"Grimm?! How can this be you?!" Dragon nearly jumped out of his skin as he saw the disguise fade away to reveal Grimm's true face.
"This is the first time we've actually met face‑to‑face, isn't it, Monkey D. Dragon? Now tell me — what exactly are you playing at this time?" Grimm asked, unable to hold back his curiosity.
Dragon stared at him for a long moment before speaking. "I'm truly stunned. I never imagined you had the ability to transform like that… though I can't help wondering… can you turn yourself into a beautiful woman too?"
Dragon's tone was teasing and mischievous. Grimm felt a chill run down his spine. "Be serious."
Dragon rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Everything I prepared earlier was meant to deal with the Marines and the World Government. I certainly never expected to run into you — the fake Celestial Dragon!"
Just like Sengoku and Kuzan, at first he had never believed a Celestial Dragon would actually show up. And the one who did — arrogant and fearless — turned out to be an ally all along!
Seeing Dragon's expression, as if he had seen a ghost, Grimm continued, "Hmm… truth be told, I've been living right here in Mary Geoise under that Celestial Dragon's identity for three months now. And the plan to capture fish‑men? That was my idea too — the very same plan I taught that whiny little fool you've got locked up."
"Oh? And did you do that to completely shatter Fish‑Man Island's faith and hope in the World Government?" Dragon asked, his eyes narrowing in thought.
"Exactly. Yes, I achieved that much. But I was a step too slow; Fish‑Man Island ended up falling under Whitebeard's protection. Honestly though… I never thought that idiot Garbatia would try to use the exact same trick a second time. I swear… I've never met anyone so utterly stupid in my life!" Grimm said, shaking his head in disbelief.
"And another thing: what is the real reason you kidnapped a Celestial Dragon? The Government and Marines suspect you only wanted to build your reputation and expand your influence… but I know there's more to it than that. Right now, the Revolutionary Army — if you'll forgive me for saying so — is like a rat hiding in the shadows. To operate effectively, staying anonymous is the smartest move. You wouldn't risk exposing yourselves like this without good reason."
Grimm spoke directly and to the point. "There is another purpose here — something they haven't figured out. Tell me. After all… in the end, we both want the same thing, don't we?"
Dragon's gaze hardened. Then he began to explain everything that had happened.
Truth be told, this whole situation began entirely by chance. Not long ago, after overthrowing a tyrannical kingdom, the Revolutionary Army had been pursued by the Marines. They had planned to move directly from the New World back into the Paradise stretch of the Grand Line.
While passing near Fish‑Man Island, Dragon — who was leading the army — witnessed exactly what was taking place there.
A group led by that same Celestial Dragon, Saint Garbatia, had come intending to capture fish‑men and mermaids as slaves — using exactly the same method as three months prior. While lying in wait, they were discovered by fish‑man pirates.
Enraged, the fish‑men sank Garbatia's ship and took him prisoner back to Fish‑Man Island.
At first, the pirates wanted to kill him immediately to vent their anger. But Jinbe — then captain of the royal guard — and the traveler Fisher Tiger intervened and stopped them.
After much debate, and at the strong insistence of Queen Otohime, they decided to swallow their hatred and send the Celestial Dragon back alive.
It was at that moment that Dragon and the Revolutionary Army stepped in.
He forced his way into the royal palace and stood before King Neptune, Queen Otohime, as well as Tiger and Jinbe, who were also present.
"You are…" Jinbe stared at Dragon, who had appeared seemingly out of nowhere amid a sudden gust of wind. He recalled news reports from a month before, and his expression turned grave.
"You are Dragon, leader of the Revolutionary Army… are you not?"
Fisher Tiger's expression also grew heavy. The leader of an organization that dared openly oppose the World Government… it was impossible to tell if he was friend or foe. Regardless, their first duty was to protect the King and Queen.
"Please, do not be alarmed. I have come here entirely for the sake of Fish‑Man Island," Dragon said politely, bowing respectfully to the cowardly King Neptune and Queen Otohime. Then he lowered his head and fell silent.
Two minutes passed, and he remained motionless.
Tiger finally lost patience and walked over. He leaned down to look at Dragon's face and saw bubbles forming at his nostrils, accompanied by faint snoring sounds. Shocked, Tiger shouted, "He's fallen asleep!!"
POP!
At Tiger's outburst, the bubble burst. Dragon woke with a start. "Ah — my apologies! I didn't mean to drift off!"
Ahem!
He cleared his throat loudly and glanced up to see Neptune and Otohime staring at him, too stunned to speak.
"Forgive me… it's a chronic habit of mine. Let us get straight to business. Here is my proposal: do not send that Celestial Dragon back just yet. I have a plan that will not only help you, but also ensure the people of Fish‑Man Island remain safe and untouched by trouble…"
He spread his hands and continued. "Recently, our army overthrew the corrupt rule of the Kingdom of Los Angeles. As it is a member nation of the World Government, the Marines are now hunting us down. For the time being, we need a safe place to lie low until things calm down."
"You want to use Fish‑Man Island as a secret base for the Revolutionary Army?" Tiger's eyes narrowed sharply.
"Absolutely not! Do you not realize what a terrible disaster that would bring upon us?!"
Dragon remained completely unshaken by Tiger's reaction. He only gave him a calm, reassuring look, then turned his attention back to the King.
"King Neptune… have you not sworn brotherhood with Whitebeard? Logically, the Marines should have come to destroy you long ago. Yet they have not dared to strike — precisely because Fish‑Man Island's location is so unique and well‑defended… is that not so?"
He paused briefly.
"And even if trouble does come… do you honestly believe Whitebeard would actually come all this way to save you? Don't be naïve. You are not his son or his family."
Dragon clearly believed that if disaster struck, Whitebeard would simply do nothing to help.
"That flag of Whitebeard's flying over your island? It serves only to intimidate cowardly nobodies. We, the Revolutionary Army, are different. If you agree, we can set up an outpost here. We will handle all problems caused by pirates, so your people will no longer have to endure threats or violence. Fish‑Man Island desires peace — and we exist to bring peace and freedom from oppression to all people."
It had to be admitted — even though Dragon had his own agenda, his words hit right at the heart of the problem.
Most fish‑men were peaceful and non‑combative; whenever pirates caused trouble, they could only endure it silently.
Having humans handle such matters for them really did sound like an excellent solution.
Jinbe and Tiger were clearly not skilled in matters of politics or strategy. They could only look toward Neptune, waiting for the King to make his decision.
Suddenly, Dragon spoke again. "Your Majesty… please stop using your Observation Haki."
Queen Otohime flinched and immediately withdrew her power.
She had been born with the ability to peer deep into people's hearts, and instinctively she had tried to see Dragon's true intentions… but she had seen nothing. He was far too good at hiding his thoughts.
Meanwhile, after thinking in silence for some time upon his throne, King Neptune opened his eyes.
"Tell me your plan in full, Leader of the Revolutionary Army… Dragon."
Dragon thought for a moment, then began.
Right now, aside from Fleet Admiral Kong stationed at Marineford, the only major threats are Admiral Sengoku and Vice Admiral Aokiji.
The true strength of the World Government remains shrouded in mystery; even we have not been able to uncover much about them.
Recently, there was great chaos caused by His Holiness the Supreme Pontiff — Grimm — and the Golden Lion, Shiki.
On the surface, it looked as though they inflicted heavy losses… but in truth, the foundation of the Government and Marines remains completely unshaken.
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