"Off to the Grand Line now, Luffy?" Ace murmured as he watched the Straw Hat Pirates sail away from Loguetown, their ship shrinking into the horizon. His lips curled into a faint smile as he observed the screen displaying their departure.
"I'm really looking forward to the moment you come to Wano," he continued, his tone tinged with anticipation. The thought of Luffy and his crew growing stronger, with the aid of the enlightenment light balls he had prepared for them, filled Ace with a sense of pride and excitement. He knew that these light balls would accelerate their growth exponentially, bypassing the need for two years of training and potentially making them even stronger than they could have been otherwise.
By the time Luffy reaches Wano, Ace was confident that his brother would have fully mastered the power of Nika. And when that moment arrived, it would signal the beginning of the final battle against the World Government—a battle that Ace had been preparing for, knowing that the fate of the world might hinge on it.
"But, you didn't meet Luffy, did you, Dragon?" Ace remarked, his eyes drifting to a distant rooftop. A knowing smile played on his lips as he addressed the unseen presence. He had already sensed the figure's presence, and so had Nami and Tashigi. Especially Nami—her Observation Haki, bolstered by the power of the Thunder Fruit, was so sharp that only a few individuals could escape her notice. Among them were Ace himself, with his mastery of Observation Haki Killing, and the enigmatic red-haired Shanks.
A gust of wind suddenly swept through the area, and a figure materialized on the rooftop. He had a rugged face, half-covered by a distinctive tattoo, and an aura of command that was undeniable. It was none other than Monkey D. Dragon—Luffy's father and Garp's son, the man the World Government had labeled the second most dangerous criminal in the world. The title of the most dangerous criminal, of course, now belonged to Ace.
"There's no need for this. I'm just a stranger to Luffy," Dragon said, his voice calm as he watched the Straw Hat Pirates disappear into the distance. A subtle smile played on his lips, betraying a hint of emotion.
"Really?" Ace replied, his tone tinged with playful sarcasm. "You don't think I'm unaware of you secretly spying on Luffy, do you, Dragon?"
Dragon's composure faltered momentarily, and he coughed awkwardly, clearly caught off guard by Ace's bluntness. "Cough! I've discovered that you have a rather troublesome personality," he remarked, attempting to regain his usual stoic demeanor.
Ace's grin widened, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Isn't that part of my charm? But you're one to talk—you're always so awkward and distant," he teased.
Over the past year, Ace and Dragon had developed a complex relationship, marked by both mutual respect and subtle rivalry. Their bond had deepened after Dragon's visit to Wano, where they had engaged in a private conversation that led to an unexpected alliance. While the details of their discussion remained shrouded in mystery, the result was undeniable: the Revolutionary Army had become closely allied with the Entei Pirates.
In fact, it could be said that the Revolutionary Army had almost become a subsidiary force under Ace's command. Every significant move made by the Revolutionary Army to liberate oppressed nations now bore the unmistakable influence of the Entei Pirates. This growing alliance had left the World Government and the Navy Headquarters in a precarious position. Though they were aware of the Revolutionary Army's escalating activities, they found themselves hesitant to take direct action. After all, the Revolutionary Army's operations hadn't yet threatened their core interests, and provoking a full-scale war with the Entei Pirates could prove disastrous, especially with the looming final confrontation.
Ace's mastery of the Time Fruit and his unparalleled Observation Haki allowed him to anticipate the World Government's every move with uncanny precision. He skillfully maneuvered his forces to keep the World Government in a state of unease, pushing them to the edge without crossing the line that would trigger an all-out war. It was a delicate balance, one that Ace maintained with almost effortless ease.
As a result of these frequent interactions, Ace and Dragon had grown more familiar with each other, often sharing banter and exchanging jabs. Despite their differing approaches and philosophies, there was a certain camaraderie between them—one born out of shared goals and a mutual understanding of the stakes.
"Well, I still have the task you assigned me. The liberation of that country is coming to an end," Dragon replied, his voice steady but carrying a hint of frustration. Ace's relentless probing had finally forced him to seek an escape, and he deftly used his current mission as an excuse to divert the conversation.
Ace, recognizing the shift in tone, let his playful demeanor fade. Through the atmospheric screen, he gazed at Dragon with a serious expression. "After liberating this country, you should begin to pull back your forces, Dragon," Ace advised, his voice measured and deliberate.
Dragon's eyes narrowed at the suggestion. "Are you preparing to go to war, Admiral?" he asked, his voice deepening as the gravity of the situation settled in. The title "Admiral" carried weight, and Dragon used it now to signify the seriousness of their discussion, acknowledging Ace's authority and his own commitment to the cause.
"Yes," Ace confirmed, supporting his chin thoughtfully. "With the resources from this newly liberated country, we now have what we need. The next step is to convert these resources into weapons and prepare for the final confrontation."
Dragon nodded, understanding the implications. "I'll make the necessary arrangements once I return," he responded, his tone resolute.
Ace's stern expression softened slightly into a smile. "I'm looking forward to seeing how your Revolutionary Army performs," he remarked, a hint of encouragement in his voice.
With that, Ace deactivated the atmospheric screen, signaling the end of their conversation.
As the screen faded, Nami stepped forward, addressing Dragon with a respectful nod. "Then, we'll take our leave, Chief Dragon," she said calmly. Behind her, two space rifts opened, the result of the Space Fruit's power.
Dragon glanced at Nami and Tashigi, nodding in acknowledgment. "Take care," he replied, watching as the two women disappeared into the rifts, returning to Wano.
As the rifts closed, Dragon couldn't help but marvel at the display. "The Admiral's abilities continue to grow stronger," he murmured to himself, awestruck by the sheer power Ace wielded. The ability to use multiple Devil Fruits, combined with strategic mastery, made Ace a truly terrifying force—one that even the World Government hesitated to confront directly.
Just as Dragon was lost in thought, the space rift reopened momentarily, and a glowing orb shot out, landing in his hand. "What's this?" he muttered, examining the object with curiosity. His eyes widened as recognition dawned on him. "The ability of the Paw-Paw Fruit?"
Holding the orb close to his forehead, Dragon activated the Paw-Paw Fruit's power, allowing the information stored within the orb to flow into his mind. As the knowledge took hold, his eyes snapped open, filled with shock and disbelief.
"This… this is about the World Government's king, the Devil's incarnation—Baphomet!" Dragon whispered, the revelation hitting him like a tidal wave. The king of the World Government, Imu, possessed such an unfathomable ability? The implications were staggering.
Yet, despite the gravity of this discovery, Dragon felt a surge of confidence. "To know such a secret in advance is a tremendous advantage," he thought, his mind racing. In any conflict, knowledge was power, and the unknown was the most dangerous enemy. But now, with this critical information, the balance had shifted. The Entei Pirates had secrets too—secrets that could rival those of the World Government.
Dragon's lips curled into a faint smile. The Admiral, it seemed, was a man full of secrets, perhaps more so than anyone Dragon had ever encountered. With renewed determination, Dragon turned, his figure dissolving into the powerful winds that swept across the land.