One piece: Establishing a Pirate Family

Chapter 496: Acknowledgement

For someone who walks the path of slaughter to gain enlightenment, even a hint of familial warmth is a rare and precious thing.

As for Caesar, though he usually acted lazy and indifferent, whenever something needed doing, he'd grumble—but always followed through. He loved showing off in front of his siblings and, deep down, was a guy full of love for his family.

Watching these two prodigies of the Rockefeller Pirates, Dragon couldn't help but wonder—

How did Charlotte raise them like this?

He grew even more curious about meeting the infamous pirate in person.

Eventually, they reached a massive castle.

Luxurious beyond words—

Even grander than any palace Dragon had seen in the South Blue.

"So extravagant!" Ivankov's eyes sparkled.

"If this were in the South Blue, we could seize this castle and fund our army for half a year!" he muttered enviously.

"Ivankov."

Dragon's voice instantly dropped cold.

Startled, Ivankov immediately realized where they were.

He glanced at Esdeath's icy stare, Caesar's annoyed expression, and the many hostile eyes around them.

"…Ah, right. Occupational hazard! Sorry, old habits die hard!"

He scratched his head and forced a grin.

His odd, androgynous features made that grin… unsettling.

Everyone turned away awkwardly.

"Let's not keep our host waiting," Dragon said, leading Kuma and Ivankov inside.

---

Inside the castle—

A red carpet lined the floor.

Columns wrapped in golden thread, adorned with dragons and phoenixes—an opulence that screamed power.

Dragon ignored the luxury.

His eyes locked on the man seated on the throne—

Charlotte Rockefeller.

To his left sat Barrett, and to the right, a bespectacled man named Carter.

Lining the walls were numerous members of the Rockefeller family, watching curiously.

Esdeath and Caesar stood before Charlotte, bowing slightly, then stepped aside.

Dragon scanned the room—

His gaze stopped on a figure lounging to the side, sipping red wine with indifference.

Clad in deep crimson, a presence impossible to ignore—

Patrick Redfield, the Red Count.

Dragon's pupils shrank.

So the rumors were true.

Redfield had indeed joined the Rockefeller Pirates.

Dragon reevaluated the power balance—and felt a chill in his bones.

Just the publicly known members of this crew rivaled Marine HQ:

Charlotte Rockefeller, Patrick Redfield, Douglas Barrett, Esdeath Rockefeller, Caesar Rockefeller, and that lightning kid, Tesla Rockefeller.

A true force to match the Navy.

---

While Dragon reeled inside, Charlotte was studying Monkey D. Dragon.

His biggest claim to fame?

Father of the future Pirate King—Monkey D. Luffy.

Although he didn't know if the boy had been born yet, it was likely.

"Monkey D. Dragon. Son of Marine Hero Monkey D. Garp."

Charlotte's voice broke the silence.

Everyone turned their attention to Dragon.

Even Redfield paused his wine and locked eyes on him.

After all, it was Garp who thwarted Redfield's 800-year ambition—

To assassinate Fleet Admiral Kong.

Without Garp's interference, that grudge might've been fulfilled long ago.

Dragon flinched.

How did Charlotte know that?

But the pirate boss didn't stop there—

"You were the Navy's brightest prospect—personally mentored by Fleet Admiral Kong.

The rising star of your generation.

Groomed as a future Fleet Admiral."

Charlotte smirked.

"And then you betrayed them.

Founded the Revolutionary Army.

Declared war on the World Government.

Fascinating."

His words hit like thunder.

Even Kuma and Ivankov turned in shock.

They had no idea their commander had such a background.

The son of Garp.

The heir to the Navy.

Why would someone like that… become a revolutionary?

Dragon remained calm, locking eyes with Charlotte.

Then—

"Hmph. What makes you worthy of meeting me?"

Charlotte suddenly summoned his Seven-Star Sword and slashed it forward.

A green sword wave roared through the hall, aiming straight at Dragon.

Dragon tensed.

His right hand curved like a claw.

"Dragon Claw!"

With a sharp yell, he caught the slash mid-air.

The energy cracked and hissed in his palm—

But Dragon didn't move an inch.

Everyone's faces shifted.

Even Charlotte's eye twitched.

He'd seen people block slashes.

Some even took them head-on.

But to catch it like this—with his bare hand?

First time.

Just from that move, Charlotte acknowledged him.

The sword vanished from his hand as if nothing had happened.

Dragon, still holding the energy slash—

Crack!

He clenched his fist, and it shattered like broken glass.

Dissolving into the air.

Charlotte's eye twitched again.

…Was that payback?

How embarrassing.

"Not bad.

You're qualified to speak to me," Charlotte said, putting on a haughty tone.

Dragon smiled and bowed slightly.

"Esteemed Lord Rockefeller, I admit I'm surprised by your insight. Much of what you said is true, though you may have exaggerated some parts.

Still, none of that is important."

He paused.

"I've come to propose… friendship between us."

Charlotte tilted his head on the throne.

"Friendship, huh? Let's hear it."

"You already know we oppose the World Government. Our ultimate goal—

To overthrow it."

Everyone in the hall was stunned again.

Overthrow the World Government?

Such boldness.

"You don't say," Charlotte said with amusement.

"You're not planning to drag us into your little Revolutionary Army, are you?"

He had a feeling Dragon had been controlling the pace of this entire conversation.

No wonder Kong valued him.

What a talent.

"No, no! We're simply hoping for a trade partnership with the Rockefeller Pirates," Dragon said quickly, waving his hands.

---

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