Garp stood on the reef, watching Dragon's eyes lock onto White Night, then suddenly broke into a grin.
"BWAHAHAHA!"
He scratched his head, strode up to Dragon, and slapped him on the shoulder.
"You little bastard, I know exactly what you're thinking."
Dragon frowned.
"Old man…"
"Even though your Revolutionary Army fights for the people,"
Garp's voice dropped, his gaze sharpening.
"you're still a wanted criminal. I won't let you near Boss Bai Ye."
Dragon's face darkened instantly.
"Old man, what are you saying?"
"I've said it clearly enough."
Garp let go, turned his back on Dragon.
"If you're hoping to get something out of Boss Bai Ye, give it up."
Dragon stood rooted, fists clenched.
"So you're siding with the World Government now?"
His voice was low, carrying an indescribable chill.
"Standing with those Celestial Dragons who oppress the people?"
Garp gave no answer.
He merely stood there, sea breeze tugging at his tattered coat.
The atmosphere froze.
Wind began to swirl around Dragon; his dark-green cloak snapped in the gale.
On Garp's fist, a layer of transparent shockwaves danced.
Father and son faced off, danger thick in the air.
Right then—
"Enough."
White Night's voice cut in.
He stood at the far end of the reef, eyeing the tense pair with a faint smile.
"Stop testing each other."
Garp blinked.
Dragon also stilled, turning toward White Night.
White Night walked between them and patted Garp's shoulder.
"I've no prejudice against the Revolutionary Army."
His tone was calm.
"Whoever can pay may enter my instances—no exceptions."
Garp scratched his head and laughed.
"BWAHAHAHA! Knew I couldn't fool you!"
Dragon stood watching White Night, eyes complicated.
"You…"
"I'm just a businessman."
White Night turned, studying Dragon's face—so much like Garp's.
"Your Revolutionary Army wants power? I can sell it."
"The World Government wants power? I can sell that too."
"What you do with it afterward is your affair."
Dragon was silent a few seconds.
"Aren't you afraid we'll overthrow the World Government?"
White Night smiled.
"Overthrow them if you like—what's that to me?"
He turned and walked toward the other end of the reef.
"I sell instances; I don't meddle in your squabbles."
Dragon stared at his retreating back, shock flickering in his eyes.
This man… really just a merchant?
"Then…"
Dragon drew a breath, pushing down his doubts.
"I want to enter an instance."
White Night paused.
"Got money?"
Dragon blinked.
"How much?"
beginner dungeon: one million Berries; intermediate: ten million; advanced: one hundred million."
White Night answered without looking back.
"Which one?"
Dragon regarded him silently, no emotion on that stoic face.
One million, ten million, one hundred million.
Three numbers—like three gates to entirely different destinies.
White Night's lips curled slightly as he studied the man branded the world's most heinous criminal, amusement glinting in his eyes.
"If you'd rather not waste time, I personally recommend the advanced instance."
His voice wasn't loud, yet it carried an unmistakable temptation to both Dragon and Garp.
"One hundred million Berries—fair and square."
"Clear it, and you just might gain… the power to overturn the world."
The words hung in the air.
Even the sea breeze seemed to halt.
Garp's grin stiffened; he glanced at White Night, then at his son, an odd look crossing his face.
Dragon's ever-calm eyes finally rippled at the phrase "overturn the world."
Visions flashed through his mind—people crushed under the World Government's heel, the hideous faces of Celestial Dragons, comrades dying with unwilling eyes.
Overturn the world.
That was the very goal he'd staked everything on!
If… if such a shortcut truly existed… His fist clenched beneath his cloak; his iron will wavered for an instant.
That was dangerous.
Just then—
"Oi! Kid White Night!"
A thunderous roar shattered the eerie silence.
Garp's fan-sized palm slammed onto White Night's shoulder so hard the reef groaned.
"I've only got this one lousy son!"
Garp glared, looking as if White Night had cheated him.
"How could you try to scam him like that?!"
"Advanced instance?"
Garp curled his lip in disdain.
"Advanced instance?"
Garp curled his lip in disdain.
"You think I haven't gone in? Even Aokiji came out of the intermediate instance bruised and swollen—sending this kid to the advanced one is just sending him to die!"
White Night staggered, rubbing his shoulder with a wry smile.
"I only made a suggestion; the choice is his."
He chuckled, eyeing the conflicted Dragon with teasing amusement.
"Besides, I'm an honest merchant—why would I swindle anyone?"
"The advanced instance is dangerous, but the rewards are richest—high risk, high return."
"BWAHAHAHA!"
Garp roared with laughter that shook the heavens.
"High risk, high return? More like high profit for you! Pocket a hundred million and to hell with his life!"
Tears of mirth in his eyes, Garp pointed at White Night and told Dragon,
"Don't fall for this guy's tricks!"
"He's right—the advanced instance is certain death for us right now!"
"I don't know what's inside, but it's definitely beyond us."
"Certain death…"
Dragon murmured, the fire in his gaze cooling into deep contemplation.
He looked at White Night again, his composure restored—sharper than before.
This man was far from harmless.
He wielded unimaginable power and a mind that could read and toy with hearts.
For a moment, he'd nearly succumbed to greed—
That was perilous.
"Thanks for the warning, old man."
Dragon's tone was unreadable; he nodded to Garp, then turned back to White Night.
"It seems the advanced instance is beyond me for now."
He spoke evenly, as though the earlier turmoil had never happened.
"Then I choose—"
Before he could finish—
An abrupt change!
Bzzzt—!