You don't need to know how I found out. If you really want to kill someone like me, who doesn't even have a bounty, I'll gladly die if it means taking the entire Revolutionary Army down with me.

If you did that, I wonder whether the Revolutionary Army members who were pointlessly killed because their leader led them into a trap would rest in peace. What an unjust way to die.

And I'm sure the World Government would be delighted. They'd eliminate a promising threat like me and wipe out the Revolutionary Army's fighting force at the same time.

Mr. Dragon, I'm not threatening you. There's no conflict between us, only the possibility of cooperation. Only by working together can we both come out ahead.

The weapons produced on one of the islands under my control can all be sold to you at a low price.

The Skillful Grade Sword, Yubashiri, in my hand was originally meant as a gift for Zoro. He's Mr. Koushiro's student and a member of Luffy's crew.

So, Mr. Dragon, can you see my sincerity now?"

After speaking at length, Moya picked up his teacup and took a sip.

"What do you want?"

"I want advanced training methods for the Three-Color Haki, and I want us to share intelligence.

And if you want to teach me Dragon Claw Fist, that's fine too."

"Hmph, your bargaining chips aren't enough. But if you become my student and call me your master, none of that would be a problem."

"Mr. Dragon, I won't put myself beneath you. This is a fair deal. I'm also doing business with King of Deep Storage Umit, and I'll sell you some information as well. Whether you seize the opportunity to profit from it is up to the Revolutionary Army."

"Let's hear it, then. What information could be so valuable?"

"One of the Underworld Emperors is a CP0 spy. What do you think of that? The Underworld is about to descend into chaos. Can the Revolutionary Army grab a piece of the pie?"

Dragon was somewhat shocked. Hearing Moya's news, it seemed he'd already made contact with King of Deep Storage Umit. That meant Umit could be ruled out.

The remaining candidates were King of High Interest Loans, "God of Fortune" Luffield; the president of the World Economic News Paper, "Big News" Morgans; Gibson, the veteran of the warehouse industry known as "the Concealer"; the Funeral Parlor Tycoon, Drug Peclo; and Stussy, the Queen of the Pleasure District.

Which one was it?

How could he secure the best outcome for the Revolutionary Army?

"I need more precise intelligence. You can have the Three-Color Haki training methods, but don't forget the weapons from Clockwork Island and the sword for that kid Zoro."

"Congratulations on our partnership. But I'll tell you who the CP0 spy is only after I've received Umit's payment."

"Selling the same goods twice? Clever kid. You're worried I'll disrupt your plans, right? Don't worry. I won't interfere unless the Underworld descends into chaos."

"Give me your Anti-Eavesdropping Den Den Mushi number, Mr. Dragon."

"You even know about that? How deeply have you infiltrated the Revolutionary Army?"

Dragon gave Moya a wary look.

"Don't worry. It's just a bit of information left behind by an elder in my family who ate the Prophecy Fruit. You don't need to be so wary of me, Mr. Dragon."

Hmph. Don't be wary? We'd lose our whole home. I'll have to discuss moving the headquarters when I get back. More money down the drain. My poor Revolutionary Army.

That would make an already poor Revolutionary Army even worse off.

"In that case, let's form a partnership."

"Fine. I'll have my men prepare the weapons from Clockwork Island. You can come collect them when they're ready. As for this sword, I'll deliver it to Zoro myself."

"I'll write down the Three-Color Haki training methods for you. Get in touch if anything comes up."

Dragon finished speaking and got ready to leave, intending to prepare for the coming upheaval in the Underworld.

"Mr. Dragon, one last thing: 'Use the countryside to surround the cities. When the enemy advances, we retreat; when they stop, we harass them; when they tire, we attack; when they retreat, we pursue.'"

Dragon stopped and pondered for a moment, then nodded and vanished in a gust of wind.

"Whew, that was suffocating."

Bartolomeo could finally speak. Everyone collapsed at once.

"That man in the green cloak was so strong, Captain. Who was he?"

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

"What?!"

Everyone immediately looked at Moya, then turned to Chef Carmen, their eyes turning dangerous.

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

The beautiful, fiery chef Carmen's face turned green. It seemed she really had gotten caught up in something serious.

"Actually, I already agreed to become one of Captain Moya's many chefs. I was deeply moved by his imposing presence."

Carmen's face twitched as she gave a stiff smile. She'd quickly accepted reality and was very willing to go along with it.

She'd seen Buggy's daggers floating in the air, the golden light in El Drago's mouth, Mao Xiong's reddening fists, Bartolomeo's crossed arms, and a faint, transparent glint.

"Then let's welcome our beautiful, fiery chef, Carmen!"

Moya announced with a smile.

The tension immediately melted away, and the room came to life.

"Welcome! We're comrades now!"

Everyone cheered and led Carmen, who looked "absolutely delighted," back to the port.