Yet another ridiculous theory to add to the fandom's growing list. :D
The tree was a giant, enormous and massive and majestic and tall. Inside, it only seemed larger, probably because of the thousands of books stocked on the shelves along the circumference. Scholars were bustling around, exchanging notes and ruffling through old dusty pages.
"Don't touch anything, boy." the professor said absentmindedly, moving to adjust a book that was sticking out farther than its companions on the tightly-packed shelf. Dragon swallowed and nodded, his eyes drinking in the endless pages and knowledge.
"Professor, why are you collecting so much information?" the young boy asked.
"Because we must never let the thoughts of our past die out." the professor replied. He knelt down and laid a hand on the boy's scruffy hair. Dragon blinked when the stern professor smiled behind the beard he was growing.
"History, you mean?"
"Exactly, child."
"I don't understand." Dragon furrowed his brow.
"Did you know there's a blank void somewhere in history?" the professor stared right into the boy's wide eyes. "It's lost, somewhere beneath records of genocide and war. Someday we'll find it and bring it to the world, let them see what exactly happened before the World Government took their first steps."
"Did you find the books that tell about it, then?"
"No... not books." the professor chuckled, standing up.
"Then maybe I can help find information about it!" Dragon said eagerly, balling up his fists.
"No." the man said sternly. "You're different from the others, with so much potential- I can see that, but there's nothing you can do to assist us in our research."
"... But I'd like to help." Dragon rubbed at his nose, frowning.
"You can help by resisting the World Government's eradication of everything we hold precious to us." the professor gently mussed up the boy's dark hair. "Grasp tightly onto what you love. Don't let them take anything away."
"I will!" Dragon nodded resolutely, standing taller and squaring his shoulders. "I can help people too!"
"Yes... you can." the professor smiled. He stood up. "Now go run back to your crew. I'm sure they're waiting in the harbor for you. Don't let anyone know about what I have told you. Not everyone can understand the importance of what we're doing."
"I promise, but I'll help people protect what they love too, professor!" Dragon called as he ran out the tree. "You'll see, someday I'll be a hero!"
The professor watched the young boy run down the street, weaving through pedestrians. Once the boy was out of sight, the man silently returned into the tree, closing the door to the rest of the outside world.