In the Alabasta desert, a camel caravan was slowly making its way through the dunes, heading toward Rainbase. Among the riders was a figure who seemed entirely out of place, not because of his presence, but because of his sheer size. While the rest of the caravan sat comfortably atop camels, this towering man could only walk alongside the group. It wasn't an act of discrimination but sheer practicality the camels simply weren't tall enough to accommodate his massive frame.
Wearing a Madara bear-eared cap and tinted glasses that obscured his eyes, the figure carried a Bible in one hand. His face remained stoic and unreadable. This was none other than the infamous "Tyrant," Bartholomew Kuma—a notorious pirate on the surface, but secretly an essential cadre of the Revolutionary Army.
Next to him rode another man, his face concealed beneath the traditional desert garb of Alabasta. Despite his attempts to blend in, his sharp, commanding gaze and the prominent blood-red tattoo over his left eye made his identity unmistakable. This was Monkey D. Dragon, the leader of the Revolutionary Army and one of the most wanted men in the world. With a bounty of 2 billion berries on his head, he was a constant thorn in the side of the World Government, a man whose name sent ripples through even the highest echelons of power.
Dragon stared out at the endless dunes, deep in thought. "Crocodile has settled here as one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea…" he muttered to himself.
"What's the problem, Dragon?" asked Ivankov, riding beside him on a camel.
"There's definitely a problem," Dragon replied, his tone quiet but firm, his piercing gaze cutting across the landscape. "I'm worried about Claudius and what he might be planning for Alabasta."
Ivankov raised a curious brow. "Why would you think that?"
Dragon exhaled slowly, gathering his thoughts. "The Nefertari royal family of Alabasta is… unique. By bloodline, they could have been part of the Celestial Dragons, but they gave up that privilege long ago. They refused to move to Mariejois and chose to stay with their people instead. Their actions have made them an outlier, a potential problem for the World Government. At the last World Summit, King Cobra even proposed reducing the Heavenly Tribute. It wouldn't surprise me if Claudius were ordered to deal with them quietly."
Ivankov fell silent for a moment, digesting this. "But I thought you admired the Nefertari royal family? Didn't you say they were different from the rest of the oppressive nobility?"
"They are different," Dragon admitted, his voice tinged with both respect and frustration. "The Nefertari family governs with compassion. They care for their people, despise exploitation, and even consult public opinion in their decisions. They're one of the few royal families in this world that could serve as a model for others. That's exactly why they're a threat to the current system."
Ivankov's frown deepened. "So… what do we do? Do we intervene if Claudius is really planning something?"
Dragon hesitated, then sighed. "For now, this is just speculation. I can't predict Claudius's moves entirely, he's an enigma. He's a Celestial Dragon, yes, but he doesn't operate like the rest of them."
"You still trust him?" Ivankov asked, raising an eyebrow.
Dragon smiled faintly. "Trust is a strong word, but I don't think Claudius has deceived me yet. He's not a traditionalist. His vision aligns with ours in certain ways. A top-down change complementing our bottom-up revolution… it's not impossible."
"Maybe, but don't forget—he is a Celestial Dragon. And people can change, Dragon," Ivankov warned.
"True," Dragon admitted, "but at least for now, I don't believe he poses an immediate threat to us. If things change, we'll act accordingly."
The caravan eventually arrived at Rainbase, stopping just outside the city. Dragon decided to visit Claudius in person. Kuma and Ivankov, however, chose to remain outside, setting up camp in the dunes. Their identities were far too recognizable, and their presence in the city would draw unnecessary attention.
---
By the time Dragon met Claudius, night had fallen. Alabasta's desert sky was clear, untainted by clouds, and the stars twinkled brightly above, a breathtaking view that seemed almost otherworldly.
"You actually came in person?" Claudius asked, stepping out into the courtyard to greet him. He looked Dragon up and down, noting the dust clinging to his clothes. "You could've just sent someone to collect the books. Was this really necessary?"
Dragon removed his desert veil, revealing his sharp features and the unmistakable tattoo over his eye. He smirked lightly. "Can't a guest visit for a drink and a chat?"
Claudius laughed and gestured for him to come inside. "Fair enough. My apologies for the lack of hospitality. Come on in."
The two sat in the courtyard, sipping tea under the starlit sky. After a moment of silence, Dragon spoke. "See? Doesn't this show I'm sincere?"
Claudius chuckled. "What's the point of sincerity between us? You, of all people, should know there's no such thing as pure altruism in this world."
Dragon smiled faintly, not disagreeing. "Fair enough. But I do have a gift for you."
"A gift, huh?" Claudius asked, raising an eyebrow. "What's the occasion?"
Dragon leaned back, his tone light but deliberate. "The World Government's been hunting us relentlessly. I thought I'd make your job easier by giving you something you can use."
"Generous of you," Claudius said, his voice laced with amusement. "But aren't you worried I'll use this 'gift' to hurt you?"
Dragon shook his head. "It doesn't matter. There's a group of people within the Revolutionary Army who have… questionable loyalties. Consider this my way of taking out the trash while giving you something to appease the Five Elders."
Claudius's expression didn't shift, but he understood the subtext. These "traitors" were likely being served up to the World Government intentionally, Dragon's way of controlling the narrative and diverting attention. Still, Claudius saw no need to point this out. Why ruin the game?
"Very well," Claudius said, taking a sip of tea. "And what's the catch? You didn't come all this way just to clean house, did you?"
Dragon smiled, leaning forward slightly. "I heard about your Seven Warlords of the Sea initiative. I think we should talk about it…"
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