The White Soil Land, Baltigo. It was a place that did not exist on any map, a ghost island wreathed in perpetual gales and blinding white dust. It was the headquarters of the Revolutionary Army, the only force in the world that dared to look the World Government in the eye and spit.
The sentries stationed on the jagged cliffs were used to the wind. They were used to the silence. But they were not used to the sky tearing open.
High above the white crags, the air seemed to shimmer like a mirage. Inside the cockpit of the S.H.I.E.L.D. Helicarrier, Sabo sat in the commander's chair, feeling a giddy mixture of excitement and anxiety. Koala stood beside him, clutching the back of his chair.
"We're directly over the landing zone," Sabo noted, checking the holographic displays. "Red Queen, disengage retro-reflection panels. Deactivate Stealth Mode."
"Acknowledged, Chief of Staff," the cool, synthetic voice of the Red Queen echoed through the bridge. "Deactivating optical camouflage. Lowering landing struts."
To the sentries below, it looked as if a mountain had suddenly materialized from the ether. One moment, there was only grey sky; the next, a behemoth of steel and glass, sleek and predatory, hung suspended in the air. Four massive turbines hummed with a sound that vibrated deep in the chest, holding the thousands of tons of metal aloft with impossible grace.
"ENEMY ATTACK!"
The alarms shattered the peace of Baltigo. Red flares shot into the sky. Agents scrambled from their hidden bunkers, weapons drawn, looking up in absolute terror at the flying fortress that cast a shadow over their entire base.
"Hold fire!" a voice commanded.
Dragon stood on the highest balcony of the command center. His dark cloak whipped violently in the downdraft created by the turbines. His face was stoic, etched with the tattoo of his resolve, but his eyes were narrowed.
He had felt them before he saw the ship. His Observation Haki had swept the area the moment the air pressure changed. He sensed two presences on that ship—two "voices" that burned bright and familiar.
Sabo. Koala.
But he was confused. Where had they found a ship that flew?
"Stand down," Dragon ordered the panic-stricken troops. "It is not the World Government."
Slowly, majestically, the Helicarrier descended. The water in the bay churned as the massive vessel settled onto the sea surface, the turbines powering down to a low whine before rotating into a docked position.
A ramp extended from the side of the ship with a hydraulic hiss. Sabo and Koala walked down, looking fresh and unharmed, contrasting sharply with the battle-ready revolutionaries waiting for them.
Dragon walked forward to meet them, his boots crunching on the white soil. The wind died down as he approached, his sheer presence calming the storm.
"Dragon-san!" Sabo saluted, a wide grin on his face.
Dragon nodded, his gaze drifting past his second-in-command to the metallic leviathan floating behind him. "Sabo. Koala. I am glad you have returned safely. However..." He pointed at the Helicarrier. "Care to explain where you acquired a flying fortress?"
Sabo blinked, looking genuinely confused. "Huh? But... Ben said he told you about it."
Dragon's eyebrow twitched. "Ben?"
"Yeah, Ben," Sabo explained, gesturing enthusiastically to the ship. "He said he contacted you and told you he was gifting this to the Revolutionary Army as a mobile base. That's the only reason we accepted it. I thought you approved it!"
Dragon stared at Sabo. Sabo stared at Dragon.
The silence stretched, filled only by the confused murmurs of the surrounding soldiers.
"He told me no such thing," Dragon said flatly.
Sabo's jaw dropped. "Wait... what? But he was so convincing! He said, 'I've already cleared it with your boss, just take the keys.' He even gave us the manual!"
Koala, who had been standing slightly behind Sabo, suddenly let out a heavy sigh. She slapped her forehead. "I knew it. He played us."
"Played us?" Sabo looked at her.
"He knew we wouldn't accept something this valuable without orders," Koala said, a mix of annoyance and admiration in her voice. "So he lied to us to make us take it. He forced the gift into our hands."
Sabo paused, processing this. "That... cheeky bastard." A smile slowly crept onto his face. "Well, he got us."
Koala stepped forward, her excitement bubbling over. "Dragon-san, trickery aside, you have to see this. It's not just a ship. It's... it represents a century of technological advancement."
Dragon looked at the ship, then back at his subordinates. "Lead the way."
