After days of extreme interrogation, Dragon was convinced they were telling the truth — yet he remained deeply curious about the connection between Grimm and Vegapunk.
So he sent his most trusted subordinates, Emporio Ivankov and Bartholomew Kuma, to deliver his message.
Though Kuma's Devil Fruit had been modified by Grimm in the past, granting him immense new power, that strange energy had faded recently.
Had it vanished because I lost faith in him? Kuma wondered. Now he had reverted to being simply the user of the Paw‑Paw Fruit.
Using his ability to travel great distances instantly, the two arrived, delivered their message, and left just as quickly.
"Hahaha! Safe landing!" Ivankov struck an exaggerated pose as he climbed out of the deep crater left by Kuma's paw‑shock.
"It's a good thing your powers are back — otherwise, entering the territory of an Emperor would have been a real headache!"
---
Once Ivankov had reported back, Grimm called Dragon again — but this was no longer a call between allies, but one marking the end of their partnership.
Back in Artemis, the Den Den Mushi sat on a large stone about five meters to Zephyr's right.
At the sound of it ringing, Zephyr glanced over, while the pirates training nearby all craned their necks and pricked up their ears, eager to hear why a man called Dragon would cut ties with their captain and become so hostile.
"This is Dragon. You should recognize this Den Den Mushi — it was taken from your men," Dragon said, his tone as calm and unchanging as ever.
"Dragon? Why have you turned against me?" Grimm asked.
"Turned against you? Don't be ridiculous. We were never more than temporary partners. Now I've decided you are no longer reliable — so I have found new allies."
"Your man Ul'dah and his five companions are alive, though not unhurt. I had to use some force to make them talk."
As he spoke, the expression on the Den Den Mushi shifted — from calm authority to one of exhaustion and pain.
"Lord Grimm… I'm sorry… I couldn't stop them… cough…"
"Captain Ul'dah!" the onlookers in the training ground cried out in alarm.
"If you want your men back, and if you wish to keep your connection to Vegapunk a secret, meet me at Shifter Island in two weeks' time."
The expression shifted once more, returning to Dragon's stern, unreadable face.
Click.
The Den Den Mushi's eyes closed, and the line went dead.
"He's got a death wish…"
"More daring than I expected — the Revolutionary Army actually turning on Lord Grimm!"
"I wonder who their new partner is?"
The thoughts raced through everyone's minds, and they stared nervously at Grimm, fearing he would erupt in rage.
Grimm placed a hand over the Den Den Mushi, and it vanished into a swirl of shadows.
He stood up slowly and spoke: "Prepare to sail. We're heading for the East Blue."
The East Blue?
Even Zephyr was taken aback. Dragon had said their meeting would be on Shifter Island — located in the first half of the Grand Line, very close to Water 7 and Enies Lobby.
Because of its proximity to the World Government's judicial stronghold, it was often called a "smaller Sabaody Archipelago," where pirates dared not act recklessly.
Dragon had clearly chosen it for a reason.
But why would Grimm go all the way to the East Blue? No one knew of any connection between Dragon and those waters.
"Mannolos!"
At the sound of his name, Mannolos — who had been lying on the ground looking utterly exhausted — dragged himself upright.
"Here, Master!"
"Get the fleet ready to set sail."
A grimace appeared on Mannolos's face, looking more like a pained wince than a smile.
"Understood."
Finally, we're making a move, he thought.
Though the East Blue was known as the weakest of the four seas, if Grimm himself was going, this was no ordinary mission.
"I'm coming too!"
"Count me in!"
"Can't wait, Captain!"
As soon as the order was given, many of the crew began to grow restless — not to escape Zephyr's brutal training, but simply because they were eager to put to sea again.
Grimm thought for a moment, then said: "Only one thousand men will come with me. The rest stay here. Z, you will contact Jaina and have her take command of the island. Yasuo, Planck, and Caitlin will accompany me."
Zephyr let out a dry laugh. "Aren't you afraid I'll betray you the moment your back is turned?"
A hush fell over the crowd, but Grimm smiled back. "You won't betray me — or more precisely, you won't betray the people living under my rule."
"Tch… you insufferable bastard," Zephyr grumbled, though a genuine smile crossed his face.
Mattheus stepped forward and asked: "Should we send reinforcements to Shifter Island?"
"Just wait and see what happens," Grimm replied, striding toward the shore.
Everyone remained confused, until Zephyr roared: "What are you lot standing around for? The day's training isn't over yet!"
They jumped to attention and hurried back to their drills.
---
Meanwhile, in the Revolutionary Army's hidden underground base on Fass Island, Ul'dah lay chained to the wall.
The steel prosthetic arm Indigo had built for him was gone, and though medicine had been applied, fresh blood still dripped from the jagged stump.
Beside him, his men were in similar condition. Two of them now bore distinct feminine features — impossible for anyone but the trans‑forming, hormone‑wielding Ivankov to have done.
After ending the call, Dragon stood and gave orders: "Prepare to move out. Tell Ivankov and the others to meet us at Shifter Island."
"Chief, are you sure this plan will work? Do you really think Grimm will go to Goa Kingdom instead?" one of his officers asked.
"I don't know for certain," Dragon admitted.
"Either way, he will go to Shifter or to Goa. We must be ready for both. And whatever happens, uncovering the truth between Grimm and Vegapunk is our top priority."
Goa Kingdom had only recently joined the World Government.
Soon, a Celestial Dragon was scheduled to visit for inspection — a mission Dragon had planned to attend anyway.
If he could lure Grimm there at the same time, all the better.
Heh… heh‑heh…
From the far end of the cell, a low, rasping laugh echoed. Ul'dah — missing his prosthetic, his hair matted, his face caked in dried blood — slowly lifted his head, a wild, deranged grin spreading across his features.
"You're all finished… Revolutionary Army!"
"You have no idea how powerful Lord Grimm really is!" His voice turned cold and sharp.
"And you have no idea what he hates most of all. Betrayal. Hahaha… you've signed your own deaths."
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