"Just give us whatever money you have on you. The rest is the boss's way of funding young people with dreams." The man in sunglasses urged impatiently.
Why?
Dragon's eyes were full of vigilance, the massive temptation had not clouded his mind.
"Who is your boss?"
"Don't ask what you shouldn't ask."
The man in sunglasses pulled a heavy package wrapped in oilcloth from his coat and tossed it to Dragon.
"The boss also instructed this—said it's a gift specifically for the leader."
After saying that and taking the pitiful amount of Berries, the man in sunglasses left with his men without looking back, as if staying a second longer would cause trouble.
Dragon stood stunned as the sea breeze whipped his cloak.
After a long while, he slowly opened the package.
Inside was a book.
On the cover of the book, there were no publisher markings, only several large handwritten characters.
"On the Sixteen-Character Policy and Practice of Guerrilla Warfare 2.0 Edition"
Dragon's pupils shrank violently.
Trembling, he flipped to the title page, where a line of familiar, flamboyant handwriting exploded in his eyes like a thunderclap.
A single spark can start a prairie fire.
—Tatsuki
Dragon's mind went blank, and then blood rushed to his head.
The memory of being "enlightened" by Tatsuki on Garp's ship surged into his heart like a tide.
That sentence, "Rather than futilely pruning the branches, it's better to pull it out by the roots.", was still deafening in his ears.
It's Tatsuki!
He has been silently watching over me all along, he never gave up on me.
This batch of extremely precious arms wasn't some charity from a black market dealer at all. It was sent by Tatsuki through special channels from within the Marines, at great risk.
The man who would make the world tremble in the future was now clutching that book tightly, his whole body shaking with excitement.
His companions looked at each other, having no idea what was happening.
"Dragon-san, what's wrong?"
Dragon stood up abruptly, a fire burning in his eyes like never before. He held the book high, his voice trembling with excitement as if announcing to the world. "Comrades! We are not fighting alone!"
"Our greatest revolutionary mentor is lurking in the heart of the enemy, risking his life to send us nutrients and guide our direction!"
"This warmth... this expectation... this trust... we must never fail it!!!"
...
Meanwhile, on Punk Hazard.
Tatsuki was comfortably enjoying a sunbath, the blue system light screen in front of him refreshing frantically.
[Ding! Detected the Host seriously aiding the enemy, selling a large amount of high-quality arms at a low price to a rebel organization against the World Government!]
[This behavior has seriously violated Article 117 of the "Marine Penal Code": Treason! According to the law, it shall be punished by death!]
[Congratulations to the Host! Obtained a massive amount of Violation Points: 100,000!]
Listening to the series of "praises" in his mind, Tatsuki comfortably shifted his position.
Still the same formula, still the same flavor.
With these 100,000 points in hand, he was one step closer to redeeming a Devil Fruit awakening.
Just then, his private den den mushi, whose number only he knew, rang abruptly.
Tatsuki picked it up and saw it was indeed Dragon's number. He cleared his throat, adjusted his emotions, and answered the call.
The face of the den den mushi immediately showed Dragon's face, which was somewhat distorted with excitement.
"Sensei!"
As soon as the call connected, Dragon's deafening roar came through, heavy with a nasal tone.
"I received it! Your kindness, we've received it all!"
Tatsuki's tone was flat, carrying a depth of having experienced many vicissitudes. "Mhm, it was just some insignificant 'waste disposal.' The road ahead is long, you still need to walk it yourselves."
'Keep going, make a bigger scene, my Violation Points depend entirely on you.'
"No! Sensei! This is not insignificant!" Dragon's voice choked up.
"This is a torch that illuminates the darkness! I understand everything now! The reason you stayed in the Marines, even bearing the infamy of being greedy and cruel, was to dismantle this corrupt regime from within! You... you have borne everything for us!"
The corner of Tatsuki's lips couldn't help but twitch.
This kid's ability to over-interpret things was as stable and excellent as ever.
"Sensei!"
Dragon took a deep breath and said with a tone almost like an oath, with utmost solemnity, "I can no longer occupy such a high position! The position of Supreme Commander of the Revolutionary Army should rightfully be yours! Only your wisdom can lead us to final victory!"
"From today on, I, Monkey D. Dragon, only wish to be the most loyal vanguard under your command! I will clear all obstacles for you! I only ask for your arrival to lead us in building a truly fair and just new world!"
Tatsuki held the den den mushi, looked at the distant sea level, and sighed helplessly.
Here it goes again.
I just want to quietly farm some points, why do you always try to force the crown upon me?
Tatsuki forced himself to calm down and said in an even more sorrowful and complex tone, "Dragon, I understand your intentions. But my mission is not yet complete."
"In the darkest places, light is needed most. The chronic ailments within the Marines require a scalpel inserted from the inside."
"You are our sword in the sunlight. And I must be the dagger in the shadows."
Dragon, on the other end of the line, fell silent.
After a long while, his voice came through, choked with uncontrollable emotion. "I... I understand, sensei."
"I won't make such unreasonable requests again. I will definitely build a great army worthy of you. I will wait for the day you descend to rule the world."
The call ended.
Tatsuki looked at the den den mushi in his hand, which had returned to its original form, and fell into a long period of contemplation.
This kid... I just wanted to grow some point farms, but you want me to be the emperor?
(End of Chapter)
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