"Huh. Can't say I expected this."

She should have, really. Miss Belo, Koala, and Sabo had always been pretty adamant in their attempts to convince her to officially join the Revolutionary Army. She'd always refused, unwilling to be stifled by the rules of another in a world where true freedom was actually achievable. She believed in their goals, and she believed in them, but she was just a bit too selfish to actually tie herself down to their ranks.

And yet here she was now, face to face with the most wanted man in the world.

"You know who I am, then?"

"I do. Was this Sabo's plan all along, or did your curiosity get the best of you, Mister Dragon?"

Though the hood of his cloak hid most of his features, there was no missing the grin now stretching his lips – Luffy's parentage couldn't have been more obvious in this instant.

"Sabo did warn me your decision wouldn't be swayed easily, but I decided there was nothing to lose attempting to, nonetheless."

"So the head of the Revolutionary Army is here to personally recruit me? I'm flattered."

"Will you not even consider it?"

They were in the middle of a random alley, not too far from one of the busiest streets in the entire city. But Brynlee wasn't worried about whoever might overhear – if Dragon himself had decided to reach out to her in this place, then it was surely safe.

"I've already had over ten years to consider it. I'm afraid my answer hasn't changed."

"We share the same ambitions. Your dream is to bring down the World Government, is it not? If you join us, we can make your dream come true."

My dream?

"I'm afraid you're mistaken, Mister Dragon. My goal is to bring down the World Government and, on that front, I'll do whatever I deem necessary. But my dream…" She pondered over it for a moment, and a slightly bitter smile graced her lips. "I've seen a lot of the terrible things this world has to offer already. Now… Now, I'd like a chance to see the best of it, too. And that can only happen with my crew – not with the Army."

They stayed silent for a moment, their respective cloaks fluttering in the wind. Both wanted criminals – one for being born in the wrong time, the other for growing out of the World's mold. Frankly, thinking back, Brynlee figured she might have had a good shot at survival with him, too, but it was ten years too late to reconsider, now.

And it's not like she ever regretted her decision, either.

"I'll be keeping in touch with Sabo and Koala, and I'll make sure to communicate any information relevant to your cause, should I happen to stumble upon it," she promised.

He nodded slowly. "Your contribution to our cause is much appreciated. And there is no denying that we've found… forcibly vacated marine bases to be much easier to infiltrate, if you understand what I mean."

She barked out a laugh. "Of course. I'll make sure to burn down a couple more, while I'm at it. Plus, the chaos left in the wake of your son and his crew is bound to create many opportunities for your people, so do try to keep up."

Another silence, this one much heavier than the first.

After a moment, his grin sharpened – now a warning.

"So you know."

"I know many things, as I'm sure my friends have told you. But rest assured that this knowledge will never be used to bring harm to my people, your cause, or innocents." She then shrugged. "Plus, you already know about me. Let's just agree that we'll mutually destroy each other if it ever comes down to it and call it a day."

"Ah! You're exactly as Sabo warned me," he concluded, now sounding amused. "Very well. Here, take this."

"What is it?" she asked, accepting the small, folded paper.

"My Den-Den number. Feel free to contact me should you come to acquire any important information, or if your crew requires anything."

"Huh. Thanks. I'll make sure to use it wisely."

As she carefully tucked it away, a clamor echoed a few streets away – from the main plaza. Brynlee belatedly realized that she was going to be late to Luffy's near-brush with death – and it would surely be a conclusive one if she held Dragon back any longer.

"Go. For the only time in his life, Luffy needs you."

Without wasting a second more, Brynlee hurried past him and out of the alley, quickly running toward the main plaza. She quickly got swept up by the curious, thickening crowd of onlookers, but her eyes were completely focused on the execution platform in the middle, atop of which her Captain was now stuck – trapped. And Buggy was there too, cackling as he brought up his sword.

Thunder rumbled above their heads, dark clouds rolling in at the speed of light.

He's going to be okay.

Luffy will be fine.

He will live—

"Sorry, everyone!" called out Luffy, beaming widely. "Looks like I'm dead!"

—because he is the man destined to become the Pirate King.

Buggy brought down his sword, and the Heavens brought down lightning. It struck the execution platform, the strength of it enough to make it explode upon impact, and Brynlee stayed frozen in place as civilians ran away in a panic, his heart beating wildly in her chest.

This was the story. This was Fate.

And no amount of system errors could ever change that.

But I can, realized Brynlee, looking down at her hands only to find them shaking. I might. If I play my cards wrong… then absolutely nothing is guaranteed. I can't afford to believe everything will go exactly as Before and stake my friends' lives on it. Right now, we're only at the beginning of our adventure, so the changes are small and almost insignificant… but even the smallest of waves can turn into a tsunami.

"Bryn!" Zoro was suddenly beside her, pulling her arm. "Come on, we've got to go!"

"Right!"

Well, if I'm bound to drown this world in chaos, might as well go all out with it – and having friends in high places is definitely going to help!

Of course Dragon was bound to show up and try to recruit her - she's been on the Army's radar for almost a decade now, after all. And though half-knowing it was already a lost cause, he also wanted to meet the one who'd bring the most danger to his son's crew, though that went a bit unsaid xD

Anyway, one more chapter and we'll officially be out of Loguetown, but I don't think I'll be able to post anything until my trip's over. I decided to make an exception today because... Tan, tan, tan! Today's my birthday! So anyway I wanted to celebrate with as many people as possible, since I'm not home, and what better way to do that than post a new chapter?

The best gift you guys can give me is your continued support for this story, it truly means the world to me!

Love you guys, I'll see you all soon~!