One month later.
Kanata's crew had been fishing and hunting pirates near Drum Kingdom waters, but they were bored with nothing to do.
Skura probably had plenty to do, and the guards they'd left behind—Georges' group—were apparently being worked quite hard by Kureha.
"Having idle time isn't bad, but it's honestly tough when it continues long-term."
"Right... Hey, can I go have some fun next time we dock?"
"If you keep it reasonable."
"I want to go too."
"You can with a guardian."
They couldn't move from near Drum for roughly another five months anyway.
They could visit other islands, but considering emergencies, the presence or absence of a ship's doctor became an issue.
"Isn't there anyone besides Skura who can do medicine?"
"If there were, I wouldn't be this troubled. It's a conservative view, but having a doctor makes a difference just by their presence."
From Tiger's experience traveling alone, he had some knowledge of injuries and illnesses, but that was only close to first aid.
Not significantly different from the knowledge Kanata's crew possessed.
"If Georges' group being made to help Dr. Kureha learn some medicine and come back, Skura's job would get easier."
That was partly why she'd sent several subordinates along. Even without performing full treatments, just having some medical knowledge made a difference.
Though since they'd return with Skura anyway, nothing could be done for now.
David also spoke with a stern expression.
"However, the Marines must be searching in earnest. Won't we be found soon if we base ourselves at Drum?"
"True, staying at Drum too long will let the Marines catch wind of us."
That said, any World Government member nation was much the same.
They could obtain an Eternal Pose somewhere and return to hide at Little Garden, but staying on that island would truly make Skura indispensable.
If they had a ship's doctor who'd stay even temporarily, they could move somewhat freely.
"Scotch. When we dock this time, search for an Eternal Pose. Destination... preferably somewhere that's not a World Government member nation, but if not, some island's."
"Got it. I'll buy an Eternal Pose to some random island."
"David, you're Kuro's watchdog. He really goes off immediately, so don't take your eyes off him."
"Understood, Captain."
"Am I a kid?"
No helping it when he disappeared the moment eyes turned away. If he'd settle down a bit more, letting him into town alone would be fine, but he might get lost and not return, making a watchdog essential.
While talking, Drum Kingdom grew near.
No Marine presence. They hadn't been found yet apparently.
But—
(...There's an oddly strong presence. Doesn't seem like a pirate. Marines or Government dogs perhaps?)
Harboring a trace of doubt, they docked at Drum Kingdom.
☆
Georges, meeting after a month, looked somewhat tired.
Being worked hard by Kureha daily apparently, he was inevitably memorizing medicine names whether he liked it or not.
Preparing cargo with a list of needed items, having Samuel carry it, they headed for Kureha's house. Particularly no reason for Kanata to go, but most of the reason was killing time.
Besides, this time something bothered her.
"...What's wrong? Is something in Gyasta?"
"No... well, more like someone's there rather than something."
Strength enough to make Kanata wary.
At the end of Kanata's gaze toward the town stood a single man wearing a black hood.
Simultaneously, that man also looked from inside town toward Kanata outside it.
"He's looking this way but doesn't seem intent on attacking."
"Then shouldn't we just leave him? I'd rather avoid trouble."
"True. Let's finish our business first."
Kanata cut her gaze from the man and decided to head for the great tree on the town's outskirts where Kureha was. Either way, Kanata couldn't move conspicuously in town.
Arriving at the house slightly distant from town, seeing Skura and Kureha's faces and having them confirm the cargo, they left the house.
At a location visible from the entrance, that man stood.
The man had removed his hood, his face clearly visible. Kanata also removed her hood, hair flowing in the wind, and faced the man.
"...The 'Dragon-Slaying Witch.' I see, I didn't think you'd be at Drum Kingdom."
"Do you have business with me? Unfortunately, I don't recall any suspicious-looking acquaintances."
"Not really business. Just one thing I wanted to ask."
Kanata furrowed her brow, waiting for the man's words. She didn't recall anything particularly worth being asked about, but depending on content, she considered answering acceptable.
"—I want to hear your reason for killing the Celestial Dragon."
"...My reason for killing the Celestial Dragon?"
It hadn't been in the newspapers. For someone to chase after Kanata—called a vicious criminal everywhere—just to ask that was eccentric.
But if just that much, nothing worth hiding.
"Because that man tried enslaving a crew member precious to me."
"Even so, normally one wouldn't think to defy a Celestial Dragon. Especially operating as a merchant. You must have understood their powerful authority."
"I won't bow to authority and abandon crew members."
"...Even if it means losing everything?"
"Nothing more troublesome to lose than a comrade's life. Money, status, honor, fame—all can be reclaimed later however much."
I see, the man murmured softly.
The man crossed his arms, closed his eyes, and pondered something for several seconds.
Eventually organizing his thoughts perhaps, the man opened his eyes and began speaking.
