The three of them remained in the hot spring for nearly an hour.
During that time, Roldy played mediator, preventing the atmosphere from turning too stiff. At the same time, he subtly drew quite a bit of useful information about the Marines out of Garp. As for any psychological burden from prying into state secrets?
Sorry—Roldy had no idea what that meant.
As the conversation went on, the tension between Garp and Dragon finally eased.
Garp, seemingly casual, asked about the current state of the Revolutionary Army. Dragon didn't hide much, outlining their general situation. When the topic turned to their poverty, Dragon brushed past it with visible embarrassment. But when he spoke of the countries they had liberated—of civilians crying and laughing at the same time—his face lit up with pure joy.
Garp listened quietly.
As a veteran Vice Admiral who had fought since the Rocks era, he clearly noticed the flaws in the Revolutionary Army's immature structure. There were many weaknesses.
But he said nothing.
It was his son's organization. It stood opposed to the Marines. More importantly—he wanted Dragon to carve his own path.
"Hmph. That's it? I thought it'd be something bigger," Garp scoffed. "Maybe we should lower your bounty when I get back."
Dragon snorted but didn't reply.
Roldy , however, noticed something—
The hand holding Garp's donut was trembling slightly.
Not from anger.
From pride.
After the hot spring, Roldy led the two to the massage area.
Seeing the young and attractive masseuses, Garp burst into hearty laughter while Dragon instantly turned red. Both loudly declared how sinful this was—
And then lay down in perfect unison.
Father and son indeed.
Afterward came a lavish banquet—top-tier ingredients shipped from all four seas, prepared by the world's finest chefs.
The two nearly gnawed the table itself.
Four hours later, Garp finally left in satisfaction, arms loaded with souvenirs. He headed off to collect the Celestial Dragons from Crocodile.
Before departing, however, he suddenly began explaining advanced techniques of Conqueror's Haki development and infusion—right in front of Dragon.
"That old man's really strange, don't you think?" Dragon muttered, watching his father's retreating figure. "Right, Roldy ?"
"Yeah," Roldy replied meaningfully. "Everything he explained—I've already mastered."
"Hah! What a clown. Talked for ages, and you already knew it. That stupid old man!"
"No," Roldy said calmly. "He knew."
"…Huh?"
Dragon fell silent.
Roldy didn't elaborate. He simply patted Dragon's shoulder.
"Tch. The wind's strong today."
Dragon rubbed his eyes roughly.
Roldy smiled faintly, watching the sun sink below the horizon.
So even the wielder of the Goro Goro no Mi (Rumble-Rumble Fruit) could have sand blown into his eyes?
"By the way," Dragon said after a pause, "if I'm not mistaken, you're interested in the Seven Warlords of the Sea?"
Roldy raised an eyebrow.
He had only just formed that plan.
Dragon had already guessed.
Not surprising. Dragon's intellect was first-rate.
"A man like you wouldn't probe for information out of boredom," Dragon continued. "Planning to place some of your people into the Seven Warlords?"
"Some?" Roldy smirked. "We'll see. Probably one or two. If it's just a bunch of pirates worth one or two hundred million Berries, putting them on equal footing with Sea Emperors and Marine Headquarters would be laughable."
Dragon nodded thoughtfully.
He declined Roldy 's dinner invitation and departed with the 20 billion Berries in startup funds.
Though "gift" wasn't quite accurate.
Roldy had purchased a favor.
At a necessary moment, the Revolutionary Army would unconditionally stand with Roldy .
The 20 billion was merely the first installment.
Another 50 billion would follow.
A favor.
Dragon sighed.
The most expensive things in the world were always the ones that seemed free.
He had a premonition—
That this "favor" would one day drag the Revolutionary Army into the very center of the world's storm.
Meanwhile—
Night fell, but Sabaody's nightlife was just beginning.
The streets glowed with lights.
Instead of returning home, Roldy headed to Mihawk's residence—a castle-like structure reminiscent of an old Western fortress. Not large, but decorated with sharp elegance.
He pushed open the door and navigated the halls with familiarity.
From one room ahead came the faint sound of three voices.
"Mihawk, I'm coming in!"
Roldy knocked perfunctorily before opening the door.
A flurry of movement followed.
And when Roldy saw the scene inside—
Even he was momentarily stunned.
The ever-handsome Dracule Mihawk now had his hair braided into three pigtails.
Blush painted his cheeks.
He held a deck of cards with a dead-eyed expression.
Across from him—
One figure was covered head to toe in paper slips. From the bits of exposed skin, it was clearly Gecko Moria.
And the last person—
"Uncle Roldy , you're here!"
Pink twin-tails bounced energetically. Large sparkling eyes looked up at him.
"Great! Now we can play with four people!"
Perona.
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