One Piece : Admiral Falcon is Pissed off again today!

"Dead? Bekori is dead?" Dragon furrowed his brows.

This conflicted with his original plan.

He had intended to have Bekori stand trial before the common people of the Sorbet Kingdom, then exile him based on his crimes.

Through this method, he wanted the citizens of the Sorbet Kingdom to understand that no one is born inferior and that royal authority is not eternal.

But now...

"Damn it, I wanted a gradual transition." Dragon frowned and suddenly turned to Michael.

"...Michael, what did you say you were here for earlier?"

"To see my dear big brother?"

"The second half of that sentence."

"To help reinforce your revolutionary convictions and mental fortitude."

Dragon abruptly reached out and under the astonished gazes of everyone around, grabbed Michael by the collar, coldly demanding.

"So, it was you, wasn't it?"

"Let me make this clear—I absolutely did not make that woman Ginny angry!" Michael immediately frowned and shouted back with equal intensity.

"...I'm talking about the former king of Sorbet, Bekori!"

"Oh, that shameless old monkey! Yes, it was me who cut off his head."

The moment Dragon mentioned Bekori, Michael instantly calmed down.

He even nodded with a smile.

Dragon's lips twitched.

This kid's actions were still as unpredictable as ever!.

Back then, he could pull off something like stealing Sengoku's rice crackers with him and then pinning the blame on his own foolish old man.

Now, he had casually derailed Dragon's plans without a second thought.

But Dragon was only frustrated, not angry.

Because his first instinct regarding Bekori fate had also been to kill him outright.

But he felt that doing so would make him no different from the World Government.

That was why he changed his approach, opting for a public trial to exile Bekori from the Sorbet Kingdom.

"You overstepped, Michael."

Dragon's voice was calm, not that angry over the death of Bekori.

But Michael's expression remained one of 'Yeah, I did it. What are you gonna do about it?' which left Dragon feeling utterly helpless...

His attitude... why was it becoming more and more like his father's?

"I was only here to help you, Big bro."

Michael said with a grin, then slowly pried Dragon's hand off his collar.

After straightening his collar, Michael pointed at the Freedom Fighters officers gathered around—including Ginny, who had rushed out of the warehouse upon hearing the commotion—and said.

"Dragon, look at your comrades."

"The first emotion in their eyes upon hearing of Bekori death was satisfaction."

Ginny, who had no idea what had happened, froze upon hearing Michael's words.

After a long pause, she began to laugh.

But as she laughed, tears streamed down her face.

Her laughter was laced with tears, carrying too much pent-up sorrow.

For someone like her, a former slave from the God Valley, Bekori death wasn't just the demise of a wretched king—it meant so much more.

It made her truly feel that the world's rulers, who loomed over her like an oppressive cloud, had been pierced by a tiny ray of sunlight.

Even if that ray was so small it could be ignored.

For Ginny, it was enough.

Kuma stepped forward, gently embracing her and whispering words of comfort.

"It's supposed to be a happy occasion, so why are you crying?"

"Kuma, humans are creatures who can laugh until they cry."

Michael didn't say anything, merely giving Dragon's shoulder a firm but measured pat.

But Dragon didn't react at all, continuing to stare blankly at Ginny and Kuma.

Though he had already begun formulating his idea of overthrowing the World Government and reshaping the world…

Still…

He was deeply shaken by the smile Ginny had just shown.

That tearful yet radiant expression, full of happiness and liberation…

'It's just… too beautiful.'

Monkey D. Dragon murmured those words, though it was unclear whether he was referring to Ginny or the brighter world he envisioned.

****

"Oh, Olvia, long time no see."

"Michael-san, it really has been a while."

Olvia looked up, slightly startled but not particularly surprised to see Michael swaggering in.

After all, she had come here on his recommendation.

So even if Michael, a Marine, stood in the temporary headquarters of the Freedom Fighters Army, she wouldn't find it too shocking.

"How has Robin been lately?"

"Quite well. Though she's only eight, as Vice Admiral Gion aide, she's already outperforming me by who knows how much" Michael said with a laugh.

"Thanks to little Robin's genius, I've been scolded by Vice Admiral Gion more than once."

Hearing news of Robin, Olvia's face visibly softened with a faint smile.

Then Dragon entered, followed by Ginny and Kuma.

"Michael, how did you know I'd need an archaeologist like Olvia from Ohara?"

"The most fatal blow to the World Government would be the truth of the Void Century," Michael shrugged.

"With your intelligence, you should've figured that out."

Ginny stared at Michael in shock—how could he talk so casually to her boss!?

"Kuma, just who is this guy? The boss actually lets a Marine into the Freedom Fighters Army's base?"

"I'm not entirely sure, but I think he's an old acquaintance of Dragon from his Marine days."

"I heard he's the one who killed Bekori?"

"Yeah."

"Damn, he's ruthless."

Ginny crossed her arms, putting on a knowing expression before turning away to sit down.

She wasn't particularly interested.

But Kuma kept observing Michael.

The compassion he show when saving lives, yet the smile he has when admitting to killing a king.

Such contradictory traits made him endlessly intriguing.

"Oh? A Marine here!? What's going on? Has the Freedom Fighters fame grown so great that even the Marines want to join!? Hee-haw!"

"Whoa, that's one huge face." Michael jumped at the sudden appearance of an enormous face outside the window, then turned to Dragon.

"I thought your Freedom Fighters wouldn't have as many… unconventionally shaped individuals as the Marines."

"Alright, Michael, do you have anything else now?" Dragon pushed Michael's hand away.

"If not, you can leave."

"Oh, let me remember, hmmmm yes, yes."

After saying that, Michael took out a wanted poster from his pocket.

"Congratulations, Monkey D. Dragon, you've successfully made it onto the Marine's wanted list."

"Starting at one billion... I'm tempted to capture you myself for the bounty..."

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