everything is connected.

-Great practice, young Axel, -- said Koushiro. -- You've increased your sword skills impressively. I'm glad you corrected the mistakes from your previous practices. -

-Can basic kendo be improved? - Axel asked.

>>Yes, it's possible. I see you haven't had a formal teacher; this is learned through numerous battles and is typically collected and taught by different schools. Pay attention! -

>>The first thing is practicing stances. A perfect stance allows you to react to the opponent's attack. Since you often fight against different types of fighters, it's important to adjust to a quick stance holding the sword with one hand, 'karate-kama.' -

-Come on, adjust it well... feet apart, Axel, lower your center of gravity a bit, back straight. Keep your shoulders calm; the sword can point to the ground or the sky, whatever suits you. Grip it like a claw... yes, that's it. Practice it every day; in battle, there are occasions where you can prepare in this posture, but it has to be unconscious. In less than a second, your body has to be ready, - Koushiro said seriously.

-Thank you, Master Koushiro, - Axel said.

-Don't worry, young Axel. Let's practice. Follow my rhythm closely, - Koushiro said.

A fast and fresh dance of movements was demonstrated by Koushiro.

-Aim for the head, a high cut, 'men,' - he said.

-Aim for the wrist, a diagonal cut, 'kote,' - he said.

-Aim for the torso, a straight slash, two left or right, 'do.' -

-A thrust to the opponent's chest, 'tsuki.' -

-A backward strike, one step back and a diagonal strike, two steps back and a diagonal strike, 'hiki-waza.' -

-A counterattack, dodge, and strike as it fits, 'kaeshi-waza.' -

-A deflection or reflexive block, is the one you handle best. -

-Lift the opponent's sword or deflect it upwards, 'surge.' –

….

Koushiro continued, dancing and repeating the postures. - This is basic for a swordsman. When you master each strike perfectly with the posture I teach you, I'll show you a basic sword style, - Koushiro said, adjusting his attire and fixing his hair.

-All right. See you tomorrow, Master, - Axel said.

-This time, I think I have to go with you. I want you to meet some people, - Koushiro said.

-Ohhhh, some people? - Axel exclaimed.

-Yes, you see, the moment I learned you were arriving in the village, your wanted poster for 50,000,000 berries is widely known to me. I avoided a Marine pursuit to the village thanks to information from some acquaintances. As the village chief and protector, I can delay some calls to the Marines. -

-Next time, be more careful. You did well not to dock near the port, but some people have recognized you these days, and my care has balanced the situation. But it won't always be like this. When you visit a village, don't stay more than three days, or you risk being ambushed and pursued, - Koushiro said.

-I think that's very wise of you, sir. I was careless, - Axel said.

-You are a good lad. Remember well, but now you are the supreme lord of East Blue, and someone from the Grand Line may be sent. The threat you pose cannot be handled by any Marine in this area, - Koushiro told him.

Axel nodded in surprise.

More than anyone, he knew about navigating the world. Well, they've lost track of him for a month and a half. It's not a problem to search some lost areas and avoid Marine pursuits while Deuce and Ussop refine their skills. Meanwhile, it is said that Koushiro has some contacts with the Revolutionary Army. Is that true? The mystery of some plots remains unsolvable.

Behind the mountain, a dark green ship with a flag displaying an unrecognized symbol had the words "Chamber of Commerce" in black letters at the bottom. Some individuals were dressed as sailors. A woman with purple hair jumped off the ship; her entire dress was a bold and revealing red. She had a cigar in her mouth and muttered some unintelligible words.

-Yoooo. Darling, you're much younger than on the poster, - said Bello Betty, the commander of the East.

-Ohhhh, sorry to disappoint, -Axel said.

-Very well, the leader has arrived. I hope to see more of you, hero, - Bello Betty said, winking.

-She's a striking woman, don't you think, Axel? - Monkey D. Dragon said. The world's most dangerous criminal, from behind Axel, was covered by the shadow of a tree. His distinctive dark green cloak with a hood and dangerous features, the red scar that crossed his entire face. A man worthy of fear, and Axel didn't sense his presence at any moment.

