The night grew deeper, the sea breeze rustling the hems of their clothes, bringing a hint of chill.
Dragon's eyes were filled with pain and confusion, like a traveler lost in thick fog, desperately in need of a guiding light.
Kane knew his opportunity had come.
He didn't answer Dragon's question immediately, instead cautiously scanning their surroundings first.
Only after confirming no one was nearby did Kane look back at Dragon, his expression turning unprecedentedly serious.
"Dragon, you asked me what Justice is. Before I answer, I need to tell you something."
He took a step forward, closing in on Dragon's defenses.
"If the words you just complained about were heard by CP0, even as Vice Admiral Garp's son, you'd spend the rest of your life counting cockroaches in The Endless Hell of Impel Down."
Dragon's body trembled, but he didn't retreat. Instead, he met Kane's gaze, a resolute fire burning in his eyes.
"If speaking the truth makes me a rebel… then I'd rather be that rebel! If this is the 'order' the Marines uphold, then this uniform isn't worth wearing!"
"Good! Well said!" Kane suddenly laughed, his smile carrying appreciation and a hint of cunning.
"Now, I'll answer your question." Kane's gaze sharpened like a blade. "Do you think Justice is wrong? No."
"Justice itself is never wrong. The desire for fairness, for peace, for not being bullied at will by the strong—these are the most basic wishes of every living being. That is Justice."
"What's wrong isn't Justice. What's wrong are those high and mighty people who define 'Justice'!"
Boom!
These words struck Dragon's mind like a thunderclap.
He stood there, completely stunned.
Justice isn't wrong, but those who define it are?
Seeing Dragon's shocked expression, Kane nodded in satisfaction inwardly. He slowly paced to Dragon's side, standing shoulder to shoulder with him.
"Imagine, Dragon. This world is like a towering tree."
"If a tree's leaves turn yellow, you can prune the branches. But if its roots are rotten from the inside out, what's the use of trimming the leaves?"
Kane pointed first at the Seagull Flag fluttering overhead, then in the direction of the distant Holy Land Mariejois.
"We Marines are the gardeners of this tree. We diligently prune the branches every day, catching those pests called 'pirates.' But the roots of this tree named 'the world'—the World Government and the Celestial Dragons—are completely rotten!"
"If the roots are rotten, no matter how hard we prune, we're only prolonging the life of a rotten tree. Do you think such work has any meaning?"
"Rather than pointlessly trimming the leaves… why not uproot it entirely!"
"Uproot it entirely…"
Dragon murmured these four words, his body trembling slightly with excitement. He felt his blood burning.
"Then… what should I do?"
Dragon's voice was hoarse, as if pleading for help. "Overthrow them? With what? By myself?"
"Of course not."
Kane smiled.
He began imparting the "dragon-slaying techniques" verified by countless people in his previous life to Dragon in terms this world's inhabitants could comprehend.
"Dragon, why do you think the Celestial Dragons have ruled the world undisturbed for eight hundred years?"
Dragon frowned. "Because they have the Marines, the CP Organization, and formidable military power."
"No, that's only superficial." Kane shook his head. "Their most powerful weapon is 'order.' They established rules that made people worldwide accustomed to their rule. They co-opted kings and nobles as allies, having them manage the common folk. And we, the Marines, are the violent machinery maintaining this order."
"So, to overthrow them, brute force alone isn't enough. What you must do is establish an entirely new order!"
"A new order?" Dragon's breathing quickened.
"Exactly." Kane's gaze grew profound. "A single spark can start a prairie fire. Your individual strength is limited, but the power of millions of oppressed common people is boundless!"
"You must go to the most remote, impoverished Affiliated Countries—places where people suffer most under nobles and pirates. There, hatred for the World Government runs deepest. They will be your initial sparks!"
"Tell them all people are born equal—no one is destined to be a slave! Give them weapons, teach them to fight, empower them to resist! Unite all forces that can be united: farmers, workers, even criminals pursued by the Marines but with a conscience!"
"What is this called? This is 'encircling the cities from the countryside'! Start from the world's edges, gradually eroding the World Government's foundation. When your flames spread across the globe, that gilded palace in Mary Geoise will crumble like paper!"
Dragon listened, utterly captivated, as if a magnificent, grand blueprint unfolded before his eyes.
He pulled out a small notebook and pen he always carried and began frantically jotting down every word Kane spoke.
"Encircle the cities from the countryside..."
"Unite the oppressed..."
"Establish a new order..."
His hand trembled—not from fear, but from unprecedented excitement. These theories were unheard of, yet they seemed to contain universal truths!
He looked up, his eyes blazing with fervent admiration as he stared at Kane.
"Kane... how... how do you know so much?"
Kane chuckled inwardly but maintained an inscrutable expression. "I've merely read some 'forbidden books.'"
He couldn't very well say these were principles summarized by a great man from another world.
"Dragon, remember." Kane concluded solemnly. "To slay a dragon, you must first become a mightier 'dragon' yourself. But this 'dragon's' power doesn't come from bloodline—it comes from the millions of common people. You need a slogan, a banner that unites everyone around you."
"Such as... 'Freedom'? 'Equality'?"
On the last page of his notebook, Dragon heavily inscribed three characters: "Revolutionary Army."
He lifted his head, his gaze toward Kane now akin to that toward a deity.
"Kane, you're the comrade I've been searching for! Join me! Together, we'll create a brand new world!"
Kane looked at Dragon's fanatical eyes and felt his heart skip a beat.
"No, no, no," he quickly waved his hands, "I'm not ambitious at all. I just want to coast along in the Navy, waiting for promotions and wealth. Revolutionary activities that could cost me my head are too dangerous and not for me."
He was joking - he just wanted to score points, not actually become a Revolutionary Army member. That would be too exhausting, and they didn't even pay salaries.
Instead of being disappointed by his words, Dragon showed an "I understand" expression.
"I see," Dragon said solemnly. "You need a comrade who can remain undercover within the enemy's ranks, passing us intelligence and delivering the fatal blow at the critical moment! Kane, I understand your careful planning! Don't worry, I will never reveal your identity to anyone!"
Kane: "..."
No, what the hell do you understand?! I really just want to coast through life!
This ability to jump to conclusions truly runs in the family - no wonder he's Luffy's father!