"Revolution always requires bloodshed. If need be, I'm not someone who fears for his life. And neither is Kuma." Dragon sighed once more.
Diarmuid never doubted Dragon's unwavering commitment to the revolution. He also didn't doubt that Bartholomew Kuma was willing to sacrifice himself for it.
He believed Dragon's words that if necessary, Dragon would calmly face death. The Revolutionary Army was exactly that kind of organization. A world where no one gets hurt simply doesn't exist!
Seeing the determined look in Dragon's eyes, Diarmuid finally smiled and said, "I will relay your words to Fleet Admiral Kong exactly as you said them. As for whether it works out or not, I won't add a single word."
"The fact that you're willing to relay it already shows your stance to a certain extent. I understand, and the Fleet Admiral will definitely understand as well. That's enough," Dragon said with a calm smile.
This was a chance encounter. All of the conversations between Diarmuid and Dragon were unplanned, and Dragon's request was made on the spur of the moment. After this, the two of them didn't continue to dwell on these serious topics.
"Speaking of which, didn't you say you got a wife back in Loguetown? It's been almost four years. Haven't you had a child yet? Didn't you plan to?" Diarmuid asked casually, leaning against the edge of the hot springs pool.
Dragon looked a little embarrassed. "We originally planned on having a child, but the times have changed too quickly. Roger's death started the Great Pirate Era, and I've been much busier…"
"Excuses," Diarmuid said, muttering a complaint.
"Hahaha, why are you so gossipy all of a sudden…? Well… after meeting with Moria this time, I was actually planning to head back to the East Blue." Dragon said with a chuckle.
"You're telling me your whereabouts so openly. Aren't you afraid I'll sell you out?" Diarmuid looked at Dragon.
"I told you, I've always considered you a half-ally," Dragon said nonchalantly.
Before Diarmuid could say anything, Dragon continued, "In the year 1504, the Reverie will begin. If I'm not mistaken, given the current situation, the World Government will have to face our Revolutionary Army head-on. It's highly likely that this meeting will be used to discuss countermeasures against us…"
"I'm guessing you're not wrong," Diarmuid said, nodding. He had the advantage of his memories, which allowed him to 'foresee' the future, but Dragon had deduced all this based entirely on his own experience.
"So next year, our Revolutionary Army plans to go into hiding to observe the situation. At the same time, as the leader, I'll be able to relax for a while. It's the perfect opportunity…" Dragon said, smiling with a gentle look in his eyes.
"Ah, I see. The perfect opportunity to have a child. Tsk tsk." Diarmuid raised an eyebrow and clicked his tongue.
"Hehehe, something like that." Dragon didn't hide it and asked again, "Didn't Gion come with you? You didn't come here on a trip all by yourself, did you?"
"You're asking the obvious, aren't you? Don't tell me you don't know that Gion has taken over G-7," Diarmuid said, giving Dragon a displeased look. Then he chuckled. "Of course, a handsome and charismatic man like me wouldn't travel alone. I brought a new lovely lady. Her name is Hina…"
"Don't think I'll believe you just because you say something ridiculous like that," Dragon said with a look of disdain.
"Tch, I can't be bothered to talk to you anymore." Diarmuid waved his hand, having no intention of explaining himself. After that, he stood up and stretched. "I'm here, so you guys probably can't talk about anything serious anyway. I won't bother you anymore. It should be getting dark soon, right? I think there's some kind of festival tonight. See you later. I'm off to have some fun."
After saying that, he didn't bother with Dragon and walked out of the hot springs bath, passing by Moria and Ivankov nonchalantly. At that moment, Diarmuid suddenly stopped. "Moria, the Revolutionary Army is a very promising career. It's much more interesting than being a pirate. Don't waste your time… Hehehe."
Moria looked at Diarmuid's retreating back with a confused expression, completely baffled by what the guy meant.
As he entered the changing room, Diarmuid heard his Den Den Mushi making a ruckus. He opened his locker helplessly, took out the Den Den Mushi, answered it, and replied angrily, "Hurry, hurry, hurry! What's with the rush?!"
"Admiral, I've called you about seventeen or eighteen times. How much longer are you going to be in the hot springs? Soaking for too long is bad for your health!" Hina complained from the other end of the line.
"So annoying. I just fell asleep for a little while," Diarmuid said dismissively while getting dressed.
"You fell asleep in the hot springs as a Devil Fruit user? Admiral, aren't you afraid of drowning?" Hina said with a hint of exaggeration in her voice.
"Cursing your superior isn't a good habit," Diarmuid complained, then put on his slippers and picked up the Den Den Mushi again.
"Anyway, enough about that. Admiral, there's a fireworks festival tonight. Do you want to go see it?" Hina asked.
"It seems you didn't have a romantic encounter?" Diarmuid said with a teasing laugh.
