While the Arlong Pirates unleashed slaughter in the Sand Country's camp, Dragon had already subdued the Flower Country's king. He placed on the throne a kind-hearted prince who embraced the ideals of the Revolutionary Army.
To help this new monarch secure control of the Flower Country, Dragon did not merely capture the king—he also arrested every other prince and power-hungry minister.
It became clear the Revolutionaries had long planted seeds here. Their strategy had been prepared for years, aiming to fold this nation into their sphere of influence.
After all, the Flower Country was a land of martial strength, where nearly every citizen trained in hand-to-hand combat. If such a nation could be won over, it would provide the Revolutionaries with a formidable source of soldiers.
Under the new king's orders, the battered Eight Treasure Navy was forced into submission by the Revolutionaries. Those who resisted most fiercely, the strongest "Pillars," were defeated personally by Dragon and locked away.
"Grandfather… do we really have to obey this so-called Fourth Prince's commands?"
Sai, candidate Pillar of the Eight Treasure Navy, whispered to his grandfather, the legendary warrior Chinjao. Sai had fought the Revolutionary Army's Northern Commander to a standstill—he hadn't been defeated. His pride bristled at bowing down.
"Idiot, silence! Don't call him 'Fourth Prince.' That is the new king!"
Chinjao smacked his grandson's head with a clenched fist, his eyelids twitching in anger. Glancing toward the Sand Country's battlefield, his scalp tingled with dread.
The Sand Country was finished. Completely finished.
From General Ōkubo Toshimasa to the great clan leaders, down through the ronin warriors and pirate foot soldiers—Souta Kiryuu's Arlong Pirates butchered them nearly to extinction, leaving no chance to surrender.
Had the Arlong Pirates come for the Flower Country instead, the Eight Treasure Navy would've shared the same fate.
Suddenly, the Revolutionaries seemed merciful by comparison.
Among the Eight Pillars of the Eight Treasure Navy, all but the stubborn Third Pillar acknowledged reality. They recognized the Fourth Prince's legitimate ascension and pledged allegiance to the new king.
Better to bend than wait for Souta Kiryuu to arrive and turn their country into another ocean of blood.
Though the Flower Country was subdued, the Revolutionaries kept the alliance hidden. Publicly, the nation would remain an affiliate of the World Government. But secretly, Dragon intended to reshape the Eight Treasure Navy into a true royal guard—not pirates, but a national force.
Souta Kiryuu noticed Dragon's careful arrangements but didn't interfere. Instead, his crew plundered the Sand Country's resources and wealth with ruthless efficiency.
The Revolutionaries also cracked open the Eight Treasure Navy's famed Glacier Vault, seizing treasures before parting ways. Outwardly, they cut ties with the Flower Country, maintaining the illusion of distance. In secret, the Flower Country would funnel supplies and soldiers into the Revolutionary cause.
"Once we depart, quickly annex the Sand Country into the Flower Country's domain," Dragon instructed the new king. "That way, this sea will be unified under a single strong nation. The surrounding islands' common folk won't suffer plunder twice over, and their burden of survival will ease."
Moreover, with the Flower Country absorbing the Sand Country, the nation would have years to digest its gains. Expansion beyond their borders would be unnecessary. The combined strength of both lands was more than enough to cover the tribute of an allied state.
"Rest assured, Commander. I will see that the people of this sea live in peace, with full bellies and sound sleep," the new king swore solemnly. Without the daily raids between Flower and Sand Countries, the waters would grow far calmer. Gradually, he would reform the Eight Treasure Navy's violent reputation, steering them toward a brighter future.
"If any obstacle arises to threaten that peace, the Revolutionary Army will deal with it," Dragon replied with quiet satisfaction. The operation had quelled chaos across this sea and won a powerful nation to their side.
When the Arlong Pirates finished looting the Sand Country, the Revolutionaries departed the Flower Country with their share of treasure, leaving behind a battlefield drenched in carnage.
On a desolate island, the two groups met to divide the spoils.
Perhaps because the Revolutionaries had already seized the Flower Country's throne—and with the Sand Country destined to be absorbed into it—Dragon made no claim on what Souta Kiryuu's crew had taken.
Instead, he even handed over martial manuals from the Eight Treasure Navy and a portion of the Glacier Vault's treasure to the Arlong Pirates.
"Hahaha! Dragon, you're so generous it makes me feel like I owe you a favor!" Souta Kiryuu laughed heartily. But Bege, standing beside him, accepted the treasures and scrolls without hesitation.
"My only request is this—when your sky warships reach mass production, trade a few to us," Dragon said, finally revealing his true intent.
Knowing the Arlong Pirates' temperament, he dared not demand a share of the Sand Country's loot. That would only provoke fighters like Enel or Moria. Better to yield more now, and win favor. After all, both the Flower and Sand Countries would ultimately belong to the Revolutionaries.
"That's easy enough. But we'll need Dr. Vegapunk to solve the energy problem first," Souta replied casually. "This golden ark runs on our lightning powers. Does the Revolutionary Army have any Logia users of lightning?"
Indeed, Dr. Wolf and Vegapunk had already designed modified versions of the Ark Maxim. Once the energy dilemma was solved, mass production would be possible.
With the Pika Pika Fruit installed in the Seraphim units, the airships' burden of gravity would ease, resolving propulsion and energy concerns swiftly.
Ultimately, a fusion of Devil Fruit powers and advanced technology would be required. When spacefaring pirates eventually appeared, their ships might bring new energy sources, providing Vegapunk the breakthrough he needed.
"That day will come. Until then, we'll wait," Dragon said with a faint smile.
The final division complete, both sides went their separate ways.
"Kuma, you and the others return first. On the way, drop me off in the East Blue—I have something to take care of," Souta Kiryuu ordered suddenly.
Dragon was still in the West Blue; there was no way he could reach the East faster than Souta himself. At Marineford, Garp remained with the Navy. That left Dragon's son—the wielder of the Nika Fruit—unguarded.
Kuma had marked several places in the East Blue back when he worked with the Revolutionaries: Shimotsuki Village, the Goa Kingdom… traveling there would be easy.
After all, the three giants of the Revolutionary Army had once met Kōshirō of Shimotsuki Village, resupplying there—and perhaps even encountering young Zoro himself.
Sabo, too, had been rescued by Dragon near the Goa Kingdom in the East Blue.
"Understood," Kuma answered without question. With Souta Kiryuu's strength, wandering alone posed no risk.
"Papa Souta, where are you off to now? Why aren't you taking us with you?" Little Bonney suddenly leapt onto Souta's back, pouting. She was still sulking after failing to defeat Holissa in direct combat—her bounty might not rise after all.
"Just picking something up. I'll be back to Skypiea soon," Souta replied, ruffling Bonney's hair.
In truth, he planned to sneak into Windmill Village, targeting Dragon's son. All he needed was a small sample of blood.
A sly, underhanded move—but it had to remain hidden. Otherwise, his domineering reputation would take a hit.
All of this, he told himself, was Vegapunk's fault. Souta certainly hadn't wanted things to come to this.