Three days later, East Blue, Shimotsuki Village.
"I really didn't expect something like the Cross Guild to appear in this world. A reverse bounty system? That's insanely bold."
Shimotsuki Kōshirō sat in the tearoom of the dojo, lifting a teacup as he spoke to Monkey D. Dragon, who was seated opposite him.
"This isn't so surprising. After all, Rayleigh was Gol D. Roger's Vice Captain. "
Dragon also raised his teacup and brought it to his lips.
"So, when the opportunity for revenge presented itself, of course he grabbed it without hesitation."
"But the Revolutionary Army's ambitions go even beyond those of the Cross Guild."
Behind the white lenses of Kōshirō's glasses, his narrow eyes opened slightly, flashing with sharp light.
"As for the issue of purchasing food supplies, I can help you. But I hope you'll keep it a secret—don't let anyone know the grain was bought from Shimotsuki Village and the surrounding areas."
"Of course." Dragon nodded in agreement. "We're doing the most dangerous work in the world. Naturally, we'll be careful not to involve civilians. However..."
"However? There is no 'however'." Kōshirō seemed to see it coming and shook his head.
"I will not join the Revolutionary Army. My daughter was just born, and my father is starting to grow old..."
Being refused once again didn't faze Dragon. He wasn't surprised by the result.
Because ever since he had witnessed the swordsmanship of "those who don't wish to cut, can't even cut paper," he had known.
Back when he was still in the Navy, he had once discussed swordsmanship with Michael.
In Michael's view, that was the pinnacle of swordsmanship.
And in the closed-off Wano Country, there were similar descriptions of such swordsmanship—completely aligned with Michael's theory.
So it left a lasting impression. When he finally saw it with his own eyes, he was just as shocked as when he discovered Michael's innate talent.
"Alright then. Since you're not interested, Kōshirō-san, I won't bring it up again."
Dragon nodded and made a promise.
Then, the two of them continued sipping their tea in silence.
...
After a while, the ever-energetic and slightly unpredictable Ginny peeked her head in from the door of the tearoom.
"Dragon, that guy is here."
"I've told you many times, Ginny." Dragon gave a helpless look. "You're supposed to call him the Chief of Staff."
"I'm just thinking about his secret identity!"
Ginny gave a mischievous "hehe" laugh, while behind her, Kuma could only smile wryly.
Even after joining the Revolutionary Army, Ginny's childlike temper hadn't changed at all.
"Alright, Kuma, don't make that face."
Suddenly, someone patted Kuma's shoulder. He turned his head to see Michael, wearing his oversized white hood.
"We're freedom fighters battling for the world, remember?"
With that, Michael landed on the ground.
However, he didn't enter the tearoom. Instead, he waved at Ginny.
"Hey, you bottomless pit, I need you for something."
"Who're you calling bottomless pit!?"
"…Would you just look at the meat you're holding? You couldn't even stop eating to deliver a message!"
Michael twitched at the corner of his mouth, then handed Ginny a wooden box he had been carrying.
"Open it up."
"What the heck is this? A Devil Fruit?"
Ginny opened the box and stared at the Flame-Flame Fruit lying quietly inside, a bit confused.
It wasn't like she hadn't seen a Devil Fruit before. Back during the God Valley Incident, they had managed to escape that hell, which was named after "God," by stealing Devil Fruits that were being awarded to Celestial Dragons as part of a hunting tournament.
They were just unlucky to run into Charlotte Linlin, who at the time was still a member of the Rocks Pirates. She snatched away the Uo Uo no Mi, Mythical Zoan Type, Azure Dragon Form.
Otherwise, the Revolutionary Army would've had an Azure Dragon-form Ivankov right now!
But after witnessing Kuma eat a Devil Fruit and hearing his description afterward—about how horrendously disgusting it tasted...
As a massive foodie, she had developed a respectful distance from the things.
"Michael, where did you get this Devil Fruit?" Dragon's expression turned serious.
"If it came as a reward from the Navy, then its ability has already been recorded and confirmed."
The implication: this could expose Michael's connection to the Revolutionary Army.
But Michael shook his head and smiled.
"It's fine. I got this as a thank-you gift after saving a Celestial Dragon who insisted on giving it to me. Who knows what kind of stuff those Celestial Dragons have stashed away?"
"A… Celestial Dragon?"
Everyone present furrowed their brows sharply and instinctively looked toward Michael.
Of course, they wouldn't doubt him just because of a single comment. They had seen firsthand the hatred Michael harbored for the Celestial Dragons and the World Government.
"What exactly happened?" Dragon asked in a low voice. "Recently, the only major Celestial Dragon-related incident was... the public execution that declared the founding of the Cross Guild!"
"That's the one."
Michael smiled and didn't hide anything from his Revolutionary comrades.
"I had to pay a pretty hefty price to set that up—just to get Rayleigh, Gaban, and Gloriosa out of retirement."
"...So you're the one behind the Cross Guild?"
"You're sharp, Dragon-san." Michael nodded.
"Yes, it was me. I organized the Cross Guild. I ambushed the Celestial Dragons. I issued a global warning. And I even saved a four-year-old Celestial Dragon in the end."
Michael said it all as lightly as if it were nothing, despite the fact that these events had shaken the entire world.
Even Monkey D. Dragon was briefly stunned.
But with his intelligence, it didn't take him long to see the deeper implications.
The Cross Guild, on the surface, looked like a group of brazen bounty hunters.
But in truth, its existence would become the Revolutionary Army's greatest smokescreen.
Before the Revolutionary Army could launch its next major operation, it was only liberating nearby nations in the Four Seas—something that wouldn't provoke the World Government or Celestial Dragons too severely.
To the World Government, the threat was far less than that posed by the Cross Guild!
"So you created an even bigger, more dangerous organization just to let the Revolutionary Army remain in the shadows?"
"For the revolution... shouldn't we be willing to do whatever it takes?"
Michael smiled, then placed the wooden box back in Ginny's hands.
"Like I just said—Ginny, this is the Flame-Flame Fruit, a Logia-type fruit."
"You already know how powerful Logia abilities are."
"Sure, Devil Fruits taste terrible. But for the revolution, we're even willing to give up our lives—so enduring a disgusting taste in exchange for power is nothing."
"Besides... don't you want to keep fighting side by side with Kuma?"
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