Chapter 20: Everyone Has a Dream They Haven’t Yet Realized

Dragon wondered where Sig's confidence came from in wanting to ambush Garp.

The naval hero Garp, now 66 years old, was practically a grandfather, but his strength was still far from inferior to when he was younger and in his prime, remaining active on the front lines of the Navy.

Dragon knew Garp's strength well and should not have been worried.

However, the Sig standing before him was clearly no ordinary figure.

Having also come from the Rocks era, Sig appeared much younger than he actually was, and his strength was unfathomable.

To Dragon, Sig felt like a kindred spirit.

A person who had been lurking behind the scenes for many years, suddenly acting so high-profile only to attract Garp's attention.

No matter how you looked at it, this didn't seem like an impulsive action; it might even be part of a meticulously planned, long-term scheme.

Perhaps, the name of the King of Bandits would rise on the back of the fame of the naval hero Garp.

The era of this man who defeated Rocks and hunted down Pirate King Roger, the naval hero, might come to an end.

And after that, a new legend would emerge on the seas.

Dragon pondered within himself that as a fellow of Sig's caliber, he would never rashly set such a grand goal without absolute certainty.

'Sig must have an astonishing backup plan—some troublesome ability users, or perhaps some powerful allies?' Dragon speculated in his mind.

The abilities of the Devil Fruits were incredibly diverse and bizarre, with some being inexplicably powerful.

If it were his eccentric father, encountering an extremely strong opponent might just make him fight even harder, but against certain Devil Fruit users, he might actually be in danger.

'Is it that Sig has an incredibly strong backup plan, or am I just overthinking it?'

Dragon couldn't solve this puzzle in his mind.

While lost in thought, he saw Sig speak sincerely.

"Anyway, thank you for the information you've brought."

Of course, no matter how sincere he appeared, Sig's poker-faced expression made it hard to read him.

'But I'm curious, why would the leader of the Revolutionary Army come personally to see a mere bandit like me?'

'Could it be that you're just here to inform me that the Goa Kingdom is preparing to encircle and eliminate me?'

Sig tried to inquire about their intentions.

Dragon and the others were all mentally alert.

The main event had arrived.

The earlier deliberate information revealed was meant to show goodwill.

Now, this was the main purpose of the secret meeting.

"Mr. Sig," Dragon pondered for a moment before speaking:

"Our Revolutionary Army and you, Mr. Sig, have the same goal... there is a foundation for cooperation between us, and that is why we are here."

The same goal? Cooperation?

A sense of confusion rose in Sig's heart.

What was my goal again?

To start living as a hermit in the mountains from today?

Hmm? Does Dragon also want to be a hermit? I didn't see that coming.

Wait, no—there must be something I missed!

Sig thought carefully for a while and finally remembered what his goal actually was.

"Oh, right. I came here to avoid Garp."

'Dragon's goal is also to avoid Garp? Could it be that Garp has been secretly hunting Dragon all along?'

As he thought about this, Sig looked at Dragon with a newfound warmth.

He had originally thought Dragon was just a typical behind-the-scenes mastermind, a dangerous character.

But now, Dragon gave him the impression of a big child who had run away from home to escape a strict father.

Sig nodded.

"I understand you. It must not be easy for the Revolutionary Army."

"Garp's strength is indeed very formidable, and he's truly a thorn in your side."

As he said this, Sig also felt his spirits rise.

He had been feeling uneasy, not knowing what the purpose of the Revolutionary Army's visit was.

Since they also wanted to escape Garp's pursuit, things were much easier to handle now.

The Revolutionary Army's strength was far superior to his so-called King of Bandits, and they were a golden opportunity!

Sig then straightened his face, maintaining the strongman persona, and said in a deep voice:

"I've already seen your sincerity, and I'm also interested in our cooperation."

At this point, Sig's tone became slightly more relaxed.

He was imagining the Revolutionary Army protecting him and helping him escape Garp's pursuit.

From now on, the seas would be his to roam freely.

"Once our cooperative goal is achieved, Garp will no longer be an obstacle for either of us."

A smile appeared on Sig's face.

But this smile made Dragon and the others feel even more serious.

What's going on?

What Dragon wanted to say was that both the Revolutionary Army and Sig had the same goal of attacking the Holy Land Mariejois and overthrowing the rule of the Celestial Dragons.

But why had Sig suddenly mentioned Garp?

What does Garp have to do with this?

"Did he misunderstand something?"

Dragon felt confused and reviewed Sig's words again, and a slight shock ran through him.

"Garp's strength is indeed very strong... a very tricky opponent... once we achieve our goal, Garp will no longer be an obstacle for us..."

Had Sig mistakenly thought that the Revolutionary Army's goal was also to take action against Garp?

Dragon squinted his eyes, his thoughts complex.

Earlier, he had been wondering if he had overthought things—how could Sig's goal possibly be his eccentric father?

Who knew that now, Sig had specifically mentioned the name "Garp."

'No wonder he's the King of Bandits, Sig, the self-proclaimed king.'

'Has he already figured out that we figured out that his goal is Garp, and he's openly admitting it?'

'Such strong confidence, it seems his backup plans must be truly formidable...'

Dragon's heart sank slightly. He knew Garp's strength, but this man's unabashed confidence made it impossible to underestimate him.

"Mr. Sig, I think you've misunderstood something."

Dragon thought for a moment and spoke again.

He decided to lay everything out to avoid any further misunderstandings.

"To be precise, what we mean is that our ultimate goals have similarities."

"The goal of the Revolutionary Army is to overthrow the rule of the Celestial Dragons and the World Government."

"Mr. Sig's goal is to overthrow the Celestial Dragons and seize the Holy Land Mariejois, starting the Great Bandit Era, and becoming the King of Bandits, right?"

"Our enemies are the Celestial Dragons and the World Government, so..."

Before Dragon could finish, Sig's eyes suddenly widened, and the sound of the Emperor Engine roared again.

"I want to seize the Holy Land Mariejois? I've never heard of this before."

'The Great Bandit Era? What nonsense is that?'

Sig was roaring inside.

"Mr. Sig, please don't misunderstand. We come with goodwill and have no intention of being enemies with you..."

In front of him, Dragon once again felt the pressure of the Emperor Engine and spoke solemnly.

He truly came with good intentions, but Sig had first intimidated them and then repeatedly raised strong hostility.

Earlier, he could explain by thinking "Sig's goal is actually Garp, not the Revolutionary Army."

But what about now? Was he really treating the Revolutionary Army like some soft target?