Hearing the voice that had suddenly appeared, Dragon turned his head and saw Barn crouching on the railing, a broad smile on his face.
Dragon gave a wry smile and spoke as he looked at that familiar face.
"What brings you here, Barn?"
Barn hopped nimbly down from the railing and said,
"Well, I missed you."
Dragon smiled at that and said,
"Thank you for what you did in Alabasta, Barn."
Barn smiled and shook his head at Dragon's words.
"Luffy's my student too. As his teacher, I have to look out for him."
After saying that, the smile slowly faded from Barn's face, and he asked Dragon,
"Have you heard any news lately?"
Dragon's expression grew serious as well. Of course he knew what sort of news Barn meant.
"Fire Fist Ace has met Blackbeard."
Barn frowned and nodded. He sounded as though he were talking to himself, but his words were meant for Dragon.
"The curtain has risen on the war."
A flicker of surprise crossed Dragon's face, and he asked in confusion,
"Barn, are you really so sure this war will happen?"
Barn smiled at Dragon's question, then slowly turned away from him to gaze at the boundless sea. Since regaining his sight, watching the sea had become his favorite pastime. Having spent decades living on its waters, he had always felt a deep passion for the blue ocean that nurtured life.
With his back to Dragon, Barn spoke in a thoroughly serious tone.
"This war will happen, and it has to happen. This is an opportunity, Dragon. An opportunity to lead the world into the light."
Barn's voice was full of certainty, as though what he described was destined to happen. He continued,
"Ace's bloodline was always going to draw the Navy's attention. They'll publicly execute