-You're elusive! - Axel said, jumping backward after hearing Dragon's voice as a reflex, as the snoring tone of his voice was slow and unexpected. Bello Betty was a few meters away, with her sweet smile on her lips. Her leader tended to surprise young rookies and gave them the impression of being irreplaceable, strong, and mysterious, and they ended up hooked on joining the Revolutionary Army.

-You are Dragon, the world's most dangerous criminal, - Axel said.

-I am, but not everything they say about me is true. As you know, the government and the Marines invent stories for their convenience, - Dragon said.

-I understand! But what are you doing here exactly? - Axel asked Dragon, totally bewildered by this new set of strange events that he had to consider, as he never thought he would see Dragon.

-Since your upheaval in the Kingdom of Fortress, you've caused several problems for the World Government. The Marines arrived before the Cipher Pol agents, and the CP8 plot caused a stir among some command levels. Your defeat of Simon, the Logia paper pirate, only stirred things up even more because you unintentionally uncovered a hidden mess in the East Blue that even my agents didn't know about, - Dragon said.

-But why is it so important? - Axel said.

-Politics, kid. The close relationship between the prince and the kingdoms of Oykot and Frause is not small; they've had an alliance for years. Seeing the revelation that the government's agents tried to overthrow a king has caused a stir. Rumors say that the entire CP8 branch has been dismantled, and ambassadors will be sent; a Marine branch will be established in the name of peace, and the world has been stirred. You've helped my cause a lot, - Dragon said with a powerful voice.

"So, the truth of the matter is known," Axel asked.

-That's right. It was declared that a pirate infiltrated the CP8 branch. Now the World Government has forgotten you, but you must know they hold a grudge. However, you fought against a pirate, Simon, and the men in suits can only blame coincidences and the incompetence of the Secret Service. But they are still watching, and when they can eliminate you, they will, - Dragon said.

>>All of that can only be justified by the exaggerated bounty resting on your name. 50 million berries are excessive in the East Blue, and in the other Blue Seas, your crew would be among the most dangerous. 'Fire Soldier' Deuce with a bounty of 40 million berries, 'Hundred Plans' Kuro with a bounty of 25 million berries, and Gad the Shark with a bounty of 20 million berries. The government wants the Marines to keep an eye on you, and the best way is to have a bounty on your name. -

>>Your crew, on the other hand, is among the most powerful. It's unusual for a crew to have more than three bounties, but they are well-deserved. You have two Devil Fruit users. But most importantly, in my records, this is not the first time you've saved a town from a villain. You have a total of four situations where you repeat the pattern of liberating a town. -

-Join me, and we will achieve twice as much as you're currently doing. I can see that you have a clear sense of justice, along with Koushiro's observations, I couldn't be more certain. You are what the Revolutionary Army needs. What do you say, kid? - Dragon said, with a sinister smile.

"I don't know what to say, -- Axel said, pausing for a moment. -- In fact, I would like to, but I can't join the Revolutionary Army. However, I propose a close cooperation, - he said.

-Close cooperation? - Dragon asked, mortally disappointed by Axel's refusal.

-Yes, I can be the front cover when needed and act without interference from whatever they have to charge me with. I'm still not enough to fight against some heavyweights, but in two years, the situation will be different. I am building a crew that can face head-on those who stand in my way. -

-For now, my crew is still in development, and some candidates may be more or less relevant in my scheme of things. Do you want to cooperate? - Axel said.

-Speak, what is your goal? - Dragon asked.

-I have many, and among them is to unravel the mystery of the legacy that weighs on my shoulders. I'm talking about the City of Knowledge. You are looking at one of the few people who can read Poneglyphs in this world, - Axel said.

-A survivor! How is that possible? The records date a total mutilation except for Nico Robin, - Dragon said.

-There was a ship that sailed with numerous scholars, destroyed on its way by the Marines. However, two people survived, who later gave me the final task of knowing the true history of the world. Therefore, in their conclusions, they found answers but also questions, - Axel said.

