"Revolution always involves bloodshed," Dragon said quietly, his tone heavy. "If necessary, I, Dragon, am not one to cherish my own life. Neither is Kuma."
Finn had never doubted Dragon's determination for the revolution. He had no doubt that Bartholomew Kuma would sacrifice anything for it either. He also believed what Dragon said: if it came down to it, Dragon would die calmly for his cause.
The Revolutionary Army was that kind of organization.
A world where no one gets hurt doesn't exist.
Meeting Dragon's piercing gaze, Finn finally smiled. "I'll convey your words to Fleet Admiral Kong exactly as you said them. As for whether it succeeds or not, I won't say a single word on your behalf."
"The fact that you're willing to convey it at all shows your attitude to a certain extent. I understand that, and the Fleet Admiral will understand it too. That's enough," Dragon said calmly, a faint smile on his lips.
This had been an accidental encounter, and all their conversation had been completely unplanned. Dragon had acted on impulse.
After that, the two of them didn't talk about such heavy topics anymore.
"Come to think of it," Finn said in a much more relaxed tone, leaning back against the edge of the pool, "didn't you say you'd found a wife when we were in Loguetown? It's been almost four years. Still no kid? Wasn't that the original plan?"
Dragon looked a little embarrassed. "I did plan to have a child, but the times have been changing too fast, haven't they? Roger's death ushered in the Great Pirate Era, and I've been a lot busier with the Revolutionary Army."
"That's just an excuse," Finn said flatly.
"Hahaha, why are you so interested in my personal life?" Dragon laughed, then added, "Well, actually, after meeting with Moria this time, I'm heading back to the East Blue."
"Telling me your whereabouts so openly," Finn said, glancing at him. "Aren't you afraid I'll betray you?"
"I've already told you. I've always considered you a half-ally," Dragon said nonchalantly.
Before Finn could respond, Dragon continued. "The World Conference is scheduled for 1504. If I'm not mistaken, given the current situation, the World Government will inevitably have to take the Revolutionary Army seriously. This conference will most likely discuss countermeasures against us."
"Your guess is probably correct," Finn agreed.
He was able to predict some aspects of the future through his meta-knowledge, but Dragon had deduced all of this based purely on experience and observation.
"So next year, the Revolutionary Army will go into hiding and observe the situation. At the same time, as the leader, I can also relax for a while. It's a good opportunity." Dragon's expression softened, something tender flickering in his eyes.
"Ah, I see. You're taking this chance to have a kid. Tsk tsk," Finn said, raising his eyebrows knowingly.
"Hehe, that's about right," Dragon admitted without hiding anything. Then he asked, "Didn't Gion come with you? You wouldn't be lonely enough to travel alone, would you?"
"Aren't you asking even though you already know the answer?" Finn gave him an unpleasant look. "Don't tell me you don't know about Gion taking over G-7."
Then he smiled smugly. "Of course not. How could a handsome man like me travel alone? I brought a beautiful woman with me. Her name is Hina."
"Don't think I'll believe everything you say," Dragon said with mock contempt.
"Tsk. I'm done talking to you," Finn said, waving his hand dismissively.
There was absolutely no point in explaining further.
He stood up, stretched lazily, and said, "Now that I'm here, you probably can't discuss anything else freely, so I won't bother you anymore. It should be getting dark soon, right? There's some kind of celebration tonight. Goodbye. I'm going to go out and have some fun."
Without waiting for a response, he ignored Dragon and walked out of the hot spring bath, striding past Moria and Ivankov with complete confidence.
Finn suddenly stopped and turned back. "Moria, just focus on your promising career in the Revolutionary Army. It's much more interesting than being a pirate. Don't waste your time. Hehe."
Moria stared at Finn's retreating back in confusion, not understanding what he meant.
As soon as Finn entered the changing room, he heard his Den Den Mushi chirping insistently. He opened his locker with a sigh, pulled out the snail, and answered irritably. "Hina…are you trying to kill me with all this calling?"
"Admiral, Hina called you seventeen or eighteen times! How long are you going to stay in that hot spring? Soaking for too long is bad for your health!" Hina's voice came through, sounding both worried and annoyed.
"Stop talking nonsense. I just fell asleep for a while," Finn said offhandedly as he began pulling on his clothes.
"As a Devil Fruit user, you fell asleep in a hot spring pool? Admiral, aren't you afraid of drowning?" Hina's tone was slightly exaggerated.
"Cursing your superior is not a good habit," Finn complained as he slipped on his sandals and picked up the Den Den Mushi again.
"Well, let's not talk about that anymore, Admiral. There's a fireworks display tonight. Do you want to go watch it together?" Hina invited.
"So your romantic date didn't work out?" Finn asked with a teasing smile.
"There are plenty of handsome guys on the island, but what's the use of being handsome? None of them have any substance. They always try to hit on Hina just based on their looks. What do they think Hina am?" Hina said unhappily.
