Dragon's Wandering

Another three-masted sailing ship docked at the harbor.

A browless, hedgehog-haired youth stepped out of the cabin with the crowd, crossed the gangplank onto land, then stood at the harbor in a daze.

He did not know where he should go.

For nearly three months since the God Valley Incident, Dragon had spent most of his time in the underground prison of Marine Headquarters.

It was punishment for everything he had done at God Valley.

In truth, the punishment should not have been so light. Under normal circumstances, he should at least have been sent to Enies Lobby for trial, or even executed at Marine Headquarters.

His father, Garp, had threatened to resign in order to save him from the Celestial Dragons' wrath.

In exchange, his father had to promise that he would never leave the Marines and would serve the World Government for the rest of his life.

Otherwise, both father and son would be wanted by the World Government.

After his imprisonment was lifted, Dragon simply could not accept the Marines' "justice," so he chose to resign.

Then, under his father's arrangements, he had been dropped off at Loguetown by a warship on a mission, before taking a merchant vessel to Goa Kingdom on his own.

Now, Dragon had heard from the crew of the previous ship that he would need to stay in Shells Town for two days before there would be a ship bound for Goa Kingdom.

"Where should I go for these two days?"

Watching people come and go through the harbor, Dragon felt utterly out of place.

After seeing hell, even heaven felt false.

And that was indeed the case. The entire world had been deceived by the Celestial Dragons, and the Marines' justice was nothing more than a lie used to deceive the people.

Thud—

As Dragon wandered aimlessly, a worker unloading cargo from the ship bumped into him while he stood in the middle of the road. A wooden crate fell to the ground and split open.

"Hey! Don't block the way!"

"Sorry... sorry."

Dragon snapped back to his senses and quickly stepped aside, lowering his head in apology.

Yet in the instant he lowered his head, he inadvertently caught sight of what was inside the crate.

Wine bottles wrapped in straw.

In an instant, information about Leon Kingdom surfaced in Dragon's mind.

If he remembered correctly, that country had issued a Prohibition Order half a year ago, strictly forbidding any organization other than the royal family from brewing or selling alcohol.

He had happened to be heading to Loguetown then, where he would board a warship for Marine Headquarters. He had also spent several days transferring through Shells Town, so the matter had left a particularly deep impression on him.

Although the Prohibition Order had been issued by Leon Kingdom rather than being a law of the World Government, it was an affiliated nation, so the Marines stationed in this region had to help enforce it.

Especially smuggling alcohol across the sea like this—it was precisely the sort of thing the nearby Marine branches had to stop.

After all, anything that happened on the sea fell within the Marines' jurisdiction.

"What are you looking at?! If you don't want trouble, keep your mouth shut!"

The worker glared fiercely at Dragon, then took off his coat and covered the crack in the crate. He picked it up and hurried away.

Dragon watched the worker leave, his gaze flickering slightly before he ultimately chose not to interfere.

He was no longer a Marine. He had no reason to act.

Besides...

Leon Kingdom's Prohibition Order had not been issued for the health of its people, nor to prevent drunken troublemakers from affecting public order.

It was simply meant to monopolize the alcohol business and profit the royal family.

Grrrrumble—

"Uh... I should eat first."

Dragon rubbed his growling stomach, sniffed the air, and followed the scent of food drifting through it.

"Ideal" Restaurant

Inside the main hall, John and Reed sat at a round table, each holding a menu as they prepared to order.

"Order whatever you like. It's all free!"

Reed proudly raised his brows at John, then remembered something and added.

"Except alcohol. You'll have to pay for that yourself."

Hearing that, John glanced at the waiter standing nearby with an awkward smile, then turned his attention to the menu.

He first ordered ramen for carbohydrates, grilled meat for protein, and vegetables containing vitamins and dietary fiber. Finally, his gaze moved to the alcohol section at the bottom of the menu.

Since drinking was allowed while working, he definitely had to have a little.

However, when John saw the prices of the alcohol, he raised a hand and rubbed his eyes, thinking he had misread them.

Then he stared again and confirmed it...

"Fuck! Why don't they just rob people? Are they serious about adding a zero to the normal market price?!"

"Leon Kingdom is enforcing a Prohibition Order. It's normal for alcohol to be expensive."

Reed explained briefly, then his eyes flickered as he gave the waiter an order.

"Bring out a bottle of the alcohol I've stored here. We'll celebrate John becoming an honorable Marine."

Compared with the twenty million Beli John had bribed him with, a bottle of alcohol worth tens of thousands of Beli was nothing.

As long as he kept this rich fool happy, he would have plenty of chances to earn it all back with interest later.

"Yes, Captain Reed. Please wait a moment. I'll have the kitchen prepare the food right away."

The waiter took the menus, bowed to Reed, and turned toward the kitchen.

Once the waiter had left, Reed wanted to chat with John and learn more about him, only to discover that John was staring blankly at the restaurant entrance.

"Hm? Did you spot a beauty?"

Reed turned toward the entrance, but he saw no beauty—only a timid-looking, hedgehog-haired youth walking inside.

What was so interesting about that?

"What is it? Do you know him?"

"No. I just think it's strange that he has no eyebrows."

The corners of John's mouth lifted slightly as he withdrew his gaze.

To think he had run into Dragon in this backwater place. The world really was small.

"Wait until you've seen races like Fish-Men and the Three-Eye Tribe. Then you'll know what truly strange-looking means."

The moment other races came up, Reed became animated, vividly recounting what he had seen on the Grand Line.

At the same time, he was indirectly telling John that he came from Marine Headquarters and had connections everywhere.

As long as the money was there, ranks could rise rapidly!

John responded halfheartedly, his attention entirely focused on Dragon, who had taken a seat to the left.

After placing his order, the guy sat upright in his chair, his hands clasped on the table as his fingers fidgeted uneasily.

Unlike Luffy, who was obviously a little demon, Dragon was far more reserved and subtle. He could even be called shy and introverted.

How had such a personality transformed into what he would become later?

And where had the inspiration for his "revolution" come from?

The God Valley Incident alone was not enough. Dragon must have experienced something else afterward.

And that ability to summon wind and rain, likely a Devil Fruit power—where had he gotten it?

"Enjoy your meal, sir."

Before long, the waiter brought over the dishes that had been pushed ahead in the kitchen queue.

John pulled himself from his thoughts and focused on the food before him.

Only food must never be neglected!

Bang—

Suddenly, an unoccupied dining table was kicked over, and the noise drew everyone's attention in the restaurant.