Chapter 83: The Start of a Rebellion - Monkey D. Dragon

"Whew…"

A tornado erupted deep within Shika Island, tearing through nearby buildings before vanishing without a trace.

Aboard the dog-headed warship, Marines paused mid-task, gazing toward the island with alarm. Bogard stopped talking mid-sentence, staring at the phenomenon with furrowed brows.

"…Was that…?"

"You're probably right," Yoriichi said quietly, hands resting on the rail as his eyes narrowed. "That's likely Vice Admiral Garp… and his son, having a 'discussion.'"

"This town may not have many people, but if those two truly clash, there'll be collateral damage."

His voice was calm, but his gaze was stormy.

One of them was Monkey D. Dragon, former Navy officer turned Revolutionary leader, the man who dared to challenge the rule of the Celestial Dragons.

The other—Garp, a living Marine legend, still carrying the banner of justice.

Two opposing visions of "justice." Yoriichi couldn't help but wonder—would the innocent be seen as expendable beneath their ideals?

That question had barely taken root when the answer arrived.

A thunderous boom exploded from the island's heart. A shockwave tore through the forest, blasting outward with terrifying force. Black lightning shot into the sky, crackling through the clouds like divine judgment.

The warship rocked violently. Waves churned. A strange, suffocating pressure pressed down on every Marine aboard. Those with weaker wills collapsed to the deck, gasping.

The clash of Conqueror's Haki had reached the sea.

In the city streets, civilians of Shika Island knelt along the main avenue, heads lowered in fear and reverence.

At the center of this oppressive silence, surrounded by CP agents in black suits, walked a man draped in the authority of the world itself—Saint Jaygarcia Saturn, one of the Five Elders, on rare personal inspection.

He wore a dark cloak over his formal attire, his head protected by the customary bubble helmet. Though his expression was calm, his mere presence struck fear into the hearts of the people.

These weren't lavish palaces or auction halls. But to Saturn, this quiet town offered something else—control, and the opportunity to observe reactions firsthand.

As he strolled down the stone-paved street, murmuring voices rose from the crowd.

"Mama… can we go home now? My knees hurt…"

The words were soft, but they reached Saturn's ears.

He turned, eyes calmly scanning the crowd until he found the source—a young woman in her thirties, comforting her daughter as they knelt respectfully by the road.

"We'll go back soon," the woman whispered, "Once the Elder leaves, we'll go home."

She stroked the child's hair gently.

Then, a shadow fell over her.

She looked up and froze. Jaygarcia Saturn stood before her, silent and towering.

"F-Forgive me, my lord!" she cried, lowering her head quickly, one hand covering her daughter's mouth.

Saturn observed her in silence. Then, he spoke with a measured, deceptively gentle tone.

"If the child is tired, she may rest."

"You may return to your home. I won't object."

"…Your daughter is charming. Well-behaved."

He bent down, placing a hand on the girl's head with a chilling serenity.

The woman looked up, startled by his gentleness. Her fear ebbed—just slightly.

"No! Not tired. Not at all!" she blurted, bowing deeply. "It's our honor to welcome one of the Five Elders! We're… we're grateful beyond words!"

Saturn stood, brushing imaginary dust from his gloves.

"You need not flatter."

"I simply find her interesting."

"I would like to take her with me to raise in Mary Geoise."

"If you're concerned… you may accompany her."

He said it as if it were a formality, like proposing to borrow a chair. But his eyes… those eyes gleamed with quiet menace.

"W-What?" the woman stammered.

"I- I can't…"

Before she could finish, Saturn interrupted, still calm.

"I don't respond well to refusals."

"Those who defy the will of the Elders… tend to disappear."

"Are you refusing me?"

The woman's breath caught in her throat. All around, no one moved. Heads bowed even lower. No one dared speak.

She didn't answer but she tightened her arms around her daughter, trembling.

Saturn signaled to his guards.

But before they could act, a low, echoing boom rang out across the city.

A sudden gust swept through the avenue. Saturn and his entourage staggered, the force nearly knocking him off his feet.

One of his bodyguards reacted instantly, catching him. Others moved to surround him in a tight formation.

"What… is this?" Saturn's eyes narrowed.

No one answered. Just as he was about to send someone to investigate, a cold voice rang out.

"So this is the kind of 'noble' the Navy protects?"

"Old man… you're wrong."

"The Navy is wrong."

"The justice I seek… isn't this filth."

"I've already found my path. Don't bother trying to talk me back into the fold. I'm not coming back."

Saturn turned toward the voice.

A cloaked figure had appeared beside him without warning—Monkey D. Dragon, placing a hand lightly on Saturn's shoulder as he faced the empty street ahead.

Moments later, a white-clad Marine descended from the sky and slammed into the street like a meteor.

The ground cracked beneath his boots. He looked up sharply, eyes fierce.

"Dragon!" he roared.

"Let go of that man."

"Do you even know what you're doing?"

The man was Garp, and what stood before him was his son.

"Of course I know," Dragon snapped.

"It's you who's lost your way."

"You protect this lie of a peace. You shield monsters like him."

"You think that's justice? You think patching this broken world is enough?"

"No. It all needs to go."

"The only way forward is to tear it down and rebuild."

"My path… my army… is the real future."

Without waiting, Dragon's fingers closed around Saturn's neck, and his form dissolved into a swirling gust of wind, vanishing down the street.

"Damn it!" Garp growled and launched after them.

It was only after both had vanished that Saturn's agents realized what had happened.

They broke into a frenzy, racing down the street in pursuit, abandoning the stunned townspeople behind them.

The mother and child were left untouched. But no one dared to speak.

The street returned to silence.

************************

Hey everyone! I'll be dropping an extra 1 chapter once we hit 300, 650 power stones! If you're enjoying the story, don't forget to spend some power stones. I'd really appreciate the support. Thanks a bunch!

For advance chapters, please do visit and consider joining me on P(a)treon, it really helps me out and I'd love to have you along for the journey!

p(a)treon.com/Lnee

*remove () to open it