As Dragon and a select group of officers stepped onto the bridge of the Helicarrier, the lights flickered on automatically.
"Welcome aboard," the disembodied voice of Red Queen spoke. "Biometric scan complete. Identity confirmed: Monkey D. Dragon. Designation: Supreme Commander. Transferring primary command codes to you."
The officers jumped, reaching for their weapons.
"It's okay!" Koala waved her hands. "That's Red Queen. She's the ship's Artificial Intelligence. She runs the systems."
"An artificial... intelligence?" Dragon murmured, watching the holographic avatar of the Red Queen materialize on the central table. "Like a Soul Pocus od Big Mom?"
"No souls, sir," Koala explained, beaming like a child in a candy store. "Pure mathematics and logic. Look at this."
For the next hour, Dragon was led through a world of wonders. Koala showed him the Quinjets sitting in the hangar bays—VTOL aircraft capable of speeds that made Marine ships look like driftwood. She showed him the Submarines, sleek and undetectable.
She explained the force fields that could withstand Buster Call-level bombardment. She pointed out the laser artillery that could snipe a target from miles away with pinpoint accuracy.
"And this," Sabo said, pressing a button on the console, "is the stealth drive. It bends light around the hull. To the naked eye, we vanish. To radar, we are a cloud."
Dragon ran a hand over the cold steel of the console. He was a man who rarely showed emotion, but his eyes were wide. This ship alone changed the balance of power. With this, they could move armies unseen. They could strike Mariejois and vanish before the Admirals could respond.
"It is... magnificent," Dragon admitted.
"We aren't done," Sabo grinned. "Everyone, please exit the ship. We need to show you the storage mode."
Once the group was back on the white soil of the shore, Sabo pulled out a small remote. "Red Queen, initiate compression sequence."
"Affirmative."
The air warped around the massive ship. With a sound like a zipper being pulled quickly, the colossal Helicarrier—a vessel capable of housing hundreds—shrank. It collapsed in on itself, folding and reducing until it was no larger than a toy model.
The Revolutionary Army officers stared. One of them fainted.
Dragon looked at the toy-sized ship in Sabo's hand, then at Sabo. "He gave you... a pocket fortress?"
"Convenient for parking, isn't it?" Sabo laughed.
---
Back in the command room—a traditional bunker carved into the rock—Dragon sat at the head of the stone table. The atmosphere was heavy, not with tension, but with shock.
Koala placed a spatially expanded bag on the table. It looked like a small pouch, but she reached in and her arm disappeared up to the shoulder.
"There is more," Koala said seriously. "Ben didn't just give us a ship. He gave us the means to win."
She began pulling items out, laying them on the table one by one.
"Kimoyo Beads," she explained, holding up the black bracelets. "Secure, instantaneous communication. No Transponder Snails needed. Impossible to intercept."
"Devil Fruits," she said, placing three swirling fruits on the table. The room gasped.
"Super Soldier Serum," she placed a silver case down. "It enhances human physiology to its peak. Strength, healing, stamina. He said it makes a normal soldier into a superhuman."
"Portkeys for me and Sabo," she showed them two chains. "Teleportation devices."
"And finally... these." Koala held up a small box of rings. "Appearance Alteration Rings."
Dragon picked up a ring. It was simple, silver. "How does it work?"
"Put it on and see the magic," Koala instructed.
Dragon slid the ring onto his finger. He closed his eyes. A shimmer of light passed over him. When the light faded, Monkey D. Dragon was gone. In his place sat a nondescript, balding merchant with a kind face.
"Incredible," the intelligence officer breathed. "With these, our spies could infiltrate the Gorosei's own bathroom."
Dragon removed the ring, reverting to his tattooed self. He looked at the pile of treasures. This wasn't just aid; this was an arsenal.
"Sabo," Dragon said, his voice grave. "Connect me to him. Now."
Sabo tapped his Kimoyo bead. A holographic interface sprang up, projecting a 3D image of Ben floating in the center of the dark room.
"Yo, Sabo!" Ben's voice was clear as day. He looked relaxed, the ocean breeze visible in his hair. "Is everything alright? Did the ship break already?"
Sabo smiled, leaning back in his chair. "Everything is fine, Ben. I showed Dragon the Helicarrier. And, funny thing... he told me that the ship was exactly as you described in your 'conversation' with him."