"First, let me give my name. I'm Dragon, just a traveler."
"Dragon, is it? So, nothing else you want to ask?"
"Right, I understand your thinking. No questions and answers needed."
Kanata braced slightly, watching Dragon's move.
But Dragon showed no signs of moving and spoke without hostility.
"I believe this world is wrong."
"...Wrong?"
"Yes. Not just pirate and kidnapping damage, but the Heavenly Tribute paid to Celestial Dragons perpetually spreads harm. I learned of a country on the verge of collapse, gasping in poverty to pay the Heavenly Tribute."
Citizens could only starve, and even nobles and royalty were forced into simple living to pay the Heavenly Tribute. No—nobles and royalty living simply would still be better.
Some countries had privileged classes pushing burdens onto ordinary citizens while living luxuriously themselves.
Dragon had crossed this sea to broaden his horizons and seen such countries.
"I don't intend to blame everything on the World Government and Celestial Dragons. But I want to do something about this unequal society."
"...Planning to start a revolution?"
"That's one path. But I know nothing, so I'm traveling the world seeking methods to change it."
"I see. So you came to me, who killed a Celestial Dragon."
Whether thinking she might be a comrade with the same ideas, or because she was the only "woman who killed a Celestial Dragon" in this world.
Either way, Dragon must have judged her worth meeting.
"If the same thing happens, surely you'll kill a Celestial Dragon again."
"Naturally. If they're my enemy, I'll kill them, nothing more."
"Then, if I ever oppose the World Government in the future—at that time, lend me your strength."
Dragon extended his hand toward Kanata.
Having once killed a Celestial Dragon and opposed the World Government.
If even the slightest possibility of opposing them again existed, lend that power to defeat the World Government. That's what Dragon was saying.
Kanata pondered briefly and grinned.
"If you want my help—prove it's worth that much to me."
"...I see. You'll face the World Government and Marines head-on. Reasonable that I need you to understand that value."
"Exactly. So—join my ship."
"...What?"
Dragon looked at Kanata with slight confusion.
Kanata still unchanged, told him to prove that worth.
"Whether you're worth betting on. To gain trust, eating the same food, riding the same ship, living the same way is best, right?"
"I see, that's also reasonable. Yes, fine. Let me aboard your ship. I'll definitely earn your trust."
"Heh... I don't dislike men like you. You're not planning to overthrow the World Government and call yourself king of the world, right?"
"Right. My goal is merely correcting inequality of rights. I don't necessarily need to stand at the top."
"No, if you start a revolution, you're at the top. I'm not the type for that."
Kanata's ultimate goal remained conquering the Grand Line. She couldn't multiply those final destinations.
Since no one had conquered it yet, some reason must exist. So until doing that, Kanata had absolutely no intention of starting revolutions.
It would take time. Possibly ending without starting a revolution.
Therefore, Dragon needed to create an organization as the top. Kanata would merely help with that.
If he tried calling himself king of the world, that might increase unnecessary enemies, so she had to make that point clear.
"People increasing in a short period... Well, our ship has spare rooms, so a few more doesn't matter."
"Others joined recently besides me?"
"Made friends with a Fish-Man through a small connection. His ship broke apparently, so we're planning to deliver him to Fish-Man Island."
"I see, I've never been to Fish-Man Island. Including the New World seas, I must broaden those horizons too."
"Diligent fellow."
Kanata laughed, returned once to Kureha's house to announce "returning to the ship," and left.
Moving toward the ship with Dragon, she decided to discuss what should be said first.
Both in black hoods made them look extremely suspicious from outside.
"We visited Drum Kingdom because our ship's doctor said he wanted to study medicine on this island. Until that training period ends, we can't leave Drum waters."
"Because you have no ship's doctor. But you're being pursued."
"That's the problem. We've already been around here about a month, and I think being found soon wouldn't be strange."
The Marines weren't fools. Frequently entering and leaving a World Government member nation meant their ship could be seen, and suspicious ships being reported wouldn't be strange.
Needing to dock once a month, but otherwise they shouldn't be around Drum.
Once suspected, traps would be set.
"I see... If my acquaintance is acceptable, I'll introduce a ship's doctor. For about half a year, they should agree."
"What? You have connections... Yes, if you could do that, I'd be grateful."
If a doctor would stay temporarily, relying on that would be best. Several would remain at Drum, but they'd meet once a month anyway, so no problem.
Dragon withdrew an Eternal Pose from inside his coat and named the island where that doctor was.
Though strictly speaking, not a doctor apparently.
With Devil Fruit power and more than reasonable medical knowledge, Dragon said they could function as a doctor.
"This island. Momoiro Island, Kamabakka Kingdom. A man who stayed temporarily and became a comrade a few months ago—what he calls a 'Newkama.' "
His name—Emporio Ivankov.
***
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