"Uh... why does it sound like you're asking me to elope with you..." Hailan replied casually to Dragon, not taking his words seriously.
However, Dragon's expression became even more solemn: "Hailan, I'm serious. Since you already figured out my plans, I won't hide them from you. As you said, such things can't be concealed.
"Why don't you just leave the Navy and join me in achieving something monumental!"
Though Dragon had become a father, his demeanor still exuded a youthful vigor.
Hailan didn't answer Dragon's invitation directly but instead changed the topic: "Have you become a Devil Fruit user? You can control the weather and even create typhoons and giant waves. Is it a Logia-type Devil Fruit?
"And what's with the tattoo on your face?"
In the years they hadn't seen each other, Dragon had acquired several red square tattoos on his left face, making him look particularly fierce and intimidating.
Dragon didn't answer Hailan's question: "Don't ask about that now."
Hailan continued with another topic: "The sea forever rejects those who eat Devil Fruits. Falling into the water makes them lose all their strength, and touching sea stone saps their energy, turning them into ordinary people.
"Aren't you worried that eating a Devil Fruit will add a new weakness? Devil Fruit users are easily targeted."
"Strong become stronger, weak become weaker.
"Everyone knows the world's most muscular man, Whitebeard, is a Devil Fruit user. But no one has ever managed to push him into the sea or ambush him with sea stone weapons.
"Whether a Devil Fruit becomes a weakness or gives one world-shattering power depends not just on the fruit itself but on the individual's ability to develop it."
Saying this, Dragon gave a sly smile: "As for my ability... leave the Navy and join 'us,' and I'll tell you."
Hailan was unmoved: "Then keep it to yourself. I'm not that curious."
Dragon insisted: "Instructor Zephyr has made countless contributions to the World Government, but what did they do? They compromised with pirates, forming the so-called Shichibukai!
"Is this Navy and government really worth your loyalty?"
Seeing Hailan remain silent, Dragon continued: "You must understand, the decline of the Navy is inevitable! And what I want to fight against has never been the Navy or the government, but the Celestial Dragons above them!
"Only by overthrowing the Celestial Dragons can true 'justice' behind the uniform be achieved!"
Hailan thought he truly deserved to be someone intent on revolution—his rhetoric is indeed more persuasive than most.
"I, too, wish to overthrow the Celestial Dragons," Hailan smiled and shook his head. "But... idle talk harms the country...
"Why abandon the Navy's vast resources to start your revolution? You claim only to oppose the Celestial Dragons, but will the Navy Headquarters believe you? Will the Five Elders believe you?
"Once you go down this path, you'll be the Navy's enemy.
"Even if you have no deep ties with the Headquarters, have you thought about Grandpa Garp?"
Dragon showed no worry: "He can take care of himself."
Hailan sighed: "The Monkey family sure is carefree."
After a brief silence, Dragon spoke first: "Since you don't want to leave the Navy, I won't force you. After all, you grew up in the Navy Headquarters, so your feelings for the Navy are understandable.
"But I don't want to be your enemy either."
Hailan was taken aback and joked: "What? Are you giving up on the revolution to join the Navy?"
"That's impossible."
Dragon replied firmly: "I'm saying, although you won't join 'us,' it doesn't mean we have to be enemies.
"How about we work together instead?
"When the time is right, we can coordinate from inside and outside and overthrow the Celestial Dragons together!"
Hailan looked surprised: "Your suggestion is quite feasible."
"You agree?"
Hailan calmly analyzed: "Morally, the idea sounds good, but if I truly chose to cooperate with you, I'd become an undercover agent for 'your side' within the Navy.
"Would I still be a Navy man then?"
"Is that important?"
"Isn't it?
"A soldier who quickly abandons his position isn't qualified!
"A soldier must have integrity!"
"…"
Dragon fell silent.
He didn't understand why Hailan would say such things, nor did he know how to refute them.
"Brother Dragon, this is the last time I'll call you that."
Hailan turned to face Dragon, who had a puzzled expression: "Next time we meet, we might be on different sides. Perhaps the Kingdom of Victoria will be our first battlefield."
Dragon asked instinctively: "What do you plan to do to the poor citizens of the Kingdom of Victoria?"
Hailan countered: "What do you plan to do to those poor citizens?"
"Me?"
"Do you really think those poor people can overthrow the Kingdom of Victoria just by their numbers? Or even if they succeed in the revolution—who will be the king?
"Do you expect a group of impoverished people from the slums to govern the country?
"You may give them the thrill of revenge, but you forsake their future development.
"Where there's a revolution, there will be bloodshed and sacrifice. Have you considered how many casualties the riots in Victoria will cause?
"Of course, if you say you will seize control of the country, lead it, and bring prosperity to its people, then I will immediately withdraw my troops.
"Winning a kingdom is easy; keeping it is hard.
"For a revolution, you must be responsible to the people. Otherwise, it's just revenge, just chaos!"
"…"
Dragon gazed out at the distant sea. The sea breeze, after the rain, made his spiky hair sway.
"Maybe I haven't thought this through... what are you going to do?"
Hailan offered a few suggestions: "You could become the king, or you could settle this matter. Otherwise, I'll have to send troops to the Kingdom of Victoria to maintain order, but there will definitely be sacrifices."
Dragon didn't reply immediately, as he hadn't made a decision yet.
But a new goal began to form in his mind: to establish a revolutionary army, he would need to gather more like-minded comrades.