Arima placed his hand on Dragon's shoulder, his Mangekyo Sharingan spinning open.
With the power of Kamui, space twisted around them, and in the next instant, they stepped into Konoha Village, now floating high above the skies of Skypiea.
Inside the Hokage's office, a wooden clone was busy with paperwork. The moment the clone sensed Arima's arrival, it dispelled itself, memories flowing seamlessly into the original.
Dragon blinked in mild surprise at the sight of two identical Arima standing side by side.
Arima motioned for him to look around freely, while he himself sat in the Hokage's chair, quietly absorbing the influx of memories from his clone.
Not long after, King Riku arrived with Cyrus and a group of guards, having rushed over as soon as he received Arima's urgent message.
Accompanying them was Gancho, the leader of the Tontatta Tribe.
King Riku took a seat on the lower side of the table, bowing respectfully. "Lord Hokage, may I ask what matter required my presence?"
"This is Monkey D. Dragon, leader of the Revolutionary Army," Arima said calmly.
"I've decided to form an alliance with the Revolutionaries, to overthrow the World Government and establish a new world order built on a parliamentary system.
I hope from here on, you can all work together without mistrust or division."
King Riku frowned slightly. "Can we truly overthrow the World Government… with just our combined strength?"
Arima smiled faintly. "You won't need to fight on the front lines. Just focus on providing logistical support for the Revolutionary Army. Leave the battles to us."
He then turned toward Gancho.
"Chief Gancho, I'd like your people to cultivate more medicinal herbs for healing. Tsunade will oversee all medical operations, just cooperate with her when the time comes."
Gancho nodded solemnly, accepting the order.
Arima's gaze shifted to Dragon. "Tell me, where is your Revolutionary Army's main headquarters?"
Dragon hesitated briefly before answering, "On the Grand Line, the island of white earth, Baltigo."
Arima nodded, smiling. "That proves your sincerity."
Dragon raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"
"I already know where Baltigo is," Arima said mildly.
"I've been there before. Naturally, I also know your army's true base of operations. If you had given me a false location… I'm afraid you wouldn't be walking out that door today."
His tone was quiet, yet the sheer weight of his will pressed down like a physical force.
Dragon's eyes widened. He hadn't expected Arima's abilities, and his presence, to be this overwhelming.
To make an enemy of such a man would mean never sleeping soundly again, even with Observation Haki active through the night.
Arima stood. "Come. We'll head to Baltigo first, I'll open a spatial gateway there."
A ripple of distorted space enveloped them, and the next moment, they stood upon the chalk-white soil of Baltigo.
Arima walked ahead, clearly familiar with the terrain.
"This world hides many secrets," he said, his voice echoing lightly.
"Eight hundred years ago, history fell into a blank void, one the World Government keeps shrouded in silence, even enforcing that silence with brutal punishment.
I'm curious about that lost history. And if uncovering it means liberating this world, I wouldn't mind lending a hand."
"When do you plan to make your move?" Dragon asked.
"I'll begin in the Kingdom of Alabasta," Arima replied. "I'll open a battlefield there to draw the Government's attention. Your Revolutionary Army can move freely while they're distracted."
"Alabasta?" Dragon asked, frowning. "What's special about that kingdom?"
Arima's eyes gleamed. "Tell me, Dragon, besides the Poneglyphs, what does the World Government guard most zealously?"
"The Heavenly Tribute paid by the Celestial Dragons… and the Ancient Weapons," Dragon said after a pause. "My father mentioned them once."
"Vice Admiral Garp knows of them, of course," Arima continued.
"According to Konoha's intelligence, one of the Seven Warlords, Crocodile, is secretly searching for the Ancient Weapon Pluton in Alabasta."
Dragon's expression sharpened in surprise. "You mean Pluton is actually in Alabasta?"
Arima chuckled. "Heh. I thought nothing could rattle you, Dragon. But it's understandable, the World Government considers the Ancient Weapons world-ending threats.
If your Revolutionaries managed to obtain one, overthrowing the Government would become far easier, wouldn't it?"
Dragon gave a wry smile, saying nothing.
For a fleeting moment, he had indeed considered the idea of unearthing Pluton himself, but all his intelligence on the matter came from Arima.
