"Jon, don't be so impatient. We've known each other for almost ten years, after all."
Dragon chuckled, but when he saw Jon's expression turning darker, his smile slowly faded.
"My goal is to recruit you, but judging by your attitude, it seems that won't work. In that case, I'll take a step back—just help me with one thing, and I'll leave immediately. How about it?"
"Not interested. I refuse."
Jon didn't particularly dislike Dragon, which was why he had the patience to even have this conversation.
But just because he didn't hate him didn't mean he was willing to help. There was no way he wanted to be entangled with the Revolutionary Army.
If Dragon was asking for his help, it was obvious with just a little thought that it wouldn't be anything simple.
Dragon acted as if he hadn't heard Jon's rejection and continued, "Our movement needs funding. Jon, lend me your money."
"Don't even think about it. I don't have money," Jon flatly refused.
Dragon replied, "Other people might not know about your business, but I do. These past few years, you've made quite a fortune. As friends for so many years, I think it's only fair that I borrow some."
"You're overthinking it. Even if you know, so what? My money? You won't get a single coin."
He had earned that money with his own skills, and no matter how long they'd been friends, there was no way he'd just give it away.
Dragon's cause was a bottomless pit. No matter how much money he got, it would disappear. Why would Jon throw his hard-earned money into that?
"So, you're throwing our friendship aside?" Dragon's smile gradually faded, and his expression turned serious.
Jon shook his head. "Friendship is one thing, business is another. You're talking business, but then trying to play the friendship card. Since when does the world work like that?"
Dragon's face darkened. He knew Jon was a man of his word. If Jon didn't want to lend the money, there was no point in trying to convince him. His only option was to get Jon to join his cause, but that was even more difficult.
The Revolutionary Army was still in its early stages of development. While they had numbers, they weren't yet powerful. What they lacked most was funding. If Jon could support them, their movement would grow exponentially.
That was why, despite the risks, Dragon had sought Jon out.
"Looks like just talking won't work. Jon, we've known each other for so many years, but I don't think we've ever fought before."
"You want to fight me?"
Jon narrowed his eyes, and to his own surprise, he felt a bit excited. "You've always been the most mysterious among us. I've been dying to know—what exactly are you hiding, Dragon?"
Jon had always been curious about Dragon's abilities.
Back when he watched the anime, fans had endless theories about Dragon's Devil Fruit. Some said it was the Wind-Wind Fruit, others called it the Storm-Storm Fruit, while some believed it was something entirely different.
Even after knowing Dragon for years, Jon still had no idea what fruit he had eaten. But one thing was certain—Dragon was definitely a Devil Fruit user.
"But unlike you, I know all about your abilities, Jon. If we fight, you have no chance of winning."
Jon's expression darkened. "Dragon, since when did you get so arrogant? You claim to know my abilities so well—do you really think you understand me?"
He admitted Dragon was strong, but that didn't mean he believed himself to be weaker.
In the anime, Dragon had never shown his true strength, but based on Jon's estimation, he was at most on par with a Marine Admiral or a Yonko.
Even if Jon faced off against Sakazuki or Borsalino, he wouldn't be too worried. The chances of Dragon being stronger than them were slim.
Before the fight could start, a figure suddenly rushed toward Jon at high speed.
It was Vitas.
He had originally fled, but now he returned even faster.
Vitas bolted straight to Jon's side, looking disheveled and covered in blood. He was clearly injured.
"Jon, that bastard Dragon has allies with him," Vitas said.
After splitting up earlier, Vitas had been secretly tailing Jon.
He despised Jon, but deep down, he recognized Jon's strength. Among them, Jon was the most likely to track down Dragon.
At first, it was just a suspicion, but then he saw Jon actually find Dragon.
But the way they interacted seemed strange—rather than fighting, they were talking. This immediately made him suspicious.
As he prepared to listen in, Jon suddenly noticed him. Scared out of his mind, Vitas fled immediately.
Jon alone was already too much for him to handle—add Dragon to the mix, and he'd be dead for sure if he stayed.
Unfortunately, he didn't get far before he ran into an ambush.
After taking a beating, he realized escaping on his own was impossible, so he had no choice but to return.
Jon glanced at Vitas and sighed in frustration.
This guy had been following him for a while—Jon had known the whole time. But since Vitas hadn't done anything, Jon had ignored him.
Turning back to Dragon, Jon asked, "Dragon, looks like you came prepared. If I don't cooperate, you won't let me leave, will you?"
Dragon didn't answer, but suddenly, people began appearing from all directions, blocking all possible exits.
Jon observed the new arrivals and immediately knew they were Dragon's Revolutionary Army comrades.
Some of them had powerful presences. If they launched a full-scale attack, things could get troublesome.
"I'll create an opening. Whether you escape or not is up to you," Jon said to Vitas.
Vitas wasn't weak, but Dragon's people were strong too. Otherwise, he wouldn't have been beaten so easily.
Dragon had gone to great lengths to set this up—there was no way he would just let Jon walk away.
Jon had no illusions about that.
"Deep Forest Emergence!"
Before Dragon and his men could act, Jon clapped his hands together and launched an attack.
In an instant, towering trees erupted from the ground, growing at an unnatural speed.
They quickly spread, enveloping everyone and cutting off their movements.
At the same time, the trees lashed out, attacking everyone except Jon and Vitas.
"Go!"
Jon barked at Vitas, then disappeared into the trees himself.
Inside the dense forest of his own making, every tree was his ally and his camouflage.
Vitas didn't hesitate. He picked a direction and bolted at full speed.
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