Dragon's smile grew as he heard Axel's words, and along with that hint of surprise, the balance tilted more strongly toward Axel.

-Touching, very touching. Old Clover never knew! He would have liked to know that there were still survivors, - Dragon said.

-I am the only one. My parents abandoned me five years ago; they always lived in fear, and we traveled a lot. I am the only one left—or that's what I came to consider. I have never seen them, and I have not received news. I believe the government is unaware of my place in this world, - Axel said.

-I see, - Dragon said.

Axel explained, -That's why my goal is to unearth the history of this world and tell it so that people know the truth hidden by the World Government for 800 years. And second, my comrades have dreams to fulfill; I have to stick to them, and only then will I succeed. -

Dragon laughed heartily, - Hahaha, the world never stops moving. Young people always end up surprising me. Tell me, how exactly would we cooperate? - Dragon asked.

>>Well, among the many secrets uncovered by scientists, one in particular concerns Devil Fruits. In the known research, plausible theories about Devil Fruits being a man-made invention by an ancient and highly intelligent civilization that eventually perished due to the greed of some beings exist. -

>>But another theory says that, in reality, Devil Fruits are created from a great tree. This tree initially bore fruits with an unimaginable flavor. Anyone who ate a fruit and had a wish could have it granted. However, wishes are not always fulfilled in the way we expect. One day, a being full of malice wished for the tree to be cursed for everyone who ate the fruit. -

>>Another theory says it's a gift from the heavens; in any case, there are many theories, but they all have something in common: Devil Fruits arise from human desire. It's possible that there are thousands of fruits worldwide, and these continue to increase in number. All it takes is the human desire to be different. Some people wished to be animals, others elements, some to have special powers. -

-All these desires get attached to the fruits and randomly emerge. What if it's not so random? - Axel questioned.

-You're saying that the birth of Devil Fruits follows a specific pattern, - Dragon noted.

>>Hmm... I'm not entirely sure. These are the conclusions my parents reached, but among those conclusions, they realized something about birth. You only need an identical fruit. When a person dies, in some cases, it is born into the nearest identical fruit. In other cases, it follows the pattern of the previous bearers, meaning the fruit retains some memory of its previous owners. It may be born in the hometown of one of the bearers or in a place the previous bearer considered important. -

-Perhaps where the bearer felt comfortable or traveled to a place where they could choose their next bearer, someone deemed worthy. Even, there's a theory that after a while, the fruit can disappear and reappear elsewhere. But this last theory is not conclusive, - Axel explained.

-So, it's possible to predict the routes Devil Fruits might take, -- Dragon stated. -- The World Government doesn't say much about that, but would they know? - Dragon asked.

-Most likely, it's a poorly kept secret. Now you know that it's likely the fruit is stored in places that suit it, like the sky, or a jungle, or the nearest similar fruit, - Axel replied.

-That doesn't answer the question, - Dragon pointed out.

-Help me with some things, and I can give you Devil Fruits, - Axel proposed.

-Wait, they found out! The science of Devil Fruits, - Dragon exclaimed, showing a hint of excitement and changing his calm demeanor for the first time.

-Partially, - Axel clarified. - It's not entirely correct, but I can obtain Devil Fruits more easily than other people. You see why the history and research are so important, - Axel added.

-I understand. How would we operate? - Dragon asked.

-Well, I have three Devil Fruits in my possession, and I suppose you know one of them well, - Axel said.

Dragon thought for a moment, and his eyes lit up. - Simon's Devil Fruit, - Dragon said to himself more than to Axel.

-Yes, the Logia-type Devil Fruit, Paper-Paper Fruit. But that one is for my next crew member, - Axel confirmed.

-What do you want in return? - Dragon inquired.

-Let's not get ahead of ourselves," Axel advised. Although these are fan theories, Vega Punk did mention something about the birth of Devil Fruits in the manga. The theory is plausible, especially when Dragon learns about it. There must be some relevant conversation; it's not impossible or far-fetched, - Axel pondered.

