What is it I want to do?
The lives lost for absurd reasons, the poor struggling to survive…
The Heavenly Tribute places unbearable burdens on the allied nations, leaving them unable to meet their dues on the backs of their own citizens alone. As a result, these nations resort to warring with unaffiliated countries to fill their quotas.
But even then, the unaffiliated nations, already unable to pay the Heavenly Tribute, find themselves both raided by pirates and ravaged by allied countries' invasions. How much longer can they endure this cycle?
So, the root of it all lies at the top of the Red Line, in that city… Mary Geoise.
Is that what I want to accomplish?
"Dragon."
Kevin's voice broke through the silence. "Though I could wait two more years to meet you, I wanted to see you here, today, in Loguetown."
"The reason is that we share a goal. And that is… to turn this world upside down!"
"To bring down those who call themselves gods, to make every unjust law disappear for good!"
Dragon, who had been gazing at the pile of treasure, snapped out of his thoughts. "Unjust laws?"
Kevin replied, "Do you think the Heavenly Tribute is fair? Or that everyone must bow to the whims of the Celestial Dragons? As long as these self-proclaimed descendants of gods exist, these injustices will persist. You, me, everyone—we'll never be free."
Silence fell over the basement.
After a long pause, Dragon looked at Kevin with a mix of emotions. "So… this is all about revenge on the Celestial Dragons? Those people are backed by the World Government, which is why you want to 'turn the world upside down.'"
"A year ago, while gathering supplies in the West Blue, I heard of a young man who became an executioner at the entrance of Reverse Mountain in Lasgap Town. During one of my travels, I saw him on the square."
"The executioner, Kevin. A Seaman First Class of the 80th West Blue Branch. Or were you planning to infiltrate the Navy from the start?"
Dragon was clearly trying to regain control of the conversation.
But Kevin, completely unbothered, responded calmly, "Fourteen years ago, at God Valley, Ivankov and Uncle Kuma rescued me. Now you understand why I said we'd meet again in two years."
Dragon fell silent once more.
Ivankov and God Valley…
With those names, Dragon pieced together Kevin's background.
A youth with a blood feud against the Celestial Dragons—his very identity spoke of his stance.
Adding Ivankov to the mix, if he truly committed himself in two years' time, recruiting more allies would naturally follow.
And there was no one better aligned with Dragon's goals than a survivor from God Valley.
"I'll verify what you've said," Dragon replied.
Kevin smiled. "Then leave me a Den Den Mushi—it'll make further communication easier."
After a moment of consideration, Dragon handed over a small Den Den Mushi. At the same time, he noticed Kevin offering him a booklet.
The Core Philosophy of Revolution.
"What's this?" Dragon asked.
"A set of ideas for the future Revolutionary Army," Kevin replied, tapping the booklet's cover. "Whether soldier or commander, every revolutionary needs to understand why they're fighting, why they're sacrificing."
"Meeting with you early wasn't just about money and weapons. I wanted you to know the core philosophy of the future Revolutionary Army."
"This world is unique. A person's willpower and spirit can directly influence their strength. The power of weapons is secondary to the power within."
Dragon opened the booklet and began reading.
The opening lines pulled him in immediately.
Time passed, and though the content was chaotic, it crystallized a vision Dragon had already been forming, providing a clear direction and purpose for his ideas.
The only way to change this world was a revolution from the ground up.
After a long while, Dragon looked up at Kevin with a complex expression.
"Though somewhat scattered, these ideas shouldn't come from someone your age."
Staring at the young man before him, Dragon said, "Only now am I even considering the truth of what you said about the future. Devil Fruit powers… yet you also displayed abilities resembling the Castle-Castle Fruit's spatial storage."
Kevin responded, "I've only seen parts of the future, not all of it. After this meeting, I hope that, in the process of overthrowing kingdoms, you'll leave the key criminals for me to execute."
After a moment of thought, Dragon nodded, refraining from further questions, as he understood the importance of keeping some things secret.
Probing too deeply could cost him a valuable ally and potentially make an otherwise like-minded person into an adversary.
Today's conversation had been an unexpected gain. All he needed was confirmation from Ivankov, and he'd be ready to place his trust in this young man.
Soon, the foundation of the Revolutionary Army would begin to take shape.
...
Late at night, Kevin didn't return to the Navy branch.
His shadow clone was still fast asleep back at the temporary residence, which wasn't ideal for switching with the original. So, once his discussion with Dragon ended, he shamelessly asked to spend the night.
The plan was progressing smoothly. Meeting Dragon and preparing for Roger's execution had gone as intended. Everything in Loguetown was proceeding well so far.
After today, the Flying Nimbus's mobility would allow him to increase the prison's sin point intake.
Moreover, the Revolutionary Army, which was supposed to emerge in a few years, would now evolve from today onward.
That booklet, which he had thrown together, had given Dragon a direction for the future of the Revolutionary Army.
But that was far from enough.
This was a world of supernatural powers. Ordinary people were its foundation, but in a world with Haki, strengthening their will might have some effect. Yet against the figure in Pangaea Castle at Mary Geoise, whose power could wipe out islands, creating bottomless chasms immune to the sea itself…
Such power, along with the World Government's hidden strength over the past eight centuries, would require solid countermeasures.
Jaygarcia Saturn, for instance, looked the same sixteen years ago as he would twenty-four years in the future, suggesting he had achieved immortality.
With an example like that, who knew how many powerful figures the so-called Holy Knights contained—it was likely a terrifying number.
So, it all came down to the luck of the treasure chests.