"Chief!"
As the whirlwind gathered over the sea and formed into the tall figure of Dragon, the faces of Sabo and the others lit up with relief and joy. They all stepped forward at once.
The fierce wind howled above the waves. Dragon was about to help Rorschach up — but before he could, he saw that Rorschach had already reverted to his human form.
Rorschach wiped a trace of blood from the corner of his mouth and, as if nothing had happened, descended slowly from the sky to land before Sabo and the others.
"You… you're not hurt?"
Sabo's eyes twitched violently as he stared at the calm-faced Rorschach.
That combined strike of theirs just now — even an admiral of the Marines would have struggled to withstand it.
And yet Rorschach stood there, full of energy and not the slightest sign of injury.
Rorschach grinned and pointed to the blood on his lip. "Didn't you see? I coughed up blood. I'm injured internally — very serious."
"Yeah, right. Who would believe that?"
Sabo rolled his eyes.
"All right, Morley, tidy this place up and build us a proper room. I'd like to have a proper talk with Vice Admiral Rorschach," said Dragon, clapping his hands lightly.
He pulled down the hood covering his head, revealing a weathered face that now bore a rare, faint smile as he looked at Rorschach.
Rorschach glanced around at the wrecked battlefield and the bodies strewn about. Shaking his head, he said, "That's unnecessary. The reason I wanted to meet you, Mr. Dragon, was simply to thank you in person — and to discuss with you… a few thoughts about this world."
Dragon's eyes flickered with interest, his deep voice rumbling, "Then all the more reason to treat this meeting with formality. With your current rank and potential within the Marines, you deserve nothing less than our utmost respect."
He looked at Sabo and the others, then turned to Rorschach with a faintly apologetic tone. "Please allow me to apologize for Sabo and the others' rash behavior. I hope you won't take it to heart."
"Mr. Dragon, there's no need. We were merely exchanging pointers earlier."
As he spoke, Morley bent down, scooping up the ground beneath her feet. With a flick, the earth rolled like a bedsheet being shaken out.
In moments, the surface smoothed over as rocks and debris were flung aside, and the uneven terrain became flat.
Then, using her massive hands like a child molding a sandcastle, Morley folded the hardened ground upward and shaped it into a simple, sturdy house.
Inside, the floor rose up to form a round table and several stone chairs.
When she finished, Morley bowed slightly, lifting the wall of the makeshift structure and gesturing politely.
"Chief, Vice Admiral Rorschach — please, take your seats."
Dragon nodded and entered first, choosing a chair and sitting down.
"Inviting me into your pot, are you?" Rorschach muttered under his breath before walking in as well.
The others remained outside.
A short while later, Betty arrived with a few Revolutionary Army soldiers, bringing food, drinks, and an oil lamp. When they left, Morley closed the walls seamlessly, leaving only Dragon and Rorschach facing each other across the table.
Dragon lit the lamp, and its soft yellow glow illuminated the stone room, casting their shadows large and flickering against the walls.
Lifting a clay jug, Dragon poured wine into Rorschach's bowl himself.
Rorschach gave a wry smile. "Mr. Dragon, you really don't have to be so courteous."
"The accommodations are humble," Dragon replied. "Make do for now, Rorschach. If the chance arises, I'll find a more suitable place to host you properly next time."
Raising his own bowl, Dragon smiled. "You know, I wanted to meet you a year ago. Back then, I was in the South Blue when I heard about your actions during the coup in the Kingdom of Prince — and the speech you gave afterward. From that moment, I knew you and I were alike. Compared to the Marines, who blindly obey the World Government, the Revolutionary Army suits you far better."
As Dragon looked at the young man before him — far too young, yet already so formidable — he couldn't help but feel a deep, quiet admiration.
So young. So exceptional.
The Marines were truly fortunate.
As the leader of the Revolutionary Army, Dragon had long observed the Marines from the shadows. Since the dawn of the Great Pirate Era ushered in by Gol D. Roger, the Marines had been surviving on the strength of the old generation — men like Akainu, Kizaru, and Aokiji — with almost no new blood to carry the torch.
As an old rival, he had once found comfort in that fact.
But the sudden rise of this young man before him — like a comet streaking across the night sky — had shattered that comfort.
And in a way, it was the Revolutionaries themselves who had contributed to Rorschach's rise.
After all, the power of his Devil Fruit — the Qilin Fruit — had originally come from them.
Dragon himself had discovered it by chance in the East Blue two years ago.
At first, he had planned to give it to Sabo.
But at that time, Kuma's home country, the Sorbet Kingdom, was suffering from a locust plague and famine, leaving hundreds of thousands of refugees in desperate need of food aid.
It was then that Ilya appeared — offering to provide the necessary supplies in exchange for that Qilin Fruit.
