After handling matters concerning Tiger and the Shichibukai, Ortoren continued, "Secondly, due to the Revolutionary Army's collaboration with Shiki in the burning of Holy Land, the World Government's response has been extremely severe. The CP Organization suffered heavy losses in this incident, which means the Marines have now been tasked with eradicating the Revolutionary Army..."
Dragon remained silent, sitting quietly on the sofa, listening to Ortoren speak.
"Therefore, the Marines will collaborate with select kingdoms within the New World to establish a Marine Police force. This unit will specialize in routine patrols, counter-infiltration operations, and suppression of Revolutionary Army activities. The force will be overseen by Rear Admiral Vergo of the Marines, and its formation will be under the leadership of His Majesty King Doflamingo of Dressrosa. We've already reached a consensus and formulated a plan for the specifics. This is just an early heads-up," Ortoren explained.
Sitting on the sofa, Tiger listened to this and found it completely absurd. Is this how society on the seas works?
The Marines, right in front of the Revolutionary Army's leader, were telling everyone that they were forming a unit specifically to deal with the Revolutionary Army—and even giving advance notice?
And the leader of the Revolutionary Army was sitting there, perfectly calm, showing no sign of panic whatsoever.
While Tiger thought this over, Ortoren continued, "We hope Spandine and Dragon will cooperate with this matter."
Without hesitation, Spandine nodded. "No problem! We're ready to assist whenever needed!"
Dragon remained silent for a moment before asking, "Me? How exactly am I supposed to cooperate? You're not suggesting I start handing over a fixed number of Revolutionary Army members every year as protection money, are you?"
"Dragon, how can you say that? We're like brothers. How could I ask you to do something so dishonorable? If you betray your Revolutionary Army comrades today, wouldn't you be betraying us tomorrow?" Ortoren said, feigning reproach.
Dragon's face twitched slightly, but he didn't dispute the "brothers" comment.
"So what exactly are you suggesting?" Dragon raised an eyebrow, asking.
"You don't need to worry about padding the numbers—that won't fall on your Revolutionary Army. But each year, you should at least cooperate with our Marine Police and Spandine's joint sweep exercises in the New World. Stir up some conflicts, generate news across the seas—this shouldn't be too much to ask, right?" Ortoren pressed.
Dragon thought for a moment. This could serve as a cover for the Revolutionary Army. A few annual "setbacks" in the New World would make the World Government think they had suffered serious blows, which would make them more complacent. Meanwhile, the Revolutionary Army could grow under this guise—an arrangement that worked in their favor.
Seeing no harm in it, Dragon finally nodded. "No problem."
Spandine let out a visible sigh of relief. This would help secure his standing within CP. Far from being purged, his stellar performance might even earn him a promotion—perhaps to "Vanguard Admiral of Counter-Revolutionary Forces"—furthering his career and wealth.
After wrapping up these matters, Ortoren smiled as he picked up his teacup. "Today, we've gathered heroes from various factions: our Marines, the Shichibukai, the Republic of Totto Land, the Revolutionary Army, the Deep Sea factions of Fish-Man Island, and the CP Organization. This meeting has firmly established our cooperative relationships, as well as the shared benefits and responsibilities we will divide soon. I believe this is an excellent beginning. Moving forward, let's preserve the tradition of such small meetings. If any issues arise, let's not resort to violence right away. We're all dear friends and brothers—wouldn't it be terrible to fight? When problems arise that need solving, we can sit down together and settle them peacefully."
Spandine was the first to support this idea, "Exactly! Fighting only disrupts the harmony. We're all good friends—if issues come up, let's sit down and talk it through. You understand my difficulties, I understand yours, and we can find a middle ground. By helping each other, we might turn a bad situation into a good one—a win-win where no one loses out!"
Tiger, having personally experienced the power of this kind of "cooperative win-win," was the second to express his support.
For Tiger, today's meeting had truly been worthwhile. Not only had he secured a vital maritime opportunity for Fish-Man Island, but more importantly, he had integrated into this high-level gathering—led by an Admiral and attended by numerous senior Marines, alongside top-tier factions like the CP9, the Shichibukai, the Revolutionary Army, and Totto Land.
He had gone from being an unknown gang leader on Fish-Man Island to someone who could mingle with the elite at the highest levels of society.
