Plans for the future

He saw a practically empty bar with one extremely beautiful bartender and 1 hooded figure. Galan slowly walked to the bar and smiled "1 Whiskey, please." The woman chuckled and said "Woah. You smile at everyone like that? Talk about creepy…" as she got him a drink.

Galan snorted and turned his head, saying "Quite the stunt you pulled. Why aren't you gone yet?" The man in the hood turned to him and grinned, it was Dragon! He replied "I didn't expect you here! Would've rolled out the red carpet…"

Galan got his drink and sipped it, saying "I had a feeling it was you. Nobody else could've done something like this in such a small window of time. Plus, I'm the one who taught you to kill scumbags, I can recognize it. Quick, efficient, simple." before drinking the entire thing.

He took out money from his suit jacket as Dragon remarked "I remember you not liking those." Galan snorted and his expression was blank as usual, "Plans change. The act isn't complete without it, so I have no choice. I also have to protect and cater to those bubble-heads. It's fine, keeps my mind sharp. You pulled a favor for me today, didn't have to overthink anything."

Dragon raised his glass and said "Look at that. I got a favor from the big bad Marine. I heard a bedtime story on an island where the monster that would come for the kid if he did something bad was you." Galan snorted and ordered another drink, replying "At least I did something useful."

Dragon looked at him for a moment before sighing and drinking in silence. The woman handed Galan another drink and he drained the glass, Dragon changed the subject, asking "Did you figure out a plan yet?"

Galan tapped the bar, ordering another drink as he replied with a blank face, "I'll just become Fleet Admiral and control everything behind the scenes. All you need to do is grow your Revolution into a strong army. I estimate within a few decades we can wash Mariejois in blood, shouldn't be too hard."

He turned the empty glass in his hand as the woman brought him another drink, adding "I figure I'll have you shadow my movements as an uncontrollable variable… Until I find another few chess pieces… The main issue is dealing with my conscience. Allowing evil isn't my strong suit…"

Dragon scoffed "You can say that." as he sipped his drink, turning to the woman, who smiled "Maybe I shouldn't be here?" Galan sipped the drink this time, saying flatly "Former Captain of the Kuja Pirates, Shakuyaku. Age 33, most egregious act; Slaughtering an entire village of Slave Traders and Pirates, 6'1, X type blood, single."

Shakuyaku froze and Galan drank his drink, adding "Works as an intelligence broker for specially chosen clients. Analysis- Non Elimination level threat." before turning to Dragon and going on, "At any rate, the main goal at the moment is becoming Fleet Admiral. I can work around the suspicion of the World Government; it's not an issue."

Shakuyaku stopped pretending and held the bar, her expression becoming extremely indifferent and cold as ice as she said "Turns out the Black Raven isn't a mindless killing machine." Galan swallowed the whiskey, replying "There's a reason I'm called the Raven instead of Vulture."

Dragon looked at Shakuyaku and smiled "He's mostly harmless. That's just his personality." Shakuyaku looked at him indifferently as Dragon tapped on his head with his finger, twirling it a bit. She blinked, unamused, turning to Galan, asking "What are the conditions."

Galan put the glass down and licked his lips, tracing the rim as he replied "Supply us with untraceable snails and provide several Amazonians without a record to both the Revolutionary Army and Marines. I will groom them into a special force to get work done that I can't." Dragon's eyes glimmered and he nodded, "Would be an excellent addition to the Army."

Shakuyaku frowned and Dragon turned to her, smiling in a friendly manner "Your warriors and companions will not be harmed in any way, I can assure you. The main goal for our Revolutionaries is the Destruction of the World Government, nothing more, nothing less."

Galan stayed silent, there was nothing to say. Shakuyaku was smart enough to understand his words. The chess pieces in Galan's hands weren't things he could waste at will, considering he had so little of them.

Shakuyaku countered "You would have to raise them as your own, most of the Kuja don't mix well with men." Galan raised a finger, retorting "Over 10, under 15, at least 7 of them." Shakuyaku stared at him in silence for a few moments, thinking quickly before adding "And Amazon Lily is protected."

Galan rebuffed instantly "Within reason." Shakuyaku stretched out her hand and Galan shook it, she noticed that he wasn't even looking at her. Normally men would drool over her and she would put them down.

For example, Dragon was very soft and friendly with her. However, Galan didn't care at all, all she could feel was a blazing flame behind his blank pupils. She wasn't a person, more like a tool. It was very unnerving.

Dragon smiled happily and Galan stood up, saying "Send the snails to me at a later date or I can come pick them up." Shakuyaku waved, "I can send 'em." he nodded and turned to Dragon, "Amass your forces." before reaching into his pockets and pulling out a folded paper, adding "Here are several routes used by Celestial Dragon for Tributes. There are times and dates listed. If you can, kill as many nobles as you see."

Dragon and Shukayaku froze, Galan handed the paper to Dragon, going on emotionlessly "Once god bleeds, people will cease to believe in him. The people of your cause need to know that you specifically aren't afraid of Nobles and are willing to kill them. Of course, you'll have to erase your tracks and hide extremely well."

He suddenly smiled and then frowned "Wrong…" before trying a few more times, settling on a gentle and soft smile with submissive eyes as he turned to the two, saying "Godspeed."

Galan turned around and left the bar before disappearing instantly when he got outside.

Dragon was silent as he held the folded paper, Shakuyaku swallowed and wiped the sweat from the back of her neck, remarking "Your friend… is really terrifying." Dragon sighed and muttered "Yeah, you get used to it." Shakuyaku shook her head and replied "I don't think I ever will. It's… almost like he's…" she hesitated and Dragon finished for her, looking at the door, "Not human."

Galan reappeared on the ship and was shot in the leg, blood splattering as he stood there and smiled gently "Terribly sorry, Saint Corithess. I couldn't locate the man responsible."

Corithess stomped on the deck and shouted angrily "Dog! You useless dog! I can't believe this! My day is ruined because of animals like you!" Galan stood there, smiling gently as he took a knife to his neck, asking "Shall I kill myself?"

Blood spilled down his neck as the CP leader jumped in shock, never seeing such loyalty before! Saint Corithess sneered "Not quite, dog! Get on your knees and let my daughter ride you like a horse!"

Galan put the knife away and did as he was told like a good dog. The ship slowly sailed away as Galan moved around with the little girl on his back, slapping him and yelling "Faster!"

The CP leader watched with the rest of the agents, completely silent. This was within Galan's calculations as well. He needed to establish a submissive connection with the Celestials and wipe current suspicions on his loyalties at the moment. If he was to be trusted with the position of Fleet Admiral, this was absolutely imperative.

His speculation was that Kong was more of a rough and tough option, since there was quite literally nobody else after Bear was unfortunately killed. However, the next Fleet Admiral was between an array of young candidates. Most likely, the most malleable and controllable in the eyes of the 5 Elders would be chosen.

Merit was just a guise. Countless strings could be pulled to make excuses as to why the choice was made.

So Galan chose this option out of a few others. Perhaps in another era, the qualifications would be different, however these times were relatively peaceful. Some common piracy across the world but nothing that was a threat to the World Government itself.

They could manipulate the Fleet Admiral to take the actions they saw fit for the current situation.

They needed a dog and Galan would become a dog. It was very simple.

And in this moment, he was just that, a dog.