Ben's image froze for a second, then he burst out laughing. "Bwahahaha! Caught me, did you? Let me guess, he was shocked speechless by the size, and if I hadn't lied, you two uptight freedom fighters would have refused it out of politeness?"
"Damn right we would have," Sabo chuckled. "You're a manipulative guy, Ben."
"I prefer 'results-oriented'," Ben grinned.
"Ben," Dragon's deep voice cut in. He leaned into the frame.
Ben's expression sobered slightly, offering a respectful nod. "Dragon-san."
"Ben," Dragon said, looking at the hologram. "You have armed us with swords we did not know existed. I do not know how to repay this debt."
"No debt," Ben waved his hand. "Just make sure the dawn comes a little faster."
Dragon nodded slowly. "If in the future you require the aid of the Revolutionary Army, you have my word. We will answer."
"I'll keep that in mind," Ben said. "Thanks, Dragon."
"Where are you now?" Dragon asked.
"Just approaching Jaya," Ben replied, glancing off-screen. "Actually, I can see the island now. We've got some renovations to do. I have to go. Good luck with the revolution!"
The hologram fizzled out. The room was silent again.
Dragon sat back, processing the interaction. A man of immense power, casual demeanor, and mysterious origins. A dangerous variable, but fortunately, a friendly one.
"So," Sabo broke the silence, a bright, nostalgic look in his eyes. "Since we have some downtime... did I ever tell you about the time Luffy fought a tiger?"
Dragon blinked. "Luffy?"
"My brother! Your son!" Sabo beamed. "You know, seeing Ben reminded me of the adventures we used to have. Oh man, Luffy was such a crybaby back then, but he had spirit!"
Dragon felt a rare pang of fatherly curiosity. He had left Luffy young. "I... suppose I have not heard much of his childhood."
"Oh, you're going to love this!" Sabo pulled out a chair and sat closer. "So, there was this one time we were building a treehouse, right? And Ace—that's my other brother—he stole some sake from Dadan..."
Ten minutes later.
Dragon was nodding politely. "I see. He sounds resilient."
Thirty minutes later.
"...and then the crocodile bit him, but Luffy just bit the crocodile back! Can you believe it?" Sabo was animated, waving his hands.
Koala quietly stood up. She signaled the other officers. Abort. Escape. She tiptoed out of the room, leaving her leader to his fate.
Two hours later.
Dragon's eyes were glazed over. He had conquered nations. He had outsmarted Admirals. He had endured torture and starvation. But he was currently losing the battle against Sabo's endless stream of "Luffy-trivia."
"...and that's when he got his head stuck in a jar for three hours!" Sabo laughed, slapping the table. "Dragon-san? Are you listening?"
"Yes," Dragon rasped, his voice sounding incredibly tired. "The jar. Fascinating."
Dragon stared at the door Koala had escaped through, mentally calculating the quickest escape route, regretting everything.
---
Marineford. The fortress of Justice.
In the office of the Fleet Admiral, the air was thick with the smell of green tea and stress. Sengoku sat at his desk, a mountain of paperwork threatening to avalanche onto him. His seagull hat was slightly askew.
He stared at the report in his hand.
"Crocodile... missing," Sengoku muttered, his temple throbbing. "Not defeated. Not captured. Just vanished."
He looked up at the Marine officer standing nervously before him. "You're telling me that a Warlord of the Sea, the hero of Alabasta, simply packed his bags and left? He took his entire officer corps? He emptied the treasury?"
"Y-Yes, Fleet Admiral!" the officer stammered. "Our agents in Alabasta report that the Rainbase casino was completely cleared out. There was no sign of battle. Just... an empty room."
Sengoku rubbed his eyes. "If he disappeared, it means he was planning something. Or someone made him disappear. Get out. Leave me."
"Yes sir!" The officer saluted and fled.
Sengoku sighed, leaning back. He turned his head to the sofa where the legendary Hero of the Marines, Monkey D. Garp, was happily crunching away.
CRUNCH. CRUNCH. CRUNCH.
"Bwahahaha!" Garp laughed, spraying crumbs everywhere. "That Crocodile! Always knew he was a slippery one! Probably went to start a circus!"