"Being handsome isn't enough? You really do ask for a lot," Finn said with a laugh as he opened the door and walked out of the changing room.
"Though I guess you're right. They need money too. Hahahaha."
"Having money isn't enough either! It's better to be strong enough to join the Marines!" Hina replied with a smile.
"There aren't many people like that," Finn said as he exited the hot spring hotel.
The sun was setting. From the hotel halfway up the hill, he could just overlook the horizon in the distance. Half the sun had already sunk into the water, painting the sky in brilliant shades of orange and red. The view was breathtaking.
"What a beautiful view," Finn murmured softly.
"It really is beautiful!" Hina's voice came from directly behind him. She was holding her Den Den Mushi in her hand.
Finn glanced at her with mild exasperation. "Are you following me?"
"How could that be? Hina just happened to pass by here. Hina was about to ask you where you were, Admiral," Hina said with an innocent smile as she put away the Den Den Mushi.
Finn didn't bother pressing the issue. He patted his stomach. "I'm hungry. Let's go find something to eat. I'll treat you."
"There are lots of food stalls on Celebration Street! Let Hina lead the way!" Hina said excitedly, practically bouncing ahead.
Finn adjusted the sunglasses on his head, then pulled out a cigar, placing it between his lips and lighting it. He watched Hina's cheerful back with a faint smile.
"Hey, Hina," Finn said suddenly.
Hina, who had been walking ahead, looked puzzled. She turned around. "Huh? What's wrong, Admiral?"
"Your little feelings are way too obvious, kid," Finn said, walking over with a grin. He reached out and ruffled her long pink hair. "Even though I'm handsome, powerful, and hold a high position, don't go falling for me so easily."
He laughed loudly and strode past her, taking the lead.
Hina stood frozen for a moment, then her face turned bright red. "What kind of nonsense are you thinking, Admiral?!"
Finn listened to the angry voice of the girl behind him and walked down the mountain with a booming laugh, not bothering to turn around.
By the time they reached Celebration Street, the sun had completely disappeared, and darkness had enveloped the island. As expected of a tourist destination, the street was packed with people. Lanterns hung from every stall, and the sound of laughter and music filled the air.
Finn walked ahead with a skewer of fried food in hand, while Hina followed behind him holding an ice cream cone, still grumbling.
"When Hina get back to Headquarters, I'm going to ask for leave and go to G-7 to complain to Sister Gion. Hina will tell her that you, as a boss, have improper intentions toward your subordinates," Hina complained while eating her ice cream.
Finn bit off a piece of fried meat, chewed it, and muttered through the food, "When did I ever have improper intentions toward you? It's obviously you, little girl, who has improper intentions toward me."
"How could I?!" Hina said indignantly.
"Why are you always watching me instead of looking for a romantic encounter?" Finn said with a teasing smile.
"Hina… Hina…" Hina paused, then said defensively, "Hina just keeping an eye on you for Sister Gion!"
At that moment, Finn turned around suddenly, and Hina almost bumped straight into his chest.
"What are you doing? Why are you so jumpy?" Hina complained.
"Gion?" Finn said, stroking his chin thoughtfully. "To be honest, there's nothing between Gion and me. Why does everyone think there is?"
Hina looked at him in surprise. "Everyone knows you've had many conflicts with Vice Admiral Chaton because of Sister Gion. Who would believe you now if you said there's nothing going on?"
"Really?" Finn stroked his chin again, murmuring softly. "I always feel like I've been the only one taking the blame for all of this. I've always been at a disadvantage. Is that woman Gion using me as a shield? No, I have to collect some interest from her when I get back this time."
Hina blushed when she heard this, but she couldn't help asking hesitantly, "What… what kind of interest?"
Finn looked at her reaction and couldn't help but smile. "A child shouldn't know about interest."
"Hina is not a child, okay? Admiral, Hina a Lieutenant Commander at Marine Headquarters! Please show Hina a little respect!" Hina said very unhappily.
"Hahahaha! Only a child would get angry and embarrassed about something like this," Finn laughed.
"Come to think of it, I thought you liked that stubborn bastard Smoker, but you're secretly in love with me? Hahaha," Finn said suddenly, his tone teasing.
Hina was stunned for a moment, then instinctively replied, "Smoker? I just consider him a good friend, and now he's become some shady pirate…"
But before she could finish, she suddenly realized what she'd almost admitted. Her face turned scarlet. "Shame on you! Who has a crush on you?!"
Finn paid no attention to Hina's embarrassment. Instead, he pointed to a stall in the distance. "Oh, candied apples. Do you want one?"
"Yes!" Hina said immediately.
"Really just a kid," Finn said teasingly.
Just like that, amidst Hina's cursing and Finn's leisurely stroll, grand fireworks exploded in the night sky above the island, painting the darkness in brilliant bursts of color.
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