Arima placed his hand on Dragon's shoulder, his Mangekyo Sharingan spinning open.
With the power of Kamui, space twisted around them, and in the next instant, they stepped into Konoha Village, now floating high above the skies of Skypiea.
Inside the Hokage's office, a wooden clone was busy with paperwork. The mont the clone sensed Arima's arrival, it dispelled itself, mories flowing seamlessly into the original.
Dragon blinked in mild surprise at the sight of two identical Arima standing side by side.
Arima motioned for him to look around freely, while he himself sat in the Hokage's chair, quietly absorbing the influx of mories from his clone.
Not long after, King Riku arrived with Cyrus and a group of guards, having rushed over as soon as he received Arima's urgent ssage.
Accompanying them was Gancho, the leader of the Tontatta Tribe.
King Riku took a seat on the lower side of the table, bowing respectfully. "Lord Hokage, may I ask what matter required my presence?"
"This is Monkey D. Dragon, leader of the Revolutionary Army," Arima said calmly.
"I've decided to form an alliance with the Revolutionaries, to overthrow the World Governnt and establish a new world order built on a parliantary system.
I hope from here on, you can all work together without mistrust or division."
King Riku frowned slightly. "Can we truly overthrow the World Governnt… with just our combined strength?"
Arima smiled faintly. "You won't need to fight on the front lines. Just focus on providing logistical support for the Revolutionary Army. Leave the battles to us."
He then turned toward Gancho.
"Chief Gancho, I'd like your people to cultivate more dicinal herbs for healing. Tsunade will oversee all dical operations, just cooperate with her when the ti cos."
Gancho nodded solemnly, accepting the order.
Arima's gaze shifted to Dragon. "Tell , where is your Revolutionary Army's main headquarters?"
Dragon hesitated briefly before answering, "On the Grand Line, the island of white earth, Baltigo."
Arima nodded, smiling. "That proves your sincerity."
Dragon raised an eyebrow. "What do you an?"
"I already know where Baltigo is," Arima said mildly.
"I've been there before. Naturally, I also know your army's true base of operations. If you had given a false location… I'm afraid you wouldn't be walking out that door today."
His tone was quiet, yet the sheer weight of his will pressed down like a physical force.
Dragon's eyes widened. He hadn't expected Arima's abilities, and his presence, to be this overwhelming.
To make an enemy of such a man would an never sleeping soundly again, even with Observation Haki active through the night.
Arima stood. "Co. We'll head to Baltigo first, I'll open a spatial gateway there."
A ripple of distorted space enveloped them, and the next mont, they stood upon the chalk-white soil of Baltigo.
Arima walked ahead, clearly familiar with the terrain.
"This world hides many secrets," he said, his voice echoing lightly.
"Eight hundred years ago, history fell into a blank void, one the World Governnt keeps shrouded in silence, even enforcing that silence with brutal punishnt.
I'm curious about that lost history. And if uncovering it ans liberating this world, I wouldn't mind lending a hand."
"When do you plan to make your move?" Dragon asked.
"I'll begin in the Kingdom of Alabasta," Arima replied. "I'll open a battlefield there to draw the Governnt's attention. Your Revolutionary Army can move freely while they're distracted."
"Alabasta?" Dragon asked, frowning. "What's special about that kingdom?"
Arima's eyes glead. "Tell , Dragon, besides the Poneglyphs, what does the World Governnt guard most zealously?"
"The Heavenly Tribute paid by the Celestial Dragons… and the Ancient Weapons," Dragon said after a pause. "My father ntioned them once."
"Vice Admiral Garp knows of them, of course," Arima continued.
"According to Konoha's intelligence, one of the Seven Warlords, Crocodile, is secretly searching for the Ancient Weapon Pluton in Alabasta."
Dragon's expression sharpened in surprise. "You an Pluton is actually in Alabasta?"
Arima chuckled. "Heh. I thought nothing could rattle you, Dragon. But it's understandable, the World Governnt considers the Ancient Weapons world-ending threats.
If your Revolutionaries managed to obtain one, overthrowing the Governnt would beco far easier, wouldn't it?"
Dragon gave a wry smile, saying nothing.
For a fleeting mont, he had indeed considered the idea of unearthing Pluton himself, but all his intelligence on the matter ca from Arima.
