Kane looked at Monkey D. Dragon again.
So… Dragon came to recruit him just because of his strength?
Then why didn't he come earlier?
Now that his power was exposed, suddenly he wanted him to "shine one last time"?
Heh.
Dream on.
Was the Revolutionary Army really absolute justice?
In its early days, there were plenty of incidents where they killed without cleaning up the aftermath.
Only in recent years had things improved after they grew stronger.
Everything had two sides.
Most importantly—
If he joined the Revolutionary Army…
He wouldn't be able to make money easily anymore.
That alone made it unsuitable for him.
"You're not afraid I might betray the Revolutionary Army?" Kane asked casually.
"You wouldn't."
"Oh? You know me that well?"
Dragon didn't answer.
But the confidence in his eyes said everything.
Kane laughed.
"Dragon, let me ask you something."
"Please."
"Does the Revolutionary Army pay a salary?"
Dragon froze.
He clearly hadn't expected that question.
But he still answered:
"…Yes."
Kane's interest was piqued.
"How much per month?"
Dragon frowned slightly.
That didn't seem like the important point.
Someone of Kane's level—
Why would he care about money?
"Mr. Kane, I believe you must already be disappointed in the World Government."
"The Celestial Dragons have enslaved this world for far too long."
"The will to pursue freedom and equality must awaken—"
"Stop."
Kane raised a hand.
"You still haven't answered my question."
Dragon's brows furrowed.
The conversation was heading somewhere… strange.
"The Revolutionary Army requires vast funding in every region," Dragon explained.
"Most members contribute their own wealth."
"Because a world of freedom and equality—"
"Is priceless."
"So… no salary, then?" Kane cut him off bluntly.
Dragon fell silent.
Strictly speaking—
There really wasn't any.
Even meals had to be recorded.
Discipline was necessary.
Otherwise, how could they function?
Of course—
Using your own money wasn't an issue.
"In that case—"
Kane waved his hand.
"Then what the hell are you even talking about?!"
Dragon's expression stiffened.
Even with the intelligence of the entire Monkey family combined—
He couldn't follow Kane's logic.
For a moment—
He even wondered if he had misjudged him.
"…Mr. Kane, why would someone as strong as you be so fixated on this?" Dragon finally asked.
"Because if I'm not, then what's the point of living?"
Kane snorted.
"Let me ask you instead—what is this 'freedom and equality' you talk about?"
Dragon answered without hesitation:
"A world without Celestial Dragon oppression."
"No tyranny."
"No Heavenly Tribute."
"People living happily."
"Fine."
Kane nodded.
"Let's say you overthrow them."
"No oppressors."
"People live happily."
"Do they need money?"
Dragon paused.
"If they don't have money—"
"They can't even eat."
"What kind of 'happiness' is that?"
"And that 'Heavenly Tribute' you hate so much—"
"Isn't that money too?"
"So tell me—"
"What's wrong with me caring about money?"
Dragon fell silent.
For a moment—
He couldn't refute it.
But he was still Monkey D. Dragon.
The man most likely to overthrow the World Government.
"…What you're saying is only one side of the issue."
"That's exactly why we must unite."
"To create a world where everyone can earn money and have food."
He had recovered quickly.
But Kane had already lost interest.
"Dragon."
"Our paths are different."
"I won't join the Revolutionary Army."
Dragon nodded slightly.
He had already seen it coming.
"…What a pity."
"At least you understand."
"And besides—"
"The Marines may be corrupt…"
"But they still fight for justice."
"I'm not leaving."
That statement was only half true.
After all—
He had spent his whole life in the Marines.
Of course there was attachment.
But fighting for justice?
Not quite.
Making money was more convincing.
Dragon didn't argue further.
This recruitment—
Was a failure.
But then—
Kane suddenly added:
"…Of course."
"If you give me a few hundred billion Beli—"
"I might consider it."
Dragon: "???"
"Mr. Kane, you joke well."
"I'm not joking."
"Do you have it?"
Dragon frowned.
If he really had that kind of money—
He'd invest it into the revolution.
Not give it to Kane.
"See?"
Kane shrugged.
"It's not that I'm unwilling."
"You just can't afford me."
A trace of regret appeared on his face.
If Dragon really paid—
Joining wouldn't be impossible.
Dragon was speechless.
He suddenly wanted to ask—
Are you even worth that much?!
But at least now—
He understood Kane's personality.
Just then—
A commotion erupted from the distant plaza.
"Dragon."
Kane glanced over.
"Looks like your son is about to be executed."
"A man who pursues freedom…"
"How could he fall in a place like this?"
Dragon replied calmly.
At the execution platform—
Buggy raised his blade.
The boy in the straw hat—
Still smiled.
"I'm… going to die."
That smile—
Shook Smoker deeply.
Below the platform—
Zoro and the others were fighting Buggy's crew.
The situation was dire.
Suddenly—
Thunder roared.
BOOM!!
Lightning struck—
Shattering the execution stand.
The straw hat boy was instantly saved.
Kane narrowed his eyes in surprise.
His attention had been on Dragon the entire time—
Yet he hadn't sensed any ability fluctuations.
"…Your power is impressive," Kane said.
As expected of a man opposing the World Government.
Compared to years ago—
He was completely different.
"You flatter me," Dragon replied calmly.
"Alright, that's enough."
Kane waved his hand.
"For your sake—"
"I won't arrest that brat this time."
"But the other pirates—"
"I'm still taking them."
"After all—"
"I'm a Marine."
Of course—
The real reason was simple.
With Dragon here—
He wouldn't succeed anyway.
And besides—
These rookies weren't ripe yet.
Harvesting them now would be too early.
Soon—
The Marines had already captured several pirates.
Kane vanished from the spot.
That's money.
Before long—
Everything settled.
After Leaving Loguetown
On the warship—
In front of the prison cells.
Kane looked at the man inside—
And smiled.
Buggy.
"Who the hell are you?!"
"Hurry up and let me go!"
"I'm the man who'll conquer the Grand Line!"
"Buggy…"
Kane chuckled.
"Thirty years apart…"
"And your temper's gotten worse."
"Who's calling me that?!"
Buggy squinted—
Trying to see clearly.
"Come closer—lemme get a good look—"
"…Huh?"
"You look familiar…"
"Wait—wait—"
"You're… Ka—Ka—Kane?!"
His voice trembled with disbelief.
If not for the seastone cuffs—
He might've split apart on the spot.
"Looks like you remember."
Kane smiled faintly.
"Now then—"
"Where's your treasure?"
"You get one chance."
"You know how I am."
Buggy stared at him—
Eyes filled with fear.
"Why… why are you in the East Blue?!"
As an apprentice on Gol D. Roger's ship—
How could he not recognize Kane?
The man known as—
The Death Marine.
"It's over…"
Buggy trembled.
"It's over…"
"Why did I have to run into this monster?!"
"Pirates who fall into his hands…"
"…never end well!"
-----------------------◇ Bonus Chapter Rewards◇--------------------------
◇ Every 10 Reviews = 1 Bonus Chapter
◇ Every 100 Power Stones = 1 Bonus Chapter
◇ You can read 60 chapters ahead on Patreon if you're interested:
patreon.com/PlotAtlas
Your support helps the story grow and motivates faster updates.