Moreover, Tiger felt that this meeting could be the one that would reshape the entire future of Fish-Man Island. He truly believed he could become the pivotal figure guiding its transformation—someone who would rewrite centuries of division and upheaval between the underwater and surface worlds!
As for Dragon, he fully understood that Ortoren's earlier words were directed at him and the Revolutionary Army.
After all, the Shichibukai present were his subordinates, the delegation from Totto Land was led by his own brother, the Marine admirals all answered to him, and Spandine from the CP Organization was Ortoren's lackey. Tiger's influence simply wasn't enough. To put it plainly, those words were aimed squarely at Dragon!
But Dragon had also benefited from the previous incident—the "Four Great Crimes Arsonists Burn Mary Geoise"—and had come to deeply understand the advantages of "unity is strength" and "cooperation leads to mutual success."
Seriously, without uniting, without cooperation, how could the Revolutionary Army have burned Holy Land? It would have been impossible!
But once they worked together and supported each other, what had seemed completely impossible was accomplished with surprising ease!
So now, Dragon was starting to shift his mindset. Going it alone, he couldn't take on the World Government, let alone a powerhouse like Ortoren, whose connections were terrifying.
This guy was incredibly powerful, held a respected position, and wielded immense authority, yet he didn't carry that arrogant, self-centered attitude. It seemed like every major figure in every industry, when you really thought about it, was his friend. How could you fight someone like that?
Rather than fighting him, it seemed better to follow his suggestion: become "beloved friends and brothers," turning his strength into your own!
Of course, Dragon was well aware that leveraging Ortoren's strength and friendship could provide significant support. But at the same time, it was inevitable that Ortoren would extend his influence into the Revolutionary Army.
Take Dragon himself: before their cooperation in burning Holy Land, he hadn't exactly harbored resentment toward Ortoren, but there had been a lingering wariness—even a subtle hostility, born from repeated betrayals and scapegoating.
But now? Sitting here sipping tea and chatting with him, talking about ideologies on the surface while discussing business in their hearts. All that previous wariness, vigilance, and hostility had long since vanished. What was this?
This was, in essence, the extension of Ortoren's influence!
As this realization struck him, Dragon suddenly noticed, almost without realizing it, that he had begun to unconsciously prioritize Ortoren's way of thinking.
Looking around at the others in the room—whether it was Doflamingo, Katakuri, or figures like Moria, Spandine, and Tiger—they all seemed to have, without even noticing, become accustomed to the atmosphere that revolved around Ortoren as its core!
Dragon knew that habits were incredibly powerful. Once or twice, it meant little. Three or four times, things began to shift. Five or six times, and authority was established!
"This sea isn't just about fighting and killing—it's also about human relations."
This phrase inexplicably surfaced in Dragon's mind. What violence cannot accomplish, human relations can achieve with ease; and what human relations cannot resolve, violence must take care of.
Looking back now, Admiral Ortoren had likely understood this truth long ago. That was why he wielded raw power and force in one hand, while holding human connections and worldly wisdom in the other!
Perhaps it was exactly because of this that he could move through the world without resistance, everything going his way!
"The aura of a king!" Dragon snapped out of his reverie. In Ortoren, he saw the very essence of a king!
He had the thunderous might to slay Shiki, capture Roger, imprison the Red Count, and courageously confront Whitebeard. Yet, he also possessed the gentle rain of kindness, never forgetting his humble beginnings or the friends who helped him rise. Even someone like Spandine received his warm regard and unwavering support.
"Dragon? Dragon?"
As Dragon's mind wandered through these thoughts, Ortoren's peculiar call brought him back to reality.
"What's up? Daydreaming all of a sudden?" Ortoren asked curiously.
Dragon quickly shook off his earlier musings, shaking his head. "Nothing... But you're right. Not everything needs to be solved by fighting. We can sit down and talk..."
He knew that sitting down to talk meant tacitly acknowledging Ortoren's circle and status. Yet, he couldn't refuse—the gap in scale and power was too vast. Having experienced the benefits and excitement of such alliances, the Revolutionary Army... simply couldn't turn down Ortoren's invitation.
After all, if they were already enemies of the World Government, making Ortoren their enemy as well would truly spell the end for the Revolutionary Army!