Explosive News!

Just as Dragon was about to continue, there was a sudden knock on the door.

Nicholas and Dragon looked towards the door at the same time.

Neither of them used Observation Haki to see who was outside. For Dragon, this was Nicholas's stronghold, so it wasn't appropriate to use Observation Haki rashly. And for Nicholas, there was no need to do so.

"Mr. Nicholas, Miss June said you were looking for me. May I come in?" A dignified voice came from outside the door, its authority contrasting with its polite tone.

"The door's not locked, come in."

"Creak."

Bartholomew Kuma pushed open the door and walked in, bending slightly as he entered. Seeing Dragon sitting next to Nicholas, he showed no surprise.

"Come, sit next to me."

Dragon gestured for Kuma to sit down and join them for a drink.

Kuma didn't hesitate and sat down next to Dragon.

Nicholas looked at Kuma and smiled, "Tyrant Kuma, it's said that you're a pirate who suddenly appeared on the sea this year, first killing the king of the former Sorbet Kingdom and then declaring yourself king. Later, you disappeared and reappeared not long ago, inexplicably slaughtering the Yaso Pirates, whose total bounty was 500 million Berries, and now your bounty stands at 280 million Berries."

"Indeed," Kuma nodded without refuting anything, calmly acknowledging Nicholas's words. Everything Nicholas mentioned was indeed what he had done.

"By the way, do you have children, a mother, or sisters?" Nicholas suddenly remembered the complicated relationship between Kuma and Jewellery bonnie, who later became one of the Eleven Supernovas, and couldn't help but ask.

Kuma was momentarily stunned, then looked at Nicholas with a puzzled expression before turning to Dragon.

Seeing Kuma's gaze, Dragon spoke up to help him out.

"Nicholas, Kuma's parents were persecuted by the Sorbet Kingdom a few years ago for not being able to pay the Heavenly Tribute, which is why Kuma toppled the former king of the Sorbet Kingdom. But..."

Dragon glanced at Kuma, who remained silent, then continued.

"After overthrowing the king of Sorbet, Kuma ascended to the throne and became the king. His first act as king was to completely refuse to pay the Heavenly Tribute to the World Government. With his outstanding strength, he repeatedly repelled attacks on the Sorbet Kingdom by the South Sea Navy and the World Government. He even used brutal methods to crush several notorious pirate crews in the South Sea to prevent Sorbet from falling into the hands of pirates. He became the infamous Tyrant Kuma. But if you get to know Kuma personally, you'll find that he's actually a very gentle person. Later, to avoid trouble, he left the Sorbet Kingdom and chose to join us. So the reputation of Tyrant Kuma on the high seas is partly the World Government's propaganda and partly the fear of pirates towards him, because when most evil pirate crews encounter Kuma, they face certain death. But if you were to visit the Sorbet Kingdom in person, you would see a different side of Kuma from what those people say."

"Hmm?" Nicholas was momentarily stunned by Dragon's lengthy explanation. He hadn't expected Dragon to say so much.

Kuma was also surprised. He didn't remember ever giving Dragon such a detailed account of his past.

"Let's have a drink."

Nicholas raised the bottle at the opportune moment.

"Cheers."

Dragon and Kuma also raised their bottles.

That night.

Nicholas hosted a banquet for Dragon and his men.

While it was called a regular banquet, the dishes were anything but ordinary. The continuous stream of dishes left the Revolutionary Army members who came to Hakumai mesmerized.

This banquet could be considered the first close encounter between Nicholas's pirate crew and the Revolutionary Army.

During casual conversation, Dragon subtly scrutinized Nicholas's team, feared and dreaded by the World Government and the Celestial Dragons.

Powerful and balanced, although the core members were few, each one was undoubtedly a powerhouse capable of dominating the seas at will.

Especially Vista, sitting there, made Dragon even feel that this guy alone could handle all the other Revolutionary Army executives except himself.

And June, in particular, made Dragon feel a huge threat, instinctively instilled in his DNA.

Dragon sighed inwardly, giving Nicholas's pirate crew a high evaluation.

In Dragon's opinion, if he could recruit Nicholas, the development of the Revolutionary Army would be shortened by at least thirty years.

But he didn't reveal any of these thoughts.

He was not a man to easily reveal his inner thoughts.

The wine flowed, and the dishes were enjoyed.

Perhaps it was the alcohol, but the Revolutionary Army members at the table eagerly asked Brook and the others about the development of Hakumai.

Compared to the templated information, they preferred to hear about the process of change in Hakumai firsthand. After all, after arriving, they had only briefly learned about the current situation in the various districts of Wano.

The living standards in Hakumai were the highest, followed by Flower Capital, then Udon, and the people in Ringo and Kibi almost lived in hell.

At this moment, the Revolutionary Army members kept throwing out questions, their faces filled with hope and curiosity, about the construction of Hakumai.

Unable to refuse, the others could only convey what Nicholas had told them and some of their own insights.

The Revolutionary Army members listened avidly, some even taking out notebooks to jot down notes, knowing that their hometowns were no different from the past Hakumai, shrouded in poverty and hunger.

They joined the Revolutionary Army hoping to build a better life for their families and loved ones.

While others discussed how to build, Nicholas and Dragon exchanged intelligence.

"I don't know properly who this guy in Mary geoise is, but I can assure you, he's the most powerful enemy I've ever encountered."

In the face of Dragon's gaze, filled with awe and astonishment, Nicholas calmly spoke.

"..."

Hearing Nicholas's words, Dragon fell silent for a moment.

Then, with a slight frown, he looked at Nicholas and spoke.

"I think I know who you're talking about."

Hearing Dragon's words, Nicholas was momentarily stunned. He knew that there were hidden forces behind the Celestial Dragons and the World Government, but Dragon?

It seemed that Dragon saw Nicholas's confusion and explained.

"Do you know why my father repeatedly refused promotion to Admiral?"

Ignoring Nicholas's reaction, Dragon continued, "Many people say it's because my father didn't want to become a lackey of the Celestial Dragons, but I once accidentally heard from him that when the World Government confirms the new Admiral, they need to go to Mary geoise. At first, I thought it was to meet the Five Elders, but later I found out that they weren't going to see the Five Elders.

The Admirals are indeed powerful, and even any one of them could become a dominant force on the high seas. But have you ever thought why they would willingly become lackeys of the World Government and the Celestial Dragons?

Justice doesn't necessarily have to be executed only by the Navy!"

On this cruel sea, many people think that the Emperors of the Sea and the Admirals stand at the pinnacle of the sea. But Dragon knows that in the eyes of the guy hidden behind the world, these people are just pawns.

The next day.

The Revolutionary Army received a piece of intelligence containing several bombshell news items.

The message was short but filled with shock.

The contents were as follows.

Douglas Bullet claims to have a permanent pointer to Raftel!

Pirate King Roger has been secretly arrested by the Navy!

The Navy has launched a demon hunt against Bullet, led by the elite Vice Admirals Sakazuki, Borsalino, and Kuzan!

Red Count has been captured by Admiral Sengoku, Chief of Staff Tsuru, and Vice Admiral Fujitora on Broussoff Island!

Charlotte Lin Lin launched a sudden attack on the islands near the Thousand Kingdoms under Nicholas's control! Three islands have fallen in succession!

The Seven Warlords of the Sea have been officially established, with Crocodile joining first!

These messages were each more explosive than the last, and Dragon couldn't help but imagine how crazy it would be if Morgans from the World Economic News got hold of this information.