Trusting Ilya and moved by concern for the Sorbet Kingdom, Dragon agreed.
And afterward, Rorschach's homeland was destroyed — collateral damage in one of Ilya's plans.
A series of coincidences, now in hindsight, looked like tightly woven threads of cause and effect.
"I've long wanted to meet the man who dared to be the first to declare war against the gods who've ruled from the heavens for eight hundred years," Rorschach said, drinking down his bowl in one gulp before leaning back casually in his chair, studying Dragon.
He had a broad nose and sharp eyes, thick eyebrows, a face carved with hard lines and marked by crossed tattoos — a man whose gaze carried the weight of ages and wisdom.
To be honest, Rorschach couldn't see even a trace of resemblance between Dragon and Garp.
If Garp was the kind of man who laughed all day and mingled with everyone from Fleet Admiral Sengoku to rookie sailors without any sense of hierarchy, then Dragon was his opposite — calm, commanding, and stern, a man not given to laughter.
Even Sabo and the other high-ranking Revolutionaries were visibly tense in Dragon's presence.
At Rorschach's words, Dragon raised an eyebrow and chuckled. "Sounds like you don't have much respect for your superiors. That's not something one expects from a Marine officer."
Before Rorschach could reply, his expression turned serious. "Rorschach, I've read all your records. I know you're someone who hates evil, acts decisively, and upholds your own sense of justice — one closer to absolute justice, though distinct from Akainu's extreme ideology. Tell me — what is your true view of the world's rulers, the World Government that commands even the Marines?"
Rorschach thought for a moment, then looked up. "Do you want the rational answer, or the emotional one?"
Dragon blinked. "Rational and emotional? What's the difference?"
"Not much," Rorschach said lightly. "It's just that the emotional one tends to resonate more. After all, there are far too many people in this world who've suffered under the unfairness of the World Government. Emotionally speaking, most can only see its evil side — which, to be fair, is truly rotten to the core, beyond redemption."
Such words were a first for Dragon to hear from a Marine. His curiosity deepened.
"Then tell me both — the rational and the emotional."
Rorschach nodded.
"Emotionally," he began, "the World Government is the source of all evil — the cause of countless broken families, fallen nations, and extinct races. It's the root of all suffering across the seas."
"How many tragedies in this world stem from their crushing Heavenly Tribute? From the arrogance of the Celestial Dragons who treat lives like dirt? From their disregard for life itself — their oppression and exploitation of every country under their control?"
"I think anyone with a shred of conscience would hate to see such rulers — who care nothing for human life — sitting forever atop the pyramid of power. If one day those people were to fall from their lofty clouds, there would be countless cheers and applause across the world."
"Yes! Well said!" Dragon's eyes gleamed.
What Rorschach said echoed perfectly with what he himself had felt years ago when he left the Marines.
It was because he had seen that truth — that rot — that he had chosen to abandon the Navy and found the Revolutionary Army, to fight for the rights of the oppressed and the downtrodden.
He hadn't expected that Rorschach, too, saw things this way.
He had been right about him.
This young man was indeed someone who belonged with the Revolutionaries.
"But rationally," Rorschach continued, "the World Government isn't entirely without merit. To me, it's essentially… a legalized pirate crew that monopolizes the use of force."
"The World Government… is a pirate crew?" Dragon was stunned.
He had never heard anyone describe it that way.
Over the years, he'd heard others call it a shadow covering the world, a devouring monster, or an ancient royal syndicate — but never a pirate crew.
"Yes," Rorschach said, smiling faintly. "Think about it. Doesn't it sound familiar?"
He broke several pieces of bread and spread them across the table.
"Take the Four Emperors of the New World, for instance. The way they manage their territories is by planting their flags in various kingdoms, islands, and towns. In return for 'protection' and deterrence, they collect tribute. And those who refuse to fly their flag? They receive no protection — only plunder."
"Rather than personally conquering and ruling distant islands — which takes time, manpower, and money — it's far easier to collect protection fees from afar, ensuring a steady stream of wealth."
"If one of their subordinate islands is attacked by an outsider, all they need to do is raise the flag to scare the enemy off. And if that fails, they retaliate with overwhelming force — a warning to all others across the sea."
"After one or two such brutal demonstrations, who in their territories would dare defy them again?"
Rorschach pointed at the scattered bread pieces, then picked up the largest one. Clenching his fist, he smashed it into crumbs.
"And when one of their territories grows too bold, thinking themselves strong enough to rebel — that's what happens."
"Devastation."
"After a few such lessons, the rest fall in line."
Rorschach looked up at Dragon, who sat silently, visibly shaken.
"To me, the World Government is no different — just a pirate crew on a far grander scale. One so vast, it's swallowed nearly the entire world."
End of Chapter)
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