Revolutionary Army Headquarters, Baltigo
After escaping Egghead Island, Vegapunk had come straight to Baltigo. Given the situation, he'd judged that if the Three Emperors Alliance was crushed by the World Government, then the only power in the world capable of sheltering him would be the Revolutionary Army.
They were a band of paupers, sure—but to do research, you had to stay alive first.
In a cramped room within the Revolutionary Army's base, Vegapunk complained, clearly displeased.
"Although I knew life in your Revolutionary Army would be tight, I didn't expect it to be this tight."
Sabo, who was in charge of hosting him, let out an awkward laugh.
"Hahaha, Doctor, we really can't help it! The Revolutionary Army's been short on money ever since it was founded."
"After all, we help poor countries and people. Even if we overthrow a king, the funds we seize go into rebuilding those nations. Very little actually ends up in our own hands. On top of that, we have to set up bases and intelligence networks everywhere, so yeah… money's always been a bit of a problem."
As he said this, Sabo's eyes lit up with enthusiasm.
"But with you joining us, we're sure things will start looking up."
"Who said I was joining you?!" Vegapunk snapped back immediately. "And what good would it do me to join you?! Can you even provide the research funding I need?"
His words left both Sabo and Koala looking embarrassed. The Revolutionary Army had always been poor, and as a group dedicated to overthrowing the World Government while protecting the people, they couldn't just steal from ordinary citizens. Even when they confiscated the fortunes of corrupt officials and criminals, most of that money was poured back into rebuilding those regions.
At that moment, Dragon walked in, a stack of newspapers under his arm.
"Vegapunk," he said, "these are the latest papers. The war between the Three Emperors Alliance and the Marines seems to have ended in mutual defeat."
Vegapunk immediately took the newspaper from him. His eyes raced across the page as he analyzed the reports one by one.
"It seems the World Government took quite a blow this time as well. There's still no news on the God's Knights or the Gorosei... but it's good that Marco and the others are still alive."
Dragon pulled out another wanted poster and said casually, "Oh, by the way, you're a wanted criminal now too."
On the paper, the headline read:
"The most evil scientist in history, Dr. Vegapunk. Bounty: 3 billion berries. Dead or alive."
"Three billion…" Vegapunk's hair practically stood on end as he stared at the number. "This bounty is too terrifying! I'm just a powerless scientist—why is it so high?!"
Dragon only snorted. "Your power comes from your technology. Just this S-Bear alone is unfathomable, and you built seven of these technological monsters, not to mention everything else you've invented."
Standing nearby, Sentomaru stepped forward and said firmly, "Don't worry, Doctor. No matter who comes, I'll protect you."
"And me too, Doctor," Stussy added, giving Vegapunk a playful wink.
Their words eased some of the tension in Vegapunk's shoulders. Dragon went on, "A first-time bounty of 3 billion berries means the World Government is taking you very seriously."
Vegapunk kept reading through the newspaper and muttered, "Anyway, thank you for your concern. Next, I'm going to have Marco send someone to pick me up."
Dragon immediately cut in. "Wait, Vegapunk. Are you seriously planning to become a pirate?"
Vegapunk rolled his eyes at him. "What else am I supposed to do?! I'm already wanted by the World Government. Right now, the only force that can shelter me is the Three Emperors' Alliance."
"Our Revolutionary Army can also provide you with a safe haven," Dragon said solemnly. "We operate from the shadows. The World Government will never find you."
But Vegapunk shook his head. "I don't doubt that. But your Revolutionary Army can't fund my research. Besides, I've already agreed to join the Phoenix Pirates. Even if the Three Emperors Alliance are pirates, they each have established industries. They're at least much richer than your Revolutionary Army."
He adjusted his glasses, eyes gleaming with curiosity. "And there's still far too much I haven't researched. Based on my findings, many of this world's deepest secrets are hidden in the New World. As Emperors of the New World, they're bound to know a lot. At the very least, I've learned from Marco that each member of the Three Emperors Alliance currently possesses one red poneglyph. I'm very interested in what's written on them."
Hearing that, Dragon understood Vegapunk would never join the Revolutionary Army. Regret flashed across his face as he said gravely, "In that case… let me meet them."
Vegapunk blinked in surprise. "You intend to cooperate with them?"
Dragon gave a slight nod, his voice cold. "If what you say is true, then during the Egghead Island war, the Three Emperors Alliance withstood the siege of thirty thousand Marines, two Admirals, the God's Knights, the Gorosei, and even Imu. That means their strength is extraordinary."
He paused, eyes drifting to the wanted posters of Kaido and Marco. "And…" Dragon's expression hardened. "Kaido and Marco of the Three Emperors Alliance are considered by the World Government to be an even greater threat than Whitebeard and Roger. In other words, they're the strongest pirates in the world right now."
"If their goal is also to overthrow the World Government, then, at least until that happens, cooperation is possible."
'After that… once the world government fell, the Three Emperors Alliance would inevitably turn on each other. In that chaos, the Revolutionary Army would rise up, seize control, and save the world.'
That was Dragon's plan. He'd thought of using the Three Emperors Alliance from the moment he first heard of them, but without knowing their intentions, he had remained cautious.
Now, through Vegapunk, he finally understood that their ultimate goal was also the overthrow of the World Government.
However, these pirates were still reckless fools. They had no plan for what came after. All they wanted was to bring down the World Government by brute force.
It was naive—but the sheer power they wielded made Dragon admit that, however small, there was a real chance they could actually do it.
Vegapunk adjusted his glasses and nodded. "I can act as an intermediary and introduce you. But I have to warn you: Marco is relatively easier to talk to, while Kaido and Big Mom are extremely difficult to deal with. You'll need to be prepared."
"I know." Dragon inclined his head.
At that moment, Sabo, who had been listening nearby, spoke up. "Leader, can I go and make contact with the Phoenix Pirates first?"
Dragon looked at him, slightly taken aback. Sabo continued, "The Second Division Commander of the Phoenix Pirates is my sworn brother. Back then, on Mount Colubo, Luffy, Ace, and I swore an oath of brotherhood."
"It's just that, later on, I decided to go out to sea. But on the way, I was bombed by the Celestial Dragons and ended up losing my memory. During the war at Marineford, I saw the newspapers about Ace and Luffy, and that's when everything from before finally came back to me."
Dragon listened in silence, then gave a slow, firm nod. His expression turned serious as he said, "That's fine, then. Since you're an old acquaintance of Fire Fist Ace, you can go and sound them out for us first."
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