The streets were still in chaos.
Civilians were fleeing in terror, frantically trying to contact someone through their Den Den Mushi.
Daren and Dragon, however, sat calmly in place, as if the surrounding turmoil had nothing to do with them.
Thunder rumbled louder and louder, lightning streaking through the pitch-black sky.
Daren stared quietly at Dragon's scarred face, then suddenly asked,
"What are you planning to do?"
Dragon scratched his head, looking a bit sheepish.
"I'm not sure. But first, I need to get away from you, right?"
"The order you received must've been to arrest me at all costs—even kill me on the spot if necessary, correct?"
"But if I do manage to escape... I want to build a brand-new organization."
"One founded on harmony, freedom, equality, and dreams. I'll need more people for that."
He glanced at Daren and gave a wry smile.
"I did consider inviting you at first. But I realized there's no way you'd say yes."
"You're the head of the North Blue Fleet, top of the training camp... With how you've laid out your plans in the Marines all these years, and your personality, it's just not possible for you to join me."
"Sleeping rough, being hunted, not knowing if I'll see tomorrow... No beauties, no cigars, no strong booze? I wouldn't survive."
They shared a quiet laugh.
No more needed to be said.
Daren finished his cigarette.
Snuffing it out, he said suddenly,
"Dragon, this road you're taking... it won't be easy."
"No one will understand you."
"Even the people you want to protect—they'll be afraid of you. They'll fear you. And one day, without warning, they might shoot you in the back and turn you over to the World Government."
Dragon smiled—brightly.
This time, it was a real smile.
The kind that comes when someone lets go of their ideals and pride, and chooses to face a harsh, uncertain future with unwavering resolve.
"Daren, the world needs a serious shake-up."
"I know they're just afraid, and that fear will keep spreading. But I can't stop the transformation just because the masses are scared and weak."
"It seems you're mentally prepared."
Daren smiled with satisfaction.
"Very good. Before we begin, Vice Admiral Garp asked me to pass on a message to you."
Dragon was taken aback.
"He asked me to tell you..."
Daren repeated Garp's words, word for word.
Dragon was struck like lightning.
His eyes turned visibly red. He grabbed his face with both hands and choked out,
"I'm so sorry... to the old man, to everyone... and for causing you trouble..."
Tears slipped through his fingers as he clenched his teeth hard.
"Damn it, I wanted to be a hero like the old man... But now I've become a fugitive wanted by the whole world."
"Dragon, what do you think a hero is?"
Dragon froze, looked up at Daren, and instinctively replied,
"A hero is someone strong enough to protect the weak and uphold justice."
Daren shook his head.
"No, strength matters—but a hero is actually a banner."
"Yes. The people of this world are too weak, and the forces they face are too overwhelming. Maybe they want to resist, but they lack the inner strength... so they need a banner."
Daren smiled, eyes burning with conviction.
"To guide the lost, inspire courage in the timid, and solidify the faith of the hesitant. Like a blazing torch lighting up this dark world, igniting the buried flame in people's hearts, and giving them the strength to move forward..."
"That is the true meaning of a hero."
"Maybe, to me, you're more of a hero now than Vice Admiral Garp."
"Because you did what none of us dared to do."
He pointed at the stunned Dragon, his voice layered with meaning.
"You killed a Celestial Dragon in full view of the world."
"You shattered this world's myth... You dragged that so-called 'god' down from his pedestal."
A faint smile surfaced on Dragon's face—yet before it could fully bloom, he fell silent again, expression darkening.
"But in the end, I still couldn't protect them."
After the incident, he had immediately fled the island.
Then he heard the news:
World Government agents arrived soon after and began a search. Read full story at noᴠelfire.net
The little boy who had flown a kite—and his parents—were brutally tortured by the agents. In the end, they didn't survive.
"Regret is always the norm in this world. You can't protect everyone. But you must keep moving forward, Dragon."
Daren offered a faint smile.
Hearing this, Dragon unconsciously straightened his back. His weary smile held a touch of sorrow—but also pride.
Another thunderclap tore through the sky, illuminating the world.
In the howling wind, streaks of ink-black spread across the land.
Raindrops began to fall—soon turning into a downpour.
The storm had arrived.
Daren suddenly muttered under his breath,
"It should be about time."
Dragon didn't hear him. He was lost in the rain, feeling the cold drops strike his hair and face. He murmured,
"Even the sky weeps for this world?"
"No. The sky is seeing you off."
Daren smiled and raised his wine glass.
Dragon blinked—then smiled again.
He picked up his own glass.
The two glasses, filled with "the most strong wine," collided heavily in the air. The amber liquid shimmered with the color of departure and farewell.
They drank it all in one go.
Dragon rose abruptly.
The hesitation and loss in his eyes had vanished—only firm resolve remained.
His black hair whipped wildly in the wind, his silhouette lit by lightning.
From this day forward,
his former comrades were his enemies, the enormous power that ruled the world was his enemy, the decaying system was his enemy, and the ignorance of humanity was his enemy.
Rain poured across the world. The road ahead was heavy and harsh. He could only walk it alone.
The world had become his enemy.
Yet he laughed with fearless pride.
Daren slowly stood, raised his hand, and tore off the hooded coat hiding his face and identity.
Underneath was a black suit and a pure white cape of justice.
Before all eyes, his voice cut through the wind and rain, louder than the thunder, echoing across the island.
"Criminal Monkey D. Dragon! I am Rogers Daren, Commodore of the Marine Headquarters... In the name of justice, I officially place you under arrest!"