Ambri Island, which had once been a land defined by chaos and lawlessness, had transformed into a unique symbol of prosperity upon the sapphire seas. Under the expert management of the Golden Group, the island flourished in ways that seemed almost impossible. Ships of all sizes filled the harbor, yet they maintained a perfect, disciplined order that rivaled the most prestigious Marine bases. The streets were bustling with heavy traffic, and the sidewalks were crowded with people of various races. Humans, Fishmen, members of the Longarm Tribe, and Minks walked shoulder to shoulder. Most of them wore expressions of genuine peace and industry rather than the fear so common in the Grand Line. Shops lined the cobblestone streets, their windows filled with a dazzling abundance of goods, and the very air seemed to vibrate with a sense of vitality and hope.
Monkey D. Dragon, still clad in his signature dark green hooded robe, walked along the busy thoroughfares. His weather-beaten face, usually a mask of revolutionary stoicism, now showed a complex expression that bordered on relief. He silently observed the world around him. He watched children of different races chasing each other and laughing as they ran past his boots. He saw Fishman vendors and Human customers haggling good-naturedly over a few Berries, and he took note of the clean streets and the neatly planned residential areas that stretched into the distance.
"No matter how many times I come here, it still feels incredible," Dragon said. His deep voice carried a hint of subtle emotion as he addressed his two most trusted companions walking beside him. "I remember just a few years ago when the North Blue was a lawless land overrun by pirates and cruel slave traders. Takuro... he doesn't just possess a destructive Power Level that could rival a Super Saiyan; he also has unique and effective methods of governance."
Ivankov, the Queen of Queers, vigorously nodded his massive, exaggeratedly made-up face. "Hee-haw! You're exactly right, Dragon! The atmosphere here is completely different from the islands exploited by the nobles of the World Government's allied nations! There aren't any hungry eyes or desperate, numb expressions here. Everyone is working hard for themselves and for the future of this island! It truly makes me so moved that I want to cry! Hee-haw!"
Ginny pushed up her glasses and offered a cheerful analysis. "It's not just the order, either. Have you noticed the details? The tax system here is transparent, the law enforcement is efficient, and the infrastructure is comprehensive. The education and healthcare systems seem open to every resident, regardless of their race or status. The Golden Group uses its commercial profits to feed back into social construction, forming a virtuous cycle. You can't achieve this through military suppression alone. It requires extremely sophisticated and generous management principles." She paused, looking at Dragon with a glimmer of hope. "Leader, this truly resembles the microcosm of the world we envision building after we finally overthrow the World Government."
Dragon took a deep breath of the island's vibrant air, his eyes beneath the hood appearing resolute and fervent. "Yes. No privileges for the Celestial Dragons, no oppression from the nobles, racial harmony, and people living in peace... This is the goal the Revolutionary Army has been fighting for all along." He clenched his fist tightly. "This island proves that such a world isn't just a distant dream; it can be achieved! We just have to topple the great mountain that weighs down the entire world!"
Ivankov excitedly waved his arms in the air. "Hee-haw! That's the spirit! Dragon, if we keep working hard, one day the sight of Ambri Island will appear in every corner of the world! We'll let all the suffering people finally breathe the air of freedom!"
Ginny showed a resolute smile of her own. "Indeed. This island is our lighthouse and our example."
After this brief moment of reflection and mutual encouragement, the group composed themselves and continued toward the harbor where the Revolutionary Army ship was moored. Their purpose for this trip was to obtain a batch of important supplies, according to a secret agreement they had reached long ago with Takuro.
While they were passing through a relatively secluded alley that connected two of the main streets, Dragon's keen gaze suddenly caught sight of a figure. The person was curled up in the shadows next to a pile of discarded wooden crates deep within the alleyway. He stopped instantly and signaled for his companions to be cautious.
Moving closer, they saw it was a youth—or at least, someone who looked like a youth. He was wearing tattered, filthy clothes that were little more than rags. His body was curled up and motionless, as if he had lost consciousness a long time ago. Messy black hair covered part of his face. His exposed arms and calves were covered in grime and minor wounds, making him look utterly wretched and defeated.
"How could a child be passed out here?" Dragon asked with a frown. The security and management of Ambri Island were excellent, making the sight of someone homeless and barely alive an extremely rare occurrence.
Ivankov squatted down and began a quick examination. "Hee-haw! His vitals are very weak. He's extremely frail and malnourished. This boy needs immediate medical attention or he won't last the night!"
Ginny looked around, her eyes scanning the rooftops for any hidden Ki signatures. "It doesn't look like a trap. I don't see any signs of an ambush nearby. It seems he just simply collapsed here from exhaustion."
Dragon pondered the situation for a brief moment before making a firm decision. "We can't just leave him here to die. Take him back to the ship first and have the doctor treat him immediately."
Inside a clean cabin aboard the Revolutionary Army ship, the youth's eyelids fluttered a few times. He slowly opened his eyes to see an unfamiliar, slightly swaying ceiling. Beneath him was a clean but rough bunk. After a brief moment of confusion, the professional alertness belonging to a top CP9 agent instantly returned to him. Rob Lucci tried to sit up abruptly, but he immediately fell back down. His physical weakness was too great, and a sharp wave of dizziness washed over him.
He quickly calmed his breathing and began to recall his recent movements. The last fragments of his memory were of making a desperate escape from that dark, humiliating mine. He had used every sliver of his stubborn willpower and his Rokushiki stealth techniques to evade several waves of pursuers. However, he had ultimately lost consciousness in an unknown alley due to his injuries.
'Where am I?' he wondered silently. 'This isn't a prison, and it's definitely not the mine. Who saved me?'
Just then, the cabin door was pushed open with a soft creak. A tall man in a dark green hooded robe walked into the room. His face bore the marks of weathering and peculiar tattoos, and his eyes were deep and calm. The moment Lucci saw the man's face, his beast-like pupils instantly contracted into dangerous pinpricks.
He knew that face all too well. It was the World Government's number one most wanted criminal, an extremely dangerous man, and the leader of the Revolutionary Army: Monkey D. Dragon.
'Why is he here?' Lucci thought, his mind racing. 'Did he save me? But why would he do that?'
Countless questions flooded Lucci's mind, but his strong psychological fortitude and his training as an agent allowed him to suppress his emotions. He kept his face neutral, choosing to look at Dragon with eyes that appeared weak and lost.
Dragon did not notice Lucci's fleeting moment of extreme shock. He walked to the side of the bed and spoke kindly. His voice was deep and carried a natural, convincing power. "You're awake? How are you feeling? Our people found you passed out in an alley and brought you back here. The doctor said you're just severely weakened and need plenty of rest."
Lucci did not speak. He merely continued to look at Dragon while his brain worked at high speeds. He had been ruthlessly abandoned by the World Government. Back on Ambri Island, his CP9 unit had fought with all their might, but they were ultimately crushed by Takuro's overwhelming power. After the mission failed, the high command had unhesitatingly treated them as disposable pawns to avoid a scandal. Although he had survived the battle, he had been captured and thrown into a sunless mine to live the life of a common laborer.
He didn't harbor much hatred for Takuro. In his mind, the defeated eat dirt and the strong prey on the weak. That was the law of the world, and he had lost a fair fight. But he hated the World Government. He hated the high-and-mighty Celestial Dragons and the bureaucrats who treated him like a tool to be discarded. If they hadn't provoked a monster like Takuro, and if they hadn't abandoned him, he would never have fallen this far.
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