37 Chapter – 37 The Upcoming Event at the Goa Kingdom

"So that is the case," Dragon said, explaining the circumstances and the reason for his presence in Shimotsuki Village. In truth, he hadn't intended to come to the village initially. He had arrived in the East Blue for another matter. However, upon hearing the news of Kozaburo's death, he felt compelled to come and meet his old friend. 

Having arrived at the Shimotsuki Village to attend Kozaburo's funeral, Dragon felt that maybe he could discuss that matter with Koushirou and request his aid. And so here, they are…

Koushirou sighed, "Such an inhumane thing is being done by them just to please those beings that live at the top of the Red Line... Every time I think that I have seen the worst this world has to offer, I realize that I was too quick to make my judgment." 

"This is the kind of world we live in, and we are fighting to overturn it," muttered Dragon with a smile. He then returned to the main topic, saying, "I need your aid in this matter, Koushirou. The ones we rescue will be a diverse group—children, young, old, women, and disabled, naturally, not everyone among them would want to join us. We will accept those who want to join, but for those who don't, and for those who are incapable of aiding us, arrangements need to be made so they can live their lives in peace. Koushirou, will you be able to make arrangements for more residents in the Frost Moon Archipelago?" asked Dragon.

Koushirou stroked his chin thoughtfully. "Arrangements for the rescued ones, huh?" he mused, then continued, "The villages on the Frost Moon Archipelago are still only sparsely populated, so it would be fine to have them settle here. However, the resources and other necessities might be a problem. Even if we teach them how to get by, work, and make their own living, it will take them some time to learn. But until then..."

Dragon assured Koushirou, "Do not worry, I would not burden you over that. We will try to provide the required resources until they learn how to get by. Would that work?" 

"Definitely," nodded Koushirou. "If resources and other things are arranged for the next few years, then that would be fine. By then, they can properly settle and learn to make a living for themselves."

"Then that settles it. I will bring them to Shimotsuki Village within the next few days. Please take care of them until those people become capable of living on their own," said Dragon, concluding the matter.

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While Dragon and Koushirou were discussing the matter, Ryuma and Betty stood not too far away, observing the two individuals. Although they spoke in hushed voices, Ryuma, having increased his hearing range and auditory senses using his Moa Moa no Mi, was able to hear what they were talking about and knew the details of their discussion.

"So, it's already that time, huh? Although it hasn't been a year, I suppose it's time to meet Ace & Sabo once more," muttered Ryuma having understood the gist of their discussion.

The matter that the Supreme Commander of the Revolutionary Army and the master of Isshin Dōjō were discussing was related to the upcoming event in the Kingdom of Goa. From his sources, Dragon had learned that one of the Celestial Dragons, Saint Jalmack, was coming to the lower realm and had plans to visit the Kingdom of Goa.

Ryuma perfectly understood what that meant. The visit of Saint Jalmack to the Kingdom of Goa signaled the burning of the 'trash' of that kingdom. The royal and noble families intended to burn the Grey Terminal to impress Saint Jalmack and enhance their social standing.

On that night, Dragon had saved the residents of the Grey Terminal. However, where he took those people after saving them was something never mentioned. Naturally, not everyone would have joined the Revolutionary Army. Newborns, women, and the elderly cannot fight, and Ryuma doubted they would be of much use to the Revolutionary Army's military force. They had to be accommodated somewhere else so that they could live a normal life.

Based on Dragon and Koushirou's discussion, Ryuma could understand that Dragon had requested Koushirou to accommodate those people in the villages of the Frost Moon Archipelago. 

'Did something like this happen in the Canon?' Ryuma wondered. Wind Granma–the flagship of the Revolutionary Army–did stop at Shimotsuki Village shortly after they rescued the residents of Grey Terminal, but whether people disembarked the ship and stayed behind on the Frost Moon Islands or not was something Ryuma did not know.

The connection between the Revolutionary Army and the Shimotsuki Family of the East Blue had become more and more obvious in the past few months. Ryuma wouldn't be surprised if this happened in the Canon as well. However, in case it did not happen in Canon, and Dragon chose some other island for these people, then that would mean because of his presence and actions, the direction of the world had started to change from the established Canon.

It might be a small change at the moment, however, as time passes, more and more changes will start to occur, eventually leading the world in a completely different direction and destination than it was supposed to move into and reach.