"This isn't funny, Garp!" Sengoku snapped. "The balance of the Three Great Powers is fragile. If a Warlord goes rogue or disappears, it creates a vacuum. We look incompetent!"
"We are incompetent," Garp said cheerfully, reaching into his bag of rice crackers. "Want one?"
"What now?" Sengoku asked, ignoring the offer. "He's technically still a Warlord until we revoke the title, but we can't find him. And he has World Government immunity."
"Who cares?" Garp mumbled, mouth full. "If he's gone, he's gone. Less paperwork for you."
Sengoku's patience snapped. A vein popped on his forehead. He reached over and snatched the bag of rice crackers out of Garp's hand.
"HEY!" Garp shouted, standing up. "Give those back! That's the limited edition seaweed flavor!"
"Confiscated!" Sengoku yelled, clutching the bag like a war trophy. "As penalty for your insubordination and your annoying chewing!"
He slammed the bag onto his desk. "And speaking of annoyance! What are you going to do about your family, Garp?!"
Garp sat back down, picking his nose. "My family? They're fine."
"I'm talking about your grandson! Straw Hat Luffy!" Sengoku waved another report. "I got a report from Smoker. He spotted Straw Hat at Nanohana. And not just him! Fire Fist Ace was there too!"
Garp froze mid-nose-pick. "Ace too? bwahahaha! Those brats are having a reunion!"
"This is serious!" Sengoku roared. "The Second Division Commander of the Whitebeard Pirates and a rookie with a thirty-million berry bounty were in Alabasta right before Crocodile vanished! Smoker tried to pursue them, but they slipped away. Were they involved? Did they fight Crocodile?"
"Who knows?" Garp shrugged.
"Smoker said he couldn't find them afterwards. They vanished into the desert and then... nothing. Reports say they left the island." Sengoku glared at Garp. "Your bloodline is a curse on the Marines, Garp. A Revolutionary son and two Pirate grandsons. What are you going to do about them?"
Garp's expression shifted. The goofy smile remained, but his eyes darkened slightly behind the facade. He crossed his massive arms.
"What can I do, Sengoku?" Garp said, his voice dropping to a rumble. "They chose their path. They hoisted their flags. They are men of the sea now. They will live by their choices, and they will die by them."
He looked out the window toward the Grand Line.
"But..." Garp cracked his knuckles, the sound like gunshots in the office. "If I run into them... I'll show them that freedom comes with a price. There is a hell waiting for them. A hell called 'Grandpa's Love'."
---
Thousands of miles away.
The Going Merry cut through the waves, the silhouette of Jaya growing larger on the horizon. The crew was in high spirits, the promise of a Sky Island filling them with wonder.
Luffy was sitting on his special seat—the sheep's head figurehead. He was laughing at something Usopp was doing on the deck.
Suddenly, Luffy froze.
His eyes went wide. His pupils constricted to pinpricks. The hair on his arms stood straight up. A cold, terrifying shiver shot down his spine, rattling his very bones. It wasn't the fear of a monster or an enemy. It was a primal, instinctual fear that transcended logic.
"Gah!" Luffy shrieked, clutching his shoulders and looking around frantically.
"Luffy?" Nami looked up from her charts. "What's wrong? Did you sense a Sea King?"
"No..." Luffy shuddered, rubbing his arms.
"Then what happened?"
"I don't know," Luffy whispered, his face pale. "I felt a chill run down my spine just now."
Meanwhile, on a small striker boat powered by fire, Ace was cruising through the waves in a different part of the ocean. He suddenly sneezed violently, his flames flaring up and nearly scorching his hat. He rubbed the back of his neck, looking behind him with a paranoid expression.
"Someone's talking about me," Ace muttered.
Back on the Merry, the moment passed. Luffy shook his head, slapping his cheeks.
"Whatever!" Luffy shouted, pointing at the island ahead. "LAND HO! JAYA IS HERE! MEAT! ADVENTURE! SKY ISLAND PREP!"
Ben stepped out onto the deck, his tools already strapped to his belt. He looked at the lawless island of Mock Town approaching.
"Alright everyone," Ben called out. "Park the ship. I've got work to do. And Luffy... try not to punch anyone for at least five minutes."
Luffy grinned, a promise he definitely couldn't keep written all over his face. "Shishishi! No promises!"