At that very moment, Yahn had already slipped back aboard the warship and was speaking with Dragon through a transponder snail.
"Chief of Staff, how did it go?" Dragon asked.
"Everything went smoothly. Nearly eighty percent of Flevance's citizens have been successfully evacuated and temporarily resettled," Yahn replied, rolling his neck with a weary sigh.
To shelter such a massive population, the Revolutionary Army members had been working for nearly a full day and night without rest. Housing, food, fresh water, medicine, defenses—every logistical task was immense and exhausting. Only after this relentless effort had they finally managed to stabilize the situation.
And yet, for a fledgling force like the Revolutionary Army—still in its earliest, budding stage—this experience was invaluable. Through such trials, this batch of members—like seeds in fertile soil—were growing at a pace visible to the naked eye.
Dragon's tone, however, carried a hint of gravity.
"You've done well. But caring for and treating these people for the next few years will be no small burden for the Revolutionary Army."
"Burden?"
Yahn's voice carried a note of disbelief. He pressed back.
"How could this possibly be a burden, Dragon? Do you not understand what saving Flevance truly means for the Revolutionary Army?"
"Hm?" Dragon sounded puzzled.
In his view, saving Flevance was simply an act aligned with their ideals—something to be done without hesitation. But as for its deeper significance…
Yahn hadn't expected Dragon to be so slow on the uptake. He couldn't help but chuckle bitterly.
"Dragon, people are everything. They're the most important and precious resource for the Revolutionary Army's future. Without people, all dreams are nothing more than castles in the sky.
"If we succeed in finding a cure for Amber Lead Syndrome, we'll gain an entire nation's worth of talent—every profession, every trade.
"That alone will offset our current lack of manpower and sluggish growth. With them as the foundation, the Revolutionary Army can finally take root across the North Blue—and even expand beyond it into other seas.
"For six years we've been toiling in secret in the North Blue, and how many members have we gathered? Barely enough to count. But now, if things proceed well, our numbers will explode within just a few years.
"This seed, planted in the North Blue six years ago, will finally sprout."
By the end, Yahn's voice carried a quiet, earnest weight.
At last, Dragon understood.
The people of Flevance, after enduring the massacre ordered by the World Government, would never again stand on its side. They had seen its darkness firsthand, and that alone made them far more open to the ideals of the Revolutionary Army.
Now, with their homeland lost and the Revolutionaries sheltering them, joining the cause was not just likely—it was inevitable.
"Brilliant!" Dragon's voice rose with sudden excitement.
"All this time, I thought the only path forward was to topple corrupt monarchies, replacing them with rulers who'd stand against the World Government. But I didn't see this… You've bound an entire nation directly into the Revolutionary Army."
Yahn could only shake his head at that.
In this moment, he realized he might have overestimated Dragon's intellect in the past.
What a family, he thought. Just like his father Garp, just like his son Luffy—remarkably consistent in their traits. Strength, unshakable will, irresistible charisma… but when it came to strategy? Let's just say they all had their blind spots.
He sighed.
"Otherwise, why do you think I risked everything right under the World Government's nose to orchestrate this mission?"
Dragon gave an awkward laugh. "Hahaha… Of course. That's what I thought too. I was just… testing my Chief of Staff."
Yahn's lips twitched. Apparently shamelessness was another trait the Monkey family shared.
"Enough nonsense, Dragon. Right now, our focus may be on quietly developing in the North Blue, but sooner or later, we'll clash with the World Government. For that, we'll need strength. Strong individuals are the backbone of everything. I don't care how you do it—recruit, persuade, trick—bring in more strong allies.
"I nearly got killed by a CP0 operative this time, you know."
"What?" Dragon sucked in a breath. He hadn't realized Yahn had faced such danger.
"Yeah. If I hadn't been a little faster, my birthday would've turned into my death day."
He paused, then added, "Unlike you, I can't just tank blows. You've got a body built for fighting. But if you've got any extra fighters, send them here. Don't be stingy, old man—someone's got to protect me."
Dragon finally realized: Yahn was fishing for reinforcements under the guise of complaining.
He glanced around his current surroundings—the drafty, half-broken ship's cabin, the few stray animals at his side—and let out a long sigh.
The truth was, Dragon's own life was far from easy. To shield the Revolutionaries' growth in the North Blue, he had to constantly wander the Grand Line, keeping the World Government's attention on him. Every missing ally meant another layer of danger pressing directly onto his shoulders.
"…Fine. I'll try," Dragon said through gritted teeth.
"Oh, and one more thing," Yahn added casually. "While you're wandering around the Grand Line, look for skilled doctors and send them my way. We desperately need expertise to deal with Amber Lead Syndrome."
"I was already planning to visit a certain renowned physician," Dragon replied.
"Good. And another thing—funding. For the short term, the people of Flevance will need constant support: food, supplies, medicine. That means massive amounts of money. If you've got any spare Berries, transfer them over. You're the leader, after all—you can't just leave all the expenses to me."
At that, Dragon's expression collapsed entirely.
His only income these days came from robbing the occasional hapless pirate while dodging constant pursuit. Just recently, he had painstakingly saved enough to send back home as milk money for his toddler son, Monkey D. Luffy.
Now, hanging up the transponder snail, Dragon ground his teeth and muttered to himself:
"…Fine. The Revolution must come first. Luffy won't starve if he skips a few bottles of milk."