Dragon reached for his cup of coffee, took a measured sip, and said evenly,
"I wonder if Rolan-sama would be interested in joining our Revolutionary Army?"
As expected.
Rolan took a sip of his own coffee, the faint bitterness spreading across his tongue.
Memories from his past life surfaced — long nights at the office, the hum of fluorescent lights, and the sting of endless overtime. He had nearly forgotten the question Dragon had asked.
While Dragon waited patiently, assuming Rolan was carefully considering his offer, Rolan's thoughts were elsewhere — back with those insufferable bosses who never paid for overtime, who held endless meetings that achieved nothing, and who pretended to care by installing a coffee machine to keep everyone awake. It was laughable.
After a long moment, Rolan blinked, returning to the present.
"Oh, right. What did you say, Dragon-san?"
Dragon's expression flickered in mild disbelief. So the silence hadn't been deep contemplation after all.
Still, he didn't lose his composure. With quiet patience, he repeated,
"I wish for Rolan-sama to join the Revolutionary Army."
Rolan stroked his chin lazily.
"Forget it. I'm not interested in joining your Revolution."
At that, Sabo and Koala exchanged glances. Their leader had spoken earnestly, only to be met with an indifferent refusal from a man who hadn't even listened properly.
Rolan noticed their restrained frustration and almost smirked. Their reactions were amusingly predictable.
Dragon, however, wasn't surprised. He had expected this. A man of Rolan's caliber would never bend the knee to anyone.
"Then perhaps," Dragon said calmly, "we can discuss cooperation."
Rolan didn't reply immediately. He leaned back in his chair and asked,
"Dragon-san, how many years do you think it'll take for your Revolutionary Army to overthrow the World Government at your current pace?"
The question caught Dragon off guard. His silence stretched.
Even he couldn't honestly answer that.
"Even if I can't see it in my lifetime," he said finally, "Sabo will continue after me. And if Sabo fails, the next generation will carry on."
Rolan shook his head slowly.
"Don't you think your efficiency is far too low? You're underestimating the World Government."
Dragon frowned. The young man before him was barely eighteen, yet he spoke with the calm authority of someone who had lived through countless wars. There was no arrogance in his tone — only conviction.
Though Rolan's words sounded dismissive, Dragon knew they held truth.
Still, as a leader, Dragon refused to be disheartened.
He smiled faintly. "Then please, Rolan-sama. Share your thoughts."
Rolan took another slow sip of coffee before speaking.
"Everything your organization does is being watched by the World Government. They've seen every rebellion, every uprising, every move you've made. The only reason they haven't acted is because they don't consider you a threat yet. Do you really think you could incite revolts so freely otherwise?"
Dragon's brows knit together. He'd long suspected as much — but hearing it so plainly unsettled him.
Rolan's insight ran deep, far deeper than most pirates or revolutionaries he'd ever encountered.
Sabo, unable to hold his tongue, spoke up.
"Rolan, right? You look about my age, but your tone is arrogant. I'm curious — how much strength do you actually have?"
Rolan glanced at him with a faint look of amusement. At least Sabo had spirit.
"Oh? And who might this be?"
Dragon gave a polite smile. "Please don't mind him, Rolan-sama. This is Sabo, Chief of Staff of the Revolutionary Army."
Rolan rested his chin on his hand, eyes half-lidded.
"Oh, the Chief of Staff. Admirable — loyalty like that is rare."
Then his tone shifted, just slightly.
"You think I insulted you. So what do you plan to do about it?"
Before Sabo could answer, a hand landed lightly on his shoulder. He froze.
Rolan was suddenly right beside him, his arm resting casually against him.
Sabo's pupils contracted. That speed… he hadn't even seen him move!
He tried to stand — but his body wouldn't obey. It was as though he'd been turned to stone.
An invisible weight pressed down on him, heavier than iron.
The faint pressure emanating from Rolan was suffocating — more potent than even Dragon's.
Dragon himself was shocked. He hadn't seen Rolan move either.
Teleportation? No… it was something else. Something far more dangerous.
In that instant, Dragon realized this man was not merely powerful — he was a monster.
Rolan's voice remained even.
"I'm not trying to humiliate you. I'm only stating the truth. Don't take it personally."
With a faint pat on Sabo's shoulder, Rolan vanished and reappeared where he had been sitting before.
Sabo gasped as control returned to his body. Sweat rolled down his temples, his face pale. He couldn't even look at Rolan directly.
Dragon frowned slightly. Sabo wasn't one to lose composure easily.
If just a touch from Rolan could suppress him entirely… the implications were staggering.
What they had just witnessed wasn't brute strength. It was mastery — the terrifying precision of someone who understood the laws of force on a fundamental level.
Rolan, meanwhile, sat casually, swirling the coffee in his cup.
His mind flicked briefly to the new ability he had gained from his recent Devil Fruit awakening.
By manipulating electromagnetic forces not only in objects but in living beings, he could alter how their bodies interacted with their surroundings — rendering them immobile if he wished.
A subtle, terrifying power.
Not bad for a first test.
He set the cup down and said calmly,
"Even I wouldn't dare claim to understand the full scope of the World Government's power."
Then his gaze lifted, steady and sharp.
"Dragon-san, let's talk about cooperation. But the kind I have in mind might not be what you expect."
Dragon nodded once, signaling him to continue.
"I'm listening."
Rolan's lips curved faintly.
"I intend to overthrow this world and build a new one."
The words hung in the air like thunder.
"What?!"
Dragon, Sabo, and Koala were all taken aback.
A pirate… speaking of rebuilding the world?
Rolan leaned back, unfazed.
"You might not believe me, but I've already started — and my results are far more effective than your Revolutionary Army's."
Koala scowled, unable to stay silent.
"How can you say that? We've already freed countless kingdoms from the World Government's control!"
Rolan shook his head, almost pitying her naivety.
"Tell me then — have the lives of those citizens actually improved?"
Koala straightened defiantly. "Of course they have! At least they no longer pay the Heavenly Tribute."
Rolan wagged a finger slowly.
"And that's the problem. Your goal is for people to live free — free from oppression, free from tax, free from fear. But you haven't solved the root issue."
Koala frowned. "And what issue is that?"
Dragon raised a hand to stop her, eyes narrowing on Rolan.
"Then tell us, Rolan-sama… what do you believe is the real problem?"
Rolan's faint smile returned.
---
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