Meeting with Dragon

Having learned Dragon's location, Ryan personally set out to meet him as a show of sincerity.

Loguetown's center was not far from the execution platform. When he arrived, the area before him was packed with people, all discussing the livestream playing overhead.

Ryan glanced at it, his gaze pausing briefly.

The video had not stopped just because of what had happened to them. The battle on-screen was still raging, but the Marines' enemies had changed from the Whitebeard Pirates and Ryan's group to Blackbeard's men—and the Marines held an overwhelming advantage.

With a soft chuckle, he stopped paying attention to the nearly predetermined outcome and began searching the crowd for Dragon.

Having already been humiliated once by Ryan and Whitebeard, the Marines absolutely could not tolerate a second defeat. To salvage some of their reputation, they would surely go all out.

Given the current strength of Blackbeard's subordinates, the only outcome was for the Marines to beat them senseless.

"Nice to meet you, Mr. Dragon."

After finding Dragon in the crowd, Ryan approached with Albedo. A faint smile rested on his face as he extended his right hand.

"Nice to meet you as well, Lord Ryan, and this beautiful lady."

Dragon, having noticed Ryan's approach, returned the greeting. He shook Ryan's hand before releasing it.

Ryan chuckled and looked around before suggesting, "This is not the place to talk. Shall we go somewhere else?"

"Sure."

Dragon's immediate answer made the polite smile on Ryan's face grow a little more sincere.

Even after Ryan had demonstrated that he possessed the strength to keep him here, Dragon was still willing to let Ryan make the arrangements. That trust was worth appreciating, and it laid a solid foundation for the conversation to come.

Ryan immediately led the way. "I have a few properties