"Oh well... it doesn't really matter," muttered Ryuma and shook his head. Except for three important things, Ryuma didn't really care about preserving the Canon or anything.

The first one is the makeup of the Straw Hats. Ryuma did not want to alter Luffy's crewmates. The second thing he doesn't want to change is Ace joining the Whitebeard Pirates, which would further lead to the Summit War of Marineford. Finally, the third and last thing he doesn't want to change is Sabo joining the Revolutionary Army. Except for these three things, Ryuma had no qualms about anything else.

Now, why does he not want to poach Luffy's crewmates? It's because Luffy and his crewmates would be good rivals and enemies in the future. If he were to take Luffy's crewmates from him, for example, if someone like Zoro or Sanji were to join him instead of Luffy, there is no guarantee that the crew Luffy would put together without them would be as good as it was in the Canon. That would ruin all the fun.

In that case, even if he were to reach the top of the world, it wouldn't be as satisfying as it should be. Reaching the top by defeating the man destined to reach the top, as well as defeating every other enemy at their best, is something that is more attractive, right? Otherwise, what's the point? What sense of accomplishment would he get from defeating a bunch of kids who aren't even at their peak?

This is why the Straw Hats will remain the Straw Hats, while Ryuma will personally create his Demon Generals. Of course, Ace and Sabo are good candidates, but the thing is, the two of them are sworn brothers with Luffy and are an important part of his life. Both of them deeply value and love Luffy, so if Ryuma were to recruit either of them into his crew, they would be hesitant towards fighting and becoming a roadblock to Luffy's dream. This is why Ryuma will not recruit either of them into his crew.

Now, of course, some might argue that he could have taken them away before they met Luffy, and honestly, Ryuma had that opportunity. Both of them wanted to leave the Kingdom of Goa with him, but he refused at that time and gave them another year to think about it. The reason why he gave them another year was that he knew that a year later, the circumstances would be different, and they would not make the same request again.

The reason why he did so was that he did not want to steal Luffy's childhood from him. Ryuma had grown up as a lonely child, and therefore, he didn't want others to experience the same thing. Moreover, those experiences were what made Luffy who he was. They were also the reason he did not end up dying foolishly. Otherwise, who knows? Considering how hard-headed and foolish that boy is, it wouldn't be surprising if he died for whatever reason.

Finally, if he were to take away Ace with him, then Garp would certainly follow and retrieve Ace after beating the crap out of him, and no way Ryuma is ready to fight against the Marine Hero. For all these reasons, Ryuma does not want to change these three things. As for other canonical events, Ryuma mostly does not have any such qualms about changing them.

"Besides, it's not like there is any shortage of people whom I can recruit in my crew, right?" muttered Ryuma as he converged his thoughts.

At this time, Betty asked, "Ryuma-kun… are you ready to work for us?"

Ryuma nodded, "Yes... now that I have completed my objective of coming to the Shimotsuki Village, there is no problem with working for the Revs... but Betty-san... I also have a request."

"A request? And what would that be?" asked Betty with a curious expression.

"While I work for the Revolutionary Army, I want the help of the Revolutionary Army to start my pirate crew so that by the time I reach the age of seventeen, I have enough people on my crew to set sail," answered Ryuma. 

"Ehh? How do you want our help?" she was confused. She didn't mind helping since Ryuma had agreed to work for them, however, she did not know how they would help him.

"I have a pretty good idea of who I want to recruit in my crew... but... the people I want... they are scattered in the four Blues... and I don't know their specific whereabouts... other than their name and what they look like, I don't know much about them... so I want to use the information network of the Revolutionary Army to locate them in order to recruit them... as for their training and other things... that's something you don't have to worry about that much..." explained Ryuma. 

"Wait a second… You have a general grasp of the identities of the people you want to recruit in your pirate crew, even if they are scattered in the Four Blues… but you don't know their specific whereabouts… how is that possible? In the first place, how do you even know people from the other Blue Seas? Have you ever been to other Blues?" asked Betty with a frowned expression.

What Ryuma said did not make much sense. He knows their identities and what they look like, however, does not know their whereabouts… unless they are some famous people, such a thing is very difficult if you don't have a strong information network.