There was no way to outmaneuver soone like him.
And besides, Dragon had already resolved to cooperate with Konoha. To deceive them now would only dig his own grave.
Arima continued, "The more people fear a power they don't understand, the more they crave it.
The World Governnt hides many layers of secrets… which makes this all the more entertaining."
Dragon asked, "Our intel shows the Governnt's been unusually active in Water 7 lately. Do you know why?"
"They're trying to extinguish all threats before they grow," Arima explained.
"Pluton was designed and built by the shipwrights of Water 7, the blueprints are still hidden there. Naturally, they won't let those plans slip through their fingers."
Arima then proceeded to outline in detail everything Konoha knew about Pluton, and Dragon listened in growing awe, realizing just how vast Konoha's reach and power truly were.
Compared to Konoha, the Revolutionary Army's resources were insignificant.
With that realization, Dragon set aside all thoughts of leadership in this alliance, content to follow Arima's lead.
"You're not going to retrieve those blueprints yourself?" Dragon asked.
"I already did," Arima replied casually. "Here, see for yourself."
He drew a bundle of papers from his Kamui space and handed them over without hesitation.
Dragon accepted them in stunned silence. The man's openness shad him for ever doubting his intentions.
Flipping through the blueprints, he was surprised to find that Pluton wasn't as terrifying as the legends suggested. In theory, destroying it wouldn't even be that difficult.
Arima smiled faintly. "See? On its own, Pluton's power isn't as apocalyptic as the rumors claim. So why does the World Governnt fear it so much?"
Dragon shook his head, unable to answer.
After a pause, Arima said softly, "…You've heard of the Dyna Stones, haven't you?"
"Of course," Dragon replied. "The Dyna ore reacts violently with air, producing massive explosions. It's one of the Governnt's most tightly controlled materials."
"If Dyna Stones were used as the bomb core," Arima said, eyes narrowing, "then that version of Pluton would truly possess the power to destroy the world.
And if Poseidon were to assist it… even you wouldn't be able to get close."
Dragon stared at him. "You already know about Poseidon?"
Arima nodded, offering no further explanation.
As they spoke, the two arrived at the Revolutionary Army's main headquarters. Soldiers imdiately snapped to attention upon seeing their leader return.
The Eastern Army's commander, Belo Betty, ca hurrying out to greet them.
From a distance, she could already make out the tall, white-haired stranger walking beside Dragon, and she recognized him instantly.
"Betty," Dragon said, "this is the Fifth Emperor, Arima. On behalf of the Revolutionary Army, I've ford an alliance with Konoha. Together, we'll bring down the World Governnt."
The sudden declaration left Betty montarily speechless. "You… brought him here to seal the alliance?"
Dragon shook his head. "No. He brought here. From the East Blue to Baltigo, it took only a blink."
Betty studied Arima closely. "So the Fifth Emperor takes an interest in our Revolutionaries?"
Arima wasn't offended by her blunt tone. In fact, he seed amused, his sharp eyes appraising her.
Betty wore a crimson top hat, short purple hair, dark sunglasses, and a cigarette dangling from her lips. Her outfit was daring, she didn't even bother with undergarnts.
A re tug on her top would expose everything.
Arima found her directness oddly refreshing. In so ways, her fiery spirit reminded him of Tsunade.
"Tell , Betty," Arima asked calmly, "does the fact that I found your headquarters so easily make you uneasy? Or do you suspect I have ulterior motives?"
"Forgive ," she said coolly. "I simply distrust all outsiders by nature."
"No offense taken," Arima replied.
"That won't hinder our cooperation. I'll be creating a spatial gateway here, linking your base to the Sky Island.
It'll allow free travel between Konoha and the Revolutionary Army. I only ask that you set aside your doubts when the ti cos."
"If it's truly for the sake of the revolution," Betty said after a pause, "I'll treat your people as my own family."
At last, she seed to relax. She knew her commander wouldn't form an alliance lightly, if Dragon trusted this man, then he must be worth it.
Her wariness eased, replaced by cautious respect.
"Choose a suitable location," Arima said. "I'll construct the gateway. You can think of it as… a 'door.'"
After a long discussion, Dragon and Betty decided to place the 'door' at the harbor near the base, convenient for travel between the Sky Island and the sea below.
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