Sometimes he had even thought: What if he didn't care about this world? With his strength, he could live freely in this world without having to answer to anyone.
Even the Celestial Dragons could not affect Raleigh.
But such thoughts were always quickly dismissed by Raleigh.
Because what he truly needed was not a noble status or position, nor immense power, but to have no one standing above his head.
The Celestial Dragons treat all races as slaves, only they are the noble gods. And Raleigh happened to feel intense disgust toward such beings.
The absence of Celestial Dragons truly mattered greatly to Raleigh.
"I wonder if Dragon has the same resolve to make painful sacrifices as we do. After all, these are trusted aides who have followed him for many years, with many having steadfastly stood by his side since the days of the Self-defense Force."
Raleigh lamented that an organization established merely a few years ago, growing through intangible dreams and lacking strict regulations, had expanded to become arguably the largest force in the world under such circumstances.
He hardly dared imagine how many corrupt individuals might exist within such an organization.
Momonga and Cleveland twitched at the corners of their mouths, taking a long moment before uttering two words.
"Probably?"
....
In the North Blue, the Polar North Country welcomed a special guest today.
A Naval warship marked with a dog's head docked at the port.
To the surprise of the port's inhabitants, the soldiers aboard did not disembark; instead, only a man of exceptionally robust build stepped ashore.
He was not wearing a Navy uniform but had changed into a brightly colored, floral-patterned shirt, walking into the port as if no one else were around.
Among the port personnel were many Revolutionary Army soldiers and spies who reported all activities to the Revolutionary Army Headquarters.
After confirming Garp's identity, they immediately dialed the Den Den Mushi to contact the Headquarters.
"This is the on-duty personnel at the Polar North Country port. We have spotted the Battleship of Vice Admiral Garp, and one person has disembarked. The target has been confirmed as Vice Admiral Garp of the Navy."
After the reporting agent cautiously notified the Headquarters, he turned around to find a square-jawed face right in front of him.
Swish!
A sharp dagger swiftly thrust toward Garp's chest.
Clang!
Garp effortlessly blocked the intelligence agent's attack with just two fingers, looking at him with an innocent expression as he said.
"Why are you attacking me? I'm here to see your leader."
Garp wore an expression of utter matter-of-factness.
Unfortunately, not everyone knew that Dragon was Garp's son, and Dragon had never revealed this to the outside world.
"You won't learn the location of the Revolutionary Army Headquarters from me! I'll fight you to the death!"
Seeing his dagger restrained, the Revolutionary Army soldier immediately abandoned his weapon and swung a fist at Garp's face instead.
Thud!
A prominent lump appeared on the Revolutionary Army soldier's head as he was knocked unconscious to the ground by Garp's Iron Fist.
Garp retrieved the Den Den Mushi from the soldier's pocket and dialed out.
"Hello, this is Vice Admiral Garp of the Navy. I want to meet your leader, Dragon. Relay this message to him."
Garp spoke brashly, showing no fear that his words might be intercepted or that Dragon might refuse to see him.
The Revolutionary Army intelligence agent was startled but promptly delivered the information to Dragon's office.
After carefully reading the report, Dragon instructed, "Since Vice Admiral Garp of the Navy has come and specifically requested to see me, I shall meet him. Not doing so would make our Revolutionary Army appear cowardly."
The guard responsible for Dragon's safety immediately objected, "Leader, aren't you worried this might be a trap?"
Dragon showed no trace of concern on his face and replied directly, "If it were Fleet Admiral Sengoku inviting me to meet, I would be very worried. But the one who came is Garp. As far as I know, Vice Admiral Garp has always been a man of his word. Besides, this is our Revolutionary Army headquarters, not Marineford. If Vice Admiral Garp isn't afraid of being detained by us, why should we fear him?"
Dragon didn't want the members of the Revolutionary Army to know about his relationship with Garp, so he decided to meet Garp elsewhere within the Revolutionary Army.
Suddenly, he remembered something.
That was Luffy.
He needed to entrust Luffy to Garp's care, as Dragon's affairs were growing increasingly complex and drawing more attention from the World Government.
The Polar North Country was no longer safe.
If necessary, Dragon would have to evacuate from the Polar North Country at any moment and move to one of the other bases he had established—a small secret base of the Revolutionary Army in the Polar North Country.
Because Dragon was meeting Garp here, the Revolutionary Army had cleared out all personnel and items from the secret base in advance.
When Garp stepped into this small, secret base, only Dragon and a child cradled in his arms remained inside.
All Video Transponder Snails had also been removed.
Garp sat on a cold stool, looking at the noticeably more mature Dragon before him, and said.
"Dragon, you've changed. You seem much more mature and steady now compared to before. Sengoku told me that the Revolutionary Army has already caught the attention of the World Government. I came here hoping you would abandon the Revolutionary Army."
"You once served in the Navy, so you naturally understand the number of powerful individuals within its ranks. Do you think the Revolutionary Army has the strength to oppose the Navy?"
Dragon stared at the sleeping infant in his arms, then raised his head to look at Garp.
"Father, I have seen the truth of this world. The Navy cannot realize my ideals. After all these years in the Navy, you should have come to understand this as well. The Navy is not a messenger of Justice; they are merely carrying out the orders of the World Government."
"The Revolutionary Army may not be able to oppose the World Government, but if no one stands up to do this, the world will never know true peace."
Garp's expression turned unusually serious. "Dragon, is this your conviction? Are you certain you have thought this through?"
Dragon handed the infant in his arms to Garp across from him.
Under Garp's puzzled gaze, he said, "Father, since you are here, I entrust Luffy to your care. In the days to come, I cannot even guarantee my own safety, but Luffy must be protected."
Seeing Garp's still-confused expression, Dragon spoke again.
"Because Luffy is my son!"
Garp held Luffy, his eyes wide as he stared blankly at the sleeping infant in his arms.
He opened his mouth to speak but he was frozen.