"Luffy, I have something to tell you," Dragon said quietly.
"Oh? What's wrong, Dad?" Luffy asked with his usual grin, scratching the back of his head.
Dragon fell silent for a moment, letting out a low hmph as he looked toward the sea. "We'll be going our separate ways from here."
Luffy blinked. "Eh? You mean… you're leaving?"
"Yes," Dragon replied calmly. "Our paths are different. I have my war to fight and you have your own journey."
"O-Oh… I see," Luffy said, still smiling, though it was a bit stiff this time.
For some reason, his chest felt tight but because he had matured and unlike before he still smiling.
"Well, that's fine!" Luffy laughed loudly. "I'm gonna be Pirate King anyway!"
Dragon looked at him for a long moment, then turned away with a faint smile. "That's exactly why."
As Dragon walked off, Luffy waved cheerfully but when his arm lowered, his grin faded just a little.
A hand suddenly touched Luffy shoulder.
"Are you going to miss your father?" Jack asked quietly.
"Huh? No," Luffy replied, shaking his head. "He's got his own adventure."
"I see," Jack said and decided to leave luffy alone, he then turned and walked away, heading toward Dragon. He still had something he wanted to discuss with him and wanted to give an offer to him.
After Jack left, Luffy remained where he was, staring out at the sea.
Without a sound, tears slowly slipped from the corners of his eyes unnoticed by everyone. But there was someone else who see him crying.
"Luffy is crying," Jarvis informed Jack.
Jack paused for a moment but continued walking toward Dragon.
"Thank you for informing me," Jack said calmly. "It seems that even though he never knew his father while growing up and only met his grandfather since he was young but after meeting Dragon, he still developed those feelings. Well… he is his son, after all."
"Don't you want to comfort him?" Jarvis asked.
Jack shook his head. "Nope. A real man doesn't want others to see him cry."
"Understood, Master Jack," Jarvis replied.
A moment later, Jack reached Dragon.
"Dragon-san," Jack said. Then he tilted his head slightly. "Wait… are you crying?"
"E-Ergh… no," Dragon replied quickly. "Dust got into my eyes."
Jack smirked. "Don't worry. Who said a man can't cry?"
Normally, Jack would have laughed at Dragon expression but because of Luffy, he chose to stay quiet and let the man regain his composure.
Once Dragon finished wiping his eyes, he spoke again. "Did you want to talk to me about something?"
"Yes," Jack replied. "I want to offer you more than what you expect and needed."
Dragon frowned slightly. "What do you mean?"
"Regarding the World Government," Jack said. "I have something that can embarrass them publicly."
Jack leaned closer and whispered into Dragon ear.
Dragon eyes widened instantly. "You mean… you can really do that?"
Jack nodded. "Yeah, didn't I show you earlier with my power and I can make it bigger."
Overwhelmed by the sudden sense of victory, Dragon placed a hand on Jack shoulder.
"Thank you," Dragon said quietly. "To be honest, ever since I chose to go to war with the World Government, I never truly saw a path to victory. I only kept moving forward because I had no other choice."
He hesitated, then continued.
"There was someone named Bonney in our ranks. She was kidnapped… and later died after being poisoned by a Holy Knight and Gorosei."
Dragon voice trembled slightly.
"In front of the Revolutionary Army, I must always appear unshakable. Strong. Even in front of Kuma. But this is the first time I've been able to show my true self to someone else."
Jack listened in silence.
Sometimes, even the strongest leaders needed a moment to be a human.
***
"Captain… are we really going to separate now?" Koala asked quietly.
Dragon nodded, his expression calm but he is deadly serious. "Yes. Our task here is finished. It's time for us to regroup with the Revolutionary Army."
Sabo crossed his arms, letting out a small sigh. "Honestly, I don't like separating from the Straw Hat Pirates either. But freedom has its price and this is the path we chose."
Koala forced a smile. "Yeah… I feel the same. I'll miss them." She paused, then added honestly, "Especially Sanji cooking. I don't think I'll ever forget that taste."
"HEY!" Sanji snapped immediately. "You're welcome anytime, Revolutionary or not."
Usopp sniffed dramatically. "So that's it? You're just leaving like this? What if the world ends tomorrow and you need the great Captain Usopp help?!"
"Usopp I didn't know you had a ball of steel let's go hunt another marine," teased Jack.
"No... I mean great captain Usopp is busy and don't have time to do anything," lied Usopp.
Zoro scoffed. "Usopp if you don't want to join hunt admiral how about we spar."
Usopp face pale white surprised with Zoro invitation. "No!"
Everyone laughed hearing Usopp answer.
Chopper tugged on Luffy sleeve, eyes watery. "L-Luffy… are they really leaving?"
Luffy stood silently for a moment, then nodded with his usual grin. "Yeah. They've got their own adventure."
Even so, his voice lacked its usual energy.
Vivi clasped her hands together. "I'm grateful to all of you without the Revolutionary Army, many people wouldn't even have hope to defeat World Government."
Kuma remained quiet, watching Dragon closely. His mechanical eyes softened slightly.
Bartolomeo wiped his tears with his sleeve. "This is so manly… parting ways for different dreams… Captain Luffy, this is peak romance!"
"Shut up," Nami said flatly, though her eyes lingered on Koala and Sabo longer than usual.
One by one, the Revolutionary Army members regrouped and boarded the Quinjet. Soon, only Dragon, Sabo and Koala remained on the deck of the Going Merry.
Jack stepped forward. "Dragon, I should tell you this. Quinjet access is restricted to the three of you only. There's a built-in security system. If anyone else tries to hijack it, the ship will lock down and I'll know immediately."
Koala blinked. "Wait… why not grant access to the others too?"
Dragon answered before Jack could. "Because there are too many traitors in this world. The only people I fully trust in the Revolutionary Army are the three of us."
Sabo nodded in agreement. "Your caution makes sense. Still… thanks to you, we've gained something powerful and not to forget it is very futuristic."
Dragon turned to Jack, smiling faintly. "And about your proposal… I agree."
Jack returned the smile. "Good."
Luffy finally stepped forward, stretching his arms. "Oi! Dragon! Sabo! Koala!"
They turned.
"Next time we meet," Luffy said confidently, "I'll be even stronger."
Sabo grinned. "Same here."
Dragon looked at his son one last time. "…Take care of yourself, Luffy."
The Quinjet beamed and absorbed the three of them to the cockpit and just like that they officially separate their own way.
-----
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