For a revolution to successfully overthrow a global superpower, three fundamental pillars were absolutely indispensable: food, weapons, and medicine.
Procuring these supplies in small, localized quantities was relatively simple. However, the moment an organization attempted to purchase them on a massive, army-supplying scale, the logistical difficulty skyrocketed. Massive supply chain movements would instantly alert the World Government's intelligence agencies, potentially exposing the Revolutionary Army's hidden bases and troop deployments.
Therefore, having a massive, legitimate merchant guild secretly funneling resources to them through untraceable black-market channels was an absolute godsend. It would alleviate their most crippling logistical bottleneck, allowing them to focus entirely on the actual war effort.
Inside the dimly lit church, the leaders took their seats around a weathered wooden table.
Robin quickly mentally organized the Dandelion Merchant Guild's current logistical portfolio before speaking. "Commander Dragon, although our Dandelion Merchant Guild hasn't been established for very long, we have already expanded into a massive commercial powerhouse within the West Blue's underworld and legitimate markets.
"We possess the secure smuggling channels necessary to procure and transport virtually unlimited quantities of food and medical supplies completely under the radar. However, when it comes to high-grade military weaponry... we currently lack the infrastructure to satisfy the demands of a large-scale, global war."
"Having a secure pipeline for food and medicine is already an unimaginable blessing," Dragon replied, his intense eyes softening slightly. "You may not realize this, but the World Government heavily restricts and monitors the sale of certain critical medical supplies. Procuring them legally is a nightmare for us.
"Furthermore," Dragon added, leaning forward, "if your guild has the connections, we would highly appreciate it if you could secretly purchase and smuggle advanced scientific and manufacturing instruments for us. If we can establish our own independent production lines, the World Government's economic blockades will mean absolutely nothing."
It was glaringly obvious that Dragon had been suffering from massive logistical headaches. Because the Revolutionary Army was currently under extreme scrutiny by the World Government, nearly all of their operations had to be conducted in absolute secrecy. Compared to the monolithic, centuries-old World Government, the Revolutionary Army was still just a rapidly growing beast in its infancy.
"Manufacturing instruments? That shouldn't be a problem at all..."
Robin and Dragon engaged in a rapid, highly detailed negotiation. By the end of the intense discussion, they had hammered out a comprehensive, mutually highly beneficial trade agreement. Dragon let out a massive sigh of relief, the heavy burden on his shoulders significantly lightened. Robin was equally satisfied.
Moving forward, the Revolutionary Army's operations in the West Blue would become infinitely smoother. Meanwhile, by attaching itself to the revolution's shadow economy, the Dandelion Merchant Guild had secured a massive, lucrative avenue for rapid expansion.
With the negotiations officially concluded, Dragon and Ivankov prepared to depart. It was an incredibly turbulent time for the Revolutionary Army, and they were both swamped with endless responsibilities. Furthermore, Dragon was eager to implement the new West Blue supply chain immediately.
"Kuma," Dragon said, placing a firm, reassuring hand on his friend's shoulder. "Ginny requires your constant care right now, and you need to escort her to the Grand Line for her medical treatment. Stay by her side. Leave the Revolutionary Army's immediate operations to us. Do not worry about a thing."
"Hee-haw! You better get better soon, Ginny!" Ivankov winked, though his flamboyant exterior couldn't hide the deep, genuine concern in his eyes. "Kuma, we're leaving her in your capable hands!"
"I understand," Kuma nodded solemnly, looking at his friends, and then looking deeply into Ginny's eyes. "I absolutely swear... I will never let Ginny suffer again."
"Big Bro, Commander... please take care of yourselves out there," Ginny said, forcing a bright, radiant smile despite her lingering exhaustion as the time to say goodbye arrived.
Outside the church doors, Kuma slowly pulled off his left glove, preparing to use his Paw-Paw Fruit to physically launch Dragon and Ivankov back to their hidden headquarters.
"Wait a moment," Bardock called out, stepping out of the church.
Everyone turned to look at him.
Bardock had suddenly remembered something crucial. Their South Blue itinerary was officially completed. Their very next destination was the East Blue. The East Blue was famously known as the personal territory of Marine Hero Garp, and the old man frequently returned there for 'vacations' to visit his grandson. If they weren't careful, they might accidentally run face-first into the absolute strongest Marine alive.
Standing before the group, Bardock explained their destination, then turned his golden eyes directly onto Dragon. "Dragon. You are the man who knows your father's absolute strength better than anyone else in this world. I want you to evaluate my fist. I want to know exactly how far the gap is between me and the Hero of the Marines."
Hearing the word 'father', the corner of Dragon's eye violently twitched. His father was an incredibly irresponsible, chaotic mess of a man... but there was no denying that his fists were terrifyingly, world-shatteringly hard.
"No problem," Dragon nodded, his expression turning serious. He had been highly impressed by Enel's combat prowess earlier, and he was genuinely curious to see just how strong the Captain of this monstrous crew truly was. "Let's exchange a single strike."
Seeing the two men square up, the rest of the crew and the revolutionaries rapidly backed away, giving them a wide berth.
Bardock took a deep breath, settling into a low martial arts stance. "Hasshoken!"
This wasn't a standard punch. Bardock meticulously layered three distinct, high-level combat techniques into a single strike. First, the internal shockwave generation of the Hasshoken martial arts. Second, the hyper-dense, flowing application of Advanced Armament Haki (Internal Destruction). And finally, he violently compressed and infused the strike with his Supreme King's Haki.
