"I have something to discuss with you."
Only after Hancock left with a heart full of worries did Kuma finally speak.
Reddy raised his hand to stop him from continuing and snapped his fingers.
A portal opened in the air.
Reddy led Kuma into the alternate dimension. After the portal disappeared, he signaled for Kuma to continue.
"Dragon wants to meet you."
In this absolutely secure alternate dimension, Kuma spoke his purpose without hesitation.
"He wants to meet me?"
Reddy frowned.
Dragon wanted to see him, but he had no interest in meeting Dragon.
The Revolutionary Army's original intention was good, aiming to overthrow the World Government controlled by the Celestial Dragons.
But their ideals were too outdated, merely a superficial change without real reform.
Reddy also had no interest in forming deeper ties with the Revolutionary Army.
After all, his ideals differed significantly from theirs.
"The three decrees you issued in Loguetown have greatly interested Dragon."
As one of the founders of the Revolutionary Army, Kuma tried to speak well of Dragon, hoping to facilitate a meeting between the two.
At the same time, he greatly admired the three decrees Reddy had issued.
These three decrees proved that Reddy wanted to turn Loguetown into a town of absolute peace and stability.
It undoubtedly provided the Revolutionary Army with a new perspective.
Reddy smiled without responding.
After hesitating, Kuma tactfully suggested that they could first communicate with Dragon via Den Den Mushi for their initial exchange.
"Fine."
Reddy didn't mind having a preliminary conversation with Dragon through the Den Den Mushi.
The two then left the alternate dimension.
Kuma took out a white Den Den Mushi equipped with anti-eavesdropping features and quickly established the connection.
"This is Dragon."
Dragon's voice was deep and steady, naturally inspiring trust.
"This is Reddy."
Reddy briefly introduced himself.
"My purpose for contacting you, I believe Kuma has already explained."
Dragon skipped the small talk and got straight to the point. "I have no ulterior motives. I just want to confirm your intentions personally."
"My intentions?"
Reddy chuckled. "I only want to create a nation without war, where everyone who works hard won't go hungry, and every child can attend school."
"That is also my ideal."
A hint of joy crept into Dragon's tone. "I think we might be the same kind of people?"
Reddy laughed loudly. "No, we are not the same kind of people."
Dragon fell silent on the other end.
Kuma seemed about to say something in Dragon's defense but was stopped by Reddy raising his hand.
Reddy said calmly, "You only want to overthrow the Celestial Dragons' rule, with no plans for the people's future. I, however, want to create a paradise for all civilians who yearn for peace."
"I admit that not all nobles in this world are evil."
"But the handful of nobles who are kind to civilians have no real influence."
"Even if this generation is kind to civilians for some reason, what about the next?"
"Who can guarantee that future nobles will continue to treat civilians well?"
"Leaving fate to an unknown future?"
"Don't joke around!"
"I will control my own destiny, not passively accept its arrangements!"
Dragon remained silent on the other end.
Kuma also fell silent, carefully considering Reddy's words.
Only now did he realize that the Revolutionary Army's ideals seemed noble but were actually like a castle built on sand.
Once the tide rose, the castle would collapse instantly.
After thinking for a long time, Dragon still hadn't spoken, but Kuma was the first to ask, "Then what should be done?"
Reddy shook his head. "I don't know."
Kuma's eyes showed surprise. He hadn't expected Reddy to give such a frustrating answer.
"Race, economy, and human nature, among other things."
Reddy sighed. "Some things aren't achievable just because you want them to be. Discrimination between races, economic competition, and the ugliness of human nature."
"These are just three of the challenges."
"For example, humans discriminate against fish-men. This conflict will persist until a new generation, raised under a completely new education system, replaces the older generation. Only then might this issue be resolved."
"Of course, it's more likely that the older generation will pass their hatred on to the new."
"My solution is to kill everyone who harbors racial discrimination. Can you accept that?"
Kuma instinctively shook his head.
Reddy spread his hands and smiled.
That was why he had no interest in ruling the world. He only wanted to build a nation that aligned with his ideals.
He would gather civilians from all over the world who shared his vision to ensure his principles could endure.
People like Terry, for example.
Or Remo and the other orphans who had suffered at the hands of pirates.
Dragon suddenly spoke again. "Then how do we solve the second problem?"
Reddy smiled self-deprecatingly. "Even within the same nation, humans can never form a completely harmonious whole. Perhaps they can hold onto their ideals at the beginning."
"But people are born unequal."
"Some are born as Celestial Dragons, some as nobles, and most as commoners."
"Even within the same class, people are unequal."
"Some possess extraordinary talent, some are average, and some are born with disabilities."
"Different talents lead to disparities in wealth."
"Some excel in business, amassing great fortunes. Some are skilled in farming or herding, earning enough to provide for their families. Others have no particular skills and can only work for others."
"Economic disparities create social classes."
"The emergence of classes will destroy initial unity, eventually leading to division."
Kuma listened attentively, deep in thought.
Hearing Reddy's words, he felt a sense of despair. Was creating a peaceful world really so difficult?
"I can't solve this unsolvable problem. All I can do is maintain a basic foundation, ensuring everyone has the chance to live a happy life through their own efforts."
Reddy finally gave an explanation for his ideals.
A utopia didn't exist.
All he could do was provide a safety net for those who longed for peace, shielding them from external threats so they could change their lives through hard work.
"Then how do we solve the third problem?"
After listening to Reddy's pessimistic explanation, Dragon's tone remained calm, seemingly unaffected.
Reddy smiled. "Human nature is complex. Every person has their own unique nature, perhaps good, perhaps evil, or maybe good one moment and evil the next."
"Different perspectives change the nature of good and evil."
"The wealthy won't generously give away their fortunes to help the poor. Nobles won't treat commoners, especially the lowest among them, as equals."
"Not even a god could unify human nature."
On this issue, Reddy didn't share his solution.
This was a philosophical question with no answer.
Dragon fell silent again.
"Alright, I should go find a way to end this war now."
Reddy didn't care what Dragon thought after hearing this. He turned to Kuma and smiled. "You know how to contact me. If you want to see Bonney, you're welcome anytime. Goodbye."
With that, a portal opened in the air behind Reddy.
Kuma watched as Reddy stepped back into the portal, which then vanished. Holding the Den Den Mushi, he pondered for a moment before shaking his head.
"Dragon, perhaps we were both wrong."