Pirates: Seeing My Proficiency, I Became a Legend

Afterwards, Dragon and the others arrived at the warehouse. Gazing at the young figure before him, Dragon said, "Hey there, little guy! I heard your name is Dongze! I am Monkey D. Dragon, the leader of the Revolutionary Army!"

Dongze sighed internally. There was no escaping this. The burst of Conqueror's Haki he had unintentionally unleashed earlier must have caught their attention.

"Hello," he replied calmly.

"Hey, brother! Want to join our Revolutionary Army?"

Hearing Dragon's straightforward invitation, Dongze's lips twitched slightly. Should he have expected anything less from the son of the Hero of the Marines? No small talk, just straight to the point.

Ivankov's eyes twitched. "Oi, Dragon! You're too direct!"

"Haha! It's nothing, nothing!"

Although the Revolutionary Army's ideology aligned with his own in some ways, it was still too early for him. In this world where the Navy, Pirates, and Revolutionary Army formed the three major forces, things weren't as simple as they seemed.

Without sufficient strength, stepping into this battlefield was a death wish—especially in the New World, where even a single misstep could lead to destruction.

Didn't history already prove this? Even Portgas D. Ace, backed by Whitebeard, fell at Marineford. The tides of history were like an unstoppable torrent, sweeping away the weak without mercy.

Just imagine—if Ace had possessed the strength of an Emperor at the time of the war, the outcome might have been different. But then again, if he had been that powerful, he wouldn't have been captured by Blackbeard in the first place.

"Sorry, but I'm not looking to join any faction right now."

Ivankov looked puzzled. This was a direct invitation from the leader of the Revolutionary Army. Any ordinary person would be ecstatic.

"Oi, does this love-struck brat want to be a pirate instead?"

"No. I won't join any group for now. I'm too weak right now—unqualified to challenge the seas."

Dragon's sharp gaze lingered on Dongze.

He understands his own limitations?

The world was full of ambitious people, but few had the clarity to recognize their current capabilities.

Hearing Dongze's words, Dragon couldn't help but admire him. "Impressive rationality."

The others didn't think much of it. The Grand Line was a war zone, forcing children to mature early. And Dongze wasn't just any child—he was a prodigy.

"I see."

Given the boy's latent Conqueror's Haki, he would never side with the World Government. Those who wielded a king's disposition weren't meant to live under someone else's rule.

"What a shame! I thought I'd found a future right-hand man."

Dragon felt a pang of regret. A Conqueror's Haki user with such raw power, fresh from awakening? That kind of talent was a necessity at the top of the world.

Having Conqueror's Haki didn't guarantee strength, but the strongest people always had it.

Dongze had immense potential. But as he himself said, he lacked the power to bear the weight of it all. For now, it was too dangerous for him to be exposed to the eyes of the World Government.

"Brother, the door of the Revolutionary Army will always be open for you."

Ivankov and Kuma exchanged glances. Dragon rarely made such direct offers, even to someone with remarkable talent.

But Dragon had no doubts—one day, this kid would stand at the peak of the world.

Koshiro, Dongze's master, concealed his reaction well, though a flicker of something crossed his face. Perhaps Dragon had sensed the terrifying potential of his disciple.

He knew exactly how fast the boy before him had grown. Monster didn't even begin to describe it.

If given just two more years…

By the time Dongze set sail, he could already stand on par with the world's greatest swordsmen. The mere thought sent shivers down Koshiro's spine.

For the Revolutionary Army, fostering ties with such a future powerhouse was a win no matter which faction he eventually joined.

Dongze understood this as well. He had planned to avoid early contact with the Revolutionaries, but now they had found him.

His gaze swept over Dragon, Kuma, and Ivankov, and a strange light flickered in his eyes.

"Gentlemen, I have a deal to propose. Would you be interested?"

Dragon and the others raised their brows. A deal?

Dragon, ever the strategist, chuckled. "Alright, brother, let's hear it."

"I came across three proverbs while reading. I believe they would be of great value to the Revolutionary Army."

Dragon's expression remained neutral. "And what do you want in return?"

"Sword-making ore. I want to forge my own blade—one that can rival my master's Wado Ichimonji."

This was his plan: to leverage the Revolutionary Army's resources for high-quality swordsmithing materials. While he had considered earning bounties by hunting pirates, that would be a slower process.

Ivankov glanced at Dragon. "Dragon, I recall we have plenty of that in the warehouse."

Kuma nodded. "Indeed. And we don't have a use for it."

Seeing Dongze's talent, Kuma subtly reminded Dragon that this was an excellent opportunity to establish goodwill with a potential future force. The Revolutionary Army often played the long game.

Dragon smirked. "Let's hear these proverbs first."

Dongze took a deep breath. Even if they dismissed them, these words contained wisdom that might resonate.

"The first one—'A ruler is a boat, and the people are water. Water can carry the boat, but it can also overturn it.'"

At first, the three Revolutionaries weren't too concerned. Another kid fantasizing about piracy?

But the moment they heard the words, it was like a bomb went off.

The structure of the phrase was unfamiliar, yet its meaning was clear as day.

The "ruler" was the governing power—the ship. The "people" were the sea.

The sea could support the ship, allowing it to sail freely. But it could also rage, capsizing it in an instant.

Wasn't this exactly why the Revolutionary Army existed?

The World Government oppressed the people, treating them as nothing more than tools. Slavery. Corruption. Injustice.

With nowhere left to turn, the oppressed rose up.

Led by Monkey D. Dragon, they fought to overthrow the very system that crushed them.

That single proverb struck a deep chord.

"…Good."

"…Very good."

"…Excellent."

Their blood boiled. Their belief in their cause reignited.

Seeing their reactions, Dongze let out a quiet breath. The wisdom of the past is truly timeless.

"Oi, kid! What are the other two?" Kuma, usually silent, was the one to ask this time.

"Be patient, my friend. We still have time."

"The second—'Build high walls, store abundant grain, and take your time to become king.'"

He continued, "There are two forces most sharply opposed in this world—you know them well."

"The Navy and the Pirates."

"The World Government fears the Revolutionary Army, but right now, we are not yet their top priority. If the Revolutionaries rush into direct conflict, they risk premature destruction. Instead, they must accumulate power in the shadows. When the time is right, a single decisive battle will shake the world."

Dragon's eyes gleamed with understanding.

"What's the third?" he asked urgently.

"When the enemy advances, we retreat. When the enemy retreats, we advance. When the enemy camps, we harass. When the enemy is exhausted, we attack."

This was a war strategy. A method for a smaller force to fight against a stronger one.

Dragon felt as though lightning had struck his mind.

"Is there more?"

Dongze chuckled.

"The night is always dark, but there will always be light ahead."

Dragon laughed heartily.

"Hahaha!"

Ivankov and Kuma, too, were visibly moved.

Looking at Dongze, their gazes burned with admiration.

"These words are priceless," Dragon admitted.

Dongze bowed slightly. "The road to revolution is treacherous. May you walk it with wisdom."

Dragon grinned.

"Thank you, brother."