Everyone who had been focused on the two figures on the execution platform was instantly drawn toward the sudden voice echoing across the plaza.
The Marines and Cipher Pol agents immediately looked around in alarm.
"Who said that?!"
"Where's the voice coming from?"
"Why can't I see anyone?"
"Stay alert!"
The entire Brown Plaza fell into chaos as soldiers searched frantically for the source of the voice.
Kuzan slowly relaxed his tightly furrowed brows. He lifted his head toward the distant sky and spoke in a deep voice.
"So you finally came, Monkey D. Dragon."
The moment those words fell, the entire plaza became tense.
"Nani?!"
"Dragon?!"
"The leader of the Revolutionary Army?!"
"He's here?!"
"Everyone, prepare for battle!"
Countless Marines gripped their weapons tightly while staring toward the distant horizon with nervous expressions.
"Heh, what a terrifying welcome."
As the voice grew clearer, a small black dot appeared in the sky and rapidly expanded.
Soon, everyone finally saw it clearly.
A massive ship emerged from the clouds.
The enormous vessel was pitch black, with a giant dragon head mounted at the bow. Dark dragon scales stretched across both sides of the hull, making the ship appear like a living beast soaring through the heavens.
Its oppressive appearance alone made countless people shiver.
"It's Dragon's ship!"
"The Revolutionary Army flagship!"
"How is it flying in the sky?!"
"Forget that, get ready to attack!"
"There are more ships behind it!"
The crowd quickly noticed dozens of warships following behind Dragon's flagship.
"That's the Revolutionary Army's main force!"
"There are at least dozens of ships!"
The Marines immediately aimed their rifles and cannons toward the approaching fleet, but nobody dared to fire without Kuzan's command.
As the fleet approached Brown Plaza, a terrifying hurricane swept across the sea.
The soldiers stationed near the coast were pushed backward by the violent winds.
"S-Such strong wind!"
The sea beneath the fleet began to churn violently.
A massive whirlpool formed on the ocean surface as gigantic waves surged outward in every direction.
Finally, the Revolutionary Army fleet stopped roughly five hundred meters away from Brown Plaza.
An overwhelming pressure spread across the battlefield from the lead ship alone.
Many Marines instinctively swallowed hard.
"What terrifying pressure..."
"So this is the aura of Monkey D. Dragon?"
"It's suffocating..."
Standing at the bow of the flagship, Dragon wore a dark green cloak that fluttered wildly in the storm.
His sharp eyes locked directly onto Kuzan.
Kuzan also stared at Dragon in silence.
His emotions were complicated.
Strictly speaking, Dragon had once been his senior within the Marines.
If Dragon had never left the Marines, then the position of Fleet Admiral would never have belonged to Kuzan.
Even after leaving the organization for so many years, Dragon remained a legendary figure among countless Marines.
Many soldiers had even joined the Marines because of him.
Kuzan could clearly feel the terrifying pressure radiating from Dragon, a presence even greater than his own.
As expected of the most talented Marine in history.
Even as Garp's disciple, Kuzan knew he could not compare to Dragon.
After all, Dragon was Garp's biological son.
Kuzan finally spoke.
"Dragon, it's been a long time. You still came."
Dragon simply nodded before shifting his gaze toward the old man on the execution platform.
His eyes narrowed slightly.
"You really ended up in a pathetic state, Vegapunk."
Vegapunk did not appear surprised by Dragon's arrival.
What surprised him was that Dragon greeted him first.
Vegapunk adjusted his glasses slightly and replied calmly.
"So you're the infamous leader of the Revolutionary Army. You truly are imposing."
Dragon raised an eyebrow.
"What? You don't recognize me anymore, old friend?"
The moment those words were spoken, the entire plaza exploded into uproar.
"What?!"
"Vegapunk knows Dragon?!"
"They're actually friends?!"
"So the World Government wasn't lying?!"
"Vegapunk really leaked secrets to the Revolutionary Army!"
Countless people watching the worldwide broadcast were equally stunned.
Vegapunk's expression changed slightly.
He stared at Dragon in silence before speaking slowly.
"Have we met before? You're the leader of the Revolutionary Army, while I'm the World Government's chief scientist."
He intentionally denied their relationship.
Vegapunk understood the situation clearly.
The Revolutionary Army had appeared here today.
The Ion Pirates had not.
As long as Dragon's connection to him remained unclear, the World Government might still focus solely on Sabo and the Revolutionary Army.
There was still a chance for Dragon to retreat alive.
But if Vegapunk admitted everything publicly, the World Government would never allow Dragon to leave.
Compared to Sabo, Vegapunk himself posed a far greater threat.
Sabo threatened the World Government politically.
Vegapunk threatened its very foundation.
His research into the Void Century was enough to shake the rule of the entire world.
Dragon naturally understood Vegapunk's intentions immediately.
He shook his head slightly.
"I didn't come here only to save Sabo."
Dragon's gaze sharpened.
"I'm here to save you too, my old friend."
Vegapunk suddenly burst into laughter.
"Hahaha! What, are you after my scientific technology now?"
His expression gradually turned colder.
"Give up already. It's impossible."
"You should leave immediately."
Dragon merely smiled faintly.
Vegapunk had always been stubborn.
Nothing had changed since the days Dragon invited him into the Freedom Fighters.
Dragon then turned toward Sabo.
"Sabo, wait a little longer. I'll get you out soon."
Sabo's eyes widened.
"Dragon-san... why did you come personally?!"
Dragon replied calmly.
"The Revolutionary Army and the World Government were destined to clash eventually. This is simply the right opportunity."
Sabo clenched his fists tightly.
"But..."
Dragon interrupted him.
"Sabo, you're the Chief of Staff of the Revolutionary Army. You're one of our core members."
His expression softened slightly.
"And besides that, I watched you grow up."
"I've always treated you like my own son."
A faint smile appeared on Dragon's face.
"A father saving his son sounds pretty normal to me."
Sabo's eyes became slightly red.
"Dragon-san..."
Before the emotional atmosphere could continue, Aramaki stepped forward with a cold snort.
"Enough with this disgusting display, Revolutionary Army scum."
"You people don't deserve to speak about family."
The moment his voice fell, his body rapidly transformed.
His flesh expanded into enormous tree trunks while countless vines spread from his limbs.
Green vegetation erupted from his body as he transformed into a gigantic humanoid forest monster.
"It's Admiral Ryokugyu!"
"Admiral Green Bull is making his move!"
"Hahaha! The Revolutionary Army is finished!"
"We have three Admirals here!"
"And the World Government's top agents too!"
"What do we have to fear?!"
The appearance of an Admiral instantly reignited the morale of the Marines and Cipher Pol agents.
Their fear disappeared almost immediately.
Victory seemed guaranteed.
However, at that exact moment, the center of Brown Plaza suddenly began to tremble violently.
Rumble!
Rumble!!
The ground cracked apart as countless grains of golden dust slowly rose into the air.
Everyone's expressions changed instantly.
"What now?!"
"Another enemy?!"
The golden sand continued gathering rapidly at the center of the plaza, forming an enormous swirling storm beneath everyone's horrified gaze.