The Dragon, having disembarked, stood frozen in place.
He then remembered the purpose of his journey and headed towards the town.
He looked at an uncle lying on a deck chair by the roadside:
"Excuse me, do you know where Norman Bryan's house is?"
The uncle on the deck chair sat up.
With his only remaining hand, he fanned himself and scrutinized the Dragon:
"Who are you, and what business do you have with him?"
The Dragon spoke:
"My name is Monkey D. Dragon, and I am a good friend of Bryan."
"He cannot return for the time being, so he asked me to deliver some things to the elders at home."
The uncle on the deck chair nodded:
"Oh, I see."
"Bryan, he lives in the northwest corner of the east side of town."
"There's a giant ginkgo tree in the yard."
"It's very conspicuous, you can see it at a glance."
"Is little Bryan well? He's been gone for over two years."
The Dragon paused slightly:
"He is well, but he cannot return due to work."
"That's why he asked me to come over."
The uncle sitting on the deck chair laughed heartily:
"Is that so? Then hurry up and go."
"Make Grandma Candice happy."
The Dragon nodded:
"Okay, thank you."
He then walked in the direction indicated by the uncle.
The hand beneath his cloak, holding the package, tightened... it was Bryan's遗物 (yí wù - belongings/relics)...
His thoughts seemed to return to that night several months ago...
---------------
Several months ago, Jaya Island.
The second day of the search.
"Quick, quick, quick!"
"The criminal we were looking for just now disappeared in this area."
"Search quickly!"
"One person per house, speed up!"
"Don't miss any corner!"
Dragon watched the searching soldiers from a rooftop.
He vanished like a gust of wind.
He materialized inside a room.
*Whoosh*—
A breaking sound of air approached.
Dragon, still in the process of fully materializing, raised his right hand, imbuing it with Armament Haki.
He grabbed the blade directly:
"Don't be nervous, I mean no harm."
He then slowly released his grip.
He looked at the man opposite him, who was missing an eye and an ear.
The man opposite him stared at him warily and took a few steps back:
"State your intentions, Marine."
Dragon spoke:
"I just want to understand what you are seeking and the truth behind it."
"What makes you so fearless?"
The man opposite stared at Dragon for a few seconds, then suddenly laughed:
"What we are doing is to uncover the truth that the corrupt government has concealed."
"To bring to light the evils that have been buried."
"Everyone in the world has the right to know everything."
"Instead of being controlled by that corrupt government and the ugly Celestial Dragons."
"What, do you still want to listen?"
He then looked at Dragon with disdain, Marine... hmph...
Dragon was unfazed by his mockery:
"The reason."
The man opposite was taken aback:
"The reason?"
Dragon's expression was serious:
"I want to know the reason for all this."
The man opposite looked at Dragon's earnest expression and was silent for a moment:
"Since you want to know..."
"Then I'll tell you the stories of the people on that island."
"Hmm... where should I begin?"
"Let's start with Aunt Belle next door..."
"........."
"..........And Uncle Torrell."
"He had a lovely son and daughter."
"But because during the Celestial Dragons' inspection of the Northern Sea islands."
"His children accidentally walked in front of the Celestial Dragons."
"They were shot dead on the spot by the Celestial Dragons!"
"When Uncle Torrell rushed forward."
"He was actually arrested on the spot by the country's army and the Marines guarding the Celestial Dragons."
"Utterly ridiculous."
"They even intended to execute Uncle Torrell afterward."
"The reason was that the blood of Uncle Torrell's murdered son."
"Splashed onto the Celestial Dragons' shoes!!!!"
"Heh heh heh..."
"What an ugly world."
"Even though Uncle Torrell managed to escape with his life later, he lost an arm."
"He had no hope of revenge for the rest of his life."
"He could only live on the small island filled with hatred until his death."
"And on the island where I grew up, nearly eighty percent of the people have had similar tragic experiences."
"They gathered here, silently licking their wounds."
"Why?"
"Because they were powerless, because they could not resist!"
"You ask why we seek the truth?"
"We want to expose the sins concealed by the government."
"We want the people of the whole world to know the truth."
"One day, we will overthrow that corrupt government and those ugly Celestial Dragons!"
The man, filled with emotion, shouted in anger.
Looking at the agitated man, Dragon fell silent.
He could not imagine what these people felt when these things happened.
Even though he had witnessed the Celestial Dragons' wanton behavior countless times on Sabaody Archipelago,
Compared to these people's experiences, it was nothing.
After a moment of silence, Dragon spoke:
"I'm sorry."
The man opposite smiled:
"You don't need to apologize, you didn't cause all this."
"It was the corrupt government and the Celestial Dragons."
"I can see that you are a good person."
"Can you grant me one request?"
Dragon nodded slightly:
"Speak."
The man opposite took out a small box from his person.
There was nothing inside the box.
Only a sachet, a cross, and some Beli:
"Please deliver this to Pado Island."
"Give it to my grandmother, Mary Candice."
"And tell her."
"I... can't go back."
"If you can, please help those scholars."
"They are the guiding lights..."
"Oh, my name is Norman Bryan."
"Thank you for listening, Marine."
He then showed a brilliant smile.
He heard the approaching footsteps.
He could no longer hide.
He had to attract the attention of the searching personnel.
The longer he could distract them, the longer those historical scholars would live.
If even one scholar could survive,
It would be a huge change for the world.
*Boom*—
Bryan kicked open the door, creating a loud noise.
Attracting the圍剿 (wéi jiǎo - encirclement and suppression) of many soldiers.
The final image was frozen on his riddled body and brilliant smile.
Dragon watched it all silently.
He was not someone easily guided.
He had his own judgment.
Although Bryan and the people on his island had indeed suffered tragic experiences,
It was not a reason to condemn them all.
There was no absolute right or wrong, and the Marines had indeed acted as accomplices in the process.
But countless soldiers died fighting pirates every year.
The Monument of Heroes in Marinford Square, inscribed with over twenty thousand names, was not put there because they were accomplices.
Those lives were extinguished fighting pirates.
Nobles, government, bureaucrats, civilians, pirates, Marines.
Connecting these elements.
He already had a general direction in his heart.
He would surely find that path...
*Whoosh*—
A gust of wind blew, and Dragon, who was in his original spot, vanished.
Late at night.
The historical scholars, preparing to smuggle themselves out, as if by fate.
The moment they all boarded the ship.
A strong wind began to blow.
Carrying them away...
---------------
Northern Sea, the island where the Kingdom of the World's Edge is located, Pado Island.
Unknowingly, he had arrived at the yard with the giant ginkgo tree.
Dragon snapped back from his memories of several months ago.
He looked at the tightly shut yard gate.
He raised his hand...