Dragon’s Scheme

"How's your Devil Fruit ability development coming along?"

After Peberton joined them, Jon and Borsalino stopped discussing Dragon.

Peberton didn't answer immediately but instead extended his right hand in front of Jon and Borsalino.

The temperature inside the cabin rose noticeably. Borsalino curiously touched Peberton's hand but immediately recoiled.

"So hot?"

Peberton explained, "I only ate the fruit recently. Right now, I can barely control my body temperature and affect a small area. I can't influence a larger range yet."

"That's already pretty good. You haven't had the fruit for long."

Jon recalled when he first ate his own Devil Fruit—it was worse than Peberton's experience. At the start, he could only grow tiny, harmless plants. It took him a long time to develop any combat applications.

Peberton's Heat-Heat Fruit had great potential. Once he got used to it, Jon had no doubt Peberton's intelligence would allow him to develop it into something formidable.

"Jon is right. Not everyone is as much of a genius as me. I was practically invincible the moment I ate my fruit."

"Get lost!"

Peberton shoved Borsalino aside. He admitted he wasn't as gifted as Borsalino but still found his arrogance annoying.

"Jon, are we actually trying to catch Dragon, or are we just going through the motions?"

Peberton wasn't very familiar with Dragon, but he knew Jon and Borsalino had a good relationship with him. Plus, there was also Vice Admiral Garp to consider. He wasn't eager to take on this mission, so he wanted to test where Jon and Borsalino stood.

"Peberton, you're overthinking things. I just told Jon, even if we search with everything we have, there's no guarantee we'll find him. And even if we do, capturing him won't be easy."

Borsalino thought Peberton's concerns were unnecessary.

"That works for me. But what the hell is Dragon thinking? He had a good life in the Marines. Why get involved in all of this?"

Peberton was the type who preferred a peaceful, comfortable life. He genuinely couldn't understand Dragon's ideals. To him, doing something so dangerous was absurd—he'd rather just stay home and sleep.

"By the way, Borsalino, Jon, you two should be careful."

Jon and Borsalino exchanged confused glances. "About what?"

Peberton lowered his voice. "I heard the higher-ups are planning a restructuring of the Marine command. A lot of older officers will be moved to desk jobs, which means there will be several open vice admiral positions. If you two want a promotion, now's your chance."

Jon raised an eyebrow. "You heard this from your uncle?"

"Yeah, he said Headquarters will have at least a few open vice admiral slots. I don't have a shot, but you two definitely do. You should start making moves now."

"Is that so?"

Jon and Borsalino exchanged a meaningful look. If this was true, they both had a high chance of being promoted—especially Borsalino and Sakazuki.

Vice admiral was practically the peak of a Marine's career. Admirals weren't just high-ranking officers; they were deeply tied to the World Government and the Celestial Dragons.

In a sense, vice admiral was the highest a Marine could go without becoming a direct servant of the World Government. For most Marines, it was the ultimate goal.

"Thinking about this now is too soon. Let's focus on the mission first."

Borsalino remained calm. Or perhaps he was just confident in his own abilities. He wasn't in a rush.

Two days later, Jon and the others arrived at their destination.

"This is where Dragon was last seen? What's so special about this place?"

The six Marines immediately began searching, hoping to find any traces Dragon might have left behind.

But according to the intelligence report, Dragon had last appeared here a month ago. By now, any clues were likely long gone.

Despite searching for hours, they found nothing useful. Still, they didn't give up and split up to cover more ground.

After several days of searching across multiple islands, they were still empty-handed.

Originally, they had stayed together, but to expand their search radius, they eventually split into individual groups.

Jon strolled across the southern part of the island, taking his time. He didn't stop until he reached the coastline.

"You knew we were looking for you, yet you still dared to show up? Do you really think I can't catch you?"

"After all these years together, you're just going to turn on me like this?"

A figure stepped out from behind a rock. Cloaked in a green hood, with sharp eyes full of confidence—who else could it be but Dragon?

"It's not me turning on you. It's you who crossed the Marines' line. Fleet Admiral Kong has already deemed you a traitor. I'm just here to carry out orders."

"Traitor? I don't like that word. I never once considered myself part of the Marines."

Jon scoffed, "What, are you trying to recruit me? Is that why you let me find you?"

Dragon burst into laughter. "You always were the smartest one, Jon. You're right—I left those clues for you. I know I can't turn the others, but you're different."

"You're overestimating yourself. My whole family is in the Marines. There's no way I'd betray them for you. Stop wasting your breath."

"I never said I'd use normal methods to convince you. Tell me, Jon, what do you think Kong and Sengoku will do when they hear you met with me in secret?"

Dragon's smile turned dark and ominous. He was serious about recruiting Jon—even if it meant resorting to underhanded tactics.

Jon remained calm and suddenly snapped his fingers. "You mean him?"

A massive tree erupted from the ground a few hundred meters behind Jon. At the same time, a figure scrambled away, trying to flee.

"Clap, clap. Trying to outsmart you is no easy task."

Dragon clapped his hands mockingly, watching as the figure disappeared into the forest.

Jon didn't even turn around. "Why should I chase him? Do you really think you'll let him escape?"

Dragon grinned. "Jon, this is why I like you. Sometimes you're sharp, and other times, you're hopelessly oblivious. But one thing never changes—you never lose your cool."

Jon snorted. "Enough games. Tell me what you really want. You didn't bring me here just to chat."

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