Monkey D. Dragon, accompanied by Koala, went straight to the palace gate. Just as they were about to enter, they were stopped by the guards at the gate.
"Halt! Who are you two?!"
The guard looked at the two cloaked figures in front of him and demanded an explanation in a stern voice.
"We are members of the Revolutionary Army, and we have important matters to discuss with Luo Wen."
Monkey D. Dragon stood tall and proud, exuding a powerful aura that was incredibly imposing.
He was confident that with his magnanimity, the guards would respectfully let them in.
Do you have an appointment?
Seeing his imposing demeanor, the guards were unimpressed and asked indifferently.
If he had met someone like this before, he would have been much more respectful.
But after becoming Luo Wen's doorman, he saw too many dignified and important people like him and became indifferent to them.
Anyone who comes before him must be treated with utmost professionalism.
"An appointment?" Monkey D. Dragon's imposing manner faltered, and he replied somewhat awkwardly, "We don't have an appointment, but we do have something very important to discuss with Luo Wen."
"Go queue up over there if you don't have an appointment, and we'll talk when Lord Luo Wen has time."
The guard's expression remained unchanged as he pointed to the side and said indifferently.
"Queue?"
Dragon and Koala looked to the side.
There were over a hundred people lined up in a long queue, each one of them looking adorned with jewels and possessing considerable strength.
Wow! So many people?
Koala gasped.
If they were to go and queue up, who knows how long they would have to wait, and it's even uncertain whether Luo Wen would even see the people queuing up.
"Is it really impossible to make an exception? My matter is of great importance to Luo Wen."
"I am Monkey D. Dragon, the leader of the Revolutionary Army."
The dragon revealed its identity.
"If you don't have an appointment, you have to wait in line. If it's really important, you can tell me, and I'll pass it on."
"Tell me, what business do you have with Lord Luo Wen?"
The guards remained unmoved and continued to conduct their business as usual.
Luo Wen is holding an auction soon, and all sorts of Ox Demon have flocked to the scene. Everyone claims their business is very important; the guards, to be honest, have seen it all before.
As for the leader of the Revolutionary Army?
That's even less worth mentioning.
When you're out in the world, you give yourself your own identity; who knows who you really are?
Even if it's true, you still have to obediently wait in line.
Let alone the Revolutionary Army leader, even if Fleet Admiral came, he wouldn't grant him any special privileges!
"..."
Long's expression darkened further. If he had said he was there to persuade Luo Wen to join the Revolutionary Army, he would have been fooled and driven away.
After a moment's thought, Long changed his approach. "We've come to see Luo Wen to discuss investing in the Revolutionary Army."
"Oh."
The guards' gazes turned strange, as if they were looking at a beggar.
What do you mean by discussing investment? Isn't it just asking Luo Wen for help?
Lord Luo Wen might not even see the people who come to deliver money. Asking for his help is even less likely.
The guard felt unlucky.
Seeing that Long possessed an extraordinary air, he wanted to say a few more words.
After all that talk, it turns out he was a beggar.
"What kind of look is that?"
Koala was provoked by the guards' disdainful looks, and she bristled like a kitten.
"Nothing."
The guard turned his head away, ignoring the two men, feeling extremely merciful.
If this happened anywhere else, they'd kick him out, or they'd change his name!
"Fine, I wanted to interact with you all as an ordinary person, but all I got in return was contempt and indifference. I'm laying my cards on the table, I'm not pretending anymore, I'm Four Emperors!"
The dragon really wanted to unleash its Conqueror's Haki and give it a good show.
But the guards did nothing wrong, and their attitude was even better than that of many in their Revolutionary Army.
Although it's infuriating, they were just doing their job.
Moreover, they came to ask for favors, and their arrogant attitude was not good.
"Koala, let's line up."
Long took a deep breath to calm his inner turmoil. Then, pulling Koala, he walked to the long line to the side and began to queue.
Soon, Long and Koala, who were in line, registered their basic information and requests and then waited in the lobby.
The dragon pricked up its ears, eavesdropping on the others' intentions.
"I really want to meet Lord Luo Wen soon, I admire him so much. I want to give Lord Luo Wen 100 million Beli so he can sign my autograph!"
The speaker was a beautiful girl with red and white hair, her eyes brimming with admiration.
When she spoke, her cheeks flushed, and she looked shy.
"..."
Monkey D. Dragon is genuinely envious.
It's not that Luo Wen has such good-looking female fans, but rather that he envies the benefits that female fans bring.
He gets 100 million Beli just for signing his name; how come he never gets such good fortune?
If a few hundred of them came, he wouldn't have to worry about funding for his Revolutionary Army.
Then, Long overheard a discussion among some people. These people were clearly not weak; some were even as strong as the commander of the Fourth Army of the Revolutionary Army.
"My boss said he hopes to trade Artificial Devil Fruit Technology privately, and the price is negotiable!"
"Are you really sure it's okay to reveal your true intentions like this?"
"Hehe, what's the point of hiding it? We're all the same."
"No, no, no, I'm different. My boss has prepared 2 billion Beli. My boss is the best!"
"Pshaw, my boss has 2.5 billion!"
"My boss has 3 billion!"
"My boss has 3.5 billion!"
"I have 10 billion!"
You're bragging!
People from different factions started competing with each other.
They were just coming to give it a try; they had absolutely no hope of being received by Luo Wen.
They have absolutely no qualms about bragging.
Are they all here to give away money?
Cold sweat beaded on the dragon's forehead; he sensed that his mission might be in jeopardy.
So many people, all of them were giving money to Luo Wen.
Only he was thinking of recruiting Luo Wen into the Revolutionary Army and also of getting the Artificial Devil Fruit Technology for free.
He stands out from the crowd; he is...
"Chief, we don't seem to be suited to stay here."
Koala quietly tugged at the dragon's sleeve and whispered.
In retrospect, the guards' judgment was spot on.
Everyone else was giving money, but they were the only ones looking like beggars.
Soon, the first person was called in, which gave everyone a jolt of excitement.
"It's the one who asked for an autograph."
Everyone recognized the guy immediately.
A beautiful girl with red and white hair, it's impossible for her not to stand out.
"So, getting an autograph means you'll get a meeting?"
"No, it's the beautiful women who pay 100 million Beli for autographs who get to be received."
With everyone's Sherlock Holmes-like reasoning, the truth was immediately clear.
Do I need to pay?
Although they aren't beautiful girls, they can be loyal male fans of Luo Wen!
"I'll offer a hundred million to get Lord Luo Wen's autograph!"
"Me too! I want Luo Wen's autograph too!"
Of the more than one hundred people, the twenty or so who were wealthy all chose to support Luo Wen.
Trading 100 million Beli for a chance to meet is still quite valuable on the eve of the auction.
They really wanted Artificial Devil Fruit; even if the chances were slim, they were willing to try.
Even if you don't get anything in the end, you can still feel a sense of participation.
"..."
After a moment of silence, Monkey D. Dragon looked at Koala beside him.
While she may not be the world's most stunning beauty, she would still score 95 out of 100, only slightly less than the beautiful young woman with the red and white hair and diva-like demeanor mentioned earlier.
With just an additional 100 million Beli, it seems possible to replicate the actions of the girl from before.
"Koala, you take 100 million Beli to get Luo Wen's autograph too." Monkey D. Dragon said seriously, and seeing Koala still hesitating, he immediately added, "For the victory of the Revolutionary Army!"
"All right."
Although Koala was somewhat hesitant, she agreed nonetheless.
So, Koala also became a little fan who asked Luo Wen for his autograph.