As the merchant ship drew closer, Big Pan and the others gathered by the railing of the Silver Dragon, watching it approach.
"Captain, want me to check it out?" Big Pan asked, flexing his massive arms eagerly.
Eli Winters shook his head. "No need," he replied calmly. He already recognized the figure aboard the ship it was none other than Monkey D. Dragon, the father of Luffy himself.
Just as the two ships were about to meet, a sudden gust of wind erupted from the merchant ship's deck. The wind swirled and condensed, forming a small tornado that danced across the waves like a living dragon, heading straight for the Silver Dragon.
In the blink of an eye, the whirlwind reached Eli's crew. As it slowly dissipated, a tall, imposing figure emerged from its center.
The man stood nearly two and a half meters tall, wrapped in a deep green overcoat that billowed with the sea breeze, blending with the salty wind as if nature itself bowed to him. His physique was powerful and intimidating, his presence alone enough to silence the waves.
A bold red tattoo square-shaped like a burning ember covered the left side of his face. The mark pulsed like a flame, radiating strength and danger. His black hair was slicked back neatly, exposing a wide, scarred forehead, while a rough stubble along his jaw gave him a rugged, untamed air.
Because of that distinctive tattoo, rumors had long circulated online some joking that it was the mark of a furious slap from the Marine hero Garp's sandal. Eli couldn't help but smirk inwardly at the thought.
"Forgive the sudden visit," Dragon said politely, his normally stoic face softening into a faint smile. "I hope I'm not intruding."
Eli nodded slightly, his tone unreadable. "Not at all. To what do we owe the pleasure of your visit?"
Dragon glanced past him at the crew before replying, "Allow me to introduce myself properly. I am Monkey D. Dragon, a revolutionary."
"You're the Dragon? The world's most wanted man?" Fiona's cold voice cut in sharply, her icy eyes narrowing.
Filina stood beside her, glaring at Dragon as if looking at a ghost from her past.
Dragon blinked, puzzled. He had never met these two before so why the open hostility?
"Did I… offend you somehow?" he asked, genuinely confused.
"Hmph," Fiona scoffed, turning away. She grabbed Filina's hand and walked off without another word.
Eli sighed quietly. He knew exactly why they reacted that way. "Their parents died because of a chain of events tied to you," he explained, recounting the tragedy of the Augusta Kingdom the political storm that had cost innocent lives when Dragon's visit exposed the royal family's secrets.
Hearing this, Dragon's stern expression softened into guilt. "I didn't mean for such a thing to happen," he said quietly. "I'm truly sorry."
"It's not entirely your fault," Eli replied, shaking his head. "But from their point of view, your presence brought disaster. Anyway, let's get to the real reason you're here."
Dragon straightened, his eyes regaining a determined glow. "Have you heard of the Revolutionary Army?"
Eli nodded. "I have."
"We aim to overthrow the corrupt rule of the World Government," Dragon declared. "To build a world of equality and freedom. We've freed countless nations already. People once crushed by the Celestial Dragons now live in peace, unshackled from tyranny." His voice brimmed with conviction.
Eli listened quietly, but his eyes remained calm unmoved.
Seeing no reaction, Dragon pressed on. "Someone like you strong, righteous, fearless could change everything. Join us, Eli. Together we can build a world without oppression, where no one suffers unjustly."
Eli folded his arms, his voice low and steady. "Your ideals are noble, Dragon. But they're also naïve."
Dragon's face darkened. "What do you mean by that?"
"Tell me," Eli said, meeting his gaze. "After you 'liberate' a nation, how do you govern it?"
"The Revolutionary Army doesn't interfere with the politics of liberated countries," Dragon replied defensively. "We let them choose their own rulers."
Eli's eyes sharpened. "So you remove one tyrant, only to let another rise in his place. Do you really think those new kings won't become the same kind of monsters you overthrew? You claim to free the people but you're only moving them from one cage to another."
Dragon opened his mouth but couldn't find the words.
Eli continued, his tone cutting through the air like a blade. "You talk of freedom and equality, but you leave your so-called liberated nations vulnerable without defense, without structure. The World Government doesn't forget, Dragon. They'll come for those lands, burn them, reclaim them. And all you'll have achieved is destruction wrapped in the illusion of hope."
Dragon stood frozen, his ideals crumbling under the weight of Eli's words. The fire in his eyes flickered, replaced by uncertainty.
"You're right," he admitted after a long silence. "Perhaps I was too idealistic. But even if I fall short, someone has to try. Revolution is never easy."
Eli sighed. "No one's asking you to stop. But if you want real change, you need more than passion you need a plan."
Big Pan scratched his head. "So, boss… what is the right way then?"
Eli thought for a moment, stroking his chin. "If you want true liberation, it must come from the people themselves. Build systems that educate them, empower them, protect them. Establish a government run by the people, for the people. Teach them to govern themselves. And above all be strong enough to defend that freedom from those who'd take it away."
Dragon's eyes widened, realization dawning. "Eli… you might be right. You've given me a new path to follow." He bowed deeply. "You may not be a Revolutionary, but to me you're a teacher of the Revolution itself."
With that, he summoned a gust of wind and vanished into the horizon.
Eli watched him go, the sea breeze ruffling his hair. "He's got the heart," he murmured, "but the world's a lot bigger than just ideals."
Big Pan grinned. "Captain, if you led the Revolution, the world would change overnight!"
Eli smirked proudly. "Of course. But I'm not stupid enough to take that job."
The crew laughed as they began preparing a feast. Big Pan was the loudest of them all, already arguing about who'd get the biggest portion of meat.
As laughter filled the deck, Eli leaned back against the mast, watching his carefree crew. Revolution? No thanks. he thought. I'd rather live free and eat well.
And with that, the Silver Dragon sailed off into the fading sunset its captain grinning like a man who had just outsmarted destiny itself.
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