Chapter 57

"It seems we’ve arrived just in time."

Seven followed the sound and saw the legendary savior, Monkey D. Dragon, leader of the Self-Valor Army, alongside King Ywankov.

"Pacifista, Jin Ni!!"

Ywankov sprinted over, ignoring the still-steaming meat in their hands, and threw himself into Pacifista’s arms; the three embraced tightly.

"Thank goodness—I heard about the Solbe Kingdom and specifically brought Dragon to help. You’re safe—that’s wonderful."

Pacifista smiled gently.

"We’re fine, Ywankov."

The three had met in the Valley of the Gods, endured countless trials to escape it, and even after parting, had maintained contact for years.

"Let me hold you again."

Ywankov understood that once Pacifista made up his mind, no amount of persuasion could change it,

and besides, he had no intention of stopping him.

He respected and blessed Pacifista’s choice, glad he had left the rural church to follow a powerful captain.

A person cannot be trapped in one place forever.

After the three finished catching up, Ywankov was astonished to find: Dragon, once reluctant, now sat by the campfire discussing with Barzab.

Sometimes, as Dragon listened to Barzab’s words, he nodded, his eyes growing brighter and brighter.

"The world shouldn’t be like this…"

"Mr. Dragon, remember: political power grows out of the barrel of a gun. You must firmly control an army capable of fighting for and winning the liberation of all humanity."

"Given the vast power of the World Government and the Marines, I suggest you encircle the cities from the countryside…"

"Prioritize liberating non-member nations with weak World Government influence; just persist in seizing land from the rich and redistributing it, eliminating privileged classes, and building a world where everyone has enough to eat—victory will ultimately belong to you…"

Watching Barzab speak without pause, Dragon’s eyes sparkled—he suddenly realized—

Pacifista and Jin Ni were important.

But Barzab was the kindred spirit, the partner and leader who could lead the Self-Valor Army to victory.

Talent—this was real talent!

Must—must secure him!!

Overcome with emotion, Dragon gripped Seven’s hand tightly, his face filled with longing.

"Sir, the Self-Valor Army needs you."

"Nani?!" x3

By the campfire, Ywankov, Pacifista, and Jin Ni all wore the same stunned expression, jaws nearly dropping to the ground.

They simply couldn’t understand—

in just a few minutes of catching up, what had Barzab (Captain) done to Dragon to make him look like a lovesick fool?

Willing to give up everything just to invite Barzab (Captain) into the Self-Valor Army.

Such charisma? No wonder he’s a 3-billion-berry bounty, a man who made Mihawk and Tenghu follow him.

"Mr. Dragon," Seven shook his head slightly.

"The Revolutionary Army… the Self-Valor Army is one path to saving the world. But I wish to try another. Though we cannot join forces now, yet—"

"Yet we will meet again at the end."

As always, whoever fights the World Government, Seven would lend a hand—especially the Revolutionary Army, which sought nothing less than its overthrow.

In the original timeline, after the Ohara Massacre, Dragon, Ywankov, and Pacifista reorganized the Self-Valor Army into the Revolutionary Army.

But their ideology was flawed.

Now, Seven had planted a more advanced, more blazing revolutionary fire into Dragon’s heart—this flame of the Revolutionary Army would burn far more thoroughly from now on.

Dragon’s gaze sank, his eyes brimming with regret that threatened to overflow.

"Sir, Dragon will wait for that day."

Dragon stared at Seven, silently asking in his heart.

Barzab—who are you really? A former member of Roger’s crew? Captain of the Morningstar Pirates? The 3-billion-berry Sea Emperor?

No.

In his heart, Dragon already had his answer—you are the Self-Valor Army’s partner, the comrade who will stand shoulder to shoulder and cleave open this endless night of chaos.

"Sir," Dragon spoke with apology.

"What you just said… your ideas—I didn’t fully understand. Could you write them down for me?"

"No problem," Seven nodded.

Taking the notebook Pacifista handed him, Seven paused briefly, then meticulously transcribed the great man’s ideas word for word from memory.

Dragon, Ywankov, Pacifista, and Jin Ni stood nearby, breathing as softly as they could.

The wind at the church door stilled; only the crackling of the fire and the rustle of pen on paper echoed softly before the entrance.

Finally, Seven wrote "Long Live the People" in large characters, closed the notebook, and handed it to Dragon.

"Mr. Dragon, if you have any thoughts later, I’ll write them down and send them to you."

The Den Den Mushi can transmit faxes.

Dragon received the notebook as if it were a priceless treasure.

"Thank you."

"By the way," Seven seemed to remember something.

"Mr. Dragon, do you have a way to contact Vegapunk? I have business to discuss with him."

The Dragon-Dragon Fruit, modeled after Vegapunk’s Fish-Fish Fruit, Mythical Type: Dragon form—Seven would never let it slip away.

First, cut off Trafalgar Law’s future.

Two years from now, eliminate Trafalgar Law.

And that cowardly deserter, Garp, who’s hiding in the New World—both are high-value targets on Hammer-Guy’s bounty list; they must be captured.

"Vegapunk?" Dragon nodded. "Sir, wait a moment—I’ll contact Vegapunk."

Dragon pulled out a Den Den Mushi and dialed on the spot.

"Ahem, are you free? I’ve got a bit of family business."

The Den Den Mushi rolled its eyes, unimpressed by Dragon’s caution: "Speak. No one’s here."

"Barzab wants your contact. Says he has business to discuss with you."

Den Den Mushi: "Give it to him."

Beep-beep-beep-beep-beep~

Dragon quickly smiled to mask his embarrassment: "Scientists—time is more precious than anything."

"Understood."

After a few more minutes of idle chat, it was time to part. Pacifista slung a massive pack on his back, filled with sixteen years of memories shared with Jin Ni.

"Mr. Dragon, goodbye."

"Goodbye, sir."

Ywankov, face caked in heavy makeup, wept uncontrollably, tears streaming down like a broken dam.

"Pacifista, Jin Ni—goodbye!"

"Little Ywankov, we’re off."

Having lived in hiding in the Solbe Kingdom for sixteen years, Pacifista had once reached its eastern seas, and had previously thrown Seven and Jin Ni onto its eastern shore. Now he turned and waved to Dragon and Ywankov.

"Goodbye."

Watching Pacifista depart, Ywankov wiped his face: "Dragon, where do we go now?"

Dragon’s gaze hardened; he pressed the small notebook to his chest. Though tiny, it felt heavier than a mountain—no title of a Celestial Dragon could ever replace it.

"Back to headquarters. Recall everyone. Study advanced revolutionary ideas."

Solbe Kingdom, south.

Waves rolled over the harbor’s sand; a Marine-style dog-headed warship rested at the dock.

Garp rested his elbow on the bow railing, scanning the busy harbor, then suddenly asked his aide.

"Found Barzab yet?"

Bogart swallowed hard, looking as if he wanted to speak but held back.

"What is it?" Garp turned his head.

Bogart spoke in a hushed tone: "We haven’t found Barzab yet, but I received word—Dragon arrived in the Solbe Kingdom not long ago."

"Dragon? What’s he doing here?"