Crackling, pitch-black lightning violently erupted from his knuckles.
Across from him, Dragon didn't panic. He calmly raised his hand, curling his fingers into his signature rigid claw. He heavily coated his hand in Armament Haki, before a similar explosion of dark red lightning surged around his fingers. "Dragon Claw Fist!"
BOOOOOOM!
The fist and the claw violently thrust forward, clashing in the dead center of the courtyard.
A deafening, apocalyptic shockwave tore through the air, completely shattering the stone pavement beneath their feet. A localized hurricane erupted from the epicenter, violently whipping the surrounding trees.
Yet, amidst the roaring thunder of the impact...
"They aren't even touching!" Kid yelled, shielding his eyes from the violent wind.
"It's Advanced Conqueror's Haki Infusion!" Sai yelled back over the roaring gale.
"Hee-haw! The youth of this era are absolutely terrifying!" Ivankov gasped, his eyes wide with genuine shock as he watched the two supreme wills violently grinding against each other in the empty space between their fists.
Bardock's crew wasn't too surprised; they had already witnessed Bardock successfully master the technique during his duel with Enel.
However, Ivankov was utterly astounded. According to Dragon, mastering Advanced Conqueror's Haki Infusion was the absolute, non-negotiable ticket to entering the highest echelon of global power. By effortlessly wielding this technique, Bardock had fundamentally proven that he was already a certified top-tier monster on the world stage.
A few intense seconds later, Bardock and Dragon simultaneously withdrew their Haki and stepped back, seamlessly ending the clash.
"Bardock," Dragon said, analyzing the lingering sensation in his hand. "With your current level of strength... if my father wants to defeat you, he will be forced to get completely serious. Furthermore, even if he goes all out, he might not actually be able to prevent you from escaping."
Internally, Dragon was making a terrifying comparison. When he was Bardock's age, he absolutely did not possess this level of overwhelming, monstrous strength.
The single clash appeared incredibly simple, but it was a flawless litmus test. It instantly measured physical power, martial technique, Armament Haki flow, Observation Haki timing, and the absolute density of their Conqueror's Haki. If there had been a massive disparity in any of those categories, the clash would have ended instantly in a crushing defeat.
"Thank you for holding back, Dragon," Bardock smiled, lowering his fist.
Although neither of them had activated their respective Devil Fruit abilities, Bardock knew he had essentially pushed his human form to its absolute limit for that strike. Dragon, on the other hand, still possessed deep, unfathomable reserves.
However, Bardock was entirely satisfied with the outcome. He had received the exact confirmation he needed: no matter who he faced moving forward—whether it was a Marine Admiral or a Yonko—it was absolutely impossible for them to effortlessly one-shot him. He had officially earned his seat at the high table.
"No, your strength is genuinely formidable," Dragon corrected respectfully. "So, your next destination is the East Blue? If you happen to visit..."
Dragon paused, a complex emotion briefly flashing across his stoic face. He had almost instinctively mentioned the Goa Kingdom, or perhaps Loguetown, but he quickly caught himself. Bardock was an explorer; he likely preferred to see, hear, and discover the world's secrets for himself.
"...Never mind," Dragon finished smoothly. "I wish you a pleasant journey in the East Blue."
Bardock didn't pry into the half-finished sentence. "And I wish you smooth sailing on your return."
Given that Dragon could literally control the wind, 'smooth sailing' was practically a given.
With the farewells officially concluded, Kuma stepped forward.
POP! POP!
With two gentle strikes from his paw pads, Dragon and Ivankov were instantly enveloped in massive, bear-shaped air bubbles and launched into the stratosphere, vanishing into the horizon at impossible speeds.
No matter how many times Bardock saw it, he couldn't help but marvel at the sheer absurdity of the Paramecia-type Devil Fruits. The fact that the Paw-Paw Fruit could execute perfectly targeted, intercontinental teleportation was utterly logic-defying.
"Kuma, before we go, Mansherry has already spoken to Dr. Kureha via Den Den Mushi," Bardock turned to the giant. "She is incredibly fascinated by the pathology of the Sapphire Scales disease and has agreed to take the case. You just need to bring Ginny directly to her clinic on Drum Island."
"I understand. Thank you, Bardock. Thank you, Dr. Mansherry. Thank you all..." Kuma bowed deeply, his voice thick with profound, eternal gratitude.
"Alright, that's enough thanking," Bardock chuckled, cutting him off before Kuma could bow again. He turned to his crew. "Let's set sail! We've lingered in this sea long enough!"
"HELL YEAH! LET'S GO!" Kid roared, pumping his fist.
"To the East Blue!" Chopper cheered.
"I can't wait!" Leo buzzed excitedly.
Kuma and Ginny eagerly tried to convince them to stay for a few more days of celebration, but Bardock politely declined. He had accomplished absolutely everything he had set out to do. The South Blue itinerary was flawlessly completed. It was time to begin the next chapter of their adventure.
The crew boarded the White Dragon, and Enel casually channeled electricity into the rotors. The camouflaged, white galleon smoothly lifted off the ground, soaring high into the sky.
Their immediate destination was Reverse Mountain. Rather than painstakingly sailing backward through the treacherous Grand Line, they were going to fly directly to the Red Line and utilize the mountain's canal system to smoothly transition down into the East Blue. It was infinitely faster and significantly safer.
Watching the massive white ship vanish into the distant clouds, Kuma made a firm resolution. He would pack their belongings immediately and take Ginny to the Drum Kingdom to finally cure her once and for all.