In the smoke-filled square, Dragon's heart sank, and his fingers involuntarily clenched.
"This is trouble..."
He knew Gern's strength better than anyone.
The Tremor-Tremor Fruit's devastating destructive power, the edge of Black Blade: Eight Desolations, the crushing pressure of Conqueror's Haki...
If Gern attacked now, none of the Revolutionary Army soldiers present would likely escape alive except Dragon himself!
Dragon's gaze swiftly swept his surroundings as he calculated escape routes.
At the same time, he lowered his voice and told Ivankov beside him, "Prepare to retreat. If a fight breaks out, prioritize protecting the civilians."
"Heavenquake..." Ivankov looked grave, clearly recognizing Gern as well. "Hee-haw! This really is the worst possible situation!"
Dragon took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down. Then he looked Gern straight in the eye and spoke in a low voice.
"Gern... I never expected to see you here."
"What?" The corners of Gern's mouth lifted slightly. With his hands in his pockets, he spoke lazily, yet with an unmistakable air of pressure.
"Not happy to see an old friend?"
Dragon remained on guard. He knew Gern's "laziness" was only a facade.
Once this man got serious, his tremors could bring down the entire city.
"Are you here to arrest me?" Dragon asked gravely, quietly drawing on his Haki as he prepared to fight at any moment.
Gern did not answer immediately. Instead, he looked around, his gaze passing over the armed civilians, the wounded Revolutionary Army soldiers, and the palace still burning in the distance.
Finally, his eyes returned to Dragon, and he chuckled. "If I were here to arrest you, do you think you'd still be standing there talking to me?"
Dragon's brows knitted tightly as he rapidly considered Gern's intentions.
Gern slowly drew Black Blade: Eight Desolations. Its grayish-white bandages disintegrated inch