-I have two more: a Kangaroo Zoan-type Devil Fruit and a Paramecia-type Coordinate Fruit. Are you interested? - Axel offered.

-I'm interested, - Dragon said, regaining his composure. -. These Devil Fruits would increase the range of our members. They aren't powerful fruits, but we'll figure out what to do with them. After all, Devil Fruits aren't easy to come by. -

-Well, the Zoan fruit isn't anything special. But the Coordinate Fruit has unique features. It can transport the user to anything visible to them, and, according to the records, it can transport objects depending on the user's expertise. It can even travel to places where there's a clear image, depending on the coordinates I send. Now, sending a small object shouldn't be difficult, considering the weight or size, - Axel explained.

-It's not in the encyclopedia of fruits I have, - Dragon said, - but if what you're saying is true, you would save us a lot of trouble. -

-Name your price for both Devil Fruits, - Axel told him.

-300 million berries, -- Dragon replied. -- I don't have more money, and the funds are allocated to some other expenses. That's all the army can afford, - Dragon explained.

-Hmm... it's a lot of money and at the same time not enough, - Axel said.

-My offer can't go higher than that, - Dragon stated.

-I don't want the money. What if you teach me something called Haki? Give me a guide or a manual, or training methods... mmm, also a manual for Rokushiki techniques. As you can see, I have the Soru ability, but I'd like to be more skilled in the following arts, - Axel proposed.

-Ohhh, so you seek strength rather than money. Fine, I'll help you. Rokushiki techniques are simple. As for the Haki method, it's not possible to say there's one method that leads you. Usually, some people are attuned to a particular type of ability. There are three types of Haki, and most of the time, a person only manages to master one of the three, - Dragon explained.

-I'll write down some memories and training that the Marines follow, but there's no one-size-fits-all method, - Dragon continued.

-Good, finally, I want to know the whereabouts of three people, - Axel said.

Dragon nodded, understanding the value of two Devil Fruits.

-Our intelligence system isn't as good as it's believed to be. We have a network in the four seas and a few in the Grand Line, but it's not perfect, and its exploitation is under other topics, - Dragon admitted.

-Well, I believe in you. These are three individuals I aim to have on my crew. I already have a previous investigation on who they are, where they are located, or, well, where they were located, and some special characteristics of each subject," Axel said.

-I'll see what I can do, - Dragon said.

-Good, these pages contain the profiles of these individuals. I plan to recruit them into my crew; they can help me solve my problems, -- Axel said. -- These here are the Devil Fruits: the Kangaroo Zoan-type Fruit and the Paramecia-type Coordinate Fruit, - Axel explained.

Monkey D. Dragon's eyes gleamed with intensity upon seeing the Devil Fruits.

-All right, wait for my call. We'll see each other in a week. We'll help you block the Marine reports as long as you stay in the village and keep a low profile, - Dragon said.

…

Ding

Link Status.

You have earned 100 experience points: You have gained a powerful ally who will help you achieve your goals. Dragon's eyes are on your position.

You have received a bronze chest.

You have opened the bronze chest, acquiring special barrels of sake—the top 20 sakes in the world in your hands.

...

-Well, Mr. Dragon, if I acquire more Devil Fruits, how can I contact you? Maybe I'll come across some interesting fruits, - Axel said.

-We'll stay in touch; I'll only call you at dusk, almost touching midnight. Within a ten-minute interval before that, you'll speak with my assistant named Van. Only answer the phone if it's for cooperation. I'll contact you every month, starting from today, - Dragon explained.

-Great, I hope our relationship is long and lasting, - Axel said.

-The information about these individuals will reach you in a week, - Dragon assured.

-All right, we'll meet again when our paths cross, - Axel said.

Dragon walked towards the ship. As he reached the ship, the wind grew stronger, and the weather became turbulent. He glanced back at Axel, who was still looking at him, and smiled. The sea began to sway along with the ship on the shore, and they departed into an inexplicable storm.

 ...