"There are a lot of handsome guys on the island, but what's the point of just being handsome? None of them have any talent and just like to hit on me because they're good-looking. What do they think I am?" Hina said with some annoyance.
"Is being just handsome not enough? You have so many demands," Diarmuid said with a laugh. He opened the door to the changing room and walked out.
"But you're right, you also have to be rich. Hahahaha," Diarmuid laughed loudly.
"Being rich is useless too. It's best to be strong and able to join the Marines!" Hina replied with a chuckle.
"Well, there aren't many people like that," Diarmuid said as he walked out of the hot springs inn.
The sun was setting, and from the inn on the mountainside, he could see the ocean in the distance. Half of the sun had already sunk into the water, and the view was breathtaking.
"What a beautiful sight…" Diarmuid whispered to himself.
"It really is pretty!" Hina suddenly said, walking out from behind him with the still-connected Den Den Mushi in her hand.
Diarmuid gave her a helpless look. "Don't tell me you were following me?"
"How could that be? I just happened to be passing by. I was just about to ask where you were, Admiral," Hina said with a laugh, putting away the Den Den Mushi.
Diarmuid didn't press the matter. He rubbed his stomach. "I'm hungry. Let's go get something to eat. My treat."
"There are a lot of food stalls on the festival street! I'll lead the way!" Hina said excitedly and walked a few steps ahead.
Diarmuid lifted his sunglasses onto his head, then touched his chin, took out a cigar, lit it, and watched Hina's lively back, a smile appearing on his face.
"Hey, Hina," Diarmuid suddenly said.
Hina, who was walking ahead, turned her head with a confused look. "Huh? What is it, Admiral?"
"Your intentions are too obvious, little girl," Diarmuid said with a chuckle, walking over and ruffling her pink hair. After that, he continued, "Even though I'm handsome and charming, strong and in a high position, you shouldn't just fall for me so easily."
After saying that, Diarmuid laughed loudly and walked ahead again.
Hina was stunned for a moment, then her face turned red, and she said angrily, "What kind of nonsense are you thinking, Admiral?!"
Diarmuid heard the girl's angry voice behind him and walked down the mountain without looking back, still laughing loudly. By the time they reached the festival street, the sun had completely disappeared, and the night had covered the island.
As expected of a tourist destination, there were a lot of people here, and the festival street was bustling with people.
Diarmuid held a skewer of fried food and walked ahead. Hina followed behind him, holding an ice cream and muttering to herself. "…Once we get back to headquarters, I'm going to take a leave and go to G-7 to tell Gion-nee on you. I'll tell her that you, my superior, have improper intentions toward your subordinate." Hina complained while eating her ice cream.
Diarmuid took a bite out of his skewer and mumbled, "When have I ever had improper intentions toward you? It's you, little girl, who has improper intentions toward me, isn't it?"
"I do not!" Hina said in a fit of rage.
"Then why aren't you looking for a romantic encounter and keep staring at me?" Diarmuid said with a teasing laugh.
"I… I…" Hina paused, then said exasperatedly, "I'm just keeping an eye on you for Gion-nee!"
Just then, Diarmuid suddenly turned around. Hina almost ran right into his chest.
"What are you doing? You startled me!" Hina complained.
"Gion? Come to think of it, there's nothing going on between Gion and me. Why does everyone think there is?" Diarmuid asked, touching his chin.
Hina looked at Diarmuid with a surprised expression. "Everyone knows that because of Gion-nee, you and Vice Admiral Tokikake have had a lot of conflicts. Who would believe you when you say there's nothing going on?"
"Is that so?" Diarmuid touched his chin again and whispered, "I feel like I'm always the one getting a raw deal in these situations. Is that dead woman Gion using me as a shield? No way, I have to collect some interest from her when I get back…"
Hina's face turned red when she heard that, but she still couldn't help but ask hesitantly, "What… what kind of interest?"
Diarmuid saw her expression and couldn't help but smile. "Interest that little kids can't know about!"
"Hina is not a little kid! Admiral, I'm a Commander at Marine Headquarters! Please show me some respect!" Hina said with great displeasure.
"Hahahahaha… Only a little kid would get so angry about that," Diarmuid said with a loud laugh.
"And to think I thought you had a crush on that troublemaker Smoker. I never would have guessed you had a secret crush on me! Hahahaha…" Diarmuid said suddenly, not waiting for Hina to speak.
Hina was stunned for a moment before instinctively saying, "Smoker? I just see him as a good friend, and he's now a vague pirate…"
But before she could finish, she suddenly reacted and cursed in shame and anger, "You're shameless! Who has a crush on you?!"
Diarmuid completely ignored Hina's anger and instead pointed to a stall in the distance. "Oh, candy apples. Want one?"
"Yes!" Hina said immediately.
"See? Just a kid," Diarmuid teased again.
And just like that, amidst Hina's grumbling and Diarmuid's easygoing attitude, a grand fireworks display lit up the night sky over the island.
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