One Piece: Conquering Wanokuni at Start

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Dragon's gaze lingered on Gion for a moment before he spoke.

"I've wanted to talk to you ever since you left the Marines to follow Alex."

"What do you wish to discuss?" Gion asked.

As a former Marine Vice Admiral and the son of the legendary hero Garp, Dragon had been a rising star destined for the rank of Admiral. His sudden departure from the Marines had always puzzled Gion, and she had often wondered about the reasons behind it.

"Was your decision to leave the Marines influenced by what happened in Flevance—the tragedy the World Government worked so hard to conceal?" Dragon asked earnestly.

Gion's eyes narrowed slightly, and after a pause, she nodded. "Yes. After Flevance, I realized the truth—the world needs to change. The World Government's rule cannot bring genuine peace. It only perpetuates suffering and injustice."

Hearing her words, Dragon's expression shifted, and he smiled faintly. There was a sense of relief in meeting someone who shared his ideals.

"You've seen through the facade of justice, just as I have," he said, his tone resolute. "That's why I left the Marines. This world is steeped in oppression—from the Celestial Dragons, who consider themselves gods, to the nobles who exploit their people, to the civilians crushed under hypocritical systems of justice.

"The Celestial Dragons are the root of evil, and the World Government serves as their enforcer. To bring peace to this world, these systems must be dismantled."

Dragon's voice grew impassioned as he continued. "That's why I formed the Revolutionary Army—to liberate the oppressed, to free the seas and the nations bound by tyranny. Only then can true peace be achieved."

"I understand your perspective," she replied seriously, "but I will not join the Revolutionary Army you've built."

Dragon looked at her with a mix of disappointment and understanding as she continued. "My purpose now is to support Alex and fulfill the justice I believe in. He embodies the ideals I strive for."

Dragon nodded slowly, though he couldn't hide a hint of regret. He knew how formidable Gion was—favored by the Chief of Staff Tsuru and a fighter of unparalleled skill. Her strength would have been a monumental asset to the Revolutionary Army.

Still, he had expected this outcome. Gion had fully committed herself to Alex's cause. The evidence was clear in the new insignia she bore: a black widow tattoo and a Red colour Sakura visible beneath her attire.

Their conversation concluded, Gion turned and left, leaving Dragon to reflect. A maid soon approached to escort him to Alex.

When Dragon reached the room, soft, melodic music drifted through the air. Entering, he finally saw the man he had traveled so far to meet: Shogun Alex.

Alex reclined comfortably, cradled in the arms of a stunningly tall woman—easily six meters in height. Around him, other retainers catered to his every need. Beautiful music filled the room, while delicate hands massaged him. A maid poured tea directly into his mouth, and a table nearby was laden with desserts.

Dragon hesitated briefly, taken aback by the sight. This was Alex? The man who had transformed Wanokuni into a thriving, powerful nation? The image before him clashed with his perception of Alex as a great and noble ruler.

But Dragon had traveled the world and witnessed many forms of leadership. The skepticism faded as he reminded himself of what he had seen on his journey from Kuri to the Flower Capital. Every inch of Wanokuni reflected Alex's wisdom, strength, and care as a leader.

"You're Dragon," Alex said, still reclining in Maria's arms, his tone casual yet commanding as he looked at the man before him. "The leader of the Revolutionary Army, as they call you."

Dragon's eyes narrowed in surprise. "You've heard of the Revolutionary Army?"

It was an unexpected remark. The Revolutionary Army was still in its early stages, operating largely in secrecy, and hadn't yet made waves on the world stage.

"Of course," Alex replied smoothly. "Just like Gion, you turned your back on the Marines. It's clear you're dissatisfied with the World Government that stands behind them. For that reason alone, I've kept an eye on your movements."

Dragon processed Alex's words carefully. The man before him was a Yonko, a ruler of the New World. With access to extensive resources and information networks, it wasn't surprising that Alex had managed to uncover details about him, even when the Revolutionary Army was still underground.

Acknowledging Alex's insight, Dragon spoke plainly, his tone forthright. "I'm here on behalf of the Revolutionary Army. My goal is to propose a cooperative arrangement with your forces, General."

Whether it was Wanokuni's status as an agricultural powerhouse or its dominance in the underground arms trade and Seastone production, Alex's resources were of immense value to the Revolutionary Army as it worked to expand its reach.

"The enemy of my enemy is my friend," Alex began, his voice calm but sharp. "Whether it's food, arms, or Seastone, establishing a secret transportation route to your forces isn't a problem. I can even offer discounts on certain supplies."

He leaned forward slightly, his gaze piercing. "But friendship is a two-way street. You know that reciprocity is essential. If you want my help, there's a price to pay."

Dragon nodded, unfazed. "What do you want in return?"

He understood that even the proposal of a secret trade route was already a significant boon. However, the Revolutionary Army was still in its infancy and lacked the financial strength to make large-scale deals. Dragon needed to know Alex's terms.

Alex's tone turned serious. "It's simple. Our shared goal is to bring the World Government down from its lofty throne. But achieving that goal isn't enough. Peace can't come to a world dominated by power without structure.

"Someone must take the reins. Without proper leadership, the fall of the World Government would plunge the seas into chaos, leaving destruction in its wake."

Alex's gaze sharpened as he delivered the key point. "When the Celestial Dragons and the World Government fall, I will take their place as the new ruler."

Dragon fell silent, his expression unreadable. His ultimate goal had always been to liberate the world from the oppressive grip of the Celestial Dragons and the World Government. He had seen firsthand, in places like Goa Kingdom—a kingdom hailed as the most beautiful in East Blue—how deeply that oppression ran.

But Alex's proposal raised a troubling question: would replacing the World Government with Alex lead to another kind of tyranny? And yet, Dragon couldn't deny the truth in Alex's words. In a world ruled by strength, leadership was essential to prevent chaos.

Alex waited patiently, his calm demeanor unshaken. In the quiet room, the soft melody of Maria's music filled the air like a gentle drizzle, creating an oddly serene backdrop to their weighty conversation.

Finally, Dragon broke the silence, his gaze intense. "If you were to become the ruler of the world, what would you do?"

His question wasn't just about cooperation—it was about ideals.

Alex met Dragon's stare without flinching, his voice resolute and filled with conviction. "Look around you," he said, gesturing broadly. "Isn't the current Wanokuni proof enough of my vision?"