Chapter 47: Chapter 47: Monkey D Dragon.
When the Navy discovered that the auction house was on fire, they rushed over immediately. At first, they thought it was just an accident or a typical conflict—but then they found something far worse: another Celestial Dragon had been killed.
It had been less than two months since the last incident, and now another Celestial Dragon was dead.
This one had been brutally cut in half—from the front and back. The Navy was stunned. Marine Headquarters was thrown into chaos, and Mary Geoise erupted in rage.
This matter had to be fully investigated. The culprits needed to be caught and punished with extreme severity. Some even suspected that Vane was responsible—again.
But Vane didn't know any of this. And even if some people had seen him, so what?
"You're strong… Fire Sword Vane."
As Vane was heading back to Shakky's Rip-Off Bar, a tall man leaned against a tree in front of him—waiting.
He wore a blue robe with a hood. His face looked stern, with red lines on the left side of it.
Vane recognized him immediately.
Monkey D. Dragon, the Revolutionary Army's leader. But Vane had no interest in the revolution.
"You're strong too, Dragon."
Vane's tone was calm. He could already guess Dragon's intent—either to recruit him or form some kind of alliance. But Vane wasn't interested in either. He had no desire to be tied to the Revolutionary Army.
Dragon was a little surprised. He didn't expect Vane to recognize him, but that would at least make the conversation easier.
"I didn't expect you to know me. Can we speak privately?" Dragon asked.
"I don't have time," Vane replied indifferently. "If you're here to drag me into the Revolutionary Army, forget it."
Dragon was momentarily stunned. That was blunt.
He had been in Sabaody these past couple of days, and after spotting Vane yesterday, he'd been trying to find a good moment to approach him. He'd witnessed Vane kill a Celestial Dragon—something even he, as the head of the Revolutionary Army who had overthrown dozens of nations, had never done.
Vane killed one like it was nothing. One clean slash.
Was it youthful recklessness? Or something else?
Dragon wanted Vane on his side. But before he could even start, Vane shut him down.
"Why?" Dragon asked. "I can tell you hate the Celestial Dragons. Maybe you hate their unjust and brutal rule too."
"You're right," Vane said, stopping to look him in the eye. "I do hate the Celestial Dragons. But I'll defeat them using my own strength. Maybe not now… but eventually. Your Revolutionary Army has been around for years—and what has it really done? Overthrow a few minor countries? You've barely scratched the surface of their power."
"That's why we need strong people like you," Dragon replied.
"You just want to use me."
Vane drew his sword. The burning blade, Ryujin Jakka, pointed straight at Dragon. Even at a meter's distance, Dragon could feel the heat radiating off it.
"What a terrifying blade…" Dragon thought. "No wonder it's called the Fire Sword. There's something unnatural about it."
As one of the world's top fighters, Dragon could sense it—Vane's sword held a terrifying power.
"Dragon," Vane said coldly, "don't annoy me. I prefer to work alone. I don't need anyone."
"I understand. A man like you wouldn't serve under anyone—"
Before Dragon could finish, Vane cut in.
"Baltigo Island, in the first half of the Grand Line… What would the Marines do if they found out you were there? If it fell, where would you run? Ivankov's Newkama Kingdom?" Vane narrowed his eyes. "Let's not cross paths. I don't want to deal with any factions right now."
He sheathed Zanpakuto and turned to leave. Dragon's expression changed—Vane knew where the Revolutionary Army's base was. That was dangerous knowledge. If he exposed it, the Buster Call would come down like judgment.
"We can't afford to be on bad terms with him," Dragon thought, watching Vane disappear. "At least for now, he doesn't seem hostile."
"But how does he know where our headquarters is…?"
"If we had to fight him, it would be disastrous. He's proof that strength has nothing to do with age."
"We'll have to wait and see."
Dragon shook his head and gave a helpless smile.
"This kid is probably younger than my own son… and yet his strength guarantees he'll leave a mark on the New World."
He adjusted his hood and faded into the forest.
Five minutes later, Vane returned to Shakky's Rip-Off Bar.
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