"I refuse."
Logan answered without the slightest hesitation.
Dragon showed no displeasure at all. Instead, he studied Logan with growing interest.
"Do you know how much authority a Revolutionary Army commander holds?" Dragon asked calmly.
"How many people would give anything to sit in that position?"
"Our paths are different," Logan replied casually.
"I'm not someone with a strong sense of responsibility. Living my own life well is enough for me."
"At most," he added with a shrug,
"I'll just be a free pirate like Luffy."
Logan shook his numb arm and complained irritably,
"Uncle Dragon, that punch of yours was way too heavy. If I hadn't caught it, I'd be dead already."
Dragon's brows lifted slightly—this time, genuine surprise flashed across his face.
"You knew it was me?"
"Who else could control wind, rain, and lightning like this?" Logan said lightly.
"Besides, Luffy's about to enter the Grand Line. It's only natural for a father to come take a look."
"So that's it…" Dragon replied evenly.
"I may not have been by Luffy's side all these years, but everything he's gone through—every person he's met—I know."
"That includes you."
"That's why I knew you could withstand that punch."
Dragon stepped closer, his gaze sharp and unyielding.
"Since you won't join the Revolutionary Army, then tell me—why did you follow me?"
Logan didn't dodge the question.
"I just want to ask you one thing."
"If Ace is captured by the Marines in the near future and scheduled for execution—will you save him?"
This was the real reason Logan had come to Loguetown.
Whether Dragon believed it or not didn't matter.
If Dragon gave a clear answer, then when that day came, the Revolutionary Army's involvement would drastically change the balance at Marineford.
Even Marine Headquarters would have to reconsider—
Was a war of that scale really worth it… just for Ace?
Dragon stood silently in the pouring rain.
He didn't answer immediately.
Instead, he calculated—quietly weighing the situation, the consequences, and every possible outcome.
Rain splashed against his gray cloak, mist rising around him.
After a long silence, Dragon finally spoke.
"I don't know why you would ask such a question," he said slowly.
"But let's assume you're right."
"Even so, it wouldn't be my place to save Ace."
"Ace is the commander of Whitebeard's Second Division. Whitebeard would never abandon him."
"I'll say this plainly—Whitebeard is the strongest man in the world. Rescuing one person from Marine Headquarters wouldn't be difficult for him."
"And what if Whitebeard dies there?" Logan pressed.
"That won't happen," Dragon replied, shaking his head.
"Why are you so certain?" Logan demanded.
"He's Luffy's brother. Sabo's brother. And you know better than anyone what Ace's identity means to the Marines!"
"Pirates and the Revolutionary Army share the same enemy. Ace's death benefits neither of you."
In Logan's view, Dragon had every reason to act.
The Revolutionary Army and the World Government were already locked in an endless conflict.
Fighting now or later made little difference.
Any chance to weaken the Marines should be seized.
"If this happens within the next year," Dragon said gravely,
"then I can only tell you this—the time is not right."
He raised his hand, letting the cold rain strike his fingers.
"The Revolutionary Army is still expanding. If we launch a full assault on Marine Headquarters now, our global layout will collapse."
"Regions we've already liberated would fall back into chaos."
"Attacking Marine Headquarters is different from anything else. That would be total war against the World Government."
"One mistake… and decades of effort will be erased."
Logan fell silent.
He understood.
Dragon carried the lives of countless people—not just Ace.
"In that case," Logan said quietly,
"I have nothing more to ask."
He stood there wordlessly.
"However," Dragon added as he turned away,
"if that day truly comes, you can tell Sabo."
"If he chooses to go, I won't stop him."
"And since you're watching over Luffy, I have nothing to worry about."
"If you change your mind, you can find me in Baltigo anytime."
With those words, Dragon dissolved into the wind and vanished into the darkness.
Logan wasn't shocked.
Dragon's Devil Fruit ability had clearly reached a terrifying level of mastery.
Thinking it over, Logan let out a small breath.
That battle wasn't meant to be fought by just one of them.
Ace.
Luffy.
Sabo.
None of the three could be missing.
Especially Sabo—his combat power would be indispensable.
At that moment, the familiar system voice echoed in Logan's mind.
[Next Sign-In Location: Revolutionary Army Headquarters — Baltigo.]
[Would you like to teleport immediately?]
Logan exploded.
"Why the hell didn't you say that earlier?!"
[Just remembered, sir.]
"…."
Looks like a trip to Baltigo was inevitable after all.
Still—seeing Sabo again wouldn't be a bad thing.
Logan walked toward the sea.
Waves crashed violently as the storm raged on.
Suddenly, he sensed fierce combat nearby.
White smoke billowed down a distant street—far too thick to be fire in a storm like this.
There was only one possibility.
Logan's expression changed.
"Kinto'un!"
He leapt skyward, landing atop the golden cloud as it shot forward.
Rain hammered the wide street mercilessly.
Two figures clashed violently.
"White Blow!"
Smoker roared as a massive smoke-formed fist swallowed Luffy whole, blasting him into the air.
Before Luffy could recover, Smoker appeared above him, slamming him headfirst into the ground.
"So you're Monkey D. Luffy—the rookie worth sixty million?" Smoker sneered.
"You're nothing but hype."
He reached for the jitte on his back, ready to finish it.
Suddenly—
His wrist tightened.
No matter how hard he pulled, he couldn't draw the weapon.
Smoker looked up.
Logan stood there, smiling casually, gripping his wrist like iron.
"Come on, Smoke," Logan said lightly.
"Do me a favor."
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