Betty doubted the possibility of Ryuma having a strong information network; if he had that, he wouldn't have requested the assistance of the Revolutionary Army. This means either the people he wants to recruit are famous people on the sea, or there is another source of information.

Ryuma grinned, "Heh, that's a secret…"

"Huh? What's that supposed to mean?" asked Betty in confusion, "And here I thought we were friends?"

"Friends we may be, but that doesn't mean friends have to know every little detail about you… Did I ever ask you what's your bust, waist, and ass size? Why do you never wear panties and bras? Why do you like to flash them all the time? Never, right?" asked Ryuma. Although the example he was using might not have been the best one, it was enough to get his point across, and added, "Look I am not saying that I don't get a nosebleed and perverse thoughts every time I see those knockers… but, you have to agree that everyone has their own secrets… This is mine… It's not good to ask others about their secrets, Betty-san."

Stare! Betty stared at Ryuma, but since he did not flinch, she could only sigh, "Well, whatever, so long as you help us out with our thing, we will also help you out with your thing… even if you do not want to share your 'dirty little secret!' Humph!" 

Although she 'humped' and pouted in dissatisfaction, Betty did not voice any complaint since she agreed that everyone has their own secrets that they do not want anyone to know. Although she was incredibly curious, if Ryuma did not want to tell, then he did not have to tell her. It did not matter as much.

As for his comment about her freely expressing her exhibitionist tendencies? Betty completely ignored it. She understood that Ryuma is a hormonal teenager, and the minds of their kind tend to have a lot of such thoughts in their heads. It would be strange if they didn't! So, it was perfectly fine.

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After Dragon and Koushirou completed their discussion, Dragon turned toward Betty and said, "Betty, things have been finalized… But considering that it would take Kuma and Ivankov another week to arrive at the East Blue with the Wind Granma, use that time and help out Koushirou with making arrangements for the accommodation of the new residents… in the meantime, I will go to the Goa Kingdom to check up on the state of affairs at that place…"

Betty nodded, "Got it."

At this time, Ryuma spoke to the Supreme Commander, "Dragon-san… would it be alright if I accompany you to the Kingdom of Goa?" 

"Huh?" Not only Dragon but Koushirou and Betty also looked at him in surprise.

"You want to come to the Kingdom of Goa with me?" asked Dragon. He wasn't sure why the boy wanted to go to that island, and that too at such a time.

Ryuma nodded, "Yes," and explained, "In fact, I am originally from the Kingdom of Goa, and a few of my friends live there… Ace, Sabo, 'Luffy,' Makino-san, and others… I just want to make sure that they are all fine…" Ryuma specifically emphasized when he mentioned 'Luffy' so that Dragon wouldn't doubt him. Naturally, Dragon shouldn't doubt him since he hasn't done anything suspicious, but Ryuma wanted to make sure… you never know what he might be thinking.

It happened for a very short moment, but the moment Ryuma mentioned Luffy's name, Dragon's eyes blinked in shock. Internally, he couldn't help but think, 'This boy knows Luffy?' However, before anyone could notice, he quickly recovered, and after a moment of silence, he nodded, "Very well, then, let us be on our way."

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"Aniki… Otou-sama told me that you are going to the Kingdom of Goa for a few days, is that true?" asked Kuina with a frown.

Ryuma tied the belt of his sheath around his waist, and after making sure that he had taken everything he might need, Ryuma nodded, "Yes… I will be back within a week, it's because of a promise I made to two guys… that's why, I have to see them before we set out on our adventure."

"Oh…" nodded Kuina. Truth be told, she was also interested in going with Ryuma, but… he hadn't told her to prepare, and this saddened her a little.

Noting her despondent look, Ryuma said, "Once I am back from the Kingdom of Goa, we will be on our way to the Eastern Base of Operation of Revolutionary Army… so make sure that you are prepared for that… once we leave this island, you won't have many opportunities to come home for a while, understand? So, spend this week wisely…"

Kuina agreed, "Got it." It is what it is, this is Ryuma's personal affairs.

"Well then Kuina-chan, I will see you in a week, make sure you are ready," said Ryuma as he patted her head, then left the Dōjō with Rio, "Come on Rio… it's time… Dragon-san has been waiting."

"Yup, I am ready… can't wait to meet them!" after such a long time.

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