Chapter 9: Young Marine, Che Kỳ-D-Long
"Don't even think about getting any secrets from me!"
"You people just wait for the endless pursuit from the World Government and Marine Headquarters!"
Just then, the CP0 agent seemed to realize something. He steeled his heart and bit his own tongue, committing suicide!
"This guy! Stop him, quick!"
Roger and Rono saw this and wanted to stop him, but it was too late. The CP0 agent had already stopped breathing.
"I didn't expect this kind of scum to be so loyal." Roger also hadn't expected CP0's "loyalty" to the Celestial Dragons to reach this extent.
He actually committed suicide! I really don't know how the World Government brainwashes these CP0 agents.
"He was just afraid of exposing the Celestial Dragon's whereabouts. The fate awaiting him would be worse than death."
Rono, however, was indifferent.
CP0 are, at best, the Celestial Dragons' "house dogs." If these "house dogs" fail their mission, they will definitely suffer hellish torture from their masters.
In the original story, Who's-Who, a high-ranking executive of the Beasts Pirates and one of the Tobi Roppo, was a former CP0 member.
Because he failed to transport the Rubber Fruit, he was thrown into Impel Down. In the end, he defected to Kaido.
It's clear that even if he didn't kill these CP0 agents, they would definitely have ended their own lives. It's better than falling into the Celestial Dragons' hands.
"Hahaha, the battle's over! Let's go, let's see what good stuff is in that Heavenly Tribute!"
Seeing the obstacle resolved, Roger wrapped an arm around Rono's shoulder and led him toward the ship's cabin.
His Observation Haki indicated that the Heavenly Tribute was all stored in the cabin.
Rono was also quite looking forward to this.
The Heavenly Tribute... besides gold and treasure, could there be a powerful Devil Fruit or other treasures?
He knew Roger hadn't eaten a Devil Fruit. It could be said he had no interest in Devil Fruits at all.
If they found a Devil Fruit, it would definitely be his.
"I wonder if there's any vintage wine? I'm so looking forward to it~!"
Roger's words nearly made Rono fall to the ground.
"What on earth is going on in your head?"
Rono was utterly speechless. Things like fine wine... as long as you have enough money, you can buy as much as you want. Besides, the Celestial Dragons wouldn't possibly be short on fine wine.
It seemed an ordinary person really couldn't keep up with the Pirate King's train of thought.
"St... stop!"
Just then, a young, trembling voice rang out.
"Oh? Someone's still conscious?"
Hearing this, Roger and Rono were quite surprised. They both looked towards the source of the voice simultaneously.
It was a young Marine, clearly a new recruit. He actually managed to wake up first.
One had to know, his Conqueror's Haki was Advanced-level. To wake up so quickly, this guy's will must be very strong.
Such a talented Marine... could he be one of the future "pheasant, dog, monkey" trio?
No, at this time, those three hadn't joined the Marines yet.
Sengoku, Garp, Zephyr?
That's not right either. Those three were already famous by now, and were all Vice Admirals at Marine Headquarters, candidates for Admiral.
And Rono always felt like he had seen this face somewhere before, but he just couldn't place it.
"I saw what you did. I will absolutely not allow you to take the Heavenly Tribute."
"I am a Marine who represents justice!"
The young Marine said with a bit of "chuunibyou" flair, raising a recruit's short sword and pointing it at the two of them.
"Justice? The Celestial Dragons' dogs can walk all over you. Is that what you call justice?" Rono mocked.
"That's only temporary! When I grow stronger, I will definitely change the current state of the Marines!" the young Marine replied resolutely.
"Change the Marines? That's quite the claim."
Rono became interested in the young man before him.
A youth who doesn't chase dreams is wasting his youth. Vowing to change the Marines... that's really no small boast.
A man with such ambition would never be a mediocre person.
But the person in front of him couldn't be the "pheasant, dog, monkey" trio, nor could he be Garp, Sengoku, or Zephyr.
Then who could it be? Could it be Fujitora?
Looking at this chuunibyou aura, it couldn't be Fujitora either. There were, however, a few people whose chuunibyou aura was very similar to this young man's.
But one was Luffy, and one was Roger. Neither was possible.
Rono tried hard to recall if he had missed some plot point from the original story. How could he have never heard of a Marine like this?
*Boom!*
Just as Rono was pondering, the next moment, a powerful aura suddenly erupted from the young Marine's body!
An invisible shockwave spread out instantly, and the world seemed to change color.
Conqueror's Haki! Without a doubt!
However, this Conqueror's Haki was still at the beginner stage.
For both Roger and Rono, this level of Conqueror's Haki was very easy to block.
"Conqueror's Haki? Young Marine, state your name!"
After using his own Conqueror's Haki to repel the other's, an even stronger interest showed in Rono's eyes.
There weren't many guys in the Marines who possessed Conqueror's Haki.
In Rono's memory, it seemed only Sengoku had that.
But the young man in front of him was clearly not Sengoku, and there didn't seem to be a corresponding character in the original story.
Who on earth was this Marine!
"My name is Monkey D. Dragon! I swear to use the sword of justice in my heart to cut down all injustice in the world!" the young man replied powerfully!
"Dragon!"
After hearing this name, Rono froze on the spot.
It was actually Dragon!
The future, famous leader of the Revolutionary Army, the World's Most-Wanted Criminal!
No wonder he was filled with such a chuunibyou aura. He was Luffy's father, after all.
I never expected that Dragon was once a Marine?
Interesting. Truly interesting.
To change from a Marine to the leader of the Revolutionary Army... it seems Dragon must have suffered quite a blow in the future.
"Hahaha! Monkey D. Dragon, I'll remember it! I'll be waiting for the day you change the Marines!"
Hearing this, Roger laughed heartily from the side.
Chuunibyou auras are drawn to each other, after all.
"I'll remember your name too, Dragon. My name is Rono. If you ever become disappointed with the Marines in the future, remember to come find me."
Rono said to Dragon.
Although he didn't know what Dragon would encounter to make him change from a Marine to the Revolutionary Army leader aiming to overthrow the World Government.
But without a doubt, his and Dragon's goals were the same!
If he could have Dragon's help in the future, he would be one step closer to his goal!
After all, the future Revolutionary Army was a considerable force, not even weaker than a Yonko's crew.
Although Dragon's strength as a leader hadn't been shown yet, he was undoubtedly a powerhouse at the Admiral/Yonko level!
Planting a seed in the mind of such a powerhouse in his youth... the future return would definitely be an entire forest!
"Don't get any ideas, Rono! I am a Marine! I will never join pirates!"
Dragon's face was exceptionally firm. It seemed that having just joined the Marines, he had yet to suffer a harsh beating from reality.
"Hahaha, alright. Then give it a try. See if you can change the Marines."
Rono laughed heartily at his words. If Dragon could really change the Marines, then what would be the point of the *One Piece* manga?