Chapter 82: As for Dragon, Who Do You Think You Are?
In an instant, all the clues connected.
Tall stature, formidable strength, mysterious identity, vigilance and scrutiny toward Ralph's presence beside Lufia...
Ralph's heart stirred, thinking to himself: It's him! Just as I suspected!
Monkey D. Dragon.
Leader of the Revolutionary Army.
Son of the Hero of the Marines, Garp.
Lufia's biological father.
For a moment, Ralph didn't know what to say to navigate this "suitor meets father-in-law" conversation!
This situation wasn't part of his plans.
After all, Dragon was elusive in the original storyline—even when saving Luffy in Loguetown, he acted covertly, never revealing his identity to his son.
So much so that Luffy even forgot he had a biological father!
Why did it change when it came to a daughter, and he ended up exposed?
Ralph couldn't help but complain inwardly:
If you're going to hide, then hide all the way!
What's the point of showing yourself in front of me?
A test? A warning?
Or simply a father's distrust of the man by his daughter's side?
Ralph's mind raced, considering the conversational landmines he needed to avoid at all costs.
The most crucial point: he had to disregard all of Dragon's additional identities beyond being Lufia's father.
Dragon was the leader of the Revolutionary Army—a confidential identity.
If Ralph accidentally revealed that he knew this secret, he'd truly be mistaken for a government agent.
He might even be killed on the spot.
After clarifying this in his mind, Ralph took a deep breath.
"I've never heard Lufia mention having such a powerful father," Ralph's voice echoed in the alley, "Even if you really are her father, you never appeared during her childhood. What do you intend to do now, suddenly showing up?"
He paused, deliberately adding, "Are you planning to reunite as father and daughter and compensate for all these years of neglect?"
Ralph could sense Dragon's hand on his shoulder twitch slightly.
It seemed he was somewhat affected.
Then, that deep voice came from behind.
"Lufia," Dragon said her name softly, "truly my daughter."
"She fearlessly ventured into the sea, pursuing her dreams. And I... have my own dreams too..."
"To avoid affecting Lufia, I chose to disappear from her world."
"Now, she's chosen to set sail as a Pirate and embark on adventures. How she chooses her companions is not for me to interfere with."
Dragon's tone turned serious, "But I need to ensure no one with ulterior motives slips in among those around her."
"And among the current people," He paused, "the most suspicious one is you."
Hearing this, Ralph was somewhat stunned.
He wanted to reason with Dragon.
Something along the lines of: You ignored her for so many years, what right do you have to approve of her boyfriend now?
But Dragon was now openly stating:
What right? The right of strength!
What could Ralph say?
He could only honestly ask, "Then how do you suggest I prove that my intentions are genuine and not malicious?"
The next moment, Ralph felt the hand on his shoulder grip tightly and lift—
He was sent flying.
The scenery before him blurred instantly, the wind whistled past his ears, and his body moved rapidly through the air.
In the blink of an eye, his feet landed on solid ground again.
Steadying himself, Ralph found he was now standing on the roof of a building.
This place was high, one of the tallest buildings near the central square of Loguetown.
Standing here, one could see the entire panorama of Loguetown.
And directly below was the square where Roger had been executed years ago.
At this moment, a large crowd had gathered there.
People clustered around the square, looking up at the central platform.
The execution platform that had borne the beginning of the Great Pirate Era.
Ralph's pupils abruptly contracted.
With the enhancement of Observation Haki, he could see everything clearly.
There were several people standing on the execution platform.
Buggy the Clown was gesturing wildly as he addressed the crowd below, his expressions exaggerated and movements theatrical.
And at the center of the execution platform—
A familiar figure was chained to the execution platform.
"Criminal! Pirate Monkey D. Lufia, guilty of being so insolent that she provokes my anger," Buggy loudly proclaimed the charges he had fabricated on the execution platform, "Therefore, I sentence this wretched girl to a magnificent execution!"
"We shall carry it out publicly right now. Let all present witness this splendid execution!"
Witnessing such a scene, Ralph felt all the blood in his body rush to his head.
He was about to charge down immediately.
Seeing his woman in such a predicament, he couldn't bear it for even a moment.
Even if she ended up safe and sound, he couldn't accept this!
His right foot had just taken half a step forward when the hand on his shoulder pressed down again.
This time, the force was heavier than any before.
Ralph's knees bent slightly, nearly causing him to kneel on the rooftop.
Gritting his teeth, he forced himself to stand straight and turned his head—
Finally seeing the person behind him.
A tall figure, over two and a half meters tall.
A deep green cloak draped over his shoulders, with simple dark robes underneath.
Tattoos covered his face, extending from below his left eye down to his chin, shaped like square scales or some mysterious symbol.
Most striking were his eyes.
At this moment, those eyes held no anger, no anxiety—only a nearly cold calmness.
Monkey D. Dragon.
He kept his hand on Ralph's shoulder, but his gaze remained fixed on the execution platform below.
"Let me go!"
Ralph growled, his voice squeezed through clenched teeth. "Can't you see? Lufia, she—"
"I see."
Dragon interrupted him, his voice still calm. "I see very clearly."
"Then why won't you let me save her?"
Ralph simply couldn't understand. "Aren't you her father?!"
Dragon turned his head, his gaze settling on Ralph's face.
"This is her trial."
Dragon stated with utmost seriousness. "And yours as well."
Ralph froze.
Trial?
On the execution platform, body chained, facing possible death at any moment.
This was a trial?
"You're insane!"
Ralph cursed directly.
In desperate crises where all seems lost, turning the tide through intervention is called a miracle, a legend!
But deliberately creating danger where none exists?
When everything could be secured without risk, yet choosing to rescue only at the last moment.
And calling it a trial!
From Ralph's perspective, this was simply madness.
So-called swordsman's principles, warrior's codes, and all those various hot-blooded rules.
They make for interesting stories when read.
But when they actually appear in real life, it's hard not to criticize them.
You can circle your own territory and cherish your own beliefs—that's fine.
The most terrifying thing is when someone imposes their own rules on others arbitrarily, affecting them—that's even more unacceptable.
I love Lufia, so I'm willing to accommodate her!
As for Dragon, who do you think you are?
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