Baltigo Island, headquarters of the Revolutionary Army. A massive fortress carved from rock rose from the endless expanse of yellow sand. Inside the spacious hall, Mr. Doragon stood with Bello Betty, commander of the Eastern Army, speaking to her in hushed tones. His expression was grave, his demeanor solemn.
Koala entered through the door. Mr. Doragon's eyes flicked toward her, and he quickly called out, "Koala, did you get the red wine I asked for?"
"Ah! Yes, it's ready," Koala replied, scratching her head. Her tone was bewildered. "But Mr. Doragon, I can't believe you'd spend millions of Berries on a single bottle—let alone a whole case. You're being unusually generous. Even for celebrating Mr. Kuma regaining his memory, this seems a bit extravagant…"
"That's right!" Sabo chimed in, his eyes gleaming as he stared at the long table laden with dishes made from rare, high-grade ingredients. He swallowed hard, his stomach growling audibly. "Mr. Doragon's usually so stingy. I've never seen him spend this much money on anything."
"Uh-!? Celebrating Kuma's memory is one thing," Mr. Doragon interjected, his voice rising slightly. "But the most important task is to properly entertain Sephiroth." He walked over to Koala, placed a hand on her shoulder, and spoke earnestly. "Koala, later you and Betty will sit next to Sephiroth. Make sure to entertain him well. Do not offend him under any circumstances."
"Huh!?" Koala blinked, her confusion deepening. "Is Sephiroth that difficult to deal with? Why are you treating him so cautiously?"
"Cough-!" Mr. Doragon cleared his throat, his expression conflicted. "Under normal circumstances, he's quite approachable, especially around pretty women… But that's not the point! The point is that our Revolutionary Army owes him a significant amount of money."
Koala tilted her head, curiosity piqued. "How much do we owe him?"
"Probably three or four trillion…"
"Hiss-!" The collective gasp that followed echoed through the hall. Everyone's faces turned pale with shock.
"Ah! Revolution requires money too!" Mr. Doragon lamented, his voice heavy with melancholy. The Revolutionary Army was perpetually broke. To fund their cause, they needed weapons, supplies, infrastructure… Unlike lawless Pirates, who could plunder wealth indiscriminately, the Revolutionary Army had to maintain its reputation. Reluctantly, Mr. Doragon had abandoned profitable ventures and turned to Sephiroth, the financier, for loans.
Over the years, the debt had ballooned to an astronomical sum—so large that even selling everything the Revolutionary Army owned wouldn't cover it. So, when Sephiroth announced his visit to discuss "important matters," Mr. Doragon's first thought was that he'd come to collect.
Yet, some might argue that funding wars was a waste of money, a guaranteed loss. They failed to see the immense profits hidden within the economic shifts caused by conflict.
For example, in the world he lived in before, the White Eagles sent money and military supplies to the 'Black Chickens,' seemingly asking for nothing in return. Behind the scenes, they profited enormously from the economic ripple effects of war… Therefore, Mr. Doragon—
Doragon had no grasp of economics. All he saw was Sephiroth lending him money, oblivious to the fact that the Umbrella Corporation, a war-profiteering enterprise, had been raking in fortunes during the chaos stirred up by the Revolutionary Army. Sephiroth never pressed Doragon for repayment—a fact that bordered on absurdity.
If the Revolutionary Army ceased its activities, how would the Umbrella Corporation continue to thrive? Over the years, the corporation's wealth had ballooned to its current state, and the Revolutionary Army's role in that growth could not be overlooked.
Suddenly, two figures streaked across the distant sky, breaking through the air with a whoosh. Inside the fortress, Doragon and his companions turned their attention to the commotion. Moments later, Sephiroth and Kuma touched down at the fortress entrance.
"Mr. Kuma!" "Mr. Kuma is back!" The Revolutionary Army soldiers stationed near the fortress erupted in cheers at the sight of him. To the outside world, Bartholomew Kuma was known only as a Shichibukai—a cruel tyrant.
But within the Revolutionary Army, his name stood for reliability, gentleness, and strength. Many soldiers owed their lives to his battlefield rescues and the healing powers of his abilities. Even those who had served alongside him for years owed him one—or several—debts of life.
Though Kuma had been absent from the Revolutionary Army for years, his prestige within its ranks remained untarnished. "Kuma, welcome back!" Doragon strode forward and enveloped him in a bear hug.
"Doragon, everyone… I never thought I'd see you all again." Kuma's eyes welled with tears as he watched his former comrades gather around him, their faces alight with joy. His heart swirled with complex emotions.
When he had agreed to Vegapunk's human modifications, erasing his memories and personality, he had abandoned all hope of returning to the Revolutionary Army. Yet here he was, his self-awareness restored, standing among the comrades he thought he'd lost forever.
After exchanging warm greetings with Kuma, Doragon turned to Sephiroth with an apologetic expression. "I'm sorry! I was so caught up in reuniting with Kuma that I neglected to greet you properly."
"No need to apologize," Sephiroth replied with a dismissive wave. "I understand completely."
Under Doragon's enthusiastic hospitality, Sephiroth was ushered into the fortress hall and seated at the long table. Koala and Betty took their places on either side of him.
As soon as Sephiroth placed a cigar between his lips, Betty swiftly retrieved a lighter from the depths of her snowy chest and lit it for him. Koala, meanwhile, uncorked a bottle of red wine and poured it into the goblet before him.
What's Doragon playing at? Sephiroth mused, suppressing a smirk. Is he trying to butter me up for another loan? Using such a blatant honey trap… Well, whatever. Given how incredibly well-endowed the two young ladies are, as long as he doesn't ask for too much, I'll play along.
Sephiroth picked up the goblet, swirled its contents, and inhaled the aroma of the wine before setting it down without taking a sip. Soon, the banquet was in full swing, with laughter and chatter filling the hall as everyone indulged in the feast laid out before them.
The banquet grew livelier by the minute, with Kuma leading the crowd in a spirited Nika Dance. Hosts and guests alike reveled in the festivities, their laughter and cheers echoing through the grand hall. Yet amidst the merriment, Sephiroth noted something unexpected: Mr. Doragon hadn't once broached the subject of money with him, despite the debt hanging between them.
As the evening wound down, Sephiroth approached Mr. Doragon with a quiet request to speak privately. Doragon's heart sank as he nodded in agreement. Here it comes, he thought grimly.
He ushered Sephiroth into a soundproofed room, already rehearsing his plea in his mind. He'd beg for an extension—five years, ten, maybe even twenty if he could manage it. His pride would take a hit, but it was better than the alternative.
Much to Doragon's surprise, Sephiroth didn't press him about the debt at all. Instead, the two men delved into a conversation that stretched on for hours, their voices low and inscrutable. What they discussed remained a mystery to everyone. When Doragon finally emerged, his expression was pensive, his brow furrowed in deep thought. Without a word to anyone, he retreated to his room, the door clicking shut behind him.