There was no way to outmaneuver someone like him.
And besides, Dragon had already resolved to cooperate with Konoha. To deceive them now would only dig his own grave.
Arima continued, "The more people fear a power they don't understand, the more they crave it.
The World Government hides many layers of secrets… which makes this all the more entertaining."
Dragon asked, "Our intel shows the Government's been unusually active in Water 7 lately. Do you know why?"
"They're trying to extinguish all threats before they grow," Arima explained.
"Pluton was designed and built by the shipwrights of Water 7, the blueprints are still hidden there. Naturally, they won't let those plans slip through their fingers."
Arima then proceeded to outline in detail everything Konoha knew about Pluton, and Dragon listened in growing awe, realizing just how vast Konoha's reach and power truly were.
Compared to Konoha, the Revolutionary Army's resources were insignificant.
With that realization, Dragon set aside all thoughts of leadership in this alliance, content to follow Arima's lead.
"You're not going to retrieve those blueprints yourself?" Dragon asked.
"I already did," Arima replied casually. "Here, see for yourself."
He drew a bundle of papers from his Kamui space and handed them over without hesitation.
Dragon accepted them in stunned silence. The man's openness shamed him for ever doubting his intentions.
Flipping through the blueprints, he was surprised to find that Pluton wasn't as terrifying as the legends suggested. In theory, destroying it wouldn't even be that difficult.
Arima smiled faintly. "See? On its own, Pluton's power isn't as apocalyptic as the rumors claim. So why does the World Government fear it so much?"
Dragon shook his head, unable to answer.
After a pause, Arima said softly, "…You've heard of the Dyna Stones, haven't you?"
"Of course," Dragon replied. "The Dyna ore reacts violently with air, producing massive explosions. It's one of the Government's most tightly controlled materials."
"If Dyna Stones were used as the bomb core," Arima said, eyes narrowing, "then that version of Pluton would truly possess the power to destroy the world.
And if Poseidon were to assist it… even you wouldn't be able to get close."
Dragon stared at him. "You already know about Poseidon?"
Arima nodded, offering no further explanation.
As they spoke, the two arrived at the Revolutionary Army's main headquarters. Soldiers immediately snapped to attention upon seeing their leader return.
The Eastern Army's commander, Belo Betty, came hurrying out to greet them.
From a distance, she could already make out the tall, white-haired stranger walking beside Dragon, and she recognized him instantly.
"Betty," Dragon said, "this is the Fifth Emperor, Arima. On behalf of the Revolutionary Army, I've formed an alliance with Konoha. Together, we'll bring down the World Government."
The sudden declaration left Betty momentarily speechless. "You… brought him here to seal the alliance?"
Dragon shook his head. "No. He brought me here. From the East Blue to Baltigo, it took only a blink."
Betty studied Arima closely. "So the Fifth Emperor takes an interest in our Revolutionaries?"
Arima wasn't offended by her blunt tone. In fact, he seemed amused, his sharp eyes appraising her.
Betty wore a crimson top hat, short purple hair, dark sunglasses, and a cigarette dangling from her lips. Her outfit was daring, she didn't even bother with undergarments.
A mere tug on her top would expose everything.
Arima found her directness oddly refreshing. In some ways, her fiery spirit reminded him of Tsunade.
"Tell me, Betty," Arima asked calmly, "does the fact that I found your headquarters so easily make you uneasy? Or do you suspect I have ulterior motives?"
"Forgive me," she said coolly. "I simply distrust all outsiders by nature."
"No offense taken," Arima replied.
"That won't hinder our cooperation. I'll be creating a spatial gateway here, linking your base to the Sky Island.
It'll allow free travel between Konoha and the Revolutionary Army. I only ask that you set aside your doubts when the time comes."
"If it's truly for the sake of the revolution," Betty said after a pause, "I'll treat your people as my own family."
At last, she seemed to relax. She knew her commander wouldn't form an alliance lightly, if Dragon trusted this man, then he must be worth it.
Her wariness eased, replaced by cautious respect.
"Choose a suitable location," Arima said. "I'll construct the gateway. You can think of it as… a 'door.'"
After a long discussion, Dragon and Betty decided to place the 'door' at the harbor near the base, convenient for travel between the Sky Island and the sea below.